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Laguna de Santa Rosa TMDLs

Laguna de Santa Rosa Watershed

The Laguna de Santa Rosa is a major tributary of the Russian River and drains a 254 square mile watershed in Sonoma County, California. Major tributaries to the Laguna de Santa Rosa include Windsor Creek, Mark West Creek, Santa Rosa Creek, Blucher Creek, and Copeland Creek.

Impairments

Per the 2008-2010 Section 303(d) List, the Laguna de Santa Rosa is listed as an impaired waterbody for nitrogen, phosphorus, dissolved oxygen, sediment, temperature, mercury, and indicator bacteria. Mark West Creek is listed as impaired for sediment and temperature. Santa Rosa Creek is listed as impaired for sediment, temperature, and indicator bacteria.

Nutrient, Dissolved Oxygen, Temperature, and Sediment TMDLs

A TMDL for high levels of ammonia and low dissolved oxygen concentrations was approved by the US EPA in 1995 as the Waste Reduction Strategy for the Laguna de Santa Rosa.  The Waste Reduction Strategy focused on the reduction of nitrogen loading from point and non-point sources.

Regional Water Board staff are currently developing new TMDLs for nitrogen, phosphorus, dissolved oxygen, temperature, and sediment in the Laguna de Santa Rosa watershed to address continuing water quality impairments.   These TMDLs will apply to entire Laguna de Santa Rosa watershed, including Mark West Creek, Santa Rosa Creek, and all the tributaries.

Stakeholder & Community Involvement

In order for the Laguna TMDLs to be successful in addressing water quality impairments in the Laguna de Santa Rosa, it is imperative for staff to work with stakeholders and members of the community.  Stakeholders are landowners, residents, business owners, special interest groups, government officials and staff, academics, non-governmental organizations, and other interested parties. 

Regional Water Board staff have developed a Stakeholder Plan to help facilitate successful, effective, and efficient stakeholder involvement.

Status Update

Regional Water Board staff presented a status update of the Laguna TMDLs to the Regional Water Board and the public on January 27, 2011 and July 15, 2010.  

Monitoring Plans & Reports

Regional Water Board staff have completed the majority of the monitoring to support the development of the TMDLs.  The following documents detail the monitoring plan, Quality Assurance Project Plan, and results.

Other Available Documents

Pathogen / Indicator Bacteria TMDLs

The indicator bacteria listings in the Laguna de Santa Rosa and Santa Rosa Creek are being addressed as part of the larger Russian River Pathogen TMDL development effort.  Please refer to the Russian River TMDL page for more information.

Mercury Impairment

A TMDL or other program to address the mercury listing for the Laguna de Santa Rosa is not yet scheduled.

Other Available Documents

Contact Information

Rebecca Fitzgerald, Project Manager
707-576-2650
rfitzgerald@waterboards.ca.gov
Steve Butkus, Technical Specialist
707-576-2834
sbutkis@waterboards.ca.gov

Para información en español, llame a Luis Rivera al (707) 570-3769


(Updated November 23, 2011 )

 
 
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