Final 2008 California 303(d)/305(b) Integrated Report

Supporting Information

Regional Board 8 - Santa Ana Region

Water Body Name: Elsinore, Lake
Water Body ID: CAL8023100019990208151100
Water Body Type: Lake & Reservoir
 
DECISION ID
15607
 
Pollutant: Sediment Toxicity
Final Listing Decision: List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: New Decision
Revision Status Revised
Sources: Source Unknown
Expected TMDL Completion Date: 2021
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Weight of Evidence: This pollutant is being considered for placement on the section 303(d) list under section 3.1 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.1 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status.

Two lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Thirty-nine (39) of the samples exceed the water quality objective.

Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification in favor of placing this water segment-pollutant combination on the section 303(d) list in the Water Quality Limited Segments category.

This conclusion is based on the staff findings that:
1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The data used satisfies the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. Thirty-nine (39) of sixty (60) samples exceed the survival of organisms during toxicity bioassays no less than 80% and this exceeds the allowable frequency listed in Table 3.1 of the Listing Policy.
4. Pursuant to section 3.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are not met.
 
RWQCB Board Decision / Staff Recommendation: After review of the available data and information, RWQCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should be placed on the section 303(d) list because applicable water quality standards are exceeded and a pollutant contributes to or causes the problem.
 
SWRCB Board Decision / Staff Recommendation:
 
USEPA Decision:
 
 
Lines of Evidence (LOEs) for Decision ID 15607
 
LOE ID: 8407
 
Pollutant: Sediment Bioassays -- Acute Toxicity--Freshwater
LOE Subgroup: Toxicity
Matrix: Sediment
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Warm Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: Warm Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 30
Number of Exceedances: 12
 
Data and Information Type: Toxicity testing of sediments
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The data used for this assessment originated from the Regional Board's monitoring study fthat was funded by the State's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. The wet and dry season samples were collected at 30 locations. During the dry season, 12 of the 30 stations showed <80% Hyallela azteca survival in the sediment.
Data Reference: Lake Elsinore Sediment and Water Column Toxicity Study
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Basin Plan Objective: The concentrations of toxic pollutants in the water column, sediments or biota shall not adversely affect beneficial uses.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan-Santa Ana Region
 
Evaluation Guideline: Survival of organisms during toxicity bioassays no less than 80%
Guideline Reference: Sediment chemistry, toxicity, and benthic community conditions in selected water bodies of the Los Angeles Region - Final Report and Appendices. Sacramento, CA: Bay Protection and Toxic Cleanup Program
 
Spatial Representation: Thirty locations were randomly selected by a statistician over the entire lake.
Temporal Representation: The 30 stations were sampled once during the dry season in June and October 2003.
Environmental Conditions: The samples represent the dry season
QAPP Information: The data's quality is considered to be appropriate because it was generated under the auspices of an approved Quality Assurance Plan.
QAPP Information Reference(s): This is the Lake Elsinore Quality Assurance Plan for the sediment and water column toxicity monitoring done in Lake Elsinore in 2003.
 
LOE ID: 8397
 
Pollutant: Sediment Bioassays -- Acute Toxicity--Freshwater
LOE Subgroup: Toxicity
Matrix: Sediment
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Warm Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 30
Number of Exceedances: 27
 
Data and Information Type: Toxicity testing of sediments
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The data used for this assessment originated from the Regional Board's monitoring study that was funded by the State's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. The wet and dry season samples were collected at 30 locations. During the wet season, 27 of the 30 stations showed <80% Hyallela azteca survival in the sediment.
Data Reference: Lake Elsinore Sediment and Water Column Toxicity Study
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Basin Plan Objective: The concentrations of toxic pollutants in the water column, sediments or biota shall not adversely affect beneficial uses.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan-Santa Ana Region
 
Evaluation Guideline: Survival of organisms during toxicity bioassays no less than 80%
Guideline Reference: Sediment chemistry, toxicity, and benthic community conditions in selected water bodies of the Los Angeles Region - Final Report and Appendices. Sacramento, CA: Bay Protection and Toxic Cleanup Program
 
Spatial Representation: Thirty locations were randomly selected by a statistician over the entire lake.
Temporal Representation: The 30 stations were sampled once during the wet season in April 2003.
Environmental Conditions: The samples represent the wet season.
QAPP Information: The data's quality is considered to be appropriate because it was generated under the auspices of an approved Quality Assurance Plan.
QAPP Information Reference(s): This is the Lake Elsinore Quality Assurance Plan for the sediment and water column toxicity monitoring done in Lake Elsinore in 2003.
 
DECISION ID
7224
 
Pollutant: Unknown Toxicity
Final Listing Decision: List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)(2006)
Revision Status Revised
Sources: Source Unknown
Expected TMDL Completion Date: 2007
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Weight of Evidence: This pollutant is being considered for placement on the section 303(d) list under section 3.1 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.1 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status.

Five (5) lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Several of the samples exceed the water quality objective.

Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification in favor of placing this water segment-pollutant combination on the section 303(d) list in the Water Quality Limited Segments category.

This conclusion is based on the staff findings that:
1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The data used satisfies the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. NIne (9) of thirty (30) samples, three out of thirty (30) samples and sixteen (16) of thirty (30) samples, exceed the survival of organisms during toxicity bioassays no less than 80% and this exceeds the allowable frequency listed in Table 3.1 of the Listing Policy.
4. Pursuant to section 3.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are not met.
 
RWQCB Board Decision / Staff Recommendation: After review of the available data and information, RWQCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should be removed from the section 303(d) list because applicable water quality standards for the pollutant are not being exceeded.
 
SWRCB Board Decision / Staff Recommendation: N/A
 
USEPA Decision:
 
 
Lines of Evidence (LOEs) for Decision ID 7224
 
LOE ID: 8441
 
Pollutant: Ambient Bioassays -- Acute Aquatic Toxicity
LOE Subgroup: Toxicity
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Warm Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: Warm Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 30
Number of Exceedances: 1
 
Data and Information Type: Ambient toxicity testing (acute)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The data used for this assessment originated from the Regional Board's monitoring study fthat was funded by the State's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. The wet and dry season samples were collected at 30 locations. During the wet season, 1 of the 30 stations showed <80% Ceriodaphnia dubia (water flea) survival (acute effects) in the water column
Data Reference: Lake Elsinore Sediment and Water Column Toxicity Study
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Basin Plan Objective: The concentrations of toxic pollutants in the water column, sediments or biota shall not adversely affect beneficial uses.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan-Santa Ana Region
 
Evaluation Guideline: Survival of organisms during toxicity bioassays no less than 80%
Guideline Reference: Sediment chemistry, toxicity, and benthic community conditions in selected water bodies of the Los Angeles Region - Final Report and Appendices. Sacramento, CA: Bay Protection and Toxic Cleanup Program
 
Spatial Representation: Thirty locations were randomly selected by a statistician over the entire lake.
Temporal Representation: Each of the 30 stations were sampled once during the wet season in April 2003.
Environmental Conditions: The samples represent the wet season.
QAPP Information: The data's quality is considered to be appropriate because it was generated under the auspices of an approved Quality Assurance Plan.
QAPP Information Reference(s): This is the Lake Elsinore Quality Assurance Plan for the sediment and water column toxicity monitoring done in Lake Elsinore in 2003.
 
LOE ID: 8438
 
Pollutant: Ambient Bioassays -- Chronic Aquatic Toxicity
LOE Subgroup: Toxicity
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Warm Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: Warm Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 30
Number of Exceedances: 3
 
Data and Information Type: Ambient toxicity testing (chronic)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The data used for this assessment originated from the Regional Board's monitoring study fthat was funded by the State's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. The wet and dry season samples were collected at 30 locations. During the wet season, 3 of the 30 stations showed <80% Selenastrum capricornatum (algae) growth and reproduction (sublethal chronic effects) in the water column
Data Reference: Lake Elsinore Sediment and Water Column Toxicity Study
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Basin Plan Objective: The concentrations of toxic pollutants in the water column, sediments or biota shall not adversely affect beneficial uses.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan-Santa Ana Region
 
Evaluation Guideline: Survival of organisms during toxicity bioassays no less than 80%
Guideline Reference: Sediment chemistry, toxicity, and benthic community conditions in selected water bodies of the Los Angeles Region - Final Report and Appendices. Sacramento, CA: Bay Protection and Toxic Cleanup Program
 
Spatial Representation: Thirty locations were randomly selected by a statistician over the entire lake.
Temporal Representation: Each of the 30 stations were sampled once during the wet season in April 2003.
Environmental Conditions: The samples represent the wet season.
QAPP Information: The data's quality is considered to be appropriate because it was generated under the auspices of an approved Quality Assurance Plan.
QAPP Information Reference(s): This is the Lake Elsinore Quality Assurance Plan for the sediment and water column toxicity monitoring done in Lake Elsinore in 2003.
 
LOE ID: 8427
 
Pollutant: Ambient Bioassays -- Chronic Aquatic Toxicity
LOE Subgroup: Toxicity
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Warm Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: Warm Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 30
Number of Exceedances: 1
 
Data and Information Type: Ambient toxicity testing (chronic)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The data used for this assessment originated from the Regional Board's monitoring study fthat was funded by the State's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. The wet and dry season samples were collected at 30 locations. During the dry season, 1 of the 30 stations showed <80% Selenastrum capricornatum (algae) growth and reproduction (sublethal chronic effects) in the water column
Data Reference: Lake Elsinore Sediment and Water Column Toxicity Study
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Basin Plan Objective: The concentrations of toxic pollutants in the water column, sediments or biota shall not adversely affect beneficial uses.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan-Santa Ana Region
 
Evaluation Guideline: Survival of organisms during toxicity bioassays no less than 80%
Guideline Reference: Sediment chemistry, toxicity, and benthic community conditions in selected water bodies of the Los Angeles Region - Final Report and Appendices. Sacramento, CA: Bay Protection and Toxic Cleanup Program
 
Spatial Representation: Thirty locations were randomly selected by a statistician over the entire lake.
Temporal Representation: Each of the 30 stations were sampled once during the dry season in June and October 2003.
Environmental Conditions: The samples represent the dry season.
QAPP Information: The data's quality is considered to be appropriate because it was generated under the auspices of an approved Quality Assurance Plan.
QAPP Information Reference(s): This is the Lake Elsinore Quality Assurance Plan for the sediment and water column toxicity monitoring done in Lake Elsinore in 2003.
 
LOE ID: 8420
 
Pollutant: Ambient Bioassays -- Chronic Aquatic Toxicity
LOE Subgroup: Toxicity
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Warm Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: Warm Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 30
Number of Exceedances: 16
 
Data and Information Type: Ambient toxicity testing (chronic)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The data used for this assessment originated from the Regional Board's monitoring study fthat was funded by the State's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. The wet and dry season samples were collected at 30 locations. During the dry season, 16 of the 30 stations showed <80% Ceriodaphnia dubia (water flea) growth and reproduction (sublethal effects) in the water column
Data Reference: Lake Elsinore Sediment and Water Column Toxicity Study
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Basin Plan Objective: The concentrations of toxic pollutants in the water column, sediments or biota shall not adversely affect beneficial uses.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan-Santa Ana Region
 
Evaluation Guideline: Survival of organisms during toxicity bioassays no less than 80%
Guideline Reference: Sediment chemistry, toxicity, and benthic community conditions in selected water bodies of the Los Angeles Region - Final Report and Appendices. Sacramento, CA: Bay Protection and Toxic Cleanup Program
 
Spatial Representation: Thirty locations were randomly selected by a statistician over the entire lake.
Temporal Representation: Each of the 30 stations were sampled once during the dry season in June and October 2003.
Environmental Conditions: The samples represent the dry season.
QAPP Information: The data's quality is considered to be appropriate because it was generated under the auspices of an approved Quality Assurance Plan.
QAPP Information Reference(s): This is the Lake Elsinore Quality Assurance Plan for the sediment and water column toxicity monitoring done in Lake Elsinore in 2003.
 
LOE ID: 8416
 
Pollutant: Ambient Bioassays -- Acute Aquatic Toxicity
LOE Subgroup: Visual
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Warm Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: Warm Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 30
Number of Exceedances: 9
 
Data and Information Type: Ambient toxicity testing (acute)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The data used for this assessment originated from the Regional Board's monitoring study fthat was funded by the State's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. The wet and dry season samples were collected at 30 locations. During the dry season, 9 of the 30 stations showed <80% Cerodaphnia dubia survival (acute effects) in the water column
Data Reference: Lake Elsinore Sediment and Water Column Toxicity Study
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Basin Plan Objective: The concentrations of toxic pollutants in the water column, sediments or biota shall not adversely affect beneficial uses.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan-Santa Ana Region
 
Evaluation Guideline: Survival of organisms during toxicity bioassays no less than 80%
Guideline Reference: Sediment chemistry, toxicity, and benthic community conditions in selected water bodies of the Los Angeles Region - Final Report and Appendices. Sacramento, CA: Bay Protection and Toxic Cleanup Program
 
Spatial Representation: Thirty locations were randomly selected by a statistician over the entire lake.
Temporal Representation: Each of the 30 stations were sampled once during the dry season in June and October 2003.
Environmental Conditions: The samples represent the dry season.
QAPP Information: The data's quality is considered to be appropriate because it was generated under the auspices of an approved Quality Assurance Plan.
QAPP Information Reference(s): This is the Lake Elsinore Quality Assurance Plan for the sediment and water column toxicity monitoring done in Lake Elsinore in 2003.
 
LOE ID: 4407
 
Pollutant: Unknown Toxicity
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Not Recorded
 
Beneficial Use: Warm Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 0
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Not Specified
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Unspecified--This LOE is a placeholder to support a 303(d) listing decision made prior to 2006.
Data Reference: Placeholder reference pre-2006 303(d)
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Unspecified
Objective/Criterion Reference: Placeholder reference pre-2006 303(d)
 
Evaluation Guideline: Unspecified
Guideline Reference: Placeholder reference pre-2006 303(d)
 
Spatial Representation: Unspecified
Temporal Representation: Unspecified
Environmental Conditions: Unspecified
QAPP Information: Unspecified
QAPP Information Reference(s):