Final California 2010 Integrated Report (303(d) List/305(b) Report)

Supporting Information

Regional Board 6 - Lahontan Region

Water Body Name: Crowley Lake
Water Body ID: CAL6031009019980806103521
Water Body Type: Lake & Reservoir
 
DECISION ID
17950
Region 6     
Crowley Lake
 
Pollutant: Mercury
Final Listing Decision: Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: New Decision
Revision Status Revised
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Regional Board Conclusion: 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.

One line of evidence is available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. None 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 against 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. None of 2 samples exceeded the water quality objective.
and this does not exceed 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.
 
Regional Board Decision Recommendation: N/A
 
State Board Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:
 
State Board Decision Recommendation: After review of the available data and information, SWRCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should not be placed on the section 303(d) list because applicable water quality standards for the pollutant are not exceeded.
 
USEPA Action (if applicable):
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 17950, Mercury
Region 6     
Crowley Lake
 
LOE ID: 31063
 
Pollutant: Mercury
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Tissue
Matrix: Tissue
Fraction: Fish fillet
 
Beneficial Use: Commercial or recreational collection of fish, shellfish, or organisms
 
Number of Samples: 2
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Fish tissue analysis
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Fish were collected for tissue analysis at two locations from Crowley Lake. A total of 2 sample composites were generated from one species: Rainbow Trout. Details of the compositing protocol can be found in the March 2009 report entitled: "Contaminants in Fish from California Lakes and Reservoirs: Technical Report on Year One of a Two-Year Screening Study" (SWAMP, 2009). A total of 0 out of 2 samples exceeded the OHHEA fish tissue screening value for human health.
Data Reference: Data associated with report entitled: Contaminants in Fish from California Lakes and Reservoirs: Technical Report on Year One of a Two-Year Screening Survey. A Report of the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP). California State Water Resources Control Board, Sacramento, CA
  Contaminants in Fish from California Lakes and Reservoirs: Technical Report on Year One of a Two-Year Screening Survey. A Report of the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP). California State Water Resources Control Board, Sacramento, CA
  Cruise Report for the Surface Waters Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP) Bioaccumulation Screening Study in California Lakes and Reservoirs, Sampling Dates: June 2007- March 2008
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Lahontan RWQCB Basin Plan: All waters shall be maintained free of toxic substances in concentrations that are toxic to, or produce detrimental physiological responses in human, plant, animal, or aquatic life.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline: Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) Screening Value of 0.3 mg/kg to protect human health when consuming fish (OEHHA, 1999).
Guideline Reference: Prevalence of Selected Target Chemical Contaminants in Sport Fish From Two California Lakes: Public health designed screening study. Sacramento, CA: Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment
 
Spatial Representation: Samples were collected from two locations in Crowley Lake. As discussed in the Lakes and Reservoirs Report (SWAMP, 2009), individual sample locations consisted of an area within a given waterbody with an approximate one-mile diameter, from which multiple fish tissue samples were collected. The number of sample locations per waterbody was based on the overall size of the waterbody. Specifics of individual sampling locations can be found in the supplemental report entitled "Cruise Report for the Surface Waters Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP) Bioaccumulation Screening Study in California Lakes and Reservoirs, Sampling Dates: June 2007- March 2008" (SWAMP, 2008).
Temporal Representation: Samples were collected on July 26, 2007
Environmental Conditions: There are no known environmental conditions (e.g., seasonality, land use practices, fire events, storms, etc.) that are related to these data.
QAPP Information: Samples were collected, processed, and analyzed in accordance with the methods described in "Quality Assurance Project Plan Screening Study of Bioaccumulation in California Lakes and Reservoirs." (SWAMP, 2008).
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Project Plan Screening Study of Bioaccumulation in California Lakes and Reservoirs. Moss Landing Marine Labs. Prepared for SWAMP BOG, 49 pages plus appendices and attachments
 
 
DECISION ID
6900
Region 6     
Crowley Lake
 
Pollutant: Nitrogen
Final Listing Decision: Delist from 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: Delist from 303(d) list (TMDL required list)(2006)
Revision Status Original
Reason for Delisting: Applicable WQS attained; reason for recovery unspecified
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Regional Board Conclusion: This pollutant is being considered for removal from the section 303(d) list under section 4.11 of the Listing Policy. One line of evidence is available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Algae blooms were observed in the lake and it was assumed that the concentrations of this nutrient were contributing to the algae blooms. The nutrient levels are not a result of the treatment or disposal of wastes.

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

This conclusion is based on the following:
No numeric water quality objectives (WQOs) for total nitrogen (N) or phosphorus (P) are established for Crowley Lake. Nuisance conditions, as defined in the Basin Plan, include the requirement that the impairment "occurs during or as a result of the treatment or disposal of wastes." (LRWQCB, 1995, P. 3-15). Because the nitrogen and phosphorus loading to, and associated algal blooms in, Crowley Lake are the result of natural conditions, the algal blooms do not cause nuisance conditions.
 
Regional Board Decision Recommendation: This is a decision made by the State Water Resources Control Board and approved by the USEPA in 2006 . No new data were assessed by the Regional Board for 2008. The decision has not changed.
 
State Board Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:
 
State Board Decision Recommendation: After review of this Regional Board decision, SWRCB staff recommend the decision be approved by the State Board.
 
USEPA Action (if applicable):
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 6900, Nitrogen
Region 6     
Crowley Lake
 
LOE ID: 737
 
Pollutant: Nitrogen
LOE Subgroup: Narrative Description Data
Matrix: Not Specified
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 0
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Not Specified
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Nutrient concentrations, sources and limnological information are based on data collected under contract between the Sierra Nevada Aquatic Research Laboratory (SNARL) and the Lahontan RWQCB (Contract numbers 9-175-265-0 and 0-196-160-0). SNARL provided the results of their work in two reports (Jellison and Dawson 2003, Jellison et al., 2003). The sampling program consisted of lake and tributary sampling programs performed in 2000 and 2001.At the time Crowley Lake was placed on the 303(d) list, it was considered impaired by nutrient inputs based on observations of seasonal algae blooms. Land uses such as grazing, fish hatcheries, and residential development were thought to have the potential to be contributing excess nutrients that caused the perceived impairment. However, current studies and evaluation revealed that the lake is naturally eutrophic and that controllable, man-induced nutrient inputs are not significantly affecting the trophic state of the lake and are not impairing beneficial uses. Seasonal occurrences of algae blooms will likely persist in the lake, but they are natural conditions of the lake due to its environmental setting. The nutrient levels are not a result of the treatment or disposal of wastes.
Data Reference: Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: From the Basin Plan: Biostimulatory Substances: Waters shall not contain biostimulatory substances in concentrations that promote aquatic growths to the extent that such growths cause nuisance or adversely affect the water for beneficial uses.

Basin Plan: Nuisance is defined as "Anything [that] ... occurs during or as a result of the treatment or disposal of waste." (Basin Plan page 3-15)
Objective/Criterion Reference: Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Crowley Lake and its seven major tributaries.
Temporal Representation: Historic (1950-1975) and current (1997; 2000-2001).
Environmental Conditions: Available historical information on Crowley Lake water quality conditions was reviewed to help assess whether the eutrophic state of the lake is related to anthropogenic sources or is naturally occurring. Information reviewed included that published in the late 1950s and early 1960s by E. P. Pister of the California Department of Fish and Game, the USEPA (1978), based on data collected in 1975, and a 1997 Fisheries Management Plan prepared by Department of Fish and Game.
QAPP Information: QA Info Missing
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
6759
Region 6     
Crowley Lake
 
Pollutant: Phosphorus
Final Listing Decision: Delist from 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: Delist from 303(d) list (TMDL required list)(2006)
Revision Status Original
Reason for Delisting: Applicable WQS attained; reason for recovery unspecified
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Regional Board Conclusion: This pollutant is being considered for removal from the section 303(d) list under section 4.11 of the Listing Policy. One line of evidence is available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Algae blooms were observed in the lake and it was assumed that the concentrations of this nutrient were contributing to the algae blooms. The nutrient levels are not a result of the treatment or disposal of wastes.

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

This conclusion is based on the following:
No numeric water quality objectives (WQOs) for total nitrogen (N) or phosphorus (P) are established for Crowley Lake. Nuisance conditions, as defined in the Basin Plan, include the requirement that the impairment "occurs during or as a result of the treatment or disposal of wastes." (LRWQCB, 1995, p. 3-15). Because the nitrogen and phosphorus loading to, and associated algal blooms in, Crowley Lake are the result of natural conditions, the algal blooms do not cause nuisance conditions.
 
Regional Board Decision Recommendation: This is a decision made by the State Water Resources Control Board and approved by the USEPA in 2006 . No new data were assessed by the Regional Board for 2008. The decision has not changed.
 
State Board Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:
 
State Board Decision Recommendation: After review of this Regional Board decision, SWRCB staff recommend the decision be approved by the State Board.
 
USEPA Action (if applicable):
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 6759, Phosphorus
Region 6     
Crowley Lake
 
LOE ID: 738
 
Pollutant: Phosphorus
LOE Subgroup: Narrative Description Data
Matrix: Not Specified
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 0
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Not Specified
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Nutrient concentrations, sources and limnological information are based on data collected under contract between the Sierra Nevada Aquatic Research Laboratory (SNARL) and the Lahontan RWQCB (Contract numbers 9-175-265-0 and 0-196-160-0). SNARL provided the results of their work in two reports (Jellison and Dawson, 2003; Jellison et al., 2003). The sampling program consisted of lake and tributary sampling programs performed in 2000 and 2001.At the time Crowley Lake was placed on the 303(d) list, it was considered impaired by nutrient inputs based on observations of seasonal algae blooms. Land uses such as grazing, fish hatcheries, and residential development were thought to have the potential to be contributing excess nutrients that caused the perceived impairment. However, current studies and evaluation revealed that the lake is naturally eutrophic and that controllable, man-induced nutrient inputs are not significantly affecting the trophic state of the lake and are not impairing beneficial uses. Seasonal occurrences of algae blooms will likely persist in the lake, but they are natural conditions of the lake due to its environmental setting. The nutrient levels are not a result of the treatment or disposal of wastes.
Data Reference: Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: From the Basin Plan: Biostimulatory Substances: Waters shall not contain biostimulatory substances in concentrations that promote aquatic growths to the extent that such growths cause nuisance or adversely affect the water for beneficial uses.

Basin Plan: Nuisance is defined as "Anything [that] ... occurs during or as a result of the treatment or disposal of wastes."
Objective/Criterion Reference: Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Crowley Lake and its seven major tributaries.
Temporal Representation: Historic (1950-1975) and current (1997; 2000-2001).
Environmental Conditions: Available historical information on Crowley Lake water quality conditions was reviewed to help assess whether the eutrophic state of the lake is related to anthropogenic sources or is naturally occurring. Information reviewed included that published in the late 1950s and early 1960s by E. P. Pister of the California Department of Fish and Game, the USEPA (1978), based on data collected in 1975, and a 1997 Fisheries Management Plan prepared by Department of Fish and Game.
QAPP Information: QA Info Missing
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
6311
Region 6     
Crowley Lake
 
Pollutant: Ammonia
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 Original
Sources: Source Unknown
Expected TMDL Completion Date: 2019
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Regional Board Conclusion: 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.

One line of evidence is available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. A sufficient number of 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. Seven of 38 samples exceeded the ammonia water quality objective 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.
 
Regional Board Decision Recommendation: This is a decision made by the State Water Resources Control Board and approved by the USEPA in 2006 . No new data were assessed by the Regional Board for 2008. The decision has not changed.
 
State Board Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:
 
State Board Decision Recommendation: After review of this Regional Board decision, SWRCB staff recommend the decision be approved by the State Board.
 
USEPA Action (if applicable): USEPA approved the listing of this water body as a water quality limited segment requiring a TMDL for this pollutant.
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 6311, Ammonia
Region 6     
Crowley Lake
 
LOE ID: 740
 
Pollutant: Ammonia
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 38
Number of Exceedances: 7
 
Data and Information Type: Not Specified
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Thirty-eight total ammonia samples from Crowley Lake and its outlet are available (Jellison et al., 2003).

None of the samples exceeded the one-hour criteria. Every sample collected during the summer months exceed the 4-day criteria, for total of seven exceedances. These data characterize the summer season as the critical condition.
Data Reference: Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Ammonia concentrations shall not exceed the values listed for the corresponding conditions in Tables 3-1 to 3-4 of the Basin Plan. The ammonia objective is a function of temperature and pH.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Several stations.
Temporal Representation: Data were collected in 2000 and 2001.
Environmental Conditions: The occurrence of elevated ammonia and depressed dissolved oxygen concentrations are associated with the natural eutrophic condition (elevated nutrient levels) of Crowley Lake.
QAPP Information: QA Info Missing
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
6775
Region 6     
Crowley Lake
 
Pollutant: Oxygen, Dissolved
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 Original
Sources: Source Unknown
Expected TMDL Completion Date: 2019
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Regional Board Conclusion: This pollutant is being considered for placement on the section 303(d) list under section 3.2 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.2 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status.

One line of evidence is available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. A large number of 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-six of 112 samples do not meet the water quality objective and this exceeds the allowable frequency listed in Table 3.2 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.
 
Regional Board Decision Recommendation: This is a decision made by the State Water Resources Control Board and approved by the USEPA in 2006 . No new data were assessed by the Regional Board for 2008. The decision has not changed.
 
State Board Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:
 
State Board Decision Recommendation: After review of this Regional Board decision, SWRCB staff recommend the decision be approved by the State Board.
 
USEPA Action (if applicable): USEPA approved the listing of this water body as a water quality limited segment requiring a TMDL for this pollutant.
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 6775, Oxygen, Dissolved
Region 6     
Crowley Lake
 
LOE ID: 739
 
Pollutant: Oxygen, Dissolved
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Dissolved
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 112
Number of Exceedances: 36
 
Data and Information Type: Not Specified
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Jellison and Dawson (2003) showed that during the summer months at depths below approximately 10 meters, Crowley Lake does not meet the objective. Of 112 samples collected from various in-lake locations, 36 depth-averaged dissolved oxygen measurements were less than 5 mg/L (Jellison et al., 2003).
Data Reference: Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The Basin Plan water quality objective for dissolved oxygen in water bodies designated as COLD and SPWN is an instantaneous concentration minimum of 5 mg/L.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Several locations.
Temporal Representation: Data collected in 2000 and 2001.
Environmental Conditions: The occurrence of elevated ammonia and depressed dissolved oxygen concentrations are associated with the natural eutrophic condition (naturally high nutrient concentrations) of Crowley Lake.
QAPP Information: QA Info Missing
QAPP Information Reference(s):