| Water Body Name: | Mendocino Coast HU, Noyo River HA, Pudding Creek |
| Water Body ID: | CAR1132005020020227182345 |
| Water Body Type: | River & Stream |
DECISION ID |
4551 |
Region 1 |
Mendocino Coast HU, Noyo River HA, Pudding Creek |
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| Pollutant: | Temperature, water |
| Final Listing Decision: | Do Not Delist from 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: | Logging Road Construction/Maintenance | Removal of Riparian Vegetation | Silviculture |
| Expected TMDL Completion Date: | 2019 |
| Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: | Pollutant |
| Regional Board Conclusion: | This pollutant is being considered for removal from the Section 303(d) List under Sections 4.11 and 6.1.5.9 of the Listing Policy. Under the Listing Policy, a minimum of one line of evidence is needed to assess listing status. Four lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant.
Data from LOE 1692 was assessed for the 2006 303(d) List using an evaluation guideline of 14.8 C. These same data were re-assessed for the 2008 303(d) List as described in LOEs 7496, 7502, and 7505. In 2008, the data were evaluated using the maximum weekly maximum temperature (MWMT) metric and compared to an evaluation guideline of 16 C, as described below. Data show that the natural receiving water temperature of Pudding Creek has been altered by human activities, including the removal of riparian vegetation and the subsequent loss of shade. Riparian vegetation has been removed through timber harvest activities and near-stream roads. In order to determine if water temperatures adversely affect salmonids, the most sensitive beneficial use in Pudding Creek, temperature data were analyzed. Ten of the 14 MWMT values calculated from near-continuous summertime temperature samples exceed the water temperature evaluation guideline. The guideline is a MWMT of 16 C for the protection of moderate to high density summertime salmon and trout juvenile rearing, per the "U.S. EPA Regional 10 Guidance for Pacific Northwest State and Tribal Temperature Water Quality Standards" (USEPA 2003). MWMT values range from 14.6 to 17.6 C. Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of the evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification against removing this water segment-pollutant combination from the Section 303(d) List (i.e., the waterbody remains impaired). This conclusion is based on the staff findings that: (1) The binomial distribution of Section 4.2 of the Listing Policy cannot be used to support a delisting with a sample size of less than 26. Therefore, Section 4.11 is relied upon. (2) The natural receiving water temperature has been altered by human activities. At a minimum, 10 of 14 MWMT values exceed the U.S. EPA 16 C evaluation guideline used to determine an adverse affect on beneficial uses. Therefore the water quality standard is not attained and it is warranted to maintain the listing per Section 4.11 of the Listing Policy. (3) The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of Section 6.1.4 of the Listing Policy. (4) The data used satisfies the data quantity requirements of Section 6.1.5 of the Listing Policy. (5) Pursuant to Section 4.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are met. |
| Regional Board Decision Recommendation: | After review of the available data and information, North Coast RWQCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should not be removed from the Section 303(d) List because applicable water quality standards for the pollutant are being exceeded. |
| 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. |
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| LOE ID: | 7502 | ||||
| Pollutant: | Temperature, water | ||||
| LOE Subgroup: | Pollutant-Water | ||||
| Matrix: | Water | ||||
| Fraction: | None | ||||
| Beneficial Use: | Cold Freshwater Habitat | ||||
| Aquatic Life Use: | Fish Migration | Fish Spawning | Preservation of Rare & Endangered Species | Wildlife Habitat | ||||
| Number of Samples: | 9 | ||||
| Number of Exceedances: | 8 | ||||
| Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING | ||||
| Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | The natural receiving water temperature of the Pudding Creek Watershed has been altered due to the removal of riparian vegetation and the subsequent loss of shade. Riparian vegetation has been removed through timber harvest activities and near-stream roads. In order to determine if temperatures adversely affect salmonids, the most sensitive beneficial uses in Pudding Creek, temperature data was analyzed. Eigth of the 9 MWMT values calculated from temperature samples collected from Pudding Creek at Slaugher House Gulch (PUD 2) exceed the evaluation guideline. MWMT values range from 15.2 to 17.6 C. Data are sumarrized by Hawthorne Timber Co. (2003). | ||||
| Data Reference: | Instream temperature monitoring information: Usal Creek, Ten Mile River (north and south forks), Big River, Salmon Creek. Arcata, CA: Campbell Timberland Management | ||||
| Map of the present and Historic Stream Temperature Monitoring Stations. Pudding Creek. 1994-2008 | |||||
| SWAMP Data: | Non-SWAMP | ||||
| Water Quality Objective/Criterion: | Per the Basin Plan (NCRWQCB 2007): The natural receiving water temperature of intrastate waters shall not be altered unless it can be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Regional Water Board that such alteration in temperature does not adversely affect beneficial uses. At no time or place shall the temperature of any COLD water be increased by more than 5 F above natural receiving water temperature. | ||||
| Objective/Criterion Reference: | Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) - North Coast Region (Region 1) | ||||
| Evaluation Guideline: | If the natural receiving water temperature has been altered, or if alternation is unknown, the evaluation guideline to determine adverse affect on the most sensitive beneficial use (in this case, salmonids) is as follows. Per "U.S. EPA Region 10 Guidance for Pacific Northwest State and Tribal Temperature Water Quality Standards" (USEPA 2003), the U.S. EPA recommends a criterion for the protection of moderate to high density summertime salmon and trout juvenile rearing (i.e., core juvenile rearing) of a maximum weekly maximum temperature (MWMT) of 16 degrees C. The MWMT is also known as the maximum 7-day average of daily maximums (7DADM). The 16 degrees C MWMT criterion is recommended to (1) safely protect juvenile salmon and trout from lethal temperatures; (2) provide upper optimal conditions for juvenile growth under limited food during the period of summer maximum temperatures and optimal temperatures for other times of the growth season; (3) avoid temperatures where juvenile salmon and trout are at a competitive disadvantage with other fish; (4) protect against temperature induced elevated disease rates; and (5) provide temperatures that studies show juvenile salmon and trout prefer and are found in high densities. | ||||
| Guideline Reference: | EPA Region 10 Guidance for Pacific Northwest State and Tribal Temperature Water Quality Standards. EPA 910-B-03-002. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 10 Office of Water, Seattle, WA. | ||||
| Spatial Representation: | PUD 2 is located on the mainstem of Pudding Creek at the confluence with Slaugher House Gulch. The exact location of the site is found on the map provided by Campbell Timberland Management (2008). Hobo-Temps were placed in well-mixed pools near the bottom and towards the deepest portion to record the in-stream temperatures. | ||||
| Temporal Representation: | At PUD 2, a total of 907 water temperature samples were collected at 90-minute intervals. The 9 MWMT values were caculated from these 907 individual measurements. Samples were collected during the summer months (generally June to mid-October) in 1994 - 2000, 2001, and 2003. | ||||
| Environmental Conditions: | Data were collected during the hottest time of the year. There are no other known environmental conditions (e.g., land use practices, fire events, storms, etc.) that are related to these data. | ||||
| QAPP Information: | Quality control was conducted in accordance with Campbell Timberland Managements QA/QC Information Summary (Hawthorne Timber Co., 2003). Installation of the temperature data logger (Onset Computer Corp. model HOBO-Temp and OST temperature loggers) in Class 1 streams occurred one day before the first day logged on the continuous temperature monitoring figures. This was done to allow the data loggers to reach equilibrium with the instream temperature regimes and to capture complete daily cycles. No information on equipment calibration, standard operating procedures or data protocols were included with the submittal. | ||||
| QAPP Information Reference(s): | Instream temperature monitoring information: Usal Creek, Ten Mile River (north and south forks), Big River, Salmon Creek. Arcata, CA: Campbell Timberland Management | ||||
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| LOE ID: | 7496 | ||||
| Pollutant: | Temperature, water | ||||
| LOE Subgroup: | Pollutant-Water | ||||
| Matrix: | Water | ||||
| Fraction: | None | ||||
| Beneficial Use: | Cold Freshwater Habitat | ||||
| Aquatic Life Use: | Fish Migration | Fish Spawning | Preservation of Rare & Endangered Species | Wildlife Habitat | ||||
| Number of Samples: | 3 | ||||
| Number of Exceedances: | 1 | ||||
| Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING | ||||
| Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | The natural receiving water temperature of the Pudding Creek Watershed has been altered due to the removal of riparian vegetation and the subsequent loss of shade. Riparian vegetation has been removed through timber harvest activities and near-stream roads. In order to determine if temperatures adversely affect salmonids, the most sensitive beneficial uses in Pudding Creek, temperature data was analyzed. One of the 3 MWMT values calculated from temperature samples collected from site PUD 1 exceeds the evaluation guideline. MWMT values range from 14.6 to 16.5 C. Data are sumarrized by Hawthorne Timber Co. (2003). | ||||
| Data Reference: | Instream temperature monitoring information: Usal Creek, Ten Mile River (north and south forks), Big River, Salmon Creek. Arcata, CA: Campbell Timberland Management | ||||
| Map of the present and Historic Stream Temperature Monitoring Stations. Pudding Creek. 1994-2008 | |||||
| SWAMP Data: | Non-SWAMP | ||||
| Water Quality Objective/Criterion: | Per the Basin Plan (NCRWQCB 2007): The natural receiving water temperature of intrastate waters shall not be altered unless it can be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Regional Water Board that such alteration in temperature does not adversely affect beneficial uses. At no time or place shall the temperature of any COLD water be increased by more than 5 F above natural receiving water temperature. | ||||
| Objective/Criterion Reference: | Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) - North Coast Region (Region 1) | ||||
| Evaluation Guideline: | If the natural receiving water temperature has been altered, or if alternation is unknown, the evaluation guideline to determine adverse affect on the most sensitive beneficial use (in this case, salmonids) is as follows. Per "U.S. EPA Region 10 Guidance for Pacific Northwest State and Tribal Temperature Water Quality Standards" (USEPA 2003), the U.S. EPA recommends a criterion for the protection of moderate to high density summertime salmon and trout juvenile rearing (i.e., core juvenile rearing) of a maximum weekly maximum temperature (MWMT) of 16 degrees C. The MWMT is also known as the maximum 7-day average of daily maximums (7DADM). The 16 degrees C MWMT criterion is recommended to (1) safely protect juvenile salmon and trout from lethal temperatures; (2) provide upper optimal conditions for juvenile growth under limited food during the period of summer maximum temperatures and optimal temperatures for other times of the growth season; (3) avoid temperatures where juvenile salmon and trout are at a competitive disadvantage with other fish; (4) protect against temperature induced elevated disease rates; and (5) provide temperatures that studies show juvenile salmon and trout prefer and are found in high densities. | ||||
| Guideline Reference: | EPA Region 10 Guidance for Pacific Northwest State and Tribal Temperature Water Quality Standards. EPA 910-B-03-002. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 10 Office of Water, Seattle, WA. | ||||
| Spatial Representation: | PUD 1 is located on the mainstem of Pudding Creek in the lower portion of the watershed. The exact location of the site is found on the map provided by Campbell Timberland Management (2008). Hobo-Temps were placed in well-mixed pools near the bottom and towards the deepest portion to record the in-stream temperatures. | ||||
| Temporal Representation: | At PUD 1, a total of 352 water temperature samples were collected at 90-minute intervals. The 3 MWMT values were caculated from these 352 individual measurements. Samples were collected during the summer months (generally June to mid-October) in 1994, 1996, and 1997. | ||||
| Environmental Conditions: | Data were collected during the hottest time of the year. There are no other known environmental conditions (e.g., land use practices, fire events, storms, etc.) that are related to these data. | ||||
| QAPP Information: | Quality control was conducted in accordance with Campbell Timberland Managements QA/QC Information Summary (Hawthorne Timber Co., 2003). Installation of the temperature data logger (Onset Computer Corp. model HOBO-Temp and OST temperature loggers) in Class 1 streams occurred one day before the first day logged on the continuous temperature monitoring figures. This was done to allow the data loggers to reach equilibrium with the instream temperature regimes and to capture complete daily cycles. No information on equipment calibration, standard operating procedures or data protocols were included with the submittal. | ||||
| QAPP Information Reference(s): | Instream temperature monitoring information: Usal Creek, Ten Mile River (north and south forks), Big River, Salmon Creek. Arcata, CA: Campbell Timberland Management | ||||
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| LOE ID: | 7505 | ||||
| Pollutant: | Temperature, water | ||||
| LOE Subgroup: | Pollutant-Water | ||||
| Matrix: | Water | ||||
| Fraction: | None | ||||
| Beneficial Use: | Cold Freshwater Habitat | ||||
| Aquatic Life Use: | Fish Migration | Fish Spawning | Preservation of Rare & Endangered Species | Wildlife Habitat | ||||
| Number of Samples: | 2 | ||||
| Number of Exceedances: | 1 | ||||
| Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING | ||||
| Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | The natural receiving water temperature of the Pudding Creek Watershed has been altered due to the removal of riparian vegetation and the subsequent loss of shade. Riparian vegetation has been removed through timber harvest activities and near-stream roads. In order to determine if temperatures adversely affect salmonids, the most sensitive beneficial uses in Pudding Creek, temperature data was analyzed. One of the 2 MWMT values calculated from temperature samples collected from Upper Pudding Creek (PUD 5) exceeds the evaluation guideline. MWMT values range from 15.5 to 16.2 C. Data are sumarrized by Hawthorne Timber Co. (2003). | ||||
| Data Reference: | Instream temperature monitoring information: Usal Creek, Ten Mile River (north and south forks), Big River, Salmon Creek. Arcata, CA: Campbell Timberland Management | ||||
| Map of the present and Historic Stream Temperature Monitoring Stations. Pudding Creek. 1994-2008 | |||||
| SWAMP Data: | Non-SWAMP | ||||
| Water Quality Objective/Criterion: | Per the Basin Plan (NCRWQCB 2007): The natural receiving water temperature of intrastate waters shall not be altered unless it can be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Regional Water Board that such alteration in temperature does not adversely affect beneficial uses. At no time or place shall the temperature of any COLD water be increased by more than 5 F above natural receiving water temperature. | ||||
| Objective/Criterion Reference: | Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) - North Coast Region (Region 1) | ||||
| Evaluation Guideline: | If the natural receiving water temperature has been altered, or if alternation is unknown, the evaluation guideline to determine adverse affect on the most sensitive beneficial use (in this case, salmonids) is as follows. Per "U.S. EPA Region 10 Guidance for Pacific Northwest State and Tribal Temperature Water Quality Standards" (USEPA 2003), the U.S. EPA recommends a criterion for the protection of moderate to high density summertime salmon and trout juvenile rearing (i.e., core juvenile rearing) of a maximum weekly maximum temperature (MWMT) of 16 degrees C. The MWMT is also known as the maximum 7-day average of daily maximums (7DADM). The 16 degrees C MWMT criterion is recommended to (1) safely protect juvenile salmon and trout from lethal temperatures; (2) provide upper optimal conditions for juvenile growth under limited food during the period of summer maximum temperatures and optimal temperatures for other times of the growth season; (3) avoid temperatures where juvenile salmon and trout are at a competitive disadvantage with other fish; (4) protect against temperature induced elevated disease rates; and (5) provide temperatures that studies show juvenile salmon and trout prefer and are found in high densities. | ||||
| Guideline Reference: | EPA Region 10 Guidance for Pacific Northwest State and Tribal Temperature Water Quality Standards. EPA 910-B-03-002. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 10 Office of Water, Seattle, WA. | ||||
| Spatial Representation: | PUD 5 is located on the mainstem of Upper Pudding Creek above the confluence with LeValley Gulch. The exact location of the site is found on the map provided by Campbell Timberland Management (2008). Hobo-Temps were placed in well-mixed pools near the bottom and towards the deepest portion to record the in-stream temperatures. | ||||
| Temporal Representation: | At PUD 5, a total of 97 water temperature samples were collected at 90-minute intervals. The 2 MWMT values were caculated from these 97 individual measurements. Samples were collected during the summer months (generally June to mid-October) in 1995 and 1996. | ||||
| Environmental Conditions: | Data were collected during the hottest time of the year. There are no other known environmental conditions (e.g., land use practices, fire events, storms, etc.) that are related to these data. | ||||
| QAPP Information: | Quality control was conducted in accordance with Campbell Timberland Managements QA/QC Information Summary (Hawthorne Timber Co., 2003). Installation of the temperature data logger (Onset Computer Corp. model HOBO-Temp and OST temperature loggers) in Class 1 streams occurred one day before the first day logged on the continuous temperature monitoring figures. This was done to allow the data loggers to reach equilibrium with the instream temperature regimes and to capture complete daily cycles. No information on equipment calibration, standard operating procedures or data protocols were included with the submittal. | ||||
| QAPP Information Reference(s): | Instream temperature monitoring information: Usal Creek, Ten Mile River (north and south forks), Big River, Salmon Creek. Arcata, CA: Campbell Timberland Management | ||||
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| LOE ID: | 1692 | ||||
| Pollutant: | Temperature, water | ||||
| LOE Subgroup: | Pollutant-Water | ||||
| Matrix: | Water | ||||
| Fraction: | Total | ||||
| Beneficial Use: | Cold Freshwater Habitat | ||||
| Number of Samples: | 1391 | ||||
| Number of Exceedances: | 289 | ||||
| Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING | ||||
| Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | When compared to the 14.8 °C coho threshold, there were 289 exceedances out of 1391 total samples taken over all of the years at this location. When compared to the 17°C threshold there were no exceedances found for any of the data (Hawthorne Timber Co., 2003). | ||||
| Data Reference: | Placeholder reference 2006 303(d) | ||||
| SWAMP Data: | Non-SWAMP | ||||
| Water Quality Objective/Criterion: | Basin Plan: Temperature objectives for COLD interstate waters, WARM interstate waters, and Enclosed Bays and Estuaries are as specified in the "Water Quality Control Plan for Control of Temperature in the Coastal and Interstate Waters and Enclosed Bays of California" including any revisions thereto. A copy of this plan is included verbatim in the Appendix Section of this Plan. In addition, the following temperature objectives apply to surface waters: The natural receiving water temperature of intrastate waters shall not be altered unless it can be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Regional Water Board that such alteration in temperature does not adversely affect beneficial uses. At no time or place shall the temperature of any COLD water be increased by more than 5°F above natural receiving water temperature. At no time or place shall the temperature of WARM intrastate waters be increased more than 5°F above natural receiving water temperature. | ||||
| Objective/Criterion Reference: | Placeholder reference 2006 303(d) | ||||
| Evaluation Guideline: | The guideline used was from Sullivan et al. (2000) Published Temperature Thresholds-Peer Reviewed Literature which includes reviewed sub-lethal and acute temperature thresholds from a wide range of studies, incorporating information from laboratory-based research, field observations, and risk assessment approaches. This report calculated the 7-day mean (maximum value of the 7-day moving average of the daily mean temperature) upper threshold criterion for coho salmon as 14.8°C and for steelhead trout as 17.0°C. The risk assessment approach used by Sullivan et al. (2000) suggests that an upper threshold for the 7-day average of 14.8°C for coho and 17.0°C for steelhead will reduce average growth 10% from optimum. | ||||
| Guideline Reference: | Placeholder reference 2006 303(d) | ||||
| Spatial Representation: | There were 1,391 total samples taken at the middle to upper watershed of Pudding Creek. Hobo-Temps were placed in the pools near the bottom and towards the deepest portion to record the in-stream temperatures. In stream and riparian measurements were taken at all monitoring locations on Pudding Creek. | ||||
| Temporal Representation: | Samples were recorded for 9 years between 1994 and 2001 and again in 2003. Water temperature data were recorded at 90-minute intervals, generally from June until Mid-October upstream temperatures were measured continuously with temperature data loggers (Onset Computer Corp. model HOBO-Temp and OST temperature loggers) in Class 1 streams throughout the property from 1994 to 2004. Hobo-temps allowed uninterrupted data collection to occur throughout the critical summer period. | ||||
| Environmental Conditions: | |||||
| QAPP Information: | QA/QC Information Summary was submitted. Installation of the temperature data logger (Onset Computer Corp. model HOBO-Temp and OST temperature loggers in Class 1 streams throughout the property devices occurred one day before the first day logged on the continuous temperature monitoring figures. This was done to allow the data loggers to reach equilibrium with the instream temperature regimes and to capture complete daily cycles. No information on equipment calibration, standard operating procedures or data protocols were included with the submittal. | ||||
| QAPP Information Reference(s): | |||||