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

Supporting Information

Regional Board 5 - Central Valley Region

Water Body Name:	Kern River, Lower
Water Body ID:	CAR5589001220020627111118
Water Body Type:	River & Stream


DECISION ID	9405	Region 5
Kern River, Lower

Pollutant:	Ammonia
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 listing under sections 3.1 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.1 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status. Data is available from 1 line of evidence for this pollutant. Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is not sufficient justification for placing this water segment-pollution combination on the section 303(d) list. The recommendation is based on staff findings that 0 of 14 available concentrations exceeded the USEPA Health Advisory for Municipal & Domestic Supply and this does not exceed the allowable frequency using Table 3.1 of the Listing Policy. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy. The data used satisfies the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy. 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:	After review of the available data and information, RWQCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should not be placed on the section 303(d) list because applicable water quality standards are not 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):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 9405, Ammonia	Region 5
Kern River, Lower

LOE ID:

8817

Pollutant:

Ammonia

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Warm Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Zero of the 14 samples collected by the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program exceeded the evaluation guideline for Ammonia.

Data Reference:

SWAMP data entered by SWRCB into BDAT database

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

All waters shall be maintained free of toxic substances in concentrations that produce detrimental physiological responses in human, plant, animal, or aquatic life. This objective applies regardless of whether the toxicity is caused by a single substance or the interactive effect of multiple substances. (CRWQCB, 2006)

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the California Regional Water Quality Control Board Central Valley Region, Sacramento and San Joaquin River Basins. 4th ed

Evaluation Guideline:

Ammonia levels should not to exceed the calculated limit. Freshwater Aquatic Life Protection (Salmonid present) Criteria Maximum Concentration (CMC) (1-hour Average (mg N/L)) calculated based on the following formula: CMC = (0.275/(1 + 107.204-pH)) + (39.0/(1 + 10pH-7.204)) which incorporates pH (US EPA, 2005: Appendix C)

Guideline Reference:

1999 Update of Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Ammonia

Spatial Representation:

Samples were collected at Calloway Weir. Samples were collected at Democrat. Samples were collected at Hart Park. Samples were collected at Ker MM14/MM15. Samples were collected at Keyesville Rec Area. Samples were collected at Lower Richbar. Samples were collected at Rancheria Rd.

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected from Dec 12 2002 to May 26 2004

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Monitoring was conducted in accordance with the State Water Resources Control Board's Quality Assurance Program Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program.

QAPP Information Reference(s):


DECISION ID	9406	Region 5
Kern River, Lower

Pollutant:	Nitrate as Nitrate (NO3)
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 listing under sections 3.1 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.1 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status. Data is available from 1 line of evidence for this pollutant. Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is not sufficient justification for placing this water segment-pollution combination on the section 303(d) list. The recommendation is based on staff findings that only 1 sample is available and a minimum of 2 is needed for evaluation under section 3.1.

Regional Board Decision Recommendation:	After review of the available data and information, RWQCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should not be placed on the section 303(d) list because applicable water quality standards are not 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):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 9406, Nitrate as Nitrate (NO3)	Region 5
Kern River, Lower

LOE ID:

8820

Pollutant:

Nitrate as Nitrate (NO3)

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Warm Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

Not Specified

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Zero of the 1 samples collected by the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program exceeded the evaluation guideline for Nitrate-N.

Data Reference:

SWAMP data entered by SWRCB into BDAT database

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the California Regional Water Quality Control Board Central Valley Region, Sacramento and San Joaquin River Basins. 4th ed

Evaluation Guideline:

Nitrate-N levels should not to exceed 100 mg/L (USEPA National Ambient Water Quality Objective)

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Samples were collected at Calloway Weir. Samples were collected at Hart Park. Samples were collected at Rancheria Rd..

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected from Jun 26 2003 to Jun 26 2003

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Monitoring was conducted in accordance with the State Water Resources Control Board's Quality Assurance Program Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program.

QAPP Information Reference(s):


DECISION ID	9407	Region 5
Kern River, Lower

Pollutant:	Oxygen, Dissolved
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 listing under sections 3.2 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.2 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status. Data is available from 1 line of evidence for this pollutant. Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is not sufficient justification for placing this water segment-pollution combination on the section 303(d) list. The recommendation is based on staff findings that 0 of 22 available concentrations exceeded the water quality objective and this does not exceed the allowable frequency using Table 3.2 of the Listing Policy. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy. The data used satisfies the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy. 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:	After review of the available data and information, RWQCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should not be placed on the section 303(d) list because applicable water quality standards are not 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):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 9407, Oxygen, Dissolved	Region 5
Kern River, Lower

LOE ID:

8818

Pollutant:

Oxygen, Dissolved

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Warm Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

Not Specified

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Zero of the 22 samples collected by the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program exceeded the evaluation objective for Dissolved Oxygen.

Data Reference:

SWAMP data entered by SWRCB into BDAT database

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The Basin Plan Objective sets the minimum Dissolved Oxygen content at 5 mg/L

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the California Regional Water Quality Control Board Central Valley Region, Sacramento and San Joaquin River Basins. 4th ed

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Samples were collected at Calloway Weir. Samples were collected at Hart Park. Samples were collected at Rancheria Rd..

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected from Mar 27 2002 to May 26 2004

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Monitoring was conducted in accordance with the State Water Resources Control Board's Quality Assurance Program Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program.

QAPP Information Reference(s):


DECISION ID	9408	Region 5
Kern River, Lower

Pollutant:	Specific Conductivity
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 listing under sections 3.2 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.2 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status. Data is available from 1 line of evidence for this pollutant. Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is not sufficient justification for placing this water segment-pollution combination on the section 303(d) list. The recommendation is based on staff findings that 3 of 19 available concentrations exceeded the water quality objective and this does not exceed the allowable frequency using Table 3.2 of the Listing Policy. Table 3.2 of the listing policy recommends listing if a sample size of 19 has 5 or more samples that exceed the evaluation criteria.

Regional Board Decision Recommendation:	After review of the available data and information, RWQCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should not be placed on the section 303(d) list because applicable water quality standards are not 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):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 9408, Specific Conductivity	Region 5
Kern River, Lower

LOE ID:

8821

Pollutant:

Specific Conductivity

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Warm Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

Not Specified

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Three of the 19 samples collected by the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program exceeded the evaluation objective for Specific Conductivity. The exceeded results are as follows: 3/4/2003 - a sample taken at Calloway Weir had a result of 201.5uS/cm. 11/4/2003 - a sample taken at Hart Park had a result of 234.7uS/cm. 2/4/2004 - a sample taken at Hart Park had a result of 209.2uS/cm.

Data Reference:

SWAMP data entered by SWRCB into BDAT database

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Specific Conductivity should not exceed 200 umhoms (Basin Plan Objective)

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the California Regional Water Quality Control Board Central Valley Region, Sacramento and San Joaquin River Basins. 4th ed

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Samples were collected at Calloway Weir. Samples were collected at Hart Park. Samples were collected at Rancheria Rd..

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected from Jun 20 2002 to May 26 2004

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Monitoring was conducted in accordance with the State Water Resources Control Board's Quality Assurance Program Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program.

QAPP Information Reference(s):


DECISION ID	15949	Region 5
Kern River, Lower

Pollutant:	pH
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 3.2 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.2 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status. Three lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Seventy-one pH measurements exceed the water quality objective for pH. Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is not 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. Seventy-one of 487 pH measurements exceed the pH objective outlined in the Tulare Basin Plan, 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:	After review of the available data and information, RWQCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should not be placed on the section 303(d) list because applicable water quality standards are not 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):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 15949, pH	Region 5
Kern River, Lower

LOE ID:

8819

Pollutant:

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Warm Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

Not Specified

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Forty of 57 pH measurements made by the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP) exceeded the Tulare Basin Plan pH objective (>8.3). The pH values that exceeded the objective (>8.3) were measured at: Calloway Weir (pH=8.8 on 3/27/2002; 8.5 on 12/12/2002; and 8.6 on 3/43/2003); at Hart Park (pH= 8.5 on 3/27/2002; 8.5 on 6/20/2002; 8.6 on 9/18/2002; 8.7 on 3/4/2003; 8.4 on 11/4/2003; 8.75 on 2/4/2004; and 8.66 on 5/26/2004); at Racheria Rd. (pH= 8.5 on 6/20/2002; 8.5 on 9/18/2002; 8.5 on 3/4/2003; 8.5 on 6/26/2003; 8.62 on 2/4/2004; and 8.44 0n 5/26/2004); at Ker MM14/MM15 (pH= 8.5 on 3/27/2002; 8.5 on 6/20/2002; 8.5 on 9/18/2002; 8.7 on 3/4/2003; 8.4 on 6/26/2003; 8.54 on 2/4/2004; and 8.4 on 5/26/2004); at Lower Richbar (pH= 8.4 on 3/27/2002; 8.4 on 6/20/2002; 8.4 on 9/18/2002; 8.4 on 6/26/2003; 8.4 on 11/4/2003; 8.67 on 2/4/2004; and 8.37 on 5/26/2004); at Democrat (pH=8.4 on 3/27/2002; 8.5 on 6/20/2002; 8.4 on 9/18/2002; 8.5 on 12/12/2002; 8.4 on 6/26/2003; and 8.4 on 11/4/2003); and at Keyesville Rec Area (pH = 8.5 on 3/27/2002; 8.5 on 6/20/2002; 8.5 on 9/18/2002; 8.7 on 3/4/2003; 8.7 on 6/26/2003; 8.54 on 2/4/2004; and 8.4 on 5/26/2004).

Data Reference:

SWAMP data entered by SWRCB into BDAT database

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

pH levels should not be lower than 6.5 or higher than 8.3

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the California Regional Water Quality Control Board Central Valley Region, Sacramento and San Joaquin River Basins. 4th ed

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

pH measurements were made on 9 dates each at: Keysville Rec Area, Democrat, Lower Richbar, Ker MM14/MM15, Racheria Rd.; on 8 dates at Hart Park; and on 4 dates at Calloway Weir.

Temporal Representation:

pH was measured at 7 locations on the Lower Kern River at approximately 3-month intervals, from March 27, 2002, to May 26, 2004.

Environmental Conditions:

pH was measured in the Lower Kern River generally during a period of wildfires on the Forest.

QAPP Information:

Monitoring was conducted in accordance with the State Water Resources Control Board's Quality Assurance Program Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 15949, pH	Region 5
Kern River, Lower

LOE ID:

28135

Pollutant:

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Warm Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

Not Specified

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

One of 46 pH measurements made from the Lower Kern River at Keyesville Rec Area exceeded the pH criterion (>8.3). The pH measured on 9/14/1962 was 8.4.

Data Reference:

SWAMP data entered by SWRCB into BDAT database

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

pH levels should not be lower than 6.5 or higher than 8.3 (Tulare Basin Plan Objective)

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the California Regional Water Quality Control Board Central Valley Region, Sacramento and San Joaquin River Basins. 4th ed

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

pH measurements were made at the Keyesville Rec Area.

Temporal Representation:

pH was measured approximately monthly at Keyesville Rec Are between 11/3/0960 and 7/2/1963, and approximately every 2 to 5 months between 10/4/1963 and 7/23/1975.

Environmental Conditions:

pH was measured in the Lower Kern River during a period of significant wildfires on the Forest between 2002 and 2004.

QAPP Information:

Data received from Sequoia National Forest during draft proposed Integrated Report public review period. Data was apparently collected by the United States Geological Society (USGS), between 1960 and 1993.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 15949, pH	Region 5
Kern River, Lower

LOE ID:

29791

Pollutant:

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Warm Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

384

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

NPDES permit discharge receiving water pH data was measured at two locations on the Lower Kern River. Twenty two of 280 pH measurements made at the R-1 site (Beardsley Canal) were below the 6.5 Basin Plan limit, and 2 of the 280 pH measurements were above the 8.3 Basin Plan limit. Three of 104 pH measurements made at the R-3 site (Rocky Point or Carrier Canal) were below the 6.5 Basin Plan limit, and 3 of the 104 pH measurements were above the 8.3 Basin Plan limit.

Data Reference:

SWAMP data entered by SWRCB into BDAT database

pH data from the Lower Kern River, collected by Chevron USA, Inc. under NPDES No. CA0080853 (Regional Board Order #R5-2002-052)

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

pH levels should not be lower than 6.5 or higher than 8.3

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Tulare Lake Basin Second Edition. rev. Jan 2004

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Samples were collected from two locations - "Head of Beardsley Canal" (R-1), and "Kern River at Rocky Point Weir or Head of Carrier Canal" (R-3).

Temporal Representation:

One hundred thirty pH measurements were made in the lower Kern River at the Beardsley Canal - Upstream location (R1) weekly between January 6, 2002 and August 24, 2004. One hundred fifty pH measurements were made in the lower Kern River at the Beardsley Canal - Upstream location (R1) weekly between December 8, 2004 and January 26, 2007. One hundred four pH measurements were made in the lower Kern River at the Canal - Upstream location (R1) approximately weekly between November 7, 2005 and September 29, 2005, and between December 7, 2006 and January 26, 2007.

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Samples collected under NPDES permit conditions

QAPP Information Reference(s):

NPDES No. CA0080853 (Regional Board Order #R5-2002-052) Waste Discharge Requirements for Chevron U.S.A, Inc., Kern River Oil Field, Kern County