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

Supporting Information

Regional Board 6 - Lahontan Region

Water Body Name: Willow Ranch Creek
Water Body ID: CAR6371003320080811110951
Water Body Type: River & Stream
 
DECISION ID
14143
Region 6     
Willow Ranch Creek
 
Pollutant: Fecal Coliform
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 3.3 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.3 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. The single sample exceeds 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 do not satisfy the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The data used do not satisfy the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 or Table 3.2 of the Policy.
3. The single sample exceeded the water quality objective and this does not exceed 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 it cannot be determined if 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 14143, Fecal Coliform
Region 6     
Willow Ranch Creek
 
LOE ID: 25991
 
Pollutant: Fecal Coliform
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 1
 
Data and Information Type: Water column surveys (e.g. fecal coliform)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The U.S. Bureau of Land Management sampled this stream on August 16 2002. The fecal coliform count in one sample was 24 colonies per 100 mL, exceeding the limit in the objective.
Data Reference: Water quality data for surface waters on U.S Bureau of Land Management lands in Lassen and Modoc Counties
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The Lahontan Basin Plan's objective for coliform bacteria states:

"Waters shall not contain concentrations of coliform organisms attributable to anthropogenic sources, including human and livestock waste.

The fecal coliform concentration during any 30-day period shall not exceed a log mean of 20/100 ml, nor shall more than 10 percent of all samples collected during any 30-day period exceed 40/100 ml. The log mean shall ideally be based on a minimum of not less than five samples collected a evenly spaced as practicable during any 30-day period. However, a log mean concentration exceeding 20/100 ml for any 30-day period shall indicate violation of this objective even if fewer than five samples were collected."
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One staion (No. WG-1) was sampled.
Temporal Representation: One sample was taken on August 16, 2002.
Environmental Conditions: The USBLM database includes data for a "Willow Canyon near Doyle." The only stream with "Willow" in its name near the Lassen County town of Doyle on topographic maps is Willow Ranch Creek, a tributary of Long Valley Creek. Through the tributary rule, Willow Ranch Creek is designated for both the Warm Freshwater Habitat and Cold Freshwater Habitat uses, and for the Spawning, Reproduction and Development use. No site-specific water quality objectives have been established for Long Valley Creek and its tributaries.
QAPP Information: No quality assurance information was submitted with the data.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 14143, Fecal Coliform
Region 6     
Willow Ranch Creek
 
LOE ID: 25990
 
Pollutant: Fecal Coliform
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Municipal & Domestic Supply
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 1
 
Data and Information Type: Water column surveys (e.g. fecal coliform)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The U.S. Bureau of Land Management sampled this stream on August 16 2002. The fecal coliform count in one sample was 24 colonies per 100 mL, exceeding the limit in the objective.
Data Reference: Water quality data for surface waters on U.S Bureau of Land Management lands in Lassen and Modoc Counties
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The Lahontan Basin Plan's objective for coliform bacteria states:

"Waters shall not contain concentrations of coliform organisms attributable to anthropogenic sources, including human and livestock waste.

The fecal coliform concentration during any 30-day period shall not exceed a log mean of 20/100 ml, nor shall more than 10 percent of all samples collected during any 30-day period exceed 40/100 ml. The log mean shall ideally be based on a minimum of not less than five samples collected a evenly spaced as practicable during any 30-day period. However, a log mean concentration exceeding 20/100 ml for any 30-day period shall indicate violation of this objective even if fewer than five samples were collected."
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One staion (No. WG-1) was sampled.
Temporal Representation: One sample was taken on August 16, 2002.
Environmental Conditions: The USBLM database includes data for a "Willow Canyon near Doyle." The only stream with "Willow" in its name near the Lassen County town of Doyle on topographic maps is Willow Ranch Creek, a tributary of Long Valley Creek. Through the tributary rule, Willow Ranch Creek is designated for both the Warm Freshwater Habitat and Cold Freshwater Habitat uses, and for the Spawning, Reproduction and Development use. No site-specific water quality objectives have been established for Long Valley Creek and its tributaries.
QAPP Information: No quality assurance information was submitted with the data.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
14148
Region 6     
Willow Ranch Creek
 
Pollutant: Nitrate
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.

Two lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant.The single sample does note exceed the California Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL). No biological data are available for assessment of compliance with the water quality objective for biostimulatory substances.

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 do not satisfy the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The data used do not satisfy the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 or Table 3.2 of the Policy.
3. The single sample does not exceed the MCL and this does not exceed the allowable frequency in Table 3.2 of the Listing Policy. No biological data are available for assessment of compliance with the objective for biostimulatory substances.
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 it cannot be determined if 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 14148, Nitrate
Region 6     
Willow Ranch Creek
 
LOE ID: 25984
 
Pollutant: Nitrate
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Dissolved
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Fixed station physical/chemical (conventional plus toxic pollutants)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The U.S. Bureau of Land Management sampled this stream on August 16 2002. The concentration of NO3-N in one sample was 0.11 mg/L.
Data Reference: Water quality data for surface waters on U.S Bureau of Land Management lands in Lassen and Modoc Counties
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The Lahontan Basin Plan does not include site specific objectives for this water body. The regionwide narrative objective for biostimulatory substances states:

"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."
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One staion (No. WG-1) was sampled.
Temporal Representation: One sample was taken on August 16, 2002.
Environmental Conditions: The USBLM database includes data for a "Willow Canyon near Doyle." The only stream with "Willow" in its name near the Lassen County town of Doyle on topographic maps is Willow Ranch Creek, a tributary of Long Valley Creek. Through the tributary rule, Willow Ranch Creek is designated for both the Warm Freshwater Habitat and Cold Freshwater Habitat uses, and for the Spawning, Reproduction and Development use. No site-specific water quality objectives have been established for Long Valley Creek and its tributaries.
QAPP Information: No quality assurance information was submitted with the data.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 14148, Nitrate
Region 6     
Willow Ranch Creek
 
LOE ID: 25985
 
Pollutant: Nitrate
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Dissolved
 
Beneficial Use: Municipal & Domestic Supply
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Fixed station physical/chemical (conventional plus toxic pollutants)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The U.S. Bureau of Land Management sampled this stream on August 16 2002. The concentration of NO3-N in one sample was 0.11 mg/L. The MCL was not exceeded.
Data Reference: Water quality data for surface waters on U.S Bureau of Land Management lands in Lassen and Modoc Counties
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: California Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) apply to ambient waters under the Lahontan Basin Plan's "Chemical Constituents" objective. The MCL for nitrate is 45 mg/L , expressed "as nitrate," equivalent to 10 mg/L expressed "as N."
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One staion (No. WG-1) was sampled.
Temporal Representation: One sample was taken on August 16, 2002.
Environmental Conditions: The USBLM database includes data for a "Willow Canyon near Doyle." The only stream with "Willow" in its name near the Lassen County town of Doyle on topographic maps is Willow Ranch Creek, a tributary of Long Valley Creek. Through the tributary rule, Willow Ranch Creek is designated for both the Warm Freshwater Habitat and Cold Freshwater Habitat uses, and for the Spawning, Reproduction and Development use. No site-specific water quality objectives have been established for Long Valley Creek and its tributaries.
QAPP Information: No quality assurance information was submitted with the data.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
14147
Region 6     
Willow Ranch Creek
 
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 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. The single sample exceeds 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 do not satisfy the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The data used do not satisfy the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 or Table 3.2 of the Policy.
3. The single sample exceeded the water quality objective and this does not exceed 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 it cannot be determined if 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 14147, Oxygen, Dissolved
Region 6     
Willow Ranch Creek
 
LOE ID: 25981
 
Pollutant: Oxygen, Dissolved
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Dissolved
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 1
 
Data and Information Type: Fixed station physical/chemical (conventional plus toxic pollutants)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The U.S. Bureau of Land Management sampled this stream on August 16 2002. The concentration of dissolved oxygen in one sample was 6.88 mg/L, in violation of the objective.
Data Reference: Water quality data for surface waters on U.S Bureau of Land Management lands in Lassen and Modoc Counties
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The applicable water quality objective (from Lahontan Basin Plan Table 3-6) is a 1-day minimum dissolved oxygen concentration of 8 mg/L.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One staion (No. WG-1) was sampled.
Temporal Representation: One sample was taken on August 16, 2002.
Environmental Conditions: The USBLM database includes data for a "Willow Canyon near Doyle." The only stream with "Willow" in its name near the Lassen County town of Doyle on topographic maps is Willow Ranch Creek, a tributary of Long Valley Creek. Through the tributary rule, Willow Ranch Creek is designated for both the Warm Freshwater Habitat and Cold Freshwater Habitat uses, and for the Spawning, Reproduction and Development use. No site-specific water quality objectives have been established for Long Valley Creek and its tributaries.
QAPP Information: No quality assurance information was submitted with the data.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
14146
Region 6     
Willow Ranch Creek
 
Pollutant: Phosphate
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. No biological data are available for assessment of compliance with the water quality objective for biostimulatory substances.

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 do not satisfy the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The data used do not satisfy the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 or Table 3.2 of the Policy.
3. No biological data are available for assessment of compliance with the objective for biostimulatory substances.
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 it cannot be determined if 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 14146, Phosphate
Region 6     
Willow Ranch Creek
 
LOE ID: 25986
 
Pollutant: Phosphate
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Dissolved
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Fixed station physical/chemical (conventional plus toxic pollutants)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The U.S. Bureau of Land Management sampled this stream on August 16 2002. The concentration of PO4-P in one sample was 0.24 mg/L.
Data Reference: Water quality data for surface waters on U.S Bureau of Land Management lands in Lassen and Modoc Counties
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The Lahontan Basin Plan does not include site specific objectives for this water body. The regionwide narrative objective for biostimulatory substances states:

"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."
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One staion (No. WG-1) was sampled.
Temporal Representation: One sample was taken on August 16, 2002.
Environmental Conditions: The USBLM database includes data for a "Willow Canyon near Doyle." The only stream with "Willow" in its name near the Lassen County town of Doyle on topographic maps is Willow Ranch Creek, a tributary of Long Valley Creek. Through the tributary rule, Willow Ranch Creek is designated for both the Warm Freshwater Habitat and Cold Freshwater Habitat uses, and for the Spawning, Reproduction and Development use. No site-specific water quality objectives have been established for Long Valley Creek and its tributaries.
QAPP Information: No quality assurance information was submitted with the data.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
14144
Region 6     
Willow Ranch Creek
 
Pollutant: Specific Conductance
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.

One line of evidence is available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. The single sample does not 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 do not satisfy the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The data used do not satisfy the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 or Table 3.2 of the Policy.
3. The single sample did not exceed the water quality objective and this does not exceed 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 it cannot be determined if 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 14144, Specific Conductance
Region 6     
Willow Ranch Creek
 
LOE ID: 25977
 
Pollutant: Specific Conductance
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Municipal & Domestic Supply
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Fixed station physical/chemical (conventional plus toxic pollutants)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The U.S. Bureau of Land Management sampled this stream on August 16 2002. Specific conductance in one sample was 183 uS/cm. The MCL was not violated.
Data Reference: Water quality data for surface waters on U.S Bureau of Land Management lands in Lassen and Modoc Counties
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: California Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) apply to ambient waters under the Lahontan Basin Plan's "Chemical Constituents" objective. The MCL for specific conductance is 900 microsiemens per centimeter (uS/cm).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One staion (No. WG-1) was sampled.
Temporal Representation: One sample was taken on August 16, 2002.
Environmental Conditions: The USBLM database includes data for a "Willow Canyon near Doyle." The only stream with "Willow" in its name near the Lassen County town of Doyle on topographic maps is Willow Ranch Creek, a tributary of Long Valley Creek. Through the tributary rule, Willow Ranch Creek is designated for both the Warm Freshwater Habitat and Cold Freshwater Habitat uses, and for the Spawning, Reproduction and Development use. No site-specific water quality objectives have been established for Long Valley Creek and its tributaries.
QAPP Information: No quality assurance information was submitted with the data.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
14149
Region 6     
Willow Ranch Creek
 
Pollutant: Temperature, water
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: One line of evidence is available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. The Lahontan Basin Plan's objective for temperature is antidegradation-based and the available data are insufficient to document baseline and trend conditions as required by section 3.10 of the Listing Policy.

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 do not satisfy the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The data used do not satisfy the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. The single sample is insufficient to determine compliance with the objective under seciton 3.10 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 it cannot be determined if 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 14149, Temperature, water
Region 6     
Willow Ranch Creek
 
LOE ID: 25983
 
Pollutant: Temperature, water
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Fixed station physical/chemical (conventional plus toxic pollutants)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The U.S. Bureau of Land Management sampled this stream on August 16 2002. The temperature of one sample was 18.36 degrees Celsius.
Data Reference: Water quality data for surface waters on U.S Bureau of Land Management lands in Lassen and Modoc Counties
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The relevant sections of the Lahontan Basin Plan's temperature objective are as follows: "The natural receiving water temperature of all waters shall not be altered unless it can be demonstrated to the satisfaction fo the Regional Board that such an alteration in temperature does not adversely affect the water for beneficial uses.

For waters designated WARM, water temperature shall not be altered by more than five degrees Fahrenheit ... above or below the natural temperature. For waters designated COLD, the temperature shall not be altered."
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One staion (No. WG-1) was sampled.
Temporal Representation: One sample was taken on August 16, 2002.
Environmental Conditions: The USBLM database includes data for a "Willow Canyon near Doyle." The only stream with "Willow" in its name near the Lassen County town of Doyle on topographic maps is Willow Ranch Creek, a tributary of Long Valley Creek. Through the tributary rule, Willow Ranch Creek is designated for both the Warm Freshwater Habitat and Cold Freshwater Habitat uses, and for the Spawning, Reproduction and Development use. No site-specific water quality objectives have been established for Long Valley Creek and its tributaries.
QAPP Information: No quality assurance information was submitted with the data.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
14145
Region 6     
Willow Ranch Creek
 
Pollutant: Turbidity
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.

Two lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. The single sample exceeds the California Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL). The narrative water quality objective for turbidity is anti-degradation based, and the single sample is insufficient to document baseline and trend conditions as required under Section 3.10 of the Listing Policy.

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 do not satisfy the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The data used do not satisfy the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 or Table 3.2 of the Policy.
3. The single sample exceeded the MCL and this does not exceed the allowable frequency listed in Table 3.2 of the Listing Policy. The single sample does not meet the requirements of Listing Policy section 3.10.
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 it cannot be determined if 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 14145, Turbidity
Region 6     
Willow Ranch Creek
 
LOE ID: 25989
 
Pollutant: Turbidity
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Municipal & Domestic Supply
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 1
 
Data and Information Type: Fixed station physical/chemical (conventional plus toxic pollutants)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The U.S. Bureau of Land Management sampled this stream on August 16 2002. The turbidity of one sample was 8.5 NTU, in violation of the MCL.
Data Reference: Water quality data for surface waters on U.S Bureau of Land Management lands in Lassen and Modoc Counties
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: California Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) apply to ambient waters under the Lahontan Basin Plan's "Chemical Constituents" objective. The MCL for turbidity is 5 NTU.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One staion (No. WG-1) was sampled.
Temporal Representation: One sample was taken on August 16, 2002.
Environmental Conditions: The USBLM database includes data for a "Willow Canyon near Doyle." The only stream with "Willow" in its name near the Lassen County town of Doyle on topographic maps is Willow Ranch Creek, a tributary of Long Valley Creek. Through the tributary rule, Willow Ranch Creek is designated for both the Warm Freshwater Habitat and Cold Freshwater Habitat uses, and for the Spawning, Reproduction and Development use. No site-specific water quality objectives have been established for Long Valley Creek and its tributaries.
QAPP Information: No quality assurance information was submitted with the data.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 14145, Turbidity
Region 6     
Willow Ranch Creek
 
LOE ID: 25988
 
Pollutant: Turbidity
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Fixed station physical/chemical (conventional plus toxic pollutants)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The U.S. Bureau of Land Management sampled this stream on August 16 2002. The turbidity of one sample was 8.5 NTU.
Data Reference: Water quality data for surface waters on U.S Bureau of Land Management lands in Lassen and Modoc Counties
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The Lahontan Basin Plan's regionwide turbidity objective states: "Waters shall be free of changes in turbidity that cause nuisance or adversely affect the water for beneficial uses. Increases in turbidity shall not exceed natural levels by more than 10 percent."
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One staion (No. WG-1) was sampled.
Temporal Representation: One sample was taken on August 16, 2002.
Environmental Conditions: The USBLM database includes data for a "Willow Canyon near Doyle." The only stream with "Willow" in its name near the Lassen County town of Doyle on topographic maps is Willow Ranch Creek, a tributary of Long Valley Creek. Through the tributary rule, Willow Ranch Creek is designated for both the Warm Freshwater Habitat and Cold Freshwater Habitat uses, and for the Spawning, Reproduction and Development use. No site-specific water quality objectives have been established for Long Valley Creek and its tributaries.
QAPP Information: No quality assurance information was submitted with the data.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
14150
Region 6     
Willow Ranch Creek
 
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: One line of evidence is available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. The Lahontan Basin Plan's objective for pH is antidegradation-based and the available data are insufficient to document baseline and trend conditions as required by section 3.10 of the Listing Policy.

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 do not satisfy the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The data used do not satisfy the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. The single sample is insufficient to determine compliance with the objective under section 3.10 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 it cannot be determined if 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 14150, pH
Region 6     
Willow Ranch Creek
 
LOE ID: 25993
 
Pollutant: pH
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Municipal & Domestic Supply
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Water column surveys (e.g. fecal coliform)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The U.S. Bureau of Land Management sampled this stream on August 16 2002. The pH of one sample was 8.02 units.
Data Reference: Water quality data for surface waters on U.S Bureau of Land Management lands in Lassen and Modoc Counties
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The Lahontan Basin Plan's objective for pH states: "In fresh waters with designated beneficial uses of COLD or WARM, changes in normal ambient pH levels shall not exceed 0.5 pH units. For all other waters of the region, the pH shall not be depressed below 6.5 nor raised above 8.5 units.

The Regional Board recognizes that some waters of the Region may have natural pH levels outside of the 6.5 to 8.5 range. Compliance with the pH objective for these waters will be determined on a case-by-case basis."
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One staion (No. WG-1) was sampled.
Temporal Representation: One sample was taken on August 16, 2002.
Environmental Conditions: The USBLM database includes data for a "Willow Canyon near Doyle." The only stream with "Willow" in its name near the Lassen County town of Doyle on topographic maps is Willow Ranch Creek, a tributary of Long Valley Creek. Through the tributary rule, Willow Ranch Creek is designated for both the Warm Freshwater Habitat and Cold Freshwater Habitat uses, and for the Spawning, Reproduction and Development use. No site-specific water quality objectives have been established for Long Valley Creek and its tributaries.
QAPP Information: No quality assurance information was submitted with the data.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 14150, pH
Region 6     
Willow Ranch Creek
 
LOE ID: 25979
 
Pollutant: pH
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Fixed station physical/chemical (conventional plus toxic pollutants)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The U.S. Bureau of Land Management sampled this stream on August 16 2002. The pH of one sample was 8.02 units.
Data Reference: Water quality data for surface waters on U.S Bureau of Land Management lands in Lassen and Modoc Counties
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The Lahontan Basin Plan's objective for pH states: "In fresh waters with designated beneficial uses of COLD or WARM, changes in normal ambient pH levels shall not exceed 0.5 pH units. For all other waters of the region, the pH shall not be depressed below 6.5 nor raised above 8.5 units.

The Regional Board recognizes that some waters of the Region may have natural pH levels outside of the 6.5 to 8.5 range. Compliance with the pH objective for these waters will be determined on a case-by-case basis."
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One staion (No. WG-1) was sampled.
Temporal Representation: One sample was taken on August 16, 2002.
Environmental Conditions: The USBLM database includes data for a "Willow Canyon near Doyle." The only stream with "Willow" in its name near the Lassen County town of Doyle on topographic maps is Willow Ranch Creek, a tributary of Long Valley Creek. Through the tributary rule, Willow Ranch Creek is designated for both the Warm Freshwater Habitat and Cold Freshwater Habitat uses, and for the Spawning, Reproduction and Development use. No site-specific water quality objectives have been established for Long Valley Creek and its tributaries.
QAPP Information: No quality assurance information was submitted with the data.
QAPP Information Reference(s):