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

Supporting Information

Regional Board 6 - Lahontan Region

Water Body Name: Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
Water Body ID: CAR6094200020080816182930
Water Body Type: River & Stream
 
DECISION ID
12391
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
Pollutant: 1, 1, 2-trichloro-1, 2, 2-trifluoroethane | 1, 1-dichloroethane | 2, 4 D methyl ester / 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid methyl ester | 2, 4 DB / 4-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy) butyric acid | 2,4-D (2,4-Dichlorophenoxy acetic acid) | 2-Methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (MCPA):acetic acid | 2-chloro-4-isopropylamino-6-amino-s-triazine | 2-chloro-6-ethylamino-4-amino-s-triazine | 3-ketocarbofuran | 4(4 chloro-2-methyl phenoxy (MCPB)) butanoic acid | Aciflorfen | Aldicarb | Aldicarb sulfone | Aldicarb sulfoxide | Bendiocarb | Benomyl | Bensulfuron | Bentazon | Bromacil | Bromoxynil | Carbofuran | Chloramben methyl ester | Chlorimuron | Chlorodiamino-s-triazine | Chloropyralid | Chlorothalonil | Cycloate | Dacthal monoacid | Dicamba | Dichloroprop | Diethyl ether | Diisopropyl ether | Dinoseb | Diphenamid | Diuron | Fenuron | Flometuron | Flumetsulam | Hydroxyl carbofuran | Imazaquin | Imazethapyr | Imidacloprid | Linuron | Metalaxyl | Methiocarb | Methomyl | Methyl tert-pentyl ether | Metsulfuron | N-(4-Chlorophenyl) -N' methylurea / Monuron | Neburon | Nicosulfuron | Norflurazon | Oryzalin | Oxamyl (Vydate) | Picloram | Propham | Propiconazol | Propoxur | Siduron | Styrene | Sulfometuron | Tebuthiuron | Terbacil | Tert-butyl ethyl ether | Triazone | Tribenuron | Vinyl chloride | meta-para xylenes | o-Xylene
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: These pollutants are 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 these pollutants. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria for any of these pollutants in inland saline waters. All of the pollutants were at nondetectable levels.

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 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. Only one sample was available for each of the listed pollutants.
3. None of the samples was detectable. The single sample per pollutant does not meet the minimum sample number requirement of 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: 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 there are no applicable water quality standards or criteria and the minimum sample number requirements of the Listing Policy are not met..
 
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 12391, Multiple Pollutants
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 25227
 
Pollutant: 1, 1, 2-trichloro-1, 2, 2-trifluoroethane | 1, 1-dichloroethane | 2, 4 D methyl ester / 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid methyl ester | 2, 4 DB / 4-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy) butyric acid | 2,4-D (2,4-Dichlorophenoxy acetic acid) | 2-Methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (MCPA):acetic acid | 2-chloro-4-isopropylamino-6-amino-s-triazine | 2-chloro-6-ethylamino-4-amino-s-triazine | 3-ketocarbofuran | 4(4 chloro-2-methyl phenoxy (MCPB)) butanoic acid | Aciflorfen | Aldicarb | Aldicarb sulfone | Aldicarb sulfoxide | Bendiocarb | Benomyl | Bensulfuron | Bentazon | Bromacil | Bromoxynil | Carbofuran | Chloramben methyl ester | Chlorimuron | Chlorodiamino-s-triazine | Chloropyralid | Chlorothalonil | Cycloate | Dacthal monoacid | Dicamba | Dichloroprop | Diethyl ether | Diisopropyl ether | Dinoseb | Diphenamid | Diuron | Fenuron | Flometuron | Flumetsulam | Hydroxyl carbofuran | Imazaquin | Imazethapyr | Imidacloprid | Linuron | Metalaxyl | Methiocarb | Methomyl | Methyl tert-pentyl ether | Metsulfuron | N-(4-Chlorophenyl) -N' methylurea / Monuron | Neburon | Nicosulfuron | Norflurazon | Oryzalin | Oxamyl (Vydate) | Picloram | Propham | Propiconazol | Propoxur | Siduron | Styrene | Sulfometuron | Tebuthiuron | Terbacil | Tert-butyl ethyl ether | Triazone | Tribenuron | Vinyl chloride | meta-para xylenes | o-Xylene
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water 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. Geological Survey sampled organic chemicals at this station on March 18, 2004 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. One sampling result was reported for each of the listed pollutants. All of these pollutants were below the detection level.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no applicable state or federal saltwater standards or criteria for the listed pollutants.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: One sampling result was reported for each of the listed pollutants from a sample or samples collected on March 18, 2004
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
12752
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
Pollutant: 1, 3 -dichlorobenzene | 1, 4 -dichlorobenzene | 1,1,1-Trichloroethane | 1,1-Dichloroethylene (DCE)/ Vinylidene Chloride | 1,2-Dichloroethylene,-trans | 1,2-Dichloropropane | Atrazine | Benzene | Bromoform | Carbaryl | Carbon tetrachloride | Chlorobenzene (mono) | Chlorodibromomethane | Chloroform | Dichlorobromomethane | Dichlorodifluoromethane | Dichloromethane | Ethylbenzene | Methyl Tertiary-Butyl Ether (MTBE) | Tetrachloroethylene/PCE | Toluene | Trichloroethene | Trichlorofluoromethane (CFC-11) | cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene
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: These pollutants are 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 exceeds the applicable criteria. (All pollutants were at non-detectable levels, and under Listing Policy Section 6.1.5.5, the standards are presumed to be attained.)

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 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 in that only one sample per pollutant was available.
3. None of the single samples for each pollutant exceeded the applicable criterion and this does not exceed the allowable frequency listed in Table 3.1 of the Listing Policy. However, the minimum sample number requirements of Table 3.1 were not met.
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 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 12752, Multiple Pollutants
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 25413
 
Pollutant: 1, 3 -dichlorobenzene | 1, 4 -dichlorobenzene | 1,1,1-Trichloroethane | 1,1-Dichloroethylene (DCE)/ Vinylidene Chloride | 1,2-Dichloroethylene,-trans | 1,2-Dichloropropane | Atrazine | Benzene | Bromoform | Carbaryl | Carbon tetrachloride | Chlorobenzene (mono) | Chlorodibromomethane | Chloroform | Dichlorobromomethane | Dichlorodifluoromethane | Dichloromethane | Ethylbenzene | Methyl Tertiary-Butyl Ether (MTBE) | Tetrachloroethylene/PCE | Toluene | Trichloroethene | Trichlorofluoromethane (CFC-11) | cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water 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. Geological Survey sampled this station on March 17, 2004. Concentrations of the listed pollutants were all below the detection level.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: (In the following summary of criteria, when a single concentration is listed, it is the acute toxicity limit. When two concentrations are listed, the first number is the acute toxicity limit and the second is the chronic toxicity limit.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) national recommended saltwater aquatic life criteria for the following pollutants are as follows: atrazine, 760 ug/L/17 ug/L; carbaryl, 0.81 ug/L/0.81 ug/L; methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE), 53,000 ug/L/ 18,000 ug/L. The USEPA saltwater "Lowest Observed Effect Level" (LOEL) criteria are as follows: 1, 1, 1 trichloroethane, 31,200 ug/L; 1,1 dichloroethene, 224, 000 ug/L; 1, 2 dichloropropane, 10,300 ug/L; 1, 3 dichlorobenzene, 1970 ug/L/129 ug/L; 1, 4 dichlorobenzene, 1970 ug/L/ 129 ug/L; benzene, 5100 ug/L; bromodichloromethane, 12,000 ug/L/6400 ug/L; chlorobenzene 160 ug/L/129 ug/L;
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River at USGS Gage (Tecopa) was sampled.
Temporal Representation: One sample for each of the 24 listed pollutants was collected on March 17, 2004.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
16230
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
Pollutant: Alkalinity as CaCO3
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. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria.

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 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. Only one sample per year was collected.
3. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria and the data cannot be assessed using 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 there are no applicable water quality standards or criteria.
 
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 16230, Alkalinity as CaCO3
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 27148
 
Pollutant: Alkalinity as CaCO3
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
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. Geological Survey sampled this station on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Alkalinity values in two samples were 630 and 632 mg/L CaCO3.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The USEPA's national water quality criteria recommend a minimum hardness of 20 mg/L calcium carbonate as a chronic criterion for the protection of freshwater aquatic life, unless the natural alkalinity level is lower. There are no applicable water qualitiy standards or criteria for alkalinity in inland saline waters.
Objective/Criterion Reference: National recommended water quality criteria: 2002. EPA-822-R-02-047 Washington, D.C. USEPA
  Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: Two samples were collected on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
12190
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
Pollutant: Aluminum
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.

Three lines of evidence, consisting of one or two samples each, are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. There are no applicable saltwater aquatic life standards or criteria for aluminum in inland saline waters.

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 satisfy the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The sediment data used do not satisfy the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria and the data cannot be assessed using 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: 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 there are no applicable water quality standards or criteria.
 
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 12190, Aluminum
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 25046
 
Pollutant: Aluminum
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
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. Geological Survey sampled this station on on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Concentrations of total aluminum in two samples were 530 and 325 ug/L.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no applicable state or federal standards or criteria for total aluminum in inland saline waters.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: Two samples were collected on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 12190, Aluminum
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 25045
 
Pollutant: Aluminum
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Dissolved
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
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. Geological Survey sampled this station on on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. One of two samples was below the detection level and the concentration of dissolved aluminum in the other sample was an estimated value.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no applicable state or federal standards or criteria for dissolved aluminum in inland saline waters.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: Two samples were collected on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 12190, Aluminum
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 24892
 
Pollutant: Aluminum
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: Sediment
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Chemical monitoring of sediments
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The U.S. Geological Survey sampled sediment at this station on March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Results were reported as "bed sediment, smaller than 62.5 um, wet sieved, total digestion." The concentration of aluminum was 6 percent dry weight.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no state or federal standards or criteria for aluminum in sediment in inland saline waters.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: One sediment sample was collected on March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
12273
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
Pollutant: Antimony
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.

Three lines of evidence, consisting of one or two samples each, are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. There are no applicable saltwater aquatic life standards or criteria for antimony in inland saline waters. The sediment criterion, based on toxicity to marine/estuarine organisms, was not exceeded.

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 satisfy the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The sediment data used do not satisfy the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria for inland saline waters. The single sediment sample did not exceed the criterion, and this does not exceed the allowable frequency in Table 3.1 of the Listing Policy. This sample does not meet the minimum sample number requirement of Table 3.1.
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 there are no applicable water quality standards or criteria for inland saline waters, and the saltwater sediment criterion for protection of marine/estuarine organisms was 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 12273, Antimony
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 25048
 
Pollutant: Antimony
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Dissolved
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
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. Geological Survey sampled this station on on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Concentrations of dissolved antimony in two samples were 0.55 and 0.59 ug/L.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no applicable state or federal standards or criteria for dissolved antimony in inland saline waters.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: Two samples were collected on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 12273, Antimony
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 25047
 
Pollutant: Antimony
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
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. Geological Survey sampled this station on on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Concentrations of total antimony in two samples were 0.4 and 0.6 ug/L.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no applicable state or federal standards or criteria for total antimony in inland saline waters.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: Two samples were collected on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 12273, Antimony
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 24929
 
Pollutant: Antimony
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: Sediment
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Chemical monitoring of sediments
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The U.S. Geological Survey sampled sediment at this station on March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Results were reported as "bed sediment, smaller than 62.5 um, wet sieved, total digestion." The concentration of antimony was 0.7 ug/g dry weight.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no state or federal standards or criteria for antimony in sediment in inland saline waters. The Effects Range-Median for antimony in marine and estuarine sediments is 25 ug/g dry weight; see Long et al. (1995).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Incidence of adverse biological effects within ranges of chemical concentrations in marine and estuary sediments. Environmental Management. 19, (1): 81-97
  Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: One sediment sample was collected on March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
12047
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
Pollutant: Barium
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, consisting of a single sediment sample, is available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria for barium in the sediment of inland saline waters.

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 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. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria and the single sample cannot be assessed using 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: 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 there are no applicable water quality standards or criteria and the minimum sample number requirements of the listing policy are not met.
 
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 12047, Barium
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 24896
 
Pollutant: Barium
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: Sediment
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Chemical monitoring of sediments
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The U.S. Geological Survey sampled sediment at this station on March 18 2004 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Results were reported as "bed sediment, smaller than 62.5 um, wet sieved, total digestion." The concentration of barium was 790 ug/g dry weight.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no state or federal standards or criteria for barium in sediment in inland saline waters.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: One sediment sample was collected on March 18, 2004.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
12191
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
Pollutant: Beryllium
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.

Three lines of evidence, consisting of one or two samples each, are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. There are no applicable saltwater aquatic life standards or criteria for beryllium in inland saline waters.

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 satisfy the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The sediment data used do not satisfy the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria and the data cannot be assessed using 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: 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 there are no applicable water quality standards or criteria.
 
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 12191, Beryllium
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 24897
 
Pollutant: Beryllium
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: Sediment
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Chemical monitoring of sediments
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The U.S. Geological Survey sampled sediment at this station on March 16. 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Results were reported as "bed sediment, smaller than 62.5 um, wet sieved, total digestion." The concentration of beryllium was 2 ug/g dry weight.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no state or federal standards or criteria for beryllium in sediment in inland saline waters.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: One sediment sample was collected on March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 12191, Beryllium
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 25051
 
Pollutant: Beryllium
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Dissolved
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
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. Geological Survey sampled this station on on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Concentrations of dissolved beryllium in two samples were both below the detection level.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no applicable state or federal saltwater aquatic life standards or criteria for dissolved beryllium in inland saline waters.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: Two samples were collected on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 12191, Beryllium
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 25054
 
Pollutant: Beryllium
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
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. Geological Survey sampled this station on on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Concentrations of total beryllium in two samples were both below the detection level.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no applicable state or federal saltwater aquatic life standards or criteria for total beryllium in inland saline waters.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: Two samples were collected on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
12100
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
Pollutant: Bicarbonate
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, consisting of two samples, is available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria for bicarbonate in inland saline waters.

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 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. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria and the data cannot be assessed using 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 there are no applicable water quality standards or criteria, and the minimum sample number requirements of the Listing Policy are not met.
 
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 12100, Bicarbonate
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 25205
 
Pollutant: Bicarbonate
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
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. Geological Survey sampled this station on on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Two samples had bicarbonate concentrations of 722 and 673 mg/L.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no applicable state or federal saltwater aquatic life standards or criteria for bicarbonate in inland saline waters.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: Two samples were collected on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
12048
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
Pollutant: Bismuth
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, consisting of a single sediment sample, is available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria for bismuth in the sediment of inland saline waters.

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 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. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria and the single sample cannot be assessed using 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: 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 there are no applicable water quality standards or criteria and the minimum sample number requirements of the Listing Policy are not met.
 
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 12048, Bismuth
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 24898
 
Pollutant: Bismuth
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: Sediment
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Chemical monitoring of sediments
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The U.S. Geological Survey sampled sediment at this station on March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Results were reported as "bed sediment, smaller than 62.5 um, wet sieved, total digestion." The concentration of bismuth was below the detection level.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no state or federal standards or criteria for bismuth in sediment in inland saline waters.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: One sediment sample was collected on March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
13201
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
Pollutant: Boron
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. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria for this pollutant in inland saline waters..

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 satisfy the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The data used (only one sample per year) do not satisfy the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria and the minimum sample number requirements of Table 3.1 of the Listing Policy are not met.
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 there are no applicable water quality standards or criteria.
 
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 13201, Boron
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 25220
 
Pollutant: Boron
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Dissolved
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
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. Geological Survey sampled this station on on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Concentrations of dissolved boron in two samples were 9540 and 8930 ug/L.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no applicable state or federal aquatic life standards or criteria for boron in inland saline waters.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: Two samples were collected on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
12274
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
Pollutant: Cadmium
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.

Three lines of evidence, consisting of one or two samples each, are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. There are no applicable saltwater aquatic life standards or criteria for cadmium in inland saline waters. The California Toxics Rule (CTR) saltwater standards and a sediment criterion
were not exceeded. However, both are based on toxicity to marine/estuarine organisms.

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 satisfy the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The sediment data used do not satisfy the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria for inland saline waters. None of the samples exceeded the CTR standards or the sediment criterion for marine/estuarine toxicity and this does not exceed the allowable frequency in Listing Policy Table 3.1. The single sediment sample does not meet the minimum sample number requirements of Table 3.1.
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 there are no applicable water quality standards or criteria for inland saline waters and the saltwater standards for protection of marine/estuarine organisms were 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 12274, Cadmium
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 25056
 
Pollutant: Cadmium
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Dissolved
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
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. Geological Survey sampled this station on on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Concentrations of dissolved cadmium in two samples were 0.13 and 0.14 ug/L.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The California Toxics Rule's saltwater aquatic life standards for cadmium include an acute toxicity limit of 42 ug/L and a chronic toxicity limit of 9.3 ug/L.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: Two samples were collected on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 12274, Cadmium
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 25055
 
Pollutant: Cadmium
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
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. Geological Survey sampled this station on on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Concentrations of total cadmium in two samples were 0.12 and 0.17 ug/L.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no applicable state or federal saltwater aquatic life standards or criteria for total cadmium in inland saline waters.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: Two samples were collected on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 12274, Cadmium
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 24931
 
Pollutant: Cadmium
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: Sediment
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Chemical monitoring of sediments
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The U.S. Geological Survey sampled sediment at this station on March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Results were reported as "bed sediment, smaller than 62.5 um, wet sieved, total digestion." The concentration of cadmium was 0.1 ug/g dry weight.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no state or federal standards or criteria for cadmium in sediment in inland saline waters. The Probable Effects Level for cadmium in marine and estuarine sediments is 4.21 ug/g dry weight; see MacDonald et al. (1996).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Development and evaluation of sediment quality guidelines for Florida coastal waters. Ecotoxicology 5: 253-278
  Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: One sediment sample was collected on March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
12964
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
Pollutant: Caffeine
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. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria..

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 satisfy the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The single sample does not satisfy the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria and the data cannot be assessed using 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 there are no applicable water quality standards or criteria.
 
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 12964, Caffeine
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 24920
 
Pollutant: Caffeine
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water 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. Geological Survey sample this station on March 16 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. The concentration of caffeine in one sample was below the detection level.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no state or federal standards or criteria for caffeine in inland saline waters.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: One sediment sample was collected on March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
12192
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
Pollutant: Calcium
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, consisting of one or two samples each, are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. There are no applicable saltwater aquatic life standards or criteria for calcium in inland saline waters.

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 satisfy the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The sediment data used do not satisfy the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria and the data cannot be assessed using 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 there are no applicable water quality standards or criteria.
 
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 12192, Calcium
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 25199
 
Pollutant: Calcium
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
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. Geological Survey sampled this station on on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Two samples had total calcium concentrations of 47.7 and 65.1 mg/L.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no applicable state or federal standards or criteria for total calcium in inland saline waters.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: Two samples were collected on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 12192, Calcium
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 24925
 
Pollutant: Calcium
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: Sediment
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Chemical monitoring of sediments
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The U.S. Geological Survey sampled sediment at this station on March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Results were reported as "bed sediment, smaller than 62.5 um, wet sieved, total digestion." The concentration of calcium was 3.5 percent dry weight.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no state or federal standards or criteria for calcium in sediment in inland saline waters.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: One sediment sample was collected on March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 12192, Calcium
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 25198
 
Pollutant: Calcium
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Dissolved
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
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. Geological Survey sampled this station on on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Two samples had dissolved calcium concentrations of 37.5 and 62.1 mg/L.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no applicable state or federal standards or criteria for dissolved calcium in inland saline waters.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: Two samples were collected on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
12283
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
Pollutant: Carbon (inorganic)
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. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria for inorganic carbon.

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 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. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria and the data cannot be assessed using Table 3.2 of the Listing Policy. The minimum sample number requirements of Table 3.2 are not met.
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 there are no applicable water quality standards or criteria and the minimum sample number requirements of the Listing Policy are not met.
 
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 12283, Carbon (inorganic)
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 24895
 
Pollutant: Carbon (inorganic)
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: Sediment
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Chemical monitoring of sediments
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The U.S. Geological Survey sampled sediment at this station on March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Results were reported as "bed sediment, smaller than 62.5 um, wet sieved, total digestion." The concentration of carbon (inorganic) was 0.93 percent dry weight.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no state or federal standards or criteria for carbon in sediment in inland saline waters.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: One sediment sample was collected on March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
12284
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
Pollutant: Carbon (organic + inorganic)
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. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria for inorganic plus organic carbon.

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 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. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria and the data cannot be assessed using Table 3.2 of the Listing Policy. The minimum sample number requirements of Table 3.2 are not met.
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 there are no applicable water quality standards or criteria and the minimum sample number requirements of the Listing Policy are not met.
 
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 12284, Carbon (organic + inorganic)
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 24894
 
Pollutant: Carbon (organic + inorganic)
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: Sediment
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Chemical monitoring of sediments
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The U.S. Geological Survey sampled sediment at this station on March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Results were reported as "bed sediment, smaller than 62.5 um, wet sieved, total digestion." The concentration of carbon (inorganic + organic) was 1 percent dry weight.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no state or federal standards or criteria for carbon in sediment in inland saline waters.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: One sediment sample was collected on March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
12285
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
Pollutant: Carbon (organic)
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. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria for organic carbon.

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 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. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria and the data cannot be assessed using Table 3.2 of the Listing Policy. The minimum sample number requirements of Table 3.2 are not met.
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 there are no applicable water quality standards or criteria and the minimum sample number requirements of the Listing Policy are not met.
 
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 12285, Carbon (organic)
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 25187
 
Pollutant: Carbon (organic)
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: Sediment
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Chemical monitoring of sediments
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The U.S. Geological Survey sampled sediment at this station on March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Results were reported as "bed sediment, smaller than 62.5 um, wet sieved, total digestion." The concentration of carbon (organic) was 0.09 percent dry weight.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no state or federal standards or criteria for organic carbon in sediment in inland saline waters.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: One sediment sample was collected on March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
12102
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
Pollutant: Carbonate
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, consisting of two samples, is available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria for carbonate in inland saline waters.

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 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. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria and the data cannot be assessed using 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 there are no applicable water quality standards or criteria, and the minimum sample number requirements of the Listing Policy are not met.
 
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 12102, Carbonate
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 25206
 
Pollutant: Carbonate
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
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. Geological Survey sampled this station on on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Two samples had carbonate concentrations of 23 and 48 mg/L.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no applicable state or federal saltwater aquatic life standards or criteria for carbonate in inland saline waters.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: Two samples were collected on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
12966
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
Pollutant: Cerium
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. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria.

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 satisfy the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The single sample does not satisfy the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria and the data cannot be assessed using 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: 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 there are no applicable water quality standards or criteria..
 
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 12966, Cerium
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 24899
 
Pollutant: Cerium
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: Sediment
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Chemical monitoring of sediments
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The U.S. Geological Survey sampled sediment at this station on March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Results were reported as "bed sediment, smaller than 62.5 um, wet sieved, total digestion." The concentration of cerium was 76 ug/g dry weight.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no state or federal standards or criteria for cerium in sediment in inland saline waters.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: One sediment sample was collected on March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
12105
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
Pollutant: Chloride
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, consisting of two samples, is available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria for chloride in inland saline waters.

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 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. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria and the data cannot be assessed using 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 there are no applicable water quality standards or criteria, and the minimum sample number requirements of the Listing Policy are not met..
 
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 12105, Chloride
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 25207
 
Pollutant: Chloride
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Dissolved
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
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. Geological Survey sampled this station on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Two samples had dissolved chloride concentrations of 427 and 337 mg/L.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no applicable state or federal saltwater aquatic life standards or criteria for chloride in inland saline waters.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: Two samples were collected on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
12275
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
Pollutant: Chromium (total)
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.

Three lines of evidence, consisting of one or two samples each, are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. There are no applicable saltwater aquatic life standards or criteria for chromium in inland saline waters. The California Toxics Rule (CTR) saltwater standards and a sediment criterion were not exceeded. However, both are based on toxicity to marine/estuarine organisms.

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 satisfy the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The sediment data used do not satisfy the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria for inland saline waters. None of the samples exceeded the CTR standards or the sediment criterion for marine/estuarine toxicity and this does not exceed the allowable frequency in Listing Policy Table 3.1. The single sediment sample does not meet the minimum sample number requirements of Table 3.1.
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 there are no applicable standards or criteria for inland surface waters, and the saltwater standards for protection of marine/estuarine organisms were 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 12275, Chromium (total)
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 25058
 
Pollutant: Chromium (total)
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
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. Geological Survey sampled this station on on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Concentrations of total chromium in both of two samples were estimated values.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no applicable state or federal saltwater aquatic life standards or criteria for total chromium in inland saline waters.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: Two samples were collected on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 12275, Chromium (total)
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 25057
 
Pollutant: Chromium (total)
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Dissolved
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
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. Geological Survey sampled this station on on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. One of two samples for dissolved chromium was below the detection level and the other was an estimated value.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The California Toxics Rule's saltwater aquatic life standards for chromium include an acute toxicity limit of 1100 ug/L and a chronic toxicity limit of 50 ug/L.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: Two samples were collected on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 12275, Chromium (total)
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 24932
 
Pollutant: Chromium (total)
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: Sediment
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Chemical monitoring of sediments
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The U.S. Geological Survey sampled sediment at this station on March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Results were reported as "bed sediment, smaller than 62.5 um, wet sieved, total digestion." The concentration of chromium was 21 ug/g dry weight. (The SWAMP data do not distinguish between trivalent and hexavalent chromium.)
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no state or federal standards or criteria for arsenic in sediment in inland saline waters. The Effects Range-Median for chromium in marine and estuarine sediments is 370 ug/g dry weight; see Long et al. (1995).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Incidence of adverse biological effects within ranges of chemical concentrations in marine and estuary sediments. Environmental Management. 19, (1): 81-97
  Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: One sediment sample was collected on March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
12193
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
Pollutant: Cobalt
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.

Three lines of evidence, consisting of one or two samples each, are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. There are no applicable saltwater aquatic life standards or criteria for cobalt in inland saline waters.

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 satisfy the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The sediment data used do not satisfy the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria and the data cannot be assessed using 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: 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 there are no applicable water quality standards or criteria.
 
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 12193, Cobalt
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 25062
 
Pollutant: Cobalt
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
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. Geological Survey sampled this station on on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Concentrations of total cobalt in two samples were 0.56 and 0.8 ug/L.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no applicable state or federal saltwater aquatic life standards or criteria for total cobalt in inland saline waters.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: Two samples were collected on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 12193, Cobalt
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 25063
 
Pollutant: Cobalt
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Dissolved
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
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. Geological Survey sampled this station on on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Concentrations of dissolved cobalt in two samples were 0.24 and 0.37 ug/L.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no applicable state or federal saltwater aquatic life standards or criteria for dissolved cobalt in inland saline waters.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: Two samples were collected on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 12193, Cobalt
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 24900
 
Pollutant: Cobalt
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: Sediment
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Chemical monitoring of sediments
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The U.S. Geological Survey sampled sediment at this station on March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Results were reported as "bed sediment, smaller than 62.5 um, wet sieved, total digestion." The concentration of cobalt was 6 ug/g dry weight.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no state or federal standards or criteria for cobalt in sediment in inland saline waters.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: One sediment sample was collected on March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
12968
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
Pollutant: Copper
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.

Three lines of evidence, including total and dissolved copper in water and copper in sediment, are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Two of the dissolved copper samples exceed the California Toxics Rule chronic toxicity standard. This standard is based on toxicity tests for marine/estuarine organisms and is not appropriate for inland saline waters.

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 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. Only one water sample per year was collected.
3. Two out of two dissolved copper samples exceeded the California Toxics Rule standard and this exceeds the allowable frequency listed in Table 3.1 of the Listing Policy. However, as explained above, the standard is inappropriate for inland saline waters.
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, although the California Toxics Rule standards are being exceeded, the standards are inappropriate for inland saline waters, and the data are not temporally representative.
 
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 12968, Copper
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 25073
 
Pollutant: Copper
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Dissolved
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
Number of Exceedances: 2
 
Data and Information Type: Fixed station physical/chemical (conventional plus toxic pollutants)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The U.S. Geological Survey sampled this station on on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Concentrations of dissolved copper in two samples were 3.3 and 3.2 ug/L.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The California Toxics Rule's saltwater aquatic life standards for dissolved copper include an acute toxicity limit of 4.8 ug/L and a chronic toxicity limit of 3.1 ug/L.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: Two samples were collected on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 12968, Copper
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 25065
 
Pollutant: Copper
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
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. Geological Survey sampled this station on on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Concentrations of total copper in two samples were 6.3 and 14.8 ug/L.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no applicable state or federal saltwater aquatic life standards or criteria for total copper in inland saline waters.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: Two samples were collected on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 12968, Copper
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 24933
 
Pollutant: Copper
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: Sediment
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Chemical monitoring of sediments
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The U.S. Geological Survey sampled sediment at this station on March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Results were reported as "bed sediment, smaller than 62.5 um, wet sieved, total digestion." The concentration of copper was 10 ug/g dry weight.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no state or federal standards or criteria for copper in sediment in inland saline waters. The Effects Range-Median for copper in marine and estuarine sediments is 270 ug/g dry weight; see Long et al. (1995).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Incidence of adverse biological effects within ranges of chemical concentrations in marine and estuary sediments. Environmental Management. 19, (1): 81-97
  Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: One sediment sample was collected on March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
16218
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
Pollutant: Deuterium/Protium ratio
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. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria for this parameter..

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 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. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria and the data cannot be assessed using 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: 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 there are no applicable water quality standards or criteria.
 
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 16218, Deuterium/Protium ratio
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 27064
 
Pollutant: Deuterium/Protium ratio
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
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. Geological Survey sampled this station on on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. The deuterium/protium ratios in two samples were -90.7 and -90.1 per mL.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no state or federal saltwater aquatic life standards or criteria for deuterium/protium ratio in inland saline waters.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: Two samples were collected on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
12365
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
Pollutant: Dissolved oxygen saturation
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. One of the samples 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 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. One of two samples exceeded the water quality objective and this does not exceed the allowable frequency listed in Table 3.2 of the Listing Policy. However, the minimum sample number requirements of Table 3.2 are not met.
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 being exceeded and the minimum sample number requirements of the Listing Policy are not met.
 
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 12365, Dissolved oxygen saturation
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 25193
 
Pollutant: Dissolved oxygen saturation
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Dissolved
 
Beneficial Use: Warm Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
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. Geological Survey sampled this station on on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Two sample had dissolved oxygen saturation values of 106 and 75 percent.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: .The Lahontan Basin Plan's water quality objective states that percent saturation shall not be depressed by more than 10 percent and minimum dissolved oxygen concentration shall not be less than 80 percent saturation.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: Two samples were collected on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
12969
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
Pollutant: Europium
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. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria..

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 satisfy the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The single sample does not satisfy the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria and the data cannot be assessed using 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: 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 there are no applicable water quality standards or criteria.
 
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 12969, Europium
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 24901
 
Pollutant: Europium
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: Sediment
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Chemical monitoring of sediments
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The U.S. Geological Survey sampled sediment at this station on March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Results were reported as "bed sediment, smaller than 62.5 um, wet sieved, total digestion." The concentration of europium was 1 ug/g dry weight.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no state or federal standards or criteria for europium in sediment in inland saline waters.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: One sediment sample was collected on March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
16163
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
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.

One line of evidence is available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. The single sample did 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 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. Only one sample is available.
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 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 16163, Fecal Coliform
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 25219
 
Pollutant: Fecal Coliform
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
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. Geological Survey sampled sediment at this station on March 18 2004 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. The fecal coliform count in one sample was an estimated value.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: 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 wastes. 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 as 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 station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: One sample was collected on March 18, 2004.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
13202
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
Pollutant: Fluoride
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. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria for this pollutant in inland saline waters..

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 satisfy the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The data used (only one sample per year) do not satisfy the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria and the minimum sample number requiremetns of Table 3.2 of the Listing Policy are not met.
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 there are no applicable water quality standards or criteria and the minimum sample number requirements of the Listing Policy are not met.
 
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 13202, Fluoride
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 25208
 
Pollutant: Fluoride
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Dissolved
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
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. Geological Survey sampled this station on on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Two samples had dissolved fluoride concentrations of 4.5 and 4.0 mg/L.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no applicable state or federal saltwater aquatic life standards or criteria for fluoride in inland saline waters.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: Two samples were collected on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
12049
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
Pollutant: Gallium
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, consisting of a single sediment sample, is available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria for gallium in the sediment of inland saline waters.

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 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. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria and the single sample cannot be assessed using 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: 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 there are no applicable water quality standards or criteria and the minimum sample number requirement of the Listing Policy are not met.
 
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 12049, Gallium
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 24902
 
Pollutant: Gallium
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: Sediment
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Chemical monitoring of sediments
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The U.S. Geological Survey sampled sediment at this station on March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Results were reported as "bed sediment, smaller than 62.5 um, wet sieved, total digestion." The concentration of gallium was 13 ug/g dry weight.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no state or federal standards or criteria for gallium in sediment in inland saline waters.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: One sediment sample was collected on March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
12050
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
Pollutant: Gold
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, consisting of a single sediment sample, is available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria for gold in the sediment of inland saline waters.

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 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. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria and the single sample cannot be assessed using 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: 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 there are no applicable water quality standards or criteria and the minimum sample number requirements of the Listing Policy are not met.
 
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 12050, Gold
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 24903
 
Pollutant: Gold
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: Sediment
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Chemical monitoring of sediments
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The U.S. Geological Survey sampled sediment at this station on March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Results were reported as "bed sediment, smaller than 62.5 um, wet sieved, total digestion." The concentration of gold was below the detection level.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no state or federal standards or criteria for gold in sediment in inland saline waters.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: One sediment sample was collected on March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
16219
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
Pollutant: Gross Alpha Radioactivity
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 to assess whether either of the two samples 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 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. Only one sample per year is available.
3. No biological data are available for assessment of compliance and the data cannot be assessed using 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: 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 16219, Gross Alpha Radioactivity
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 27065
 
Pollutant: Gross Alpha Radioactivity
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
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. Geological Survey sampled this station on on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Two samples had gross alpha radioactivity levels of 13 and 30 pCi/L..
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no state or federal saltwater aquatic life standards or criteria specifically for gross alpha radioactivity in inland saline waters.
The Lahontan Basin Plan's narrative objective for radioactivity provdes that: "Radionuclides shall not be present in concentrations which are deleterious to human, plant, animal, or aquatic life nor which result in the accumulation of radionuclides in the food web to an estent which presents a hazard to human, plant, animal or aquatic life." The objective also incorporates California Maximum Contaminant Levels for waters designated for the MUN use. MCLs do not apply to the Amargosa River.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: Two samples were collected on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
16227
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
Pollutant: Gross Beta Radioactivity
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 whether either of the two samples 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 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. Only one sample per year was collected.
3. No biological data are available for assessment of compliance with the narrative water quality objective, and the data cannot be assessed using 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: 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 16227, Gross Beta Radioactivity
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 27135
 
Pollutant: Gross Beta Radioactivity
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
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. Geological Survey sampled this station on on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Two samples had gross beta radioactivity levels of 45 and 64 pCi/L..
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no state or federal saltwater aquatic life standards or criteria specifically for gross beta radioactivity in inland saline waters.
The Lahontan Basin Plan's narrative objective for radioactivity provdes that: "Radionuclides shall not be present in concentrations which are deleterious to human, plant, animal, or aquatic life nor which result in the accumulation of radionuclides in the food web to an estent which presents a hazard to human, plant, animal or aquatic life." The objective also incorporates California Maximum Contaminant Levels for waters designated for the MUN use. MCLs do not apply to the Amargosa River.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: Two samples were collected on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
16161
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
Pollutant: Hardness as CaCO3
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. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria for hardness.

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 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. Only one sample was collected per year.
3. There are no applicable standards or criteria and the data cannot be assessed using Table 3.2 of the 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 there are no applicable standards or criteria.
 
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 16161, Hardness as CaCO3
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 25197
 
Pollutant: Hardness as CaCO3
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
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. Geological Survey sampled this station on on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Two samples had hardness values of 240 and 380 mg/L CaCO3.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no state or federal saltwater aquatic life standards or criteria for hardness in inland saline waters. Hardness is monitored for purposes such as determination of the applicable criteria and standards for metals whose toxicity is hardness-dependent. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's 1986 "Gold Book" includes generally accepted categories of hardness. Calcium and magnesium are the major ions contributing to hardness, and hardness is generally expressed as calcium carbonate. Water with a hardness equivalent to 0-75 mg equivalent CaCO3/L is considered "soft."
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: Two samples were collected on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
12051
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
Pollutant: Holmium
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, consisting of a single sediment sample, is available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria for holmium in the sediment of inland saline waters.

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 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. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria and the single sample cannot be assessed using 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: 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 there are no applicable water quality standards or criteria and the minimum sample number requirements of the Listing Policy are not met.
 
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 12051, Holmium
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 24904
 
Pollutant: Holmium
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: Sediment
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Chemical monitoring of sediments
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The U.S. Geological Survey sampled sediment at this station on March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Results were reported as "bed sediment, smaller than 62.5 um, wet sieved, total digestion." The concentration of holmium was below the detection level.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no state or federal standards or criteria for holmium in sediment in inland saline waters.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: One sediment sample was collected on March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
12195
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
Pollutant: Iron
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.

Three lines of evidence, consisting of one or two samples each, are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. There are no applicable saltwater aquatic life standards or criteria for iron in inland saline waters.

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 satisfy the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The sediment data used do not satisfy the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria and the data cannot be assessed using 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: 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 there are no applicable water quality standards or criteria.
 
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 12195, Iron
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 25070
 
Pollutant: Iron
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
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. Geological Survey sampled this station on on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. One of two samples for total iron was an estimated value and the other had a concentration of 30 ug/L.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no applicable state or federal saltwater aquatic life standards or criteria for total iron in inland saline waters.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: Two samples were collected on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 12195, Iron
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 24905
 
Pollutant: Iron
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: Sediment
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Chemical monitoring of sediments
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The U.S. Geological Survey sampled sediment at this station on March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Results were reported as "bed sediment, smaller than 62.5 um, wet sieved, total digestion." The concentration of iron was 1.7 percent dry weight.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no state or federal standards or criteria for iron in sediment in inland saline waters.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: One sediment sample was collected on March 16, 2004.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 12195, Iron
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 25068
 
Pollutant: Iron
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Dissolved
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
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. Geological Survey sampled this station on on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. One of two samples for dissolved iron was an estimated value and the other had a concentration of 30 ug/L.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no applicable state or federal saltwater aquatic life standards or criteria for dissolved iron in inland saline waters.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: Two samples were collected on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
12970
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
Pollutant: Lanthanum
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. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria..

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 satisfy the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The single sample does not satisfy the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria and the data cannot be assessed using 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: 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 there are no applicable water quality standards or criteria.
 
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 12970, Lanthanum
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 24906
 
Pollutant: Lanthanum
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: Sediment
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Chemical monitoring of sediments
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The U.S. Geological Survey sampled sediment at this station on March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Results were reported as "bed sediment, smaller than 62.5 um, wet sieved, total digestion." The concentration of lanthanum was 40 ug/g dry weight.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no state or federal standards or criteria for lanthanum in sediment in inland saline waters.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: One sediment sample was collected on March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
12276
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
Pollutant: Lead
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.

Thre lines of evidence, consisting of one or two samples each, are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. There are no applicable saltwater aquatic life standards or criteria for lead in inland saline waters. The California Toxics Rule (CTR) saltwater standards and a sediment criterion were not exceeded. However, both are based on toxicity to marine/estuarine organisms.

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 satisfy the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The sediment data used do not satisfy the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria for inland saline waters. None of the samples exceeded the CTR standards or the sediment criterion for marine/estuarine toxicity and this does not exceed the allowable frequency in Listing Policy Table 3.1. The single sediment sample does not meet the minimum sample number requirements of Table 3.1.
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 there are no applicable water quality standards or criteria for inland saline waters and the saltwater standards for protection of marine/estuarine organisms 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 12276, Lead
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 25076
 
Pollutant: Lead
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
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. Geological Survey sampled this station on on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Concentrations of total lead in two samples were 0.61 and 0.6 ug/L.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no applicable state or federal saltwater aquatic life standards or criteria for total lead in inland saline waters.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: Two samples were collected on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 12276, Lead
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 25067
 
Pollutant: Lead
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Dissolved
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
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. Geological Survey sampled this station on on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Concentrations of dissolved lead in two samples were 0.21 and 0.22 ug/L.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The California Toxics Rule's saltwater aquatic life standards for dissolved lead include an acute toxicity limit of 210 ug/L and a chronic toxicity limit of 8.1 ug/L.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: Two samples were collected on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 12276, Lead
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 24934
 
Pollutant: Lead
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: Sediment
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Chemical monitoring of sediments
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The U.S. Geological Survey sampled sediment at this station on March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Results were reported as "bed sediment, smaller than 62.5 um, wet sieved, total digestion." The concentration of lead was 28 ug/g dry weight.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no state or federal standards or criteria for lead in sediment in inland saline waters. The Probable Effects Level for lead in marine and estuarine sediments is 112.18 ug/g dry weight; see MacDonald et al. (1996).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Development and evaluation of sediment quality guidelines for Florida coastal waters. Ecotoxicology 5: 253-278
  Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: One sediment sample was collected on March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
12053
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
Pollutant: Lithium
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, consisting of a single sediment sample, is available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria for lithium in sediment of inland saline waters.

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 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. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria and the single sample cannot be assessed using 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: 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 there are no applicable water quality standards or criteria, and the minimum sample number requirements of the Listing Policy are not met.
 
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 12053, Lithium
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 24907
 
Pollutant: Lithium
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: Sediment
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Chemical monitoring of sediments
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The U.S. Geological Survey sampled sediment at this station on March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Results were reported as "bed sediment, smaller than 62.5 um, wet sieved, total digestion." The concentration of lithium was 33 ug/g dry weight.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no state or federal standards or criteria for lithium in sediment in inland saline waters.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: One sediment sample was collected on March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
12196
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
Pollutant: Magnesium
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, consisting of one or two samples each, are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. There are no applicable saltwater aquatic life standards or criteria for magnesium in inland saline waters.

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 satisfy the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The sediment data used do not satisfy the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria and the data cannot be assessed using 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 there are no applicable water quality standards or criteria.
 
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 12196, Magnesium
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 24926
 
Pollutant: Magnesium
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: Sediment
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Chemical monitoring of sediments
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The U.S. Geological Survey sampled sediment at this station on March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Results were reported as "bed sediment, smaller than 62.5 um, wet sieved, total digestion." The concentration of magnesium was 0.98 percent dry weight.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no state or federal standards or criteria for magnesium in sediment in inland saline waters.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: One sediment sample was collected on March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 12196, Magnesium
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 25200
 
Pollutant: Magnesium
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
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. Geological Survey sampled this station on on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Two samples had total magnesium concentrations of 44.1 and 57.5 mg/L.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no applicable state or federal standards or criteria for total magnesium in inland saline waters.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: Two samples were collected on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 12196, Magnesium
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 25202
 
Pollutant: Magnesium
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Dissolved
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
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. Geological Survey sampled this station on on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Two samples had dissolved magnesium concentrations of 35.and 53.4 mg/L.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no applicable state or federal standards or criteria for total magnesium in inland saline waters.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: Two samples were collected on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
12198
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
Pollutant: Manganese
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.

Three lines of evidence, consisting of one or two samples each, are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. There are no applicable saltwater aquatic life standards or criteria for manganese in inland saline waters.

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 satisfy the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The sediment data used do not satisfy the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria and the data cannot be assessed using 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: 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 there are no applicable water quality standards or criteria.
 
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 12198, Manganese
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 24908
 
Pollutant: Manganese
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: Sediment
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Chemical monitoring of sediments
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The U.S. Geological Survey sampled sediment at this station on March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Results were reported as "bed sediment, smaller than 62.5 um, wet sieved, total digestion." The concentration of manganese was 490 ug/g dry weight.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no state or federal standards or criteria for manganese in sediment in inland saline waters.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: One sediment sample was collected on March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 12198, Manganese
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 25077
 
Pollutant: Manganese
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
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. Geological Survey sampled this station on on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Concentrations of total manganese in two samples were 70 and 175 ug/L.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no applicable state or federal saltwater aquatic life standards or criteria for total manganese in inland saline waters.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: Two samples were collected on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 12198, Manganese
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 25078
 
Pollutant: Manganese
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Dissolved
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
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. Geological Survey sampled this station on on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Concentrations of dissolved manganese in two samples were 49.8 and 153 ug/L.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no applicable state or federal saltwater aquatic life standards or criteria for dissolved manganese in inland saline waters.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: Two samples were collected on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
12281
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
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.

Three lines of evidence, consisting of one or two samples each, are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. There are no applicable saltwater aquatic life standards or criteria for mercury in inland saline waters.

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 satisfy the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The sediment data used do not satisfy the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria for inland saline waters. The single sediment sample does not meet the minimum sample number requirements of Table 3.1.
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 there are no applicable water quality standards or criteria for inland saline waters..
 
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 12281, Mercury
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 25082
 
Pollutant: Mercury
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Dissolved
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
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. Geological Survey sampled this station on on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. One of two samples for dissolved mercury was below the detection level and the concentration in the other was an estimated value.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no applicable state or federal saltwater aquatic life standards or criteria for dissolved mercury in inland saline waters.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: Two samples were collected on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 12281, Mercury
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 25083
 
Pollutant: Mercury
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
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. Geological Survey sampled this station on on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. One of two samples for total mercury was below the detection level and the concentration in the other was an estimated value.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no state or federal standards or criteria for mercury for the protection of aquatic life in inland saline waters.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: Two samples were collected on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 12281, Mercury
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 24935
 
Pollutant: Mercury
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: Sediment
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Chemical monitoring of sediments
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The U.S. Geological Survey sampled sediment at this station on March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Results were reported as "bed sediment, smaller than 62.5 um, wet sieved, total digestion." The concentration of mercury was below the detection level.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no state or federal standards or criteria for mercury in sediment in inland saline waters.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Pollutants of concern in Puget Sound. EPA 910/9-91-003. Seattle, WA: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
  Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: One sediment sample was collected on March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
12199
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
Pollutant: Molybdenum
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.

Three lines of evidence, consisting of one or two samples each, are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. There are no applicable saltwater aquatic life standards or criteria for molybdenum in inland saline waters.

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 satisfy the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The sediment data used do not satisfy the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria and the data cannot be assessed using 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: 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 there are no applicable water quality standards or criteria.
 
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 12199, Molybdenum
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 25085
 
Pollutant: Molybdenum
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
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. Geological Survey sampled this station on on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Concentrations of total molybdenum in two samples were 48.1 and 57.7 ug/L.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no applicable state or federal saltwater aquatic life standards or criteria for total molybdenum in inland saline waters.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: Two samples were collected on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 12199, Molybdenum
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 25084
 
Pollutant: Molybdenum
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Dissolved
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
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. Geological Survey sampled this station on on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Concentrations of dissolved molybdenum in two samples were 49.6 and 57.5 ug/L.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no applicable state or federal saltwater aquatic life standards or criteria for dissolved molybdenum in inland saline waters.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: Two samples were collected on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 12199, Molybdenum
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 24909
 
Pollutant: Molybdenum
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: Sediment
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Chemical monitoring of sediments
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The U.S. Geological Survey sampled sediment at this station on March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Results were reported as "bed sediment, smaller than 62.5 um, wet sieved, total digestion." The concentration of molybdenum was 2.1 ug/g dry weight.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no state or federal standards or criteria for molybdenum in sediment in inland saline waters.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: One sediment sample was collected on March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
12971
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
Pollutant: Neodymium
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. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria..

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 satisfy the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The single sample does not satisfy the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria and the data cannot be assessed using 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: 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 there are no applicable water quality standards or criteria.
 
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 12971, Neodymium
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 24910
 
Pollutant: Neodymium
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: Sediment
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Chemical monitoring of sediments
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The U.S. Geological Survey sampled sediment at this station on March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Results were reported as "bed sediment, smaller than 62.5 um, wet sieved, total digestion." The concentration of neodymium was 33 ug/g dry weight.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no state or federal standards or criteria for neodymium in sediment in inland saline waters.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: One sediment sample was collected on March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
12277
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
Pollutant: Nickel
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.

Three lines of evidence, consisting of one or two samples each, are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. There are no applicable saltwater aquatic life standards or criteria for nickel in inland saline waters. The California Toxics Rule (CTR) saltwater standards were not exceeded. However, they are based on toxicity to marine/estuarine organisms.

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 satisfy the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The sediment data used do not satisfy the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria for inland saline waters. None of the samples exceeded the CTR standards for marine/estuarine toxicity and this does not exceed the allowable frequency in Listing Policy Table 3.1. The single sediment sample does not meet the minimum sample number requirements of Table 3.1.
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 there are no applicable standards or criteria for inland saline waters and the saltwater standards for protection of marine/estuarine organisms were 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 12277, Nickel
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 24936
 
Pollutant: Nickel
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: Sediment
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Chemical monitoring of sediments
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The U.S. Geological Survey sampled sediment at this station on March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Results were reported as "bed sediment, smaller than 62.5 um, wet sieved, total digestion." The concentration of nickel was 9 ug/g dry weight.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no state or federal standards or criteria for nickel in sediment in inland saline waters.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: One sediment sample was collected on March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 12277, Nickel
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 25087
 
Pollutant: Nickel
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Dissolved
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
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. Geological Survey sampled this station on on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Concentrations of dissolved nickel in two samples were 1.32 and 1.52 ug/L.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The California Toxics Rule's saltwater aquatic life standards for dissolved nickel include an acute toxicity limit of 74 ug/L and a achronic toxicity limit of 8.2 ug/L.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: Two samples were collected on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 12277, Nickel
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 25086
 
Pollutant: Nickel
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
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. Geological Survey sampled this station on on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Concentrations of total nickel in two samples were 2.4 and 2.75 ug/L.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no applicable state or federal saltwater aquatic life standards or criteria for total nickel in inland saline waters.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: Two samples were collected on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
12972
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
Pollutant: Niobium
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. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria.

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 satisfy the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The single sample does not satisfy the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria and the data cannot be assessed using 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: 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 there are no applicable water quality standards or criteria.
 
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 12972, Niobium
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 24911
 
Pollutant: Niobium
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: Sediment
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Chemical monitoring of sediments
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The U.S. Geological Survey sampled sediment at this station on March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Results were reported as "bed sediment, smaller than 62.5 um, wet sieved, total digestion." The concentration of niobium was 15 ug/g dry weight.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no state or federal standards or criteria for niobium in sediment in inland saline waters.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: One sediment sample was collected on March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
12380
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
Pollutant: Nitrate/Nitrite (Nitrite + Nitrate as N)
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 whether any of the chemical samples 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 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 (only one sample per year is available).
3. No biological data are available for assessment of compliance with the objective and the data cannot be evaluated using 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: 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 no biological data are available for assessment of compliance with the water quality objective.
 
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 12380, Nitrate/Nitrite (Nitrite + Nitrate as N)
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 25215
 
Pollutant: Nitrate/Nitrite (Nitrite + Nitrate as N)
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Dissolved
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
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. Geological Survey sampled this station on on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Two samples had nitrite plus nitrate concentrations of 0.009 and 0.004 mg/L.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no applicable state or federal saltwater aquatic life standards or criteria for nitrite plus nitrate. The Lahontan Basin Plan's regionwide 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 station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: Two samples were collected on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
12382
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
Pollutant: Nitrite as Nitrite NO2
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 whether any of the chemical samples 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 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 (only one sample per year is available).
3. No biological data are available for assessment of compliance with the objective and the data cannot be evaluated using 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: 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 no biological data are available for assessment of compliance with the objective.
 
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 12382, Nitrite as Nitrite NO2
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 25216
 
Pollutant: Nitrite as Nitrite NO2
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Dissolved
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
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. Geological Survey sampled this station on on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Two samples had nitrite concentrations of 0.002 and 0.001 mg/L.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no applicable state or federal saltwater aquatic life standards or criteria for nitrite in inland saline waters. The Lahontan Basin Plan's regionwide 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 station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: Two samples were collected on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
16220
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
Pollutant: Oxygen 18/Oxygen 16 ratio
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. There are no applicable standards or criteria for this pollutant.

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 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. Only one sample per year was collected.
3. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria and the data cannot be assessed using 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: 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 there are no applicable water quality standards or criteria.
 
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 16220, Oxygen 18/Oxygen 16 ratio
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 27088
 
Pollutant: Oxygen 18/Oxygen 16 ratio
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
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. Geological Survey sampled this station on March 17, 2004 and March 15, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. The oxygen 18/oxygen 16 ratios in 2 samples were -11.62/mL and -11.64/mL.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no state or federal saltwater aquatic life standards or criteria for oxygen 1/oxygen 16 ratio in inland saline waters.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek confluence, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: Two samples were collected on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
12389
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
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. Neither of the samples 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 satisfy the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The data used (one sample per year) do not satisfy the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. Neither of two samples exceeded the water quality objective and this does not exceed the allowable frequency listed in Table 3.2 of the Listing Policy. The minimum sample number requirements of Table 3.2 were not met.
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 the applicable water quality is not being exceeded and the minimum sample number requirements of the Listing Policy are not met..
 
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 12389, Oxygen, Dissolved
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 25192
 
Pollutant: Oxygen, Dissolved
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Dissolved
 
Beneficial Use: Warm Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
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. Geological Survey sampled this station on on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Concentrations of dissolved oxygen in two samples were 9.8 and 7.1 ug/L.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The applicable water quality objective (from Lahontan Basin Plan Table 3-6) is a one-day minimum dissolved oxygen concentration of 5 mg/L.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: Two samples were collected on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
16231
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
Pollutant: Percent Sodium
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 criterion.

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 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. Only one sample is available.
3. The single sample exceeded the water quality criterion and this does not exceed the allowable frequency listed in Table 3.2 of the Listing Policy. The minimum sample number requirements of Table 3.2 are not met.
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 16231, Percent Sodium
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 27149
 
Pollutant: Percent Sodium
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Agricultural 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. Geological Survey sampled this station on March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program.. Percent sodium in one sample was 79 percent.

Percent sodium is an older and now obsolete criterion for irrigation waters. It is an index for the percentage of sodium ion in the sum of the concentrations of sodium, calcium, magnesium and potassium ions. Waters with percent sodium greater than 70-75 percent were considered to be unsuitable for irrigation use.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There is no site-specific water quality objective for Percent Sodium in the Amargosa River. Percent sodium is an older and now obsolete criterion for irrigation waters. It is an index for the percentage of sodium ion in the sum of the concentrations of sodium, calcium, magnesium and potassium ions. Waters with percent sodium greater than 70-75 percent were considered to be unsuitable for irrigation use.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
  Water Quality Criteria. Second Edition. California State Water Resources Control Board. Publication 3-A
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: One sample was collected on March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not, to Lahontan Water Board staff's knowledge, used for irrigated agriculture. The river's intermittent character and highly variable flows would make it unsuitable for irrigation even if water quality were not naturally poor.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
12384
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
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 whether any of the chemical samples 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 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 (only one sample per year is available).
3. No biological data are available for assessment of compliance with the objective and the data cannot be evaluated using 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: 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 no biological data are available for assessment of compliance with the objective.
 
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 12384, Phosphate
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 25217
 
Pollutant: Phosphate
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Dissolved
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
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. Geological Survey sampled this station on on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Two samples had dissolved phosphate concentrations of 0.187 and 0.180 mg/L.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no applicable state or federal saltwater aquatic life standards or criteria for phosphate in inland saline waters. The Lahontan Basin Plan's regionwide 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 station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: Two samples were collected on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
12386
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
Pollutant: Phosphorus
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. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria for phosphorus in sediment of inland saline waters. No biological data are available for assessment whether any of the chemical samples exceeds 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 due to an error in the SWAMP QAPP regarding holding times for total phosphorus samples.
2. The data used do not satisfy the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy (only one sample per year is available).
3. No biological data are available for assessment of compliance with the objective and the data cannot be evaluated using 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: 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 there is a quality assurance problem with the data, there are no applicable sediment standards or criteria and no biological data are available for assessment of compliance with the water quality objective.
 
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 12386, Phosphorus
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 25218
 
Pollutant: Phosphorus
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
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. Geological Survey sampled this station on on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Two samples had total phosphorus concentrations of 0.258 and 0.236 mg/L.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no applicable state or federal saltwater aquatic life standards or criteria for total phosphorus in inland saline waters. The Lahontan Basin Plan's regionwide 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 station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: Two samples were collected on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: Sampling and analysis were done according to the SWAMP QAPP. However, in July 2009 an error was discovered in the QAPP related to holding times for total phosphorus samples that affects the validity of data for the Lahontan Region The holding time for samples that are not acid-preserved.should be 48 hours rather than 28 days as indicated in the QAPP. "Low level" phosphorus analyses, without acid preservation, are used in the Lahontan Region's SWAMP program. .
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 12386, Phosphorus
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 24893
 
Pollutant: Phosphorus
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: Sediment
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Chemical monitoring of sediments
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The U.S. Geological Survey sampled sediment at this station on March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Results were reported as "bed sediment, smaller than 62.5 um, wet sieved, total digestion." The concentration of phosphorus was 0.063 percent dry weight.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no state or federal standards or criteria for phosphorus in sediment in inland saline waters.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: One sediment sample was collected on March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: Sampling and analysis were done according to the SWAMP QAPP. However, in July 2009 an error was discovered in the QAPP related to holding times for total phosphorus samples that affects the validity of data for the Lahontan Region The holding time for samples that are not acid-preserved.should be 48 hours rather than 28 days as indicated in the QAPP. "Low level" phosphorus analyses, without acid preservation, are used in the Lahontan Region's SWAMP program. .
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
16168
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
Pollutant: Potassium
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. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria.

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 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. There are no applicable standards or criteria and the data cannot be assessed using 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 there are no applicable water quality standards or criteria.
 
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 16168, Potassium
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 24928
 
Pollutant: Potassium
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: Sediment
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Chemical monitoring of sediments
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The U.S. Geological Survey sampled sediment at this station on March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Results were reported as "bed sediment, smaller than 62.5 um, wet sieved, total digestion." The concentration of potassium was 3 percent dry weight.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no state or federal standards or criteria for potassium in sediment in inland saline waters.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: One sediment sample was collected on March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 16168, Potassium
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 25203
 
Pollutant: Potassium
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Dissolved
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
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. Geological Survey sampled this station on on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Two samples had dissolved potassium concentrations of 42.5 and 43.1 mg/L.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no applicable state or federal standards or criteria for potassium in inland saline waters.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: Two samples were collected on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
16221
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
Pollutant: Radium 226
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 whether either of the samples 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 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. Only one sample per year is available.
3. No biological data are available for evaluation of compliance with the water quality objective and the data cannot be assessed using 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: 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 16221, Radium 226
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 27089
 
Pollutant: Radium 226
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
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. Geological Survey sampled this station on on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Two samples had radium 226 levels of 0.09 and 0.051 pCi/L..
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no state or federal saltwater aquatic life standards or criteria specifically for radium 226 in inland saline waters.
The Lahontan Basin Plan's narrative objective for radioactivity provdes that: "Radionuclides shall not be present in concentrations which are deleterious to human, plant, animal, or aquatic life nor which result in the accumulation of radionuclides in the food web to an estent which presents a hazard to human, plant, animal or aquatic life." The objective also incorporates California Maximum Contaminant Levels for waters designated for the MUN use. MCLs do not apply to the Amargosa River.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: Two samples were collected on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
12054
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
Pollutant: Scandium
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, consisting of a single sediment sample, is available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria for scandium in sediment of inland saline waters.

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 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. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria and the single sample cannot be assessed using 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: 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 there are no applicable water quality standards or criteria and the minimum sample number requirements of the Listing Policy are not met.
 
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 12054, Scandium
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 24912
 
Pollutant: Scandium
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: Sediment
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Chemical monitoring of sediments
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The U.S. Geological Survey sampled sediment at this station on March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Results were reported as "bed sediment, smaller than 62.5 um, wet sieved, total digestion." The concentration of scandium was 6 ug/g dry weight.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no state or federal standards or criteria for scandium in sediment in inland saline waters.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: One sediment sample was collected on March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
16223
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
Pollutant: Sediment
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: The Lahontan Basin Plan's narrative water quality objective is an antidegradation based objective that provides that there shall be no increases in suspended sediment concentrations or loads. This pollutant is being considered for placement on the section 303(d) list under section 3.10 of the Listing Policy, which deals with trends in water quality.

One line of evidence, based on two annual samples, is available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. It includes two suspended sediment concentration values and two suspended sediment load values calculated from instantaneous discharge measurements.

Suspended sediment concentrations and loads are dependent on flows and can change rapidly over a short time during storm runoff events. Annual samples are insufficient to capture these short term events and therefore are insufficient to define natural background suspended sediment concentrations and loads, or to detect trends. Listing Policy Section 3.10 requires that natural background conditions be established.

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 satisfy the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. Sampling frequency was insufficient to establish natural background conditions and therefore does not meet the requirements of Listing Policy Section 3.10.
3. 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 16223, Sediment
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 27091
 
Pollutant: Sediment
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
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. Geological Survey sampled this station on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Suspended sediment concentrations in two samples were 25 and 46 mg/L. One of the instantaneous flow figures was an estimate and the other was 4.1 cubic feet per second. One of the calculated suspended sediment loads was an estimate and the other was 0.51 tons per day.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The Lahontan Basin Plan's narrative objective states:
"The suspended sediment load and suspended sediment discharge rate of surface waters shall not be altered in such a manner as to 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 station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek confluence, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: Two samples were collected on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
12278
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
Pollutant: Selenium
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.

Three lines of evidence, consisting of one or two samples each, are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. There are no applicable saltwater aquatic life standards or criteria for selenium in inland saline waters. The California Toxics Rule (CTR) saltwater standards were not exceeded. However, they are based on toxicity to marine/estuarine organisms.

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 satisfy the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The sediment data used do not satisfy the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria for inland saline waters. None of the samples exceeded the CTR standards for marine/estuarine toxicity and this does not exceed the allowable frequency in Listing Policy Table 3.1. The single sediment sample does not meet the minimum sample number requirements of Table 3.1.
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 there are no applicable water quality standards or criteria for inland saline waters and the saltwater standards for protection of marine/estuarine organisms were 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 12278, Selenium
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 25089
 
Pollutant: Selenium
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Dissolved
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
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. Geological Survey sampled this station on on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Two samples had dissolved selenium concentrations of 0.8 and 1.4 ug/L.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The California Toxics Rule's saltwater aquatic life standards for dissolved selenium include an acute toxicity limit of 290 ug/L and a chronic toxicity limit of 71 ug/L.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: Two samples were collected on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 12278, Selenium
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 24913
 
Pollutant: Selenium
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: Sediment
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Chemical monitoring of sediments
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The U.S. Geological Survey sampled sediment at this station on March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Results were reported as "bed sediment, smaller than 62.5 um, wet sieved, total digestion." The concentration of selenium was below the detection level.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no state or federal standards or criteria for selenium in sediment in inland saline waters.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: One sediment sample was collected on March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 12278, Selenium
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 25088
 
Pollutant: Selenium
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
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. Geological Survey sampled this station on on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. One of 2 samples for total selenium was below the detection level and the other had a concentration of 1.9 ug/L.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no applicable state or federal saltwater aquatic life standards or criteria for total selenium in inland saline waters.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: Two samples were collected on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
12282
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
Pollutant: Silica
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. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria for silica.

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 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. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria and the data cannot be assessed using Table 3.2 of the Listing Policy. The minimum sample number requirements of Table 3.2 are not met.
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 there are no applicable water quality standards or criteria and the minimum sample number requirements of the Listing Policy are not met.
 
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 12282, Silica
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 25209
 
Pollutant: Silica
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Dissolved
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
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. Geological Survey sampled this station on on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Two samples had dissolved silica concentrations of 52.7 and 54.6 mg/L.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no applicable state or federal saltwater aquatic life standards or criteria for silica in inland saline waters.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: Two samples were collected on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
12279
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
Pollutant: Silver
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.

Three lines of evidence, consisting of one or two samples each, are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. There are no applicable saltwater aquatic life standards or criteria for silver in inland saline waters. The California Toxics Rule (CTR) saltwater standard and a sediment criterion were not exceeded. However, both are based on toxicity to marine/estuarine organisms.

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 satisfy the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The sediment data used do not satisfy the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria for inland saline waters. None of the samples exceeded the CTR standards or the sediment criterion for marine/estuarine toxicity and this does not exceed the allowable frequency in Listing Policy Table 3.1. The single sediment sample does not meet the minimum sample number requirements of Table 3.1.
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 there are no applicable water quality standards or criteria for inland saline waters and the saltwater standards for protection of marine/estuarine organisms 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 12279, Silver
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 25090
 
Pollutant: Silver
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Dissolved
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
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. Geological Survey sampled this station on on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Concentrations of dissolved silver in two samples were both below the detection level.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The California Toxics Rule's saltwater aquatic life standard for silver is an acute toxicity limit of 1.9 ug/L.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: Two samples were collected on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 12279, Silver
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 25091
 
Pollutant: Silver
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
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. Geological Survey sampled this station on on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Concentrations of total silver in two samples were both below the detection level.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no applicable state or federal saltwater aquatic life standards or criteria for total silver in inland saline waters.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: Two samples were collected on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 12279, Silver
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 24937
 
Pollutant: Silver
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: Sediment
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Chemical monitoring of sediments
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The U.S. Geological Survey sampled sediment at this station on March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Results were reported as "bed sediment, smaller than 62.5 um, wet sieved, total digestion." The concentration of lead was 0.2 ug/g dry weight.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no state or federal standards or criteria for silver in sediment in inland saline waters. The Probable Effects Level for silver in marine and estuarine sediments is 1.77 ug/g dry weight; see MacDonald et al. (1996).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Development and evaluation of sediment quality guidelines for Florida coastal waters. Ecotoxicology 5: 253-278
  Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: One sediment sample was collected on March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
16169
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
Pollutant: Sodium
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. [There are no applicable saltwater aquatic life standards or criteria for sodium for inland saline waters. The Amargosa River is not designated for the MUN use and drinking water criteria do not apply.

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 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. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria and the data cannot be assessed using 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 there are no applicable water quality standards or criteria.
 
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 16169, Sodium
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 24927
 
Pollutant: Sodium
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: Sediment
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Chemical monitoring of sediments
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The U.S. Geological Survey sampled sediment at this station on March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Results were reported as "bed sediment, smaller than 62.5 um, wet sieved, total digestion." The concentration of sodium was 2 percent dry weight.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no state or federal standards or criteria for sodium in sediment in inland saline waters.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: One sediment sample was collected on March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 16169, Sodium
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 25204
 
Pollutant: Sodium
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Dissolved
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
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. Geological Survey sampled this station on on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Two samples had dissolved sodium concentrations of 851 and 759 mg/L.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no applicable state or federal saltwater aquatic life standards or criteria for sodium in inland saline waters.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: Two samples were collected on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
16232
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
Pollutant: Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR)
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 criterion.

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 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 exceeded the criterion and this does not exceed the allowable frequency listed in Table 3.2 of the Listing Policy. The minimum sample number requirement of Table 3.2 was not met.
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 16232, Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR)
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 27147
 
Pollutant: Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR)
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Dissolved
 
Beneficial Use: Agricultural 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. Geological Survey sampled this station on March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. One sample had an SAR value of 17.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR) is a criterion for irrigation waters that has replaced Percent Sodium. It quantifies the relative proportions of sodium, calcium, and magnesium ions. SAR values greater than 9 can impose severe restrictions on the use of irrigation water due to sodium toxicity to crops.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: One sample was collected on March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not, to Lahontan Water Board staff's knowledge, use for irrigated agriculture. Its intermittent nature and highly variable flows would make it unsuitable for irrigation even if water quality were not naturally poor.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
16204
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
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. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria.

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 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. Only one sample per year was collected.
3. There are no applicable standards or criteria and the data cannot be assessed using 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 there are no applicable water quality standards or criteria.
 
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 16204, Specific Conductance
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 27047
 
Pollutant: Specific Conductance
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
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. Geological Survey sampled this station on on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Two specific conductance measurements were 4000 and 3680 uS/cm, reflecting the saline character of the river..
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no applicable state or federal saltwater aquatic life standards or criteria for specific conductance in inland saline waters.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: Two specific conductance measurements were taken on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
12974
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
Pollutant: Strontium
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. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria.

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 satisfy the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The single sample does not satisfy the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria and the data cannot be assessed using 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: 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 there are no applicable water quality standards or criteria.
 
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 12974, Strontium
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 24914
 
Pollutant: Strontium
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: Sediment
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Chemical monitoring of sediments
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The U.S. Geological Survey sampled sediment at this station on March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Results were reported as "bed sediment, smaller than 62.5 um, wet sieved, total digestion." The concentration of strontium was 560 ug/g dry weight.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no state or federal standards or criteria for strontium in sediment in inland saline waters.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: One sediment sample was collected on March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
12103
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
Pollutant: Sulfates
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, consisting of two samples, is available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria for sulfate in inland saline waters.

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 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. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria and the data cannot be assessed using 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 there are no applicable water quality standards or criteria, and the minimum sample number requirements of the Listing Policy are not met.
 
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 12103, Sulfates
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 25210
 
Pollutant: Sulfates
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Dissolved
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
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. Geological Survey sampled this station on on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Two samples had dissolved sulfate concentrations of 796 and 844 mg/L.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no applicable state or federal saltwater aquatic life standards or criteria for sulfate in inland saline waters.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: Two samples were collected on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
12366
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
Pollutant: Sulfur
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, consisting of one sample, is available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria for this pollutant in inland saline waters.

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 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. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria, and the single sample does not meet the minimum sample number requirements of 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 there are no applicable water quality standards or criteria and the minimum sample number requirements of the Listing Policy are not met.
 
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 12366, Sulfur
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 25188
 
Pollutant: Sulfur
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: Sediment
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Chemical monitoring of sediments
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The U.S. Geological Survey sampled sediment at this station on March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Results were reported as "bed sediment, smaller than 62.5 um, wet sieved, total digestion." The concentration of sulfur was less than 0.05 percent dry weight.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no state or federal standards or criteria for sulfur in sediment in inland saline waters.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: One sediment sample was collected on March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
12973
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
Pollutant: Tantalum
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. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria.

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 satisfy the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The single sample does not satisfy the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria and the data cannot be assessed using 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: 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 there are no applicable water quality standards or criteria.
 
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 12973, Tantalum
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 24915
 
Pollutant: Tantalum
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: Sediment
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Chemical monitoring of sediments
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The U.S. Geological Survey sampled sediment at this station on March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Results were reported as "bed sediment, smaller than 62.5 um, wet sieved, total digestion." The concentration of tantalum was below the detection levelt.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no state or federal standards or criteria for tantalum in sediment in inland saline waters.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: One sediment sample was collected on March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
13169
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
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: The Lahontan Basin Plan's narrative temperature objective is an antidegradation-based objective that requires that there be no change in temperature in waters designated for the Warm Freshwater Habitat (WARM) beneficial use. The objective does not include specific numerical limits for protection of the WARM use. Listing Policy Section 3.10 contains directions for assessment based on trends in water quality. These directions include requirements to establish specific baseline conditions and specify the influence of seasonal and interannual effects.

One line of evidence, consisting of two annual samples, is available to support this decision. There are not enough temperature samples to establish baseline conditions (including diel, seasonal, annual and interannual variations in temperature) or to detect declining trends in the temperature regime if such trends exist.
 
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 13169, Temperature, water
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 25195
 
Pollutant: Temperature, water
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Warm Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
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. Geological Survey sampled this station on on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Two samples had temperatures of 17 and 16 degrees Celsius.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The temperature objective in the Lahontan Basin Plan states: "The natural receiving water temperature of all waters shall not be altered unless it can be demonstrated to the satisfaction of 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.

Temperature objectives for COLD interstate waters and WARM interstate waters are as specified in the 'Water Quality Control Plan for Control of Temperature in The Coastal and Interstate Waters and Enclosed Bays and Estuaries of California' including any revisions."
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: Two temperature measurements were taken on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
12200
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
Pollutant: Thallium
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.

Three lines of evidence, consisting of one or two samples each, are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. There are no applicable saltwater aquatic life standards or criteria for thallium in inland saline waters.

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 satisfy the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The sediment data used do not satisfy the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria and the data cannot be assessed using 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: 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 there are no applicable water quality standards or criteria.
 
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 12200, Thallium
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 25092
 
Pollutant: Thallium
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
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. Geological Survey sampled this station on on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Concentrations of total thallium in two samples were both below the detection level.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no applicable state or federal saltwater aquatic life standards or criteria for total thallium in inland saline waters.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: Two samples were collected on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 12200, Thallium
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 25094
 
Pollutant: Thallium
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Dissolved
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
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. Geological Survey sampled this station on on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. The concentration of dissolved thallium in one of two samples was below the detection level, and the other sample was an estimated value.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no applicable state or federal saltwater aquatic life standards or criteria for dissolved thallium in inland saline waters.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: Two samples were collected on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 12200, Thallium
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 24916
 
Pollutant: Thallium
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: Sediment
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Chemical monitoring of sediments
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The U.S. Geological Survey sampled sediment at this station on March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Results were reported as "bed sediment, smaller than 62.5 um, wet sieved, total digestion." The concentration of thallium was below the detection levelt.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no state or federal standards or criteria for thallium in sediment in inland saline waters.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: One sediment sample was collected on March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
12055
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
Pollutant: Thorium
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, consisting of a single sediment sample, is available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria for thorium in sediment of inland saline waters.

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 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. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria and the single sample cannot be assessed using 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: 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 there are no applicable water quality standards or criteria, and the minimum sample number requirements of the Listing Policy are not met.
 
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 12055, Thorium
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 24917
 
Pollutant: Thorium
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: Sediment
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Chemical monitoring of sediments
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The U.S. Geological Survey sampled sediment at this station on March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Results were reported as "bed sediment, smaller than 62.5 um, wet sieved, total digestion." The concentration of thorium was 10 ug/g dry weight.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no state or federal standards or criteria for thorium in sediment in inland saline waters.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: One sediment sample was collected on March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
12056
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
Pollutant: Tin
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, consisting of a single sediment sample, is available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria for tin in the sediment of inland saline waters.

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 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. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria and the single sample cannot be assessed using 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: 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 there are no applicable water quality standards or criteria, and the minimum sample number requirements of the Listing Policy are not met.
 
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 12056, Tin
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 24918
 
Pollutant: Tin
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: Sediment
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Chemical monitoring of sediments
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The U.S. Geological Survey sampled sediment at this station on March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Results were reported as "bed sediment, smaller than 62.5 um, wet sieved, total digestion." The concentration of tin was 2 ug/g dry weight.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no state or federal standards or criteria for tin in sediment in inland saline waters.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: One sediment sample was collected on March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
12057
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
Pollutant: Titanium
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, consisting of a single sediment sample, is available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria for titanium in sediment of inland saline waters.

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 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. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria and the single sample cannot be assessed using 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: After review of the available data and information, RWQCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should not be removed from the section 303(d) list because there are no applicable water quality standards or criteria, and the minimum sample number requirements of the Listing Policy are not met.
 
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 it cannot be determined if applicable water quality standards are not being exceeded.
 
USEPA Action (if applicable):
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 12057, Titanium
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 24919
 
Pollutant: Titanium
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: Sediment
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Chemical monitoring of sediments
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The U.S. Geological Survey sampled sediment at this station on March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Results were reported as "bed sediment, smaller than 62.5 um, wet sieved, total digestion." The concentration of titanium was 0.24 percent dry weight.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no state or federal standards or criteria for titanium in sediment in inland saline waters.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: One sediment sample was collected on March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
12104
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
Pollutant: Total Dissolved Solids
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, consisting of two samples, is available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. A third sample was analyzed by a different method. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria for total dissolved solids in inland saline waters.

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 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. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria and the data cannot be assessed using 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 there are no applicable water quality standards or criteria, and the minimum sample number requirements of the Listing Policy are not met.
 
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 12104, Total Dissolved Solids
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 25211
 
Pollutant: Total Dissolved Solids
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total Dissolved
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
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. Geological Survey sampled this station on on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Two samples had TDS concentrations of 2840 and 2550 mg/L. A third sample was reported as "residue", with a concentration of 2550 mg/L.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no applicable state or federal saltwater aquatic life standards or criteria for total dissolved solids (TDS) in inland saline waters.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: Two samples were collected on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
12388
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
Pollutant: Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (TKN)
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 whether any of the chemical samples 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 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 (only one sample per year is available).
3. No biological data are available for assessment of compliance with the objective and the data cannot be evaluated using 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: 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 no biological data are available for assessment of compliance with the objective..
 
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 12388, Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (TKN)
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 25213
 
Pollutant: Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (TKN)
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
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. Geological Survey sampled this station on on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Two samples had TKN concentrations of 0.57 and 0.35 mg/L.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no applicable state or federal saltwater aquatic life standards or criteria for total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN). The Lahontan Basin Plan's regionwide 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 station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: Two samples were collected on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
16207
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
Pollutant: Triclopyr
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 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 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 exceeded the water quality objective and this does not exceed the allowable frequency listed in Table 3.1 of the Listing Policy. The minimum sample number requirements of Table 3.1 are not met.
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 the minimum sample number requirements of the Listing Policy are not met.
 
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 16207, Triclopyr
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 27050
 
Pollutant: Triclopyr
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water 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. Geological Survey sampled this station on March 17, 2004 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. The single sample had a detectable triclopyr concentration of 0.06 ug/L.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no state or federal saltwater aquatic life standards or criteria for the herbicide triclopyr in inland saline waters. The Lahontan Basin Plan's narrative objective for pesticides provides that:
"Pesticide concentrations, individually or collectively, shall not exceed the lowest detectable levels, using the most recent detection procedures available."
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek confluence, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: One sample was collected on March 18, 2004.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
16222
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
Pollutant: Tritium
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 to assess whether either of the two samples 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 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. Only one sample per year is available.
3. No biological data are available for evaluation of compliance and the data cannot be assessed using 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: 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 16222, Tritium
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 27090
 
Pollutant: Tritium
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
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. Geological Survey sampled this station on on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Two samples had tritium counts of 1.6 and 1.7 pCi/L. The tritium 2 sigma combined uncertainties were 0.58 and 0.64 pCi/L.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no state or federal saltwater aquatic life standards or criteria specifically for tritium in inland saline waters.
The Lahontan Basin Plan's narrative objective for radioactivity provdes that: "Radionuclides shall not be present in concentrations which are deleterious to human, plant, animal, or aquatic life nor which result in the accumulation of radionuclides in the food web to an estent which presents a hazard to human, plant, animal or aquatic life." The objective also incorporates California Maximum Contaminant Levels for waters designated for the MUN use. MCLs do not apply to the Amargosa River.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: Two samples were collected on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
16229
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
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: Two lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. The narrative water quality objective for turbidity is an antidegradation-based objective and the two available samples are insufficient to document baseline and trend conditions as required under Listing Policy Section 3.10. The two turbidity measurements were taken using different methods and are not comparable.

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 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. Samples were collected only once a year.
3. The requirements of Listing Policy section 3.10 to document baseline and trend conditions are not met in relation to the narrative water quality objective.
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 16229, Turbidity
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 27145
 
Pollutant: Turbidity
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Dissolved
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water 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. Geological Survey sampled this station on on March 18, 2004 Turbidity was 14 NTU.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: 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 station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: One turbidity measurement was taken on March 18, 2004.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 16229, Turbidity
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 27158
 
Pollutant: Turbidity
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Dissolved
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water 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. Geological Survey sampled this station on on March16, 2005 Turbidity was 9.7 NTRU.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: 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 station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: One turbidity measurement was taken on March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
16170
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
Pollutant: Uranium
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. There are no applicable aquatic life standards or criteria for uranium in the sediment of inland surface waters. The Amargosa River is not designated for the MUN use and does not support game fish, and human health criteria do not apply. There are no biological data available to assess compliance with the narrative water quality objective for radioactivity.

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 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. Only one sample was available.
3. There are no biological data available to assess compliance with the narrative objective using Table 3.1 of the 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 16170, Uranium
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 24924
 
Pollutant: Uranium
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: Sediment
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Chemical monitoring of sediments
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The U.S. Geological Survey sampled sediment at this station on March 16, 2005under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Results were reported as "bed sediment, smaller than 62.5 um, wet sieved, total digestion." The concentration of uranium was 2.7 ug/g dry weight.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no state or federal standards or criteria for uranium in sediment in inland saline waters.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: One sediment sample was collected on March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
12201
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
Pollutant: Vanadium
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.

Three lines of evidence, consisting of one or two samples each, are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. There are no applicable saltwater aquatic life standards or criteria for vanadium in inland saline waters.

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 satisfy the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The sediment data used do not satisfy the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria and the data cannot be assessed using 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: 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 there are no applicable water quality standards or criteria.
 
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 12201, Vanadium
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 25096
 
Pollutant: Vanadium
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
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. Geological Survey sampled this station on on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. The concentration of total vanadium in 1 of 2 samples was 10 ug/L; vanadium was detected but not quantified in the other sample.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no applicable state or federal saltwater aquatic life standards or criteria for total vanadium in inland saline waters.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: Two samples were collected on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 12201, Vanadium
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 24922
 
Pollutant: Vanadium
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: Sediment
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Chemical monitoring of sediments
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The U.S. Geological Survey sampled sediment at this station on March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Results were reported as "bed sediment, smaller than 62.5 um, wet sieved, total digestion." The concentration of vanadium was 43 ug/g dry weight.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no state or federal standards or criteria for vanadium in sediment in inland saline waters.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: One sediment sample was collected on March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 12201, Vanadium
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 25095
 
Pollutant: Vanadium
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Dissolved
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
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. Geological Survey sampled this station on on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. The concentration of dissolved vanadium in two samples were 12.4 and 13.2 ug/L
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no applicable state or federal saltwater aquatic life standards or criteria for dissolved vanadium in inland saline waters.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: Two samples were collected on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
12058
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
Pollutant: Ytterbium
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, consisting of a single sediment sample, is available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria for ytterbium in the sediment of inland saline waters.

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 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. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria and the single sample cannot be assessed using 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: 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 there are no applicable water quality standards or criteria, and the minimum sample number requirements of the Listing Policy are not met.
 
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 12058, Ytterbium
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 24921
 
Pollutant: Ytterbium
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: Sediment
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Chemical monitoring of sediments
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The U.S. Geological Survey sampled sediment at this station on March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Results were reported as "bed sediment, smaller than 62.5 um, wet sieved, total digestion." The concentration of ytterbium was 2 ug/g dry weight.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no state or federal standards or criteria for ytterbium in sediment in inland saline waters.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: One sediment sample was collected on March 16, 2005
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
12060
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
Pollutant: Yttrium
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, consisting of a single sediment sample, is available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria for yttrium in sediment of inland saline waters.

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 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. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria and the single sample cannot be assessed using 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: 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 there are no applicable water quality standards or criteria, and the minimum sample number requirements of the Listing Policy are not met.
 
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 12060, Yttrium
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 24923
 
Pollutant: Yttrium
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: Sediment
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Chemical monitoring of sediments
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The U.S. Geological Survey sampled sediment at this station on March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Results were reported as "bed sediment, smaller than 62.5 um, wet sieved, total digestion." The concentration of yttrium was 16 ug/g dry weight.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no state or federal standards or criteria for yttrium in sediment in inland saline waters.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: One sediment sample was collected on March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
12280
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
Pollutant: Zinc
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.

Three lines of evidence, consisting of one or two samples each, are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. There are no applicable saltwater aquatic life standards or criteria for zinc in inland saline waters. The California Toxics Rule (CTR) saltwater standards and a sediment criterion were not exceeded. However, both are based on toxicity to marine/estuarine organisms.

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 satisfy the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The sediment data used do not satisfy the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. There are no applicable water quality standards or criteria for inland saline waters. None of the samples exceeded the CTR standards or the sediment criterion for marine/estuarine toxicity and this does not exceed the allowable frequency in Listing Policy Table 3.1. The single sediment sample does not meet the minimum sample number requirements of Table 3.1.
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 there are no applicable water quality standards or criteria for inland surface waters and the saltwater standards for protection of marine and estuarine organisms 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 12280, Zinc
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 24938
 
Pollutant: Zinc
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: Sediment
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Chemical monitoring of sediments
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The U.S. Geological Survey sampled sediment at this station on March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Results were reported as "bed sediment, smaller than 62.5 um, wet sieved, total digestion." The concentration of zinc was ug/g dry weight.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no state or federal standards or criteria for znc in sediment in inland saline waters. The Effects Range-Median for zinc in marine and estuarine sediments is 410 ug/g dry weight; see Long et al. (1995).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Incidence of adverse biological effects within ranges of chemical concentrations in marine and estuary sediments. Environmental Management. 19, (1): 81-97
  Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: One sediment sample was collected on March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 12280, Zinc
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 25098
 
Pollutant: Zinc
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
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. Geological Survey sampled this station on on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. The concentration of total zinc in one of two samples was 4 ug/L and the other sample was an estimated value.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no state or federal saltwater aquatic life standards or criteria for total zinc in inland saline waters.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: Two samples were collected on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 12280, Zinc
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 25097
 
Pollutant: Zinc
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Dissolved
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
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. Geological Survey sampled this station on on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. The concentrations of dissolved zinc in two samples were 2 and 2.8 ug/L.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The California Toxics Rule's saltwater aquatic life standards for dissolved zinc include an acute toxicity limit of 90 ug/L and a chronic toxicity limit of 81 ug/L.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: Two samples were collected on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
13181
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
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: The Lahontan Basin Plan's narrative pH objective is an antidegradation-based objective that requires that there be no change greater than 0.5 pH units in waters designated for the Cold Freshwater Habitat (COLD) or Warm Freshwater Habitat (WARM) beneficial uses. A pH range of 6.5 to 8.5 units applies to "all other waters." Listing Policy Section 3.10 contains directions for assessment based on trends in water quality. These directions include requirements to establish specific baseline conditions and specify the influence of seasonal and interannual effects.

One line of evidence, consisting of only two annual samples, is available to support this decision. There are not enough pH samples to establish baseline conditions (including diel, seasonal, annual and interannual variations) or to detect changes in the pH regime due to controllable factors, if such trends exist.
 
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 13181, pH
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 25194
 
Pollutant: pH
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Warm Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
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. Geological Survey sampled this station on on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Two sample both had pH values of 8.7 units..
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: 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 station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: Two samples were collected on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
12397
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
Pollutant: Arsenic
Final Listing Decision: List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: New Decision
Revision Status Revised
Sources: Natural Sources
Expected TMDL Completion Date: 2012
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.

Three lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant, for total and dissolved arsenic and arsenic in sediment. The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply beneficial use. There are no saltwater aquatic life standards or criteria for total arsenic or arsenic in sediment. The two dissolved arsenic samples exceed the California Toxics Rule saltwater aquatic life criteria. However listing is not recommended because:

(1) Arsenic in this watershed comes from natural geological sources, including volcanic, geothermal and evaporite sources. (The Lahontan Water Board briefly maintained an NPDES permit for waste brine from a small scale water treatment plant, serving about 150 people in the community of Shoshone. This brine contained naturally occurring arsenic from a source water spring. The NPDES permit has since been rescinded since the discharge was transferred to land.)

(2) The California Toxics Rule saltwater aquatic life standards were developed using toxicity tests on marine and estuarine organisms and are not appropriate for inland saline waters.

(3) The samples were collected during March in two consecutive years and do not capture seasonal and annual variability in flows and arsenic concentrations.

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 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. Only one water sample per year was collected.
3. Two out of two water samples exceeded the California Toxics Rule standards and this exceeds the allowable frequency listed in Table 3.1 of the Listing Policy. However, listing is not appropriate for the reasons listed above.
4. Pursuant to section 3.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are not met.


State Board Review and Conclusion:

Based on comments received from USEPA (comment letter #60.7), on the April 19, 2010 State Water Board staff report for the 2010 Integrated Report, State Water Board staff recommended to place this water body on the 303(d) list for arsenic. Staff reviewed the data and information for the three segments of the Amargosa River described in the comment. The water quality data show that arsenic exceeded the CTR Fresh Water Criteria in the associated LOE #25050. The listing recommendation for these three water bodies has been changed to 'List' for arsenic.
 
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, although the California Toxics Rule standards are being exceeded, the pollutant is from natural sources, the standards are inappropriate for inland saline waters, and the data are not temporally representative.
 
State Board Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:
 
State Board Decision Recommendation: After review of this Regional Board decision, SWRCB staff recommend the following changes to the decision:
The water body-pollutant combination should be placed on the section 303(d) list because applicable water quality standards for the pollutant are being exceeded.
 
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 12397, Arsenic
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 25049
 
Pollutant: Arsenic
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
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. Geological Survey sampled this station on on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Concentrations of total arsenic in two samples were 215 and 178 ug/L.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no applicable state or federal saltwater aquatic life standards or criteria for total arsenic in inland saline waters.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: Two samples were collected on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 12397, Arsenic
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 25050
 
Pollutant: Arsenic
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Dissolved
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
Number of Exceedances: 2
 
Data and Information Type: Fixed station physical/chemical (conventional plus toxic pollutants)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The U.S. Geological Survey sampled this station on on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Concentrations of dissolved arsenic in two samples were 207 and 170 ug/L.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The California Toxics Rule's saltwater aquatic life standards for dissolved arsenic include an acute toxicity limit of69 u/L and a chonic toxicity limit of 36 ug/L.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: Two samples were collected on March 18, 2004 and March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 12397, Arsenic
Region 6     
Amargosa River (Upper Canyon to Willow Creek confluence)
 
LOE ID: 24930
 
Pollutant: Arsenic
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: Sediment
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Inland Saline Water Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Chemical monitoring of sediments
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The U.S. Geological Survey sampled sediment at this station on March 16, 2005 under the Region 6 SWAMP program. Results were reported as "bed sediment, smaller than 62.5 um, wet sieved, total digestion." The concentration of arsenic was 12 ug/g dry weight.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the Amargosa Hydrologic Unit
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There are no state or federal standards or criteria for arsenic in sediment in inland saline waters. The Effects Range-Median for arsenic in marine and estuarine sediments is 70 ug/g dry weight; see Long et al. (1995).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Incidence of adverse biological effects within ranges of chemical concentrations in marine and estuary sediments. Environmental Management. 19, (1): 81-97
  Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Amargosa River below Willow Creek, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: One sediment sample was collected on March 16, 2005.
Environmental Conditions: The Amargosa River flows into California from Nevada and terminates in Death Valley. It is mostly ephemeral but there are perennial reaches. There is great seasonal and annual variability in flows. Most of the watershed is U.S. Bureau of Land Management or National Park land.

The Amargosa River is not designated for the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) beneficial use. The MUN use designation was removed in Basin Plan amendments that took effect in 2002. The rationale for removing the use included naturally high salinity and levels of toxic substances such as arsenic, and fluctuating water quantity that would make the river an unreliable supply if treatment were feasible.


The perennial reaches of the Amargosa River and the associated riparian areas support a complex of rare, threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species. To Lahontan Water Board staff’s knowledge, there are no salmonids in the river and there is no warm water fishery for human consumption.
QAPP Information: The data meet the quality assurance requirements of the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):