Draft California 2012 Integrated Report( 303(d) List/305(b) Report)

Supporting Information

Regional Board 6 - Lahontan Region

Water Body Name: Robinson Creek (Hwy 395 to Bridgeport Res)
Water Body ID: CAR6303005020011214081721
Water Body Type: River & Stream
 
DECISION ID
28530
Region 6     
Robinson Creek (Hwy 395 to Bridgeport Res)
 
Pollutant: Fecal Coliform
Final Listing Decision: Do Not Delist from 303(d) list (being addressed with action other than TMDL)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: List on 303(d) list (being addressed by action other than TMDL)(2010)
Revision Status Revised
Sources: Agricultural Return Flows | Natural Sources | Onsite Wastewater Systems (Septic Tanks) | Pasture Grazing-Riparian and/or Upland | Recreational and Tourism Activities (non-boating)
Expected Attainment Date: 2027
Date TMDL Approved by USEPA: This listing is being addressed through Lahontan RWQCB Resolution R6T-2007-0019, Waiver of Waste Discharge Requirements for Grazing Operations in the East Walker River Watershed (Bridgeport Valley and Tributaries) of the Lahontan Region. Nonpoint source management measures for grazing operations are to be implemented under Ranch Water Quality Management Plans. The waiver includes a time schedule, milestones and a monitoring and reporting program. An interim target, a 30-day average log-normalized fecal coliform concentration of no more than 200 fecal coliform colonies per 100 mL, is expected to be attained within the five year lifetime of the waiver. The water quality objective is expected to be attained through continued implementation and improvement of management practices. The waiver is subject to renewal.
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Regional Board Staff Conclusion: This pollutant is being considered for removal from the section 303(d) list under section 2.2 of the Listing Policy. Under 2.2 of the Policy, a minimum of one line of evidence is needed to assess listing status.

Four lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. 2012 LOE ID 34860 was not used in the final use rating since only one sample was collected during a 30-day period and the 40 cfu/100 ml objective is more applicable.

Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification against removing this water segment-pollutant combination from the section 303(d) list. There is sufficient justification to place it in the Being Addressed portion of the 303(d) list because a regulatory action other than a TMDL (a conditional waiver of waste discharge requirements) is expected to result in attainment of the standard. The waiver was adopted by the Lahontan RWQCB on June 13, 2007 and is now being implemented.
 
Regional Board Staff Decision Recommendation: After review of the available data and information, RWQCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should be placed the Being Addressed portion of the section 303(d) list because the RWQCB has determined that an existing program is reasonably expected to result in the attainment of the water quality standard in a reasonably specified time frame.
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 28530, Fecal Coliform
Region 6     
Robinson Creek (Hwy 395 to Bridgeport Res)
 
LOE ID: 27590
 
Pollutant: Fecal Coliform
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 16
Number of Exceedances: 6
 
Data and Information Type: Water column surveys (e.g. fecal coliform)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Swauger Creek was placed on the Section 303(d) list in 2002 as a result of sampling in 2000 and 2001 by the U.S. Geological Survey. At least 6 of 16 monthly fecal coliform samples exceeded the 40 colonies per 100 mL limit. Fecal coliform counts ranged from nondetectable to K670 colonies per 100 mL. Some of the sampling results were reported with a "K" code indicating that the bacteria count was outside of the acceptable range or ideal count of 20-60 colonies per plate. These USGS data were part of the longer study referenced as Rockwell and Honeywell.
Data Reference: Administrative Record of Lahontan RWQCB's 2001-2002 Section 303(d) List Update Process Resolution R6T-2002-0002
  2007. SWAMP Data for the West Walker River and East Walker River Hydrologic Units
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The Lahontan Basin Plan's regionwide Water Quality 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, Robinson Creek at Bridgeport Reservoir, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: Robinson Creek was sampled monthly between April 2000 and June 2001.
Environmental Conditions: Robinson Creek originates near the Sierra Nevada Crest. There are several small lakes and streams near its headwaters. Upper and Lower Twin Lakes are onstream glacial lakes that are now managed as reservoirs. Below Lower Twin Lake, Robinson Creek flows about nine miles to Bridgeport REservoir. Near Bridgeport Reservor, the creek flows through wet meadows used for livestock grazing..
QAPP Information: The study was done using USGS quality assurance procedures.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 28530, Fecal Coliform
Region 6     
Robinson Creek (Hwy 395 to Bridgeport Res)
 
LOE ID: 4634
 
Pollutant: Pathogens
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Not Recorded
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 0
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Not Specified
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Unspecified--This LOE is a placeholder to support a 303(d) listing decision made prior to 2006.
Data Reference: Placeholder reference pre-2006 303(d)
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Unspecified
Objective/Criterion Reference: Placeholder reference pre-2006 303(d)
 
Evaluation Guideline: Unspecified
Guideline Reference: Placeholder reference pre-2006 303(d)
 
Spatial Representation: Unspecified
Temporal Representation: Unspecified
Environmental Conditions: Unspecified
QAPP Information: Unspecified
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 28530, Fecal Coliform
Region 6     
Robinson Creek (Hwy 395 to Bridgeport Res)
 
LOE ID: 34860
 
Pollutant: Fecal Coliform
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 6
Number of Exceedances: 3
 
Data and Information Type: Not Specified
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Three of the six samples exceeded the fecal coliform objective.
Data Reference: RWB6 Trend Monitoring CY2006 CY2007
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The fecal coliform concentration during any 30-day period shall not exceed a log mean of 20/100 ml. Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected from station 630RBS007 - No. Branch Robinson Creek, upstream bridge.
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected once a month from August to December 2007.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: 2002 QAMP (Quality Assurance Management Plan) for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Management Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. Sacramento, CA. State Water Resources Control Board. SWAMP. December 2002 (1st version)
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 28530, Fecal Coliform
Region 6     
Robinson Creek (Hwy 395 to Bridgeport Res)
 
LOE ID: 32254
 
Pollutant: Fecal Coliform
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 6
Number of Exceedances: 2
 
Data and Information Type: Not Specified
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Two of the six samples exceeded the Fecal Coliform objective.
Data Reference: RWB6 Trend Monitoring CY2006 CY2007
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The fecal coliform concentration shall not exceed more than 40/100 ml.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected from station 630RBS007 - No. Branch Robinson Creek, upstream bridge.
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected once a month from August to December 2007.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: 2002 QAMP (Quality Assurance Management Plan) for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Management Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. Sacramento, CA. State Water Resources Control Board. SWAMP. December 2002 (1st version)