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

Supporting Information

Regional Board 6 - Lahontan Region

Water Body Name: Hidden Valley Creek
Water Body ID: CAR6341002020011213121317
Water Body Type: River & Stream
 
DECISION ID
32064
Region 6     
Hidden Valley Creek
 
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 Staff 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. Two of the two 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 satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The data used satisfies the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. Two of two samples exceeded the objective and this sample size is insufficient to determine with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy if standards are not met. A minimum of 26 samples is needed for application of table 3.2.
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 Staff 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.
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 32064, Chloride
Region 6     
Hidden Valley Creek
 
LOE ID: 32440
 
Pollutant: Chloride
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
Number of Exceedances: 2
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The annual averages from the sampling location in 2008 and 2009 this water body exceeded the water quality objective. One measurement was used to calculate the annual average for 2008 and 3 samples were used to calculate the annual average in 2009.
Data Reference: Data from discharger self-monitoring reports for the Heavenly Mountain Resort ski area at Lake Tahoe, Oct. 2007-Sep. 2009
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The water quality objective is an annual average of 0.15 mg/L. (from Table 5.1-3 of the Lahontan Region Basin Plan).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Samples were collected at the following sampling stie: HV-H5 (Hidden Creek)
Temporal Representation: Samples were collected once quarterly between August of 2008 and September of 2009.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Data were collected for NPDES permit R6T-2003-0032. This data was collected under waste discharge requirements for a TMDL and therefore is of adequate quality.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
32066
Region 6     
Hidden Valley Creek
 
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 Staff 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, one to evaluate MUN and one to evaluate COLD, are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. One out of four samples exceeded the MCL for protection of MUN and one of one samples exceeded the objective for protection of COLD.

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 satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The data used satisfies the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. One out of four samples exceeded the MCL for protection of MUN and one of one samples exceeded the objective for protection of COLD. This sample size is insufficient to determine with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy if standards are not met. A minimum of 16 samples is needed for application 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 Staff 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.
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 32066, Iron
Region 6     
Hidden Valley Creek
 
LOE ID: 31977
 
Pollutant: Iron
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Municipal & Domestic Supply
 
Number of Samples: 4
Number of Exceedances: 1
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: One of the four samples exceeded the secondary MCL.
Data Reference: Data from discharger self-monitoring reports for the Heavenly Mountain Resort ski area at Lake Tahoe, Oct. 2007-Sep. 2009
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The Water Quality Control Plan, Lahontan Basin, Objective for Municipal and Domestic Supply uses of inland surface waters states the following: waters shall not contain concentrations of inorganic chemicals in excess of the limits specified in California Code of Regulations, Title 22,Table 64449-B of Section 64449 (Secondary Maximum Contaminant Levels-Ranges). The secondary MCL for iron is 0.3 mg/L.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Samples were collected at HV-H5 Hidden Valley Creek baseline station.
Temporal Representation: Samples were collected quarterly from the fourth quarter of 2008 to the third quarter of 2009.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Data were collected as part of Water Discharge Requirements R6T-2003-0032 for Heavenly Mountain Resort.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 32066, Iron
Region 6     
Hidden Valley Creek
 
LOE ID: 31978
 
Pollutant: Iron
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 1
 
Data and Information Type: Fixed station physical/chemical (conventional plus toxic pollutants)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The annual average is 0.18 mg/L which is above the objective of 0.03 mg/L.
Data Reference: Data from discharger self-monitoring reports for the Heavenly Mountain Resort ski area at Lake Tahoe, Oct. 2007-Sep. 2009
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Table 3-12 of the Basin Plan, states the annual average for iron in the Trout Creek watershed (Figure 3-6) is 0.03 mg/L.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Samples were collected at HV-H5 Hidden Valley Creek baseline station.
Temporal Representation: Samples were collected quarterly from the fourth quarter of 2008 to the third quarter of 2009.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Data were collected as part of Water Discharge Requirements R6T-2003-0032 for Heavenly Mountain Resort.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
32068
Region 6     
Hidden Valley Creek
 
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 Staff 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. None of the 26 samples 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 satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The data used satisfies the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. None of the 26 samples exceeded the objective and this does not exceed the allowable frequency listed in 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 Staff 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.
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 32068, Nitrate/Nitrite (Nitrite + Nitrate as N)
Region 6     
Hidden Valley Creek
 
LOE ID: 31889
 
Pollutant: Nitrate/Nitrite (Nitrite + Nitrate as N)
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Municipal & Domestic Supply
 
Number of Samples: 26
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: None of the 26 samples exceeded the water quality objective for nitrate + nitrate as N. Samples collected within a 7-day period were averaged and considered as a single sample.
Data Reference: Data from discharger self-monitoring reports for the Heavenly Mountain Resort ski area at Lake Tahoe, Oct. 2007-Sep. 2009
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The Water Quality Control Plan, Lahontan Basin, Objective for Municipal and Domestic Supply uses of inland surface waters states the following: waters shall not contain concentrations of inorganic chemicals in excess of the limits specified in California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Table 64431-A of section 64431 (Inorganic Chemicals). The maximum contaminant level listed in Table 64431-A for nitrate + nitrite as N is 10.0 mg/L.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Samples were collected at HV-H5 Hidden Valley Creek baseline station.
Temporal Representation: Samples were collected from 10/23/2007 to 9/15/2009.
Environmental Conditions: A storm event occurred during the sampling on 3/2/2009.
QAPP Information: Data were collected as part of Water Discharge Requirements R6T-2003-0032 for Heavenly Mountain Resort.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
32069
Region 6     
Hidden Valley Creek
 
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 Staff 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. Two of the samples 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 satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The data used satisfies the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. Two of two samples exceeded the objective based on the tributary rule 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 Staff 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.
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 32069, Phosphorus
Region 6     
Hidden Valley Creek
 
LOE ID: 31898
 
Pollutant: Phosphorus
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
Number of Exceedances: 2
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Two of the two annual averages exceeded the water quality objective for total phosphorus. Annual averages were calculated by water year starting in October 1st through September 30th. A total of 28 samples were collected.
Data Reference: Data from discharger self-monitoring reports for the Heavenly Mountain Resort ski area at Lake Tahoe, Oct. 2007-Sep. 2009
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Table 5.1-3 of the Basin Plan states that the water quality objective for total phosphorus for Trout Creek is an annual average objective of 0.015 mg/L. Hidden Valley Creek is a tributary of Trout Creek.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Samples were collected at HV-H5 Hidden Valley Creek baseline station.
Temporal Representation: Samples were collected from 10/23/2007 to 9/15/2009.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Data were collected as part of Water Discharge Requirements R6T-2003-0032 for Heavenly Mountain Resort.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
32070
Region 6     
Hidden Valley Creek
 
Pollutant: Temperature, water
Final Listing Decision: Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: New Decision
Revision Status Revised
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Regional Board Staff 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. None of the 15 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 satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The data used satisfies the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. None of the 15 samples exceed the objective but this sample size is insufficient to determine with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy if standards are not met. A minimum of 26 samples is needed for application of table 3.2.
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 Staff 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.
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 32070, Temperature, water
Region 6     
Hidden Valley Creek
 
LOE ID: 31954
 
Pollutant: Temperature, water
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 15
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: None of the 15 samples exceeded the evaluation guideline for temperature in this water body.
Data Reference: Data from discharger self-monitoring reports for the Heavenly Mountain Resort ski area at Lake Tahoe, Oct. 2007-Sep. 2009
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: 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.(Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region)
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline: Inland Fishes of California (Moyle 1976) states that for rainbow trout the optimum range for growth and completion of most life stages is 13-21 degrees C (page 129).
Guideline Reference: Fish introductions in CA: History and impact on native fishes. Davis, CA: University of CA, Davis
 
Spatial Representation: Samples were collected at site HV-H5 (Hidden Creek).
Temporal Representation: Samples were collected monthly between October of 2008 and September of 2009.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: This data was collected under waste discharge requirements for a TMDL and therefore is of adequate quality.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
32071
Region 6     
Hidden Valley Creek
 
Pollutant: Total Nitrogen 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 Staff 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. None 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 satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The data used satisfies the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. None of the two samples exceeds the objective but this sample size is insufficient to determine with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy if standards are not met. A minimum of 16 samples is needed for application 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 Staff 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.
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 32071, Total Nitrogen as N
Region 6     
Hidden Valley Creek
 
LOE ID: 31888
 
Pollutant: Total Nitrogen as N
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: None of the two annual averages exceeded the water quality objective for total nitrogen. Annual averages were calculated by water year starting in October 1st through September 30th. A total of 28 samples were collected per site.
Data Reference: Data from discharger self-monitoring reports for the Heavenly Mountain Resort ski area at Lake Tahoe, Oct. 2007-Sep. 2009
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Table 5.1-3 of the Basin Plan states that the water quality objective for total nitrogen for Trout Creek is an annual average objective of 0.19 mg/L. Hidden Valley Creek is a tributary of Trout Creek.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Samples were collected at HV-H5 Hidden Valley Creek baseline station.
Temporal Representation: Samples were collected from 10/23/2007 to 9/15/2009.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Data were collected as part of Water Discharge Requirements R6T-2003-0032 for Heavenly Mountain Resort.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
32072
Region 6     
Hidden Valley Creek
 
Pollutant: Turbidity
Final Listing Decision: Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: New Decision
Revision Status Revised
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Regional Board Staff 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 15 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 satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The data used satisfies the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. One of 15 samples exceeds the objective and this sample size is insufficient to determine with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy if standards are not met. A minimum of 26 samples is needed for application of table 3.2.
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 Staff 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.
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 32072, Turbidity
Region 6     
Hidden Valley Creek
 
LOE ID: 32457
 
Pollutant: Turbidity
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Municipal & Domestic Supply
 
Number of Samples: 15
Number of Exceedances: 1
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: One of the fifteen turbidity samples exceeded the MCL in this water body.
Data Reference: Data from discharger self-monitoring reports for the Heavenly Mountain Resort ski area at Lake Tahoe, Oct. 2007-Sep. 2009
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: California Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) apply to ambient waters under the Lahontan Basin Plan's "Chemical Constituents" objective. The MCL for turbidity is 5 NTU.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Samples were collected at the following sampling stie: HV-H5 (Hidden Creek)
Temporal Representation: Samples were collected monthly between August of 2008 and September of 2009.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Data were collected for NPDES permit R6T-2003-0032. This data was collected under waste discharge requirements for a TMDL and therefore is of adequate quality.
QAPP Information Reference(s):