Water Body Name: | Codornices Creek |
Water Body ID: | CAR2033001120080624162950 |
Water Body Type: | River & Stream |
Lines of Evidence (LOEs) for Decision ID 9437 |
LOE ID: | 8687 |
Pollutant: | Low Dissolved Oxygen |
LOE Subgroup: | Pollutant-Water |
Matrix: | Water |
Fraction: | None |
Beneficial Use: | Warm Freshwater Habitat |
Aquatic Life Use: | Wildlife Habitat |
Number of Samples: | 11 |
Number of Exceedances: | 3 |
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING |
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Data used to evaluate dissolved oxygen was collected by SWAMP in 2004. In 3 out of 11 seasonal deployments, minimum dissolved oxygen levels fell below the objective of 5 mg/L. The three deployments where this occurred were dry season deployments in the lower and mid-watershed. |
Data Reference: | Data collected by the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program, San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board. Years 4 and 5 Assessment |
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: | The numeric water quality objective for dissolved oxygen is 5.0 mg/L minimum for waters designated as warm freshwater habitat. The median dissolved oxygen concentration for any three consecutive months shall not be less than 80 percent of the dissolved oxygen content at saturation. |
Objective/Criterion Reference: | San Francisco Bay Basin (Region 2) Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) |
Evaluation Guideline: | |
Guideline Reference: | |
Spatial Representation: | Dissolved oxygen was measured at three sites spanning lower to upper watershed locations on this creek. |
Temporal Representation: | The SWAMP Program performed continuous monitoring of dissolved oxygen at 15 minute intervals for periods of 1-2 weeks in two dry seasons and one wet season in 2004. |
Environmental Conditions: | The Codornices Creek watershed is highly urbanized, and large portions of the original waterways have been altered or placed in culverts. The creek flows from headwaters in the western slopes of the East Bay ridge, through East Bay cities, into the eastern side of the SF Bay. Sites monitored represent mostly urban land use. The creek is spring fed to a limited extent. However, the adjacent cities often contribute dry weather flows, rendering the creek wet year round. |
QAPP Information: | All samples were collected and analyzed using procedures comparable with the SWAMP Quality Assurance Management Plan (SWRCB 2002). |
QAPP Information Reference(s): |
Lines of Evidence (LOEs) for Decision ID 9163 |
LOE ID: | 8555 |
Pollutant: | Temperature, water |
LOE Subgroup: | Pollutant-Water |
Matrix: | Water |
Fraction: | None |
Beneficial Use: | Cold Freshwater Habitat |
Number of Samples: | 11 |
Number of Exceedances: | 6 |
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING |
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Water quality assessment was conducted at the Codornices Creek watershed as part of SWAMP study in 2004-2005. Continuous field monitoring at 15 minute increments of temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH and specific conductance was conducted to determine temporal variability in basic water quality at three locations.
Continuous monitoring sondes were deployed 11 times at 3 monitoring locations during wet, spring and two dry seasons. The measured temperatures ranged from 8.9°C to 21.5 °C and varied with season and location. During both dry season deployments at all 3 monitoring locations the 7-day mean temperature threshold for steelhead was exceeded. In total, the 17 °C criterion was exceeded in 6 out of 11 deployments. The durations of the temperature exceedances ranged from 19 to over 125 hours. |
Data Reference: | Data collected by the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program, San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board. Years 4 and 5 Assessment |
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: | Temperature objectives for enclosed bays and estuaries are specified in the 'Water Quality Control Plan for Control of Temperature in the Coastal and Interstate Waters and Enclosed Bays of California' including any revisions to the plan. In addition, the following temperature objectives apply to surface waters: The natural receiving water temperature of intrastate waters shall not be altered unless it can be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Regional Water Board that such alteration in temperature does not adversely affect beneficial uses.
The temperature of any cold or warm freshwater habitat shall not be increased by more than 5°F (2.8°C) above natural receiving water temperature. |
Objective/Criterion Reference: | San Francisco Bay Basin (Region 2) Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) |
Evaluation Guideline: | Sullivan et al. (2000) reviewed a wide range of studies incorporating information from laboratory-based research, field observations, and risk assessment approaches and developed criteria for assessing temperature risk to aquatic life. The 7-day mean temperature (maximum value of the 7-day moving average of the daily mean temperature) of 14.8°C was established as the upper threshold criterion for coho salmon and 17.0°C for steelhead trout. The risk assessment approach used by Sullivan et al. (2000) suggests that temperatures exceeding the above thresholds will cause 10% reduction in average fish growth compared to optimal conditions. |
Guideline Reference: | An Analysis of the Effects of Temperature on Salmonids of the Pacific Northwest with Implications for Selecting Temperature Criteria |
Spatial Representation: | Temperature was measured at three sites located on the mainstem of Codornices Creek that are representative of the entire creek length. The highest temperatures were recorded at the most downstream monitoring station in September 2004. |
Temporal Representation: | In 2004 and 2005 the SWAMP Program performed continuous monitoring of temperature at 15 minute intervals for periods of 1-2 weeks in each of three different seasons: winter (3 sites), spring (2 sites), and two summer dry seasons (3 sites each season). |
Environmental Conditions: | |
QAPP Information: | All samples were collected and analyzed using procedures comparable with the SWAMP Quality Assurance Management Plan (SWRCB 2002). |
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) |
Lines of Evidence (LOEs) for Decision ID 7637 |
LOE ID: | 5366 |
Pollutant: | Trash |
LOE Subgroup: | Pollutant-Nuisance |
Matrix: | Not Specified |
Fraction: | None |
Beneficial Use: | Wildlife Habitat |
Number of Samples: | 4 |
Number of Exceedances: | 3 |
Data and Information Type: | Occurrence of conditions judged to cause impairment |
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Data results were obtained through application the RTA methodology, developed by the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP). The RTA documents the total number and characteristics of pieces of trash per one hundred feet of stream or shoreline. The trash assessment protocol involves picking up and tallying all of the trash items found within the defined boundaries of a site. The tally results for level of trash (relating to REC2) and threat to aquatic life (relating to WILD) assessment parameters were considered for the listing determination. These results are available for field visits/trash surveys conducted in March, July, and November 2004 according to the Rapid Trash Assessment methodology. There were exceedances of the evaluation guideline (poor condition category for the trash assessment metric) in more than one location or on more than one date. |
Data Reference: | A Rapid Trash Assessment Method Applied to Waters of the San Francisco Bay Region:Trash Measurement in Streams |
Rapid Trash Assessment (RTA) data collected by the SF Bay Region Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program from 2002-2005 and method description | |
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: | The Basin Plan prohibits discharge of Rubbish, refuse, bark, sawdust, or other solid wastes into surface waters or at any place where they would contact or where they would be eventually transported to surface waters, including flood plain areas.
The Basin Plan has a narrative objective for floating material, Waters shall not contain floating material, including solids, liquids, foams, and scum, in concentrations that cause nuisance or adversely affect beneficial uses. The Basin Plan has a narrative objective for settleable material, Waters shall not contain substances in concentrations that result in the deposition of material that cause nuisance or adversely affect beneficial uses. |
Objective/Criterion Reference: | San Francisco Bay Basin (Region 2) Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) |
Evaluation Guideline: | If the Rapid Trash Assessment (RTA) Parameter 1 (Level of Trash) is in the poor condition category (scores 0-5), REC2 is not supported. This level of trash distracts the eye on first glance, making the site unsuitable for recreation. The RTA defines poor condition for this parameter as follows, trash distracts the eye on first glance. Stream, bank surfaces, and immediate riparian zone contain substantial levels of litter and debris (>100 pieces). Evidence of site being used frequently by people: many cans, bottles, and food wrappers, blankets, clothing.
If the RTA Parameter 3 (Threat to Aquatic Life) is in the poor condition category (scores 0-5), then WILD is not supported. This level of trash is a large amount (>50 pieces) of transportable, persistent, buoyant litter that is detrimental to aquatic life. The RTA defines poor condition for this parameter as follows, large amount (>50 pieces) of transportable, persistent, buoyant litter such as: hard or soft plastics, balloons, Styrofoam, cigarette butts; toxic items such as batteries, lighters, or spray cans; large clumps of yard waste or dumped leaf litter; or large amount (>50 pieces) of settleable glass or metal. |
Guideline Reference: | A Rapid Trash Assessment Method Applied to Waters of the San Francisco Bay Region:Trash Measurement in Streams |
Spatial Representation: | RTA data were collected for this waterbody in one location in 2004. This location scored in the poor condition category for the threat to aquatic life parameter. |
Temporal Representation: | RTA data were collected for this waterbody in March, July, and November in 2004. Data from all three months scored in the poor condition category for the threat to aquatic life parameter. |
Environmental Conditions: | |
QAPP Information: | For RTA trash assessment data to be considered, the data must have been collected by field operators that have received a 2-hour training in the Rapid Trash Assessment methodology. |
QAPP Information Reference(s): |