Draft California 2020 Integrated Report (303(d) List/305(b) Report)

Supporting Information

Regional Board 5 - Central Valley Region

Water Body Name: Kern River, Lower
Water Body ID: CAR5589001220020627111118
Water Body Type: River & Stream
 
DECISION ID
122869
Region 5     
Kern River, Lower
 
Pollutant: Oxygen, Dissolved
Final Listing Decision: Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)(2018)
Revision Status Revised
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Regional Board Conclusion: This pollutant is being considered for placement on the CWA 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.

Nine lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant for Warm Freshwater Habitat (WARM). Zero of the 96 samples exceed the objective for WARM.

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 CWA section 303(d) List.

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. Zero of the 96 samples exceed the objective for WARM 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.
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 122869, Oxygen, Dissolved
Region 5     
Kern River, Lower
 
LOE ID: 214548
 
Pollutant: Oxygen, Dissolved
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Warm Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 11
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SWAMP RWB5 Monitoring data for Kern River, Lower to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 11 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Oxygen, Dissolved.
Data Reference: Field, Habitat, Toxicity, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 5.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Water Quality Control Plan, Central Valley Region, Sacramento River and San Joaquin Basin: minimum dissolved oxygen concentration for waters designated as WARM is 5.0 mg/L.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Tulare Lake Basin Third Edition. Revised May 2018 (with approved amendments)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (554KER040)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2015-06-15 and 2016-08-10
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: SWAMP QAPrP 2008
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plans, Quality Assurance Project Plans, and Standard Operating Procedures for the SWAMP program
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 122869, Oxygen, Dissolved
Region 5     
Kern River, Lower
 
LOE ID: 214702
 
Pollutant: Oxygen, Dissolved
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Warm Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 7
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SWAMP RWB5 Monitoring data for Kern River, Lower to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 7 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Oxygen, Dissolved.
Data Reference: Field, Habitat, Toxicity, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 5.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Water Quality Control Plan, Central Valley Region, Sacramento River and San Joaquin Basin: minimum dissolved oxygen concentration for waters designated as WARM is 5.0 mg/L.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Tulare Lake Basin Third Edition. Revised May 2018 (with approved amendments)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (554KER070)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2016-05-25 and 2016-08-31
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: SWAMP QAPrP 2008
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plans, Quality Assurance Project Plans, and Standard Operating Procedures for the SWAMP program
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 122869, Oxygen, Dissolved
Region 5     
Kern River, Lower
 
LOE ID: 214517
 
Pollutant: Oxygen, Dissolved
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Warm Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 7
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SWAMP RWB5 Monitoring data for Kern River, Lower to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 7 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Oxygen, Dissolved.
Data Reference: Field, Habitat, Toxicity, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 5.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Water Quality Control Plan, Central Valley Region, Sacramento River and San Joaquin Basin: minimum dissolved oxygen concentration for waters designated as WARM is 5.0 mg/L.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Tulare Lake Basin Third Edition. Revised May 2018 (with approved amendments)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (554KER050)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2016-05-25 and 2016-08-31
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: SWAMP QAPrP 2008
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plans, Quality Assurance Project Plans, and Standard Operating Procedures for the SWAMP program
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 122869, Oxygen, Dissolved
Region 5     
Kern River, Lower
 
LOE ID: 214393
 
Pollutant: Oxygen, Dissolved
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Warm Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 11
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SWAMP RWB5 Monitoring data for Kern River, Lower to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 11 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Oxygen, Dissolved.
Data Reference: Field, Habitat, Toxicity, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 5.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Water Quality Control Plan, Central Valley Region, Sacramento River and San Joaquin Basin: minimum dissolved oxygen concentration for waters designated as WARM is 5.0 mg/L.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Tulare Lake Basin Third Edition. Revised May 2018 (with approved amendments)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (554KER043)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2015-06-15 and 2016-08-31
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: SWAMP QAPrP 2008
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plans, Quality Assurance Project Plans, and Standard Operating Procedures for the SWAMP program
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 122869, Oxygen, Dissolved
Region 5     
Kern River, Lower
 
LOE ID: 214731
 
Pollutant: Oxygen, Dissolved
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Warm Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 12
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SWAMP RWB5 Monitoring data for Kern River, Lower to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 12 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Oxygen, Dissolved.
Data Reference: Field, Habitat, Toxicity, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 5.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Water Quality Control Plan, Central Valley Region, Sacramento River and San Joaquin Basin: minimum dissolved oxygen concentration for waters designated as WARM is 5.0 mg/L.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Tulare Lake Basin Third Edition. Revised May 2018 (with approved amendments)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (558KER080)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2015-06-15 and 2016-08-31
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: SWAMP QAPrP 2008
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plans, Quality Assurance Project Plans, and Standard Operating Procedures for the SWAMP program
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 122869, Oxygen, Dissolved
Region 5     
Kern River, Lower
 
LOE ID: 214608
 
Pollutant: Oxygen, Dissolved
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Warm Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 7
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SWAMP RWB5 Monitoring data for Kern River, Lower to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 7 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Oxygen, Dissolved.
Data Reference: Field, Habitat, Toxicity, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 5.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Water Quality Control Plan, Central Valley Region, Sacramento River and San Joaquin Basin: minimum dissolved oxygen concentration for waters designated as WARM is 5.0 mg/L.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Tulare Lake Basin Third Edition. Revised May 2018 (with approved amendments)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (554KER060)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2016-05-25 and 2016-08-31
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: SWAMP QAPrP 2008
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plans, Quality Assurance Project Plans, and Standard Operating Procedures for the SWAMP program
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 122869, Oxygen, Dissolved
Region 5     
Kern River, Lower
 
LOE ID: 214700
 
Pollutant: Oxygen, Dissolved
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Warm Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 12
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SWAMP RWB5 Monitoring data for Kern River, Lower to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 12 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Oxygen, Dissolved.
Data Reference: Field, Habitat, Toxicity, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 5.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Water Quality Control Plan, Central Valley Region, Sacramento River and San Joaquin Basin: minimum dissolved oxygen concentration for waters designated as WARM is 5.0 mg/L.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Tulare Lake Basin Third Edition. Revised May 2018 (with approved amendments)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (558KER110)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2015-06-15 and 2016-08-31
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: SWAMP QAPrP 2008
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plans, Quality Assurance Project Plans, and Standard Operating Procedures for the SWAMP program
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 122869, Oxygen, Dissolved
Region 5     
Kern River, Lower
 
LOE ID: 8818
 
Pollutant: Oxygen, Dissolved
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Warm Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 22
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Not Specified
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Zero of the 22 samples collected by the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program exceeded the evaluation objective for Dissolved Oxygen.
Data Reference: SWAMP data entered by SWRCB into BDAT database
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The Basin Plan Objective sets the minimum Dissolved Oxygen content at 5 mg/L
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the California Regional Water Quality Control Board Central Valley Region, Sacramento and San Joaquin River Basins. 4th ed
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Samples were collected at Calloway Weir. Samples were collected at Hart Park. Samples were collected at Rancheria Rd..
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected from Mar 27 2002 to May 26 2004
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Monitoring was conducted in accordance with the State Water Resources Control Board's Quality Assurance Program Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 122869, Oxygen, Dissolved
Region 5     
Kern River, Lower
 
LOE ID: 214728
 
Pollutant: Oxygen, Dissolved
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Warm Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 7
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SWAMP RWB5 Monitoring data for Kern River, Lower to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 7 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Oxygen, Dissolved.
Data Reference: Field, Habitat, Toxicity, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 5.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Water Quality Control Plan, Central Valley Region, Sacramento River and San Joaquin Basin: minimum dissolved oxygen concentration for waters designated as WARM is 5.0 mg/L.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Tulare Lake Basin Third Edition. Revised May 2018 (with approved amendments)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (558KER090)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2016-05-25 and 2016-08-31
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: SWAMP QAPrP 2008
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plans, Quality Assurance Project Plans, and Standard Operating Procedures for the SWAMP program
 
 
DECISION ID
129292
Region 5     
Kern River, Lower
 
Pollutant: Specific Conductivity
Final Listing Decision: Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)(2018)
Revision Status Revised
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Regional Board Conclusion: This pollutant is being considered for placement on the CWA 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.

Nine lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Zero of the 75 samples exceed the objective for Municipal & Domestic Supply. Three of the 19 samples exceed the objective for Warm Freshwater Habitat.

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 CWA section 303(d) List.

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. Zero of the 75 samples exceeded the objective for Municipal & Domestic Supply. This does not exceed the allowable frequency listed in Table 3.2 of the Listing Policy. Three of the 19 samples exceeded the objective for Warm Freshwater Habitat. This sample size is insufficient to determine, with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy, the applicable beneficial use support rating.
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: This decision was made by SWRCB staff.
 
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 applicable water quality standards for the pollutant are not exceeded.
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 129292, Specific Conductivity
Region 5     
Kern River, Lower
 
LOE ID: 8821
 
Pollutant: Specific Conductivity
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Warm Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 19
Number of Exceedances: 3
 
Data and Information Type: Not Specified
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Three of the 19 samples collected by the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program exceeded the evaluation objective for Specific Conductivity. The exceeded results are as follows: 3/4/2003 - a sample taken at Calloway Weir had a result of 201.5uS/cm. 11/4/2003 - a sample taken at Hart Park had a result of 234.7uS/cm. 2/4/2004 - a sample taken at Hart Park had a result of 209.2uS/cm.
Data Reference: SWAMP data entered by SWRCB into BDAT database
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Specific Conductivity should not exceed 200 umhoms (Basin Plan Objective)
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the California Regional Water Quality Control Board Central Valley Region, Sacramento and San Joaquin River Basins. 4th ed
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Samples were collected at Calloway Weir. Samples were collected at Hart Park. Samples were collected at Rancheria Rd..
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected from Jun 20 2002 to May 26 2004
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Monitoring was conducted in accordance with the State Water Resources Control Board's Quality Assurance Program Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 129292, Specific Conductivity
Region 5     
Kern River, Lower
 
LOE ID: 214503
 
Pollutant: Specific Conductivity
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Municipal & Domestic Supply
 
Number of Samples: 7
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SWAMP RWB5 Monitoring data for Kern River, Lower to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 7 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for SpecificConductivity.
Data Reference: Field, Habitat, Toxicity, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 5.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The California Secondary MCL that is incorporated by reference in the Water Quality Control Plan, Central Valley Region Tulare Basin for specific conductance is 900 uS/cm.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Tulare Lake Basin Third Edition. Revised May 2018 (with approved amendments)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (554KER060)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2016-05-25 and 2016-08-31
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: SWAMP QAPrP 2008
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plans, Quality Assurance Project Plans, and Standard Operating Procedures for the SWAMP program
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 129292, Specific Conductivity
Region 5     
Kern River, Lower
 
LOE ID: 214375
 
Pollutant: Specific Conductivity
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Municipal & Domestic Supply
 
Number of Samples: 7
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SWAMP RWB5 Monitoring data for Kern River, Lower to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 7 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for SpecificConductivity.
Data Reference: Field, Habitat, Toxicity, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 5.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The California Secondary MCL that is incorporated by reference in the Water Quality Control Plan, Central Valley Region Tulare Basin for specific conductance is 900 uS/cm.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Tulare Lake Basin Third Edition. Revised May 2018 (with approved amendments)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (558KER090)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2016-05-25 and 2016-08-31
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: SWAMP QAPrP 2008
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plans, Quality Assurance Project Plans, and Standard Operating Procedures for the SWAMP program
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 129292, Specific Conductivity
Region 5     
Kern River, Lower
 
LOE ID: 214535
 
Pollutant: Specific Conductivity
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Municipal & Domestic Supply
 
Number of Samples: 7
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SWAMP RWB5 Monitoring data for Kern River, Lower to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 7 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for SpecificConductivity.
Data Reference: Field, Habitat, Toxicity, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 5.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The California Secondary MCL that is incorporated by reference in the Water Quality Control Plan, Central Valley Region Tulare Basin for specific conductance is 900 uS/cm.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Tulare Lake Basin Third Edition. Revised May 2018 (with approved amendments)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (554KER050)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2016-05-25 and 2016-08-31
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: SWAMP QAPrP 2008
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plans, Quality Assurance Project Plans, and Standard Operating Procedures for the SWAMP program
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 129292, Specific Conductivity
Region 5     
Kern River, Lower
 
LOE ID: 214409
 
Pollutant: Specific Conductivity
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Municipal & Domestic Supply
 
Number of Samples: 7
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SWAMP RWB5 Monitoring data for Kern River, Lower to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 7 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for SpecificConductivity.
Data Reference: Field, Habitat, Toxicity, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 5.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The California Secondary MCL that is incorporated by reference in the Water Quality Control Plan, Central Valley Region Tulare Basin for specific conductance is 900 uS/cm.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Tulare Lake Basin Third Edition. Revised May 2018 (with approved amendments)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (554KER070)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2016-05-25 and 2016-08-31
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: SWAMP QAPrP 2008
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plans, Quality Assurance Project Plans, and Standard Operating Procedures for the SWAMP program
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 129292, Specific Conductivity
Region 5     
Kern River, Lower
 
LOE ID: 231258
 
Pollutant: Specific Conductivity
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Municipal & Domestic Supply
 
Number of Samples: 12
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SWAMP RWB5 Monitoring data for Kern River, Lower to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 12 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for SpecificConductivity.
Data Reference: Field, Habitat, Toxicity, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 5.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The California Secondary MCL that is incorporated by reference in the Water Quality Control Plan, Central Valley Region Tulare Basin for specific conductance is 900 uS/cm.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Tulare Lake Basin Third Edition. Revised May 2018 (with approved amendments)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (558KER110)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2015-06-15 and 2016-08-31
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: SWAMP QAPrP 2008
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plans, Quality Assurance Project Plans, and Standard Operating Procedures for the SWAMP program
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 129292, Specific Conductivity
Region 5     
Kern River, Lower
 
LOE ID: 231257
 
Pollutant: Specific Conductivity
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Municipal & Domestic Supply
 
Number of Samples: 12
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SWAMP RWB5 Monitoring data for Kern River, Lower to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 12 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for SpecificConductivity.
Data Reference: Field, Habitat, Toxicity, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 5.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The California Secondary MCL that is incorporated by reference in the Water Quality Control Plan, Central Valley Region Tulare Basin for specific conductance is 900 uS/cm.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Tulare Lake Basin Third Edition. Revised May 2018 (with approved amendments)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (554KER040)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2015-06-15 and 2016-08-31
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: SWAMP QAPrP 2008
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plans, Quality Assurance Project Plans, and Standard Operating Procedures for the SWAMP program
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 129292, Specific Conductivity
Region 5     
Kern River, Lower
 
LOE ID: 231267
 
Pollutant: Specific Conductivity
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Municipal & Domestic Supply
 
Number of Samples: 11
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SWAMP RWB5 Monitoring data for Kern River, Lower to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 11 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for SpecificConductivity.
Data Reference: Field, Habitat, Toxicity, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 5.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The California Secondary MCL that is incorporated by reference in the Water Quality Control Plan, Central Valley Region Tulare Basin for specific conductance is 900 uS/cm.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Tulare Lake Basin Third Edition. Revised May 2018 (with approved amendments)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (554KER043)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2015-06-15 and 2016-08-31
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: SWAMP QAPrP 2008
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plans, Quality Assurance Project Plans, and Standard Operating Procedures for the SWAMP program
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 129292, Specific Conductivity
Region 5     
Kern River, Lower
 
LOE ID: 231265
 
Pollutant: Specific Conductivity
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Municipal & Domestic Supply
 
Number of Samples: 12
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SWAMP RWB5 Monitoring data for Kern River, Lower to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 12 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for SpecificConductivity.
Data Reference: Field, Habitat, Toxicity, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 5.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The California Secondary MCL that is incorporated by reference in the Water Quality Control Plan, Central Valley Region Tulare Basin for specific conductance is 900 uS/cm.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Tulare Lake Basin Third Edition. Revised May 2018 (with approved amendments)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (558KER080)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2015-06-15 and 2016-08-31
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: SWAMP QAPrP 2008
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plans, Quality Assurance Project Plans, and Standard Operating Procedures for the SWAMP program
 
 
DECISION ID
122870
Region 5     
Kern River, Lower
 
Pollutant: pH
Final Listing Decision: Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)(2018)
Revision Status Revised
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Regional Board Conclusion: This pollutant is being considered for placement on the CWA 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.

Twenty-seven lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Zero of the 71 samples exceeded the OBJECTIVE for MUN. Ten of the 71 samples exceeded the OBJECTIVE for REC-1 and REC-2. 71 of the 487 samples exceeded the OBJECTIVE for WARM.

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 CWA section 303(d) List.

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. Zero of the 71 samples exceeded the OBJECTIVE for MUN. Ten of the 71 samples exceeded the OBJECTIVE for REC-1 and REC-2. 71 of the 487 samples exceeded the OBJECTIVE for WARM. 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: This decision was made by SWRCB staff.
 
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 applicable water quality standards for the pollutant are not exceeded.
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 122870, pH
Region 5     
Kern River, Lower
 
LOE ID: 214720
 
Pollutant: pH
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Municipal & Domestic Supply
 
Number of Samples: 7
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SWAMP RWB5 Monitoring data for Kern River, Lower to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 7 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for pH.
Data Reference: Field, Habitat, Toxicity, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 5.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Water Quality Control Plan, Central Valley Region Tulare Basin: pH should not be lower than 6.5 or higher than 8.5.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Tulare Lake Basin Third Edition. Revised May 2018 (with approved amendments)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (554KER060)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2016-05-25 and 2016-08-31
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: SWAMP QAPrP 2008
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plans, Quality Assurance Project Plans, and Standard Operating Procedures for the SWAMP program
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 122870, pH
Region 5     
Kern River, Lower
 
LOE ID: 214774
 
Pollutant: pH
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Non-Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 7
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SWAMP RWB5 Monitoring data for Kern River, Lower to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 7 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for pH.
Data Reference: Field, Habitat, Toxicity, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 5.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Water Quality Control Plan, Central Valley Region Tulare Basin: pH should not be lower than 6.5 or higher than 8.5.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Tulare Lake Basin Third Edition. Revised May 2018 (with approved amendments)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (554KER060)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2016-05-25 and 2016-08-31
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: SWAMP QAPrP 2008
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plans, Quality Assurance Project Plans, and Standard Operating Procedures for the SWAMP program
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 122870, pH
Region 5     
Kern River, Lower
 
LOE ID: 231174
 
Pollutant: pH
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 11
Number of Exceedances: 4
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SWAMP RWB5 Monitoring data for Kern River, Lower to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 4 of 11 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for pH.
Data Reference: Field, Habitat, Toxicity, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 5.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Water Quality Control Plan, Central Valley Region Tulare Basin: pH should not be lower than 6.5 or higher than 8.5.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Tulare Lake Basin Third Edition. Revised May 2018 (with approved amendments)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (558KER080)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2015-06-15 and 2016-08-31
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: SWAMP QAPrP 2008
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plans, Quality Assurance Project Plans, and Standard Operating Procedures for the SWAMP program
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 122870, pH
Region 5     
Kern River, Lower
 
LOE ID: 231238
 
Pollutant: pH
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 11
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SWAMP RWB5 Monitoring data for Kern River, Lower to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 11 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for pH.
Data Reference: Field, Habitat, Toxicity, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 5.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Water Quality Control Plan, Central Valley Region Tulare Basin: pH should not be lower than 6.5 or higher than 8.5.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Tulare Lake Basin Third Edition. Revised May 2018 (with approved amendments)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (554KER040)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2015-06-15 and 2016-08-31
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: SWAMP QAPrP 2008
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plans, Quality Assurance Project Plans, and Standard Operating Procedures for the SWAMP program
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 122870, pH
Region 5     
Kern River, Lower
 
LOE ID: 231199
 
Pollutant: pH
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 11
Number of Exceedances: 2
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SWAMP RWB5 Monitoring data for Kern River, Lower to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 2 of 11 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for pH.
Data Reference: Field, Habitat, Toxicity, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 5.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Water Quality Control Plan, Central Valley Region Tulare Basin: pH should not be lower than 6.5 or higher than 8.5.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Tulare Lake Basin Third Edition. Revised May 2018 (with approved amendments)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (558KER110)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2015-06-15 and 2016-08-31
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: SWAMP QAPrP 2008
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plans, Quality Assurance Project Plans, and Standard Operating Procedures for the SWAMP program
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 122870, pH
Region 5     
Kern River, Lower
 
LOE ID: 231172
 
Pollutant: pH
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Municipal & Domestic Supply
 
Number of Samples: 10
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SWAMP RWB5 Monitoring data for Kern River, Lower to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 10 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for pH.
Data Reference: Field, Habitat, Toxicity, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 5.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Water Quality Control Plan, Central Valley Region Tulare Basin: pH should not be lower than 6.5 or higher than 8.5.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Tulare Lake Basin Third Edition. Revised May 2018 (with approved amendments)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (554KER043)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2015-06-15 and 2016-08-31
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: SWAMP QAPrP 2008
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plans, Quality Assurance Project Plans, and Standard Operating Procedures for the SWAMP program
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 122870, pH
Region 5     
Kern River, Lower
 
LOE ID: 231187
 
Pollutant: pH
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Non-Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 11
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SWAMP RWB5 Monitoring data for Kern River, Lower to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 11 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for pH.
Data Reference: Field, Habitat, Toxicity, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 5.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Water Quality Control Plan, Central Valley Region Tulare Basin: pH should not be lower than 6.5 or higher than 8.5.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Tulare Lake Basin Third Edition. Revised May 2018 (with approved amendments)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (554KER040)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2015-06-15 and 2016-08-31
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: SWAMP QAPrP 2008
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plans, Quality Assurance Project Plans, and Standard Operating Procedures for the SWAMP program
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 122870, pH
Region 5     
Kern River, Lower
 
LOE ID: 231235
 
Pollutant: pH
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Municipal & Domestic Supply
 
Number of Samples: 11
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SWAMP RWB5 Monitoring data for Kern River, Lower to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 11 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for pH.
Data Reference: Field, Habitat, Toxicity, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 5.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Water Quality Control Plan, Central Valley Region Tulare Basin: pH should not be lower than 6.5 or higher than 8.5.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Tulare Lake Basin Third Edition. Revised May 2018 (with approved amendments)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (554KER040)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2015-06-15 and 2016-08-31
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: SWAMP QAPrP 2008
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plans, Quality Assurance Project Plans, and Standard Operating Procedures for the SWAMP program
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 122870, pH
Region 5     
Kern River, Lower
 
LOE ID: 231155
 
Pollutant: pH
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Municipal & Domestic Supply
 
Number of Samples: 11
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SWAMP RWB5 Monitoring data for Kern River, Lower to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 11 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for pH.
Data Reference: Field, Habitat, Toxicity, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 5.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Water Quality Control Plan, Central Valley Region Tulare Basin: pH should not be lower than 6.5 or higher than 8.5.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Tulare Lake Basin Third Edition. Revised May 2018 (with approved amendments)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (558KER110)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2015-06-15 and 2016-08-31
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: SWAMP QAPrP 2008
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plans, Quality Assurance Project Plans, and Standard Operating Procedures for the SWAMP program
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 122870, pH
Region 5     
Kern River, Lower
 
LOE ID: 231144
 
Pollutant: pH
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Non-Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 11
Number of Exceedances: 4
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SWAMP RWB5 Monitoring data for Kern River, Lower to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 4 of 11 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for pH.
Data Reference: Field, Habitat, Toxicity, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 5.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Water Quality Control Plan, Central Valley Region Tulare Basin: pH should not be lower than 6.5 or higher than 8.5.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Tulare Lake Basin Third Edition. Revised May 2018 (with approved amendments)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (558KER080)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2015-06-15 and 2016-08-31
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: SWAMP QAPrP 2008
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plans, Quality Assurance Project Plans, and Standard Operating Procedures for the SWAMP program
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 122870, pH
Region 5     
Kern River, Lower
 
LOE ID: 231142
 
Pollutant: pH
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Non-Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 11
Number of Exceedances: 2
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SWAMP RWB5 Monitoring data for Kern River, Lower to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 2 of 11 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for pH.
Data Reference: Field, Habitat, Toxicity, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 5.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Water Quality Control Plan, Central Valley Region Tulare Basin: pH should not be lower than 6.5 or higher than 8.5.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Tulare Lake Basin Third Edition. Revised May 2018 (with approved amendments)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (558KER110)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2015-06-15 and 2016-08-31
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: SWAMP QAPrP 2008
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plans, Quality Assurance Project Plans, and Standard Operating Procedures for the SWAMP program
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 122870, pH
Region 5     
Kern River, Lower
 
LOE ID: 231143
 
Pollutant: pH
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Non-Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 10
Number of Exceedances: 3
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SWAMP RWB5 Monitoring data for Kern River, Lower to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 3 of 10 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for pH.
Data Reference: Field, Habitat, Toxicity, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 5.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Water Quality Control Plan, Central Valley Region Tulare Basin: pH should not be lower than 6.5 or higher than 8.5.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Tulare Lake Basin Third Edition. Revised May 2018 (with approved amendments)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (554KER043)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2015-06-15 and 2016-08-31
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: SWAMP QAPrP 2008
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plans, Quality Assurance Project Plans, and Standard Operating Procedures for the SWAMP program
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 122870, pH
Region 5     
Kern River, Lower
 
LOE ID: 231173
 
Pollutant: pH
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Municipal & Domestic Supply
 
Number of Samples: 11
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SWAMP RWB5 Monitoring data for Kern River, Lower to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 11 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for pH.
Data Reference: Field, Habitat, Toxicity, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 5.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Water Quality Control Plan, Central Valley Region Tulare Basin: pH should not be lower than 6.5 or higher than 8.5.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Tulare Lake Basin Third Edition. Revised May 2018 (with approved amendments)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (558KER080)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2015-06-15 and 2016-08-31
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: SWAMP QAPrP 2008
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plans, Quality Assurance Project Plans, and Standard Operating Procedures for the SWAMP program
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 122870, pH
Region 5     
Kern River, Lower
 
LOE ID: 8819
 
Pollutant: pH
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Warm Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 57
Number of Exceedances: 40
 
Data and Information Type: Not Specified
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Forty of 57 pH measurements made by the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP) exceeded the Tulare Basin Plan pH objective (>8.3). The pH values that exceeded the objective (>8.3) were measured at: Calloway Weir (pH=8.8 on 3/27/2002; 8.5 on 12/12/2002; and 8.6 on 3/43/2003); at Hart Park (pH= 8.5 on 3/27/2002; 8.5 on 6/20/2002; 8.6 on 9/18/2002; 8.7 on 3/4/2003; 8.4 on 11/4/2003; 8.75 on 2/4/2004; and 8.66 on 5/26/2004); at Racheria Rd. (pH= 8.5 on 6/20/2002; 8.5 on 9/18/2002; 8.5 on 3/4/2003; 8.5 on 6/26/2003; 8.62 on 2/4/2004; and 8.44 0n 5/26/2004); at Ker MM14/MM15 (pH= 8.5 on 3/27/2002; 8.5 on 6/20/2002; 8.5 on 9/18/2002; 8.7 on 3/4/2003; 8.4 on 6/26/2003; 8.54 on 2/4/2004; and 8.4 on 5/26/2004); at Lower Richbar (pH= 8.4 on 3/27/2002; 8.4 on 6/20/2002; 8.4 on 9/18/2002; 8.4 on 6/26/2003; 8.4 on 11/4/2003; 8.67 on 2/4/2004; and 8.37 on 5/26/2004); at Democrat (pH=8.4 on 3/27/2002; 8.5 on 6/20/2002; 8.4 on 9/18/2002; 8.5 on 12/12/2002; 8.4 on 6/26/2003; and 8.4 on 11/4/2003); and at Keyesville Rec Area (pH = 8.5 on 3/27/2002; 8.5 on 6/20/2002; 8.5 on 9/18/2002; 8.7 on 3/4/2003; 8.7 on 6/26/2003; 8.54 on 2/4/2004; and 8.4 on 5/26/2004).
Data Reference: SWAMP data entered by SWRCB into BDAT database
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: pH levels should not be lower than 6.5 or higher than 8.3
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the California Regional Water Quality Control Board Central Valley Region, Sacramento and San Joaquin River Basins. 4th ed
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: pH measurements were made on 9 dates each at: Keysville Rec Area, Democrat, Lower Richbar, Ker MM14/MM15, Racheria Rd.; on 8 dates at Hart Park; and on 4 dates at Calloway Weir.
Temporal Representation: pH was measured at 7 locations on the Lower Kern River at approximately 3-month intervals, from March 27, 2002, to May 26, 2004.
Environmental Conditions: pH was measured in the Lower Kern River generally during a period of wildfires on the Forest.
QAPP Information: Monitoring was conducted in accordance with the State Water Resources Control Board's Quality Assurance Program Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 122870, pH
Region 5     
Kern River, Lower
 
LOE ID: 28135
 
Pollutant: pH
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Warm Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 46
Number of Exceedances: 1
 
Data and Information Type: Not Specified
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: One of 46 pH measurements made from the Lower Kern River at Keyesville Rec Area exceeded the pH criterion (>8.3). The pH measured on 9/14/1962 was 8.4.
Data Reference: SWAMP data entered by SWRCB into BDAT database
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: pH levels should not be lower than 6.5 or higher than 8.3 (Tulare Basin Plan Objective)
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the California Regional Water Quality Control Board Central Valley Region, Sacramento and San Joaquin River Basins. 4th ed
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: pH measurements were made at the Keyesville Rec Area.
Temporal Representation: pH was measured approximately monthly at Keyesville Rec Are between 11/3/0960 and 7/2/1963, and approximately every 2 to 5 months between 10/4/1963 and 7/23/1975.
Environmental Conditions: pH was measured in the Lower Kern River during a period of significant wildfires on the Forest between 2002 and 2004.
QAPP Information: Data received from Sequoia National Forest during draft proposed Integrated Report public review period. Data was apparently collected by the United States Geological Society (USGS), between 1960 and 1993.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 122870, pH
Region 5     
Kern River, Lower
 
LOE ID: 29791
 
Pollutant: pH
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Warm Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 384
Number of Exceedances: 30
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: NPDES permit discharge receiving water pH data was measured at two locations on the Lower Kern River. Twenty two of 280 pH measurements made at the R-1 site (Beardsley Canal) were below the 6.5 Basin Plan limit, and 2 of the 280 pH measurements were above the 8.3 Basin Plan limit. Three of 104 pH measurements made at the R-3 site (Rocky Point or Carrier Canal) were below the 6.5 Basin Plan limit, and 3 of the 104 pH measurements were above the 8.3 Basin Plan limit.
Data Reference: SWAMP data entered by SWRCB into BDAT database
  pH data from the Lower Kern River, collected by Chevron USA, Inc. under NPDES No. CA0080853 (Regional Board Order #R5-2002-052)
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: pH levels should not be lower than 6.5 or higher than 8.3
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Tulare Lake Basin Second Edition. rev. Jan 2004
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Samples were collected from two locations - "Head of Beardsley Canal" (R-1), and "Kern River at Rocky Point Weir or Head of Carrier Canal" (R-3).
Temporal Representation: One hundred thirty pH measurements were made in the lower Kern River at the Beardsley Canal - Upstream location (R1) weekly between January 6, 2002 and August 24, 2004. One hundred fifty pH measurements were made in the lower Kern River at the Beardsley Canal - Upstream location (R1) weekly between December 8, 2004 and January 26, 2007. One hundred four pH measurements were made in the lower Kern River at the Canal - Upstream location (R1) approximately weekly between November 7, 2005 and September 29, 2005, and between December 7, 2006 and January 26, 2007.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Samples collected under NPDES permit conditions
QAPP Information Reference(s): NPDES No. CA0080853 (Regional Board Order #R5-2002-052) Waste Discharge Requirements for Chevron U.S.A, Inc., Kern River Oil Field, Kern County
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 122870, pH
Region 5     
Kern River, Lower
 
LOE ID: 214737
 
Pollutant: pH
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 7
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SWAMP RWB5 Monitoring data for Kern River, Lower to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 7 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for pH.
Data Reference: Field, Habitat, Toxicity, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 5.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Water Quality Control Plan, Central Valley Region Tulare Basin: pH should not be lower than 6.5 or higher than 8.5.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Tulare Lake Basin Third Edition. Revised May 2018 (with approved amendments)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (554KER050)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2016-05-25 and 2016-08-31
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: SWAMP QAPrP 2008
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plans, Quality Assurance Project Plans, and Standard Operating Procedures for the SWAMP program
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 122870, pH
Region 5     
Kern River, Lower
 
LOE ID: 214741
 
Pollutant: pH
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 7
Number of Exceedances: 1
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SWAMP RWB5 Monitoring data for Kern River, Lower to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 1 of 7 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for pH.
Data Reference: Field, Habitat, Toxicity, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 5.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Water Quality Control Plan, Central Valley Region Tulare Basin: pH should not be lower than 6.5 or higher than 8.5.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Tulare Lake Basin Third Edition. Revised May 2018 (with approved amendments)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (558KER090)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2016-05-25 and 2016-08-31
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: SWAMP QAPrP 2008
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plans, Quality Assurance Project Plans, and Standard Operating Procedures for the SWAMP program
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 122870, pH
Region 5     
Kern River, Lower
 
LOE ID: 214738
 
Pollutant: pH
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 7
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SWAMP RWB5 Monitoring data for Kern River, Lower to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 7 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for pH.
Data Reference: Field, Habitat, Toxicity, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 5.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Water Quality Control Plan, Central Valley Region Tulare Basin: pH should not be lower than 6.5 or higher than 8.5.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Tulare Lake Basin Third Edition. Revised May 2018 (with approved amendments)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (554KER070)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2016-05-25 and 2016-08-31
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: SWAMP QAPrP 2008
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plans, Quality Assurance Project Plans, and Standard Operating Procedures for the SWAMP program
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 122870, pH
Region 5     
Kern River, Lower
 
LOE ID: 214748
 
Pollutant: pH
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 7
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SWAMP RWB5 Monitoring data for Kern River, Lower to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 7 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for pH.
Data Reference: Field, Habitat, Toxicity, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 5.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Water Quality Control Plan, Central Valley Region Tulare Basin: pH should not be lower than 6.5 or higher than 8.5.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Tulare Lake Basin Third Edition. Revised May 2018 (with approved amendments)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (554KER060)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2016-05-25 and 2016-08-31
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: SWAMP QAPrP 2008
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plans, Quality Assurance Project Plans, and Standard Operating Procedures for the SWAMP program
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 122870, pH
Region 5     
Kern River, Lower
 
LOE ID: 214423
 
Pollutant: pH
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Non-Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 7
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SWAMP RWB5 Monitoring data for Kern River, Lower to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 7 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for pH.
Data Reference: Field, Habitat, Toxicity, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 5.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Water Quality Control Plan, Central Valley Region Tulare Basin: pH should not be lower than 6.5 or higher than 8.5.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Tulare Lake Basin Third Edition. Revised May 2018 (with approved amendments)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (554KER050)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2016-05-25 and 2016-08-31
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: SWAMP QAPrP 2008
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plans, Quality Assurance Project Plans, and Standard Operating Procedures for the SWAMP program
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 122870, pH
Region 5     
Kern River, Lower
 
LOE ID: 214560
 
Pollutant: pH
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Non-Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 7
Number of Exceedances: 1
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SWAMP RWB5 Monitoring data for Kern River, Lower to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 1 of 7 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for pH.
Data Reference: Field, Habitat, Toxicity, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 5.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Water Quality Control Plan, Central Valley Region Tulare Basin: pH should not be lower than 6.5 or higher than 8.5.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Tulare Lake Basin Third Edition. Revised May 2018 (with approved amendments)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (558KER090)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2016-05-25 and 2016-08-31
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: SWAMP QAPrP 2008
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plans, Quality Assurance Project Plans, and Standard Operating Procedures for the SWAMP program
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 122870, pH
Region 5     
Kern River, Lower
 
LOE ID: 214460
 
Pollutant: pH
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Non-Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 7
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SWAMP RWB5 Monitoring data for Kern River, Lower to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 7 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for pH.
Data Reference: Field, Habitat, Toxicity, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 5.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Water Quality Control Plan, Central Valley Region Tulare Basin: pH should not be lower than 6.5 or higher than 8.5.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Tulare Lake Basin Third Edition. Revised May 2018 (with approved amendments)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (554KER070)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2016-05-25 and 2016-08-31
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: SWAMP QAPrP 2008
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plans, Quality Assurance Project Plans, and Standard Operating Procedures for the SWAMP program
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 122870, pH
Region 5     
Kern River, Lower
 
LOE ID: 214736
 
Pollutant: pH
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Municipal & Domestic Supply
 
Number of Samples: 7
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SWAMP RWB5 Monitoring data for Kern River, Lower to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 7 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for pH.
Data Reference: Field, Habitat, Toxicity, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 5.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Water Quality Control Plan, Central Valley Region Tulare Basin: pH should not be lower than 6.5 or higher than 8.5.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Tulare Lake Basin Third Edition. Revised May 2018 (with approved amendments)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (554KER070)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2016-05-25 and 2016-08-31
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: SWAMP QAPrP 2008
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plans, Quality Assurance Project Plans, and Standard Operating Procedures for the SWAMP program
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 122870, pH
Region 5     
Kern River, Lower
 
LOE ID: 214710
 
Pollutant: pH
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Municipal & Domestic Supply
 
Number of Samples: 7
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SWAMP RWB5 Monitoring data for Kern River, Lower to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 7 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for pH.
Data Reference: Field, Habitat, Toxicity, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 5.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Water Quality Control Plan, Central Valley Region Tulare Basin: pH should not be lower than 6.5 or higher than 8.5.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Tulare Lake Basin Third Edition. Revised May 2018 (with approved amendments)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (558KER090)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2016-05-25 and 2016-08-31
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: SWAMP QAPrP 2008
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plans, Quality Assurance Project Plans, and Standard Operating Procedures for the SWAMP program
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 122870, pH
Region 5     
Kern River, Lower
 
LOE ID: 214709
 
Pollutant: pH
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Municipal & Domestic Supply
 
Number of Samples: 7
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SWAMP RWB5 Monitoring data for Kern River, Lower to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 7 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for pH.
Data Reference: Field, Habitat, Toxicity, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 5.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Water Quality Control Plan, Central Valley Region Tulare Basin: pH should not be lower than 6.5 or higher than 8.5.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Tulare Lake Basin Third Edition. Revised May 2018 (with approved amendments)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (554KER050)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2016-05-25 and 2016-08-31
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: SWAMP QAPrP 2008
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plans, Quality Assurance Project Plans, and Standard Operating Procedures for the SWAMP program
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 122870, pH
Region 5     
Kern River, Lower
 
LOE ID: 231200
 
Pollutant: pH
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 10
Number of Exceedances: 3
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SWAMP RWB5 Monitoring data for Kern River, Lower to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 3 of 10 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for pH.
Data Reference: Field, Habitat, Toxicity, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 5.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Water Quality Control Plan, Central Valley Region Tulare Basin: pH should not be lower than 6.5 or higher than 8.5.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Tulare Lake Basin Third Edition. Revised May 2018 (with approved amendments)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (554KER043)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2015-06-15 and 2016-08-31
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: SWAMP QAPrP 2008
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plans, Quality Assurance Project Plans, and Standard Operating Procedures for the SWAMP program
 
 
DECISION ID
94729
Region 5     
Kern River, Lower
 
Pollutant: Ammonia
Final Listing Decision: Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)(2016)
Revision Status Original
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Regional Board Conclusion: This is a decision previously approved by the State Water Resources Control Board and the USEPA. No new data or information were available during the 2014 Integrated Report cycle to reassess this water body segment and pollutant.
However, the original data was incorrectly assessed by not using the appropriate numeric water quality objective in the Tulare Lake Basin Plan.
The original, incorrect LOE was not associated with this new decision.
A new LOE, 95545, was created to document the single ammonia sample result as assessed using the correct water quality objective. LOE 95545 replaces the older incorrect LOE.
Ammonia, but not NH4N, data was assessed.
The decision has not changed from Do Not List.

This pollutant was reassessed for listing under section 3.1 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.1, a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status. Data was available from one line of evidence for this pollutant. The sample result was not assessed because the result was not detected at a reporting limit greater than the water quality objective; therefore, the sample result could not be quantified with the level of certainty required by the Listing Policy.

Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification against placing this water segment-pollution combination on the section 303(d) list.
The recommendation is based on 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. The ammonia level in the single water sample was not reported and the reporting limit was greater than the water quality objective. Therefore, the sample result could not be quantified with the level of certainty required by the Listing Policy.
4. Pursuant to section 3.1 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information was available indicating that standards are not met.
 
Regional Board Decision Recommendation: This is a decision previously approved by the State Water Resources Control Board and the USEPA. No new data or information were available during the 2014 Integrated Report cycle to reassess this water body segment and pollutant.
However, the original data was incorrectly assessed by not using the appropriate numeric water quality objective in the Tulare Lake Basin Plan.
The original data was reassessed, hence the Revision Status is Revised, and the decision has not changed (Do Not List).
 
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.
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 94729, Ammonia
Region 5     
Kern River, Lower
 
LOE ID: 95545
 
Pollutant: Ammonia
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Warm Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: Warm Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 0
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The ammonia as N concentration in the single sample was not detected, with a reporting limit of 1 mg/L. This sample result could not be assessed because the laboratory reporting limit was greater than the water quality objective and, therefore, the result could not be quantified with the level of certainty required by the Listing Policy.
Data Reference: SWAMP data entered by SWRCB into BDAT database
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Waters shall not contain un-ionized ammonia in amounts which adversely affect beneficial uses. In no case shall the discharge of wastes cause concentrations of un-ionized ammonia (NH3) to exceed 0.025 mg/l (as N) in receiving waters.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Tulare Lake Basin Second Edition. rev. Jan 2004
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The single sample was collected Kern Beach.
Temporal Representation: The single sample was collected on June 23, 2003.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Monitoring was conducted in accordance with the State Water Resources Control Board's Quality Assurance Program Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
71675
Region 5     
Kern River, Lower
 
Pollutant: Nitrate
Final Listing Decision: Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)(2016)
Revision Status Original
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Regional Board Conclusion: This is a decision previously approved by the State Water Resources Control Board and the USEPA. No new data or information was available during the 2014 Integrated Report cycle to reassess this water body segment and pollutant. The decision has not changed.

This pollutant is being considered for listing under sections 3.1 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.1 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status. Data is available from one line of evidence for this pollutant.

Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is not sufficient justification for placing this water segment-pollution combination on the section 303(d) list.

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. The single available water sample result does not exceed the evaluation guideline for the WARM beneficial use, and this sample size is insufficient to determine, with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy, the applicable beneficial use support rating. A minimum of 16 samples is needed to determine if a beneficial use is fully supported using 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: This is a decision previously approved by the State Water Resources Control Board and the USEPA. No new data or information was available during the 2014 Integrated Report cycle to reassess this water body segment and pollutant. The decision has not changed.

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.
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 71675, Nitrate
Region 5     
Kern River, Lower
 
LOE ID: 8820
 
Pollutant: Nitrate as Nitrate (NO3)
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Warm Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Not Specified
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Zero of the 1 samples collected by the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program exceeded the evaluation guideline for Nitrate-N.
Data Reference: SWAMP data entered by SWRCB into BDAT database
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: All waters shall be maintained free of toxic substances in concentrations that produce detrimental physiological responses in human, plant, animal, or aquatic life. This objective applies regardless of whether the toxicity is caused by a single substance or the interactive effect of multiple substances. (CRWQCB, 2006)
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the California Regional Water Quality Control Board Central Valley Region, Sacramento and San Joaquin River Basins. 4th ed
 
Evaluation Guideline: Nitrate-N levels should not to exceed 100 mg/L (USEPA National Ambient Water Quality Objective)
Guideline Reference: National Recommended Water Quality Criteria. United States Environmental Protection Agency. Office of Water. Office of Science and Technology
 
Spatial Representation: Samples were collected at Calloway Weir. Samples were collected at Hart Park. Samples were collected at Rancheria Rd..
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected from Jun 26 2003 to Jun 26 2003
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Monitoring was conducted in accordance with the State Water Resources Control Board's Quality Assurance Program Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program.
QAPP Information Reference(s):