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

Supporting Information

Regional Board 6 - Lahontan Region

Water Body Name: Robinson Creek (Hwy 395 to Bridgeport Res)
Water Body ID: CAR6303005020011214081721
Water Body Type: River & Stream
 
DECISION ID
76595
Region 6     
Robinson Creek (Hwy 395 to Bridgeport Res)
 
Pollutant: Indicator Bacteria
Final Listing Decision: Do Not Delist from 303(d) list (being addressed with action other than TMDL)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: Do Not Delist from 303(d) list (being addressed with action other than TMDL)(2016)
Revision Status Revised
Sources: Agricultural Water Diversion | Agriculture-grazing | Grazing-Related Sources | Natural Sources | Pasture Grazing-Riparian and/or Upland | Streambank Modification/Destabilization | Unknown Nonpoint Source
Expected Attainment Date: 2028
Implementation Action Other than TMDL: This listing is being addressed through the implementation of management practices for livestock grazing under Lahontan RWQCB Resolution R6T-2017-0033, Waiver of Waste Discharge Requirements for Grazing Operations in the East Walker River Watershed (Bridgeport Valley and Tributaries) of the Lahontan Region.
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Regional Board Conclusion: This pollutant is being considered for removal from the section 303(d) list under section 4.3 of the Listing Policy. Under 4.3 of the Policy, a minimum of one line of evidence is needed to assess listing status.

Seven lines of evidence, one which assesses E. coli data against the REC-1 beneficial use, two which assess fecal coliform data against the MUN beneficial use, three which assess fecal coliform data against the REC-1 beneficial use and a placeholder LOE for pathogens for a listing cycle prior to 2006, are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. 1 of 9 E. coli samples exceed the objective for the REC-1 beneficial use, 7 of 9 fecal coliform geomean samples exceed the objective for the MUN beneficial use, 6 of 9 fecal coliform statistical threshold samples exceed the objective for the MUN beneficial use, 11 of 28 fecal coliform samples exceed the objective for the REC-1 beneficial use and an unknown number of samples exceed the objectives for the placeholder pathogen LOE.

Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification against removing this water segment-pollutant combination from the section 303(d) list.

In 2017 the Lahontan Water Board approved Resolution R6T-2017-0033, Waiver of Waste Discharge Requirements for Grazing Operations in the East Walker River Watershed (Bridgeport Valley and Tributaries) of the Lahontan Region. This waiver is designed to improve water quality in the Bridgeport Valley, of which mid-branch Buckeye Creek is a waterbody. The waiver expects water quality to attain WQOs by 2028.

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. 1 of 9 E. coli samples, 7 of 9 fecal coliform geomean samples and 6 of 9 fecal coliform statistical threshold value samples exceeded the objective and this exceeds the allowable frequency listed in Table 4.2 of the Listing Policy. 4. Pursuant to section 4.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are met.
 
Regional Board Decision Recommendation: After review of the available data and information, RWQCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should not be removed from the section 303(d) list because applicable water quality standards for the pollutant are being exceeded.
 
State Board Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:
 
State Board Decision Recommendation:
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 76595, Indicator Bacteria
Region 6     
Robinson Creek (Hwy 395 to Bridgeport Res)
 
LOE ID: 129205
 
Pollutant: Fecal Coliform
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Municipal & Domestic Supply
 
Number of Samples: 9
Number of Exceedances: 6
 
Data and Information Type: PATHOGEN MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed RWB6_BACT_Monitoring data for Robinson Creek (Hwy 395 to Bridgeport Res) to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows: 6 of the 9 samples exceeded the water quality standard for Coliform, Fecal. The water quality standard is based on a 10% exceedance rate that is calculated monthly.
Data Reference: Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for Regional Water Board 6 Bacteria Monitoring.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Waters shall not contain concentrations of coliform organisms attributable to anthropogenic sources, including human and livestock wastes. The fecal coliform concentration during any 30-day period shall not exceed a log mean of 20/100 ml, nor shall more than 10 percent of all samples collected during any 30-day period exceed 40/100 ml. (Lahontan Region Basin Plan)
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site(s), station(s): RBS.10
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the days of 2014-06-03 and 2015-10-14 .
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
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 76595, Indicator Bacteria
Region 6     
Robinson Creek (Hwy 395 to Bridgeport Res)
 
LOE ID: 129467
 
Pollutant: Fecal Coliform
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Municipal & Domestic Supply
 
Number of Samples: 9
Number of Exceedances: 7
 
Data and Information Type: PATHOGEN MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed RWB6_BACT_Monitoring data for Robinson Creek (Hwy 395 to Bridgeport Res) to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows: 7 of the 9 samples exceeded the logmean water quality standard for Coliform, Fecal. This is a 30-day rolling logmean that is calculated daily.
Data Reference: Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for Regional Water Board 6 Bacteria Monitoring.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Waters shall not contain concentrations of coliform organisms attributable to anthropogenic sources, including human and livestock wastes. The fecal coliform concentration during any 30-day period shall not exceed a log mean of 20/100 ml. (Lahontan Region Basin Plan)
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site(s), station(s): RBS.10
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the days of 2014-06-03 and 2015-10-14 .
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
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 76595, Indicator Bacteria
Region 6     
Robinson Creek (Hwy 395 to Bridgeport Res)
 
LOE ID: 100033
 
Pollutant: Escherichia coli (E. coli)
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 9
Number of Exceedances: 1
 
Data and Information Type: PATHOGEN MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed RWB6_BACT_Monitoring data for Robinson Creek (Hwy 395 to Bridgeport Res) to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows: 1 of the 9 samples exceeded the Statistical Threshold Value (STV) water quality standard for E. coli. The STV is based on a 10% exceedance rate that is calculated monthly.
Data Reference: Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for Regional Water Board 6 Bacteria Monitoring.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The bacteria water quality objective applicable to all waters, except Lake Tahoe, where the salinity is less than 10 parts per thousand (ppth) 95 percent or more of the time is a STATISTICAL THRESHOLD VALUE (STV) of 320 cfu/100 mL not to be exceeded more than 10 percent of the time (calculated monthly).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays, and Estuaries Plan. Part 1: Trash Provisions; Part 2: Tribal Subsistence Beneficial Uses and Mercury Provisions; Part 3: Bacteria Provisions and Variance Policy
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site(s), station(s): RBS.10
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the days of 2014-06-03 and 2015-10-14 .
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
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 76595, Indicator Bacteria
Region 6     
Robinson Creek (Hwy 395 to Bridgeport Res)
 
LOE ID: 32254
 
Pollutant: Fecal Coliform
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 6
Number of Exceedances: 2
 
Data and Information Type: Not Specified
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Two of the six samples exceeded the Fecal Coliform objective.
Data Reference: RWB6 Trend Monitoring CY2006 CY2007
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The fecal coliform concentration shall not exceed more than 40/100 ml.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected from station 630RBS007 - No. Branch Robinson Creek, upstream bridge.
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected once a month from August to December 2007.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: 2002 QAMP (Quality Assurance Management Plan) for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Management Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. Sacramento, CA. State Water Resources Control Board. SWAMP. December 2002 (1st version)
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 76595, Indicator Bacteria
Region 6     
Robinson Creek (Hwy 395 to Bridgeport Res)
 
LOE ID: 27590
 
Pollutant: Fecal Coliform
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 16
Number of Exceedances: 6
 
Data and Information Type: Water column surveys (e.g. fecal coliform)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Swauger Creek was placed on the Section 303(d) list in 2002 as a result of sampling in 2000 and 2001 by the U.S. Geological Survey. At least 6 of 16 monthly fecal coliform samples exceeded the 40 colonies per 100 mL limit. Fecal coliform counts ranged from nondetectable to K670 colonies per 100 mL. Some of the sampling results were reported with a "K" code indicating that the bacteria count was outside of the acceptable range or ideal count of 20-60 colonies per plate. These USGS data were part of the longer study referenced as Rockwell and Honeywell.
Data Reference: 2007. SWAMP Data for the West Walker River and East Walker River Hydrologic Units
  Administrative Record of Lahontan RWQCB's 2001-2002 Section 303(d) List Update Process Resolution R6T-2002-0002
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The Lahontan Basin Plan's regionwide Water Quality objective for coliform bacteria states: "Waters shall not contain concentrations of coliform organisms attributable to anthropogenic sources, including human and livestock wastes. The fecal coliform concentration during any 30-day period shall not exceed a log mean of 20/100 ml, nor shall more than 10 percent of all samples collected during any 30-day period exceed 40/100 ml. The log mean shall ideally be based on a minimum of not less than five samples collected as evenly spaced as practicable during any 30-day period. However, a log mean concentration exceeding 20/100 ml for any 30-day period shall indicate violation of this objective even if fewer than five samples were collected."
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Robinson Creek at Bridgeport Reservoir, was sampled.
Temporal Representation: Robinson Creek was sampled monthly between April 2000 and June 2001.
Environmental Conditions: Robinson Creek originates near the Sierra Nevada Crest. There are several small lakes and streams near its headwaters. Upper and Lower Twin Lakes are onstream glacial lakes that are now managed as reservoirs. Below Lower Twin Lake, Robinson Creek flows about nine miles to Bridgeport REservoir. Near Bridgeport Reservor, the creek flows through wet meadows used for livestock grazing..
QAPP Information: The study was done using USGS quality assurance procedures.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 76595, Indicator Bacteria
Region 6     
Robinson Creek (Hwy 395 to Bridgeport Res)
 
LOE ID: 34860
 
Pollutant: Fecal Coliform
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 6
Number of Exceedances: 3
 
Data and Information Type: Not Specified
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Three of the six samples exceeded the fecal coliform objective.
Data Reference: RWB6 Trend Monitoring CY2006 CY2007
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The fecal coliform concentration during any 30-day period shall not exceed a log mean of 20/100 ml. Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected from station 630RBS007 - No. Branch Robinson Creek, upstream bridge.
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected once a month from August to December 2007.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: 2002 QAMP (Quality Assurance Management Plan) for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Management Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. Sacramento, CA. State Water Resources Control Board. SWAMP. December 2002 (1st version)
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 76595, Indicator Bacteria
Region 6     
Robinson Creek (Hwy 395 to Bridgeport Res)
 
LOE ID: 4634
 
Pollutant: Pathogens
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Not Recorded
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 0
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Not Specified
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Unspecified--This LOE is a placeholder to support a 303(d) listing decision made prior to 2006.
Data Reference: Placeholder reference pre-2006 303(d)
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Unspecified
Objective/Criterion Reference: Placeholder reference pre-2006 303(d)
 
Evaluation Guideline: Unspecified
Guideline Reference: Placeholder reference pre-2006 303(d)
 
Spatial Representation: Unspecified
Temporal Representation: Unspecified
Environmental Conditions: Unspecified
QAPP Information: Unspecified
QAPP Information Reference(s):