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

Supporting Information

Regional Board 5 - Central Valley Region

Water Body Name: Deer Creek (from Deer Creek Reservoir to Lake Wildwood, Nevada County)
Water Body ID: CAR5172001220080623175736
Water Body Type: River & Stream
 
DECISION ID
126901
Region 5     
Deer Creek (from Deer Creek Reservoir to Lake Wildwood, Nevada County)
 
Pollutant: Indicator Bacteria
Final Listing Decision: Do Not Delist from 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)(2018)
Revision Status Revised
Sources: A Source Unknown
Expected TMDL Completion Date: 2027
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Regional Board Conclusion: The State Water Board’s Water Quality Control Plan for Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays, and Estuaries of California (the “ISWEBE Plan”) contains two bacteria water quality objectives applicable to the REC-1 beneficial use, which were adopted on August 7, 2018. Because the salinity level of this waterbody is equal to or less than 1 part per thousand 95 percent or more of the time, the E. coli bacteria objective applies Therefore, this waterbody is being considered for removal from the CWA section 303(d) List under section 4.3 of the Listing Policy, as applicable, using the E. Coli objective.

In accordance with section 6.1.5.3 of the Listing Policy, data should be representative of the critical timing that the pollutant is expected to impact the waterbody. Indicator bacteria (total coliform, fecal coliform, E. coli, enterococci) populations may fluctuate substantially on a daily, seasonal, or yearly basis. Lacking constant inputs, they do not persist in the environment for a long period and effects are of relatively short duration. As a result, the historic levels of indicator bacteria in the waterbody may be a poor indicator of current risks to human health, particularly when more recent data are available to sufficiently assess the water quality standard. Additionally, water quality conditions in waterbodies may change as a result of management actions that have been implemented to address bacteria. Unrepresentative data may result in incorrectly placing or not placing a water body segment on the list, which could result in the unnecessary expenditure of public resources or missing a human health problem.

Four lines of evidence are available based on the new E. coli objective. There are an insufficient number of samples available to apply the binomial distribution table in section 4.2 of the Listing Policy to determine beneficial use support.

Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is insufficient justification against removing this water segment-pollutant combination from 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. There are insufficient samples available to determine listing status using the newly adopted E. coli objective.
4. Pursuant to section 4.11 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 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: 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 126901, Indicator Bacteria
Region 5     
Deer Creek (from Deer Creek Reservoir to Lake Wildwood, Nevada County)
 
LOE ID: 59249
 
Pollutant: Escherichia coli (E. coli)
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 306
Number of Exceedances: 36
 
Data and Information Type: Not Specified
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Thirty-six of the 306 samples exceeded the E. coli objective.
Data Reference: Data for Mercury over dams at Lake Wildwood in Deer Creek watershed and Benthic Macro-Invertebrate (BMI) samples, 2000-2010.
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Waters shall not contain chemical constituents in concentrations that adversely affect beneficial uses. (Water Quality Control Plan, Central Valley Region, Sacramento River and San Joaquin River Basins)
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: The E. coli concentration shall not exceed more than 235/100 ml. USEPA Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Bacteria - 1986.
Guideline Reference: Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Bacteria - 1986. EPA440/5-84-002
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at Friends of Deer Creek monitoring site 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.
Temporal Representation: The samples were collcted from May 2005 to December 2010.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: The data was collected under the Water Monitoring Quality Asurance Project Plan for the Yuba Watershed Council Monitoring Committee. June 2008.
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Project Plan for the Yuba Watershed Council Monitoring Committee, Revision 1.3.
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 126901, Indicator Bacteria
Region 5     
Deer Creek (from Deer Creek Reservoir to Lake Wildwood, Nevada County)
 
LOE ID: 194653
 
Pollutant: Escherichia coli (E. coli)
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 6
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PATHOGEN MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed data for Deer Creek (from Deer Creek Reservoir to Lake Wildwood, Nevada County) to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows: 0 of the 6 samples exceeded the Statistical Threshold Value (STV) water quality threshold for E. coli. The STV is based on a 10% exceedance rate that is calculated monthly.
Data Reference: Field, Habitat, Toxicity, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 5.
 
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): 517NEV112
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the days of 2013-06-18 and 2014-09-29 .
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 126901, Indicator Bacteria
Region 5     
Deer Creek (from Deer Creek Reservoir to Lake Wildwood, Nevada County)
 
LOE ID: 59253
 
Pollutant: Escherichia coli (E. coli)
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: Not Specified
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Zero of the seven geomeans exceeded the E. coli objective.
Data Reference: Data for Mercury over dams at Lake Wildwood in Deer Creek watershed and Benthic Macro-Invertebrate (BMI) samples, 2000-2010.
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Waters shall not contain chemical constituents in concentrations that adversely affect beneficial uses. (Water Quality Control Plan, Central Valley Region, Sacramento River and San Joaquin River Basins)
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: The geometric mean for E. coli shall not exceed more than 126/100 ml. USEPA Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Bacteria - 1986.
Guideline Reference: Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Bacteria - 1986. EPA440/5-84-002
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at Friends of Deer Creek monitoring site 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.
Temporal Representation: The samples were collcted from May 2005 to December 2010.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: The data was collected under the Water Monitoring Quality Asurance Project Plan for the Yuba Watershed Council Monitoring Committee. June 2008.
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Project Plan for the Yuba Watershed Council Monitoring Committee, Revision 1.3.
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 126901, Indicator Bacteria
Region 5     
Deer Creek (from Deer Creek Reservoir to Lake Wildwood, Nevada County)
 
LOE ID: 194654
 
Pollutant: Escherichia coli (E. coli)
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 7
Number of Exceedances: 3
 
Data and Information Type: PATHOGEN MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed data for Deer Creek (from Deer Creek Reservoir to Lake Wildwood, Nevada County) to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows: 3 of the 7 samples exceeded the Statistical Threshold Value (STV) water quality threshold for E. coli. The STV is based on a 10% exceedance rate that is calculated monthly.
Data Reference: Field, Habitat, Toxicity, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 5.
 
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): 517NEV113
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the days of 2013-06-18 and 2014-09-29 .
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
131223
Region 5     
Deer Creek (from Deer Creek Reservoir to Lake Wildwood, Nevada County)
 
Pollutant: Mercury
Final Listing Decision: Do Not Delist from 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: Do Not Delist from 303(d) list (TMDL required list)(2018)
Revision Status Revised
Sources: A Source Unknown
Expected TMDL Completion Date: 2027
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Regional Board Conclusion: This pollutant is being considered for removal from the CWA section 303(d) List under section 4.5 and 4.11 of the Listing Policy. Under section 4.5 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status. Under section 4.11 when all other delisting factors do not result in the delisting of a water segment but information indicates attainment of standards, a water segment shall be evaluated to determine whether the weight of evidence demonstrates that water quality standard is attained. If the weight of evidence indicates attainment, the water segment shall be removed from the CWA section 303(d) List.

3 lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess the pollutant.

LOEs 22967 and 95477 are replaced with LOE 227533. LOE 227533 is a reassessment of the same data following the statewide mercury objectives adopted in 2017.

WILD beneficial use (sport fish objective):
LOE 227524: 1 of 1 samples exceed the mercury objective and consist of 2 trophic level 4 fish.

COMM beneficial use:
LOE 227533: 1 of 1 samples exceed the sport fish mercury objective and consist of 2 trophic level 4 fish.
LOE 22966: 4 of 18 samples exceed the objective for the total fraction of mercury in the water matrix.

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 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. Tissue samples were compared with the sport fish objective and 1 of 1 samples exceed for the WILD beneficial use and 1 of 1 samples exceed for the COMM beneficial use. The samples consist of trophic level 4 fish that are annual averages and are aggregated from less than eight fish. The sample does not meet the one exceeding sample of eight or more fish needed to determine non-attainment of the mercury objective following weight of evidence in Listing Policy section 3.11. However, for LOE 22966, 4 of 18 samples exceed the USEPA (CTR) numeric criterion for the protection of human health for the consumption of both water and fish that live in the water (as total mercury in the water matrix). This exceeds the allowable frequency listed in Table 3.1 of the Listing Policy.

A minimum of 3 annual averages based on composite fish tissue samples must meet the standard to indicate attainment of the standard.
4. Pursuant to section 4.11 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:
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 131223, Mercury
Region 5     
Deer Creek (from Deer Creek Reservoir to Lake Wildwood, Nevada County)
 
LOE ID: 22966
 
Pollutant: Mercury
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Commercial or recreational collection of fish, shellfish, or organisms
 
Number of Samples: 18
Number of Exceedances: 4
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water samples were collected at three locations from this reach, at DCL2, DCL5 and DCL6 (codes defined in Spatial Representation section). A total of 30 water samples were collected at these three locations representing eighteen 30-day average samples. Four out of the eighteen 30-day average samples exceeded the USEPA (CTR) mercury-based numeric criterion for human health. A total of 10 water samples were collected at each location representing six 30-day average samples for each station. DCL2: None of the six 30-day average samples exceeded the USEPA (CTR) mercury-based numeric criterion for human health. The total recoverable mercury concentrations in water ranged from 0.76 ng/l to 32.2 ng/l with an average of 10.8 ng/l for the six 30-day average samples. DCL5: Two of the six 30-day average samples exceeded the USEPA (CTR) mercury-based numeric criterion for human health. The total recoverable mercury concentrations in water ranged from 2.4 ng/l to 205 ng/l with an average of 57.7 ng/l for the six 30-day average samples. DCL6: Two of the six 30-day average samples exceeded the USEPA (CTR) mercury-based numeric criterion for human health. The total recoverable mercury concentrations in water ranged from 1.7 ng/l to 355 ng/l with an average of 112.4 ng/l for the six 30-day average samples.
Data Reference: Deer Creek Watershed Mercury Survey, draft 2-28-2007
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The USEPA (CTR) numeric criterion for the protection of human health for the consumption of both water and fish that live in the water is 50 ng/l (30-day average) for total recoverable mercury (40 CFR 131.38).
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
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Standards 2000. Establishment of numeric criteria for priority toxic pollutants for the State of California: Rules and regulations. Federal Register Vol. 65, No. 97. Washington, D.C.: Environmental Protection Agency
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Samples were taken from three stations located along this reach of Deer Creek: DCL2 (Deer Creek 20 m below Boulder Street ford on Willow Valley Road); DCL5 (Deer Creek one mile below Champion mine on Rothert property); and DCL6 (Deer Creek inlet at Lake Wildwood Drive bridge).
Temporal Representation: Water samples were collected during ten sampling events from 09/15/2005 to 6/29/2006.
Environmental Conditions: Samples represented a range of flow conditions, including two low-flow irrigation season events, four high-flow storms, and four intermediate-flow winter and spring events. Significant gold mining activity occurred during the Gold Rush era within the watershed of this reach of Deer Creek (USGS, 2005).
QAPP Information: Protocols for the water sampling conducted for this study are described in Field Sampling Protocols for Total Mercury Water Samples (Friends of Deer Creek, 2005). Quality Control for all of the elements described in section 6.1.4 of the Policy was conducted in accordance with the Citizen Water Monitoring Quality Assurance Project Plan For The Yuba Watershed Monitoring Committee (van der Veen, 2004). The Friends of Deer Creek¿s mercury survey was a collaboration with the Regional Water Quality Control Board/Central Valley Region and their CALFED mercury QA program.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 131223, Mercury
Region 5     
Deer Creek (from Deer Creek Reservoir to Lake Wildwood, Nevada County)
 
LOE ID: 227533
 
Pollutant: Mercury
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Tissue
Matrix: Tissue
Fraction: Fish fillet
 
Beneficial Use: Commercial or recreational collection of fish, shellfish, or organisms
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 1
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed USGS Report 00-367 data for Deer Creek (from Deer Creek Reservoir to Lake Wildwood, Nevada County) to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows: 1 of the 1 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Mercury. This LOE contains data only for trophic level 4 fish. The concentration of Mercury in fish collected within the same calendar year, for the same trophic level were averaged into a single sample for comparison with the objective. A total of 2 fish were aggregated into 1 annual averages, which consisted of 1 fish species (2 composite(s) of Brown Trout each composed of 1 fish per composite). Of these annual averages, 1 average(s), (Year(s): 1999) exceeded the objective.
Data Reference: Mercury Bioaccumulation in Fish in a Region Affected by Historic Gold Mining: The South Yuba River, Deer Creek, and Bear River Watersheds, California, 1999. U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 00-367. Prepared in cooperation with Bureau of Land Management; California State Water Resources Control Board; Nevada County Resource Conservation District; U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service; and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Sacramento, CA
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: All waters shall be maintained free of toxic substances in concentrations that are toxic to, or that produce detrimental physiological responses in human, plant, animal, or aquatic life. (Water Quality Control Plan for the California Regional Water Quality Control Board Central Valley Region, Sacramento and San Joaquin River Basins)
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: The Statewide Sport Fish Water Quality Objective for the protection of the Commercial and Sport Fishing beneficial comes from the Statewide Water Quality Control Plan for Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays, and Estuaries of California, and is 0.2 mg/Kg wet weight skinless fillet samples of trophic level 3, or trophic level 4 fish (whichever is highest in the water body) over a one year averaging period. Trophic levels of applicable fish are defined in, but not limited to those in Attachment C of the Final Regulatory Language document (Appendix A) of State Water Resources Control Board Resolution No. 2017-0027.
Guideline 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
 
Spatial Representation: Data was collected from 1 station(s) with the station code(s): Deer Creek near Willow Valley Road.
Temporal Representation: Data for this line of evidence were collected between 1999-10-06 and 1999-10-06. When composited fish were collected over multiple days, the first day of fish collection was used as the sample date in the LOE, both for LOE writing, and for averaging period purposes.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: In accordance with section 6.1.4 of the Listing Policy, data from major monitoring programs in California and Published USGS reports are considered of adequate quality.
QAPP Information Reference(s): This is a placeholder reference for data that was collected after QAPP requirements were developed, but exempt from the requirements.
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 131223, Mercury
Region 5     
Deer Creek (from Deer Creek Reservoir to Lake Wildwood, Nevada County)
 
LOE ID: 227524
 
Pollutant: Mercury
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Tissue
Matrix: Tissue
Fraction: Fish fillet
 
Beneficial Use: Wildlife Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 1
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed USGS Report 00-367 data for Deer Creek (from Deer Creek Reservoir to Lake Wildwood, Nevada County) to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows: 1 of the 1 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Mercury. This LOE contains data only for trophic level 4 fish. The concentration of Mercury in fish collected within the same calendar year, for the same trophic level were averaged into a single sample for comparison with the objective. A total of 2 fish were aggregated into 1 annual averages, which consisted of 1 fish species (2 composite(s) of Brown Trout each composed of 1 fish per composite). Of these annual averages, 1 average(s), (Year(s): 1999) exceeded the objective.
Data Reference: Mercury Bioaccumulation in Fish in a Region Affected by Historic Gold Mining: The South Yuba River, Deer Creek, and Bear River Watersheds, California, 1999. U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 00-367. Prepared in cooperation with Bureau of Land Management; California State Water Resources Control Board; Nevada County Resource Conservation District; U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service; and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Sacramento, CA
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: All waters shall be maintained free of toxic substances in concentrations that are toxic to, or that produce detrimental physiological responses in human, plant, animal, or aquatic life. (Water Quality Control Plan for the California Regional Water Quality Control Board Central Valley Region, Sacramento and San Joaquin River Basins)
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: The Statewide Sport Fish Water Quality Objective for the protection of Wildlife Habitat comes from the Statewide Water Quality Control Plan for Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays, and Estuaries of California, and is 0.2 mg/Kg wet weight skinless fillet samples of trophic level 3, or trophic level 4 fish (whichever is highest in the water body) over a one year averaging period. If trophic level 3 fish are used in the assessment then the Prey Fish Water Quality Objective must also be used to determine that the Sport Fish Objective is being met. Trophic levels of applicable fish are defined in, but not limited to those in Attachment C of the Final Regulatory Language document (Appendix A) of State Water Resources Control Board Resolution No. 2017-0027.
Guideline 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
 
Spatial Representation: Data was collected from 1 station(s) with the station code(s): Deer Creek near Willow Valley Road.
Temporal Representation: Data for this line of evidence were collected between 1999-10-06 and 1999-10-06. When composited fish were collected over multiple days, the first day of fish collection was used as the sample date in the LOE, both for LOE writing, and for averaging period purposes.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: In accordance with section 6.1.4 of the Listing Policy, data from major monitoring programs in California and Published USGS reports are considered of adequate quality.
QAPP Information Reference(s): This is a placeholder reference for data that was collected after QAPP requirements were developed, but exempt from the requirements.
 
 
DECISION ID
122882
Region 5     
Deer Creek (from Deer Creek Reservoir to Lake Wildwood, Nevada County)
 
Pollutant: pH
Final Listing Decision: Do Not Delist from 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)(2018)
Revision Status Revised
Sources: A Source Unknown
Expected TMDL Completion Date: 2027
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Regional Board Conclusion: This pollutant is being considered for removal from the CWA section 303(d) List under section 4.2 of the Listing Policy. Under this section a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status.

Seven lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. 1 of the 12 samples exceed the objective for COLD, REC-1 and REC-2.

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 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. 1 of the 12 samples exceed the objective for COLD, REC-1 and REC-2. These exceed 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: 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 removed from the section 303(d) list because applicable water quality standards for the pollutant are being exceeded.
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 122882, pH
Region 5     
Deer Creek (from Deer Creek Reservoir to Lake Wildwood, Nevada County)
 
LOE ID: 229111
 
Pollutant: pH
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Non-Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 6
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 Deer Creek (from Deer Creek Reservoir to Lake Wildwood, Nevada County) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 6 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 Sacramento River Basin and San Joaquin River Basin: pH should not be lower than 6.5 or higher than 8.5.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the California Regional Water Quality Control Board Central Valley Region, Sacramento and San Joaquin River Basins; Fifth Edition. Revised May 2018 (with approved amendments)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (517NEV113)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2013-06-18 and 2014-09-29
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 122882, pH
Region 5     
Deer Creek (from Deer Creek Reservoir to Lake Wildwood, Nevada County)
 
LOE ID: 229156
 
Pollutant: pH
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 6
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 Deer Creek (from Deer Creek Reservoir to Lake Wildwood, Nevada County) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 1 of 6 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 Sacramento River Basin and San Joaquin River Basin: pH should not be lower than 6.5 or higher than 8.5.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the California Regional Water Quality Control Board Central Valley Region, Sacramento and San Joaquin River Basins; Fifth Edition. Revised May 2018 (with approved amendments)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (517NEV112)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2013-06-18 and 2014-09-29
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 122882, pH
Region 5     
Deer Creek (from Deer Creek Reservoir to Lake Wildwood, Nevada County)
 
LOE ID: 229153
 
Pollutant: pH
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 6
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 Deer Creek (from Deer Creek Reservoir to Lake Wildwood, Nevada County) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 6 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 Sacramento River Basin and San Joaquin River Basin: pH should not be lower than 6.5 or higher than 8.5.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the California Regional Water Quality Control Board Central Valley Region, Sacramento and San Joaquin River Basins; Fifth Edition. Revised May 2018 (with approved amendments)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (517NEV113)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2013-06-18 and 2014-09-29
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 122882, pH
Region 5     
Deer Creek (from Deer Creek Reservoir to Lake Wildwood, Nevada County)
 
LOE ID: 228536
 
Pollutant: pH
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 6
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 Deer Creek (from Deer Creek Reservoir to Lake Wildwood, Nevada County) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 1 of 6 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 Sacramento River Basin and San Joaquin River Basin: pH should not be lower than 6.5 or higher than 8.5.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the California Regional Water Quality Control Board Central Valley Region, Sacramento and San Joaquin River Basins; Fifth Edition. Revised May 2018 (with approved amendments)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (517NEV112)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2013-06-18 and 2014-09-29
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 122882, pH
Region 5     
Deer Creek (from Deer Creek Reservoir to Lake Wildwood, Nevada County)
 
LOE ID: 229157
 
Pollutant: pH
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 6
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 Deer Creek (from Deer Creek Reservoir to Lake Wildwood, Nevada County) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 6 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 Sacramento River Basin and San Joaquin River Basin: pH should not be lower than 6.5 or higher than 8.5.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the California Regional Water Quality Control Board Central Valley Region, Sacramento and San Joaquin River Basins; Fifth Edition. Revised May 2018 (with approved amendments)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (517NEV113)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2013-06-18 and 2014-09-29
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 122882, pH
Region 5     
Deer Creek (from Deer Creek Reservoir to Lake Wildwood, Nevada County)
 
LOE ID: 228766
 
Pollutant: pH
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Non-Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 6
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 Deer Creek (from Deer Creek Reservoir to Lake Wildwood, Nevada County) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 1 of 6 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 Sacramento River Basin and San Joaquin River Basin: pH should not be lower than 6.5 or higher than 8.5.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the California Regional Water Quality Control Board Central Valley Region, Sacramento and San Joaquin River Basins; Fifth Edition. Revised May 2018 (with approved amendments)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (517NEV112)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2013-06-18 and 2014-09-29
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 122882, pH
Region 5     
Deer Creek (from Deer Creek Reservoir to Lake Wildwood, Nevada County)
 
LOE ID: 59473
 
Pollutant: pH
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Dissolved
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 583
Number of Exceedances: 125
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Numeric data generated from 583 samples collected had 125 exceedences.
Data Reference: Data for Mercury over dams at Lake Wildwood in Deer Creek watershed and Benthic Macro-Invertebrate (BMI) samples, 2000-2010.
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The pH shall not be depressed below 6.5 nor raised above 8.5.
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 from the following stations: 517DC2xxx 517DC3xxx 517DC4xxx 517DC5xxx 517DC6xxx
Temporal Representation: Samples were collected approximately 5 times a month from December 2000 to July 2010.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: SWAMP QAPP
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Project Plan for the Yuba Watershed Council Monitoring Committee, Revision 1.3.
QAPP Information Reference(s): Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program Quality Assurance Program Plan
 
 
DECISION ID
122881
Region 5     
Deer Creek (from Deer Creek Reservoir to Lake Wildwood, Nevada County)
 
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.

Five lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. 8 of the 561 samples exceed the objective for Cold Freshwater Habitat. 0 of the 12 samples exceed the objective for Fish Spawning.

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. 8 of the 561 samples exceed the objective for Cold Freshwater Habitat. 0 of the 12 samples exceed the objective for Fish Spawning. These do 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 122881, Oxygen, Dissolved
Region 5     
Deer Creek (from Deer Creek Reservoir to Lake Wildwood, Nevada County)
 
LOE ID: 209136
 
Pollutant: Oxygen, Dissolved
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 6
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 Deer Creek (from Deer Creek Reservoir to Lake Wildwood, Nevada County) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 6 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: The minimum dissolved oxygen concentration for waters designated as COLD is 7.0 mg/L. (Water Quality Control Plan, Central Valley Region, Sacramento River Basin and San Joaquin Basin)
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the California Regional Water Quality Control Board Central Valley Region, Sacramento and San Joaquin River Basins; Fifth Edition. Revised May 2018 (with approved amendments)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (517NEV112)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2013-06-18 and 2014-09-29
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 122881, Oxygen, Dissolved
Region 5     
Deer Creek (from Deer Creek Reservoir to Lake Wildwood, Nevada County)
 
LOE ID: 208472
 
Pollutant: Oxygen, Dissolved
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 6
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 Deer Creek (from Deer Creek Reservoir to Lake Wildwood, Nevada County) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 6 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: The minimum dissolved oxygen concentration for waters designated as COLD is 7.0 mg/L. (Water Quality Control Plan, Central Valley Region, Sacramento River Basin and San Joaquin Basin)
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the California Regional Water Quality Control Board Central Valley Region, Sacramento and San Joaquin River Basins; Fifth Edition. Revised May 2018 (with approved amendments)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (517NEV113)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2013-06-18 and 2014-09-29
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 122881, Oxygen, Dissolved
Region 5     
Deer Creek (from Deer Creek Reservoir to Lake Wildwood, Nevada County)
 
LOE ID: 208363
 
Pollutant: Oxygen, Dissolved
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Fish Spawning
 
Number of Samples: 6
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 Deer Creek (from Deer Creek Reservoir to Lake Wildwood, Nevada County) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 6 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: The minimum dissolved oxygen concentration for waters designated as SPWN is 7.0 mg/L. (Water Quality Control Plan, Central Valley Region, Sacramento River Basin and San Joaquin Basin)
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the California Regional Water Quality Control Board Central Valley Region, Sacramento and San Joaquin River Basins; Fifth Edition. Revised May 2018 (with approved amendments)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (517NEV113)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2013-06-18 and 2014-09-29
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 122881, Oxygen, Dissolved
Region 5     
Deer Creek (from Deer Creek Reservoir to Lake Wildwood, Nevada County)
 
LOE ID: 208942
 
Pollutant: Oxygen, Dissolved
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Fish Spawning
 
Number of Samples: 6
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 Deer Creek (from Deer Creek Reservoir to Lake Wildwood, Nevada County) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 6 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: The minimum dissolved oxygen concentration for waters designated as SPWN is 7.0 mg/L. (Water Quality Control Plan, Central Valley Region, Sacramento River Basin and San Joaquin Basin)
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the California Regional Water Quality Control Board Central Valley Region, Sacramento and San Joaquin River Basins; Fifth Edition. Revised May 2018 (with approved amendments)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (517NEV112)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2013-06-18 and 2014-09-29
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 122881, Oxygen, Dissolved
Region 5     
Deer Creek (from Deer Creek Reservoir to Lake Wildwood, Nevada County)
 
LOE ID: 62174
 
Pollutant: Oxygen, Dissolved
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Dissolved
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 549
Number of Exceedances: 8
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Numeric data generated from 549 samples collected had 8 exceedences.
Data Reference: Data for Mercury over dams at Lake Wildwood in Deer Creek watershed and Benthic Macro-Invertebrate (BMI) samples, 2000-2010.
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The dissolved oxygen concentrations shall not be reduced below the following minimum levels at any time: Waters designated COLD 7.0 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 from the following stations: 517DC2xxx 517DC3xxx 517DC4xxx 517DC5xxx 517DC6xxx
Temporal Representation: Samples were collected approximately thrice a month between December 2000 to May 2010
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: The data was collected under the Water Monitoring Quality Assurance Project Plan for the Yuba Watershed Council Monitoring Committee. June 2008.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
131133
Region 5     
Deer Creek (from Deer Creek Reservoir to Lake Wildwood, Nevada County)
 
Pollutant: Temperature, water
Final Listing Decision: Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: New Decision
Revision Status Revised
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Regional Board 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.

Six lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Zero of the 12 samples exceeded the OBJECTIVE for COLD, Fish Migration, and Fish Spawning.

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 12 samples exceeded the OBJECTIVE for COLD, Fish Migration, and Fish Spawning. 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 26 samples is needed to determine if a beneficial use is fully supported using table 3.2.
4. Pursuant to section 3.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are not met.
 
Regional Board 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 it cannot be determined if applicable water quality standards are not being exceeded.
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 131133, Temperature, water
Region 5     
Deer Creek (from Deer Creek Reservoir to Lake Wildwood, Nevada County)
 
LOE ID: 230345
 
Pollutant: Temperature, water
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Not Recorded
 
Beneficial Use: Fish Spawning
 
Number of Samples: 6
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 Deer Creek (from Deer Creek Reservoir to Lake Wildwood, Nevada County) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 6 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Temperature.
Data Reference: Field, Habitat, Toxicity, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 5.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The natural receiving water temperature of intrastate waters shall not be altered unless it can be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Regional Water Board that such alteration in temperature does not adversely affect beneficial uses (Sacramento-San Joaquin River Basin Plans.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the California Regional Water Quality Control Board Central Valley Region, Sacramento and San Joaquin River Basins; Fifth Edition. Revised May 2018 (with approved amendments)
 
Evaluation Guideline: Inland Fishes of California (Moyle 1976) states that for rainbow trout the optimum range for growth and completion of most life stages is 13-21 degrees C (page 129).
Guideline Reference: Inland Fishes of California
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (517NEV113)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2013-06-18 and 2014-09-29
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 131133, Temperature, water
Region 5     
Deer Creek (from Deer Creek Reservoir to Lake Wildwood, Nevada County)
 
LOE ID: 230521
 
Pollutant: Temperature, water
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Not Recorded
 
Beneficial Use: Fish Migration
 
Number of Samples: 6
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 Deer Creek (from Deer Creek Reservoir to Lake Wildwood, Nevada County) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 6 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Temperature.
Data Reference: Field, Habitat, Toxicity, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 5.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The natural receiving water temperature of intrastate waters shall not be altered unless it can be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Regional Water Board that such alteration in temperature does not adversely affect beneficial uses (Sacramento-San Joaquin River Basin Plans.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the California Regional Water Quality Control Board Central Valley Region, Sacramento and San Joaquin River Basins; Fifth Edition. Revised May 2018 (with approved amendments)
 
Evaluation Guideline: Inland Fishes of California (Moyle 1976) states that for rainbow trout the optimum range for growth and completion of most life stages is 13-21 degrees C (page 129).
Guideline Reference: Inland Fishes of California
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (517NEV113)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2013-06-18 and 2014-09-29
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 131133, Temperature, water
Region 5     
Deer Creek (from Deer Creek Reservoir to Lake Wildwood, Nevada County)
 
LOE ID: 230404
 
Pollutant: Temperature, water
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Not Recorded
 
Beneficial Use: Fish Migration
 
Number of Samples: 6
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 Deer Creek (from Deer Creek Reservoir to Lake Wildwood, Nevada County) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 6 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Temperature.
Data Reference: Field, Habitat, Toxicity, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 5.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The natural receiving water temperature of intrastate waters shall not be altered unless it can be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Regional Water Board that such alteration in temperature does not adversely affect beneficial uses (Sacramento-San Joaquin River Basin Plans.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the California Regional Water Quality Control Board Central Valley Region, Sacramento and San Joaquin River Basins; Fifth Edition. Revised May 2018 (with approved amendments)
 
Evaluation Guideline: Inland Fishes of California (Moyle 1976) states that for rainbow trout the optimum range for growth and completion of most life stages is 13-21 degrees C (page 129).
Guideline Reference: Inland Fishes of California
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (517NEV112)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2013-06-18 and 2014-09-29
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 131133, Temperature, water
Region 5     
Deer Creek (from Deer Creek Reservoir to Lake Wildwood, Nevada County)
 
LOE ID: 230435
 
Pollutant: Temperature, water
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Not Recorded
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 6
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 Deer Creek (from Deer Creek Reservoir to Lake Wildwood, Nevada County) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 6 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Temperature.
Data Reference: Field, Habitat, Toxicity, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 5.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The natural receiving water temperature of intrastate waters shall not be altered unless it can be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Regional Water Board that such alteration in temperature does not adversely affect beneficial uses (Sacramento-San Joaquin River Basin Plans.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the California Regional Water Quality Control Board Central Valley Region, Sacramento and San Joaquin River Basins; Fifth Edition. Revised May 2018 (with approved amendments)
 
Evaluation Guideline: Inland Fishes of California (Moyle 1976) states that for rainbow trout the optimum range for growth and completion of most life stages is 13-21 degrees C (page 129).
Guideline Reference: Inland Fishes of California
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (517NEV112)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2013-06-18 and 2014-09-29
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 131133, Temperature, water
Region 5     
Deer Creek (from Deer Creek Reservoir to Lake Wildwood, Nevada County)
 
LOE ID: 230522
 
Pollutant: Temperature, water
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Not Recorded
 
Beneficial Use: Fish Spawning
 
Number of Samples: 6
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 Deer Creek (from Deer Creek Reservoir to Lake Wildwood, Nevada County) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 6 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Temperature.
Data Reference: Field, Habitat, Toxicity, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 5.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The natural receiving water temperature of intrastate waters shall not be altered unless it can be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Regional Water Board that such alteration in temperature does not adversely affect beneficial uses (Sacramento-San Joaquin River Basin Plans.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the California Regional Water Quality Control Board Central Valley Region, Sacramento and San Joaquin River Basins; Fifth Edition. Revised May 2018 (with approved amendments)
 
Evaluation Guideline: Inland Fishes of California (Moyle 1976) states that for rainbow trout the optimum range for growth and completion of most life stages is 13-21 degrees C (page 129).
Guideline Reference: Inland Fishes of California
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (517NEV112)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2013-06-18 and 2014-09-29
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 131133, Temperature, water
Region 5     
Deer Creek (from Deer Creek Reservoir to Lake Wildwood, Nevada County)
 
LOE ID: 230227
 
Pollutant: Temperature, water
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Not Recorded
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 6
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 Deer Creek (from Deer Creek Reservoir to Lake Wildwood, Nevada County) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 6 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Temperature.
Data Reference: Field, Habitat, Toxicity, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 5.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The natural receiving water temperature of intrastate waters shall not be altered unless it can be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Regional Water Board that such alteration in temperature does not adversely affect beneficial uses (Sacramento-San Joaquin River Basin Plans.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the California Regional Water Quality Control Board Central Valley Region, Sacramento and San Joaquin River Basins; Fifth Edition. Revised May 2018 (with approved amendments)
 
Evaluation Guideline: Inland Fishes of California (Moyle 1976) states that for rainbow trout the optimum range for growth and completion of most life stages is 13-21 degrees C (page 129).
Guideline Reference: Inland Fishes of California
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (517NEV113)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2013-06-18 and 2014-09-29
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