TMDL for Nutrients in Lower Salinas River Watershed, Monterey County, California
This summary page is based on the Regional Water Quality Control Board Central Coast Region progress report on Total Maximum Daily Load for Nutrients and other TMDL projects for the Lower Salinas River Watershed, in Monterey County, California. This summary was prepared by the Spring 2011 ENVS 560/L Watershed Systems class at CSUMB.
Contents
- 1 Project Definition
- 2 Watershed Description
- 3 Problem Statement
- 4 Data Analysis
- 5 Numeric Target
- 6 Linkage Analysis
- 7 TMDL Development
- 8 Margin of Safety
- 9 Critical Conditions and Seasonal Variation
- 10 TMDL Allocations
- 11 Public Participation
- 12 Implementation and Monitoring
- 13 References
- 14 Links
- 15 Disclaimer
Project Definition
The California Regional Water Quality Control Board for the Central Coast Region (CCRWQCB) is currently developing a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) project for nutrients in the Lower Salinas Watershed in Monterey County. The CCRWQCB presented a progress report in June 2010 that contains background information, provisional nutrient targets,and a compilation of water quality data of water bodies in the region. Although the progress report identifies potential sources of nutrient loads, it emphasizes that the source analysis portion of the TMDL project is still pending.
This TMDL project will address these nutrient impairments in 303(d) listed water bodies of the lower Salinas River watershed:
Water Body | 2006 Listed Impairment | 2008 Listed Impairment |
---|---|---|
Alisal Creek | Nutrient | Chlorophyll-a, Nitrate |
Alisal Slough | Not Listed | Low Dissolved Oxygen, Nitrate |
Blanco Drain | Not Listed | Low Dissolved Oxygen, Nitrate |
Chualar Creek | Not Listed | Ammonia (Unionized), Nitrate |
Esperanza Creek | Not Listed | Nitrate |
Espinosa Slough | Not Listed | Ammonia (Unionized), Nitrate |
Gabilan Creek | Nitrate | Ammonia (Unionized), Nitrate |
Merrit Ditch | Not Listed | Ammonia (Unionized), Low Dissolved Oxygen, Nitrate |
Moro Cojo Slough | Ammonia (Unionized),Low Dissolved Oxygen | Ammonia (Unionized), Low Dissolved Oxygen |
Natividad Creek | Nitrate | Ammonia (Unionized), Low Dissolved Oxygen |
Old Salinas River | Not Listed | Chlorophyll-a, Low Dissolved Oxygen, Nitrate |
Old Salinas River Estuary | Ammonia (Unionized), Low Dissolved Oxygen, Nutrients | Nutrients |
Quail Creek | Nutrients | Ammonia (Unionized), Low Dissolved Oxygen, Nitrate |
Salinas Reclamation Canal | Ammonia (Unionized), Low Dissolved Oxygen | Ammonia (Unionized), Low Dissolved Oxygen, Nitrate |
Salinas River (lower, estuary to near Gonzales Rd
Crossing) |
Nitrate, Nutrients | Nitrate |
Salinas River Lagoon (North) | Nutrients | Nutrients |
Santa Rita Creek | Nitrate | Ammonia (Unionized), Low Dissolved Oxygen, Nitrate |
Tembladero Slough | Ammonia (Unionized), Nutrients | Chlorophyll-a, Nitrate, Nutrients |
Watershed Description
Gabby
Problem Statement
Shaelyn
Data Analysis
Shaelyn
Numeric Target
Kathy
Linkage Analysis
Kathy
TMDL Development
Natalie
- target concentration
The TMDL target for nutrients for the lower Salinas valley is identified as a numeric target. The target concentrations vary based on what the location of the water bodies withing the Salinas Valley. These preliminary target concentrations are based on the 95th percentile of CCAMP reference sites. These reference sites might not be representative of "valley floor streams, sloughs and water conveyance structures"(ref nutrient report), which are more commonly found in the Salinas Valley.
The target allowable concentrations are established for phosphorus and nitrogen. The allowable numeric targets were calculated using the NNE (nutrient numeric endpoints) benthic biomass predictor tool. This tool predicts biological responses based on nutrient conditions present in the water body. The numeric targets for nutrient concentration are temperature dependent. The classifications for water temperature are either warm or cold. Parameters that are included in the predictor tool include nutrients (natural and anthropogenic), canopy closure, water temp, latitude, flow velocity and depth.
- goal
- allowable levels
- The provisional target concentrations are -table on page 107
- example
Margin of Safety
Natalie
- accounts for uncertainty in the linkage between water temperature and nutrient pollutant concentration in the receiving water body
Critical Conditions and Seasonal Variation
Roger
TMDL Allocations
Roger
Public Participation
Michelle
Implementation and Monitoring
Michelle
Implementation
Monitoring
References
Links
Disclaimer
This page may contain student work completed as part of assigned coursework. It may not be accurate. It does not necessary reflect the opinion or policy of CSUMB, its staff, or students.