Bibliography Background About KRIS
Hypothesis #3: Poor water quality limits the production of salmonids in Americano, Stemple, Walker, and Redwood Creeks
Several studies have described degraded water quality conditions in the Stemple and Americano Creek watersheds (Rugg 2002, Rugg 2000, MSC 1996, CRWQCB 1995, UCCE 1995, PCI 1994) and available data demonstrates that ammonia and dissolved oxygen levels fall outside the range suitable for salmonids in certain instances. Madrone (1977) noted that historic salmonid runs may have been eliminated in part due to this poor water quality in the esteros. The Stemple Creek watershed was listed in 1990 as an impaired waterbody under Section 303(d) of the federal Clean Water Act for high ammonia and low dissolved oxygen (CRWQCB 1995) and is currently listed as impaired for nutrients and sediment (CRWQCB 2002). The Americano Creek watershed is only listed for nutrients. A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) was established for Stemple Creek in 1997 which set numeric targets for dissolved oxygen, temperature, pH, total and un-ionized ammonia, and sediment. The TMDL created an implementation and monitoring plan (Salisbury, 1997) and the Marin RCD has also established a plan to help reduce pollutants in the watershed (PCI 1994). Some improvement in the water quality of Stemple Creek (Rugg 2002, CRWQCB 1995) and Americano Creek (Rugg 2000) has been suggested, but Rugg (2000, 2002) has noted some reversal of improvements in both watersheds as well.
The Walker Creek watershed is listed under Section 303(d) of the federal Clean Water Act for impairment by nutrients, mercury, and sedimentation (CRWQCB 2002). Fecal coliform levels were measured at six locations, five times in the January-February 2001 period. The average per site ranged from 1489 MPN/ml to 18,876 MPN/ml compared with a Tomales Bay tributary maximum target value of 400 MPN/ml. Very limited monitoring of dissolved oxygen by the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board as a part of the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP) indicates that minimum dissolved oxygen levels in Walker Creek would be deleterious to salmonids.
Redwood Creek has been found to have low dissolved oxygen and high nutrient and fecal coliform levels (PWA et al. 1994, Schanz 1995). Smith (1994, 1997, 2001) also found conditions of low dissolved oxygen in isolated pools during low flow conditions in lower Redwood Creek and has attributed this to a reduction in salmonid abundance. Schanz said that this low dissolved oxygen was the key factor limiting juvenile fish survival in the pools near Muir Beach. This document noted that, in addition to lack of circulation during low flows, nutrient concentrations may be lowering the dissolved oxygen. High fecal coliform levels found in the watershed may indicate the presence of pathogenic organisms and increased biological oxygen demand (BOD) (Schanz 1995). Golden Gate National Recreation Area also conducted intensive water quality monitoring from 1998-2001, which identified poor water quality (i.e. low dissolved oxygen) under low flow conditions downstream of the Muir Beach Community Service District’s pedestrian bridge (GOGA 2002). Periods of low dissolved oxygen conditions have also been found in lower Easkoot Creek, a tributary of Bolinas Lagoon (Fong, 2002).
The Lagunitas Creek watershed is listed as impaired for nutrients, pathogens, and sedimentation, and Tomales Bay is listed for all four impairments under Section 303(d) of the federal Clean Water Act (CRWQCB 2002). The San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board is currently establishing a pathogen TMDL for Tomales Bay and its tributaries (CRWQCB 2002). Water quality monitoring conducted by the Point Reyes National Seashore found high fecal coliform in the Olema Creek watershed, a tributary of Lagunitas Creek, as well as the Drakes Estero watersheds, which drain to the Pacific Ocean (NPS 2001). This document also listed concerns with high levels of conductivity, unionized ammonia, and fecal coliform in other nearby small tributaries unlikely to have much fisheries value.
KRIS Topics
The following Topics in KRIS West-Marin Sonoma provide data relevant to the hypothesis. The two-letter abbreviations refer to the sub-basin where the topic is located. From each topic, the Info Links tab provides access to background information and relevant documents.
(AC) WQ: Ammonia (Un-ionized) in Americano Creek/Estero Americano 1988-1990
(AC) WQ: Ammonia (Un-ionized) in Bloomfield Fork 1996-2001
(AC) WQ: Dissolved Oxygen in Americano Creek/Estero Americano 1988-1990
(AC) WQ: Dissolved Oxygen in Bloomfield Fork 1997-2001
(SC) WQ: Ammonia (Unionized) in Stemple Creek 1990-2001
(SC) WQ: Dissolved Oxygen in Stemple Creek 1990-2001
(WC) WQ: Dissolved Oxygen (Minimum) in Walker Creek 2002
(WC) WQ: Fecal Coliform in Walker Creek Watershed 2001
(RC) WQ: Dissolved Oxygen Redwood Creek Above Hwy 1, 1999
(RC) WQ: Dissolved Oxygen in Easkoot Creek 2000
(LC) WQ: Fecal Coliform in Lagunitas Creek Watershed 2001
(LC) WQ: Fecal Coliform in Olema Creek 1999-2001
(DB) WQ: Fecal Coliform Drakes Bay Tributaries 1999-2001
References
California Regional Water Quality Control Board (CRWQCB). 1995. Stemple Creek water quality characteristics and a maximum daily load process, Marin and Sonoma Counties . CRWQCB, North Coast Region . Santa Rosa, CA. 33 pp. [1.1Mb]**
California Regional Water Quality Control Board (CRWQCB). 2002. 2002 Clean Water Act Section 303(d) list of water quality limited segments. CRWQCB, San Francisco Bay Region. San Francisco, CA. 199 pp. [711kb]
Fong, D. 2002. Summer 1995 stream habitat and benthic macroinvertebrate inventory, Redwood Creek, Marin County, California. Prepared for the National Park Service, Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Division of Natural Resource Management and Science. San Francisco, CA. 70 pp. [2.1Mb]
Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GOGA). 2002. Environmental Assessment Lower Redwood Creek interim flood reduction measures and floodplain/channel restoration. 55 pp. [540kb]
Madrone Associates. 1977. The natural resources of Esteros Americano and de San Antonio. Prepared for California Department of Fish and Game, Coastal Wetland Series #20. 81 pp. plus appendices Note: Citation only.
Merritt Smith Consulting. 1996. Aquatic biological resources impact analysis report. Santa Rosa Subregional Long-term Wastewater Project. Prepared for City of Santa Rosa and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers . Prepared by Merritt Smith Consulting for Harland Bartholomew & Associates. Lafayette, CA. 62 pp. [1.4Mb]
Merritt Smith Consulting. 1996. Aquatic habitat survey results. Santa Rosa Subregional Long-term Wastewater Project. Prepared for City of Santa Rosa and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Prepared by Merritt Smith Consulting for Harland Bartholomew & Associates. Lafayette, CA. 33 pp. [161kb]
Merritt Smith Consulting (MSC). 1996. Aquatic life survey results. Santa Rosa Subregional Long-term Wastewater Project. Prepared for City of Santa Rosa and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers . Prepared by MSC for Harland Bartholomew & Associates. Lafayette, CA. 30 pp. [1.6Mb]
Merritt Smith Consulting (MSC). 1996. Environmental conditions in west County waterways. Santa Rosa Subregional Long-term Wastewater Project. Prepared for City of Santa Rosa and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Prepared by MSC for Harland Bartholomew & Associates. Layfette, CA. 206 pp. [11.8Mb]
Pacific Watershed Associates (PWA). 2002. Summary report: 2000 S.B. 271 Watershed assessment and erosion prevention planning project for the Redwood Creek Watershed, Marin County, California . Prepared by PWA for Muir Beach Community Services District, California Department of Fish and Game, Marin Municipal Water District, and National Park Service by PWA. Arcata, CA. 52 pp. [666kb]**
Prunuske Chatham Inc. 1994. Stemple Creek/Estero de San Antonio watershed enhancement plan. Prepared for Marin Resource Conservation District and Southern Sonoma County Resource Conservation District. Occidental, CA. 175 pp. [1.2Mb]**
Rugg, M. E. 2000. Marin-Sonoma Counties agricultural runoff influence investigation, 1999-2000 summary. California Department of Fish and Game. Yountville, CA. 16 pp. [140kb]
Rugg, M. E. 2002. Marin-Sonoma Counties agricultural runoff influence investigation, 2000-2001 summary. California Department of Fish and Game. Yountville, CA . 7 pp. [33kb]**
Salisbury, D. L. 1997. Total maximum daily load and attainment strategy for the Stemple Creek watershed. Prepared for the California Regional Water Quality Control Board North Coast Region. Santa Rosa, CA. 38 pp. [164kb]** 164k.
Schanz, R. W., J. Florsheim, and P. B. Williams. 1995. Analysis of land use impacts on water quality and quantity in Redwood Creek. Prepared for the National Park Service, Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Phillip Williams & Associates, Ltd. San Francisco, CA. 65 pp. [778kb]**
Smith, J. J. 1994. The effect of drought and pumping on steelhead and coho in Redwood Creek from July to October 1994. Prepared for the National Park Service, Golden Gate National Recreation Area. San Jose, CA. 6 pp. [33kb]**
Smith, J. J. 1994. Effects of streamflow reductions on fish habitat quality in Redwood Creek and lagoon. Prepared for the National Park Service, Golden Gate National Recreation Area. San Jose, CA. 4 pp. [14kb]**
University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE). 1995. The Marin coastal watershed enhancement project final report . Novato, CA. 89 pp. [1.9Mb]**
