DRAFT 5/01/2012

Asotin Creek Water Quality

Fecal Coliform Bacteria Study

May 2012
Publication No. 12-03-0xx

Publication and Contact Information

This report is available on the Department of Ecologys website at
www.ecy.wa.gov/biblio/1203xxx.html
Data for this project are available at Ecologys Environmental Information Management (EIM)
website www.ecy.wa.gov/eim/index.htm. Search User Study ID, JROS0005.
The Activity Tracker Code for this study is 10-171.

For more information contact:

Publications Coordinator
Environmental Assessment Program
P.O. Box 47600, Olympia, WA 98504-7600
Phone: (360) 407-6764

Washington State Department of Ecology - www.ecy.wa.gov/

o Headquarters, Olympia
(360) 407-6000
o Northwest Regional Office, Bellevue
(425) 649-7000
o Southwest Regional Office, Olympia
(360) 407-6300
o Central Regional Office, Yakima
(509) 575-2490
o Eastern Regional Office, Spokane
(509) 329-3400

Cover photo: Asotin Creek near mouth

Any use of product or firm names in this publication is for descriptive purposes only and
does not imply endorsement by the author or the Department of Ecology.
If you need this document in a format for the visually impaired, call 360-407-6764.

Persons with hearing loss can call 711 for Washington Relay Service.
Persons with a speech disability can call 877-833-6341.

Asotin Creek Water Quality

Fecal Coliform Bacteria Study
by
James Ross

Environmental Assessment Program

Washington State Department of Ecology
Olympia, Washington 98504-7710

Waterbody Number(s): WA-35-1030

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This page is purposely left blank

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Table of Contents
Page
List of Figures and Tables....................................................................................................4
Abstract ................................................................................................................................5
Acknowledgements ..............................................................................................................6
Background ..........................................................................................................................7
Methods.............................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
Results ................................................................................................................................12
Discussion ..........................................................................................................................15
Conclusions ........................................................................................................................15
Recommendations .............................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
References ..........................................................................................................................16
Appendices .........................................................................................................................18
Appendix A. (title) ...................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Appendix x. Glossary, Acronyms, and Abbreviations ...............................................25

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List of Figures and Tables

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Abstract
Asotin Creek is currently designated a category 5 waterbody for fecal coliform (FC) bacteria,
indicating a need for a Total maximum Daily load (TMDL) study. Ecology would like to
determine if Asotin Creek could be designated into category 4b, which would not require a
TMDL. It was postulated that failing on-site sewage systems located in the lower reaches of
Asotin Creek were responsible for FC loads. If these sources could be isolated and remediated,
the designation into 4b should be successful. In 2011, Ecologys Environmental Assessment
Program (EAP) sampled up to nine sites on a bi-monthly basis during low flow conditions.
Results indicated no significant FC loading in the lowest reaches of Asotin Creek. The sampling
also revealed that FC contamination remains an issue in both Asotin and George Creek
watersheds.

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Acknowledgements
The authors of this report thank the following people for their contributions to this study:

Mitch Dimke, Carl Flynn, Tom Tower , Sam and Rose Gatherer for access from their
property to conduct monitoring activities

Brad Johnson, Asotin County PUD for providing contact to landowners

Bob Dice, Asotin wildlife area manager, WDFW for allowing access through property

Washington State Department of Ecology staff:

o Mitch Wallace for gaging support
o Brian Gallagher, Scott Tarbutton, Andy Albrecht, Tighe Stuart for field support
o Nancy Rosenbower, Leon Weiks, Nancy Jensen and the Inorganics unit of Manchester
Lab

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Background
Asotin Creek is located in Asotin and Garfield Counties in southeast Washington State. The
headwaters are located in the Blue Mountains at an elevation of 6200 feet. The mouth of the stream is
located in the town of Asotin where it enters the Snake River at an elevation of 800 feet (WSU,
2000). The Asotin Creek watershed is approximately 208,000 acres. Major tributaries include George
Creek, the North and South Forks of Asotin Creek, Lick Creek, and Charley Creek. Rangeland,
cropland, and forestland are the predominant land uses within the Asotin Creek subbasin (Stovall,
2001). Residential areas represent a small portion of the watershed, with single-family homes next to
Asotin Creek between river mile 0.5 (just upstream of the Highway 129 Bridge) and river mile 1.6.
Asotin Creek is currently listed on the 303(d) list as a Category 5 waterbody for fecal coliform
bacteria (FC). Category 5 sites require TMDLs. Ecology would like to designate Asotin Creek into
the 4b category. Before that can be done, the downstream bacteria loads need to be addressed. If the
exceedances can be traced to a source, or sources, and these can be mitigated, the 4b designation
could be attained.

Fecal Coliform Bacteria

Bacteria criteria are set to prevent waterborne illnesses in people who work and play in and on the
water. Ecologys water quality standards use FC as an indicator bacteria for the states freshwaters
such as lakes and streams. FC in water indicates the presence of waste from humans and other
warm-blooded animals. Waste from warm-blooded animals is more likely to contain pathogens that
will cause illness in humans than is waste from cold-blooded animals. The FC criteria are set at
levels shown to maintain low rates of serious intestinal illness (gastroenteritis) in people.
The Primary Contact use is intended for waters where a person would have direct contact with
water to the point of complete submergence including, but not limited to, skin diving, swimming, and
waterskiing. More to the point, however, the use is designated to any waters where human exposure
is likely to include exposure of the eyes, ears, nose, throat, and urogenital system. Since children are
also the most sensitive group for many of the waterborne pathogens of concern, even shallow waters
may warrant primary contact protection. To protect this use category: FC organism levels must not
exceed a geometric mean value of 100 colonies/100 mL, with not more than 10 percent of all
samples (or any single sample when less than ten sample points exist) obtained for calculating the
geometric mean value exceeding 200/colonies mL (WAC 173-201A-200(2)(b), 2003 edition).

Changes to Asotin Creek since Category 5 Listing

Monitoring conducted by Ecology in 1993 at the mouth of Asotin Creek was the basis for the
Category 5 designation of Asotin Creek. Three of 12 samples exceeded 200 cfu/100 mL and the
geometric mean was 101 cfu/100 mL.
The Asotin Creek Model Watershed Plan was completed in 1995. The plan and the associated
projects serve as an indication of what can be accomplished on private lands in prioritized watersheds
with public support. Because of the plans projects, many of the upper watershed water quality
problems have been corrected.
Ecology monitoring in water years 1997 and 2002 had one exceedance to the FC standard out of 24
samples. The exceedance occurred in March 2002, during a high flow event.
A data assessment for the WRIA 35 planning committee done by HDR Engineering in 2005 (HDR,
2005) determined George Creek provided 57% of the FC load to Asotin Creek. However, HDR
apparently did not use actual flow data to calculate the loads. HDR suggested septic systems may

Page 7 DRAFT

have contributed to FC loads during 1998 but could not make the same determination for 1999. They
stated, inconclusively, that failing septic systems may be a small source of FC in Asotin Creek. HDR
also stated that their conclusions should be verified with flow and FC data from both Asotin and
George Creeks.
As cited in the HDR report, between March 2005 and February 2007 at the city park site near the
creek mouth, Asotin Conservation District monitoring indicated a geometric mean of 45 cfu/100 mL
but 3 of the 24 samples collected exceeded 200 cfu/100 mL. None of the monitoring sites upstream
had FC standard violations.
Data collected by Ecology in 2006 (Ross, unpublished) indicated no water quality exceedances
during four low-flow sampling events.
Four of the seven episodes that exceeded the numeric standard occurred during low flows.

The latest revisions to the water quality standards changed the reach of Asotin Creek above the
confluence with Charlie Creek into exceptional primary contact recreation category, which
lowered the fecal coliform geometric mean from 100 to 50. It also lowered the 10% standard
from 200 to 100. This change only affects station 35D200, located highest in the watershed in
this study.

Methods
The watershed was visited twice a month from July through October. Sites listed in Table 1 were
sampled for lab and field parameters. Sites 1-8 were samples throughout the entire project period.
Sites A-C were added in the middle of the project in an attempt to demarcate the reaches of the
stream where FC loads were originating. Figure 1 illustrates locations of the sampling sites. The
report cover photo and Figures 2-9 illustrate each of the sampling sites.

Sampling methods and data quality objectives were spelled out in the Asotin Creek Fecal
Coliform Bacteria Study Quality Assurance Project, Ecology publication 10-03-106.
Field samples were collected for FC, enterococci (ENT), chloride, and nitrate/nitrite.
Field measurements were conducted for instantaneous flow, pH, dissolved oxygen (DO),
conductivity, and temperature.

Table 1 Asotin Watershed sampling sites

Map ID
1
3
4
5
7
8
A
B
C

Site ID
35D200
35P050
35D090
35D085
35D075
35D070
35D089
35D087
35D086

Site
Asotin Cr ds confluence
George Cr @ mouth
Asotin Cr us George Cr
Asotin Cr @ Morgan Rd
Asotin Cr @ Costley Rd
Asotin Cr @ mouth
Mitch Dimke Bridge
Flynn abv water gap
Flynn blw water gap

Rationale
Reference Site
Load from George Creek
Load above George Creek
Upper residences
Middle residences
End of residences
Additional site mid project
Additional site mid project
Additional site mid project

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Latitude
46.273594
46.325278
46.325600
46.333640
46.337804
46.340214
46.328849
46.3314
46.331373

Longitude
-117.292383
-117.106944
-117.108375
-117.069387
-117.058890
-117.055980
-117.100938
-117.087951
-117.085692

Figure 1 Asotin Watershed Sampling location map

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Figure 2 Asotin Creek downstream confluence

Figure 3Asotin Creek above George Creek

Figure 4 George Creek at mouth

Figure 5 Asotin Creek at Dimke Bridge

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Figure 6 Asotin Creek above Flynn water bar Figure 7 Asotin Creek below Flynn water bar

Figure 8 Asotin Creek at Morgan Road

Figure 9 Asotin Creek at Costley Road

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Results and Discussion

Once all permissions were obtained, Ecology successfully collected samples at all sites for the
entire monitoring period. In addition, three sites were added for source tracing after high fecal
concentrations were found in mid August.
Flows were takes by sampling crews at select sites, and other flows were obtained from the
USGS and Ecologys stream gaging unit. Appendix A contains hydrographs from USGS gaging
stations on Asotin Creek (35D200 and 35D070) and from Ecologys gages on Asotin Creek and
George Creek (35P050) Data from the USGS gage at the mouth of Asotin Creek (35D070) has
not been verified and should be considered an estimate.
Field measurements for pH, conductivity, dissolved oxygen and temperature were collected with
a hydrolab.
Samples were collected and sent to Manchester lab for chloride, nitrate/nitrite, fecal coliform and
enterococci analysis. Results were complete and met the project goals.
Appendices B and C summarizes the data from the project.
Chloride concentration generally increased as flows decreased. Site 35P050, at the mouth of
George Creek, has significantly higher chloride concentrations than any site along Asotin Creek.
Additional chloride samples were taken in the spring of 2012 in an attempt to determine if there
is a terrestrial source of chloride in the George creek watershed. Even during high flows, the
chloride levels in George Creek were substantially higher (3-5x) than Asotin Creek.
Nitrate concentrations were generally low throughout Asotin Creek. They did not change
appreciably as flows declined, nor was there a large change longitudinally going downstream.
George Creek nitrate concentrations were higher, and did tend to increase with decreasing flows.
Table 2 summarizes the fecal coliform sample results for the project. The geomean of the fecal
coliform samples were below 100cfu/100 mL for every site. Stations 35P050 (George Creek),
35D090 (Asotin Creek above George Creek), 35D087 (Flynn above water bar) and 35D086
(Flynn below water bar) each had one sample over 200 cfu/100 mL. Figure 10 represents the
Fecal Coliform concentrations by date. It illustrates the anomalous results from the August 30th
sampling.

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Table 2 Summary of Fecal Coliform results by site

Site
35D200
35D090
35D089
35D087
35D086
35D085
35D075
35D070
35P050

700

FC Geomean
10.8
48.3
72
73.5
80.7
53.2
49.6
48.8
42.8

FC max
18
630
120
310
290
120
120
140
330

Asotin Creek Fecal Coliform

600
c
f
u
/
1
0
0
m
L

Asotin
Park
Costley
Rd
Morgan
Rd
DS Flynn
gap
US Flynn
gap
Dimke Br

500
400
300
200
100
0
7/5 7/12 7/19 7/26 8/2

8/9 8/16 8/23 8/30 9/6 9/13 9/20 9/27 10/4

Figure 10 Asotin Creek Fecal Coliform concentrations by date

Page 13 DRAFT

Entering into the project, it was thought that looking at rations of fecal coliform and enterococci,
and ratios of nitrate and chloride might give insight into sources of FC contamination.
Figure 11 summarizes the FC EC ratios It also highlights the anomalous nature of the August
30th samples.

Fecal Coliform-Enterococci Ratio

4.5
4
Fecal/Enterococci

3.5

D200

D090

2.5

D085

D075

1.5

D070

P050

0.5
0
7/5/2011

8/5/2011

9/5/2011

Figure 11 FC/EC ratios by date

Figure 12 summarizes the chloride nitrate ratios. Variances in the ratios appear to be flow
related, rather than correlating to FC concentrations.

Chloride/Nitrate ratios
60

Chloride/Nitrate

50
D200

40

D090
D085

30

D075
20

D070
P050

10
0
7/5/2011

8/5/2011

9/5/2011

Page 14 DRAFT

The August 30th sampling event had substantially higher levels of bacterial contamination than
other dates. There were no recent storm events that would have accounted for the general
increase in contamination due to a runoff event. The fact that both George and Asotin creeks
were impacted would seem to rule out streamside activities like vegetation management, or instream work. Field observations did not indicate any unusual activity or stream conditions
(turbidity, floating vegetation, animals in stream, etc)

Conclusions and Recommendations

Results of this 2011 study support the following conclusions:
Bacterial contamination remains a problem in Asotin Creek.
The source of bacterial contamination is undetermined, but appears spatially diverse.
The area of interest driving this study, between Morgan road and the city park, was not a
significant contributor of pollution.
The chloride and nitrate levels in George Creek indicate potential anthropogenic
influence
The assertion that George Creek supplies a majority of the FC load was not confirmed

Results of this study support the following recommendations:

The mouth of Asotin Creek should be monitored for nutrients and FC contamination.
Including it as a basin station in the ambient monitoring program every five years should
be a minimum. High FC results should be followed up with sampling sites upstream to
attempt to locate sources. Analyzing samples for %KES might provide valuable
information when FC results are elevated.
A year-long monitoring effort should be conducted on George Creek. Both the mouth
and at least one site upstream, above most residences, should be included.
Local education efforts should continue, targeting residences along Asotin and George
Creeks. Areas of emphasis should be on-site sewage system maintenance, livestock
management, and riparian zone vegetation buffer maintenance.

Page 15 DRAFT

References
APHA, 2005. Standard Methods for the Analysis of Water and Wastewater, 21st Edition. Joint
publication of the American Public Health Association, American Water Works Association, and
Water Environment Federation. www.standardmethods.org/
MEL, 2006. Manchester Environmental Laboratory Quality Assurance Manual. Manchester
Environmental Laboratory, Washington State Department of Ecology, Manchester, WA.
MEL, 2008. Manchester Environmental Laboratory Lab Users Manual, Ninth Edition.
Manchester Environmental Laboratory, Washington State Department of Ecology, Manchester,
WA.
Ecology, 1993. Field Sampling and Measurement Protocols for the Watershed Assessments Section.
Washington State Department of Ecology, Olympia, WA. Publication No. 93-e04.
www.ecy.wa.gov/biblio/93e04.html.
HDR/EES, 2005. WRIA 35 Watershed Assessment Report.
Johnson, Bradley, 2002. BPA Riparian Fencing and Alternative Water Development Projects
Completed within Asotin Creek Watershed. Project No. 2000-05400, 14 pages. BPA Report
DOE/BP-00006228-1.
Joy, J., 2006. Standard Operating Procedure for Grab sampling Fresh water, Version 1.0.
Washington State Department of Ecology, Olympia, WA. SOP Number EAP015.
www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/eap/quality.html.
Lombard, S. and C. Kirchmer, 2004. Guidelines for Preparing Quality Assurance Project Plans for
Environmental Studies. Washington State Department of Ecology, Olympia, WA. Publication No.
04-03-030. www.ecy.wa.gov/biblio/0403030.html.
MEL, 2006. Manchester Environmental Laboratory Quality Assurance Manual. Manchester
Environmental Laboratory, Washington State Department of Ecology, Manchester, WA.
MEL, 2008. Manchester Environmental Laboratory Lab Users Manual, Ninth Edition. Manchester
Environmental Laboratory, Washington State Department of Ecology, Manchester, WA.
Oppenheimer, J. and K. Vigerstol, 2005. HDR Asotin Creek Fecal Coliform Data Assessment.
Stovall, S., 2001. Draft Asotin Creek Subbasin Summary.
Sullivan, L., 2007. Standard Operating Procedure for Estimating Streamflow, Version 1.0.
Washington State Department of Ecology, Olympia, WA. SOP Number EAP024.
www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/eap/quality.html.

Page 16 DRAFT

Swanson, T., 2007. Standard Operating Procedure for Hydrolab DataSonde and MiniSonde
Multiprobes, Version 1.0. Washington State Department of Ecology, Olympia, WA. SOP Number
EAP033. www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/eap/quality.html.
WAC 173-201A. Water Quality Standards for Surface Waters in the State of Washington.
Washington State Department of Ecology, Olympia, WA. www.ecy.wa.gov/laws-rules/ecywac.html.
Ward, W.J., 2007. Collection, Processing, and Analysis of Stream Samples, Version 1.3. Washington
State Department of Ecology, Olympia, WA. SOP Number EAP034.
www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/eap/quality.html.
Washington State University, 2000. Asotin Creek Watershed Water Quality Monitoring Final Report.
Center for Environmental Education, Washington State University, Pullman, WA.

Page 17 DRAFT

Appendices

Page 18 DRAFT

Appendix A: Streamflow

Asotin Creek @ Asotin

1000

USGS 13335050

100
Flow, cfs
field measurement

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28-Sep

21-Sep

14-Sep

7-Sep

31-Aug

24-Aug

17-Aug

10-Aug

3-Aug

27-Jul

20-Jul

13-Jul

6-Jul

29-Jun

22-Jun

15-Jun

8-Jun

1-Jun

10

Page 20 DRAFT

Appendix B: Field Data

Site

date

pH
s.u.

Conductivity
us/cm

Dissolved
oxygen
mg/L

35D200
35D200
35D200
35D200
35D200
35D200
35D200
35D200
35D200

7/5/2011
7/19/2011
7/19/2011
8/2/2011
8/16/2011
8/30/2011
9/6/2011
9/20/2011
10/4/2011

7.82

66.8

10.12

12.91

70.0

8.00
7.96
7.82
7.57
7.86
7.72
7.64

77.8
83.9
87.5
90.7
91.7
93.4
71.6

9.76
11.27
9.92
10.12
10.32
10.28

13.99
13.89
12.34
13.90
12.63
12.09
12.04

48.0
36.0
31.0
30.0
28.0
29.0
30.0

35D090
35D090
35D090
35D090
35D090
35D090
35D090
35D090

7/19/2011
8/2/2011
8/16/2011
8/30/2011
9/6/2011
9/20/2011
10/4/2011
5/15/2012

8.23
8.20
8.07
8.02
7.10
8.01
7.94

92.0
98.7
101.9
105.2
106.2
109.0
110.3

9.46
11.13
9.93
10.30
10.51
10.61

15.91
17.09
14.79
16.52
14.43
13.52
13.15

35D089
35D089
35D089
35D089

8/30/2011
9/6/2011
9/20/2011
10/4/2011

8.04
8.10
8.09
7.89

112.7
113.9
116.0
119.2

10.01
10.32
10.44
10.39

16.83
14.90
13.93
13.33

35D087
35D087
35D087
35D087

8/30/2011
9/6/2011
9/20/2011
10/4/2011

8.01
8.08
7.97
7.94

114.2
115.2
118.0
120.6

9.80
10.17
10.38
10.37

17.01
15.04
14.13
13.48

35D086
35D086
35D086
35D086
35D086

8/30/2011
8/30/2011
9/6/2011
9/20/2011
10/4/2011

8.06

114.0

9.96

17.20

8.11
8.19
7.96

115.6
118.0
120.5

10.29
10.66
10.45

15.19
14.24
13.49

Page 21 DRAFT

Temp
deg C

Flow
cfs

47.0
42.0
38.0
36.0
35.0
34.0
182

37.0
35.0

pH
s.u.
8.29
8.26
8.14

Conductivity
us/cm
91.4
104.3
112.4

Dissolved
oxygen
mg/L
10.19
9.74
9.41

7.99
7.97
8.05
8.11
7.93

114.1
117.3
119.1
121.0
123.8

10.96
9.77
10.17
10.46
10.40

15.55
17.49
15.45
14.59
13.60

40.0
40.0
41.0
37.0
40.0

7/5/2011
7/19/2011
8/2/2011
8/16/2011
8/30/2011
9/6/2011
9/20/2011
10/4/2011
10/4/2011
7/5/2011
7/5/2011
7/19/2011
8/2/2011
8/16/2011
8/30/2011
9/6/2011
9/6/2011
9/20/2011
10/4/2011

8.34
8.37
8.33
8.08
8.09
8.13
8.30
8.09

91.8
104.7
111.9
114.9
117.1
118.9
121.0
124.0

10.00
9.88
9.47
10.95
9.75
10.19
10.59
10.62

17.22
16.82
18.29
16.06
17.97
15.90
14.93
13.77

37.0
37.0

8.45
8.38
8.37
8.11
8.11
8.14

91.8
104.7
111.9
114.8
117.1
118.1

10.02
9.87
9.54
10.97
9.81
10.22

17.51
16.87
18.44
16.18
18.07
16.01

70.0
57.0
44.0
42.0
40.0
37.0

8.33
8.09

121.0
124.3

10.50
10.48

15.09
13.79

42.0
44.0

7/19/2011
8/2/2011
8/16/2011
8/16/2011
8/30/2011
9/6/2011
9/20/2011
9/20/2011
10/4/2011
5/15/2012

7.91
7.92
7.79

182.9
204.0
222.1

9.39
10.56

15.82
15.43
14.82

4.9
3.2
2.2

7.65
7.10

233.0
225.7

9.67
9.64

15.18
15.11

1.5
1.7
2.1

7.70
7.66

251.0
255.8

9.50
9.48

15.00
14.58

Site

date

35D085
35D085
35D085
35D085
35D085
35D085
35D085
35D085
35D085

7/5/2011
7/19/2011
8/2/2011
8/2/2011
8/16/2011
8/30/2011
9/6/2011
9/20/2011
10/4/2011

35D075
35D075
35D075
35D075
35D075
35D075
35D075
35D075
35D075
35D070
35D070
35D070
35D070
35D070
35D070
35D070
35D070
35D070
35D070

35P050
35P050
35P050
35P050
35P050
35P050
35P050
35P050
35P050
35P050

Page 22 DRAFT

Temp
deg C
16.53
16.67
17.73

Flow
cfs
89.0
60.0
47.0

3.1
29.8

Appendix C: Laboratory Results

NO2/NO3 Enterococci
mg/L
#/100 ml

Fecal
Coliform
#/100 ml

site

date

Chloride
mg/L

35D200
35D200
35D200
35D200
35D200
35D200
35D200
35D200
35D200

7/5/2011
7/19/2011
7/19/2011
8/2/2011
8/16/2011
8/30/2011
9/6/2011
9/20/2011
10/4/2011

0.38
0.50
0.47
0.49
0.43
0.45
0.48
0.48
0.50

0.02
0.04
0.04
0.06
0.07
0.09
0.09
0.08
0.09

5
11
14
27
25
45
60
9
9

5
13
12
15
12
18
10
11
7

35D090
35D090
35D090
35D090
35D090
35D090
35D090
35D090

7/19/2011
8/2/2011
8/16/2011
8/30/2011
9/6/2011
9/20/2011
10/4/2011
5/15/2012

0.92
0.99
0.87
0.90
0.92
0.96
0.95
0.71

0.04
0.07
0.06
0.07
0.07
0.07
0.06

28
77
53
150
120
91
51

28
49
33
630
15
35
41

35D089
35D089
35D089
35D089

8/30/2011
9/6/2011
9/20/2011
10/4/2011

1.27
1.25
1.29
1.38

0.08
0.07
0.04
0.08

150
140
100
100

66
120
85
40

35D087
35D087
35D087
35D087

8/30/2011
9/6/2011
9/20/2011
10/4/2011

1.28
1.28
1.36
1.43

0.09
0.08
0.06
0.08

92
250
84
57

310
69
39
35

35D086
35D086
35D086
35D086
35D086

8/30/2011
8/30/2011
9/6/2011
9/20/2011
10/4/2011

1.30
1.29
1.32
1.36
1.44

0.08
0.08
0.07
0.06
0.08

200
190
140
77
66

290
160
51
39
37

Page 23 DRAFT

NO2/NO3 Enterococci
mg/L
#/100 ml

Fecal
Coliform
#/100 ml

site

date

Chloride
mg/L

35D085
35D085
35D085
35D085
35D085
35D085
35D085
35D085
35D085

7/5/2011
7/19/2011
8/2/2011
8/2/2011
8/16/2011
8/30/2011
9/6/2011
9/20/2011
10/4/2011

1.25
1.40
1.53
1.50
1.34
1.35
1.39
1.44
1.48

0.04
0.06
0.10
0.10
0.10
0.10
0.10
0.06
0.10

15
61
56
43
87
150
150
49
34

33
39
48
74
100
120
75
33
25

35D075
35D075
35D075
35D075
35D075
35D075
35D075
35D075
35D075

7/5/2011
7/19/2011
8/2/2011
8/16/2011
8/30/2011
9/6/2011
9/20/2011
10/4/2011
10/4/2011

1.29
1.44
1.58
1.39
1.40
1.42
1.48
1.52
1.53

0.03
0.06
0.10
0.11
0.10
0.09
0.07
0.10
0.10

41
45
57
100
120
130
71
49
61

32
31
45
110
120
51
37
35
47

35D070
35D070
35D070
35D070
35D070
35D070
35D070
35D070
35D070
35D070

7/5/2011
7/5/2011
7/19/2011
8/2/2011
8/16/2011
8/30/2011
9/6/2011
9/6/2011
9/20/2011
10/4/2011

1.28
1.27
1.44
1.56
1.38
1.39
1.40
1.43
1.46
1.52

0.03
0.03
0.06
0.10
0.11
0.10
0.09
0.08
0.07
0.10

22
22
43
53
88
88
80
84
57
48

36
28
37
51
140
130
49
40
33
34

35P050
35P050
35P050
35P050
35P050
35P050
35P050
35P050
35P050
35P050

7/19/2011
8/2/2011
8/16/2011
8/16/2011
8/30/2011
9/6/2011
9/20/2011
9/20/2011
10/4/2011
5/15/2012

4.44
5.75
6.02
6.01
6.60
6.78
7.44
7.47
7.51
2.04

0.21
0.28
0.38
0.38
0.41
0.45
0.49
0.47
0.43

15
25
37
30
84
96
56
25
64

11
33
38
35
330
37
59
49
28

Page 24 DRAFT

Appendix D. Glossary, Acronyms, and Abbreviations

Glossary
Anthropogenic: Human-caused.
Ambient: Background or away from point sources of contamination.
Baseflow: The component of total streamflow that originates from direct groundwater discharges to a
stream.
Clean Water Act: A federal act passed in 1972 that contains provisions to restore and maintain
the quality of the nations waters. Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act establishes the TMDL
program.

Conductivity: A measure of waters ability to conduct an electrical current. Conductivity is

related to the concentration and charge of dissolved ions in water.
Dissolved oxygen (DO): A measure of the amount of oxygen dissolved in water.
Eutrophic: Nutrient rich and high in productivity resulting from human activities such as fertilizer
runoff and leaky septic systems.
Fecal coliform: That portion of the coliform group of bacteria which is present in intestinal tracts
and feces of warm-blooded animals as detected by the product of acid or gas from lactose in a
suitable culture medium within 24 hours at 44.5 plus or minus 0.2 degrees Celsius. Fecal coliform
bacteria are indicator organisms that suggest the possible presence of disease-causing organisms.
Concentrations are measured in colony forming units per 100 milliliters of water (cfu/100 mL).
Geometric mean: A mathematical expression of the central tendency (an average) of multiple
sample values. A geometric mean, unlike an arithmetic mean, tends to dampen the effect of very
high or low values, which might bias the mean if a straight average (arithmetic mean) were
calculated. This is helpful when analyzing bacteria concentrations, because levels may vary
anywhere from 10 to 10,000 fold over a given period. The calculation is performed by either:
(1) taking the nth root of a product of n factors, or (2) taking the antilogarithm of the arithmetic
mean of the logarithms of the individual values.

Nonpoint source: Pollution that enters any waters of the state from any dispersed land-based or
water-based activities, including but not limited to atmospheric deposition, surface-water runoff
from agricultural lands, urban areas, or forest lands, subsurface or underground sources, or
discharges from boats or marine vessels not otherwise regulated under the NPDES program.
Generally, any unconfined and diffuse source of contamination. Legally, any source of water
pollution that does not meet the legal definition of point source in section 502(14) of the Clean
Water Act.
Nutrient: Substance such as carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus used by organisms to live and grow.
Too many nutrients in the water can promote algal blooms and rob the water of oxygen vital to
aquatic organisms.

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Parameter: Water quality constituent being measured (analyte). A physical, chemical, or

biological property whose values determine environmental characteristics or behavior.
Pathogen: Disease-causing microorganisms such as bacteria, protozoa, viruses.
pH: A measure of the acidity or alkalinity of water. A low pH value (0 to 7) indicates that an
acidic condition is present, while a high pH (7 to 14) indicates a basic or alkaline condition. A
pH of 7 is considered to be neutral. Since the pH scale is logarithmic, a water sample with a pH
of 8 is ten times more basic than one with a pH of 7.
Pollution: Contamination or other alteration of the physical, chemical, or biological properties
of any waters of the state. This includes change in temperature, taste, color, turbidity, or odor of
the waters. It also includes discharge of any liquid, gaseous, solid, radioactive, or other
substance into any waters of the state. This definition assumes that these changes will,
or are likely to, create a nuisance or render such waters harmful, detrimental, or injurious to
(1) public health, safety, or welfare, or (2) domestic, commercial, industrial, agricultural,
recreational, or other legitimate beneficial uses, or (3) livestock, wild animals, birds, fish, or
other aquatic life.
Reach: A specific portion or segment of a stream

Riparian: Relating to the banks along a natural course of water.

Streamflow: Discharge of water in a surface stream (river or creek).

Surface waters of the state: Lakes, rivers, ponds, streams, inland waters, salt waters, wetlands
and all other surface waters and water courses within the jurisdiction of Washington State.
Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL): Water cleanup plan. A distribution of a substance in a
waterbody designed to protect it from not meeting (exceeding) water quality standards. A
TMDL is equal to the sum of all of the following: (1) individual wasteload allocations for point
sources, (2) the load allocations for nonpoint sources, (3) the contribution of natural sources, and
(4) a Margin of Safety to allow for uncertainty in the wasteload determination. A reserve for
future growth is also generally provided.
Watershed: A drainage area or basin in which all land and water areas drain or flow toward a
central collector such as a stream, river, or lake at a lower elevation.
303(d) list: Section 303(d) of the federal Clean Water Act requires Washington State to
periodically prepare a list of all surface waters in the state for which beneficial uses of the water
such as for drinking, recreation, aquatic habitat, and industrial use are impaired by pollutants.
These are water quality-limited estuaries, lakes, and streams that fall short of state surface water
quality standards and are not expected to improve within the next two years.
90th percentile: A statistical number obtained from a distribution of a data set, above which
10% of the data exists and below which 90% of the data exists.

Page 26 DRAFT

Acronyms and Abbreviations

Following are acronyms and abbreviations used frequently in this report.
BMP
Ecology
EIM
EPA
FC
GIS
MEL
QA
RM
RPD
RSD
SOP
TMDL
USGS
WAC
WRIA

Best management practice

Washington State Department of Ecology
Environmental Information Management database
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Fecal coliform bacteria
Geographic Information System software
Manchester Environmental Laboratory
Quality assurance
River mile
Relative percent difference
Relative standard deviation
Standard operating procedures
(See Glossary above)
U.S. Geological Survey
Washington Administrative Code
Water Resource Inventory Area

Units of Measurement
C
cfs
ft
g
mg/L
mL
s.u.
ug/L
uS/cm
#/100 ml

degrees centigrade
cubic feet per second
feet
gram, a unit of mass
milligrams per liter (parts per million)
milliliters
standard units
micrograms per liter (parts per billion)
microsiemens per centimeter, a unit of conductivity
bacteria colony forming units per 100 mL

Page 27 DRAFT