Big Wood River Subbasin

Subbasin at a Glance

Hydrologic Unit Code	17040212
Size	1,496 square miles (957,495 acres)
§303(d) Listed Stream Segments	Big Wood River (5 segments), Horse Creek, Owl Creek, Baker Creek, Eagle Creek, Lake Creek, Placer Creek, Cove Creek, East Fork Wood River, Greenhorn Gulch, Quigley Creek, Croy Creek,Seamans Creek, Rock Creek, East Fork Rock Creek, Thorn Creek
Beneficial Uses Affected	Cold water aquatic life, salmonid spawning, primary and secondary contact recreation, special resource water, drinking water supply
Pollutants of Concern	Sediment, nutrients, ammonia, dissolved oxygen, temperature, bacteria, flow alteration
Major Land Uses	Range, forest, agriculture
Date Approved by U.S. EPA	May 2002
Draft Addendum Public Comment Period	February 22 - March 30, 2007
Errata Approved by U.S. EPA	February 2012 Approval Letter

Overview

The overall purpose of this subbasin assessment and TMDL is to characterize and document pollutant loads within the Big Wood River Subbasin. Twenty stream segments on the §303(d) list were evaluated; an additional four stream segments that were not on the §303(d) list were also evaluated.

The document recommends that four streams (Horse Creek, Owl Creek, Baker Creek, and East Fork Wood River) be removed from the §303(d) list. These streams are meeting their beneficial uses and/or state water quality standards.

The document also recommends two additional streams segments be listed on the next §303(d) list. The first is in the Big Wood River mainstem from Base Line to Magic Reservoir. The second is in the Big Wood River mainstem from Interstate 84 to the Snake River (or the Malad River).

TMDLs were established for sediment, nutrients, and bacteria. Flow alteration will be evaluated further. A TMDL was not being established at this time for streams polluted by nitrite + nitrate. Temperature and dissolved oxygen TMDLs will be deferred until 2003 pending collection of more information. A TMDL was not established for turbidity at this time since the sediment TMDLs will create reductions in turbidity. The TMDL recommends that ammonia be delisted as a pollutant of concern.

Streams and Pollutants for Which TMDLs Were Developed

Big Wood River: Sediment, nutrients, bacteria
Eagle Creek: Sediment, nutrients
Lake Creek: Nutrients
Placer Creek: Nutrients
Cove Creek: Sediment, nutrients
Greenhorn Creek: Sediment, nutrients
Quigley Creek: Sediment, nutrients
Croy Creek: Sediment, nutrients
Seamans Creek: Sediment, nutrients
Rock Creek: Sediment, nutrients, bacteria
E. Fork Rock Creek: Sediment, nutrients
Thorn Creek: Sediment, nutrients

Subbasin Documents

The Big Wood River Watershed Management Plan (May 2002)
Big Wood River Watershed Total Maximum Daily Load (October 2006)
Errata to the Big Wood River Watershed Management Plan (November 2011)

Department of
Environmental Quality

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