Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act establishes requirements for states and tribes to identify and prioritize water bodies that are water quality limited (i.e., water bodies that do not meet water quality standards). States and tribes must periodically publish a priority list of impaired waters, currently every two years. For waters identified on this list, states and tribes must develop water quality improvement plans known as total maximum daily loads (TMDLs) that establish allowable pollutant loads set at levels to achieve water quality standards.

Sediment modeling was completed for the entire subbasin. Model results demonstrate that six of the seven subbasins of the watershed have sedimentation rates at or well in excess of 100% above background sedimentation rates. Sedimentation rates at or in excess of 100% of background are believed to be the point at which water quality is impaired. Pool volume and fish population data support the impairment determination. The Upper North Fork Subbasin is the exception, with lighter road densities and 43% above background sedimentation rates. Pool volume and fish population data from streams of the Upper North Fork Subbasin indicate full support of the cold water biota and salmonid spawning uses.

The assessment finds that the Prichard Creek is not exceeding bacteria, dissolved oxygen, nutrient, oil and grease, and pH standards and guidelines. It does not find an exceedance of the pH standard in East Fork Eagle Creek. The assessment recommends delisting Prichard Creek for bacteria, dissolved oxygen, nutrients, oil and grease, and pH and East Fork Eagle Creek for pH. Habitat and flow alteration are not impacts amenable to development of TMDL allocations.

The assessment finds that Beaver, East Fork Eagle, and Prichard Creeks exceed dissolved cadmium, lead, and zinc standards. Sediment modeling and supporting information demonstrate a systemic sediment problem in the North Fork Coeur d'Alene watershed. Since the most downstream segments of the watershed are sediment impaired and all upstream watersheds contribute at least in part to the sediment load, the assessment recommends a subbasin-wide sediment TMDL.

A sediment TMDL addressing the entire North Fork Coeur d'Alene River Subbasin has been prepared. A metals TMDL addressing cadmium, lead, and zinc in East Fork Eagle Creek has also been prepared. Metals TMDLs for Beaver and Prichard Creeks have been deferred.