The federal Clean Water Act requires that states and tribes restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nation's waters. States and tribes must adopt water quality standards necessary to protect fish, shellfish, and wildlife while providing for recreation in and on the waters whenever possible.

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.

The Little Salmon River Watershed lies entirely in central Idaho. It originates at about 6,280 feet off of Blue Bunch Ridge. The watershed is 45 miles long, and the river flows north for 51 miles to its confluence with the Salmon River at Riggins. U.S. Highway 95 parallels most of the river.

The Little Salmon River from Big Creek to Round Valley Creek was found to have

beneficial uses impaired by temperature, nutrients, and bacteria. TMDLs were developed for these pollutants. Potential natural vegetation (shade) was used as a surrogate for temperature because this would achieve natural background conditions.

The Little Salmon River from Vicks Creek to Big Creek was found to have beneficial uses impaired by temperature.  A TMDL was developed for temperature.

Big Creek was listed for an unknown pollutant. Elevated nutrient and bacteria levels were found in the creek. TMDLs were developed for nutrients and bacteria.  

The Little Salmon River from Round Valley Creek to the mouth showed support of

beneficial uses. However, DEQ was unable to analyze the effect of coarse sediment in the system. DEQ proposes to list the Little Salmon River from Round Valley Creek to the mouth for habitat alteration and delist it for sediment. This listing is on the basis of DEQ Beneficial Use Reconnaissance Program (BURP) scores that did not indicate impairment and on low suspended sediment data. However, the listing for habitat alteration is in recognition that the system was changed due to the construction of the highway and the channel remains constricted, leading to potential coarse sediment loading problems. Idaho's antidegradation policy applies in this case and existing uses must be maintained and protected from any activities that would result in human caused excess sediment delivery to the system.

Elk Creek, Indian Creek, and Shingle Creek were all listed for sediment. Beneficial uses were fully supported in these watersheds and TMDLs are not necessary.

Brundage Reservoir was monitored weekly for temperature from early July through Mid-August 2005. Monitoring occurred in late afternoon and early evening when reservoir temperatures would be highest. No violations of the cold water temperature standard were seen. Brundage Reservoir is proposed for delisting for temperature.

Goose Creek was assessed as part of DEQ's BURP program and was found to have impaired beneficial uses. Goose Creek is proposed for listing on the next §303(d) list for an unknown pollutant. Lack of flow may be a causal factor in impairment of beneficial uses for Goose Creek. Therefore, a TMDL was not developed at this time. DEQ did not have the time during the writing of this TMDL to characterize the flows in Goose Creek to determine if intermittence was impairing beneficial uses.