Accepting comments from March 16, 2026, through April 15, 2026.
The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is seeking comments on the Upper Salmon River Subbasin Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) and Five-Year Review.
The Upper Salmon River subbasin (hydrologic unit code 17060201) is in the central Idaho mountains and runs from Ellis, Idaho, through Challis, Idaho, to Stanley, Idaho. The mountainous terrain in this subbasin has produced many steep stream systems, glacial lakes, and troughs that feed the headwaters of the Salmon River.
DEQ listed 27 impaired assessment units (AUs) on the most recent § 303(d) list. The most common associated pollutant is temperature, due to stream temperatures exceeding applicable temperature criteria. The other known impairments for § 303(d)-listed waters are sediment/siltation and combined biota/habitat bioassessments.
Because of this designation, DEQ is required to develop TMDLs to ensure the subbasin meets designated water quality standards. The draft document establishes water quality targets and load capacities, estimates existing pollutant loads, and allocates responsibility for load reductions needed to return listed waters to a condition meeting water quality standards.
After analysis of the available data, DEQ developed one temperature TMDL for lower Pole Creek. For the remaining AUs listed as impaired in the § 303(d) list, DEQ evaluated sediment and temperature data and made several recommendations to collect additional data and modify existing assessments, including one delisting recommendation for Basin Creek.
DEQ is also required to assess the Upper Salmon River subbasin every 5 years to evaluate water quality improvements, a process known as a five-year review. DEQ reviewed the status of the 23 previously developed TMDLs in the Upper Salmon River subbasin. DEQ produced 3 sediment TMDLs in 2003 and 4 sediment TMDLs and 16 temperature TMDLs in 2016. Between the TMDL and five-year review, DEQ proposes to delist six assessment units.
The draft report is available for review at DEQ’s State Office (1410 N Hilton Street), DEQ’s Idaho Falls Regional Office (900 N. Skyline Drive, Suite B), and below in related documents.
Written comments will be accepted through April 15, 2026. Submit a comment electronically on DEQ’s Public Comment Opportunities page or by mail or email to:
Cherie Windsor
Water Quality Analyst
900 N. Skyline Drive, Suite B
Idaho Falls, ID 83402
cherie.windsor@deq.idaho.gov
Related Documents
2026 Upper Salmon River Subbasin Temperature TMDL and Five-Year Review
Accessibility Services: The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality will provide reasonable language access services and/or disability services for documents at no charge. To request an accommodation under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 or Americans with Disabilities Act, contact DEQ’s nondiscrimination coordinator at (208) 373-0271 or accessibility@deq.idaho.gov. Para obtener información en español, visite https://www.deq.idaho.gov/about-us/accessibility/.
Official Government Website
DEQ seeks comments on the Upper Salmon River Subbasin Total Maximum Daily Load and Five-Year Review
Accepting comments from March 16, 2026, through April 15, 2026.
The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is seeking comments on the Upper Salmon River Subbasin Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) and Five-Year Review.
The Upper Salmon River subbasin (hydrologic unit code 17060201) is in the central Idaho mountains and runs from Ellis, Idaho, through Challis, Idaho, to Stanley, Idaho. The mountainous terrain in this subbasin has produced many steep stream systems, glacial lakes, and troughs that feed the headwaters of the Salmon River.
DEQ listed 27 impaired assessment units (AUs) on the most recent § 303(d) list. The most common associated pollutant is temperature, due to stream temperatures exceeding applicable temperature criteria. The other known impairments for § 303(d)-listed waters are sediment/siltation and combined biota/habitat bioassessments.
Because of this designation, DEQ is required to develop TMDLs to ensure the subbasin meets designated water quality standards. The draft document establishes water quality targets and load capacities, estimates existing pollutant loads, and allocates responsibility for load reductions needed to return listed waters to a condition meeting water quality standards.
After analysis of the available data, DEQ developed one temperature TMDL for lower Pole Creek. For the remaining AUs listed as impaired in the § 303(d) list, DEQ evaluated sediment and temperature data and made several recommendations to collect additional data and modify existing assessments, including one delisting recommendation for Basin Creek.
DEQ is also required to assess the Upper Salmon River subbasin every 5 years to evaluate water quality improvements, a process known as a five-year review. DEQ reviewed the status of the 23 previously developed TMDLs in the Upper Salmon River subbasin. DEQ produced 3 sediment TMDLs in 2003 and 4 sediment TMDLs and 16 temperature TMDLs in 2016. Between the TMDL and five-year review, DEQ proposes to delist six assessment units.
The draft report is available for review at DEQ’s State Office (1410 N Hilton Street), DEQ’s Idaho Falls Regional Office (900 N. Skyline Drive, Suite B), and below in related documents.
Written comments will be accepted through April 15, 2026. Submit a comment electronically on DEQ’s Public Comment Opportunities page or by mail or email to:
Cherie Windsor
Water Quality Analyst
900 N. Skyline Drive, Suite B
Idaho Falls, ID 83402
cherie.windsor@deq.idaho.gov
Related Documents
2026 Upper Salmon River Subbasin Temperature TMDL and Five-Year Review
Accessibility Services: The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality will provide reasonable language access services and/or disability services for documents at no charge. To request an accommodation under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 or Americans with Disabilities Act, contact DEQ’s nondiscrimination coordinator at (208) 373-0271 or accessibility@deq.idaho.gov. Para obtener información en español, visite https://www.deq.idaho.gov/about-us/accessibility/.
Public Comment Form