Boise River (Upper) Subbasin

Subbasin at a Glance

Hydrologic Unit Codes	17050111 and 17050113
Size	2,033 square miles
§303(d) Listed Stream Segments	Buck Creek, Browns Creek, Willow Creek, South Fork Boise River, Deer Creek, Little Smoky Creek, Cayuse Creek, North Fork Feather Creek, Smith Creek, Rattlesnake Creek
Beneficial Uses Affected	Cold water biota, salmonid spawning, primary and secondary contact recreation, domestic water supply
Pollutants of Concern	Sediment, nutrients
Major Land Uses	Forestry, roads, mining, agriculture/livestock, recreation
Date Approved by U.S. EPA	Subbasin assessment only; not subject to EPA approval

Overview

Located in southwest Idaho, the upper Boise River Subbasin is about 2,033 square miles of predominantly undeveloped forest land and open range with both managed and free flowing streams. The upper Boise River Subbasin is comprised of the two hydrologic cataloging units of the Boise River system upstream of Arrowrock Reservoir. The waters of the subbasin join to form the Arrowrock Reservoir, which supplies water to Lucky Peak Reservoir and the lower Boise River.

This subbasin assessment has documented that all §303(d) listed water bodies within the upper Boise River Subbasin are currently fully supporting all of their beneficial uses and are no longer candidates for TMDL development.

The subbasin assessment also lists water bodies not fully supporting their beneficial uses that should be added to the §303(d) list during the next listing cycle.

Summary of Assessment Outcomes

On 1998 §303(d) List

Buck Creek: Delist; no TMDL needed
Browns Creek: Delist; no TMDL needed
Willow Creek: Delist; no TMDL needed
S. Fork Boise River: Delist; no TMDL needed
Deer Creek: Delist; no TMDL needed
Little Smoky Creek: Delist; no TMDL needed
Cayuse Creek: Delist; no TMDL needed
N. Fork Feather Creek: Delist; no TMDL needed
Smith Creek: Delist; no TMDL needed
Rattlesnake Creek: Delist; no TMDL needed

Not on 1998 §303(d) List

Crooked River: Add to §303(d) List for sediment
Beaver Creek: Add to §303(d) List for sediment
Rabbit Creek: Add to §303(d) List for unknown pollutant
Meadow Creek: Add to §303(d) List for sediment
French Creek: Add to §303(d) List for sediment
Little Camas Resevoir: Add to §303(d) List for sediment

Subbasin Document

Subbasin Assessment for Upper Boise River Watersheds (2002)

Department of
Environmental Quality

Find it Fast