Salmon River, South Fork Subbasin

Subbasin at a Glance

Hydrologic Unit Code	17060208
Size	840,053 acres
§303(d) Listed Stream Segments	South Fork Salmon River, East Fork South Fork Salmon River, Johnson Creek, Rice Creek, Dollar Creek, Trail Creek, Trout Creek, Tyndall Creek
Beneficial Uses Affected	Cold water biota, salmonid spawning, primary contact recreation, drinking water supply, special resource water
Pollutants of Concern	Sediment, metals
Major Land Uses	Forestry, grazing, recreation, mining
Date Approved by U.S. EPA	Subbasin assessment only; not subject to EPA approval
Addendum Submitted to EPA	March 2012

Overview

The South Fork Salmon River Subbasin is located in central Idaho; the northeast portion of the subbasin lies within the boundaries of the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness.

An earlier TMDL for the mainstem South Fork Salmon River was approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1991. That TMDL set surrogate sediment targets for percent depth fines and cobble embeddedness for the river.

Ambient numeric water quality monitoring data and biological data show that the 1998 §303(d) listed water bodies currently meet the Idaho water quality standards for sediment and metals. Based on these results, DEQ is removing all water bodies in the subbasin listed for sediment and metals from the Idaho §303(d) list with the exception of the mainstem South Fork Salmon River. The mainstem South Fork Salmon River is being left on the §303(d) list because the data suggest that the watershed has not attained the 1991 target for percent depth fines.

A review of the available stream temperature data, potential management impacts to stream temperature, and riparian conditions indicate that the Idaho water quality standards for stream temperature are not being violated. However, it was found that the federal bull trout temperature standards are exceeded. Therefore, the TMDL recommends that 13 water bodies be added to the next §303(d) list for temperature.

Addendum

DEQ data show that the depth fines and cobble embeddedness targets have not yet been achieved. However, no additional reduction controls beyond those already in place or being planned by the Forest Service are recommended by DEQ. The sediment management strategies currently in place or planned for the future are consistent with the best available management practices for meeting the TMDL.

Summary of Assessment Outcomes

South Fork Salmon River: Leave on §303(d) list for sediment; add to next §303(d) list for temperature
East Fork South Fork Salmon River: Remove from §303(d) list for sediment and metals
Johnson Creek: Remove from §303(d) list for sediment; add to next §303(d) list for temperature
Rice Creek: Remove from §303(d) list for sediment; add to next §303(d) list for temperature
Dollar Creek: Remove from §303(d) list for sediment
Trail Creek: Remove from §303(d) list for sediment; add to next §303(d) list for temperature
Trout Creek: Remove from §303(d) list for sediment; add to next §303(d) list for temperature
Tyndall Creek: Remove from §303(d) list for sediment; add to next §303(d) list for temperature
Sand Creek: Add to next §303(d) list for temperature
Warm Lake Creek: Add to next §303(d) list for temperature
Profile Creek: Add to next §303(d) list for temperature
Buckhorn Creek: Add to next §303(d) list for temperature
Lick Creek: Add to next §303(d) list for temperature
Grouse Creek: Add to next §303(d) list for temperature
Elk Creek: Add to next §303(d) list for temperature

Subbasin Documents

South Fork Salmon River Subbasin Assessment (May 2002)
Addendum to the South Fork Salmon River Subbasin Assessment
(July 2003)
South Fork Salmon River Subbasin TMDL: Five Year Review (March 2011)
South Fork Salmon River Subbasin Temperature Total Maximum Daily Loads and Revised Sediment Targets: Addendum to the SF Salmon River Subbasin Assessment and TMDL (February 2012)

Department of
Environmental Quality

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