TMDL Title: Powder River Basin TMDL and WQMP
Water Quality Limited Parameters: bacteria, dissolved oxygen, temperature, pH, biocriteria, methylmercury, total dissolved gas, sedimentation, turbidity, phosphorus, iron, inorganic arsenic, DDT, DDE, dieldrin.
Pollutants: heat, E. coli, biological oxygen demand, total suspended solids, phosphorus, pesticides, arsenic, iron, methylmercury.
Status: In development
Project summary
The Powder River Basin is comprised of the Burnt River, Powder River and Brownlee Reservoir subbasins. Streams in the Powder River Basin flow from headwaters in the Blue Mountains eastward to the Snake River, along the Oregon/Idaho border. Major streams include the Burnt River, Powder River and Pine Creek.
Many waterbodies in the Powder River Basin do not meet water quality standards at certain times of the year for bacteria, dissolved oxygen, temperature, pH and sedimentation. DEQ establishes water quality standards to protect the health of waterways for beneficial uses, such as recreational activities or fish and wildlife habitat. Oregon is required to establish a Total Maximum Daily Load, or TMDL, for stream segments that do not meet water quality standards. The TMDL for each pollutant is determined through data collection and analysis to calculate the maximum amount of a pollutant that a waterbody can receive and still meet water quality standards.
DEQ is currently developing a bacteria TMDL for the Powder River Basin. TMDLs for additional water quality impairments will be developed in the future.
Rulemaking
TMDL development and implementation is a public process. DEQ will develop this TMDL by rule per
Oregon Administrative Rule Chapter 340 Division 42. During a rulemaking process, DEQ seeks public involvement by establishing a rule advisory committee and conducting a public comment period and public hearing. Rule advisory committees provide feedback on potential fiscal impacts related to the rule, as well as technical and policy input.
Please visit the
Powder River Basin TMDL rulemaking web page for rule advisory committee meeting dates and materials, draft project documents, and to sign up for email updates.
For requesting data, models or other information used in this TMDL, please
complete a "Public Records Request".