Publication Summary

This is the quality assurance project plan for the Total Total Maximum Daily Load Analysis for Temperature in Tributaries to Oakland Bay-Hammersley Inlet: Mill Creek, Cranberry Creek, and Johns Creek.

Johns Creek and three segments each of Cranberry and Mill Creeks have been included in the proposed 2002/2004 303(d) list for temperature. Therefore, in accordance with the Federal Clean Water Act, Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) for temperature must be established to bring these tributaries into compliance with water quality standards. This plan describes the approach for developing the temperature TMDL for these creeks, the necessary field work, and the follow-up temperature modeling to develop load allocations.

Temperature listings for these creeks are based on data collected by the Squaxin Island Tribe. Further data collection for these creeks will consist of continuous temperature, stream flow, riparian surveys, and an extensive groundwater study in the summer of 2005. Ecology will work cooperatively with the Squaxin Island Tribe to coordinate field work. Water temperature in the creeks will be characterized and load allocations established for heat sources to meet water quality standards. A QUAL2Kw model will be used for this purpose.

A final report will be available by September 2006.

Link to EIM data for User Study ID AAHM0004