- About the Watershed
- Water Quality
ABOUT THE WATERSHED
Water Quality
The 303(d) list identifies waterbodies not meeting water quality standards and not supporting beneficial uses. The Clean Water Act requires the State Department of Ecology to compile the 303(d) list every four years. The list is useful in helping identify water quality concerns in the WRIA. The 303(d) list is also used by the Department of Ecology to determine where Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) studies are needed. The TMDL program is intended to bring waterbodies that are out of compliance with standards, into compliance. In WRIA 1 there are 47 waterbodies on the 303(d) list. Many of these waterbodies have multiple sections of the stream that are identified on the list as being impaired. In addition, a number of these waterbodies are out of compliance with more than one standard resulting in 274 individual 303(d) listings. Many of these individual listings are in Bellingham Bay/Whatcom Waterway. The most frequently listed water quality parameter, by a large margin, is fecal coliform, accounting for 82 listings, with dissolved oxygen next at 48. Temperature, pH, and ammoniumnitrogen account for 26, 15, and 12 listings, respectively, while all other parameters have less than five each. According to the 1996 Department of Ecology State of the Watershed Report, the 303(d) waterbodies are listed due to impairment of:
- fish/salmonid harvest, spawning,and rearing;
- fish migration
- clam, oyster and mussel harvesting
- Primary and secondary contact recreation
Since 1996, additional waterbodies such as Lake Whatcom, have been added to the list. Lake Whatcom is considered a high priority for a TMDL based in part on its importance as a drinking water source and its vulnerability to degradation. According to the 1995 “State of Watershed Report” the sources for 303(d) listed problems are:
- Upper Watershed – Temperature and fine sediment problems are caused by removal of streamside vegetation, poorly maintained or abandoned roads in mass wasting units, and disturbed streambanks.
- Rural lowlands – Runoff of manure, removal of riparian vegetation, livestock access to streams and riparian areas, and channelization of streams have contributed to fecal coliform, dissolved oxygen, and nutrient surface water problems. Failing on-site septic systems also have contributed to these problems. Elevated turbidity and total suspended solids in the Nooksack River are attributed, in part to glacial meltwater. Agricultural practices contribute to nitrate contamination. Commercial pesticide application has contributed to EDB and 1,2- DCP to groundwater. Solvents, paints, and degreasing agents have contributed volatile organic compounds to groundwater.
- Coastal Lowlands – The primary source of fecal coliform is likely pet waste, old, abandoned, or poorly maintained septic systems, and manure in agricultural areas. Turbidity is generally a result of land disturbance. Dissolved oxygen problems are a result of agricultural activities, removal of riparian vegetation, and inputs of organic material like yard clippings. Stormwater runoff, automobile brake linings, corroding copper pipes and electroplating are sources for copper. Motor oil and the corrosion of alloys contribute cadmium and automobile tires contribute zinc. Runoff from industrial areas has contributed toxics and mercury to waterbodies.