Idaho Criteria Development Progress
This page provides information about the progress Idaho has made towards the development of numeric criteria and shows what statewide and site-specific criteria are currently in effect.
Note: The information on the tabs below reflects the information available on EPA’s
Water Quality Standards Repository. The criteria presented here will be updated as new water quality standards documents are posted to the Repository.
Numeric Criteria Development
The information presented below gives a summary of state progress towards the development of numeric criteria. The information comes from EPA’s “State Adoption of Numeric Nutrient Standards (1998-2008)” report, current water quality standards, program activity measures, and nutrient criteria development plans. Links to the Idaho’s Nutrient Criteria Plan and state water quality standards are also provided.
Existing Numeric Criteria
| Waterbody Type | N | P | Chl-a | Clarity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lakes & Reservoirs | ||||
| Rivers & Streams | ||||
| Estuaries | N ⁄ A | N ⁄ A | N ⁄ A | N ⁄ A |
| Wetlands |
S = Statewide W = For selected waterbody N ⁄ A=Not Applicable
Note: See Statewide Criteria and Site-specific Criteria tabs for more information.
Links to Numeric Nutrient Criteria Plan and Existing Nutrient Criteria
Plan:
WQS: Idaho Water Quality Standards
Idaho DEQ—Surface Water: Water Quality Standards Exit
Milestone Information
Milestone information updated July 2012.
Milestone |
Rivers and Streams | Lakes and Reservoirs | Estuaries and Coastal Waters | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TN | TP | TN | TP | TN | TP | |
| Planning for criteria development | No date provided | No date provided | No date provided | No date provided | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Collection of information and data | No date provided | No date provided | No date provided | No date provided | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Analysis of information and data | No date provided | No date provided | No date provided | No date provided | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Proposal of criteria | No date provided | No date provided | No date provided | No date provided | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Adoption of criteria (EPA-Approved) | No date provided | No date provided | No date provided | No date provided | Not applicable | Not applicable |
TN: Total Nitrogen; TP: Total Phosphorus
Statewide Criteria
The information on this tab shows EPA-approved nutrient criteria for Idaho’s waterbodies. The language presented below comes directly from state water quality standards and applies to all waterbodies within the state (unless a waterbody type or designated use is noted). Criteria applicable to specific waterbodies within the state can be found on the “Site-specific Criteria” tab. For more information, refer to the Idaho water quality standards.
The following information reflects Idaho’s water quality standards posted to the Water Quality Standards Repository as of November 2010 (EPA-approved May 2008).
200. General Surface Water Quality Criteria.
The following general water quality criteria apply to all surface waters of the state, in addition to the water quality criteria set forth for specifically designated waters. (4-5-00)
03. Deleterious Materials. Surface waters of the state shall be free from deleterious materials in concentrations that impair designated beneficial uses. These materials do not include suspended sediment produced as a result of nonpoint source activities. (8-24-94)
06. Excess Nutrients. Surface waters of the state shall be free from excess nutrients that can cause visible slime growths or other nuisance aquatic growths impairing designated beneficial uses. (8-24-94)
07. Oxygen-Demanding Materials. Surface waters of the state shall be free from oxygen-demanding materials in concentrations that would result in an anaerobic water condition. (7-1-93)
Site-specific Criteria
The information on this tab shows EPA-approved site-specific nutrient criteria for Idaho’s waterbodies. Criteria on this page apply only to the waterbodies listed below. Criteria applicable to all waterbodies within the state are found on the “Statewide Criteria” tab. For more information, refer to the Idaho water quality standards.
The following information reflects Idaho’s water quality standards posted to the Water Quality Standards Repository as of November 2010 (EPA-approved May 2008).
None.