Nevada Criteria Development Progress

This page provides information about the progress Nevada 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 Nevada’s Nutrient Criteria Plan and state water quality standards are also provided.
Existing Numeric Criteria
| Waterbody Type | N | P | Chl-a | Clarity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lakes & Reservoirs | W | W | W | W |
| Rivers & Streams | W | W | W | |
| 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
Plans:
- Nutrient Criteria Development Plan for the State of Nevada 2007
- Work Statement: Development of Numeric Nutrient Criteria for Ecoregions within California, Arizona and Nevada 2002
WQS: Nevada Water Quality Standards
Nevada DEP Bureau of Water Quality Planning: Standards for Surface Waters 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 Nevada’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 Nevada water quality standards.
The following information reflects Nevada’s water quality standards posted to the Water Quality Standards Repository as of November 2010 (EPA-approved May 2007).
NAC 445A.121 Standards applicable to all surface waters. (NRS 445A.425, 445A.520)
The following standards are applicable to all surface waters of the State:
3. Waters must be free from materials attributable to domestic or industrial waste or other controllable sources in amounts sufficient to produce taste or odor in the water or detectable off-flavor in the flesh of fish or in amounts sufficient to change the existing color, turbidity or other conditions in the receiving stream to such a degree as to create a public nuisance or in amounts sufficient to interfere with any beneficial use of the water.
Site-specific Criteria
The information on this tab shows EPA-approved site-specific nutrient criteria for Nevada’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 Nevada water quality standards.
The following information reflects Nevada’s water quality standards posted to the Water Quality Standards Repository as of November 2010 (EPA-approved May 2007).
None.