Kootenai and Moyie Rivers Watershed Advisory Group (WAG)
Watershed advisory groups (WAGs) are groups of interested citizens that provide local public input and guidance to DEQ during the development of water quality improvement plans or "Total Maximum Daily Loads" (TMDLs) for water bodies that fail to meet water quality standards. TMDLs are designed to reduce the levels of pollutants, such as bacteria and sediment, in impaired water bodies.
The Kootenai Valley Resource Initiative members served as the WAG for development of this TMDL. The Assessment of Water Quality in Kootenai River and Moyie River Subbasins (TMDL) was developed by DEQ, EPA, and the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho in 2006. The document was submitted to public comment and approved by EPA in January 2007. Subsequent documentation on likely causes of impairment was issued in 2009.
Review Document
2009 Stressor Identifications
| Stream Name | Assessment Unit | Likely Cause of Impairment |
|
1st and 2nd order tributaries to Kootenai River between Shorty's Island and Canadian border |
ID17010104PN001_02 | Flow, habitat alteration, and possibly sediment |
|
Grass Creek headwaters and tributaries |
ID17010104PN003_02 | Flow alteration, temperature, and sediment |
|
Parker Creek lower section located in Kootenai River valley (Ag area) |
ID17010104PN009_03 | Habitat alteration and sediment |
|
Trout Creek lower section located in Kootenai River valley (Ag area) |
ID17010104PN010_03a | Habitat alteration and sediment |
|
Ball Creek lower section located in Kootenai River valley (Ag area) |
ID17010104PN011_02a | Habitat alteration and sediment |
|
Dodge Creek from South Fork Dodge Creek to McArthur Lake |
ID17010104PN024_03 | Habitat alteration and sediment |
|
Brown Creek from confluence with Twentymile Creek to Deep Creek |
ID17010104PN027_03 | Flow, habitat alteration, and sediment |
|
Lower Cow Creek (Cow Creek near Bonners Ferry) |
ID17010104PN030_03 | Sediment, lack of flow, temperature |
| Boulder Creek | ID17010104PN033_03 | Temperature (if condition exists) |
| Brush Creek | ID17010104PN039_02 | Flow alteration and temperature |
| Meadow Creek | ID17010105PN012_02 | Sediment, possibly temperature, fish barriers, and heavy metal toxicity |