TULARE LAKE BASIN SURFACE WATER AMBIENT MONITORING PROGRAM

Overall SWAMP goals in Region 5 include evaluating beneficial use protection, sources of potential impairment, and effectiveness of implementation efforts. To maximize resources, all monitoring efforts are coordinated with existing monitoring programs-both internal programs (TMDL, subsurface ag drainage, WDR, and Ag Waiver) and external programs (other agencies such as USGS and University of California and grant funded projects).
Tulare Lake Basin
Historically the emphasis on water quality studies has been on groundwater, with SWAMP being one of the first major efforts evaluating surface water. To date the intent of the SWAMP program within the Tulare Lake Basin has been to collect baseline data from the Kern, Tule, Kaweah, South Fork Kings, and Lower Kings Rivers, and associated reservoirs and tributaries draining the west face of the Sierra Nevada. All of the aforementioned water bodies have similar land uses such as foothill development, recreational uses, industrial processes, agriculture, and livestock grazing.

Sampling has been for basic water quality parameters including temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, EC, nutrients, and bacteria. Sampling efforts on the mainstem rivers and reservoirs draining the western face of the Sierra Nevada were to occur on a quarterly timetable, based on seasonal conditions, to begin to establish baseline water quality conditions and to detect potential variations on a temporal and spatial scale. Due to contracting and/or staffing issues, a goal of quarterly sampling over the last three fiscal years has not always been met.

A special study was also conducted on the Fresno River. The Fresno River watershed has been identified as a possible contributor of nutrients. Algal blooms have been observed in Hensley Lake. The County of Madera Engineering Department was awarded a 205(j) grant to collect water quality data, develop a nutrient loading model, and develop a plan to reduce nutrients. To begin to obtain data prior to the execution of the grant contract the Fresno office used SWAMP funds to begin baseline sampling and gather preliminary data from the Fresno River and Hensley Lake. Four sampling events were conducted in the watershed between August 2001 and June 2002. The County of Madera is currently working on the final report for the 205(j) grant that includes data collected from this SWAMP sampling.

During the second half of FY 04/05, work has begun toward inputting all of the Tulare Lake Basin sampling data into the SWAMP database.

For more information on the SWAMP efforts in the Tulare Lake Basin, please contact Steven Hulbert by email at shulbert@waterboards.ca.gov.

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