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Water Quality Restoration Plan and Total Maximum Daily Loads
(TMDLs) for the Lake Helena Watershed Planning Area:
Volume - Watershed Characterization and Water Quality Status
I
Review
December 30, 2004
Prepared for the Montana Department ofEnvironmental Quality
Prepared by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Montana Operations Office
With Technical Support from Tetra Tech, Inc. and Land & Water Consulting, Inc.
Project Manager: Ron Steg
Contributing Authors:
Clary Barreto-Acobe
Taylor Greenup
Gary Ingman
Kevin Kratt
Julie Tsatsaros
1 11 11
Lake Helena Watershed WaterQuality Restoration Plan
Volume -Watershed Characterization and WaterQuality Status Review
I
CONTENTS
Executive Summary vii
1.0 Introduction 1
1.1 Background 1
1.2 Document Purpose and Content 3
1.3 Future Phases 3
2.0 Watershed Characterization 5
2.1 General Watershed Characteristics 5
2.2 Water Body Characteristics 7
2.3 Stream Flow 7
2.4 WaterUse 9
3.0 Water Quality Impairment Status 1
3.1 Montana 303(d) List Status 1
3.2 Applicable Water Quality Standards 20
3.3 Water Quality Goals and Indicators 21
3.3.1 Proposed Nutrient Targets and Supplemental Indicators for Streams in the Lake Helena
TPA 23
3.3.1.1 In-stream Nutrient Concentrations 24
3.3.1.2 Total Ammonia - Nitrogen 24
3.3.1.3 Diurnal Dissolved Oxygen and pH 24
3.3.1.4 Periphyton 25
3.3.1.5 Soluble Reactive Phosphorus 25
3.3.1.6 Nitrate+Nitrite - Nitrogen 25
3.3.1.7 Dissolved Oxygen 26
3.3.1.8 Macroinvertebrate Index ofBiological Integrity 26
3.3.1.9 HilsenhoffBiotic Index 26
3.3.1.10 Periphyton Indices 27
3.3.1.1 Nutrient Source Assessment 27
3.3.2 Nutrients - Lake Helena 28
3.3.2.1 Ecoregion Approach 28
3.3.2.2 Modeling Approach 29
3.3.2.3 Dissolved Oxygen 30
3.3.2.4 Fisheries 30
3.3.2.5 Nutrient Source Assessment 30
3.3.3 Proposed Sediment Targets and Supplemental Indicators for Streams in the Lake Helena
TPA
31
3.3.3. McNeil Core Samples - Percentage ofSubsurface Substrate Fines 32
3.3.3.2 Channel Cross-Section Metrics 33
3.3.3.3 Width-to-Depth Ratio 33
3.3.3.4 Bank Erosion Hazard Index 33
3.3.3.5 Median Particle Size 34
3.3.3.6 Riparian Assessment 34
3.3.3.7 Suspended Sediment Data 34
3.3.3.8 Macroinvertebrates 35
3.3.3.9 Periphyton 35
3.3.3.10 Fish Population Data 36
3.3.3.1 Anthropogenic Sediment Sources 36
3.3.4 Metals 37
3.3.5 Thermal Modifications 38
Contents
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Lake Helena Watershed Water Quality Restoration Plan
Volume -Watershed Characterization and Water Quality Status Review
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3.3.5.1 Water Temperature 38
3.3.5.2 Riparian Assessments 39
3.3.5.3 Fish Population Data 39
3.3.6 pH 40
3.3.7 Salinity/Total Dissolved Solids/Chlorides 40
3.3.8 Chlorides 41
3.3.9 Priority Organics 41
3.4 Current Water Quality Impairment Status 42
3.4.1 Prickly Pear Creek Drainage 44
3.4.1.1 Prickly Pear Creek from the Headwaters to Spring Creek (MT41I006060) 47
3.4.1.2 Prickly Pear Creek from Spring Creek to Lump Gulch (MT411006050) 52
3.4.1.3 Prickly Pear Creek from Lump Gulch to Wylic Drive (MT41I006040) 57
3.4.1.4 Prickly Pear Creek from Wylie Drive to Helena Wastewater Treatment Plant
Discharge (MT41I006_030) 64
WWTP
3.4.1.5 Prickly Pear Creek from Helena Discharge Ditch to Lake Helena
(MT41I006020) 74
3.4.1.6 Golconda Creek from the Headwaters to the Mouth (MT41I006_070) 82
3.4.1.7 Corbin Creek from the Headwaters to the Mouth (MT41I006090) 86
3.4.1.8 Spring Creek from Corbin Creek to the Mouth (MT41I006080) 93
3.4.1.9 Middle Fork Warm Springs Creek from the Headwaters to the Mouth
(MT41I006100) 100
3.4.1.10 North Fork Warm Springs Creek from the Headwaters to the Mouth
(MT41I006J80) 105
3.4.1.1 Warm Springs Creek from the Middle Fork to the Mouth (MT41I0061 10)... 1 10
3.4.1.12 Clancy Creek from the Headwaters to the Mouth (MT41I006J20) 114
3.4.1.13 Lump Gulch from the Headwaters to the Mouth (MT41I006_130) 120
3.4.1.14 Jackson Creek from the Headwaters to the Mouth (MT41I006J90) 126
3.4.2 Tenmile Creek Drainage 130
3.4.2.1 Tenmile Creek from the Headwaters to Helena Public Water Supply Intake above
Rimini (MT41I006141) 132
3.4.2.2 Tenmile Creek from Helena Public Water Supply Intake above Rimini to Helena
Water Treatment Plant (MT41I006142) 138
3.4.2.3 Tenmile Creek from Helena Water Treatment Plant to the Mouth
(MT41I006143) 143
3.4.2.4 Skelly Gulch (Tributary ofGreenhorn Creek) (MT41I006220) 150
3.4.2.5 Sevenmile Creek from the Headwaters to the Mouth (MT41I006160) 154
3.4.2.6 Granite Creek from headwaters to mouth (Austin Creek - Greenhorn Creek -
Sevenmile Creek) (MT41I006179) 160
3.4.2.7 Granite Creek from the Headwaters to the Mouth (Sevenmile Creek)
(MT41I006230) 163
3.4.3 Silver Creek Drainage 165
3.4.3.1 Jennie's Fork from the Headwaters to the Mouth (MT41I006210) 165
3.4.3.2 Silver Creek from the Headwaters to the Mouth (MT41I006150) 170
3.4.4 Lake Helena (MT41I007010) 172
3.5 Conclusions ofthe Lake Helena Watershed Water Quality Impairment Status Review 178
4.0 References 183
Contents
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Lake Helena Watershed WaterQuality Restoration Plan
Volume -Watershed Characterization and WaterQuality Status Review
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APPENDICES
Append x A Watershed Characterization A-l
Append x B Montana Water Quality Standards B-l
Append x C Preliminary Source Assessment C-l
Append x D Nutrient Data for Impairment Status Determination D-l
Append x E GWLF/Bathtub Modeling for Lake Helena E-l
Append x F Sediment Data for Impairment Status Determination F-l
Append x G Metals Data for Impairment Status Determination G-
Append xH SSTEMP Model H-l
Append x I Fish Tissue Sampling 1-1
Append x J Multi-Resolution Land Characteristics (MRLC) Consortium Data Description J-l
Append x K Supplemental Data (Available Upon Request from DEQ) K-l
TABLES
Table ES-1 Water quality status ofsuspected impaired water bodies and required TMDLs in the
.
Lake Helena watershed viii
Table 2-1. Selected USGS stream gages in the Lake Helena watershed 8
Table 3-1. Impaired streams on the Montana 303(d) list within the Lake Helena watershed and
associated impaired beneficial uses 12
Table 3-2. Probable causes ofwater quality impairment in the Lake Helena watershed identified in
1996-2004 Montana 303(d) lists 15
Table 3-3. Proposed nutrient targets and supplemental indicators for streams in the Lake
Helena TPA 23
Table 3-4. Lake Helena TPA reference stream monitoring locations 24
Table 3-5. Preliminary nutrient targets and supplemental indicators for Lake Helena 28
Table 3-6. Proposed sediment targets and supplemental indicators for streams in the Lake Helena
TPA
31
Table 3-7. Montana numeric surface waterquality standards for metals 38
Table 3-8. Proposed watertemperature targets and supplemental indicators for streams in the Lake
Helena TPA 38
Table 3-9. pH targets and supplemental indicators for Lake Helena TPA streams 40
Table 3-10. Salinity targets and supplemental indicators for Corbin Creek 41
Table 3-11. Proposed chloride target values forthe Lake Helena TPA 41
Table 3-12. Summary ofcross-sectional data for Prickly Pear Creek, Segment MT41I006060 49
Table 3-13. Summary ofMcNeil core data for Prickly PearCreek, Segment MT41I006060 49
Table 3-14. Statistical summary ofsuspended sediment data for Prickly Pear Creek, Segment
MT41I006060 50
Table 3-15. Summary ofcross-sectional data for Prickly Pear Creek, Segment MT41I006050 54
Table 3-16. Summary ofMcNeil core data for Prickly PearCreek, Segment MT41I006050 54
Table 3-17. Statistical summary ofsuspended sediment data for Prickly Pear Creek,Segment
MT41I006050 55
Table 3-18. Summary ofcross-sectional data for Prickly PearCreek, Segment MT41I006040 59
Table 3-19. Summary ofMcNeil core data for Prickly PearCreek, Segment MT41I006040 59
Table 3-20. Statistical summary ofsuspended sediment data for Prickly Pear Creek, Segment
MT41I006_040 60
Table 3-21. Statistical summary ofcontinuous logging watertemperature data from July 4 to
September4, 2004 forPrickly Pear Creek, MT41I006040 61
Contents
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Table 3-22. Summary ofcross-sectional data for Prickly Pear Creek, Segment MT41I006030 66
Table 3-23. Summary ofMcNeil core data for Prickly Pear Creek, Segment MT41I006030 67
Table 3-24. Statistical summary ofsynoptic water temperature data for Prickly Pear Creek,
MT41I006030 70
Table 3-25. Current water temperature conditions versus natural conditions for Prickly Pear Creek,
MT41I006030 72
Table 3-26. Summary ofcross-sectional data for Prickly Pear Creek, Segment MT411006020 76
Table 3-27. Summary ofMcNeil core data for Prickly Pear Creek, Segment MT41I006020 76
Table 3-28. Statistical summary ofsynoptic water temperature data for Prickly Pear Creek,
MT41I006030 79
Table 3-29. Current water temperature conditions versus natural conditions for Prickly Pear Creek,
MT41I006030 80
Table 3-30. Summary ofcross-sectional data for Golconda Creek, MT411006 070 84
Table 3-31. Summary ofMcNeil core data for Golconda Creek, MT41I006_070 84
Table 3-32. Summary ofcross-sectional data for Corbin Creek, MT411006 090 88
Table 3-33. Summary ofsalinity data in selected streams in the Lake Helena watershed (uS/cm) 91
Table 3-34. Average metals concentrations in selected streams in the Lake Helena watershed, 2003
sampling (ug/L) 91
Table 3-35. Summary ofcross-sectional data for Spring Creek, MT41I006080 95
Table 3-36. Summary ofMcNeil core data for Spring Creek, MT41I006080 95
Table 3-37. Summary ofcross-sectional data for Middle Fork Warm Springs Creek,
MT41I006100 102
Table 3-38. Summary ofMcNeil core data for Middle Fork Warm Springs Creek, MT41I006_100.102
Table 3-39. Statistical summary ofsuspended sediment data for Middle Fork Warm Springs Creek,
MT41I006100 103
Table 3-40. Summary ofcross-sectional data for North Fork Warm Springs Creek,
MT41I006J80 107
Table 3-41. Summary ofcross-sectional data for Warm Springs Creek, MT41I0061 10
1 1
Table 3-42. Summary ofMcNeil core data for Warm Springs Creek, MT41I0061 10 1 12
Table 3-43. Summary ofcross-sectional data for Clancy Creek, MT41I006120 1 16
Table 3-44. Summary ofMcNeil core data for Clancy Creek, MT41I006120 1 1
Table 3-45. Summary ofcross-sectional data for Lump Gulch, MT41I006130 122
Table 3-46. Summary ofMcNeil core data for Lump Gulch, MT41I006130 123
Table 3-47. Statistical summary ofsuspended sediment data for Lump Gulch, MT41I006130 123
Table 3-48. Summary ofcross-sectional data for Jackson Creek, MT41I006190 127
Table 3-49. Summary ofMcNeil core data for Jackson Creek, MT41I006190 128
Table 3-50. Summary ofcross-sectional data for Tenmile Creek, Segment MT41I006141 134
Table 3-51. Summary ofMcNeil core data forTenmile Creek, Segment MT41I006141 135
Table 3-52. Statistical summary ofsuspended sediment data for Tenmile Creek, Segment
MT41I006J41 135
Table 3-53. Summary ofcross-sectional data for Tenmile Creek, Segment MT41I006_142 140
Table 3-54. Summary ofMcNeil core data forTenmile Creek, Segment MT41I006142 140
Table 3-55. Statistical summary ofsuspended sediment data for Tenmile Creek, Segment
MT41I006J42 140
Table 3-56. Summary ofcross-sectional data for Tenmile Creek, Segment MT41I006143 145
Table 3-57. Summary ofMcNeil core data forTenmile Creek, Segment MT41I006143 146
Table 3-58. Statistical summary ofsuspended sediment data for Tenmile Creek, Segment
MT41I006143 146
Table 3-59. Summary ofcross-sectional data for Skelly Gulch, MT41I006_220 152
Table 3-60. Summary ofMcNeil core data for Skelly Gulch, MT41I006220 152
IV Contents
Lake Helena Watershed WaterQuality Restoration Plan
Volume -Watershed Characterization and WaterQuality Status Review
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Table 3-61. Summary ofcross-sectional data for Sevenmile Creek, MT41I006160 156
Table 3-62. Summary ofMcNeil core data for Sevenmile Creek, MT411006_160 156
Table 3-63. Statistical summary ofsuspended sediment data for Sevenmile Creek, MT41I006160.157
Table 3-64. Summary ofcross-sectional data forJennie's Fork, MT411006_21 167
Table 3-65. Summary ofMcNeil core data forJennie's Fork, MT41I006210 168
Table 3-66. Statistical summary ofsuspended sediment data for Lake Helena, MT41I007010 174
Table 3-67. Statistical summary ofsynoptic temperature data for Lake Helena, MT41I007010. ... 176
Table 3-68. Water quality status ofsuspected impaired water bodies and required TMDLs in the Lake
Helena watershed 178
FIGURES
Figure 1-1. General location ofthe Lake Helena watershed 2
Figure 2-1. Streams in the Lake Helena watershed 6
Figure 2-2. Map ofirrigation canals and drains in the Helena Valley Irrigation District 10
Figure 3-1. Locations of 1996-2004 303(d)-listed stream segments in the Lake Helena watershed. 19
.
Figure 3-2. Weight-of-evidence approach for determining beneficial use impairments 22
Figure 3-3. 303(d)-listed segments and 2003-2004 water quality monitoring stations in the Lake
Helena watershed 43
Figure 3-4. Map ofthe Upper Prickly Pear Creek Watershed 45
Figure 3-5. Map ofthe Lower Prickly Pear Creek Watershed 46
Figure 3-6. Continuous logging water temperature data from July 4 to September4, 2003 for Prickly
PearCreek, MT41I006040 62
Figure 3-7. Diurnal water temperatures recorded on August 7-8, 2003 in Prickly Pear Creek,
MT41I006030 71
Figure 3-8. Diurnal water temperatures recorded on August 7-8, 2003 in Prickly PearCreek,
MT41I006020 80
Figure 3-9. Average salinity in selected streams in the Lake Helena watershed in 2003 90
Figure 3-10. Upper Tenmile Creek Watershed 130
Figure 3-11. Lower Tenmile Creek Watershed 131
Figure 3-12. Map ofthe Silver Creek Watershed 165
Contents
Lake Helena Watershed Water Quality Restoration Plan
Volume -Watershed Characterization and Water Quality Status Review
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