9. Tables - Defining ecosystem reference levels
Table 30. Species indicators for which targets have been established in Puget Sound and/or Washington state.
Species Indicator |
Target |
Achieved |
Reference |
Bald eagle |
Equilibrium population abundance is ~6,000 individuals in WA state |
Yes |
[303] |
Harbor seal |
Carrying capacity of 10,000-13,000 individuals (WA inland waters) |
Yes |
[304] |
Peregrine falcon |
Delisting criteria: 30 reproductive pairs in WA state; 1.5 young/territorial pair per year for a 5-year period |
Yes |
[305] |
Pinto abalone |
Achieve >0.15 individuals m-2 to avoid Allee effects due to reproductive failure |
No |
[117] |
Southern Resident killer whale |
Delisting criteria: Sustained average population growth of 2.3% per year for 28 years |
No |
[249] |
Table 31. Habitat indicators for which targets have been established in Puget Sound and/or Washington state.
Habitat indicator |
Target |
Reference |
Riparian habitat |
|
|
% of riparian habitat with a lateral extent >30m |
70-80% |
[306] |
% of riparian habitat with a lateral extent >100m |
40-50% |
[306] |
% of riparian habitat with a lateral extent <10m (encroachment) |
10-20% |
[306] |
Corridor continuity (road crossings/km) |
1-2 |
[306] |
% natural forest or wetland cover |
75-90% |
[306] |
% mature vegetation or wetland |
75-90% |
[306] |
Buffer width for 75% effective nitrogen removal |
25m |
[307] |
Aggregation/deposition zones |
|
|
Deposition rate |
>0.32cm yr-1 |
[328-331] |
Table 32. Freshwater water quality criteria per Washington Administrative Code based on aquatic life use
Parameter |
Categories for Freshwater Aquatic Life |
|
Ref. |
Notes |
||||||
|
River- Char Spawning and Rearing |
River – Core Summer Salmonid Habitat |
River – Salmonid Spawning, Rearing, and |
River – Salmonid Rearing and Migration only |
River – Non-anadromous interior Redband Trout |
River – Indigenous Warm Water Species |
River - Other |
Lakes |
|
|
Dissolved Oxygen (Lowest 1-Day Min.) |
9.5 mg/L |
9.5 mg/L |
8.0 mg/L |
6.5 mg/L |
8.0 mg/L |
6.5 mg/L |
Not less than 0.2 mg/L below natural conditions |
[92, 130] |
|
|
Temperature 7-day average of the daily max temp (7-DADMax) |
12°C (53.6°F) |
16°C (60.8°F) |
17.5°C (63.5°F) |
17.5°C (63.5°F) |
18°C (64.4°F) |
20°C (68°F) |
Not more than 0.3°C above natural conditions |
[93, 130, 308] |
a) |
|
pH |
6.5-8.5, human-variation less than 0.2 units |
6.5-8.5, human-caused variation less than 0.5 units |
|
|
[130] |
b) |
||||
Total Dissolved Gas |
Less than 110% of saturation |
|
|
[130] |
|
|||||
Turbidity |
5 NTU increase when the background is 50 NTU or less, or a 10% increase when the background is 50 NTU or more. |
10 NTU (<50 NTU); 20% inc. (>50 NTU) |
5 NTU (<50 NTU); 10% inc. (>50 NTU) |
10 NTU (<50 NTU); 20% inc. (>50 NTU) |
|
[130] |
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Notes: a) Special protection per Ecology publication 06-10-038. 7-DADMax = 9°C (48.2°F) at the initiation of spawning and at fry emergence for char. 7-DADMax = 13°C (55.4°F) at the initiation of spawning and at fry emergence for salmon and trout. b) See [309] for a non-compliance analysis |
Table 33 - Marine water quality criteria per Washington Administrative Code based on aquatic life use.
Parameter |
Categories for Marine Water Aquatic Life |
Ref. |
Notes |
||||
|
Extraordinary quality |
Excellent quality |
Good quality |
Fair quality |
Other |
|
|
Dissolved Oxygen (Lowest 1-Day Min.) |
7.0 mg/L |
6.0 mg/L |
5.0 mg/L |
4.0 mg/L |
Not less than 0.2 mg/L below natural conditions |
[92, 131] |
|
Temperature (1-Day Max) |
13°C (55.4°F) |
16°C (60.8°F) |
19°C (66.2°F) |
22°C (71.6°F) |
Not more than 0.3°C above natural conditions |
[93, 131] |
a) |
pH |
7-8.5; human-caused var. <0.2 units |
7-8.5; human-caused var. <0.5 units |
6.5-9; human-caused var. <0.5 units |
|
[131] |
|
|
Total Dissolved Gas |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Turbidity |
5 NTU increase when background is 50 NTU or less; or A 10% increase when the background is 50 NTU or more |
10 NTU increase when background is 50 NTU or less; or A 20% increase when the background is 50 NTU or more |
|
|
|
||
Notes: a) Criteria for other marine water is based on 7-day average of maximum daily temperature (7-DADMax) |
Table 34. Nutrient action levels for lakes in the Puget Sound ecoregion. If epilimnetic TP values exceed action levels a lake-specific study should be implemented per WAC 173-201A-230 (2).
Trophic State |
Ambient Total Phosphorus (µg/L) |
Criteria |
Ref. |
Ultra-oligotrophic |
0-4 |
<4 |
[136, 308] |
Oligotrophic |
4-10 |
<10 |
[136, 308] |
Lower mesotrophic |
10-20 |
<20 |
[136, 308] |
Action Value |
>20 |
|
[136, 308] |
Table 35. Water quality criteria for toxic substances for the protection of aquatic life. For human health standards see 40CFR Ch.1 (7–1–06 Edition) 131.36. References: (Environmental Protection Agency 2006, Washington State Department of Ecology 2006e)
|
Freshwater |
Marine Water |
||
Substance |
Acutea |
Chronicb |
Acutea |
Chronicb |
Aldrin/Dieldrine |
2.5 |
0.0019 |
0.71 |
0.0019 |
Ammonia (unionized NH3)hh |
f,c |
g,d |
0.233h,c |
0.035h,d |
Arsenicdd |
360.0c |
190.0d |
69.0c,ll |
36.0d,cc,ll |
Cadmiumdd |
i,c |
j,d |
42.0c |
9.3d |
Chlordane |
2.4 |
0.0043 |
0.09 |
0.004 |
Chloride (Dissolved)k |
860.0h,c |
230.0h,d |
|
|
Chlorine (Total Residual) |
19.0c |
11.0d |
13.0c |
7.5d |
Chlorpyrifos |
0.083c |
0.041d |
0.011c |
0.0056d |
Chromium (Hex)dd |
15.0c,l,ii |
10.0d,jj |
1,100.0c,l,ll |
50.0d,ll |
Chromium (Tri)gg |
m,c |
n,d |
|
|
Copperdd |
o,c |
p,d |
4.8c,ll |
3.1d,ll |
Cyanideee |
22.0c |
5.2d |
1.0c,mm |
d,mm |
DDT (and metabolites) |
1.1 |
0.001 |
0.13 |
0.001 |
Dieldrin/Aldrine |
2.5 |
0.0019 |
0.71 |
0.0019 |
Endosulfan |
0.22 |
0.056 |
0.034 |
0.0087 |
Endrin |
0.18 |
0.0023 |
0.037 |
0.0023 |
Heptachlor |
0.52 |
0.0038 |
0.053 |
0.0036 |
Hexachlorocyclohexane (Lindane) |
2.0 |
0.08 |
0.16 |
|
Leaddd |
q,c |
r,d |
210.0c,ll |
8.1d,ll |
Mercurys |
2.1c,kk,dd |
0.012d,ff |
1.8c,ll,dd |
0.025d,ff |
Nickeldd |
t,c |
u,d |
74.0c,ll |
8.2d,ll |
Parathion |
0.065c |
0.013d |
|
|
Pentachlorophenol (PCP) |
w,c |
v,d |
13.0c |
7.9d |
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) |
2.0b |
0.014b |
10.0b |
0.030b |
Selenium |
20.0c,ff |
5.0d,ff |
290c,ll,dd |
71.0d,x,ll,dd |
Silverdd |
y |
|
1.9ll |
|
Toxaphene |
0.73c,z |
0.0002d |
0.21c,z |
0.0002d |
Zincdd |
aa,c |
bb,d |
90.0c,ll |
81.0d,ll |
|
|
|
|
|
NOTES: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
a. |
An instantaneous concentration not to be exceeded. |
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b. |
A 24 hour average not to be exceeded. |
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c. |
A 1-hour average concentration not to be exceeded more than once every three years on the average. |
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d. |
A 4-day average concentration not to be exceeded more than once every three years on the average. |
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e. |
Sum of Aldrin and Dieldrin concentrations. |
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f. |
Shall not exceed the numerical value in total ammonia (mg N/L) given by: |
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|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
g. |
Shall not exceed the numerical concentration calculated as follows: |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Unionized ammonia concentration for waters where salmonid habitat is an existing or designated use: |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Total ammonia concentrations for waters where salmonid habitat is not an existing or designated use and early life stages are absent: |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Applied as a thirty-day average concentration of total ammonia nitrogen (in mg N/L) not to be exceeded more than once every three years on average. The highest four-day average within the thirty-day period should not exceed 2.5 times the chronic criterion. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Total ammonia concentration for waters where salmonid habitat is not an existing or designated use and other fish early life stages are present: |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Applied as a thirty-day average concentration of total ammonia nitrogen (in mg N/L) not to be exceeded more than once every three years on the average. The highest four-day average within the thirty-day period should not exceed 2.5 times the chronic criterion. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
h. |
Measured in mg/L. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
i. |
≤ (0.944)(e(1.128[ln(hardness)]-3.828)) at hardness = 100. Conversion factor (CF) of 0.944 is hardness dependent. CF is calculated for other hardnesses as follows: CF = 1.136672 - [(ln hardness)(0.041838)]. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
j. |
≤ (0.909)(e(0.7852[ln(hardness)]-3.490)) at hardness = 100. Conversions factor (CF) of 0.909 is hardness dependent. CF is calculated for other hardnesses as follows: CF = 1.101672 - [(ln hardness)(0.041838)]. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
k. |
Criterion based on dissolved chloride in association with sodium. This criterion probably will not be adequately protective when the chloride is associated with potassium, calcium, or magnesium, rather than sodium. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
l. |
Salinity dependent effects. At low salinity the 1-hour average may not be sufficiently protective. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
m. |
≤ (0.316)(e(0.8190[ ln(hardness)] 3.688)) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
n. |
≤ (0.860)(e(0.8190[ ln(hardness)] 1.561)) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
o. |
≤ (0.960)(e(0.9422[ ln(hardness)] - 1.464)) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
p. |
≤ (0.960)(e(0.8545[ ln(hardness)] - 1.465)) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
q. |
≤ (0.791)(e(1.273[ ln(hardness)] - 1.460)) at hardness = 100. Conversion factor (CF) of 0.791 is hardness dependent. CF is calculated for other hardnesses as follows: CF = 1.46203 - [(ln hardness)(0.145712)]. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
r. |
≤ (0.791)(e(1.273[ ln(hardness)] - 4.705)) at hardness = 100. Conversion factor (CF) of 0.791 is hardness dependent. CF is calculated for other hardnesses as follows: CF = 1.46203 - [(ln hardness)(0.145712)]. |
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s. |
If the four-day average chronic concentration is exceeded more than once in a three-year period, the edible portion of the consumed species should be analyzed. Said edible tissue concentrations shall not be allowed to exceed 1.0 mg/kg of methylmercury. |
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t. |
≤ (0.998)(e(0.8460[ ln(hardness)] 3.3612)) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
u. |
≤ (0.997)(e(0.8460[ ln(hardness)] 1.1645)) |
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v. |
≤ e[1.005(pH) - 5.290] |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
w. |
≤ e[1.005(pH) - 4.830] |
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x. |
The status of the fish community should be monitored whenever the concentration of selenium exceeds 5.0 ug/ l in salt water. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
y. |
≤ (0.85)(e(1.72[ln(hardness)] - 6.52)) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
z. |
Channel Catfish may be more acutely sensitive. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
aa. |
≤ (0.978)(e(0.8473[ln(hardness)] 0.8604)) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
bb. |
≤ (0.986)(e(0.8473[ln(hardness)] 0.7614)) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
cc. |
Nonlethal effects (growth, C-14 uptake, and chlorophyll production) to diatoms (Thalassiosira aestivalis and Skeletonema costatum) which are common to Washington's waters have been noted at levels below the established criteria. The importance of these effects to the diatom populations and the aquatic system is sufficiently in question to persuade the state to adopt the USEPA National Criteria value (36 µg/L) as the state threshold criteria, however, wherever practical the ambient concentrations should not be allowed to exceed a chronic marine concentration of 21 µg/L. |
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dd. |
These ambient criteria in the table are for the dissolved fraction. The cyanide criteria are based on the weak acid dissociable method. The metals criteria may not be used to calculate total recoverable effluent limits unless the seasonal partitioning of the dissolved to total metals in the ambient water are known. When this information is absent, these metals criteria shall be applied as total recoverable values, determined by back-calculation, using the conversion factors incorporated in the criterion equations. Metals criteria may be adjusted on a site-specific basis when data are made available to the department clearly demonstrating the effective use of the water effects ratio approach established by USEPA, as generally guided by the procedures in USEPA Water Quality Standards Handbook, December 1983, as supplemented or replaced by USEPA or ecology. Information which is used to develop effluent limits based on applying metals partitioning studies or the water effects ratio approach shall be identified in the permit fact sheet developed pursuant to WAC 173-220-060 or 173-226-110, as appropriate, and shall be made available for the public comment period required pursuant to WAC 173-220-050 or 173-226-130(3), as appropriate. Ecology has developed supplemental guidance for conducting water effect ratio studies. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
ee. |
The criteria for cyanide is based on the weak acid dissociable method in the 19th Ed. Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, 4500-CN I, and as revised (see footnote dd, above). |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
ff. |
These criteria are based on the total-recoverable fraction of the metal. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
gg. |
Where methods to measure trivalent chromium are unavailable, these criteria are to be represented by total-recoverable chromium. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
hh. |
The listed fresh water criteria are based on un-ionized or total ammonia concentrations, while those for marine water are based on un-ionized ammonia concentrations. Tables for the conversion of total ammonia to un-ionized ammonia for freshwater can be found in the USEPA's Quality Criteria for Water, 1986. Criteria concentrations based on total ammonia for marine water can be found in USEPA Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Ammonia (Saltwater)-1989, EPA440/5-88-004, April 1989. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
ii. |
The conversion factor used to calculate the dissolved metal concentration was 0.982. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
jj. |
The conversion factor used to calculate the dissolved metal concentration was 0.962. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
kk. |
The conversion factor used to calculate the dissolved metal concentration was 0.85. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
ll. |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
mm. |
The cyanide criteria are: 2.8µg/l chronic and 9.1µg/l acute and are applicable only to waters which are east of a line from Point Roberts to Lawrence Point, to Green Point to Deception Pass; and south from Deception Pass and of a line from Partridge Point to Point Wilson. The chronic criterion applicable to the remainder of the marine waters is l µg/L. |
Table 36. Bacteria water quality standards for Freshwater and Marine Water by water use category as defined by the Washington Administrative Code.
Parameters |
|
Water Use Category |
|
|
|
|
Extraordinary Primary Contact Recreation |
Primary Contact Recreation |
Secondary Contact Recreation |
Shellfish Harvest |
Ref. |
Freshwater |
|
|
|
|
|
Fecal Coliform (geometric mean) |
50 col./100 mL |
100 col./100 mL |
200 col./100 mL |
|
[130] |
Fecal Coliform (maximum) |
100 col./100 mL |
200 col./100 mL |
400 col./100 mL |
|
[130] |
Marine Water |
|
|
|
|
|
Fecal Coliform (geometric mean) |
|
14 col./100 mL |
70 col./100 mL |
14 col./100 mL |
[131] |
Fecal Coliform (maximum) |
|
43 col./100 mL |
208 col./100 mL |
43 col./100 mL |
[131] |
Table 37. Water Quantity indicators for which targets have been established in Puget Sound and/or Washington state.
Water Quantity Indicator |
Target |
Achieved |
Reference |
Instream flow rules |
Instream flow rules have been established for several streams and rivers in the Puget Sound watershed. |
No1 |
[311-313] |
Flood Stage |
River Flood Stage |
No |
[314] |
Per Capita Water Use |
Municipal Water Law requires efficiency programs for suppliers |
Yes |
[315] |
Notes – see Status and Trends of Violations of Instream Flow Rules |
About the Science Review
Puget Sound Science Review
- Ecosystem-Based Management: Understanding Future and Desired System States
- Section 1. Introduction
- Section 2. The Future of Puget Sound: Where are We Going?
- Section 3. An Approach to Selecting Ecosystem Indicators for Puget Sound
- Section 4. Evaluation of Potential Indicators for Puget Sound
- Section 5. Results of the Indicator Evaluations
- Section 6. Defining Ecosystem Reference Levels: A Case in Puget Sound
- 1. Ecosystem reference levels: how do we know when EBM has succeeded?
- 2. Reference points and reference directions
- 3. Target, benchmark, limit, and precautionary reference levels
- 4. Baseline reference levels
- 5. Reference levels based on nonlinearities
- 6. Normative reference levels
- 7. Focus for the future: targets and success in Puget Sound
- 8. Existing Targets for Puget Sound
- 9. Tables - Defining ecosystem reference levels
- 10. References
- Section 7. Glossary
- Ecosystem-Based Management: Incorporating Human Well-being
- Ecosystem-Based Management: Ecosystem Protection and Restoration Strategies
- The Biophysical Condition of Puget Sound: Biology
- The Biophysical Condition of Puget Sound: Chemistry
- The Biophysical Condition of Puget Sound: Physical Environment
- Threats: Impacts of Natural Events and Human Activities on the Ecosystem