United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Region 10
1200 Sixth Avenue
Seattle WA 98101
Idaho
Environmental Quality
Profile
1978
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PREFACE
This is a report to the people of the State of Idaho. It provides environmental information
gathered from a variety of sources—State environmental agencies, local government, and
the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency and other Federal agencies. The purpose of
the report is to describe the State of Idaho’s progress in restoring and safeguarding an
environment that is the envy of the Nation.
As the report shows, much has been accomplished in recent years but much remains to
be done. As the larger sources of pollution are cleaned up, a greater proportion of the
remaining problems are attributable to the way we manage our resources, to our practices
in agriculture and forestry, to future urban and suburban water planning, and to the use
of automobiles.
New Federal environmental laws reaffirm the primary responsibilities of the States for
solving these problems in ways which are in consonance with local needs. In addition, to
keep the faith with the businesses, industries and municipalities that have already
voluntarily met their environmental responsibilities, a continuing vigorous enforcement
effort must be maintained against those polluters that profit unfairly by avoiding their
responsibilities.
Looking ahead, it is clear that the Northwest must accommodate a growing population
and that this must be accomplished while maintaining a reasonable balance between
economic benefits and the need for healthful air, clean water, and the other unique
qualities of life that characterize the Northwest.
The technical data behind this report is available from the Region 10 office of the U. S.
Environmental Protection Agency. This data is available to all persons who may wish to
investigate a particular topic in greater depth or who may need greater detail for planning
or management purposes. The Region 10 office of EPA will issue follow-up reports
regularly, with improvements and expansions in the information from time to time as
appropriate. Comments and suggestions are welcome.
Donald P. Dubois
Regional Administrator, Region 10
U. S. Environmental Protection Agency
Seattle, Washington
December, 1978
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IDAHO ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY PROFILE
CONTENTS
AIR QUALITY PROFILE
WATER QUALITY PROFILE ..
Rivers and Streams
Lakes
Marine Water in Region 10
Drinking Water
NOISE PROFILE
SOLID WASTE PROFILE
HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES
SUMMARY
. 2
.12
.12
.23
.28
..29
.30
.31
.32
.33
Exhibits
Health Effects of Air Quality Standards
Violations (Table 1)
Air Quality Status Map - by County (Figure 1)
Annual Average Number of Days Health Standard
Exceeded - by Pollutant (Figure 2)
Annual Average Number of Days Health Standard
Exceeded - by Severity (Figure3)
Percent of Total Air Quality Violation Days
Attributable to Auto Emissions (Table 2)
Air Quality Status in Selected Urban
Areas (Table 3)
Air Quality Status and Trends (Figure4)
Point and Area Sources - Particulate
Emissions (Figure 5)
Point and Area Sources - Sulfur Dioxide
Emissions (Figure6)
Point and Area Sources - Carbon Monoxide
Emissions (Figure 7)
Criteria/Parameter Groups For the Water
Quality I ndex (Table 4)
Water Quality Status Map of Principal Rivers
in Idaho (FigureS)
Water Quality Status of Principal Rivers
in Idaho (FigureS)
Principal Rivers in Idaho - Average Water
Quality Index (Figure 10)
Water Quality Trends - Idaho (Figure 11)
Trends of Federal Criteria Violations
(Figure 12)
Principal Region 10 River Basins - Average
Water Quality per River Mile (Figure 13)
Page Exhibits
Water Quality Status of Principal Region 10
2 River Basins (Figure 14)
4 Water Quality Status Map of Principal
Region 10 River Basins (Figure 15)
5 Water Quality Trends - Region 10 (Figure 16)
Suspended Solids Loading Graphs (Figure 17)
5 Biochemical Oxygen Demand Loading Graphs
(Figure 18)
6 Criteria for Evaluating Impairment of
Lakes (Table 5)
7 Trophic Status of Idaho Lakes and Reservoirs
8 10 Square Miles or Greater (Table 6)
Trophic Status of Major Recreational Lakes
9 (Figure 19)
Impairment Status of Recreational Lakes
10 (Figure20)
Principal Idaho Lakes and Reservoirs —
11 Impairment of Highest Beneficial Uses
(Table?)
12 Marine Waters of Region 10: Status of Clas-
sified Shellfish Growing Areas (Figure21)
13 Idaho Drinking Water Status (Figure22)
Region 10 Population Covered by Noise
14 Ordinances (Figure23)
Percent of Population Served by State-Approved
15 Solid Waste Disposal Facilities
16 (Figure 24)
Status of Resource Recovery Projects and
16 Hazardous Waste Disposal Sites in
Region 10 (Figure 25)
17
Page
18
19
19
21
22
23
24
25
25
27
28
29
30
31
32
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AIR QUALITY
AIR QUALITY
Improving air quality in the Northwest has been a cooperative effort
among Federal, State and local environmental agencies, industry,
and a concerned and informed public. Since the 1970 Clean Air Act
Amendments, there has been a considerable expenditure of time and
money to find solutions to the most pressing air pollution problems.
National air quality standards have been established to ensure that
the goal of a clean and healthful environment is attained. The States,
with Federal assistance, have developed a variety of regulatory,
enforcement, and administrative programs in an attempt to reduce
pollutants to such a level that these air quality standards would be
attained and maintained. State efforts have been augmented by
Federal regulation of pollutants from stationary sources such as
power plants and factories and by the Federal program to reduce air
pollution emissions from motor vehicles.
Throughout the Northwest, State, Federal and local environmental
quality control agencies maintain monitoring networks to scientifically
measure air quality. The Seattle Regional Office of the Environmental
Protection Agency annually evaluates data submitted by these air
pollution control agencies. This analysis allows an assessment of the
degree to which the air quality of the Northwest has been changing
and the degree to which air quality standards are being achieved.
Overall, air quality in Idaho, as well as the other states in Region 10,
has improved during the past five years.
TABLE 1
Air Quality Standards
The Clean Air Act of 1970 directed EPA to establish ambient air
quality standards for the principal and most widespread classes of air
pollutants as shown in Table 1. The standards are divided into two
categories: primary standards which are set at levels required to
protect the public health; and more stringent secondary standards
which are set at levels which would reduce other undesirable effects
of air pollution. The primary standards were established by evaluating
medical data and are designed to reduce adverse health effects from
particulate matter, sulfur oxides, hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide,
photochemical oxidants, and nitrogen oxides. The health effects of
hydrocarbons are not listed in Table 1 because hydrocarbons, in
themselves, do not pose a direct health problem. Rather, they react
in sunlight to form oxidants. For this reason, the standards for
hydrocarbons serve as a way of controlling oxidants and for attaining
the oxidant standard.
Carbon Monoxide
(CO)
Photochemical Oxidants
(03)
Oxides of Nitrogen
(NOr)
Interference with mental and
physical activity, reduced capacity
in persons suffering from heart and
other circulatory disorders;
Aggravation of asthma and chronic
lung disease, irritation of the eye
and of the respiratory tract,
decreased vision, reduced heart and
lung capacity;
Increased chronic bronchitis.
Some pollutants exhibit both chronic and acute effects depending on
the duration of exposure and the concentration of the pollutant. For
this reason, the standards for some pollutants require the
concentration of the pollutant in the air to be averaged over various
lengths of time.
HEALTH EFFECTS OF AIR QUALITY
STANDARDS VIOLATIONS
Health Effect at Concentrations
Pollutant above the Primary Standard
Total Suspended
Particulates
(TSP)
Sulfur Dioxide
(SO 2 )
Aggravation of asthma and chronic
lung diseases, increased cough,
chest discomfort, restricted activity,
aggravation of heart and lung
disease symptoms in the elderly,
increased death rate;
Aggravation of asthma, aggravation
of heart and lung disease symptoms
in the elderly, increased lung illness,
increased death rate;
2
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AIR QUALITY
Measuring Air Quality
The average number of days per year in which the primary air quality
standards were exceeded in the period 1974 to 1976 has been used in
this report to characterize air quality. A three-year running average is
used to project trends because it minimizes year-to-year deviations
due to weather and climate.
For various reasons, including sampling frequency requirements and
the cost of collecting air quality samples, data is not collected for all
days of the year, at all monitoring stations, and for all pollutants.
However, there is sufficient data to make reliable estimates of the
total days of standards violations for most types of pollutants.
Monitoring stations selected in each county for the three-year
average are those showing the greatest number of days exceeding
the standard. Accordingly, the figures are not representative of the
entire county in which the station is located. Attainment of the
secondary standards was not addressed in this report since the major
emphasis in most areas of the Northwest is still on attainment of the
primary health standard.
IDAHO AIR QUALITY
Figures 1, 2, and 3 on the next pages show various aspects of Idaho
air quality.
In Figure 1, all the counties of the State have been color coded
according to the degree to which standards are being violated in at
least one monitoring site within the county. Counties shaded yellow
are exceeding one or more of the primary standards, while the
counties shaded blue are attaining all standards.
Figure 2 shows in more detail where, and how often, the primary
standards were exceeded. During the three-year period ending in
1976, data from monitoring stations showed that 11 of Idaho’s 44
counties recorded concentrations of pollutants that violated air
quality standards.
Particulate matter (TSP) was the most widespread cause of
violations. Concentrations above the primary particulate standard
occurred in every county in which the standards were not met. In
1976, the sulfur dioxide standard (SO 2 ) was exceeded in Shoshone
County on 30 percent of the days and in Bannock County on 10
percent of the days. Ada County, specifically Boise, was the only
area where carbon monoxide (CO) was monitored, and standards
were exceeded about one-third of the days in 1976.
Figure 3 shows the severity of violations for these same counties.
The degree of risk from exposure to pollution varies according to
both the concentration and the length of exposure time. As the
concentration increases above the primary standard, it eventually
reaches what is called the “alert” level, at which there is a
significantly higher health risk.
Figure 3 indicates that approximately one-third of all instances in
which health standards were exceeded in Idaho involved
concentrations at or above the alert level. Almost 80 percent of the
more serious conditions occurred in the more populated or
industrialized counties of Ada, Caribou, Bannock, and Shoshone.
3
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FIGURE 1
AIR QUALITY STATUS MAP — BY COUNTY
• — COUNTIES MEETING PRIMARY
AMBIENT AIR QUALITY STANDARDS
COUNTIES NOT MEETING PRIMARY
AMBIENT AIR QUALITY STANDARDS
COUNTIES WITHOUT CURRENT
MONITORING DATA
ELMORE —
-4
ON El DA
BONNEVILLE
BINGHAM
CARIBOU
MI I I UUALIIY
BOUNDARY
BONNER .
KOOTENAI -‘
BENEWAH
LATAH,/’
LEWISs d
NEZ PERCE
LI
VALLEYS IDAHO
GEMS ADA’ - -
SHOSHONE
WASHINGTOF
PAYETTE
CANYO
BOISE—
C LEAR WATER
COO DING
I
OWYHEE
B LAI NE
—
.LlNCOLN
JEROME
MIN IDOKA 1
LEMHI
CUSTER
BUTTE
1 JEFFERSON
t CLARK MADISON
FREMONT
TWIN FALLS
POWE I i
BAN NO I
CASSIA . Z
(EXCERPTED FOR CLARITY)
“ I E TON
FRANKLIN
AR LAKE
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FIGURE 2
ANNUAL AVERAGE NUMBER OF DAYS HEALTH STANDARD
EXCEEDED — BY POLLUTANT
4
I L ’
uJ
(I)
4
0
4/
/
0
COUNTIES NOT MEETING AIR QUALITY STANDARDS
FIGURE 3
ANNUAL AVERAGE NUMBER OF DAYS HEALTH STANDARD
EXCEEDED — BY SEVERITY
125
—I
Co so 2 is
EXCEEDS PRIMARY
• EXCEEDS ALERT
Alli UUALIIY
/
F,
C T
1
100
75
50
—f
1
49
4
lii
ILl
0
U)
4
0
100 -
75 -
50 -
25 -
1 r
CT
C,
COUNTIES NOT MEETING AIR QUALITY STANDARDS
5
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AIR QUALITY
A REGIONAL OVERVIEW TABLE 2
As shown in Table 3 on the facing page, air quality violations occur PERCENT OF TOTAL AIR QUALITY
in every State in Region 10. Standards for four of the major VIOLATION DAYS ATTRIBUTABLE TO
pollutants were exceeded in the State of Washington for the three-
year period ending in 1976. Idaho and Oregon exceeded standards for AUTO EMISSIONS *
three of the major pollutants and Alaska exceeded standards for two.
Alaska
Region 10 has relatively few heavily populated urban centers. There Anchorage 68%
are only 6.5 million total residents in the four states combined.
Fairbanks 88%
Where there are major urban centers, air pollution problems exist.
Violations in the 14 Region 10 communities shown in Table 3
accounted for 79 percent of all violation-days and 74 percent of all
alert level violation-days in the Region. While pollution is not Idaho 23%
confined to urban areas, it is most severe where human activity is Boise 96%
heavily concentrated.
Much of Region 10’s air pollution can be attributed directly to
automobile exhaust as shown in Table 2 on this page. Eighty percent Oregon 80%
of standards violations in Oregon, 65 percent in Washington, 23 Portland 96%
percent in Idaho and 50 percent in Alaska were due to carbon Salem 100%
monoxide and/or photochemical oxidants in urban areas. In turn, 80 Medford 77%
to 90 percent of these pollutants can be traced to automobile
exhausts. Because over half of the Region’s population lives in or
near the cities shown in Table 2, automobile exhaust must be viewed
as a significant public health problem in the Pacific Northwest and Washington 65%
Alaska. EPA is working closely with the States of Alaska, Idaho, Seattle 99%
Washington and Oregon to reduce both emissions from vehicles and Spokane 80%
the number of vehicle miles traveled in urban centers having high Tacoma 55%
carbon monoxide pollution levels. Yakima 75%
Both western Oregon and Washington have oxidant concentrations
over the health standard. Control efforts in this area are just
beginning, because the creation of oxidants is an extremely complex Region 10 54%
phenomena, involving reactions of hydrocarbons and other chemicals
to sunlight.
*assumes all CO and O, violation days result from
The suspended particulate problem is widespread and results from
automobile-related emissions but excludes auto
both industrial and non-industrial sources such as dust from roads
and streets, and home oil heating. Controls for suspended related particulates
particulates have been installed on many industrial plants, and some
plants are scheduled to reduce emissions in the near future. When
new facilities are constructed, the best available pollution controls are
required. Many localities need to reduce particulates from non-
industrial sources, but in some cases, solutions are technically or
economically difficult to achieve. Examples include grass burning in
western Oregon and eastern Washington, wind-blown dust, dust
from dirt roads, and the re-suspension of dust from paved roads. The
automobile is a significant, indirect contributor to some of these
problems.
In communities such as Tacoma, Washington and Kellogg, Idaho, air
pollution is largely attributable to industry. Heavy metals and
particulate emissions from smelters have long been problems in these
areas.
Sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ) pollution is primarily caused by emissions from
large stationary sources, and controls are being installed as required
by law.
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TABLE 3
AIR QUALITY
Seattle
Spokane
Tacoma
AIR QUALITY STATUS IN SELECTED URBAN AREAS
Pollutants Exceeding Standards
Total Violation Days
Urban Areas
Carbon Photo Suspended Sulfur Primary Alert
Monoxide Oxidants Particulates Dioxide Standard Level
Alaska
•
•
240
69
Anchorage
•
s
37
6
28
Fairbanks
•
•
108
Sitka
•
24
10
Idaho
•
•
•
467
143
Boise
•
•
112
23
Kellogg
•
133
17
50
Pocatello
•
•
83
Soda Springs
•
65
32
7
Twin Falls
•
29
Oregon
•
•
•
169
43
Eugene
•
•
•
18
3
26
Medford
•
•
•
57
Portland
•
•
•
55
8
Washington
•
•
S
•
355
62
• • I
I
•
I
98
131
22
8
19
2
7
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AIK UUALIIY
AIR QUALITY TRENDS IN IDAHO
The trend in air quality is an indication of whether air pollution
control activities have been effective. Figure 4 shows trends in each
Idaho county based on air monitoring records for the period 1974
through 1976. An upward arrow indicates that measured
concentrations of the specified pollutant appear to be increasing. A
downward arrow indicates that concentrations appear to be
decreasing. A horizontal arrow depicts unchanging conditions.
Overall, Idaho’s air quality improved between 1974 and 1976. Of
those counties exhibiting a trend, all but one is either improving or
remaining the same.
Figure 4 also shows whether air quality standards are being violated
in each Idaho county. Blue boxes indicate that there is no evidence
that the specified air quality standard has been exceeded. Yellow
boxes indicate that a standard has been exceeded without
concentrations reaching the alert level, and red boxes show areas
where the alert level was exceeded. Where circles occur within the
box, the degree of attainment of standards was deduced from a
knowledge of pollutant sources rather than actual measurements.
This adds four more counties (Bingham, Bonneville, Minidoka, and
Power) to the eleven counties shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3.
SOURCES OF AIR POLLUTION IN IDAHO
The previous charts have expressed air quality in terms of the days of
standards violations. Another way of describing the problem is in
terms of the amount of pollution being put into the air and from
where it is coming.
Figures 5 through 7 show emissions in those Idaho counties which
exceed standards. The emission totals are based on the latest
emission inventory information. In preparing these charts, emissions
from some sources had to be estimated and some of the smaller
sources have not been included. Also, emissions attributed to a
particular county may affect air quality in an adjoining county
because the source is located close to the county boundary. Overall,
however, the charts provide a good perspective as to the extent,
location, and sources of air pollution.
FIGURE 4
AIR QUALITY STATUS AND TRENDS
At’ ,
J 4 ’ A&
F 4
/
,
o ,
I
COUNTY F
$
BANNOCK
E
0
0
à’
BEARLAKE
0
0
0
0
0
BINGHAM
0
0
0
0
0,
BONNEVILLE
BUTTE
CARIBOU
0
E
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
CLARK I 0
FRANKLIN 0
FREMONT C)
JEFFERSON .____
0
0
0.
0
0
0.
0 0
0
MADISON
ONEIDA
Q
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
POWER
0
0
0
0
0
TETON - 0
0
0
0
BENEWAH
0
0
Q
0
0
KOOTENAI
0
0
0
0
LATAH
0
O•
0 0
NEZ PERCE
0
0
SHOSHONE
La...
ADAMS
0
0
BLAINE
0
0
BOISE
0
0
0
olo
LEGEND
______ NO EVIDENCE PRIMARY
______ STANDARD EXCEEDED
J EXCEEDS PRIMARY LEVEL
EXCEEDS ALERT LEVEL
O DESIGNATION BASED
I ON JUDGMENT
F O DECREASING STANDARDS
I VIOLATIONS
[ LEVEL OR NO
I APPARENT TREND
o INCREASING STANDARDS
______ VIOLATIONS
INSUFFICIENT DATA
______ TO DETERMINE TRENDS
BONNER
0
‘U
0
0
0’
0
BOUNDARY
0
0
0
0
0
CAMAS
0
0
0
0
0
CASSIA 0
CLEARWATER 0
0
0
0
0
0
0
....Q.
0
CUSTER
0
0
0
0
0
ELMORE
.
0
0
0
GEM
GOODING
IDAHO
JEROME
LEMHI 0 0
LEWIS 0 0
LINCOLN 0 0
0
0 0
() r 2
()
.0
0
Q
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
MINIDOKA
OWYHEE
PAYETTE
TWIN FALLS
VALLEY
0
J.
0
0
0
0
Q
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
WASHINGTON
ADA
CANYON
I
0
jQ
0
Ir fl
0 0
COUNTY
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AIR QUALITY
Suspended Partlculates
Sources of particulate emissions can be grouped into two major
categories: point sources, which are large stationary sources such
as factories and power plants; and area sources, such as from the
heating of homes and buildings, from transportation, and from wind-
blown dust. To date, particulate emissions have been addressed
mainly by installing control equipment on industrial plants, reducing
the burning of the higher ash-content fuels and paving roads to
reduce exceptional dust problems.
Figure 5 shows the estimated distribution of particulate matter
emissions by source category in those fifteen Idaho counties where
the standard was exceeded. Of the 23,000 tons of particulate matter
produced from known sources, about 15,000 tons are attributable to
point sources and area sources are responsible for more than 8,000
tons. A large portion of the particulate emissions to the atmosphere
stems from a group of area sources referred to as “fugitive dust.”
Fugitive dust includes wind-blown dust, dust from dirt roads, and re-
suspended dirt from paved roads. The Idaho Department of Health,
Education and Welfare has information showing that most of the
violation days in Jerome County are a result of wind-blown or natural
fugitive dust. Future profiles will be better able to put these
emissions into perspective with the rest of the sources.
Sulfur Dioxide
The principal causes of sulfur dioxide are the combustion of sulfur-
containing fuel in generating electricity and in certain industrial
operations. Sulfur dioxide emissions have declined due to the
substitution of lower sulfur fuels and installation of control equipment
at the sources. Curbing certain types of industrial production, when
weather conditions prohibit adequate dispersion of the pollutant, has
also been effective.
Figure 6 shows that approximately 80 percent of all sulfur dioxide
emissions in the 15 counties exceeding or estimated to be exceeding
any standard came from the two point source complexes of Bunker
Hill in Kellogg and J. R. Simplot in Pocatello.
FIGURE 5
POINT AND AREA SOURCES —PARTICULATE EMISSIONS
LU
a.
(I)
z
0
I-
4,000
3,000 —
2,000 -
1,000
Note:
Fugitive dust emissions
not Included
I I
POINT SOURCES
(Top Figure)
AREA SOURCES
(Bottom Figure)
1,678
260
274
‘ft
COUNTIES NOT MEETING AIR QUALITY STANDARDS
9
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AIR QUALITY
Photochemical Oxidants and Hydrocarbons
Major sources of hydrocarbon emissions are escaping gasoline and
cleaning solvents vapor. Nationally, hydrocarbon emissions have
gone down only slightly. Significant reductions have been obtained
from highway vehicles as a result of the Federal emission standards.
These reductions have been partially offset by increases in industrial
process emissions and losses of gasoline and other hydrocarbon
vapors from evaporation at filling stations and other points in the
marketing chain, and from the use of various solvents. The increases
reflect a general increase in the consumption of these products.
Currently in Idaho, hydrocarbon emissions and resultant oxidant
health standards violations are not a relatively significant problem.
Nitrogen Oxides
Nationally, nitrogen oxides emissions have increased mainly because
of increased emissions from electric utility plants and increased
industrial power generation. Emissions from electric utilities and
industrial sources have risen due to increased power demands. Little
equipment has been installed on these sources specifically to control
nitrogen oxides. Emissions of nitrogen oxides from vehicles have
remained essentially constant since 1972 because control devices
have counterbalanced the increase in total miles traveled.
Carbon Monoxide
Nationally, some three-fourths of the carbon monoxide emissions
comes from transportation sources, but as in many other urban
areas, transportation is responsible for almost all of the emissions in
Boise. Carbon monoxide emissions have decreased mostly because
of the Federal emission standards on motor vehicles. The phasing-
out of some obsolete industrial processes have also contributed to
the decrease.
Figure 7 shows the carbon monoxide emission inventory. Nearly all
the CO emissions in Ada County stem from area sources. The
majority of these are due to automobiles.
FIGURE 6
POINT AND AREA SOURCES — SULFUR DIOXIDE EMISSIONS
w
a.
C .,
z
0
I-
COUNTIES NOT MEETING AIR QUALITY STANDARDS
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AIR QUALITY
AIR QUALITY OUTLOOK FOR IDAHO
For many of Idaho’s counties, the health-related ambient air quality
standards are met. However, in the more densely populated areas of
the state, air pollution levels frequently exceed the air quality
standards. About one-third of Idaho’s population lives in Twin Falls,
Bannock, Ada, and Shoshone Counties where not only the primary
standards but also the more severe alert air quality levels are
exceeded. Although 11 counties have recorded concentrations in
excess of the health standard, the air quality is improving.
The outlook for control of those pollutants in areas exceeding the
ambient air standards is as follows:
Partlculates. Point sources of particulates can be controlled with
reliable, relatively inexpensive technology. Fugitive dust is
undoubtedly responsible for a large share of Idaho’s particulate air
pollution. Thus, even though control of point sources may reduce
the frequency or severity of excursions above the standards,
excursions might still occur until area and fugitive dust sources are
also controlled.
Sulfur Dioxide. Application of currently available control technology
could result in additional reductions in the volume of pollutant
emissions, particularly in the Kellogg area. Although permanent
controls can achieve a major reduction in the amount of the sulfur
dioxide emissions, air temperature inversions in the narrow Coeur
d’Alene River Valley may cause continuing difficulty in meeting
standards in the area. Unquestionably, there can be significant
reductions in the frequency, duration, and intensity of violations of
the standard.
Carbon Monoxide. Improvements can result from both the Federal
Motor Vehicle Control Program to reduce auto emissions, and from
programs at the local level to abate the localized problems in the city-
center and near commuter corridors. The time required for phase-in
of new automobiles with better controls and implementation of local
programs will result in a gradual rather than immediate reduction in
carbon monoxide levels.
FIGURE 7
POINT AND AREA SOURCES — CARBON MONOXIDE EMISSIONS
U i
C l )
z
0
I-
50,000
40,000
30,000
20,000
10,000
COUNTIES NOT MEETING AIR QUALITY STANDARDS
11
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RIVER WATER QUALITY
RIVER WATER QUALITY
In 1972, the United States Congress enacted amendments to the
“Federal Water Pollution Control Act” which stimulated new
cooperative Federal, State and local water quality improvement
programs. Since 1972, various regulatory, enforcement, grant, and
administrative programs have been developed to reduce pollutants
entering the Nation’s waters. This section of the report provides
information on the current status and trends in water quality in the
State of Idaho.
Ways of Measuring River Water Quality
Under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, the States
established water quality standards to protect the public water supply
and the quality of water for wildlife, recreation, navigation,
agriculture, industry, and the propagation of fish and shellfish. The
Idaho Water Quality Standards, like those of the other States in
Region 10, specify levels for parameters such as temperature,
dissolved oxygen, bacteria and turbidity in river water.
In order to provide a means for reliably measuring and comparing
water quality in the Northwest, a standardized set of parameters and
associated criteria has been selected. These criteria, termed”Federal
water quality goals” in the following discussion, are a synthesis of
the State standards, national criteria, information in the technical
literature, and professional judgment. The eleven parameters used to
measure river water quality in this report are listed and explained in
Table 4.
TABLE 4
CRITERIA/PARAMETER GROUPS 1 FOR THE WATER QUALITY INDEX
Criteria /
Parameter Group
Temperature
Dissolved Oxygen
pH
Bacteria
Trophic
Explanation
Temperature of water influences
both the nature of life forms and the
rate of chemical reactions. Ex-
cessively high temperature is
detrimental to cold water fish.
Oxygen dissolved in water is
essential to the life of aquatic
organisms including fish. Low levels
of oxygen can be detrimental to
these organisms.
Measure of acidity or alkalinity of
water. Extreme levels of either can
imperil fish life and speed corrosion,
Bacteria indicate probable presence
of disease-related organisms and
viruses not natural to water.
Indication of the level of algal activ-
ity in water. Excessive activity is
characterized by very murky, turbid
water and nuisance-levels of algae
which impair recreational uses of
water. Algal decomposition process
can adversely affect dissolved
oxygen levels in water bodies.
Criteria /
Parameter Group
Aesthetics
Solids
Total Dissolved Gas
Radioactivity
Organic Toxicity
Inorganic Toxicity
Explanation
Refers to detectable oil, grease and
turbidity which is visually unpleas-
ant.
Dissolved and suspended material in
water. Excess dissolved solids
adversely affect water taste, in-
dustrial and domestic use. Excess
suspended solids adversely affect
fish feeding and spawning habits.
Measure of concentration of gases
in water. Can affect the metabolism
of aquatic life forms.
May be in water resulting from
radioactive waste discharges or
fallout. Excess levels could result in
a direct threat to aquatic and other
life forms.
Includes pesticides and other
poisons that have the same effects
and persistence as pesticides.
Heavy metals and other elements.
Excess concentrations are
poisonous to aquatic and other life
forms.
1 A total of 80 criteria/parameters were evaluated and condensed to the eleven shown here. More detailed information will be provided as requested.
-------
RIVER WATER QUALITY
While water quality can be discussed in terms of the degree to which
each of these eleven parameters deviate from the standards, it is
helpful to be able to express the quality of a stream or river by means
of a single, overall measure. In order to accomplish this, a “water
quality index” (WQI), has also been formulated. This index is simply
a weighted aggregation of the eleven parameters shown in Table 4
and provides index numbers ranging from 0 to 110. The way the WQI
is calculated is described in the insert on page 14. An index number
from 0 to 4 means the river water essentially meets Federal water
quality goals. A number between 4 and 11 means the river
provisionally meets goals, while a number above 11 means the water
fails to meet goals. In the graphs shown in this section of the report,
these index number ranges are colored blue, yellow and red
respectively.
THE QUALITY OF IDAHO’S PRINCIPAL
RIVERS
Figure 9 indicates that of 22 Idaho rivers, seven are partly polluted
and 11 have some or all of their reaches only provisionally meeting
Federal quality goals. Idaho’s Water Quality Monitoring Program is
one of the most complete in the Region. Even so, the water quality
status of a large portion of the rivers within the state is still
unknown.
Figure 10 shows that the lower reaches of Rock Creek, Portneuf
River, and Raft River, with an average Index number greater than
11.0, are not adequate for propagation of native fish and unrestricted
FIGURE 8
WATER QUALITY STATUS OF PRINCIPAL RIVERS
IN IDAHO
DOES NOT MEET FEDERAL QUALITY GOALS
PROVISIONALLY MEETS FEDERAL QUALITY GOALS
MEETS FEDERAL QUALITY GOALS
UNKNOWN. DUE TO INSUFFICIENT DATA
MAJOR SURFACE WATERS AND FEATURES
1. UPPER SNAKE RIVER
la. Henrys Fork
lb. Blackfoot R.
lc. Porineuf R.
id. Raft R.
le. Rock Cr.
if Big Wood R.
1g. Little Wood R.
2. MIDDLE SNAKE RIVER
2a. Bruneau R.
2b. Boise R./S. Fk. Boise R.
2c. Payette R./N. Fk. & S. Fk. Payette R.
2d. Weiser R.
3. LOWER SNAKE RIVER
3a. Salmon R.
3b.
Clearwater R./N. Fk. Clearwater R. 8. Bear River
•SELECTED STREAM REACH UMITS
3c. Locksa R.
3d. Seiway R.
4. Kootenai River
5. Clark Fork River & Pend Oreille River
6a. S. Fk. Coeur d’Alene R.
7. St. Joe River
6. Coeur d’Alene River & Spokane River
13
-------
RIVER WATER QUALITY
The Water Quality Index (WQI)
The WQI compares measured water quality during the last five years
with the recommended Federal criteria. The data used to make this
comparison come from various Federal, State and local agencies and
are stored in EPA’s computer systems. A number is calculated for
every water quality sampling station with sufficient data. Seventy-
nine Idaho stations were used in this evaluation. Seasonal and other
temporal data biases are significantly reduced by time-weighting the
WQI calculation for each station. The final index number for each
station is a summation of standard violations for each
criteria/parameter group which are also weighted by the severity of
the violation. The station WQI number spans a scale that may run
from 0.0 (no measured evidence of pollution) to a theoretical
maximum level of 110.0 (severe pollution in all eleven
criteria/parameter groups at all times). Individual reaches of most
Northwest rivers fall below a WQI of 30, and the average WOl for
entire rivers is still lower.
Based on professional judgment as to the significance of the values
and the known water quality status of regional streams, the entire
scale of 0 to 110 is divided into several ranges. An index number
greater than 11.0 (shown as red in the Figures) is considered to be
characteristic of streams that do not meet the goals of the Federal
Water Pollution Control Act. An index number less than 4.0 (bluel is
considered to be equivalent to natural or minimally impaired
conditions (meets goals of the Act). An index number between 4.0
and 11 .0 (yellow) is indicative of streams which provisionally meet
the goals of the Act. The color green is used in the charts when the
water quality status is unknown due to an inadequate data base.
FIGURE 9
WATER QUALITY STATUS OF PRINCIPAL RIVERS IN IDAHO
400
U DOES NOT MEET
FEDERAL QUALITY GOALS
D PROVISIONALLY MEETS
FEDERAL QUALITY GOALS
NOTE:
300
C l)
w
-J
‘U
Except where Indlcat.d, the river
mIles shown are for the malnstem
of each stream only.
MEETS FEDERAL QUALITY GOALS
U UNKNOWN, DUE TO
INSUFFICIENT DATA
I
I
*0
-------
RIVER WATER QUALITY
recreation use. Of the 11 streams that only provisionally meet Federal
water quality goals, the mainstream Middle Snake, South Fork Coeur
d’Alene, Boise, and Blackfoot Rivers are polluted in the lower
reaches. Better water quality in the remaining portions of those rivers
lowers the average Index number for the rivers as a whole. The
remaining seven rivers, (blue) which are mostly northern rivers
originating high in the mountains, are the least polluted.
The most common forms of pollution in the Idaho rivers that were
analyzed are excessive solids, turbidity, and nutrients. Dissolved
oxygen deficiencies are experienced in the Snake River reservoirs as
well as the Bear, Portneuf and Weiser Rivers. Excessive mineral salts
occur in the Bear River from agricultural irrigation, and natural salt
deposits. Groundwater inflow, in addition to irrigation, accounts for
excessive mineral salts in Middle and Upper Snake Basins.
Organic toxicity from pesticides and inorganic toxicity in the form of
heavy metals have a serious adverse affect on aquatic life. Heavy
metals concentrations occur in the Coeur d’Alene River system in the
northern portion of the state due to mining and smelting activities, in
the Boise and Upper Snake Rivers as a result of industrial activities,
and in Henry’s Fork from unknown sources. There is a lack of
organic toxicity data on Idaho streams, even though pesticides are
used in both agriculture and forestry activities throughout the state.
RIVER WATER QUALITY TRENDS
Data from 31 water quality sampling points are used for water quality
trend evaluations as shown in Figures 11 and 12. These stations are
considered to be representative of water quality within the State of
Idaho.
Areas that consistently meet Federal standards are located in the
northern part of the state where the population is sparse and
silviculture is the major activity, and in the Upper Snake River Basin
away from populated and irrigated agricultural areas. The majority of
areas that provisionally meet Federal criteria (yellow) and those that
do not meet these criteria (red) are located in the more heavily
populated areas of the southern portion of Idaho where intensive
water and land use exists.
Figure 12 provides details for the eleven broad parameter classes
described in Table 4. The blue color indicates that measurements for
the indicated parameter produced no evidence of a violation of
Federal criteria for water suitable for fish, wildlife, and recreation.
Yellow and red indicate minor and major violations of the criteria.
The green indicates that there was inadequate information for making
a judgment. An upward-pointing arrow within a box indicates that
the concentrations of the contaminant are rising, or that the
FIGURE 10
PRINCIPAL RIVERS IN IDAHO -
AVERAGE WATER QUALITY INDEX
24.0-
21.0-
18.0-
15.0-
12.0-
I
NOTE:
1) The Water Quality index (WQ1) Is an
average value over a river length,
calculated only from those river portions
where data Is available.
2) Except where indicated, those portions
Included in the WQI value are on the
mainstem of each stream, only.
‘U
-J
4
>
0
S DOES NOT MEET FEDERAL
QUALITY GOALS
O PROVISIONALLY MEETS FEDERAL
QUALITY GOALS
9.0-
6.0- -
3.0-
5 MEETS FEDERAL QUALITY GOALS
C
yi
4 :
15
-------
RIVER WATER QUALITY
WATER QUALITY TRENDS - IDAHO
(I)
z
0
I-
C,)
C,
z
0
I-
z
0
I a.
0
I-
z
IL l
C.)
w
0.
100
80
60
40
20
1974 1975
YEAR
FIGURE 12
TRENDS OF FEDERAL CRITERIA VIOLATIONS
RIVER
ROCK CREEK
PORTNEUF
RAFT
BEAR
WEISER
MIDDLE SNAKE
SOUTH FORK
COEUR D’ALENE
LOWER SNAKE I o
BOISE
BLACKFOOT
HENRY’S FORK
COEUR D’ALENE
BRUNEAU
CLEAR WATER
PEND OREILLE
BIG WOOD
SALMON
PAYETTE
KOOTENAI
ST. JOE
FIGURE 11
_ DOES NOT MEET
FEDERAL QUALITY
GOALS
El PROVISIONALLY
MEETS FEDERAL
QUALITY GOALS
MEETS FEDERAL
QUALITY GOALS
RIVER
.O(..
4.,
•q.c, C
4A? G
/ i I?!,?.
LEGEND
MEETS FEDERAL
QUALITY GOALS
PROVISIONALLY MEETS
FEDERAL QUALITY GOALS
DOES NOT MEET FEDERAL
QUALITY GOALS
UNKNOWN DUE TO
INSUFFICIENT DATA
I NUMBER OF VIOLATIONS
INCREASING
NUMBER OF VIOLATIONS
DECREASING
CONDITION STABLE
UPPER SNAKE
]LHHHL
-------
RIVER WATER QUALITY
frequency of violations is increasing. A downward-pointing arrow
indicates declining problems and a horizontal arrow indicates that no
significant change has occurred over the five-year period. The trends
represent the average condition of the river evaluated.
The most common criteria violations in Idaho are caused by
excessive nutrient concentrations, dissolved and suspended solids,
and turbidity. These criteria violations occur in highly populated,
irrigated areas in southern Idaho. Toxic concentrations of heavy
metals are present in both the Coeur d’Alene and the Upper Snake
River systems. Some dissolved oxygen deficiencies occur in the
Snake River reservoirs. Additional data is needed for agricultural
areas to determine organic toxicity. Radiation and dissolved gas
supersaturation information is also needed; however, unless
indicated, no criteria violations are expected.
In total, of 242 opportunities for pollution (22 evaluated rivers and 11
pollutant classes), 48 occur. In seven of these cases, levels of
pollution appear to be increasing (upward pointing arrow). The status
of 85 are unknown at this time.
A REGIONAL OVERVIEW
The Water Quality Index (WQI) is used in Figure 13 to compare 25
major Pacific Northwest River Basins within Alaska, Idaho, Oregon,
and Washington.
Figure 14 depicts the water quality by river mile for each river basin
and Figure 15 shows similar information on a regional map.
As Figure 14 indicates, portions of approximately one-third or nine of
the river basins do not meet Federal water quality goals and another
four only provisionally meet them. Most streams in Alaska fall into
the unknown category. However, many of these waterways are
located in remote areas unaffected by man. Future reports will show
the results of water quality monitoring programs now in progress in
Alaska.
Regional water quality appears to be worse in the more arid and
agriculturally oriented parts of the Region. Of the nine rivers which
do not meet Federal water quality goals (Klamath, Bear, Spokane,
Lower Columbia, Willamette, Yakima, and the three Snake Basins),
only the Spokane and Willamette Basins owe their high rating to
industrial activities. In the Spokane Basin, water quality is affected by
intense mining and smelting in the Coeur d’Alene, Idaho area and a
municipal discharge in the Spokane, Washington vicinity. Water
quality in the Willamette River Basin is affected by municipal and
industrial discharges in the small Tualatin River tributary; however, its
average WQI rating is so close to 4.0 that the Basin is considered to
be meeting Federal water quality goals. Major coastal and Puget
Sound rivers and the northeast river basins, Upper Columbia, Clark
Fork! Pend Oreille, and Kootenai have relatively good water quality,
with a few exceptions.
FIGURE 13
PRINCIPAL REGION 10 RIVER BASINS-
AVERAGE WATER QUALITY PER RIVER MILE
14.0
12.0-
MEETS FEDERAL QUALITY GOALS
6.0- -
- - -______
;7 , Ad$V :‘
10.0-
8.0-
‘L I
-l
0
NOTE:
The Water QualIty Index (WQI) Is an
average value over a stream length,
calculated only from thosi stream
portIons where data Is available
. DOES NOT MEET FEDERAL
QUALITY GOALS
O PROVISIONALLY MEETS FEDERAL
QUALITY GOALS
. INSUFFICIENT DATA, HOWEVER PRE-
SUMED MEETING FED. QUALITY GOALS
17
-------
RIVER WATER QUALITY
Although it is known that some streams in Alaska have localized
water quality problems near major population centers and in the more
remote areas where placer mining activities are occurring, data for
most areas is non-existent. The WQI, therefore, is somewhat
conservative for the state since the calculations do not include these
localized pollutants. The vast majority of fresh water in Alaska is
considered to be of good quality.
The most prevalent criteria violations in Region 10 are: excessive
concentrations of phosphorus and nitrogen, high nutrient levels
resulting in eutrophication; suspended solids; temperature; and low
dissolved oxygen levels associated with agricultural activities within
the Region. High suspended solid levels from natural origins such as
glaciers, mostly in Washington and Alaska, add to the difficulty in
determining the actual causes of violations. High bacteria levels and
pollutants that affect aesthetics (oil, grease and turbidity) account for
most violations in the vicinity of large population areas.
Inorganic toxicants in the form of heavy metals are extremely high in
the Spokane River Basin and are also present in moderate amounts
in the Upper Snake Basin tributaries. Supersaturation of dissolved
gas periodically occurs in the Lower Snake and Columbia Rivers from
high river flows passing over dams. Because of reduced river flow,
this problem has been less severe in the last few years.
An overall review of water quality trends in Region 10, shown in
Figure 16, indicates some improvements in streams that provisionally
met Federal goals between the years 1972 and 1976, and minimal
improvements in streams identified as not meeting the goals. Alaska
rivers are not included in the trend evaluation since adequate water
quality data does not exist at this time.
Changes in Regional water quality over the last five years indicate
that programs to control municipal and industrial waste discharges
have reduced the level of bacteria and oxygen degrading materials.
However, dissolved gas saturation, suspended solids, temperature,
nutrients, organic and inorganic toxicants which make up the
majority of the problems, are relatively unaffected by these programs.
Programs to identify and control nonpoint sources within the Region
must be implemented before further significant improvements in
Regional water quality can be expected.
FIGURE 14
WATER QUALITY STATUS OF PRINCIPAL REGION 10
RIVER BASINS
U,
w
-I
2
U i
400
NOTES:
I
I
1.
2.
Only the significant streams
within each basin are Included In
the mileage totals shown.
The color green representi
inadequate, or no water quality
data. it can be assumed, however,
that the vast majority of Alaska
stream miles identified Ofl this
chart meets Federal quality goals.
DOES NOT
MEET FEDERAL
QUALITY GOALS
I:J PROVISIONALLY
MEETS FEDERAL
QUALITY GOALS
U MEETS FEDERAL
QUALITY GOALS
U SEE NOTE 2
200
-------
RIVER WATER QUALITY
I
MAJOR SURFACE WATERS
AND DRAINAGE AREAS
1. ARCTI(’ SLOPE I)R.41.\AGE
2. NORTHWEST ALASKA DRAINAGE
3. UPPER ylrKoN RIVER
4. TANANA R.
5. LOWER YUKON R.
6. K(.. KHKU’IM R.
7. BRISTOL BAY DRAINAGE
8. KENAI•KNIK DRAINAGE
DOES NOT MEET FEDERAL QUALITY GOALS
PROVISIONALLY MEETS FEDERAL QUALITY GOALS
MEETS FEDERAL QUALITY GOALS
UNKNOWN. DUE TO INSUFFICIENT DATA
MAJOR SURFACE WATERS
1. KLAMATH R.
2. BEAR R.
3. UPPER SNAKE R.
4. PORTNEUF R.
5. MIDDLE SNAKE R.
6, BOISE R.
7. OWYHEE R.
8. MALHEUR R.
9. PAYETTE R.
10. LOWER SNAKE R.
ii. . .4LMON R.
12. GR4NDE RONDE R.
13. CLEAR WATER R.
14. UPPER (‘01.1 ‘M IIL4 R.
15. ST JOE R.
16. COEUR DALENE R.
17. SPOKANE R.
18. YAKIMA R.
19. LOWER COLUMB1A R.
20. UMATILLA R.
21. JOHN DAY R.
22. DESCHUTES R.
23. WILLAMETTE R.
24. SANTIAM R.
• SELECTED STREAM REACH UNITS
9. SUSITNA R.
10. COPPER R.
WATER QUALITY STATUS OF PRINCIPAL
REGION 10 RIVER BASINS
FIGURE 16
WATER QUALITY TRENDS-REGION 10
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
FIGURE 15
25. COWLJTZ R.
26. ROGUE R.
27. UMPQUA R.
28. WILL1PA R.
29. CHEHAUS R.
30. SNOHOMISH R.
31. GREEN/DUWAMISH R.
32. SK4GIT R.
33. NOOKSACK R.
(I)
z
0
I-
I-
C l)
I I .
0
I-
z
‘Li
C.)
I i i
YEAR
19
-------
RIVER WATER QUALITY
SOURCES OF RIVER WATER POLLUTION IN
IDAHO
The previous charts show that suspended solids, plant nutrients, and
oxygen-consuming mat rials have the most significant impact on
water quality in Idaho’s streams. The causes of these problems are
varied. All occur naturally, and under certain conditions the natural
contribution can be the major cause of the pollution. However, they
are also generated by man’s activities such as point source
discharges from urban or industrial areas or as nonpoint sources from
various land use activities. The contributions from all of these
sources, and the resulting effects, can be significantly altered by
seasonal changes in stream flow, water temperature, and other
factors.
Suspended Solids
Suspended solids are a general class of both organic and inorganic
materials, such as algae, having a specific gravity very close to that
of water. This characteristic prevents rapid settling of the material
and promotes suspension and transportation over long distances. In
excessive quantities, these materials can discolor the water, reduce
light penetration, and, with gradual settling, smother fish-spawning
areas.
The organic portion of the suspended solids is degradable and often
leads to excessive oxygen demands. Suspended solids frequently
carry high concentrations of nutrients and toxic materials, such as
pesticides, which are ultimately released to the water.
Figure 17 presents graphical comparisons of seven rivers which
provide insight into the occurrence of suspended solids in Idaho
streams. Average daily suspended solids in the streams were
calculated and compared on a monthly basis with suspended solids
contributed by municipal and industrial sources.
The pattern that emerges from this comparison emphasizes the
strong influence streamf low and geology have on amounts of
suspended solids. The larger northern rivers, such as the Salmon,
Kootenai, Spokane, and Payette, which originate and run most of
their length in the mountains, carry larger loads of suspended solids
than the smaller, slower rivers in the southern part of the state. The
latter streams, heavily utilized for agricultural purposes, have higher
concentrations of suspended solids which may adversely impact
water quality in localized areas. However, due to lower river flows,
the total load of suspended solids is less than in the larger northern
streams.
The comparisons indicate that, in general, direct municipal and
industrial discharges do not contribute significantly to suspended
solids in Idaho streams. In some localized areas on smaller streams,
such as the Lower Portneuf, some increased contribution has been
noted.
Suspended solids loadings in streams will increase or decrease
seasonally, depending on the streamfiow. This means that erosion is
the major source of these materials. In relatively undeveloped areas,
the loadings are primarily due to natural erosive processes. In areas
subject to intensive forestry or agricultural activity, however, the
erosion process may be greatly accelerated with resulting adverse
impacts.
Nutrients
High concentrations of plant nutrients, primarily nitrogen and
phosphorus, can lead to excessive growths of floating and attached
algae which clog small streams, deplete oxygen when they decay,
and generally create aesthetic nuisance conditions. These effects can
be especially severe in smaller bodies of water. Data previously
presented show that most of the northern and central Idaho streams
do not have high phosphorus levels, particularly in the upper
reaches. The streams and major reservoirs in southern Idaho have
phosphorus levels that exceed Federal criteria. As with suspended
solids, there are a variety of point, nonpoint, and natural sources that
contribute to the overall nutrient levels. In the Snake Basin, for
example, a major source of phosphorus is the extensive beds of
phosphate rock found in the southeast corner of the state. Runoff
from this area contributes a majority of the phosphorus in the
mainstem Snake River. Other sources, such as runoff from
agricultural land and discharges from industry and municipalities also
contribute significant quantities of plant nutrients.
Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)
The consumption of oxygen by bacteria feeding on organic wastes
has historically been a major source of water pollution both in Idaho
and throughout the country. BOD is used as a measure of either the
pollution potential of a waste or the pollution load in a stream.
Excessive BOD concentrations result in diminished oxygen levels in
streams and lakes with significant adverse impacts on fish
populations and other biological activity. As with the other
contaminants discussed, a variety of point and nonpoint sources can
contribute to BOD loadings.
The oxygen levels in most of the seven Idaho streams evaluated in
this profile are not adversely affected by high BOD concentrations.
Figure 18 presents comparisons of instream BOD, flows, and point
source BOD contributions. These comparisons bring out several
interesting points. In a pattern similar to the other contaminants, the
central and the northern streams generally have BOD concentrations
which approach background levels. The Boise and the Portneuf
Rivers, however, show BOD levels above 3 mg 1 that are indicative
of increased loadings from point or nonpoint sources. The graphics
indicate that a significant percentage of the BOD in these streams is
in fact due to point source discharges.
Past water quality control efforts in Idaho have concentrated largely
on elimination of point sources of organic pollution. With some
localized exceptions, these discharges have been reduced
significantly or eliminated, with resulting improvements in water
quality. The remaining problem point sources are on schedules to
install treatment. Further efforts to improve oxygen levels in streams
and reservoirs will focus on reducing nonpoint source contributions
of organic matter and plant nutrients.
-------
RIVER WATER QUALITY
FIGURE 17
SUSPENDED SOLIDS LOADING GRAPHS
State of Idaho
100
so.
SO-
10.
20-
4
U)
0
0
z
‘I )
(0
PORTNEUF RIVER
KOOTENAa HIV n
-SI.. —r
SI’’
JFMAMJ JABOND
S. FORK COEUR D’ALENE
RIVER
S O 10’
s o
a0
20
10
‘Ilu hIllIll
1L II ii
SO
4 5.
SALMON RIVER
J FMAMJ JA$OND
1 4 0 - -. . -
00
00 -
<1%
10’
10’
.
10’
MEAN MONTHLY AMBIENT LOADING8
MEAN FLOW
NOT!
Not. that th. logarithmIc scsi. tsnds to greatly d.-
emphasis. the variations shown, thereby demanding
consld.rabls care In Interpreting the graphs.
BOISE RIVER
§
i
so
I AY iI HIV H
10’
10 ’
10’
10’
10 ’
J FMAMJ J A BOND
F j ‘
PMAMJ JABOND
10
4
U)
0
0
.1 FM AM J J A SO ND
10’
10 ’
101
10’
so
S0
§40
. ao
2ao
10
JFMAMJ JASOND
7
LEGEND
P8/NPS CURVE — This curvs gives a gensral Indica-
tion of ths point source vs. nonpoint source loadings
expr.ss.d as a percentage.
21
-------
RIVER WATER QUALITY
FIGURE 18
BIOCHEMICAL OXYGEN DEMAND LOADING GRAPHS
State of Idaho
BOISE RIVER
.••I__
II I
JFMAMJ JASOND
10’ €
S
40
10
10
KOOTENAI RIVER
:t Li
€
0
0
40
J FMAMJ J ASOND
S. FORK COEUR D’ALENE
RIVER
€
8
40
SPOKANE RIVER
1’
€
§
SALMON RIVER
100 • -.
••
s0
I0
40-
10-
e..
.
<1%
J L...
40
I
MEAN MONTHLY AMBIENT LOADINGS PS/NPS CURVE — This curve give, a general indica-
MEAN FLOW tion of the point source vs. nonpoint sourc. loadings
expressed as 5 percentage.
€
8
40
NOTE
Note that the logarithmic scaie tends to greatly d.-
emphasis. the varIations shown thereby demanding
considerable care in Interpreting the graphs.
PORTNEUF RIVER
§io.
3C
0
xc
PAYETTE RIVER
I C
S
40
20
J FMAMJ JASOND
10 ’ €
8
• “ • i ‘ T
10
JFMAMJ JASOND
40
U
40.
10
10’
§
i
JFMAMJ JASOND
LEGEND
22
-------
LAKE WATER QUALITY
LAKE WATER QUALITY
Lakes and reservoirs play a major and vital role in Idaho’s water
quality picture. They affect the state’s economy through recreational
uses such as fishing, swimming, and boating as well as through
agriculture and water supply. Power, navigation, irrigation and flood
control are major benefits derived from dams and reservoirs
constructed throughout Idaho to support and protect the life and
livelihood of its inhabitants.
Measuring Lake Water Quality
Although a numerical “Water Quality Index” has not been developed
for lakes as for rivers, lake quality can be characterized in two ways:
trophic status and the degree of impairment of beneficial use.
While eutrophication, the process of aging, occurs naturally in lakes
and impoundments, man’s activities may accelerate this process,
resulting in “cultural eutrophication”. Highly eutrophic bodies of
water are characterized by dense algal blooms, floating mats of
vegetation, and a murky appearance. Algae are naturally found in
every body of water; however, when stimulated by abundant
nutrients, sunlight, and warm temperatures, they multiply rapidly to
become a nuisance to recreational users and seriously affect water
quality for other uses.
Plant nuisances may directly curtail or eliminate water recreation
activities such as swimming, boating, and fishing; impart tastes and
odors to water supplies; and hamper industrial and municipal water
treatment. These nuisance growths can also cause toxic conditions
which adversely affect other aquatic life in the lakes. Possibly the
greatest effect of eutrophication on water quality is the consumption
of dissolved oxygen when algae die, sink to the bottom of the lake,
and are decomposed by bacteria. This process reduces dissolved
oxygen levels and can adversely affect fish and other aquatic
inhabitants.
Water bodies with very little algae are said to be oligotrophic (often
called pristine). Lakes are said to be mesotrophic if they have
moderate algae productivity and meso-eutrophic if they are
approaching fully eutrophic conditions.
In the case of use impairment, swimming, fishing, boating and
aesthetics may be considered. An evaluation system which yields an
impairment score is shown in Table 5.
TABLE 5
CRITERIA FOR EVALUATING IMPAIRMENT OF LAKES
Dearee of lmoairment
Recreational________
Use Criteria
None Moderate
Score Criteria
Score Criteria
Score
Swimming
Very low bacteria
levels (Fecal coli-
forms geometric mean
less than 50 per
100 ml)
Moderate bacteria
levels (Fecal coli-
forms 50 to 200 per
100 ml)
2 Unhealthy bacteria
levels (Fecal coli-
forms greater than
200 per 100 ml)
3
Fishing
No adverse condi-
tions. Healthy
fish population.
Slightly adverse
conditions. Slight
reduction in fish
population.
2 Adverse conditions.
Significant reduction
in fish population.
3
Boating Less than 10% of
surface area affected
by aquatic weeds
1 10% to 30% affected
2 Morethan30%
affected
3
Objects visible in
water to depth of
10 feet or more and
low phosphorus
(Secchi Disc at 10
feet; total phosphorus
of less than 10 ug/ I)
Objects visible from
1.5 to 10 feet and
moderate phosphorus
level (Secchi Disc
at 1.5 to 10 feet;
total phosphorus
10 to2O ug/l)
2 Objects not visible
beyond 1.5 feet or
high phosphorus level
(Secchi Disc at less
than 1.5 feet; total
phosphorus greater
than 20 ugh)
SCORE
4
(No uses impaired)
5-8
(All uses moderately
impaired)
9-12
(All uses significantly
impaired)
Significant
Aesthetics
3
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LAKE WATER QUALITY
In this report, lake water quality has been assessed by totaling the
individual use ratings shown in Table 5. The rating for each factor for
minimum or no impairment is one, and the most severe impairment is
rated three. Final ratings range from a low of four (minimum or no
impairment), to a high pt twelve (significant impairment).
Professional judgment was used to determine the degree of
impairment where data were not available.
TROPHIC CONDITIONS OF IDAHO’S LAKES
High phosphorus contributions from sewage and industrial discharges
and from fertilizers applied to surrounding lands, which reach rivers
and lakes during high runoff periods, have accelerated the natural
lake eutrophication process in Idaho. Of the 14 lakes in Idaho (Table
6) which have at least 10 square miles of surface area (6400 acres),
five already are eutrophic and two more are meso-eutrophic—well on
the way to becoming eutrophic. Seven lakes or impoundments are
either oligotrophic (relatively pristine) or mesotrophic (moderate algal
productivity). All of the eutrophic and meso-eutrophic bodies of
water except Cascade Reservoir are located in the southeastern
portion of Idaho. Three of these—Henry’s Lake, Blackfoot, and
Island Park Reservoir—are in part naturally eutrophic due to high
phosphorus-bearing formations in the geographical area. Municipal,
industrial, and agricultural discharges in the Upper and Middle Snake
River Basins share responsibility for eutrophication of the remaining
four water bodies.
With the exception of Lake Coeur d’Alene, all of the northern Idaho
lakes and a reservoir—Pend Oreille, Priest, and Dworshak—are
classified as oligotrophic. High levels of nutrient contributions from
industrial activities on the Coeur d’Alene River, agriculture activities
and municipal/industrial discharges on the St. Joe River, and
shoreline residential development have resulted in a higher trophic
level for Lake Coeur d’Alene.
TABLE 6
TROPHIC STATUS OF IDAHO LAKES 8- RESERVOIRS
[ AT LEAST 10 SQUARE MILES (6400 ACRES) OR GREATER IN AREA]
Lake or
Reservoir
Lake Pend Oreille
Bear Lake
American Falls
Reservoir
Lake Coeur d’Alene
Cascade Reservoir
Priest Lake
Blackfoot Reservoir
Palisades Reservoir
Lake Walcott
Brownlee Reservoir
Lake Powell
Island Park Reservoir
Henry’s Lake
Dworshak Reservoir
Surface
Area in
Square
Miles
148
110
89
50
41
37
29
23
19
12
15
12
10
27
1 Source of data: Environmental Protection Agency
State of Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
TROPHIC STATUS 1
Meso-
Eutrophic Eutrophic Mesotrophic Oligotrophic
S
.
S
S
.
S
S
S
S
24
-------
FIGURE 19
TROPHIC STATUS OF MAJOR RECREATIONAL LAKES
a ___
Cl)
LI.
0
C l,
Lu
0
z
I
z
4
Lu
4
Lu
16.0
14.0
12.0
10.0
8.0
6.0
2.
LAKE WATER QUALITY
FIGURE 20
IMPAIRMENT STATUS OF RECREATIONAL LAKES
0 100
LU
C l)
LU
IL.
0
uJ
m
z
-l
0
I-
U.
0
I-
z
Lu
C.)
Lu
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
SIGNIFICANT IMPAIRMENT
MODERATE IMPAIRMENT
[ U LITTLE, OR NO
IMPAIRMENT
r i UNKNOWN CLASSIFICATION
NOTE:
Data based upon evaluation
of 120 RegIon 10 lakes.
44.7
LH
EUTROPHIC
Li MODERATELY
EUTROPHIC (MESOTROPHIC)
_____ NON-EUTROPHIC
(OLIGOTROPHIC)
UNKNOWN STATUS
ALASKA IDAHO OREGON WASHINGTON
ALASKA IDAHO
25
-------
LAKE WATER QUALITY
USE IMPAIRMENT
In addition to floating algae, other forms of pollutants such as
bacteria, turbidity, and oil also impair the beneficial uses of lakes and
reservoirs. Table 7 depicts the degree of impairment of recreation
lakes in Idaho. Of the 30 most-used Idaho recreation lakes, nine have
a moderate degree of impairment. The remaining 21 lakes appear to
be relatively pristine.
In general, lakes and reservoirs classified as moderately polluted are
receiving municipal, industrial, and agricultural wastes. They are also
showing effects from accelerated shoreline residential growth. Except
for Chatcolet Lake, located at the southern end of Lake Coeur
d’Alene, these reservoirs are located in southern or central Idaho.
The majority of the more pristine lakes are located in the less
developed portions of the state—usually at high elevations.
Although there is insufficient monitoring data to predict water quality
trends for Idaho’s lakes, careful planning and development in these
areas will be needed to maintain lake quality.
Continuing implementation of the State’s wastewater treatment
program will offset some of the effects of the increased growth and
development in southern and central Idaho.
A REGIONAL OVERVIEW
There are 145 lakes and reservoirs within Region 10 that equal or
exceed 10 square miles in surface area and thousands of other
smaller lakes and reservoirs. Each plays an important role in the
ecosystem of the Pacific Northwest and Alaska.
Many Regional lakes and reservoirs are at or approaching a level of
eutrophication unsuitable for their intended uses. Exceptions are the
Alaska lakes, most of which are in remote areas.
Figure 19 presents a summary of trophic status of the Regional lakes
by state.
Alaska, the least populated state, has the largest percentage of non-
eutrophic (oligotrophic) lakes and even the moderately eutrophic
lakes are probably the result of natural causes. About one-third of
Idaho’s lakes and reservoirs are still non-eutrophic; however, the
remaining lakes are either moderately eutrophic or eutrophic because
of intense land and water use in the more populated and
agriculturally oriented portions of the state. Oregon and Washington,
the most populated states in Region 10, have the lowest percentage
of the non-eutrophic lakes and reservoirs. Even though the eutrophic
condition of some of these bodies of water may result from natural
causes, intense recreational use, residential development, and
agricultural use east of the Cascade Mountains has accelerated the
eutrophication process.
A review of the 120 lakes within Region 10 that have the highest
recreational use in each state, indicates that most have only limited
recreational impairment. Figure 20 shows the impairment breakdown
by state. The water quality of only two lakes in the State of
Washington is considered to be significantly impaired with 75 percent
showing little or no impairment.
In Idaho 30 percent, and in Oregon 12 percent of the lakes show
moderate impairment of the highest beneficial uses. Most of the
impaired Oregon lakes and reservoirs are in the semi-arid portion of
the state. Those in Idaho are in the southern portion of the state.
In almost every case, moderate or significant impairment is the result
of intense recreational use of lakes which are near populated areas.
The more pristine lakes and reservoirs are situated away from these
areas, many times in the higher elevations. The challenge for the
future will be to maintain the existing good quality lakes while
upgrading the poorer quality ones.
26
-------
LAKE WATER QUALITY
TABLE 7
PRINCIPAL IDAHO LAKES AND RESERVOIRS
Impairment of Highest Beneficial Use
Surface Recreational Use Impaired 1
Area Final
Name ( Acres) Swimming Fishing Boating Aesthetics Rating
Brownlee Reservoir 15,000 2 2 1 2 7
American Falls Reservoir 56,000 2 2 1 2 7
Chatcolet Lake 600 1 2 1 2 6
Deer Flat Reservoir 1,000 1 2 1 2 6
Lake Lowell 9,600 1 2 1 2 6
Cascade Reservoir 30,000 1 1 1 2 5
Henry’s Lake 2,500 1 1 1 2 5
Island Park Reservoir 7,000 1 1 1 2 5
Magic Reservoir 1,800 1 1 1 2 5
Alturas Lake 1,200 1 1 1 1 4
Lucky Peak Reservoir 1 1 1 1 4
Arrowrock Reservoir 4,000 1 1 1 1 4
Priest Lake 24,000 1 1 1 1 4
Lake Pend Oreille 94,000 1 1 1 1 4
Lake Coeur d’Alene 30,000 1 1 1 1 4
Hayden Lake 4,000 1 1 1 1 4
Payette Lake 1,000 1 1 1 1 4
Deadwood Reservoir 6,000 1 1 1 1 4
Redfish Lake 1,500 1 1 1 1 4
Palisades Reservoir 16,000 1 1 1 1 4
Bear Lake 25,000 1 1 1 1 4
Lost Valley Reservoir 800 1 1 1 1 4
Twin Lakes Reservoir 850 1 1 1 1 4
Spirit Lake 1,300 1 1 1 1 4
Fernan Lake 300 1 1 1 1 4
Cocolalta Lake 800 1 1 1 1 4
Upper Priest Lake 5,000 1 1 1 1 4
Bulltrout Lake 900 1 1 1 1 4
Mackay Reservoir 1,000 1 1 1 1 4
Oxbow Reservoir 1,500 1 1 1 1 4
1 Numbers in columns represent the degree of recreational impairment for each lake. Minimum impairment per category is 1 and highest
is 3; therefore, final rating ranges from a total of 4 for little or no impairment to 12 for maximum impairment of all recreation
categories.
27
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MARINE WATER QUALITY IN REGION 10
MARINE WATER QUALITY IN
REGION 10
While Idaho has no marine water itself, marine waters are extremely
important to the Region. This section of the report briefly
summarizes marine water quality for Alaska, Washington, and
Oregon.
Measuring Marine Water Quality
Marine water quality determinations are based upon specific
microbiological, chemical and toxicological criteria established by the
U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the National Shellfish
Sanitation Program. Waters free of fecal contamination, industrial
waste, radionuclides, and biotoxins are considered safe for edible
shellfish production, and are classified as “Approved for Commercial
Shellfish Harvesting.” Waters which generally meet the criteria but
are subject to occasional closure resulting from seasonal increases in
population, freshwater runoff, or temporary malfunctioning of waste
treatment facilities are classified as “Conditionally Approved.” Waters
found to be contaminated, or suspected of being contaminated,
which would produce shellfish unsafe for human consumption are
classified as “Closed to Commercial Shellfish Harvesting.”
Assessing water quality in marine water is a difficult, time-consuming
and expensive task due to the complexities of tidal variations,
fluctuating currents and unpredictable mixing patterns. However, the
condition of shellfish such as oysters, clams, and mussels can be
used to assess marine water quality. Shellfish concentrate disease-
causing bacteria and viruses as well as toxic chemicals, radionuclides,
and biotoxins from the waters in which they live. Since shellfish
reflect concentrations of domestic, industrial, and agricultural wastes,
they can be used as practical long-term indicators of water quality
and the effectiveness of pollution control efforts at specific locations.
A REGIONAL OVERVIEW
A total of 349,300 acres of commercial shellfish growing area (Figure
21) has been classified by agencies in Oregon, Washington, and
Alaska. This represents approximately two percent of the classified
growing waters in the nation. Seventy-three percent of the regional
growing area (254,100 acres) is classified as approved; nine percent
(32,900 acres) conditionally approved; and 18 percent (62,300 acres)
closed.
Most of the closed growing areas are due to fecal contamination or
the great potential for such contamination resulting from nearness to
municipal sewage treatment facilities serving populated areas. The
conditionally approved areas are primarily characterized by excessive
fecal contamination occurring as a result of seasonal increases in
freshwater runoff from agricultural and logging activities, as well as
the occasional malfunctioning or bypassing of sewage treatment
plants.
Population growth and associated sewage wastes appear to pose the
greatest threat to approved shellfish growing areas in Region 10.
Because of the small size of Oregon’s shellfish industry and the
generally undeveloped nature of Alaska’s clam resources, changes in
Washington State’s shellfish growing area classification would
probably have the greatest regional economic impact. The effect of
reductions in the size of Washington’s approved growing area may
be mitigated by the industry’s ability to maintain current production
levels on somewhat less acreage. Nevertheless, the closure of key
growing areas in southern Puget Sound or Willapa Bay would have
an immediate adverse impact.
FIGURE 21
MARINE WATERS OF REGION 10
STATUS OF CLASSIFIED SHELLFISH GROWING AREAS
WASHINGTON ALASKA
APPROVED FOR COMMERCIAL
SHELLFISH HARVESTING
I • CONDITIONALLY APPROVED FOR
I I COMMERCIAL SHELLFISH
I - HARVESTING
CLOSED TO COMMERCIAL
SHELLFISH HARVESTING
Areas depIcted represent only
those portIons of the total
estuarine and coastal areas
that have been classIfied by
the state shellfIsh control
agencies.
r n
OREGON
U)
l U
C.)
4
I L
0
C,)
0
z
4
U)
0
I
I-
240
220
200
180 -
160
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
28
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DRINKING WATER QUALITY
IDAHO DRINKING WATER
Public Water System Program
The drinking water coming into most homes in the Northwest today
is generally considered safe, mainly because of the high standards set
by public water supply systems. However, careless use of chemical
compounds and the unsafe disposal of toxic wastes requires vigilance.
In 1974, the United States Congress enacted the Safe Drinking Water
Act. The Safe Drinking Water Act establishes national drinking water
quality standards. EPA has the primary responsibility for establishing
the standards, and the states are responsible for implementing
programs to ensure the standards are met. The State of Idaho
assumed this responsibility in March 1978. State personnel have been
added to help implement the State’s regulations and provide
technical assistance to operators of the State’s approximately 2500
public water systems which come under jurisdiction of the Safe
Drinking Water Act.
The national drinking water standards contain maximum allowable
levels for various contaminants and require water systems to monitor
(sample and analyze) their water on a periodic basis for determining
compliance with these contaminants.
The national drinking water standards went into effect in June 1977,
and bacteriological and turbidity monitoring was required to
commence at that time. All of Idaho’s 850 community water systems
are required to monitor for bacteriological contamination; compliance
with this requirement is increasing as shown in Figure 22-A. In
addition to bacteriological monitoring, Idaho’s 70 community water
systems which utilize surface water are also required to monitor for
turbidity. Idaho has just recently begun implementing this
requirement and, as shown in Figure 22-A, less than 30 percent of
systems are meeting this monitoring requirement.
A complete evaluation to determine Idaho water systems’ ability to
meet the contaminant levels cannot be made until all systems
perform their required monitoring. Information presently available for
bacteriological contamination indicates that approximately 20 percent
of the water systems presently monitoring do not consistently meet
the bacteriological contaminant limits. This is shown in Figure 22-B.
All of the systems presently monitoring for turbidity are meeting the
limits established for this contaminant.
Groundwater Protection Program
The Safe Drinking Water Act has also established a program for
protecting underground sources of drinking water. States with a
significant number of injection wells having a high potential for
groundwater contamination will be required to regulate such wells.
Initially, none of the four states in Region 10 will be designated as
requiring an underground injection control program; however, in the
future, one or more may be so designated.
Another feature of the national program is referred to as the “sole
source” designation. The Safe Drinking Water Act authorizes EPA to
designate aquifers which are an area’s sole or principal drinking water
source for special protection. In February 1978, the Spokane Valley-
Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer was designated for “sole source”
protection. This aquifer provides water for about 40,000 Idaho
residents and 300,000 Washington residents in the Coeur d’Alene and
Spokane areas.
“Sole source” designation requires EPA to review Federal
financially assisted projects to ensure that such projects are designed
and constructed so as to protect the aquifer. Memoranda of
Understanding are being developed between EPA and the major
Federal agencies providing financial assistance to projects in the
Spokane Valley-Rathdrum Prairie area. Projects submitted for EPA
review include housing developments and commercial and industrial
facilities, as well as major projects such as the Northern Tier Pipeline
Project and municipal sewerage projects.
An additional major effort to study the potential of surface
impoundments to contaminate groundwater was initiated in March
1978. The states, through an EPA grant, will locate surface
impoundments such as pits, ponds and lagoons, and assess their
impact on groundwater quality. The Surface Impoundment
Assessment Study will be completed in December 1979 and will
provide the first nationwide evaluation of surface impoundments.
FIGURE 22
850
KEY
1 TOTAL NUMBER
OF SYSTEMS
YSTEMS MONITORING
M JUNE 1978
SYSTEMS MONITORING
: SEPTEMBER 1977
TURBIDITY
MONITORING
COMPLIANCE
BACTERIOLOGICAL
MONITORING
COMPLIANCE
A COMPLIANCE WITH BACTERIOLOGICAL AND
TURBIDITY MONITORING REQUIREMENTS
KEY
I USYSTEMS
I MONITORING
I * 1SVSTEMS IN
E J COMPLIANCE
475
B COMPLIANCE WITH BACTERIOLOui .,, L
CONTAMINANT LIMITS
THROUGHOUT THE PERIOD
JULY 1977 - JUNE 1978
IDAHO
DRINKING WATER STATUS
BACTERIOLOGICAL
CONTAMINANT LEVEL
COMPLIANCE
29
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NOISE
NOISE
Sound, so vital a part of our existence, is growing to such
disagreeable proportions within our environment today that it is a
very real threat to health. The problem is not limited to occupational
noise and hearing loss, but also includes community noise, which
affects us physiologically and psychologically by causing nervousness
and tension.
EPA has authority under the Noise Control Act of 1972 to set noise
standards for new products and for “interstate” noise sources such
as railroads, trucks, and aircraft which require a uniform noise
standard. The responsibility of controlling other noise sources rests
with the State and local government.
Assistance from EPA can be provided to State and local
governments for development of legislation and ordinances to control
noise, training in measurement of noise levels, and in the
establishment of noise control enforcement programs. The city of
Boise, with EPA assistance, conducted a noise survey in 1977. The
data gathered is being used by planning agencies to study and
prevent future adverse noise effects.
To date noise control ordinances have not been adopted in Idaho.
Figure 23 indicates the percent of Region 10 population covered by
noise ordinances; however, it does not reflect the effectiveness with
which the ordinances are implemented or enforced.
FIGURE 23
REGION 10 POPULATION COVERED
BY NOISE ORDINANCES
POPULATION 6,515,000
100
90
80
z
0
70
4
-J
60
0
50
0
40
U i
C.)
30
Ui
0.
20
10
0
30
-------
bULIU VVMbIt
SOLID WASTE
Waste management deals with problems ranging from health and
environmental hazards to the efficiency of collection operations. The
diverse nature of wastes (dead animals, mercury-rich industrial
sludges, dredge spoils, abandoned cars, septic tank pumpings,
residential solid waste, infectious hospital wastes, demolition, debris,
feedlot wastes, etc.) makes the challenge of waste management as
complex as its sources.
Improper disposal methods can pollute the land, air or water. For
example, burning dumps contribute to air pollution and some
disposal sites, especially west of the Cascade Mountains, are so
situated that leachate and drainage waters aggravate the pollution of
rivers and streams.
The long-term solution to solid waste management problems lies in
the development of systems that will wisely control the quantity and
characteristics of wastes. This can be done by efficient collection,
creative recycling, recovering energy and other resources, and
properly disposing of wastes that have no further use. In the near
term, the development of environmentally acceptable methods of
disposal on land is stipulated by Federal law as a national goal.
One method of measuring progress in this area is to determine the
number of people served by adequate disposal sites. Figure 24
presents this information for the years 1972 through 1976. In 1976,
some 570,000 people, or 80 percent of Idaho’s population, were
served by State-approved solid waste disposal sites. This is an
increase of 33 percent in five years. Idaho has one of the two State-
licensed hazardous waste disposal facilities in Region 10. This site
utilizes surplus underground missile sites in an area where water
pollution from hazardous waste storage is virtually impossible.
Resource recovery is also beginning to be implemented within the
state. Nez Perce County is committed to the development of a solid
waste recycling program.
The location of resource recovery and hazardous waste disposal sites
throughout Region 10 is shown in Figure 25. Disposal of hazardous
wastes in Region 10 is becoming a significant problem. Currently
there are two State-licensed disposal facilities within the region, one
in Idaho and the other in Oregon.
Under new Federal legislation (The Resource Conservation and
Recovery Act) only sites which meet EPA or equivalent standards will
be able to receive hazardous wastes for disposal.
FIGURE 24
PERCENT OF POPULATION SERVED BY STATE-APPROVED
SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL FACILITIES
iron rn nt ! Prot.ct o,i A 9 .€ 1 ,
P! V I! i 4 I1 , Re ..azcb t..ak
L VU
i a ç ,
100
90
z
0
I-
0.
0
0 .
U.
0
I-
z
‘ L i
C.)
LU
0 .
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
1
YEAR
31
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HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES
STATUS OF RESOURCE RECOVERY PROJECTS AND
HAZARDOUS WASTE DISPOSAL SITES IN REGION 10
1
RESOURCE RECOVERY PROJECTS
PLANNING
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
HAZARDOUS WASTE DISPOSAL SITES
EXISTING
A PLANNED
HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES
Chemicals are pervasive in our environment. They are in our food,
water and air. While chemicals are beneficial, some may produce
long term, adverse effects if allowed to enter the environment
improperly.
Recent Federal legislation has addressed the hazardous substances
problem. The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) provides for
controlling the manufacture, processing, distribution, use and
disposal of chemicals. The Resources Conservation and Recovery Act
provides for proper disposal of hazardous waste. These laws,
combined with other EPA legislative responsibilities, should reduce
the potential for future adverse impacts.
EPA is developing a strategic plan which will focus the Region’s
attention on high priority chemicals. Following the identification of
chemicals manufactured and used in the Region, impacts and
NOTE: Stat, of Alaska is r.pr.s.nt.d at approximatsly 30% of tru. scal.
methods of control will be assessed. The strategy will utilize Fedet&,
state and local control measures.
This report has addressed environmental quality along media
lines—air, water, noise and solid waste, Increasingly, actions taken in
each of these areas must consider the impacts of hazardous
materials. For example, higher levels of treatment of air and water
waste discharges generate increased volumes of sludges and other
solid wastes for disposal on land. These sludges contain toxic and
hazardous materials as a result of new discharge restrictions and
pretreatment requirements for industries discharging to municipal
wastewater treatment systems.
Data to define the nature and extent of environmental problems in
the Northwest resulting from toxic and hazardous chemicals are
lacking; however, EPA is currently gathering data to depict the
extent of the problem.
FIGURE 25
32
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SUMMARY
SUMMARY
Air Quality: Overall the air quality of the State of Idaho has been
improving during recent years. The most widespread causes of
violations of air pollution standards in the State are particulate
matter, with carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide also
contributing to days of air quality standards violations. Industrial
sources of particulate matter can, in the long-term, be controlled
through relatively reliable and inexpensive technology. On the other
hand, nonpoint sources of particulate matter such as fugitive dust
contribute significantly to standards violations and the solution to this
problem is somewhat more difficult. For sulfur dioxide, continued
application of control technology will provide significant reductions in
the frequency, duration, and intensity of standards violations. Air
temperature inversions in the Coeur d’Alene River Valley, however,
will lead to continued violations. Pollution from carbon monoxide will
be reduced to the extent that vehicles are better maintained, vehicle
use is reduced, areas of intense emissions due to traffic volume and
congestion are eliminated, and emission control devices become
more prevalent in the population of vehicles in use.
For many of Idaho’s counties, the health-related air quality standards
are met. However, in the more densely populated areas of the State,
air pollution levels frequently exceed standards. For example, about
one-third of Idaho’s population lives in Twin Falls, Bannock, Ada and
Shoshone Counties, where not only the primary health standards are
frequently exceeded but the more critical alert levels are also
exceeded.
River Water Quality: With a few exceptions, the current water
quality problems in Idaho are not attributable to municipal and
industrial waste discharges. Increasingly, problems stem from
intensive land use, from water management and reservoir conditions,
and from runoff. Though not yet complete, Idaho’s waste water
treatment is already well advanced. On the other hand, programs to
reduce the water quality impacts of runoff, stream regulation, and
irrigation largely remain to be defined, although projects are presently
under way to determine the magnitude and extent of these impacts.
More intensive monitoring may indicate organic toxicity problems
which will require additional water quality improvement efforts. There
is no convenient technical solution like waste treatment facilities to
deal with the bulk of remaining and emerging water quality problems
in Idaho.
The limited effects of further municipal and industrial waste
treatment, the significance of nonpoint sources of pollution, and the
relatively small improvement in water quality since 1972 leads to the
conclusion that no major change in Idaho’s river water quality can be
expected in the near future. However, the fact remains that pollution
is concentrated in a few stream segments, mostly in the southern
part of the state. To sustain the quality of the remaining rivers, and
to effect some improvements in the polluted ones would certainly
constitute a worthwhile achievement particularly in view of the rapid
population increase the state has experienced since 1970.
Lake Water Quality: Lake eutrophication occurs naturally but is
accelerated by man’s activities. It is estimated that, of the 14 lakes
and reservoirs in Idaho of at least ten square miles in surface area,
five are eutrophic and two others are well on the way toward being
eutrophic. Both eutrophic conditions and use impairment correlate
closely with the degree of land use in the vicinity of the lake or the
existence of intense recreational use. Implementation of improved
land management practices in the vicinity of lakes is needed to
maintain current lake quality.
Drinking Water: Idaho has assumed the responsibility for
implementing the national drinking water regulations. As of June
1978, 70 percent of Idaho’s community water systems were
monitoring for bacteriological contamination, up from 60 percent the
previous year. Of those monitoring, 80 percent were in compliance
with bacteriological contaminant limits. Water systems utilizing
surface water sources are also required to monitor for turbidity.
Since the State had just begun implementing this requirement in
early 1978, less than half of the systems were in compliance as of
June 1978. All systems monitoring for turbidity, however, were in
compliance with the contaminant limits.
Noise: To date, noise abatement ordinances based on objective
sound intensity standards do not exist in Idaho. The City of Boise,
however, has initiated data-gathering projects to better understand
the extent of their noise problems. Throughout Region 10, 93 percent
of the population is covered by noise ordinances based on maximum
decible noise levels.
Solid Waste: Eighty percent of Idaho’s population is served by solid
waste disposal systems which represent non-polluting solid waste
disposal practices. Resource recovery and hazardous waste disposal
sites have also been either established or initiated in the State.
Hazardous Substances: Nearly every area of environmental quality
just summarized is impacted by the use of chemicals. New laws and
regulations have resulted from public concern over the adverse health
and environmental effects of hazardous substances; however, it is an
area in need of better data, research and integrated control efforts.
GPO # 696.940
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