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WATER QUALITY  STANDARDS CRITERIA  DIGEST
  A COMPILATION OF FEDE RAL/STATE CRITERIA ON


        -DISSOLVED  OXYGEN-
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     ENVIRONMENTAL  PROTECTION  AGENCY

                WASHINGTON, D.C.

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                                INTRODUCTION


     This  digest was  compiled  in order to provide general  information to the
 public  as  well  as  to  Federal,  State, and local officials.  It contains excerpts
 from the individual Federal-State water quality standards  establishing dissolved
 oxygen  criteria.for interstate waters.  The water quality  standards program is
 directed by  the Environmental  Protection Agency, an  independent regulatory agency
 which has  responsibility  for approving State-adopted standards for interstate
 waters, evaluating adherence to the standards, and overseeing enforcement of stan-
 dards compliance.

     Standards, the first nationwide strategy for water quality management, contain
 four major elements:   the use  classification  (recreation,  drinking water, fish
 and  wildlife propagation, industrial, or agricultural) to  be assigned to the inter-
 state water; criteria to  protect those uses; implementation plan  (for needed in-
 dustrial-municipal waste  treatment improvements, among others) and enforcement
 plans;  and an antidegradation  statement to protect existing high quality waters.

     Minimum water quality  criteria, or numerical specificationsof physical,
 chemical,  temperature, and  biological levels, are stated in the National Technical
 Advisory Committee report to the Secretary of the Interior, Water Quality Criteria,
 dated April  1,  1968,  and  published by the Government Printing Office, Washington,
 B.C.  Unavailability  of the NTAC report before June  30, 1967--the date set by the
 Water Quality Act  of  1965 for  formal adoption of State standards--resulted in
 significant  variations between the State-adopted and the NTAC minimum criteria.
 Some standards  were adopted and approved before the NTAC report became available.
 Also, the  Water Quality Criteria report is subject to updating in light of new
 scientific and  technical  information.

     It is necessary  for  waters classified for the protection and propagation
 of fish and  wildlife  to contain sufficient Dissolved Oxygen to support local biota,
 taking  into  consideration the  requirements of the desirable aquatic populations
 at all  life-development stages.  DO criteria recommendations are made to assure
 that the oxygen does  not  fall  below certain minimum  levels, which vary depending
 upon natural conditions.  In effect, DO standards limit amounts of biodegradable
 matter which can be artificially induced in the water to tolerable, aquatic life-
 supportive levels.

     Reduction  in  DO  can  have  such detrimental effects as  excess plant growth
 (algal blooms and, in extreme  cases, eutrophy); taste and  odor problems; and can
 otherwise  make  the water  less  suitable for fish and wildlife, domestic, and
 recreational uses.

     Water Quality Criteria, used by EPA in evaluating the State standards,
 recommends a minimum  DO concentration for freshwater biota of 5 mg/1 (milligrams
 per  liter) for  warmwater  species (declining to a lower limit of 4 mg/1 "for short
 periods of time, provided that the water quality is favorable in all other respects1:');
 and  for coldwater  biota recommends no less than 5-6 mg/1 (7 mg/1 at spawning times).
 Stringent  limitations (6 mg/1) are recommended for small inland lakes or large lakes
 which have sufficient or no mixing of constituent layers.  For saltwater organisms
 DO minimum levels  of  5 mg/1 are recommended in the open coastal waters, and 4 mg/1
 in the estuarine and  tidal  tributaries, excepting waters with naturally depressed DO.

     Since water quality standards experience revisions and upgrading from time
 to time, following procedures  set forth in the Federal Water Pollution Control Act,
 individual entries in this digest may be superseded.   As these revisions are
 accomplished, this digest will be updated and reissued.   Because this publication
 is not intended for use other  than as a general information resource, for the
 latest information, and for special purposes and applications,  refer to the existing,
approved water quality standards which can  be obtained from the  State water pollution
control agencies or EPA,  Washington,  D.C. or  regional offices.

     Individual  State-adopted  criteria follow-

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                     KEY
PWS                     Public Water Supply
F§WL                    Fish and Wildlife
Agr.                    Agricultural
Ind.                    Industrial
mg/1                    milligrams per liter
ppm                     parts per million
min.                    minimum
sat.                    saturation
ave.                    average

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                       DISSOLVED OXYGEN CRITERIA  (Minimrai  Level)
Arizona

Arkansas


California
                     Cold Water
                     Fishery
                      Warm Water
                      Fishery

                      4 mg/1*
                     Miscellaneous

                     Shellfish-4 mg/1*
                     Class A Drinking Water Supply
                     "Greater than 75% saturation."
                     Class B Drinking Water Supply and Food Processing
                     ^'Greater than 60? saturation."

                     Class C Bathing, Swimming, Recreation
                     "Greater than 5 mg/1."

                     Class D Growth and Propagation of Fish and Other Aquatic Life,
                     Including Waterfowl,Furbearers, and Other Aquatic and SennT7
                     Aquatic Life.
                     "Greater than 6 mg/1 in Salt Water Minimum of 7 mg/1 in
                     fresh water."

                     Class E Shellfish Growth and Propagation (Natural and
                     Commerical Growing Areas)
                     Greater than six (6) mg/1 saturation in the larval stage.
                     Greater than five (5) mg/1 in the adult stage.

                     Class F Agricultural Water Supply, including Irrigation,
                     Stock Watering and Truck Fanning
                     "Greater than 3 mg/1."

                     Class G Industrial Water Supply (other than Food Processing)
                     "Greater than 5 mg/1 for surface water.Not limiting
                     except as it affects other parameters."
6 mg/1

5 mg/1
6 mg/1

4 mg/1 or 50%
  saturation
Appropriate criteria were set for each individual body of
water.  The following is a summary of these criteria and
does not reflect all of the variations found therein.

Freshwater streams and lakes - a min. of 6 and 7 mg/1 with
an additional limit of 80 to 851 sat. for some streams.
A min. of 90% sat. for Lake Tahoe.
*Not approved

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State
  Cold Water
  Fishery
Warm Water
Fishery
Miscellaneous
California  (Cont.)   Estuarine waters - a min. of 5 rag/1 for most waters; min, of
                     6 and 7 mg/1 for other waters.

                     Coastal waters - a min. of 5 mg/1 with additional limits on
                     the annual mean ave. which ranges from 6 to 7 mg/1.
Colorado


Connecticut
  6 mg/1
5 mg/1
PWS - 4 mg/1
Industrial - 3 mg/1
** Class A  -  751 of saturation, 16 hours a day; 5 mg/1 at
             any time.

  Class B  -  Same as Class A.

  Class C  -  Not less than 5 mg/1 for more than 6 hours during
             any 24-hour period, at no time less than 4 mg/1.
             For cold water fishery, not less than 5 mg/1 at
             any time.

  Class D  -  Minimum 2 mg/1.
                     SA
                     SB
                     SC
                     SD
  Delaware
  District  of
   Coulmbia
            Not less than 6.0 mg/1
            Not less than 5.0 mg/1
            Same as C
            Same as D

                       501 saturation
                       or 4  mg/1 except
                       Delaware River
                       from  Pa. line to
                       Liston Point:
                       "Daily ave.  6.5
                       in entire zone.
                       Daily ave. 3.5
                       at River Mile
                       78.8; 4.5 at R.M.
                       70 and 6.0 at R.M.
                       59.5. Between 4/1
                       to 6.15 and 9/16
                       to 12/31.

                       4.0 mg/1 min.
                       5.0 mg/1 daily
                       ave.
                         Atlantic Ocean-
                         natural Delaware
                         Bay-daily ave. of
                         6 mg/1. Other
                         coastal waters-
                         50%  saturation
                         or 4 mg/1.
                         Chesapeake and
                         Delaware Canal-
                         6.0  min.
  Florida
                          D.O.  selectively
                          assigned 3.0 mg/1
                          min.,  4.0 mg/1
                          daily ave.  to
                          Anacostia River
                          and one  specific
                          zone  of  the Potomac
                          River.
    General - 4.0 ppm. Open ocean - 5.0 ppm. Streams in "Special
    Stream classification" listing (Section 28-5.21)-5.0 ppm.
      **For explanation of use classifications, see EPA publication, "General
 Stream Use Designations."

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 State

 Georgia



 Guam

 Hawaii
  Idaho
Illinois
 Cold
 Fishery
                      Warm Water
                      Fishery
 5 mg/1                4 mg/1

 (Administrator has requested revision)

                       6 mg/1
Miscellaneous

Industrial and
Navigation - 2.5 mg/1.
                                          PWS-6 mg/1.Saline
                                          Waters  -  6 mg/1.
                                          Coastal Waters  -
                                        **Class AA  - 6 mg/1
                                          Class   A  - 5 mg/1
                                          Class   B  - 4.5  mg/1
                                           limited  to docking
                                           areas.
                                          Fresh waters used  for
                                          fish propagation -
                                          5 mg/1.
 75%  saturation
 at seasonal low;
 100% of satura-
 tion in spawning
 areas during
 spawning,  hatch-
 ing and fry states
 of salmonid fishes.

General Standards.  DO shall not be less than 6.0 mg/1  during at
least 16 hours of any 24 hour period, not less than 5.0 mg/1 at
any time.
Lake Michigan.  DO shall not be less than 90% of saturation
except due to natural causes.
Indiana




Iowa

Kansas



Kentucky



Louisiana
6 mg/1 minimum
7 mg/1 minimum
 during spawn-
 ing.

7 mg/1-16 hrs.
5 mg/1-any time.
6.0 mg/1 min.
7.0 mg/1 min.
 during spawn-
 ing.
                  S mg/1-daily ave.
                   per day.
                  4 mg/1- any time,

                  5 mg/1-16 hrs.
                  4 mg/l-any time.

                  5 mg/1
                  5 mg/1-daily ave.
                  4 mg/1-min.
                                        501 saturation*
                                        60-75% saturation
                                         in some waters.
                                         Missouri R.-5 mg/1
                                         Most waters-5 mg/1
                                         Some 4 mg/1.
**For explanation of use classifications,  see EPA publication, "General Stream
Use Designations."

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Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
                     Cold Water
                     Fishery
                      Warm Water
                      Fishery
                      Miscellaneous
                   ** Class A - Not less than 751 saturation.
                     Class B - Not less than 75% saturation.
                     Class B£- Not less than 601 saturation, and not less than 5 ppm.
                     Class C - Not less than 5 ppm for trout and salmon waters;
                               4 ppm for others.
                     Class D - Not less than 2 ppm.

                     Tidal or Marine Waters:
SA - Not less than 6
SBi- Not less than 6
SB2- Not less than 6
SC - Not less than 5
SD - Not less than 3

5 mg/1 min.
6 mg/1 monthly
 ave.

5 mg/1
6 mg/1
7 mg/1, Oct.l
 through May 31.
5 mg/1, other
 times.
6 mg/1
ppm.
ppm.
ppm.
ppm.
ppm.

 4 mg/1 min.
 5 mg/1 monthly
  ave.

 5 mg/1-16 hrs.
  per day.
 3 mg/l-any time.

 5 mg/1-intolerant
  species.
 4 mg/1-tolerant
  species.
Industrial-4 mg/1.
Coastal-not less than
 6.5 mg/1.
Industrial-2 mg/1

Navigation.
1) Interstate waters-
   sufficient to pre-
   vent nuisance.
2) Intrastate waters-
   average 2.5 mg/1,
   no less than 2.
 Intolerant(Class  2(B)):6 mg/1,4/1-5/31;
                       5 mg/1 other times.
 Tolerant  (Class 2(Q): 5 mg/1 4/1-5/31;
                       3 mg/1 other times.
                      4 mg/1 *
                      PWS, Shellfishing and
                      Recreation-4mg/l*
                      Agricultural and
                       industrial water
                       supply-3 mg/1.
                      Navigation and utility
                       use-3 mg/1.
 5 mg/1 except
 6 mg/1-lakes and
 reservoirs.
*Not approved
**For  explanation of use classifications, see EPA publication, "General Stream
USB. Designations."

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                     Cold Water
                     Fishery
Nebraska

Nevada




New Hampshire




New Jersey
  7 mg/1
  6 mg/1

  6 mg/1
                            (D-l)
                            (D-2)
  5.0-8.0 mg/1,
  varies with
  stream and
  season.

** Class B - near
   saturation.
  Class C - 5
   rag/1.

  Trout Production
  Waters.
   Not less than
   7.0 mg/1 at any
   time.

  Trout Maintenance
  Water.
   Daily ave. not less
   than 6.0 mg/1. Not
   less than 5.0 mg/1
   at any time.

  Trout Maintenance
  Lakes.
Warm Water
Fishery

5 mg/1 CD-3)
5 mg/1
                                             Miscellaneous
Class B - near
 saturation
Class C - 5
 mg/1.

Daily ave. of
5.0 mg/1. Not
less than 4.0
mg/1 at any
time.
Class D-2 ppm.
Tidal Waters.
Fish maintenance
 (TW-2).
Not less than 4 mg/1 at
 any time. TW-3 nav.
 not less than 3.0
 mg/1 at any time.

Ocean Waters.
Not less than 5.0 mg/1
 at any time.
                     Daily average not
                     less than 6.0 mg/1.
                     Not less than 5.0
                     mg/1 at anytime.
                     In eutrophic lakes
                     when stratification
                     is present, not less
                     than 4.0 mg/1 in or
                     above the thermocline
                     where water temperatures
                     are below 72 degrees F.
                     At depths where the water
                     is 72 degrees F. or above,
                     daily ave. not less than
                     6.0 mg/1 and not less
                     than 5.0 mg/1.
**For explanation of use classifications, see EPA publication,
Use Designations."
                                             'General Stream

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State

New Mexico


New York


North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Cold Water
Fishery

501 sat.;
6 mg/1 min.

5 mg/1
6 mg/1 min.
natural trout
waters.
5 mg/1 min.
put § take
trout waters.

Criteria based on
"fish species
native to the
area"-5 mg/1, or
5 mg/1-16 hrs.
per day and 3 mg/1
any time, by stream.
  Warm Water
  Fishery

  50% sat.;
  5 mg/1 min.

  4 mg/1
   5 mg/1 daily
   ave.
   4 mg/1 min.
Miscellaneous
Agricultural-Smg/l
N.Y. Harbor--2.5 mg/1

4.0 mg/1, swamp waters.
5.0 mg/1, tidal salt
waters.
6 mg/1
** Aquatic Life A-
  5 mg/1-16 hrs.
  per day, 3 mg/1
  any time*
  Aquatic Life B-
  3 mg/l-ave.,2 mg/1
  min.  (applied only
  where no higher
  levels can be
  attained with treat-
  ment.)

  4 mg/1
75% saturation
at seasonal low
or 5-7 mg/1, by
stream; 95% sat.
in spawning areas
during spawning,
hatching and fry
development.

Min. daily ave-
6 mg/1 no value
less than 5 mg/1.
Smallmouth bass-
5 mg/1
all waters-4 mg/1

Marine-not less than
 saturation
Estuarine-6 mg/1
  Min. daily ave-
  5 mg/1, no value
  less than 4 mg/1.
Delaware Estuary-
varies with location
and season. Ave.
3.5 and 6.5 mg/1.
**For  explanation of use classifications, see EPA publication, "General Stream
Use Designations."

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 State

 Puerto Rico

 Rhode Island
 South Carolina
 South Dakota
Tennessee
 Texas
 Utah
 Vermont
  Cold Water
  Fishery
Warm Water
Fishery

5 mg/1
                                             Miscellaneous
**
  Class A  § B:   75%  saturation,  16 hours/day  S mg/1 at
                 any  time.
  Class C:      Minimum  5 mg/1 any  time.

  Class D:      Minimum  of  2 mg/1 at any time.

  SA:           Not  less than 6.0 mg/1 at any time.

  SB:           Not  less than 5.0 mg/1 at any time.

  SC:           Not  less than 5 mg/1 during at least 16 hours
                of any 24 hour period nor less than 4 mg/1
                at any time.

  SD:           Not  less than 2 mg/1 at any time.

 *t:iass A  (swimming)  - 5.0 mg/1 minimum, 4.0 mg/1 average
  in swamp waters.   Class B - 5.0 mg/1 daily average, 4.0
  mg/1 average  in swamp  waters.  (Class C is not assigned to
  interstate streams.)   Tidal salt  waters - 5.0 mg/1 minimum.
  classes SA and SB,  4.0 mg/1 minimum, Class SC.
  6 mg/1 or 5 mg/1
  by stream
5 mg/1
                                             Big Stone and
                                             Trauryse Lakes
                                             Min. 6 mg/1
                                             April and May.
     Industrial Water S., Recreation, ferigation, Livestock Watering §
Wildlife 5 Navigation:
There shall always be sufficient dissolved oxygen present to
prevent odors of decomposition and other offensive conditions."
Fish § Aquatic Life:  The dissolved oxygen shall be maintained at
5.0 mg/1 except in limited sections of the stream receiving trentel
effluents.  In these limited sections, a minimum of 3.0 mg/1 dissolved
oxygen will be allowed.  The DO content shall be measured at mid-
depth in waters having a total depth of ten (10) feet car less and
at a de.'tj pf S feet of water Jjawing a total depth of greater than
10 feet.  A minimum dissolved oxygen content of 6.0 mg/1 shall be
maintained in recognized trout streams.
                        4 to 6 mg/1, by
                        stream.
   6 mg/1
5.5 mg/1
Houston Ship Channel
 2 mg/1.
Tidal 3 to 7 rag/1, by
 stream.
PWS - B.O.D. - not
more than 5 mg/1
201 of the time -
not more than 10 mg/1
10% of the time.
**Type I Waters
    Streams and rivers sustaining natural populations  of brook
   trout, salmon, rainbow trout and brown trout.   Dissolved
   oxygen content of these waters at the near spawning areas
 **For explanation of use classifications, see EPA pub., "General Stream Use Designations"

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State

Vermont  (cont.)
 Cold Water
 Fishery
Virginia
Warm Water
Fishery
Miscellaneous
 shall not be less than 7 mg/1,  and not less than 6 mg/1 in
 non-spawning areas,  and normal  seasonal,  daily and diurnal
 variations above these limits will be maintained.

 Type II  Waters
 "Streams and rivers  containing  mixed populations of such
 fish as  rainbow trout, brown trout, and smallmouth bass.
 Dissolved oxygen shall not be less than 6 mg/1 and normal
 seasonal, daily and  diurnal variations above these limits
 will be  maintained.

 Type III Waters
  Streams and rivers  having mixed populations of such warm
 water species of fish as smallmouth bass, perch, and bluegills,
 etc.  Dissolved oxygen shall not be less  than 5 mg/1 and normal
 seasonal, daily and  diurnal variations above these limits  will
 be maintained.
                        e IV Waters
Virgin Islands
  Oligotrophic lakes, ponds and reservoirs,  natural or
 artificial, supporting natural populations  of brook trout,
 salmon,  lake trout and other associate species.   Dissolved
 oxygen levels for this class shall not fall below 6 mg/1
 due to the addition of oxygen-demanding wastes and other
 materials.  Normal seasonal, daily and diurnal variations
 above 6 mg/1 will be maintained.

 Type V Waters
 ~Lakes,  ponds and reservoirs, natural or artificial  or
 portions thereof, not designated  as Type IV.  Dissolved
 oxygen levels for this class shall not fall below 4 mg/1
 due to the addition of oxygen-demanding wastes and other
 materials.

'Class I:  Open Ocean (Seaside of  the land mass.) Mo criteria.

 Class II: Estuarine (Tidal water  - Coastal  zone to fall line.)
           5 mg/1 daily average.

 Class III: Free flowing streams,  5 mg/1 daily average.

 Class IV: Mountainous zone, 5.0 mg/1  daily average.

 Class V:  Put and Take trout waters, 6.0 mg/1 daily average.

 Class VI: Natural trout waters, 7.0 mg/1 daily average.

                                            Marine Life  - 5.5 mg/1
                                            Harbors - 5  mg/1
** For explanation of use classifications, see EPA publication," General Stream Use
Designations."

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                     Cold Water            Warm Water
State                Fishery               Fishery              Miscellaneous

Washington         **Class AA - 9.5 mg/1                        Marine Water -
                     Class  A - 8.0 mg/1                        Class AA-7.0 mg/1
                     Class  B - 6.5 mg/1 or 701                 Class  A-6.0 mg/1
                      saturation, whichever is                  Class  B-5.0 mg/1 or
                      greater.                                   70$ saturation,
                     Class  C - 5,0 mg/1 or 501                  whichever is greater.
                      saturation, whichever is                  Class  C-4.0 mg/1 or
                      greater.                                   50% saturation,
                                                                 whichever is greater.

West Virginia        Standards establish  a statewide minimum of 3.0 ppm at the
                     point of maximum oxygen depletion but also establish specific
                     criteria for each major river basin.  The specific basin
                     criteria are:

                          (1)  5.0 ppm minimum - Potomac River and branches,
                               Kanawha River (zone 1), Bluestone River, (future),
                               East River, New River, Bluestone Reservoir, Gauley
                               River, Big Sandy River, Tug Fork, Guyandotte River,
                               Ohio River (future), Ohio River tributaries,
                               Monogahela River, West Fork River, Tygart Valley River,
                               Cheat River, Youghiogheny River.

                          (2)  5.0 ppm minimum during 16 hr. per day, 4*0 ppm
                               minimum. Ohio River (present.)

                          (3)  3.0 ppm present, 4.0 ppm future - Kenawha River
                               (zone 2), Bluestone River.

                          (4)  4.0 ppm present, 5.0 ppm future - Bluestone Reservoir.

                          (5)  5.0 ppm - trout streams.
                      Present uses and criteria are those that now exist or will
                     for a maximum of 5 years.  Future uses an* criteria are those
                     which will exist after abatement is effected.
Wisconsin                      5 mg/1 - 16 hours                Fish Life - 801
                                per day.                         saturation or 5 mg/1.
                               4 mg/1 any time.

Wyoming              6 mg/1    6 mg/1
**For explanation of use classifications, see EPA publication, "General Stream
  Use Designations."

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