Waterbodies are designated in Idaho to protect water quality
for existing or designated uses. The designated use of a waterbody does not
imply any rights to access or ability to conduct any activity related to the
use designation, nor does it imply that an activity is safe. For example, a
designation of primary or secondary contact recreation may occur in areas where
it is unsafe to enter the water due to water flows, depth or other hazardous
conditions. Another example is that aquatic life uses may be designated in
areas that are closed to fishing or access is not allowed by property owners.
Wherever attainable, the designated beneficial uses for which the surface
waters of the state are to be protected include: (3-31-22)
01.
Aquatic Life. (3-31-22)
a. Cold water (COLD): water quality
appropriate for the protection and maintenance of a viable aquatic life
community for cold water species. (3-31-22)
b. Salmonid spawning (SS): waters which
provide or could provide a habitat for active selfpropagating populations of
salmonid fishes. (3-31-22)
c.
Seasonal cold water (SC): water quality appropriate for the protection and
maintenance of a viable aquatic life community of cool and cold water species,
where cold water aquatic life may be absent during, or tolerant of, seasonally
warm temperatures. (3-31-22)
d.
Warm water (WARM): water quality appropriate for the protection and maintenance
of a viable aquatic life community for warm water species. (3-31-22)
e. Modified (MOD): water quality appropriate
for an aquatic life community that is limited due to one (1) or more conditions
set forth in 40 CFR
131.10(g) which preclude
attainment of reference streams or conditions. (3-31-22)
02.
Recreation. (3-31-22)
a. Primary contact recreation (PCR): water
quality appropriate for prolonged and intimate contact by humans or for
recreational activities when the ingestion of small quantities of water is
likely to occur. Such activities include, but are not restricted to, those used
for swimming, water skiing, or skin diving. (3-31-22)
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Effective for CWA purposes until the date EPA issues
written notification that the revisions in Docket No. 58-01021802 have been
approved.
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a.
Primary contact recreation (PCR): water quality appropriate for prolonged and
intimate contact by humans or for recreational activities when the ingestion of
small quantities of water is likely to occur. Such activities include, but are
not restricted to, those used for swimming, water skiing, or skin diving. PCR
includes all activities associated with secondary contact recreation (SCR).
(3-31-22)
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Not effective for CWA purposes until the date EPA
issues written notification that the revisions in Docket No. 58-01021802 have
been approved.
|
b.
Secondary contact recreation (SCR): water quality appropriate for recreational
uses on or about the water and which are not included in the primary contact
category. These activities may include fishing, boating, wading, infrequent
swimming, and other activities where ingestion of raw water is not likely to
occur. (3-31-22)
03.
Water Supply. (3-31-22)
a.
Domestic (DWS): water quality appropriate for use as untreated raw water (as
defined under IDAPA
58.01.08, "Idaho Rules for Public Drinking Water Systems")
for public drinking water. (3-31-22)
b. Agricultural: water quality appropriate
for the irrigation of crops or as drinking water for livestock. This use
applies to all surface waters of the state. (3-31-22)
c. Industrial: water quality appropriate for
industrial water supplies. This use applies to all surface waters of the state.
(3-31-22)
04.
Wildlife Habitats. Water quality appropriate for wildlife
habitats. This use applies to all surface waters of the state.
(3-31-22)
05.
Aesthetics. This use applies to all surface waters of the state.
(3-31-22)
