What actions are planned to address problems? 



Table 1 summarizes the MDFWP proposed restoration and management plan for 

 Lost Creek. Although intended for fishery enhancement, these actions are likely to 

 confer multiple benefits to Lost Creek. These actions will be proposed as part of a 

 phased approach TMDL and may require review and adaptation, as more information on 

 their effectiveness for habitat improvement is made available. However, several 

 necessary components of a acceptable TMDL must be developed in terms of water 

 quality. Since the land application of Anaconda's wastewater represents a source of 

 nutrients to the basin, a load allocation should be established for its contribution to Lost 

 Creek. This can be achieved by developing a nutrient and water-use budget for the 

 irrigated fields and using appropriate models (Leaching Index, NGLEAMS) in a 

 irrigation management plan (USDA, 1999; EPA, 1997a,b). If the irrigated fields 

 represent a source of nitrate to the groundwater, adjustments in irrigation practices can 

 optimize water and nutrient availability for specific crop types. Depending on the 

 magnitude of the nutrient load, simple irrigation management such as adjustment in 

 frequency and duration could have a marked effect on meeting load allocations for 

 nitrate. Perhaps the best opportunity for reducing Lost Creek's nutrient loading to the 

 Clark Fork River is the application of Anaconda's municipal wastewater over a greater 

 acreage to reduce seepage from the storage ponds and infiltration basins and leaching to 

 groundwater from over-fertilized and over-watered soils. 



What monitoring should be required? 



Monitoring ground and surface water could be limited to monthly sampling 

 during the spring and summer months (April-August) at a few selected sites that would 

 capture the influences of various sources on the concentrations of nutrients and loads in 

 Lost Creek. Sampling for the parameters in this study, future monitoring should include 

 Stations 2, 6, 8 and 9, since these sites bracket important areas of potential loading and 

 demonstrated the peak values for TP (Station 2), TN and nitrate (Station 6) and TN load 

 (Station 8). Station 9 would be needed to estimate loads and concentrations relative to 

 the Clark Fork River. In addition, nocturnal measurements of dissolved oxygen in the 

 lower reaches (between stations 7 and 9) should be performed to determine whether 

 aquatic macrophytes are impairing uses. It is also recommended that temperature data 

 loggers be installed at a number of points to measure differences in temperature between 

 sites and long term changes in Lost Creek. 



After the influence of groundwater on Lost Creek is determined, groundwater 

 monitoring may be warranted if nitrate originating from land application of wastewater 

 represents a major source to the system. In the event that nitrate in groundwater exceeds 

 drinking water standards, a well monitoring program should also be included. 



Since the main focus of the restoration work planned by the MFWP is intended to 

 improve the fishery in Lost Creek, a suitable biological monitoring plan should be 

 implemented. Since the biological integrity of the Lost Creek fishery is beyond the scope 



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