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Caption: Water quality parameters have been measured in an on-going program by the California Department of Fish and Game in various watersheds in Marin and Sonoma counties from 1991-2002. The graph shows yearly minimum, mean, and maximum dissolved oxygen (D.O.) measurements in Bloomfield Fork, a tributary to Americano Creek, from 1997-2001. The reference values represent the minimum North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board (NCRWQCB) 1994 Basin Plan criterion for Cold water habitat (6.0 mg/L) and Warm water habitat (5.0 mg/L) (NCRWQCB, 1994). In addition, waters with beneficial use designation of Spawning must meet a minimum criterion of 7.0 mg/L , plus a minimum of 9.0 mg/L during critical spawning and egg incubation periods. D.O. levels dropped to less than two milligrams per liter, which is lethal to salmonids. See Map for sampling locations and Info Links for more information.
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