Ammonia/Nutrient Issues and Regulatory Oversight in the Delta

Fri., October 28, 2011
8:30 - 12:30
Cal-EPA Building
Sierra Room Auditorium - Second floor
1001 I St., Sacramento

Why did ammonia suddenly become a hot topic in the Delta? In this ½-day briefing from subject matter experts, our aim is to present information to clarify the issues and hypotheses on how ammonia levels in the Deltamay be affecting nutrient dynamics. Topics include the State’s role in monitoring and regulating Delta waters, why the State became involved in ammonia, a survey of data collected to provide a factual basis for potential Water Board decisions, how recent data collection efforts have improved our understanding of ammonia dynamics in Delta waters, and recent modeling efforts that track the sources and fate of ammonia in upstream watersheds and in the Delta.

Briefing Schedule

8:30   Registration

9:00   Welcome  
          Marianne Guerin, CWEMF Convener

9:10   Ammonia in the Delta and how the State Water Board got involved
          Mark Gowdy, SWRCB

9:30   Data collection, analysis and findings on the “Ammonia Issue”  
          Chris Foe, CVRWQCB

10:10  10-minute break

10:20  Conceptual model of ammonium utilization at the base of the Delta food web
          Richard Dugdale, SFSU, Romberg Tiburon Center

11:00  Isotopic models, DSM2 QUAL and ammonia/nutrient dynamics in the Delta
          Megan Young, USGS Menlo Park

11:40  Upstream Sources of Ammonia and Nutrient Dynamics in the Watersheds
          Carl Chen, Systech Water Resources

12:10  Wrap-Up