Department of Environmental Quality
Chapter 340
Division 41
WATER QUALITY STANDARDS: BENEFICIAL USES, POLICIES, AND CRITERIA FOR OREGON
340-041-0016
Dissolved Oxygen
Dissolved oxygen (DO): No wastes may be discharged and no activities may be conducted that either alone or in combination with other wastes or activities will cause violation of the following standards: The changes adopted by the Commission on January 11, 1996, become effective July 1, 1996. Until that time, the requirements of this rule that were in effect on January 10, 1996, apply:
(1) For water bodies identified as active spawning areas in the places and times indicated on the following Tables and Figures set out in OAR 340-041-0101 to 340-041-0340: Tables 101B, 121B, and Figures 130B, 151B, 160B, 170B, 180A, 190C, 201A, 220B, 230B, 260A, 271B, 286B, 300B, 310B, 320B, and 340B, (as well as any active spawning area used by resident trout species), the following criteria apply during the applicable spawning through fry emergence periods set forth in the tables and figures and, where resident trout spawning occurs, during the time trout spawning through fry emergence occurs:
(a) The dissolved oxygen may not be less than 11.0 mg/l. However, if the minimum intergravel dissolved oxygen, measured as a spatial median, is 8.0 mg/l or greater, then the DO criterion is 9.0 mg/l;
(b) Where conditions of barometric pressure, altitude, and temperature preclude attainment of the 11.0 mg/l or 9.0 mg/l criteria, dissolved oxygen levels must not be less than 95 percent of saturation;
(c) The spatial median intergravel dissolved oxygen concentration must not fall below 8.0 mg/l.
(2) For water bodies identified by the Department as providing cold-water aquatic life, the dissolved oxygen may not be less than 8.0 mg/l as an absolute minimum. Where conditions of barometric pressure, altitude, and temperature preclude attainment of the 8.0 mg/l, dissolved oxygen may not be less than 90 percent of saturation. At the discretion of the Department, when the Department determines that adequate information exists, the dissolved oxygen may not fall below 8.0 mg/l as a 30-day mean minimum, 6.5 mg/l as a seven-day minimum mean, and may not fall below 6.0 mg/l as an absolute minimum (Table 21);
(3) For water bodies identified by the Department as providing cool-water aquatic life, the dissolved oxygen may not be less than 6.5 mg/l as an absolute minimum. At the discretion of the Department, when the Department determines that adequate information exists, the dissolved oxygen may not fall below 6.5 mg/l as a 30-day mean minimum, 5.0 mg/l as a seven-day minimum mean, and may not fall below 4.0 mg/l as an absolute minimum (Table 21);
(4) For water bodies identified by the Department as providing warm-water aquatic life, the dissolved oxygen may not be less than 5.5 mg/l as an absolute minimum. At the discretion of the Department, when the Department determines that adequate information exists, the dissolved oxygen may not fall below 5.5 mg/l as a 30-day mean minimum, and may not fall below 4.0 mg/l as an absolute minimum (Table 21);
(5) For estuarine water, the dissolved oxygen concentrations may not be less than 6.5 mg/l (for coastal water bodies);
(6) For ocean waters, no measurable reduction in dissolved oxygen concentration may be allowed.
[ED. NOTE: To view attachments referenced in rule text, click here for PDF copy.]
Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 468.020, 468B.030, 468B.035 & 468B.048
Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 468B.030, 468B.035 & 468B.048
History:
DEQ 1-2024, minor correction filed 01/11/2024, effective 01/11/2024
DEQ 29-2023, minor correction filed 12/21/2023, effective 12/21/2023
DEQ 13-2019, amend filed 05/16/2019, effective 05/16/2019
DEQ 2-2007, f. & cert. ef. 3-15-07
DEQ 17-2003, f. & cert. ef. 12-9-03