Table 3. Matrix of beneficial uses designated in the Lahontan Region Water Quality Control Plan for the Owens River below the LADWP intake dam and their applicability to the Lower Owens River following implementation of the LORP.
Technical Memorandum #7
| LORP Page
| Designated Beneficial Use | Definition | Applicability to Lower Owens |
| Ephemeral Stream | Waterbody classification | Rewatering of the Lower Owens River from the intake to Lake Owens will result in a continuous streamflow, thus the waterbody classification will require changing to perennial stream. |
| Municipal and Domestic Supply | Beneficial uses of waters used for community, military, or individual water supply systems including, but not limited to, drinking water supply. | The Lower Owens River from the intake to Lake Owens is not used, and is not expected to be used, for municipal or domestic water supplies. However, water is returned to the LADWP intake for an ultimate municipal use. |
| Agricultural Supply | Beneficial uses of waters used for farming, horticulture, or ranching, including, but not limited to, irrigation, stock watering, and support of vegetation for range grazing. | Applicable |
| Ground Water Recharge | Beneficial uses of waters used for natural or artificial recharge of ground water for purposes of future extraction, maintenance of water quality, or halting of saltwater intrusion into freshwater aquifers. | Applicable |
| Freshwater Replenishment | Beneficial uses of waters used for natural or artificial maintenance of surface water quality or quantity (e.g., salinity). | Applicable |
| Water Contact Recreation | Beneficial uses of waters used for recreational activities involving body contact with water where ingestion of water is reasonable possible. | Applicable |
| Non-Contact Water Recreation | Beneficial uses of waters used for recreational activities involving proximity to water, but not normally involving body contact with water where ingestion of water is reasonably possible. | Applicable |
| Commercial and Sport Fishing | Beneficial uses of waters used for commercial or recreational collection of fish or other organisms including, but not limited to, uses involving organisms intended for human consumption. | Applicable |
| Warm Freshwater Habitat | Beneficial uses of waters that support warm water ecosystems including, but not limited to, preservation and enhancement of aquatic habitats, vegetation, fish, and wildlife, including invertebrates. | Applicable |
| Cold Freshwater Habitat | Beneficial uses of waters that support cold water ecosystems including, but not limited to, preservation and enhancement of aquatic habitats, vegetation, fish, and wildlife, including invertebrates. | The overarching goal of the LORP is to develop a warm water ecosystem. Biota associated with cold water environments are not targeted and this designation is not applicable in the future. |
| Wildlife Habitat | Beneficial uses of waters that support wildlife habitats including, but not limited to, the preservation and enhancement or vegetation and prey species used by wildlife, such as waterfowl. | Applicable |
| Biological Habitats of Special Significance | Beneficial uses of waters that support designated areas or habitats, such as established refuges, parks, sanctuaries, ecological reserves, and Areas of Special Biological Significance, where the preservation and enhancement of natural resources requires special protection. | Applicable |
| Rare, Threatened, or Endangered Species | Beneficial uses of waters that support habitat necessary for the survival and successful maintenance of plant or animal species established under state and/or federal law as rare, threatened, or endangered. | Applicable |
| Spawning, Reproduction, and Development | Beneficial uses of waters that support high quality aquatic habitat necessary for reproduction and early life development of fish and wildlife. | Applicable |