Virginia Administrative Code › Title 9 - ENVIRONMENT › Agency 25 - STATE WATER CONTROL BOARD › Chapter 260 - WATER QUALITY STANDARDS › Part IX - River Basin Section Tables › Section 9VAC25-260-370 - Classification column

Current through Register Vol. 40, No. 24, July 15, 2024
A. DO, pH and
				  temperature criteria. The classification column defines the class of waters to
				  which the basin section belongs in accordance with the class descriptions given
				  in 9VAC25-260-50.
				  9VAC25-260-50 defines the state's
				  seven classes (I through VII) and the dissolved oxygen (DO), pH and maximum
				  temperature that apply to each class. By finding the class of waters for a
				  basin section in the classification column and referring to
				  9VAC25-260-50, the DO, pH and
				  maximum temperature criteria can be found for each basin section.
B. DGIF trout waters. The Department of Game
				  and Inland Fisheries (DGIF) has established a classification system for trout
				  waters based on aesthetics, productivity, resident fish population and stream
				  structure. Classes i through iv rate wild trout habitat; Classes v through viii
				  rate cold water habitat not suitable for wild trout but adequate for year-round
				  hold-over of stocked trout. The DGIF classification system is included in this
				  publication with the board's trout water classes (Class V-Stockable trout
				  waters and Class VI-Natural trout waters) in the class column of the River
				  Basin Section Tables
				  9VAC25-260-390 et seq.
DGIF trout water classifications which are not consistent
					 with board classifications for stockable trout waters or natural trout waters
					 are shown with a double asterisk (**) in the class column of the River Basin
					 Section Tables
					 9VAC25-260-390 et seq. These trout
					 waters have been identified for reevaluation by the DGIF. Those trout waters
					 which have no DGIF classification are shown with a triple asterisk (***). The
					 DGIF classes are described below. Inclusion of these DGIF classes provides
					 additional information about specific streams for permit writers and other
					 interested persons. Trout waters classified as classes i or ii by the DGIF are
					 also recognized in
					 9VAC25-260-110.
DGIF STREAM CLASS DESCRIPTIONS.
Wild natural trout streams.
Class i. Stream of outstanding natural beauty possessing
					 wilderness or at least remote characteristics, an abundance of large deep
					 pools, and excellent fish cover. Substrate is variable with an abundance of
					 coarse gravel and rubble. Stream contains a good population of wild trout or
					 has the potential for such. Would be considered an exceptional wild trout
					 stream.
Class ii. Stream contains a good wild trout population or
					 the potential for one but is lacking in aesthetic quality, productivity, and/or
					 in some structural characteristic. Stream maintains good water quality and
					 temperature, maintains at least a fair summer flow, and adjacent land is not
					 extensively developed. Stream would be considered a good wild trout stream and
					 would represent a major portion of Virginia's wild trout waters.
Class iii. Stream which contains a fair population of wild
					 trout with carrying capacity depressed by natural factors or more commonly
					 man-related landuse practices. Land use activities may result in heavy
					 siltation of the stream, destruction of banks and fish cover, water quality
					 degradation, increased water temperature, etc. Most streams would be considered
					 to be in the active state of degradation or recovery from degradation.
					 Alteration in landuse practices would generally improve carrying capacity of
					 the stream.
Class iv. Stream which contains an adequately reproducing
					 wild trout population but has severely reduced summer flow characteristics.
					 Fish are trapped in isolated pools where they are highly susceptible to
					 predators and fishermen. Such streams could quickly be over-exploited and,
					 therefore, provide difficult management problems.
Stockable trout streams.
Class v. Stream does not contain an adequately reproducing
					 wild trout population nor does it have the potential for such. However, water
					 quality is adequate, water temperature is good, and invertebrate productivity
					 is exceptional. Pools are abundant with good size and depth and fish cover is
					 excellent. Stream would be good for stocked trout but may offer more potential
					 for a fingerling stocking program.
Class vi. Stream does not contain a significant number of
					 trout nor a significant population of warmwater gamefish. Water quality is
					 adequate and water temperature good for summer carryover of stocked trout.
					 Summer flow remains fair and adjacent land is not extensively developed. All
					 streams in this class would be considered good trout stocking water.
Class vii. Stream does not contain a significant number of
					 trout nor a significant population of warmwater gamefish. Water quality and
					 temperature are adequate for trout survival but productivity is marginal as are
					 structural characteristics. Streams in this class could be included in a
					 stocking program but they would be considered marginal and generally would not
					 be recommended for stocking.
Class viii. Stream does not contain a significant number of
					 trout nor a significant population of warmwater gamefish. Water quality and
					 temperature are adequate for trout but summer flows are very poor (less than
					 30% of channel). Streams in this class can provide good trout fishing during
					 spring and early summer but would not be recommended for summer or fall
					 stocking.
Other. Remaining streams would be considered unsuitable for
					 any type of trout fishery. Streams would be considered unsuitable under any of
					 the following conditions:
(a) summer
				  temperatures unsuitable for trout survival;
(b) stream contains a significant population
				  of warmwater gamefish;
(c)
				  insufficient flow; or
(d)
				  intolerable water quality.