This thesis examines temperature total daily maximum load (TMDL) and TMDL implementation plans in the Pacific Northwest in order to determine the common and unique strategies and challenges to TMDL implementation. Water temperatures for many rivers and streams in the Pacific Northwest region are above state water quality standards, threatening habitat quality for cold water salmonids. The study area included seven case study watersheds, which were investigated through interviews and document reviews.

The results of the case study investigations revealed that, in many cases, entities other than the State Department of Environmental Quality were responsible for TMDL implementation; the line of authority between entities implementing the TMDL is unclear, which may lead to confusion between implementers; and the water quality data collected by many groups is not coalesced into one centralized location for comprehensive analysis, which may lead to inefficiencies in TMDL implementation. Moreover, as the Obama administration reforms government agencies’ data sharing and reporting procedures, comprehensive and standardized collection and analysis of water quality parameter data may become the norm.