The study:

Three segments of the White Salmon River and four of its tributaries, Rattlesnake Creek, Gilmer Creek, Trout Lake Ditch, and Trout Lake Creek, were listed in 1998 under Section 303(d) of the federal Clean Water Act as not meeting Washington State water quality standards for fecal coliform bacteria (FC).

In 2009, Ecology initiated a study to determine if these waters are currently complying with FC standards. Results indicate although FC levels have decreased, several segments are still not meeting standards. Based on this study, implementation of best management practices to reduce FC levels has begun within the White Salmon River watershed.