FY07-09 proposal 200714700
Jump to Reviews and Recommendations
Section 1. Administrative
| Proposal title | Willamette Flow Management Project |
| Proposal ID | 200714700 |
| Organization | Nature Conservancy |
| Short description | The Willamette Flow Management project will identify environmental flow requirements for the Willamette River and its tributaries and design and test alternative flow releases from Corps and EWEB dams to achieve more natural flow regimes. |
| Information transfer | Several reports and documents will be developed that evaluate the flow requirements of native species and communities. The reports will include a literature review and a summary of available data and information for the affected stream reaches. These reports will be made available to the public. The results of modeling and analyses that evaluate the effects of flow restoration on the river ecosystem will be published and distributed. |
| Proposal contact person or principal investigator | |
Contacts
| Contact | Organization | |
|---|---|---|
| Form submitter | ||
| Leslie Bach | The Nature Conservancy | lbach@tnc.org |
| All assigned contacts | ||
| Leslie Bach | The Nature Conservancy | lbach@tnc.org |
Section 2. Locations
Province / subbasin: Lower Columbia / Willamette
| Latitude | Longitude | Waterbody | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Willamette River mainstem and tributaries | Middle Fork Willamette River downstream of Hills Creek dam (43.70930N, 122.42200W); Coast Fork Willamette River downstream of Cottage Grove Dam (43.71534N, 123.05031W); McKenzie River downstream of Cougar dam (44.12773N, 122.24031W); S Santiam River downstream of Green Peter dam; North Santiam River downstream of Detroit dam; mainstem Willamette River from confluence of Coast/Middle Forks to Salem. |
Section 3. Focal species
primary: Chinook Upper Willamette River ESUprimary: Coho Unspecified Population
primary: Steelhead Upper Willamette River ESU
secondary: Oregon Chub
secondary: Bull Trout
Additional: Western pond turtle, Western toad, Willow flycatcher, Red-legged frog, Bald eagle, Barrow’s goldeneye, Cascade torrent salamander, Cascades frog, Foothill yellow-legged frog, Great blue heron, Harlequin duck, Painted turtle, American dipper, Southern torrent salamander, Tailed frog, Yellow warbler, Yellow-breasted chat
Section 4. Past accomplishments
| Year | Accomplishments |
|---|
Section 5. Relationships to other projects
| Funding source | Related ID | Related title | Relationship |
|---|---|---|---|
| BPA | 199206800 | Willamette Basin Mitigation | One key element of the Willamette Basin Mitigation Project is the Floodplain Restoration Study. The Willamette Floodplain Restoration Study is collecting a significant amount of technical data, both physical and biological, that will be used by the Willamette Flow Management Project. Information and data from the Willamette Floodplain Restoration Study will help define the flow recommendations developed in the Willamette Flow Management Project. The flow targets developed as part of the Willamette Flow Management Project will help refine the floodplain restoration plans developed in the Willamette Floodplain Restoration Study. |
| BPA | 199205900 | Amazon Basin/Eugene Wetlands - | Restoration of natural flows and restoration of floodplain wetlands are intricately linked. The Willamette Flow Management Project will benefit from restoration efforts in the Amazon Basin/Eugene Wetlands. |
| BPA | 199607000 | Mckenzie Focus Watershed | Coordination between the Willamette Flow Management Project and the McKenzie focus watershed will provide information on potential enhancement and acquisition sites in the watershed that can be tied to flow restoration. |
| BPA | 199405300 | Bull Trout Assessment - Willam | Endangered Species Act requirements will be an important consideration in developing flow recommendations in the Willamette River and its tributaries, so information from this project will be critical to the Willamette Flow Management project. |
| OWEB - State | 204-204 | Elijah Bristow Riparian Restoration | Flow restoration in the river realized through the Willamette Flow Management project could benefit the Elijah Bristow Floodplain Restoration project by providing hydraulic connectivity between the river and the floodplain. |
| [Funding Source left blank] | [no entry] | Coast Fork South Meadow Floodplain Restoration project | Flow restoration in the Coast Fork realized through the Willamette Flow Management project could benefit the South Meadow restoration project by providing hydraulic connectivity between the river and the floodplain. |
| Other: USFWS, USACOE, USFS, State Parks | [no entry] | Oregon Chub Investigations | The effects of flow restoration on Oregon Chub will be an important consideration in developing the flow recommendations in the Willamette River and its tributaries, so information from this project will be critical to the Willamette Flow Management project. |
Section 6. Biological objectives
| Biological objectives | Full description | Associated subbasin plan | Strategy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Develop natural flow targets N and S Santiam R | Develop environmental flow targets for the North and South Santiam Rivers and the mainstem Willamette River to Salem | Willamette | 5.4.2.1, 5.4.2.2 and 5.4.3.1 |
| Restore natural flow regimes Coast and Middle Fks | Develop environmental flow targets for the Coast and Middle Forks of the Willamette River and design and test alternative flow releases from the Corps of Engineer's dams to achieve more natural flow regimes. | Willamette | 5.4.2.1, 5.4.2.2 and 5.4.3.1 |
| Restore natural flow regimes in the McKenzie River | Develop environmental flow targets for the McKenzie River and design and test alternative flow releases from Corps of Engineers and Eugene Water and Electric Board dams to achieve more natural flow regimes. | Willamette | 5.4.2.1, 5.4.2.2 and 5.4.3.1 |
Section 7. Work elements (coming back to this)
| Work element name | Work element title | Description | Start date | End date | Est budget |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other | Integrate flow recommendations into real-time adaptive management of the Corps and EWEB dams on the McKenzie River | Modify operation of the dams to achieve the target flow regimes at specific flow measurement locations. Integrate complete set of flow recommendations into hydrologic and ecological models to evaluate implications of flow modifications. Utilize HEC-5 and RES-Sim to evaluate potential effects of flow recommendations on reservoir operations and other project purposes. Utilize existing hydrologic models to evaluate effects on downstream hydrographs and water surface elevations. | 1/1/2008 | 9/30/2009 | $38,000 |
|
Biological objectives Restore natural flow regimes in the McKenzie River |
Metrics |
||||
| Other | Integrate flow recommendations into real-time adaptive management of the reservoir system of the Coast and Middle Forks of the Willamette River | Modify operation of the dams to achieve the target flow regimes at specific flow measurement locations. Integrate complete set of flow recommendations into hydrologic and ecological models to evaluate implications of flow modifications. Utilize HEC-5 and RES-Sim to evaluate potential effects of flow recommendations on reservoir operations and other project purposes. Utilize existing hydrologic models to evaluate effects on downstream hydrographs and water surface elevations. | 1/1/2007 | 9/30/2009 | $48,781 |
|
Biological objectives Restore natural flow regimes Coast and Middle Fks |
Metrics |
||||
| Produce Inventory or Assessment | Complete Flow Recommendations Workshop and produce summary report for the McKenzie River | Complete workshop with key scientific experts to develop initial flow recommendations for the river. Develop expert panel to provide information, data and analysis during workshop. Utilize historic or simulated flow records for pre-dam conditions to help define natural flow regimes. Develop a summary report that provides flow recommendations as a range of desired flow conditions at one or more flow measurement stations downstream of the dams, including the Willamette River immediately below the confluence of the McKenzie River, as well at as the current flow target location at Salem. | 10/15/2007 | 12/31/2007 | $25,750 |
|
Biological objectives Restore natural flow regimes in the McKenzie River |
Metrics |
||||
| Produce Inventory or Assessment | Complete Flow Recommendations Workshop and produce summary report for the North and South Santiam Rivers and the mainstem Willamette River downstream to Salem | Complete workshop with key scientific experts to develop initial flow recommendations for the rivers. Develop expert panel to provide information, data and analysis during workshop. Utilize historic or simulated flow records for pre-dam conditions to help define natural flow regimes. Develop a summary report that provides flow recommendations as a range of desired flow conditions at one or more flow measurement stations downstream of the dams, including the Willamette River downstream to Salem. | 6/30/2008 | 9/30/2009 | $10,300 |
|
Biological objectives Develop natural flow targets N and S Santiam R |
Metrics |
||||
| Produce Inventory or Assessment | Complete preliminary analysis and literature review to inform development of environmental flow recommendations for the North and South Santiam Rivers and the mainstem Willamette River downstream to Salem | Compile existing information and literature describing current data and knowledge on the flow requirements of the river-floodplain system and native species and communties. Utilize existing analysis tools such as the Indicators of Hydrologic Alteration (IHA) to compare natural and current flow regimes and characterize significant changes in the hydrograph. Develop ecological models to link flow conditions to ecological processes and biotic response. Prepare a summary report characterizing the natural flow regimes of the rivers and the flow requirements of the native species and communities. | 12/1/2008 | 6/30/2009 | $41,200 |
|
Biological objectives Develop natural flow targets N and S Santiam R |
Metrics |
||||
| Produce Inventory or Assessment | Conduct preliminary analysis, literature review and summary report to inform development of environmental flow recommendations for the McKenzie River | Compile existing information and literature describing current data and knowledge on the flow requirements of the river-floodplain system and native species and communties. Utilize existing analysis tools such as the Indicators of Hydrologic Alteration (IHA) to compare natural and current flow regimes and characterize significant changes in the hydrograph. Develop ecological models to link flow conditions to ecological processes and biotic response. Prepare a summary report characterizing the natural flow regimes of the rivers and the flow requirements of the native species and communities. | 2/15/2007 | 9/30/2007 | $41,200 |
|
Biological objectives Restore natural flow regimes in the McKenzie River |
Metrics |
||||
| Produce Inventory or Assessment | Develop Environmental Flow Recommendations for the Coast and Middle Forks of Willamette River and the mainstem Willamette River downstream of the Middle Fork | Hold a workshop with key scientific experts to develop initial flow recommendations based on ecological objectives, and to identify critical information gaps. The workshop will be composed of scientists from a variety of disciplines, e.g., hydrologists, hydraulic engineers, geomorphologists, fisheries biologists, riparian ecologists, water quality specialists, etc., to insure an interdisciplinary perspective. Initial quantitative flow recommendations will include recommended ranges for low flow, high flow and flood pulses, duration and frequency of each, and the rate of change from one condition to another. These recommendations will be expressed as a range of desired flow conditions at one or more flow measurement stations downstream of the dams, including the Willamette River immediately below the confluence of the Coast and Middle Forks, as well at as the current flow target location at Salem. | 10/15/2006 | 12/31/2006 | $23,281 |
|
Biological objectives Restore natural flow regimes Coast and Middle Fks |
Metrics |
||||
| Produce Inventory or Assessment | Develop Environmental Flow Recommendations for the McKenzie River and the mainstem Willamette River downstream of the McKenzie River | Hold a workshop with key scientific experts to develop initial flow recommendations based on ecological objectives, and to identify critical information gaps. The workshop will be composed of scientists from a variety of disciplines, e.g., hydrologists, hydraulic engineers, geomorphologists, fisheries biologists, riparian ecologists, water quality specialists, etc., to insure an interdisciplinary perspective. Initial quantitative flow recommendations will include recommended ranges for low flow, high flow and flood pulses, duration and frequency of each, and the rate of change from one condition to another. These recommendations will be expressed as a range of desired flow conditions at one or more flow measurement stations downstream of the dams, including the Willamette River immediately below the confluence of the McKenzie River, as well at as the current flow target location at Salem. | 10/15/2007 | 12/31/2007 | $23,907 |
|
Biological objectives Restore natural flow regimes in the McKenzie River |
Metrics |
||||
| Produce Inventory or Assessment | Develop Environmental Flow Recommendations for the North and South Santiam Rivers and the mainstem Willamette downstream to Salem | Hold a workshop with key scientific experts to develop initial flow recommendations based on ecological objectives, and to identify critical information gaps. The workshop will be composed of scientists from a variety of disciplines, e.g., hydrologists, hydraulic engineers, geomorphologists, fisheries biologists, riparian ecologists, water quality specialists, etc., to insure an interdisciplinary perspective. Initial quantitative flow recommendations will include recommended ranges for low flow, high flow and flood pulses, duration and frequency of each, and the rate of change from one condition to another. These recommendations will be expressed as a range of desired flow conditions at one or more flow measurement stations downstream of the dams, including the Willamette River downstream to Salem. | 6/30/2008 | 9/30/2009 | $25,312 |
|
Biological objectives Develop natural flow targets N and S Santiam R |
Metrics |
||||
| Produce Inventory or Assessment | Develop preliminary analysis and literature review to inform development of environmental flow recommendations for the McKenzie River | Hold an orientation workshop to inform and engage interested parties – including scientists, water managers, agency personnel and stakeholders – in the process of developing environmental flow recommendations. Contract with an academic institution, consulting firm or organization to compile existing information and literature and prepare a summary report describing the flow requirements of the river-floodplain system and native species and communities. Combine hydrologic analysis and literature review to identify key aspects of flow regimes that are important for sustaining the health of the river-floodplain system. | 2/15/2007 | 9/30/2007 | $28,281 |
|
Biological objectives Restore natural flow regimes in the McKenzie River |
Metrics |
||||
| Produce Inventory or Assessment | Develop preliminary analysis and literature review to inform development of environmental flow recommendations for the North and South Santiam Rivers and the mainstem Willamette River downstream to Salem | Hold an orientation workshop to inform and engage interested parties – including scientists, water managers, agency personnel and stakeholders – in the process of developing environmental flow recommendations. Contract with an academic institution, consulting firm or organization to compile existing information and literature and prepare a summary report describing the flow requirements of the river-floodplain system and native species and communities. Combine hydrologic analysis and literature review to identify key aspects of flow regimes that are important for sustaining the health of the river-floodplain system. | 12/1/2008 | 6/30/2009 | $29,219 |
|
Biological objectives Develop natural flow targets N and S Santiam R |
Metrics |
||||
| Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data | Monitor and evaluate effects of changes in reservoir operations for the Corps and EWEB dams, and refine flow recommendations and reservoir operations. | Develop a monitoring program to evaluate the ecological effects of implementing the recommended flow regimes. Identify ecosystem indicators that are representative of the health of the river ecosystem, directly address ecological goals, and are responsive to flow conditions in the short-term. Utilize model simulations or economic analysis to evaluate the effects of flow changes on reservoir operations and ability to meet the multi-use purposes of the dams. Apply adaptive management principles to refine flow targets and dam modifications. | 1/1/2008 | 9/30/2009 | $33,750 |
|
Biological objectives Restore natural flow regimes in the McKenzie River |
Metrics Primary R, M, and E Type: Hydrolgic, Ecological and Biological data |
||||
| Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data | Monitor and evaluate effects of changes in reservoir operations in Coast and Middle Forks and refine flow recommendations and reservoir operations | Develop a monitoring program to evaluate the ecological effects of implementing the recommended flow regimes. Identify ecosystem indicators that are representative of the health of the river ecosystem, directly address ecological goals, and are responsive to flow conditions in the short-term. Utilize model simulations or economic analysis to evaluate the effects of flow changes on reservoir operations and ability to meet the multi-use purposes of the dams. Apply adaptive management principles to refine flow targets and dam modifications. | 1/1/2007 | 9/30/2009 | $40,844 |
|
Biological objectives Restore natural flow regimes Coast and Middle Fks |
Metrics Primary R, M, and E Type: Hydrologic, Ecological and Biological data |
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Section 8. Budgets
Itemized estimated budget
| Item | Note | FY07 | FY08 | FY09 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Personnel | Full time technical lead with expertise in hydrology, fish biology and ecology | $50,000 | $50,000 | $50,000 |
| Fringe Benefits | 40% of salary | $20,000 | $20,000 | $20,000 |
| Supplies | Computer, misc. office supplies | $5,000 | $2,000 | $2,000 |
| Travel | Multiple trips throughout Willamette Basin for patner development, outreach, data collection and compilation, workshop development and implementation, etc. | $2,500 | $2,500 | $2,100 |
| Other | Contracting | $40,000 | $25,000 | $50,000 |
| Other | Training, conferences, presentations at professional meetings, etc. | $1,000 | $1,000 | $1,000 |
| Other | Communications, printing, postage, etc. | $1,500 | $1,000 | $1,500 |
| Overhead | 25% on direct costs, 3% on Contract line item | $21,200 | $19,875 | $20,650 |
| Totals | $141,200 | $121,375 | $147,250 | |
Total estimated FY 2007-2009 budgets
| Total itemized budget: | $409,825 |
| Total work element budget: | $409,825 |
Cost sharing
| Funding source/org | Item or service provided | FY 07 est value ($) | FY 08 est value ($) | FY 09 est value ($) | Cash or in-kind? | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eugene Water and Electric Board | Contracting for development of flow recommendations on the McKenzie River | $20,000 | $0 | $0 | Cash | Confirmed |
| Eugene Water and Electric Board | Physical, chemical and biological monitoring | $0 | $30,000 | $30,000 | In-Kind | Confirmed |
| The Nature Conservancy | Technical Expertise and Program Management, travel | $11,250 | $11,250 | $11,250 | In-Kind | Confirmed |
| The Nature Conservancy | Contracting for flow recommendations workshop for Coast and Middle Forks Willamette | $22,000 | $0 | $0 | Cash | Confirmed |
| US Army Corps of Engineers | Hydrologic and hydraulic modeling and monitoring | $15,000 | $10,000 | $10,000 | In-Kind | Confirmed |
| US Army Corps of Engineers | Engineering and design for dam modifications | $15,000 | $10,000 | $10,000 | In-Kind | Confirmed |
| US Army Corps of Engineers | Biological data collection | $10,000 | $0 | $0 | Cash | Confirmed |
| Totals | $93,250 | $61,250 | $61,250 | |||
Section 9. Project future
|
FY 2010 estimated budget: $96,000 FY 2011 estimated budget: $96,000 |
Comments: Implementation of flow recommendations for the Santiam will occur in FY2010. Monitoring and changes in dam operations for the Coast and Middle Forks of the Willamette River, the McKenzie River and the mainstem Willamette will continue in FY2010 and FY2011 |
Future O&M costs: Operations and Maintenance of the dams to meet target flow regimes will continue indefinitely beyond FY2011, however those costs will be covered by the Corps of Engineers and the Eugene Water and Electric Board
Termination date: none
Comments: The development of flow recommendations and associated analyses will be completed by FY2011. Changes in operation of the dams will likely continue into the future with modifications reflecting increased understanding of flow-habitat relationships as well as the ability to meet other purposes of the dams. The Corps of Engineers and the Eugene Water and Electric Board will be responsible for continued Operation and Maintenance.
Final deliverables: Reports on the flow requirements of native species and communties in the Coast/Middle Forks of the Willamette River, the McKenzie River and the North and South Santiam Rivers. Summaries of changes made at the dams and information describing the resulting flow regimes. Publication of modeling and analyses results on the effects of flow modifications on the river ecosystem.
Section 10. Narrative and other documents
| Willamette Flow Management Project Response to ISRP Comments | Jul 2006 |
Reviews and recommendations
| FY07 budget | FY08 budget | FY09 budget | Total budget | Type | Category | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NPCC FINAL FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS (Oct 23, 2006) [full Council recs] | ||||||
| $141,200 | $121,375 | $147,250 | $409,825 | Expense | ProvinceExpense | Fund |
| NPCC DRAFT FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS (Sep 15, 2006) [full Council recs] | ||||||
| $141,200 | $121,375 | $147,250 | $0 | ProvinceExpense | ||
|
Comments: Sponsors should take the ISRP comments into account |
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ISRP PRELIMINARY REVIEW (Jun 2, 2006)
Recommendation: Response requested
NPCC comments: The proposed work could be of great benefit to aquatic and terrestrial species, if flow changes that have a significant and positive impact on their habitat can be implemented. The sponsors need to adequately address a number of methodological questions, explain how the social and economic impacts of flow changes will be evaluated, and how the public will be involved in determining what flow changes to implement. The ISRP requests a response addressing the following: A major shortcoming is the lack of an adequate explanation of how the social and economic impacts of flow changes will be evaluated, and how the public will be involved in determining what flow changes to implement. The sponsors need to more fully explain what they mean by “real time adaptive management of the reservoirs.” The sponsors need a more detailed explanation of the Ecosystems Function Model and the other “biological response models” they refer to. How do these models work? What kind of data is needed to populate the model? How will they predict complex effects on floodplain function, riparian condition, etc. and the impact of these changes on biota? What is the output of the models? Flow changes at the individual dams will have a cumulative effect on flow in the mainstem. How will this effect be determined? Work Element 115 under Objective 3 is repeated. The proposal also needs to address the issue of possible scour, derived from increasing spring flows into a system that is no longer braided and has lost connectivity with much of its floodplain, and therefore may no longer have the cross-sectional capacity for these flows.
ISRP FINAL REVIEW (Aug 31, 2006)
Recommendation: Fundable (Qualified)
NPCC comments: The sponsor’s response addressed many of the ISRP's questions and comments. However, they only partially addressed two of the ISRP's major comments regarding : (1) a number of methodological questions regarding the "biological response models", and (2) details of how the public will be involved in determining what flow changes to implement and how the social and economic impacts of flow changes will be evaluated. In their response to the ISRP's questions regarding the biological response models, the sponsors indicated that they will use the EDT model and Habitat Suitability Indices (HSI) to evaluate the impacts of flow alterations on habitat of focal species. However, the description of how EDT will be used is very incomplete, and the HSIs are only mentioned as "being developed for a variety of species.” The application of EDT and the HSIs is inadequately described. If the goal of this project is to modify flow regimes to improve habitats for focal species in the subbasin, then the techniques and tools used to predict and measure the complex changes in flow regimes on floodplain function and littoral habitat and the corresponding impacts on biota in those habitats will need to be well developed and powerful. The ISRP recommends that the sponsors engage the assistance of a fisheries biologist well versed in EDT analyses, and fully utilize the products and expertise of those involved in conducting the comprehensive EDT assessments done for the Willamette Subbasin Plan. In their response to the ISRP's questions regarding public involvement, the sponsors provided a fairly complete description indicating that the major public input will be through the Willamette Interagency Flow Management Workgroup, which includes representatives of all federal, state, and local agencies with water resource management responsibilities in the basin. The committee works with the Corps to perform two principal tasks: 1) prepare an annual operating plan for the reservoir conservation storage and release season (2/1-10/30) based on the specific operating requirements of the reservoirs and adjustments given current forecasts for the water year; and 2) work collaboratively with the Corps throughout the reservoir operating season to implement the plan through frequent (often weekly) meetings in which water supply forecasts and weather conditions are updated, and the group works together to make real-time adjustments to operations to balance the competing uses. In addition, the Corps conducts annual public meetings during development of the operating plan. Any significant changes related to the Willamette Flow Management Project would be given the opportunity for public comment. The workgroup membership appears to be limited to government agencies, and it would be advisable to also include NGOs and other stakeholders in order to have broad public input. This proposed Flow Management Study is also linked to an existing Floodplain Restoration Study in the Middle and Coast Forks of the Willamette. This existing study includes an analysis of the needs and opportunities for floodplain restoration, and information on potential flow changes will be evaluated in the context of the benefits and risks to floodplain management. A stakeholder group consisting of federal, state and local agencies, local watershed councils, and non-governmental organizations is helping to guide this existing Floodplain Restoration study. As part of the proposed Flow Management Study, there are a series of annual public meetings proposed that will inform stakeholders about both the Floodplain Restoration Study and the Flow Management Project. The ISRP believes that limiting public involvement to an annual meeting is overly restrictive. The ISRP also notes that there is still no adequate explanation of how the social and economic impacts of flow modifications will be evaluated. Qualifications: 1. The sponsors should develop a more robust mechanism for public involvement. According to the sponsor’s response, most of the involvement appears to consist of a single (sometimes annual) meeting open to the public whose purpose is informational and to garner input. The exception is the Floodplain Restoration Study on the Middle and Coast Forks, which apparently involves watershed councils and NGO’s, although their specific roles are not entirely clear. Making significant changes in flow in the Willamette River will affect tens of thousands of people and their livelihoods. Public involvement during early stages of the project is crucial to gain general public support for the program. 2. The sponsors should develop a plan for assessing economic and social impacts.