WILDLIFE INVESTIGATION STUDY PLAN
Final-Draft
LAKE CHELAN HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT FERC Project No. 637
February 12, 1999
Public Utility District No. 1 of Chelan County Wenatchee, Washington
Wildlife Investigation
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION 1:INTRODUCTION...... 1 1.1 General Description of the Region and Lake Chelan Project...... 1 1.2 General Description of the Relicensing Process...... 2 1.3 Current Management Efforts...... 5 1.4 Need Statement...... 5
SECTION 2:STUDY GOAL...... 5
SECTION 3:STUDY AREA...... 5
SECTION 4:METHODOLOGY...... 5
SECTION 5:TASK LIST ...... 6
SECTION 6:ANALYSIS AND REPORTING ...... 7
SECTION 7:STAFFING AND EQUIPMENT NEEDS ...... 7
SECTION 8:SCHEDULE ...... 7
SECTION 9:BUDGET...... 7
SECTION 10: NEXT STEPS ...... 7
SECTION 11: REFERENCES ...... 7
APPENDIX A...... 9 Issues to be Addressed ...... 9
LIST OF FIGURES
FIGURE 1: BYPASS REACH LOCATION MAP...... 4
Wildlife Investigation
SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION
1.1 General Description of the Region and Lake Chelan Project Lake Chelan is located in Chelan County in north central Washington. Lake Chelan is bordered to the south by the Entiat and Chelan Mountains and Glacier Peak complex. To the north it is bordered by the Sawtooth Mountain Range. From Twenty Five Mile Creek uplake, the terrain is mountainous and rugged. In many cases, the steep slopes run directly into the lake with no flat beaches or shoreline. The terrain of the lower end of the lake is much less severe, mainly arid or semi-arid. Except where irrigation has taken place, the hills of the lower end of the lake are barren with brown grasses and a few scattered pines.
Lake Chelan is deep and narrow, extending northwesterly approximately 50 miles from the City of Chelan at its lower end to Stehekin at the head of the lake. Lake Chelan is a natural lake that developed within a broad glacial trough. The lake averages 1 mile in width, and has depths of over 1,480 feet. Lake Chelan is bordered by more than 2 million acres of National Forest Lands, more than half of which are designated as wilderness. Surrounding peaks reach elevations as high as 7,000 feet. The lake serves as a waterway approach to the Forest Service’s Wenatchee National Forest above Twenty Five Mile Creek, and to the National Park Service’s Lake Chelan National Recreation Area at Stehekin. The lower 15 miles of the lake are mostly privately owned, the next 35 are within the Wenatchee National Forest, and the upper 5 miles are within the Lake Chelan National Recreation Area.
The average surface area of the lake is 32,000 acres. The drainage area of the project at the dam is 924 square miles. The confluence of the Chelan River and Columbia River is approximately 1.5 miles southeast of the City of Chelan. The lake level and flow through the Chelan River drainage were altered through the construction of a hydroelectric project in the river channel near the City of Chelan in 1928.
The Lake Chelan Hydroelectric Project is located approximately 32 miles north of the City of Wenatchee on the Chelan River. The 4.1-mile long Chelan River, the shortest river in Washington State, flows from the lower end of Lake Chelan to the Columbia River. The Lake Chelan Hydroelectric Project consists of a 40-foot high concrete gravity dam located at the City of Chelan, a 2.2-mile long steel and concrete tunnel (penstock) that is 14 feet in diameter, and a powerhouse located at the confluence of the Chelan and Columbia rivers near the City of Chelan Falls. The vertical elevation drop between the dam and powerhouse is 401 ft. The powerhouse contains two Francis turbine units, each rated at 34,000 hp at 1,100 cfs and 377 feet net head, that produce approximately 50 MW of electricity.
The project reservoir, Lake Chelan, is operated between a maximum water surface elevation of 1,100 feet (MSL) and 1,079 feet to ensure optimum utilization of the reservoir for power generation, fish and wildlife conservation, recreation, water supply, and flood control purposes. The average drawdown of the lake for the past 30 years has been to 1083.5 feet. The reservoir has 676,000 acre-feet of usable storage above 1,079 feet. Wildlife Investigation
The annual drawdown of the lake begins in early October. The lowest lake elevation normally occurs in April. From May through June the lake refills from spring runoff. The reservoir is maintained at or above elevation 1,098 feet from June 30 through September 30 each year. Since the project was originally licensed in 1926, the lake has never been drawn down to the minimum allowable elevation (1,079 feet). The lowest drawdown on record was 1,079.7 feet in 1970. That occurrence coincides with the lowest annual precipitation on record. The Chelan PUD has never failed to refill the reservoir to elevation 1,098 feet by June 30.
The 4.1-mile long bypass reach is comprised of four distinct sections (Figure 1). The 2.29-mile long upper section, Section 1, of the bypass reach below the dam is characterized by a relatively wide flood plain, low gradient, 55 ft/mile, and substrate comprised mainly of large cobble and boulders. Some spawning sized gravel is contained in the margins of the channel, deposited in these areas during high flow events during spring runoff.
Section 2 of the bypass reach, 0.75-mile long and located in the upper end of the gorge, is characterized by a narrow channel, steep canyon walls, low gradient, 57 ft/mile, and cobble and boulder substrate that is much larger than the upstream section. This section appears to contain very little salmonid spawning size substrate.
Section 3 of the bypass reach, referred to as the gorge area, is 0.38-mile long. The canyon walls are very steep and narrow. The gradient of the channel is very steep, 480 ft/mile. The stream channel is characterized by waterfalls, from 5 to 20 feet high, numerous cascades, bedrock chutes, and large, very deep pools. The substrate is very large, with some boulders exceeding 20 feet in diameter.
Section 4 of the bypass reach is 0.49-mile long and located below the gorge area. It is characterized by a wide flood plain, having gravel/cobble/boulder substrate, and low gradient, 22 ft/mile. Section 4 extends from the bottom of the gorge section downstream approximately 2,600 feet to the confluence of the powerhouse tailrace.
1.2 General Description of the Relicensing Process The Public Utility District No.1 of Chelan County (Chelan PUD) owns and operates the Lake Chelan Hydroelectric Project located on the Chelan River in Chelan, Washington. Chelan PUD is permitted to operate the project according to the terms and conditions contained in the existing license No. 637, issued by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) on May 12, 1981. The current license expires on March 31, 2004.
The original project license was issued by the Federal Power Commission, now FERC, in May 1926. The FERC granted the new 30-year license to Chelan PUD on May 12, 1981, retroactive to 1974 when the original 50-year license expired.
Chelan PUD intends to seek a new license to operate the Lake Chelan Hydroelectric Project and has begun the preparation for the process referred to as “relicensing.” The FERC relicensing process is based on laws and regulations that require years of extensive planning, including
Lake Chelan Project No. 637 Study Plan (Final-Draft) SS/2132_3 Page 2 February12, 1999 Wildlife Investigation environmental studies, agency consensus, and public involvement. The process to obtain a new license has changed considerably since the existing license was issued in 1981, primarily due to changes made to the Federal Power Act (FPA) as amended by the Electric Consumers Power Act (ECPA) in 1986. ECPA mandates that the FERC give equal consideration to the enhancement of existing environmental, recreation, fish, and wildlife resources, and to balance what are often competing uses of the water resources. ECPA also empowers the FERC to consider whether or not a project is consistent with federal and state comprehensive plans.
Chelan PUD has requested and received approval from the FERC to employ an alternative relicensing process for the Lake Chelan Project, as allowed under FERC’s Final Rule issued on October 29, 1997 (Docket No. RM95-16-000; Order No. 596). The Alternative Relicensing Process (ARP) proposed by Chelan PUD is intended to expedite the licensing process by combining the pre-filing consultation and environmental review processes into a single process, and by improving and facilitating communications among the participants in the licensing process.
The first step taken by Chelan PUD in the Lake Chelan ARP was to solicit identification of issues from the participating stakeholders regarding all aspects of the Lake Chelan Hydroelectric Project that would need to be addressed during the relicensing process. Issues identified were then grouped according to similar topics. From the sub-groups of topics, study plans outlines were developed to address the pertinent issues. The detailed study plans are a further refinement of the study plan outlines.
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1.3 Current Management Efforts Chelan PUD has established comprehensive programs at Lake Chelan to reduce the impact of the project operations on fish and wildlife. Surveys of deer, mountain goat and bald eagle populations are conducted by boat along the reservoir to track their abundance and distribution, as well as the age and sex composition of the animals. Information derived from these surveys is used to manage the level of harvest and assess the condition of the wildlife habitat. Funds are provided for improving mule deer winter forage through prescribed burns and planting forage plants. Chelan PUD also assists wildlife during the winter months by maintaining upland bird feeders and mineral blocks for mule deer and mountain goats.
1.4 Need Statement The effect of project operations on big game species, Mule deer, Mountain goats, and Bighorn sheep, will be determined through results of wildlife surveys currently being conducted and consultation with the Wildlife Workgroup. The effect of project operations on small game and other species will be determined through the Riparian Zone Investigation.
SECTION 2: STUDY GOAL
The goal of the Wildlife Investigation is to: 1) summarize existing wildlife information (ICD); 2) discuss usefulness of current wildlife investigations and management activities; and 3) determine which activities should continue in the future license term.
SECTION 3: STUDY AREA
The study area encompasses the project boundary. The project boundary extends along the 1,100-foot contour line from the upper end of Lake Chelan near Stehekin to the City of Chelan. The project boundary continues down both sides of the bypass reach to the confluence of the Chelan and Columbia rivers. Big game species are often encountered within the project boundary, but spend a vast majority of their time outside the project boundary as defined for relicensing.
SECTION 4: METHODOLOGY
The wildlife studies to be implemented in 1999 are the same methods employed since 1984. Big game wildlife surveys are conducted according to methodologies described by Fielder/McKay, 1984. Big game surveys will be conducted by two biologists from a boat. The boat will be motored slowly along the shoreline, usually within 60 m. Wildlife will be observed from the boat using 10 power binoculars or with a 15-60 power spotting scope from the shore. Both the north
Study Plan (Final-Draft) Lake Chelan Project No. 637 February 12, 1999 Page 5 SS/2132_3 Wildlife Investigation and south shore of Lake Chelan will be surveyed. The same areas will be surveyed on each survey trip. The shore surveyed in an up-lake and down-lake direction will be alternated each survey.
Big game surveys will be conducted during three time periods: 1) early winter (late November- early December); 2) mid-winter (late December-early January); and 3) late winter (February). Four surveys will be conducted during each time period. The early winter surveys are optimal for gathering data regarding mountain goat abundance, age, and distribution. The mid-winter surveys are optimal for gathering data regarding mule deer and sex composition. The late winter surveys provide data on late winter goat distribution and kid survival, and deer abundance (Fielder 1991).
Deer will be classified as does, fawns, bucks, or unknowns. The number of antler points will be recorded for bucks. Mountain goats will be classified as adults (older than one year), kids or unknown. Deer and goat locations will be identified by lake-mile and shore.
Additional issues identified during initial consultation (Appendix A) will be addressed during the course of the studies described previously, or in other studies associated with the Lake Chelan relicensing process. For example, fish use will be observed during the Bypass Reach Flow Releases Study and Fish Stranding Investigation. Recreation, other than fishing, aesthetics, kayaking, and safety issues will also be addressed in the Chelan River Recreational Flow Study and Paddling Feasibility Study. Power impacts of various scenarios will be addressed in this and other studies, such as Columbia River Flow Augmentation and Lake Level Investigation.
SECTION 5: TASK LIST
Task 1 - Summarize existing wildlife investigations and management activities. - Being summarized by February 12.
Task 2 - Meet with Wildlife Workgroup to discuss appropriate changes. - Will not change under current license.
Task 3 - Discuss potential additional big game enhancement measures.
Task 4 - Prepare report for entire relicensing team to consider.
Task 5 - Address appropriateness and study plan for black bear abundance, distribution and movements in relation to kokonee spawning populations and human recreation areas
Task 6 - Take steps to expand WDFW mule deer winter mortality study to include the Lake Chelan deer winter range area.
Task 7 - Compile information on migration routes for Lake Chelan mule deer populations to and from the wintering areas along Lake Chelan and the Columbia River that were
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purchased as mitigation lands by Chelan PUD to consider habitat connectivity and fragmentation.
SECTION 6: ANALYSIS AND REPORTING
Annual reports have been provided since 1984 for big game surveys and enhancement measures under the terms of the Revised Exhibit S of the current Lake Chelan Hydroelectric Project license. Management activities will be summarized.
SECTION 7: STAFFING AND EQUIPMENT NEEDS
Chelan PUD will continue to provide the staffing and equipment requirements described in the Revised Exhibit S of the current Lake Chelan Hydroelectric Project license.
SECTION 8: SCHEDULE
Continue to conduct annual big game surveys as described in the Revised Exhibit S of the current Lake Chelan Hydroelectric Project license for the duration of the present license.
SECTION 9: BUDGET
To be determined.
SECTION 10: NEXT STEPS
· Review draft detailed study plans in-house for completeness. (Tasks 5, 6 and 7) · Send draft study plans to the Wildlife Workgroup for review and comment. (Tasks 5, 6 and 7) · Incorporate Wildlife Workgroup comments into detailed study plans. (Tasks 5, 6 and 7) · Select consultant to conduct 1999 field investigations. (if Tasks 5, 6 and 7 proceed) ·
SECTION 11: REFERENCES
Fielder, P.C. and C.E. Mckay, Jr. 1984 Lake Chelan wildlife studies with emphasis on mountain goats and mule deer. Public Utility District No.1 of Chelan Co.
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Wildlife Investigation
APPENDIX A
Issues to be Addressed
Issue Group Rank Issue Addressed
Economics: must be economically viable to PUD LARC 31/149 Yes Activities on the Butte on wildlife LARC 101/149 Other Study Erosion: perching trees for bald eagles LARC 122/149 Other Study Bypass Reach/recreation: safety: wildlife viewing LARC 145/149 Other Study
ESA impacts Fish 11/119 Other Study Spotted Frog endangered Fish 19/119 Other Study General amphibian habitat assessment Fish 31/119 Other Study Nesting water birds: Loss of habitat at head of lake Fish 35/119 Other Study Nesting water birds: Fish 36/119 Other Study Nesting water birds: Water fluctuation equals failed Fish 39/119 Other Study nests Loss of habitat for: small mammals Fish 42/119 Other Study Impacts on habitat from people encroachment Fish 43/119 Other Study Woody debris: Amphibian, Invertebrate, fish, safety Fish 44/119 Other Study Loss of winter range Fish 47/119 Yes Reintroduction – North Shore Fish 48/119 Yes Loss of habitat for: song birds Fish 52/119 Other Study Bighorn versus domestic grazing permits Fish 61/119 Yes Bald Eagle and Osprey: Fish 62/119 Other Study Bald Eagle and Osprey: Loss of nesting habitat Fish 63/119 Other Study Bald Eagle and Osprey: Reduced osprey numbers Fish 67/119 Other Study along Lake Chelan Fawning cover Fish 80/119 Yes Thermal cover Fish 81/119 Yes Chelan Mountain Snail Fish 83/119 Other Study Protect until reach 100 count Fish 89/119 Yes Kid survival rate, double the number Fish 98/119 Yes Butterflies Fish 99/119 Other Study Predation in winter Fish 103/119 Yes Loss of foraging area Fish 104/119 Yes Peregrine Falcon: Predator/prey relationship Fish 105/119 Other Study Peregrine Falcon: Fish 106/119 Other Study Upland birds: Fish 107/119 Other Study Human interaction Fish 109/119 Other Study Fish reproduction - minimum valve Fish 110/119 Other Study
Study Plan (Final-Draft) Lake Chelan Project No. 637 February 12, 1999 Page 9 SS/2132_3 Wildlife Investigation
Issue Group Rank Issue Addressed
Black bear versus people Fish 111/119 Yes Maintain pre-fire population buck-to-doe ratio Fish 112/119 Yes Predation on deer winter/spring range Fish 113/119 Yes People and cougar interaction Fish 115/119 Yes Big population = high predation on fawns Fish 116/119 Yes Upland birds: Maintaining bird feeders Fish 118/119 Yes Achieve huntable population Fish 119/119 Yes Mule Deer Mortality Fish Yes
Coordination and communication of this and other Public 33/75 Yes public planning Must be economically viable to PUD Public 68/75 Yes
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