RECORD OF PLAN CONFORMANCE AND CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION (CX) DETERMINATION Bureau of Land Management (BLM)

CX Log #: OR-014-CX-05-24 Lease or Serial #: N/A Project Name: _Wood River Channel Maintenance______Location: ___Wood River Wetland______County: Klamath County BLM Office: Lakeview District, Klamath Falls Resource Area Phone #: 541-883-6916 Applicant: ______Address: ______

Description of the Proposed Action:

The BLM plans to fill two short canals that were formed in the 1960’s and 1970’s when material was excavated from the wetland to construct a levee (see Attachment 1, Wood River channel maintenance location map). These canals created open water connections between the Wood River and . In 2000 BLM placed rock weirs across these channels as a component of the river restoration project below Dike Bridge (see Attachment 2, Existing Topography Over 2002 Aerial Photo and Attachment 3, Grading Plans). The mouth of the Wood River was relocated to a historic channel, lengthening the river by about ¾ mile. The purpose of the river restoration project is to improve habitat and water quality for fish and wildlife by restoring hydrologic function in the Wood River Delta. The placement of rock weirs in the east and west canals has limited boat access except when the lake is very full.

This proposed project is designed to fill the canals, located approximately 150 feet downstream (south) of the Wood River bridge on the entrance road to Wood River Wetland. The purpose is to maintain the channel plugs and stop the flow of the Wood River from entering these channels. Approximately 1200 cubic yards of fill material will be moved from an existing borrow site located in T34s, R71/2e, section 14, NW 1/4. Both of these side channels already have had rock and gravel fill placed in them through a previously approved project, where they intersect the Wood River. Additional rock was added to maintain the channel plug on the west side of the Wood River in 2002.

Sheet piling would be placed in a north/south line across the west channel at a top elevation equal to surrounding ground elevation (see Attachment 4, Cross Sections and Longitudinal Profile). Fill material will then be placed on either side of the sheet piling. After filling the two sections of canal (side channels), native plant material that has been removed from the west side of the haul route (between the borrow site and the project site) will be placed on top of the fill. This vegetation will act to stabilize the fill and provide habitat for wildlife.

The borrow site is approximately 2.5 miles north of the area to be filled and is an upland site. The fill material from the borrow area consists of secondary deposits excavated during the Wood River Wetland restoration project in 1996. Up to 300 cubic yards of rock may be trucked in to this project from a commercial quarry and used as fill.

Once the canals are filled, water quality along the northeast shore of Agency Lake should remain improved over water quality conditions prior to the restoration work. Prior to the river channel restoration, water flowed a short distance below Dike Bridge before entering Agency Lake to the west. Now the Wood River meanders through the historic delta parallel to the east shore of Agency Lake and enters the lake at the southeast end of the Wood River delta. There are many small side channels connecting the Wood River to Agency Lake. Water from the Wood River flows through these natural channels until water levels in Agency Lake drop in late summer. In addition, because of the increase in water levels in the Wood River (up to 16 inches near Dike Bridge in September 2002), there is a pressure gradient that forces seepage through the delta wetland. Surface flow through the natural side channels is also sustained much later in the season because of the higher water surface elevations in the river. Filling the side canals thoroughly will enhance and sustain these processes. BLM conducted pre project and post project water temperature monitoring in Agency Lake to determine the affects of channel relocation on water temperature in the Wood River delta area. Results of this monitoring show that water temperatures after restoration are much lower in the vicinity of the relocated river mouth and in areas south of the wetland and Bay.

IMPLEMENTATION DATE This project is expected to be implemented in fall 2005.

PLAN CONFORMANCE

The above project has been reviewed and found to be in conformance with one or more of the following BLM plans or NEPA analyses: Upper and Wood River Wetland Record of Decision and Resource Management Plan, February 1996, (Wood River ROD/RMP). Refer to Page 3-22.

IDENTIFICATION OF EXCLUSION CATEGORY

The proposed action has been identified as a categorical exclusion under Bureau of Land Management 516 DM 6, Appendix 5 # H (11): “Actions where BLM has concurrence or coapproval with another DOI agency and the action is categorically excluded for that DOI agency.”; and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 516 DM 8.5, Categorical Exclusions, # B (3): “The construction of new, or the addition of, small structures or improvements, including structures and improvements for the restoration of wetland, riparian, instream, or native habitats, which result in no or only minor changes in the use of the affected local area.”

COMPLIANCE WITH THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT

The proposed action is categorically excluded from further analysis or documentation under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) in accordance with 516 DM2, Appendix 1, 1.12 if it does not meet any of the following Exceptions (listed in 516 DM 2, Appendix 2; IM No. OR-2002-130).

Will the proposed action meet the following Exceptions? Exception Yes No 1. Have significant adverse effects on public health or safety? ( ) ( X ) 2. Have adverse effects on such unique geographic characteristics or features, or on special ( ) ( X ) designation areas such as historic or cultural resources; park, recreation, or refuge lands; wilderness areas; wild or scenic rivers; sole or principal drinking water aquifers; prime farmlands; or ecologically significant or critical areas, including those listed on the National Register of Natural Landmarks. This also includes significant caves, ACECs, National Monuments, WSAs, RNAs. 3. Have highly controversial environmental effects (40 CFR 1508.14)? ( ) ( X ) 4. Have highly uncertain and potentially significant environmental effects or unique or ( ) ( X ) unknown environmental risks? 5. Establish a precedent for future action or represent a decision in principle about future ( ) ( X ) actions with potentially significant environmental effects? 6. Be directly related to other actions with individually insignificant, but significant ( ) ( X ) cumulative environmental effects? This includes connected actions on private lands (40 CFR 1508.7 and 1508.25(a)).

CX-05-24_Wood River Channel Maintenance Page 2

7. Have adverse effects on properties listed or eligible for listing on the National Register of ( ) ( X ) Historic Places? This includes Native American religious or cultural sites, archaeological sites, or historic properties. 8. Have adverse effects on species listed or proposed to be listed as Federally Endangered or ( ) ( X ) Threatened Species, or have adverse effects on designated critical habitat for these species? This includes impacts on BLM-designated sensitive species or their habitat. When a Federally listed species or its habitat is encountered, a Biological Evaluation (BE) shall document the effect on the species. The responsible official may proceed with the proposed action without preparing a NEPA document when the BE demonstrates either 1) a “no effect” determination or 2) a “may effect, not likely to adversely effect” determination. 9. Fail to comply with Executive Order 11988 (Floodplain Management), Executive Order ( ) ( X ) 11990 (Protection of Wetlands), or the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (water resource development projects only)? 10. Violate a Federal, State, Local, or Tribal law, regulation or policy imposed for the ( ) ( X ) protection of the environment, where non-Federal requirements are consistent with Federal requirements? 11. Involve unresolved conflicts concerning alternative uses of available resources (NEPA ( ) ( X ) section 102(2)(E)) not already decided in an approved land use plan? 12. Have a disproportionate significant adverse impacts on low income or minority ( ) ( X ) populations; Executive Order 12898 (Environmental Justice)? 13. Restrict access to, and ceremonial use of, Indian sacred sites by Indian religious ( ) ( X ) practitioners or adversely affect the physical integrity of such sacred sites; Executive Order 13007 (Indian Sacred Sites)? 14. Have significant adverse effect on Indian Trust Resources? ( ) ( X ) 15. Contribute to the introduction, existence, or spread of: Federally listed noxious weeds ( ) ( X ) (Federal Noxious Weed Control Act); or invasive non-native species; Executive Order 13112 (Invasive Species)? 16. Have a direct or indirect adverse impact on energy development, production, supply, ( ) ( X ) and/or distribution; Executive Order 13212 (Actions to Expedite Energy-Related Projects)?

The proposed action would not create adverse environmental effects or meet any of the above exceptions.

DOCUMENTATION OF RECOMMENDED MITIGATION

Note: although none of the conditions for the above exceptions are met, some of the resources discussed are potentially affected. Mitigation measures and Project Design Features below are applied to prevent the adverse conditions discussed in the exceptions:

Exception Can Be Cannot Be Mitigation Measures and/or No. Mitigated Mitigated Project Design Features 2 X The project enhances the functional and visual attributes of the Wood River Wetland ACEC by filling man-made canals with wetland vegetation in a manor similar to surrounding functional wetlands. 7 X Ground disturbing activity associated with the excavation of fill material will be monitored by a professional archaeologist.

CX-05-24_Wood River Channel Maintenance Page 3

EXISTING TOPOGRAPHY OVER 2002 AERIAL PHOTO SPIKE 103 DIKE RD. BRIDGE

PICNIC TABLE

HUB 101

WEST SIDE CHANNEL EAST SIDE CHANNEL

WOOD RIVER

CONTROL POINT COORDINATES FLOW POINT # NORTHING EASTING ELEVATION 101 336597.841 4533104.175 4147.32 LEGEND 103 336739.622 4532975.099 4155.11 1' INTERMEDIATE CONTOURS (USBR) NOTES: 5' INDEX CONTOURS (USBR) SURVEY UNITS = FEET EXISTING TREES HORIZONTAL DATUM: NAD83 STATE PLANE, SOUTH ZONE VERTICAL DATUM: USBR DATUM = NAVD88 - 2.16' CONTROL POINTS

DATE REV. DATE PREPARED FOR OWNED BY SCALE SHEET PREPARED BY KB 8/04 WOOD RIVER CHANNEL AND WETLAND RESTORATION PROJECT GMA U.S. BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT GRAHAM MATTHEWS & ASSOCIATES OREGON TROUT 0 20 2795 ANDERSON AVENUE, #25 Hydrology · Geomorphology · Stream Restoration 117 SW NAITO PARKWAY PHASE 4 - EAST AND WEST SIDE CHANNEL PLUGS P.O. Box 1516 Weaverville, CA 96093-1516 2 KLAMATH FALLS, OR 97603 REVIEWED BY GM 8/04 PORTLAND, OR 97204 (530) 623-5327 ph (530) 623-5328 fax 4 , Klamath County, Oregon [email protected] N GRADING PLANS

LEGEND ACCESS ON DIKE RD. BRIDGE 1' INTERMEDIATE CONTOURS (USBR) EXISTING ROUTE 5' INDEX CONTOURS (USBR) 1' INTERMEDIATE DESIGN CONTOURS (USBR) 5' INDEX DESIGN CONTOURS (USBR) FILL BOUNDARIES CROSS SECTIONS AND LONG PROFILE

ACCESS FOR FILL PROTECT EQUIPMENT CROSSING OF PAVED SHEET PILING PATH WALL (SHT 4) REPLANT WITH NATIVE

XSW1 WOOD RIVER TRANSPLANTS, COVER WITH COIR XSE2 XSE3 XSW2 AND STAKE EDGES FLOW XSE1

4141.5

4141.5

A

A' EAST SIDE CHANNEL

WEST SIDE CHANNEL

LONG PROFILE A-A' TABLE OF QUANTITIES WEST SIDE CHANNEL FILL AREA 0.27 ACRES WEST SIDE CHANNEL VOLUME FILL 500 C.Y.

EAST SIDE CHANNEL FILL AREA 0.37 ACRES EAST SIDE CHANNEL VOLUME FILL 1005 C.Y.

LENGTH OF SHEETPILING 118 FT

DATE REV. DATE PREPARED FOR OWNED BY SCALE SHEET PREPARED BY KB 8/04 WOOD RIVER CHANNEL AND WETLAND RESTORATION PROJECT GMA U.S. BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT GRAHAM MATTHEWS & ASSOCIATES OREGON TROUT 0 20 2795 ANDERSON AVENUE, #25 Hydrology · Geomorphology · Stream Restoration 117 SW NAITO PARKWAY PHASE 4 - EAST AND WEST SIDE CHANNEL PLUGS P.O. Box 1516 Weaverville, CA 96093-1516 3 KLAMATH FALLS, OR 97603 REVIEWED BY GM 8/04 PORTLAND, OR 97204 (530) 623-5327 ph (530) 623-5328 fax 4 Upper Klamath Lake, Klamath County, Oregon [email protected] N CROSS SECTION E1 4150 CROSS SECTIONS

4145 AND LONGITUDINAL PROFILE CROSS SECTION W1 4150 4140 ELEVATION (USBR FT) 4145 SHEETPILING 4135 0 50 100 150 DETAIL STATION (FT) 4140 ELEVATION (USBR FT) NOTE: SHEETPILING CUT-OFF WALL MUST BE CROSS SECTION E2 BACKFILLED UNIFORMLY ON BOTH SIDES FINISH BACKFILL GRADE 4150 4135 0.5' MAXIMUM 0 50 100 150 TO FINISH GRADE NATIVE ELEVATION STATION (FT) MATERIAL SHEET PILE 4145 CUTOFF WALL SHEET PILING INSTALLED IN EXISTING EXISTING GRADE CROSS SECTION W2 CHANNEL PRIOR TO BACKFILLING 3' MINIMUM 4140 4150 EMBEDMENT BELOW EXISTING CHANNEL

ELEVATION (USBR FT) BOTTOM GRADE

4135 4145 BOTTOM OF CHANNEL 0 50 100 150 SHEETPILING WALL FRONT VIEW STATION (FT) 6"X6" POST OR EQUAL MAY BE REMOVED 4140 FASTEN EACH PAIR OF 2"X6" WALES 4' APART AFTER WALL SHEET PILING TO USE INERT MATERIAL ELEVATION (USBR FT) VERTICALLY AS FOR SUPPORT AS IS COMPLETED CROSS SECTION E3 GUIDES WALE AS REQUIRED REQUIRED. SUPPORT AND TO ANCHOR EACH TO BE APPROVED BY 4150 4135 SHEET 0 50 100 150 PROJECT ENGINEER 4-16d PER POST STATION (FT) 4145 LEGEND EXISTING GROUND SHEETPILING WALL 4140 PLAN VIEW DESIGN SURFACE ELEVATION (USBR FT)

4135 0 50 100 150 STATION (FT) LONGITUDINAL PROFILE A-A' A A' 4144 4142 4140 4138 4136 4134 ELEVATION (USBR FT) 4132 4130 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 500 550 STATION (FT)

DATE REV. DATE PREPARED FOR OWNED BY SHEET PREPARED BY KB 8/04 WOOD RIVER CHANNEL AND WETLAND RESTORATION PROJECT GMA OREGON TROUT U.S. BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT GRAHAM MATTHEWS & ASSOCIATES 2795 ANDERSON AVENUE, #25 Hydrology · Geomorphology · Stream Restoration 117 SW NAITO PARKWAY PHASE 4 - EAST AND WEST SIDE CHANNEL PLUGS P.O. Box 1516 Weaverville, CA 96093-1516 4 KLAMATH FALLS, OR 97603 REVIEWED BY GM 8/04 PORTLAND, OR 97204 (530) 623-5327 ph (530) 623-5328 fax 4 Upper Klamath Lake, Klamath County, Oregon [email protected] Department of State Lands

Comments for Application APP0035149 (Applicant: BLM)

Reviewed by DSL Proprietary Staff Member: Chris Bedsaul Proprietary Issues? No Proprietary Issues Date Reviewed: 8/9/2005 9:46:50 AM Comments: --

NAME: Alex Cyril CITY: STATE: OR AGENCY: DEQ COMMENTS: -- No comment.

NAME: Jeff Taylor CITY: Buena Park STATE: CA AGENCY: COMMENTS: -- Recommend permit denial.

This project will greatly affect the amount of fresh water entering Mallard Bay. Making it a stagnant pond. I definately don't want to see this beautiful area to turn into a stagnant pond

NAME: Charles Matuk CITY: Chiloquin STATE: OR AGENCY: COMMENTS: -- Project will unreasonably interfere with navigation, fishing and/or public recreation. -- Recommend permit denial.

The blocking of the East canal will effect the quality of the water in Mallard Bay and along the East side of Agency Lake. Water temperature will be higher and algae will grow faster and earlyier in the the season and severely effect the clarity of the water. Blocking the West side channel will prevent fisherman from entering the

file:///N|/CXs_2005/CX-05-24_WoodRiverChannelMaint/...rtment%20of%20State%20Lands%20permit%20comments.htm (1 of 5)8/31/2005 7:38:57 AM Department of State Lands Lake which is a favorite location. I would expect opposition from the local fishing guides to this change.

NAME: Gilbert L. Thompson CITY: Chiloquin STATE: OR AGENCY: COMMENTS: -- Advise change to design or methodology. -- Compensatory mitigation insufficient to compensate for adverse impacts.

Currently the east side channel described in Application No. APP0035149 provides inflow from the Wood River to Mallard Bay. This inflow positively impacts the temperature and quality of the water in Mallard Bay as well as the aquatic life and habitats. Since the Wood River takes a southeasterly turn south of the Dike Rd. Bridge, the inflow to the east side channel is from a relatively quiet eddy. Seasonally it would seem this has little if any impact on the hydrologic function of the Wood River through its main channel. The west side channel, however, which flows directly to Agency Lake, is impacted by the main Wood River channel flow. It would appear that blocking the west side channel with the proposed sheet piling, while leaving the current seasonal flow in the east side channel, would be a good revision to the project to maintain the desired hydrologic function of the Wood River while mitigating reasonably expected adverse impacts to the quality of Mallard Bay (in other words a Win-Win). Your consideration of these changes/alterations to the design/construction methods is appreciated.

NAME: Michael and Karen Hurff CITY: Placerville STATE: CA AGENCY: COMMENTS: -- Expect adverse impact to water resources. -- Project will unreasonably interfere with navigation, fishing and/or public recreation. -- Compensatory mitigation insufficient to compensate for adverse impacts. -- Recommend permit denial.

The stoppage of flow proposed will cause a stagnating effect on the Wood River channel and Mallard Bay The water clarity due to algae growth and lack of flow will adversely affect the recreational use on Agency Lake and the channel. As a property owner and sportsman I am against this proposal and request denial of any permit. file:///N|/CXs_2005/CX-05-24_WoodRiverChannelMaint/...rtment%20of%20State%20Lands%20permit%20comments.htm (2 of 5)8/31/2005 7:38:57 AM Department of State Lands

NAME: James McPhail CITY: Chiloquin STATE: OR AGENCY: COMMENTS: -- Advise change to design or methodology. -- Expect adverse impact to water resources.

As a shore resident of Mallard Bay I am very concerned with the quality of the area as to water and vegetation(in and around the water). My concern is that common sense tells me that a bay of water cut off from any water circulation(which would be the case if the east exit from the Wood River, south of the bridge, were cut off) would leave a body of stagnant water subject to all forms of degradation characteristic of stagnant conditions.

Water exiting from the west exit, south of the bridge, exits to the lake and therefore would not disturb any bay health conditions. Therefore I would suggest that the west exit proceed with plan and the east exit not be disturbed in the interest of a healthy Mallard Bay. In the interest of keeping Mallard Bay and the fish(German Browns have inhabited this area in the past) from being adversly affected by stagnant conditions it could be argued that the east exit channel be opened rather than sealed.

Also there seems to be some inconsistency in this proposal vs. what has taken place on the Williamson River. Namely the breach of the levee in 2000. Why remove one on the Williamson and plug another on the Wood?

Jim McPhail [email protected]

NAME: Dean & Geraldine Schneck CITY: Chiloquin STATE: OR AGENCY: COMMENTS: -- An alternate site or design should be investigated. -- Expect adverse impact to State- or federally-listed species. -- Expect adverse impact to water resources. -- Project will unreasonably interfere with navigation, fishing and/or public recreation. -- Compensatory mitigation insufficient to compensate for adverse impacts. -- Recommend permit denial.

file:///N|/CXs_2005/CX-05-24_WoodRiverChannelMaint/...rtment%20of%20State%20Lands%20permit%20comments.htm (3 of 5)8/31/2005 7:38:57 AM Department of State Lands The blockage of especially the east canal would have the following destructive effects upon Mallard Bay and the east shore of Agency Lake: -- Blocking the supply of fresh cold water entering the Mallard Bay area through the east canal would stagnate the Bay, restrict fish and wildlife movement, especially for nesting wildfowl and otters. -- Such action would damage fish and wildfowl spawning and reproduction. -- Such action would limit navigation and recreational use. -- Such action would increase the amount and duration of the annual algae blooms. -- Such action would turn Mallard Bay into a stagnant swamp and greatly increase mosquito breeding areas, thereby making the popular trail along the dike useless or greatly diminished.

We recommend denial of this application, especially for the east canal. Blocking the short west canal may have some positive benefits, although this area is also frequented by fish and wildfowl. Admittedly, these canals are man-made and, as such, unnatural. However, so are all the dikes, other canals, pumps, roads, dams, etc. Mother Nature has made a positive ecological accommodation to these small canals. Blocking them at this point poses many risks in return for hypothetical minimum gains.

If BLM wants to seriously improve the water quality and general conditions of Agency Lake, it should consider dredging the Lake to increase depth, clarity, and water storage, reduce algae and hyper-eutrophication, and improve habitat for fish and wildlife--not to mention humans.

NAME: Hugh H. Null CITY: Chiloquin STATE: OR AGENCY: COMMENTS: -- Expect adverse impact to water resources. -- Recommend permit denial.

The side channels which are referred to in this application provide an important source of fresh water during the spring and early summer, which helps to maintain the water quality of Mallard Bay on the east side, and the north end of Agency Lake on the west side. This flow of fresh water is especially important for Mallard Bay. The eutrophication process of the bay is evident from the steady encroachment of emergent vegetation from its northern end. This project, if approved and implemented, will accelerate the eutrophication of the bay.

file:///N|/CXs_2005/CX-05-24_WoodRiverChannelMaint/...rtment%20of%20State%20Lands%20permit%20comments.htm (4 of 5)8/31/2005 7:38:57 AM Department of State Lands Presently, Mallard Bay supports a wide variety of waterfowl, wading birds, shorebirds, and raptors, as well as fish such as rainbow trout and yellow perch. Implementation of this project will adversely affect these species by accelerating habitat loss.

It is stated in the Project Description that "the purpose of the canal plug construction is to convert the canals to emergent wetland habitat that is similar to the surrounding delta wetlands." It is my opinion that the current mix of open water, submergent vegetation, and emergent wetland is an almost ideal one. As a retired refuge manager with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, with almost 30 years on National Wildlife Refuges, I have seen a variety of wetland habitats, and Mallard Bay currently represents one of the best I have ever seen.

If the BLM is interested in maintaining the hydrologic function of the Wood River through its delta, I suggest that they, along with other federal and state natural resource agencies, investigate the possibility of maintaining the natural flow of the Wood River throughout the entire year by working to reduce the appropriation of water upstream of the delta.

I recommend denial of this application.

NAME: Francis L. Mathews CITY: Klamath Falls STATE: OR AGENCY: COMMENTS: -- Expect adverse impact to water resources. -- Recommend permit denial.

The plugging of the canal into Mallard Bay will adversely affect the bay by preventing the spring and early summer flow of fresh water from the Wood River into the bay. There is a cooling effect from this process which helps to slow down the process of algae growth in the waters of the bay. It is evident, from the growth of cattails and bulrush on the north end of the bay, that the bay is filling in. The implementation of this project will certainly accelerate the process and result in the eventual loss of this important wetland.

I recommend denial of this permit.

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file:///N|/CXs_2005/CX-05-24_WoodRiverChannelMaint/...rtment%20of%20State%20Lands%20permit%20comments.htm (5 of 5)8/31/2005 7:38:57 AM

United States Department of the Interior

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT Klamath Falls Resource Area 2795 Anderson Avenue, Building 25 Klamath Falls, Oregon 97603-7891 Phone: (541) 883-6916 | Fax: (541) 884-2097 E-Mail Address: [email protected] IN REPLY REFER TO: Website: http://www.or.blm.gov/Lakeview/kfra/index.htm 6700 (014)

August 25, 2005

Nicole Navas, Resource Coordinator Department of State Lands - Eastern Region 20300 Empire Avenue, Suite 1 Bend, OR 97701

Dear Ms. Navas:

This letter is the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) response to comments received by the Department of State Lands (DSL) regarding application #APP0035149. These comments from neighboring landowners expressed concern about water quality and boat navigation in the area surrounding the Wood River delta. Specifically, concern was expressed that water from the Wood River would not flow into Mallard Bay and this would cause water quality to deteriorate in Mallard Bay. In addition, concern was expressed that boats would not be able to navigate to and from the Wood River to Agency Lake and Mallard Bay through these side canals.

The BLM’s Response:

The BLM plans to fill two short canals that were formed in the 1960’s and 1970’s when material was excavated from the wetland to construct a levee. These canals created open water connections between the Wood River and Agency Lake. In 2000 BLM placed rock weirs across these channels as a component of the river restoration project below the dike bridge. The mouth of the Wood River was relocated to an historic channel, lengthening the river by about ¾ mile. The purpose of the river restoration project is to improve habitat and water quality for fish and wildlife by restoring hydrologic function in the Wood River delta. The placement of rock weirs in the east and west canals has limited boat access except when the lake is very full.

Prior to the river restoration work in 2000, very little water flowed through these canals because there was almost no hydraulic gradient between the river and the lake. Little or no flow entered Mallard Bay once water levels in Agency Lake dropped in late summer. These canals were generally navigable by small motorboats until late summer and fall when lake levels receded.

The decision to block the east and west canals adjacent to the Wood River dike access road was made when it became apparent that the lengthening of the Wood River by ¾ mile was causing excessive erosion in the side canals. The reason for the increased erosion was the increase in hydraulic energy in the Wood River resulting from river restoration work. Rock weirs were constructed in the east and west canals to alleviate this problem. Erosion around the end of the rock weir in the west canal in 2002 necessitated the placement of additional rock to prevent the capture of most of the flow into the west canal (DSL permit # 8378). There was concern that this erosion would continue and eventually result in most of the river flow entering Agency Lake at this location.

In 2004, severe erosion was again encountered in the west canal due to flow going around the south end of the rock weir. Because of the high potential for erosion around the ends of these rock weirs, BLM is now proposing to fill the canals with natural fill material to an elevation roughly equivalent to the surrounding wetland. Sheet piling will be placed across the west canal to prevent rodents from tunneling through the wetland. The result of filling the canals is that more water will move towards the historic mouth of the river. There will be a much lower risk of major channel avulsion near the dike bridge.

Once the canals are filled, water quality in Mallard Bay and the northeast shore of Agency Lake should remain improved over water quality conditions prior to the restoration work. Prior to the river channel restoration, water flowed a short distance below the dike bridge before entering Agency Lake to the west. Now the Wood River meanders through the historic delta parallel to Mallard Bay and enters Agency Lake at the southeast end of the Wood River delta. There are many small side channels connecting the Wood River to Agency Lake and Mallard Bay. Water from the Wood River flows through these natural channels until water levels in Agency Lake drop in late summer. In addition, because of the increase in water levels in the Wood River (up to 16 inches near the dike bridge in September 2002), there is a pressure gradient that forces seepage through the delta wetland. Surface flow through the natural side channels is also sustained much later in the season because of the higher water surface elevations in the river. Filling the side canals thoroughly will enhance and sustain these processes. BLM conducted pre project and post project water temperature monitoring in Agency Lake to determine the affects of channel relocation on water temperature in the Wood River delta area. The results of this monitoring show that water temperatures after restoration are much lower in the vicinity of the relocated river mouth and in areas south of the wetland and Mallard Bay.

The BLM regrets any inconvenience to recreational boaters who have used these side channels in the past. However, we feel that restoring these canals to their historic wetland condition is critical for maintaining the function and integrity of the lower Wood River restoration project.

If you have any further questions or concerns regarding this project, please contact Andy Hamilton at (541) 885-8481.

Sincerely,

Jon Raby, Manager Klamath Fall Resource Area

Cc: Jeff Taylor Charles Matuk McPhail Family Trust Daniel and Ellen Davidson Cecilia Cook Michael and Karen Hurff Harvey and Claudia Bagley

AH:jhc DSLRespnseAPP0035149