DOCSLIB.ORG

Grande Ronde River Fish Habitat Restoration Project

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Grande Ronde River Fish Habitat Restoration Project Case Study 5 Grande Ronde River Fish Habitat Restoration Project Project Overview The Grande Ronde River Fish Habitat Restoration Project was implemented in 1995 on the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, La Grande Ranger District, near La Grande, Oregon (figure 1). The project is located in a 3.5-mile reach of the Upper Grande Ronde River (UGRR), a tributary of the Columbia River. The UGRR watershed is located in Northeastern Oregon within the Blue Mountain Subprovince of the Columbia River Plateau Physiographic Province. This subprovince is characterized by broad rolling upland surfaces to the north and complex mountains and dissected volcanic plateaus to the south. A variety of rock types exist in the Upper Grande Ronde area with the dominant type being Columbia River Basalt. This basalt flowed through the fissures and dikes, flooding the area with many pulses forming a thick sequence of basalt. This area experiences a relatively cool, moist climate with a short growing season and little-to-no summer precipitation. Annual precipitation averages 20 inches per year and ranges from 15 to 30 inches, much of it falling as winter snow. Temperatures range from an average summer high of 80 degrees Fahrenheit to an average winter low of 17 degrees Fahrenheit. Summer temperatures fluctuate widely, with hot days and cold nights. Portions of the drainage are located within summer lightning corridors and may experience localized brief, torrential rain events. At higher elevations, frost can occur almost any night of the year. Winter temperatures remain low for long periods, with considerable snow accumulation. Various past management activities of streams and riparian areas in the Pacific Northwest have reduced the interaction of large woody debris (LWD) with streams, simplifying and thus degrading aquatic habitat for threatened populations of anadromous fish (Keim et al. 1999). In the UGRR, timber was removed from the riparian area along the mainstem Grande Ronde River and tributaries for making railroad grades and Grande Ronde River Fish Habitat Restoration Project building roads. Because trees in and near valley bottoms were easier to reach and transport than trees located further upslope, fewer trees were available for recruitment as LWD to the stream channel. Mining activities in the UGRR took cobble and gravel from the stream channel and deposited it in large tailing piles on the banks, destroying existing vegetation and reducing chances for future vegetative growth (UGRR Watershed Analysis 1995). In addition, installation of roads 5100 and 5125 constricted lateral movement of the stream channel, reduced effective floodplain area, and restricted interactions between the stream and riparian area. Splash dams used around the turn of the century for transporting logs resulted in high 3—57 Developing Monitoring Plans— Chapter 3 stream energy, thereby removing much-needed sediment-retaining and habitat-forming structure. Moreover, in the 1970s, much of the LWD in the UGRR and tributaries was removed because it was viewed as an unsightly barrier to fish migration (Braudrick and Grant 2000). LWD is important in forming morphology of stream channels and aquatic habitat, both locally and at the reach scale in streams within forested watersheds (Wing et al.1999). LWD influences stream morphology by dissipating the hydraulic power of the stream (Beschta and Platts 1987) to form pools (Lisle 1986; Montgomery et al.1995) storing sediment in channels and creating gravel bars (Bilby and Ward 1989; Smith et al. 1993b; Nakamura and Swanson 1993). Physical habitat stream surveys of the UGRR conducted in the 1940s and repeated in the 1990s revealed that pool habitat had reduced 78 percent (McIntosh 1992). Pool frequencies for all the reaches in the UGRR watershed are below 7 pools per mile, which is considered very poor. The width-to-depth ratio for all reaches in the UGRR watershed are greater than 15 (>10 considered desirable). Pieces of woody debris per stream mile are less than 40 for (desired future condition) all reaches. Cobble embeddedness has also been shown to be greater than 50 percent, which can potentially be detrimental to spawning salmonids. These conditions identified a need to reestablish the aquatic habitat needed to protect and maintain the three federally listed fish species that occupy the UGRR. The Grande Ronde River Fish Habitat Restoration Project proposed to create pool habitat, decrease channel widths, and provide fish hiding cover by placing 92 whole conifer trees with root wads and crowns with no permanent anchoring devices (such as cable or rebar). To determine the level of change stream channel surveys, we used photo points and mapped tree locations to measure whether the project reach was meeting the riparian management objectives (RMOs) described in PACFISH (USDA and USDI 1994). The RMOs are described in terms of habitat features. Grande Ronde River Fish Habitat Restoration Project The objectives for the Upper Grand Ronde River (UGGR) are 26 pools permile, greater than 20 pieces of large woody material (LWM) (greater than12 inches diameter breast height and greater than 35 feet in length) per mile, greater than 80-percent stable streambanks, and width-to-depth ratio of less than 10. We monitored pool frequency, amount of LWM, streambank stability, and width-to-depth ratios for this project (table 1). We monitored project effectiveness by asking and answering the following question: “Did the addition of whole trees with root wads, crowns, and no anchoring in the river basin increase the channel and habitat complexity for anadromous fish?” 3—58 Case Study 5 Grande Ronde River Fish Habitat Restoration Project Figure 1. General location of the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, La Grande Ranger District Grande Ronde River Fish Habitat Restoration Project. 3—59 Developing Monitoring Plans— Chapter 3 Project Methods, Design, and Monitoring The La Grande Ranger District of the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest initiated monitoring in 1995 to determine effectiveness of the structures in enhancing channel morphology and assessing vegetative response over time. To conduct stream surveys, we used a USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region (Region 6) Level III stream inventory methodology developed from modifying Hankin and Reeves (1988) protocol. To measure changes in channel and habitat conditions, we surveyed the entire project area before project implementation in 1995, immediately after project completion in 1996, and again in 2003 (table 2). Immediately after the project began, we tagged all the down LWM meeting the large criteria (greater than 12 inches diameter breast height and greater than 35 feet in length) with metallic tags and mapped them on aerial photo overlays. To measure the movement and stability of all tagged and recruited trees, we recorded tree locations annually for 5 years—using a string box after project implementation—and again in 2003. To visually assess vegetative response, we established monumented photo points at 10 sites throughout the project area. We have repeated the photo points annually since 1995. The criteria for determining the success of this project were changes in stream channel morphology and habitat compared to the RMOs set by PACFISH (USDA and USDI 1994). Table 1 displays each parameter monitored in the project area, the methodology used, and the monitoring results relative to the RMO that the parameter was intended to meet. Table 1. Channel and habitat parameters monitored, methodology used, and project success criteria. Parameter Methodology Success Criteria Large woody debris Direct measurements No net loss of LWD stability and photos in project area Grande Ronde River Fish Habitat Restoration Project Large Woody Debris R6 Level II & III > 20 pieces/mile of (pieces per mile) Steam Habitat Survey LWD (>12”:>35’) Pool frequency (pool- R6 Level II & III RMO of 26 pools to-mile, pool depth) Steam Habitat Survey per mile Width-to-depth ratio R6 Level II & III RMO width/depth Steam Habitat Survey ratio of <10 Bank cover R6 Level II & III RMO of >80% (stability) % Steam Habitat Survey stable banks 3—60 Case Study 5 We used the following assumptions for this project: 1. Increased habitat complexity will increase rearing capability and ultimately increase smolt production. 2. Increased amounts of LWD will create more complex habitat and increase floodplain interaction with the channel. 3. Increased riparian vegetation will reduce width-to-depth ratios. 4. LWD added to the channel will stabilize in the stream system. The LWD will trap sediment that will increase the level of the stream bed and raise the water table, and will result in an increase in riparian type vegetation that will help to stabilize the streambanks. The data limitations in this project are observer bias during collection of stream survey data and the use of a string box for measuring the movement of LWD. The string box is not an acceptable measuring tool for channel unit length for several reasons. First, the string assumes straight-line positions between points and assures that each observer will walk a different line. Second, if the string is not kept taut, the current can easily pull out an unknown amount of string. Third, the string can stretch in the rain. All of these problems can cause inaccurate measurements of tree locations. A more accurate yet resource-demanding method would be using a global positioning system (GPS) and digitizing or inserting the tree locations into a geographical information system (GIS) layer. Monitoring Results and Interpretation We achieved the main objective—adding LWM to increase habitat complexity to the level that the individual stream attributes met RMOs— with the exception of width-to-depth ratios (tables 2 and 3). The width- to-depth ratio for the UGRR in the project reach is close to equilibrium and should not further increase, because of the restrictions to the channel imposed by the 5100 and 5125 roads. The reach is also a Rosgen B-type channel, is moderately confined, and has a natural width-to-depth ratio Grande Ronde River Fish Habitat Restoration Project of greater than 12.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Oregon Historic Trails Report Book (1998)
    i ,' o () (\ ô OnBcox HrsroRrc Tnans Rpponr ô o o o. o o o o (--) -,J arJ-- ö o {" , ã. |¡ t I o t o I I r- L L L L L (- Presented by the Oregon Trails Coordinating Council L , May,I998 U (- Compiled by Karen Bassett, Jim Renner, and Joyce White. Copyright @ 1998 Oregon Trails Coordinating Council Salem, Oregon All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. Printed in the United States of America. Oregon Historic Trails Report Table of Contents Executive summary 1 Project history 3 Introduction to Oregon's Historic Trails 7 Oregon's National Historic Trails 11 Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail I3 Oregon National Historic Trail. 27 Applegate National Historic Trail .41 Nez Perce National Historic Trail .63 Oregon's Historic Trails 75 Klamath Trail, 19th Century 17 Jedediah Smith Route, 1828 81 Nathaniel Wyeth Route, t83211834 99 Benjamin Bonneville Route, 1 833/1 834 .. 115 Ewing Young Route, 1834/1837 .. t29 V/hitman Mission Route, 184l-1847 . .. t4t Upper Columbia River Route, 1841-1851 .. 167 John Fremont Route, 1843 .. 183 Meek Cutoff, 1845 .. 199 Cutoff to the Barlow Road, 1848-1884 217 Free Emigrant Road, 1853 225 Santiam Wagon Road, 1865-1939 233 General recommendations . 241 Product development guidelines 243 Acknowledgements 241 Lewis & Clark OREGON National Historic Trail, 1804-1806 I I t . .....¡.. ,r la RivaÌ ï L (t ¡ ...--."f Pðiräldton r,i " 'f Route description I (_-- tt |".
    [Show full text]
  • Geology of the Grande Ronde Lignite Field, Asotin County
    BRIAN J. BOYLE COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC LANDS STATE OF WASHINGTON ART STEARNS, Supervisor RAYMOND LASMANIS, State Geologist DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES DIVISION OF GEOLOGY AND EARTH RESOURCES GEOLOGY OF THE GRANDE RONDE LIGNITE FIELD, ASOTIN COUNTY, WASHINGTON By Keith L. Stoffel Report of Investigations 27 1984 BRIAN J. BOYLE COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC LANDS STATE OF WASHINGTON ART STEARNS, Supervisor RAYMOND LASMANIS, State Geologist DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES DIVISION OF GEOLOGY AND EARTH RESOURCES GEOLOGY OF THE GRANDE RONDE LIGNITE FIELD, ASOTIN COUNTY, WASHINGTON By Keith L. Stoff el Report of Investigations 27 Printed in the United States of America 1984 For sale by the Department of Natural Resources, Olympia, Washington Price $4.00 CONTENTS Page Abstract t • t t Ott t t t t t I It t t t t t too It Ott It t It t It t t t Ott t t t t t t t I t t I It t It t t It 1 Introduction . 2 Location and geographic setting . 2 Purpose and scope of study . 3 Methods of study . 3 Acknowledgments . 4 Geology of the Columbia Plateau . 6 General geologic setting . 6 Stratigraphic nomenclature . 7 Columbia River Basalt Group . 7 Ellensburg and Latah Formations . 8 Stratigraphy . 8 Regional stratigraphy . 8 Imnaha and Picture Gorge Basalts . 8 Yakima Basalt Subgroup . 9 Grande Ronde Basalt . 9 Wanapum Basalt . 9 Saddle Mountains Basalt ... .............. .. ........ .... 10 Stratigraphy of the Grande Ronde lignite field . 11 Structure ................................. ...................... .. 13 Evolution of the Blue Mountains province . 13 Structural geology of the Grande Ronde River-Blue Mountains region .......... 15 Folds . ............. .................... .............. 15 Faults .
    [Show full text]
  • Wildlife-Habitat Relationships of the Grande Ronde River
    Wildlife-Habitat Relationships of the Grande Ronde River by Aryn E. Hayden ABSTRACT In selecting habitat animal species require food, water and adequate cover. When these criteria are taken into account it appears that habitats utilized by terrestrial wildlife along the Grande Ronde River change longitudinally from mixed conifer forests to ponderosa pine forests in the headwaters and middle reaches to grassland and shrub-steppe in the lower reaches. Species diversity of mammals, birds and reptiles within these habitats will also decrease towards the lower reaches to some degree as habitat changes along the Grande Ronde River. A potential decrease in species diversity as habitat changes may indicate that habitat specialist species are more likely to be found in the headwaters of and middle reaches while habitat generalists are likely to be found in the middle and lower reaches of the Grande Ronde River. This concept of decreasing species diversity in a downstream gradient indicates that the River Continuum Concept, traditionally an aquatic hypothesis, may have some applicability to distributions of terrestrial wildlife in the context of riverine ecosystems. Species diversity of terrestrial wildlife is also heavily influenced by the presence of riparian vegetation along the river. Riparian vegetation is likely to be found within the headwaters and middle reaches of the Grande Ronde River and in patches pertaining to locations of physical complexity along the river such as confluences with tributaries. Riparian vegetation provides complex habitat for mammals and birds that live along the river and those that utilize riparian habitat for foraging, water requirements, migration or other activities necessary for survival.
    [Show full text]
  • Schedule of Proposed Action (SOPA)
    Schedule of Proposed Action (SOPA) 04/01/2019 to 06/30/2019 Wallowa-Whitman National Forest This report contains the best available information at the time of publication. Questions may be directed to the Project Contact. Expected Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Implementation Project Contact R6 - Pacific Northwest Region, Regionwide (excluding Projects occurring in more than one Region) Regional Aquatic Restoration - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants In Progress: Expected:07/2019 07/2019 James Capurso Project - Watershed management Comment Period Public Notice 503-808-2847 EA 10/12/2018 [email protected] *UPDATED* Description: The USFS is proposing a suite of aquatic restoration activities for Region 6 to address ongoing needs, all of which have completed consultation, including activities such as fish passage restoration, wood placement, and other restoration activities. Web Link: http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=53001 Location: UNIT - R6 - Pacific Northwest Region All Units. STATE - Oregon, Washington. COUNTY - Adams, Asotin, Benton, Chelan, Clallam, Clark, Columbia, Cowlitz, Douglas, Ferry, Franklin, Garfield, Grant, Grays Harbor, Island, Jefferson, King, Kitsap, Kittitas, Klickitat, Lewis, Lincoln, Mason, Okanogan, Pacific, Pend Oreille, Pierce, San Juan, Skagit, Skamania, Snohomish, Spokane, Stevens, Thurston, Wahkiakum, Walla Walla, Whatcom, Whitman, Yakima, Baker, Benton, Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Coos, Crook, Curry, Deschutes, Douglas, Gilliam, Grant, Harney, Hood River, Jackson, Jefferson, Josephine,
    [Show full text]
  • Wallowa-Grande Ronde River
    Wallowa-Grande Ronde River The Grande Ronde flows through the Blue Mountains of Northeast Oregon in an area the Native Americans called "the land of winding waters." It is a fast-flowing river through a canyon carpeted in green by a thick conifer forest. The rugged canyon walls rise from 3,000 to 4,000 feet above the river. The clear water and deep green forests accented by black outcroppings of basalt cliffs combine to create a stunning setting. The rapids are mild and this is the perfect river for family groups with young children, or people wanting to try inflatable kayaking for the first-time. We also use paddle rafts and for camp gear, oar rafts, which are also available to carry passengers. Along the way, we may be fortunate to see Rocky Mountain Elk, mule or white-tail deer and big horn sheep. This country is critical winter habitat for all these species and more. We'll certainly see various birds of prey, including the probability of bald eagles. Mergansers (a river duck) are frequently sighted, as well as countless song-birds. Fishermen will enjoy casting a line for the rainbow trout that live in the river. In 1988, in recognition of the outstanding resource values of the Grande Ronde River, Congress designated a 44-mile segment as a National Wild and Scenic River. Trips begin at the put-in at Minam, Oregon, on the Wallowa River. We travel around 10 miles the first day on the frolicking, fast-flowing Wallowa, passing through dramatic forested canyons. We reach the confluence with the Grande Ronde late afternoon and make camp shortly thereafter.
    [Show full text]
  • Highlights for 2000 & 2001 Big Game Hunting Regulations
    DRAFT 1 Preliminary Information for May 2016, District Meetings A Note for Western Oregon Black Bear Hunters Black bear damage to conifers, caused by peeling the bark in the spring (April-early July), in the Pacific Northwest is well documented and the magnitude of economic damage is estimated in the millions annually. To gain a better understanding of where and when bears cause damage, researchers from Oregon State University have started a research project with one of the objective to develop models to predict when, where, and how much bear damage will occur based on a variables such as the sex and age class of a bear, forest stand age class, slope and aspect of the stand, and the time period. The plan is to collar 32 bear, 16 in western Washington, and 16 in western Oregon. In western Oregon, eight will be in the Cascades, eight in the Coast Range. In Oregon, two adult males and 14 adult or sub- adult female bears will be fitted with GPS. Because bears will receive anesthesia for handling, they will receive a plastic ear tag stamped with a “CALL BEFORE CONSUMING THIS BEAR” message that includes contact information. Yearlings and cubs will not be fitted iridium collars, nor sub-adult males due to concerns their neck girth will grow and cause injury during the two-year study. Each of the collared bears represents a considerable research investment, and will be providing valuable information. There are no hunting restriction related to these collared bears. If you take a collared bear, please call the number on the ear tag and return the collar so it can be re-used.
    [Show full text]
  • GRANDE RONDE RIVER BASIN Or on State Game Commission Lands
    GRANDE RONDE RIVER BASIN I I Or on State Game Commission Lands Division Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife Page 1 of 103 Master Plan Angler Access & Associated Recreational Uses - Grande Ronde River Basin 1966 GRANDE RONDE RIVER BASIN Master Plan for Angler Access and Associated Recreational Uses By Oregon State Game Commission Lands Section October 1966 Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife Page 2 of 103 Master Plan Angler Access & Associated Recreational Uses - Grande Ronde River Basin 1966 -T -A -B -L -E 0 F --------C O N T E N T S THE PLAN l VICINITY MAP LOWER GRANDE RONDE 4 GRANDE RONDE VALLEY 9 18 LA GRANDE AREA • 0 25 CATHERINE CREEK. 31 LOWER GRANDE RONDE RESERVOIR e 41 TONY VEY MEADOWS • 47 MINAM RIVER AREA ~ 53 LOWER LOSTINE RIVER • 54 UPPER LOSTINE RIVER .. 57 WALLOWA RIVER AREA 0 81 WALLOWA LAKE AREA • • 95 APPENDIX. - Grande Ronde River Basin map Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife Page 3 of 103 Master Plan Angler Access & Associated Recreational Uses - Grande Ronde River Basin 1966 GRANDE RONDE RIVER BASIN Master Plan for Angler Access and Associated Recreational Uses The Grande Ronde Basin is quite a large basin that drains most of the northeastern corner of our State. The system has five tributary rivers. Two are accessible by tra.il only, the Wenaha near the Washington state line and the Minam that flows northward between La Grande and Enterprise. Catherine Creek drains the upper eastern part of the Grande Ronde Valley; the Wallowa and Lostine Rivers flow out of the Wallowa Valleye The Grande Ronde system supports a good fishery for salmon and steel­ head.
    [Show full text]
  • History of the Northern Blue Mountains
    This document was transcribed from a photocopy of an original located in the Supervisor’s Office Silviculture Library Archives. To the greatest extent possible, this version is an exact duplicate of the original text. HISTORY OF THE NORTHERN BLUE MOUNTAINS by Gerald J. Tucker 1940 HISTORY OF THE NORTHERN BLUE MOUNTAINS (UMATILLA16) PAGE 1 This document was transcribed from a photocopy of an original located in the Supervisor’s Office Silviculture Library Archives. To the greatest extent possible, this version is an exact duplicate of the original text. HISTORY OF THE NORTHERN BLUE MOUNTAINS -- Table of Contents – Chapters Pages FOREWARD I GEOLOGY OF THE NORTHERN BLUE MOUNTAINS .......................................... 5 Coal deposits, Indian Legend concerning their geological views II THE COMING OF LEWIS AND CLARK................................................................ 11 Location of Indian tribes, The prophecy of Wa-tum-nah III THE NEZ PERCE AND CAPTAIN B. L. E. BONNEVILLE .................................... 16 The Indian search for religion, the coming of Marcus Whitman and Spalding IV EARLY INDIAN TRAILS........................................................................................ 19 The Old Oregon Trail, The legend of the Grizzly Bear Rock, Chief Joseph's summer trail V THE TREATY OF 1855 ......................................................................................... 24 Early trappers - Hudson Bay Co., “Fifty-four Forty or fight,” Indian Gardens VI EARLY PIONEER ACCOUNTS ...........................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • The Grande Ronde River Canyon a Few Miles Below the Mouth of the Waflowa River
    Figure 17. The Grande Ronde River Canyon a Few Miles Below the Mouth of the Waflowa River. Figure 18. A Gravel Riffle on the Lower Grande Roride River Approximately 14 Miles Above the Mouth (11-2-59). -58- Table 14.Mean Monthly Flows for the Lower Grande Ronde River Water!ear Location Oct Nov.at RondowaDec. andJan. Troy, Oregon,Feb. 1954-1957Mar. A Water Years. /J J A 1954 TroyRondowa 821543 1,059678 1,6511,035 1,5921,045 1,7542,837 1,7402,701 3,67].5,724 4,4585,568 4,5193,716 1,7982,409 988723 874613 1955 TroyRondowa 794557 845577 752504 794511 891559 1,286854 4,4623,176 6,8905,127 6,4975,556 2,6612,092 490700 705505 1956 Rondowa 657 1,112 2,737 2,501 1,421 4,034 7,390 8,964 5,852 2,6672,052 74].961 808616 1957 RondowaTroy 616910 1,540694 1,4024,189 3,494719 1,6872,085 4,1035,652 10,7805,168 11,7908,771 4,8197,543 1,450 615 51]. /InforznationTroy taken805 from USGS973 Water2,299 Supply1,044 Papers2,496 Nos. 1347,5,822 1397,7,812 1447, and11,510 1517.5,863 1,711 875 752 Table 15. Lower Grands Ronde River Moan Maximtun and Mean Minimum Daily Flows, in Cubic Foot Per Second, curing the Winter Months of the Period1953-54 through 1956-37. .21 Flow Year L2ction Sta:e Jan. Feb 1953 - 54 Rondowa High 2,070 1,850 2,190 3,270 74 728 j370 .]I1QQ Troy High 3,430 2,960 3,680 5,420 Low i.280 3Q 2.
    [Show full text]
  • Appendix-Management Plan for the 4-0 Ranch Unit of the Chief
    July 2019 Management Plan for the 4-0 Ranch Unit of the Chief Joseph Wildlife Area Appendix of the Blue Mountains Wildlife Areas Management Plan (2019) The mission of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is to preserve, protect and perpetuate fish, wildlife and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish and wildlife recreational and commercial opportunities. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife 1111 Washington Street, SE Olympia, WA 98501 Table of Contents Plan Purpose and Use ............................................................................................................................................. 2 Property Description ............................................................................................................................................... 3 Species Management & Objectives ........................................................................................................................ 8 Management Action Timeline ............................................................................................................................... 28 References ............................................................................................................................................................. 29 Appendix A: Parcel Table with Tax Lots and Parcel Maps .................................................................................... 30 Appendix B: Species to Benefit ............................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Upper Grande Ronde River Basin an Introduction to Water Resources
    Upper Grande Ronde River Basin An Introduction to Water Resources Presented by Oregon Water Resources Department February 22, 2017 The Water Setting 1. Physical description 2. Water use and control 3. Groundwater resources Physical Description - Topography Study Area: 1640 sq. miles Mean Elevation: 4,170 feet Maximum relief: 6,350 feet Mean slope: 10.5 degrees Land Cover Climate Mean annual precip. 28.25 inches July – Sept driest Large % of precip. falls as snow WRD Stream Gaging Stations Hydrology: Catherine Creek Hydrology: Grande Ronde 2009 Peak Flow Period Catherine Creek above Union from March 1 through August 15. Water Use and Control Grande Ronde Basin Program Surface Water Appropriation Water Rights by Decade 200 450 180 400 160 350 140 300 120 250 100 200 80 Rate Total 150 60 100 Total Number Water Rights Water Number Total 40 20 50 0 0 Priority Year Water Rights Rate Primary Water Rights by Type Dams and Reservoirs Langdon Um. Tribes Lake Morgan La Grande Res. Dams and Storage Uses Dam River Use Owner Arnoldus Loop Grande Ronde irrigation Private Beaver Creek Beaver Creek municipal City of La Grande Elgin Mill Trmt Lagoon #1 Waste Water industrial Boise Cascade Elgin Mill Trmt Lagoon #2 Waste Water industrial Boise Cascade Elmer Reservoir 1 Grande Ronde irrigation Private Elmer Reservoir 2 Grande Ronde irrigation Private Elmer Reservoir 3 Grande Ronde irrigation Private Elmer Stoplog Dam Grande Ronde irrigation Private Fleet Reservoir 2 Grande Ronde irrigation Private Fleets Loop Grande Ronde irrigation Private Howell Grande
    [Show full text]
  • Oigon Historic Tpms REPORT I
    ‘:. OIGoN HIsToRIc TPms REPORT I ii Presented by the Oregon Trails Coordinating Council May, 1998 h I Oregon Historic Trails Report Table of Contents . Executive summary 1 Project history 3 Introduction to Oregon’s Historic Trails 7 C Oregon’s National Historic Trails 11 C Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail 13 Oregon National Historic Trail 27 Applegate National Historic Trail 47 a Nez Perce National Historic Trail 63 C Oregon’s Historic Trails 75 Kiamath Trail, 19th Century 77 o Jedediah Smith Route, 1828 87 Nathaniel Wyeth Route, 1832/1834 99 C Benjamin Bonneville Route, 1833/1834 115 o Ewing Young Route, 1834/1837 129 Whitman Mission Route, 1841-1847 141 c Upper Columbia River Route, 1841-1851 167 John Fremont Route, 1843 183 o Meek Cutoff, 1845 199 o Cutoff to the Barlow Road, 1848-1884 217 Free Emigrant Road, 1853 225 o Santiam Wagon Road, 1865-1939 233 C General recommendations 241 Product development guidelines 243 Acknowledgements 247 4Xt C’ Executive summary C The Board of Directors and staff of the Oregon Trails Coordinating Council present the Oregon Historic Trails Report, the first step in the development of a statewide Oregon Historic C Trails Program. The Oregon Historic Trails Report is a general guide and planning document that will help future efforts to develop historic trail resources in Oregon. o The objective of the Oregon Historic Trails Program is to establish Oregon as the nation’s leader in developing historic trails for their educational, recreational, and economic values. The Oregon Historic Trails Program, when fully implemented, will help preserve and leverage C existing heritage resources while promoting rural economic development and growth through C heritage tourism.
    [Show full text]