DOCSLIB.ORG

Upper Missouri Basin Advisory Council - Issues Scoping Report

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Upper Missouri Basin Advisory Council - Issues Scoping Report Upper Missouri Basin Advisory Council - Issues Scoping Report Montana State Water Plan Update - Upper Missouri River Basin Prepared by: Upper Missouri River Basin Advisory Council Jim Beck, Chair | Vicki Baker, Vice Chair and Kathleen Williams 202 S Black, Ste 505 Bozeman, MT 59715 Phone: 406-570-1917 e-mail: [email protected] Adopted by the Council December 17, 2013 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This report was prepared based on information shared by agency staff, as well as the Council's resource experts and many public representatives who attended regional issue public scoping meetings or otherwise shared their expertise and views. Figures in this report are from presentations at these meetings. The Council thanks those who have helped create a productive beginning dialogue about Montana's water resources. TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................... 1 About the Upper Missouri River Basin Advisory Council ....................................................................................... 2 Purpose of this Document ..................................................................................................................................... 3 Summary of Information Presented to the Council About the Upper Missouri Basin ............................................. 6 Water Resources.................................................................................................................................................... 7 Water Use by Sector ............................................................................................................................................ 12 Water Administration .......................................................................................................................................... 20 Tools to Accommodate Change ........................................................................................................................... 22 Building the Baseline ............................................................................................................................................... 24 What's Working Well ........................................................................................................................................... 24 Water Oversupplies ............................................................................................................................................. 25 Water Shortages .................................................................................................................................................. 25 Water-Related Trends and Projections ............................................................................................................... 26 Data Gaps ............................................................................................................................................................ 29 Issues Identified in the Scoping Process .................................................................................................................. 30 Moving Toward Water Plan Recommendations ...................................................................................................... 32 How to Contribute to this Process ........................................................................................................................... 33 Next Steps ................................................................................................................................................................ 33 APPENDICES A. Montana State Water Plan Statute .....................................................................................................................A-1 B. Basin Advisory Council Guidelines .......................................................................................................................B-1 C. Detailed Issues Scoping Input as of mid-October 2013 .......................................................................................C-1 D. Results of December Public Input Period ...........................................................................................................D-1 LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1. Evening Light Illuminates Smith River Cliffs .................................................................................................... 1 Figure 2. Public Issues Scoping Meeting - Dillon............................................................................................................ 2 Figure 3. Public Scoping Meeting, Small Group Report-Out .......................................................................................... 3 Figure 4. Upper Missouri Basin Advisory Council Fort Benton Meeting Participants .................................................... 5 Figure 5. Land Cover and Jurisdiction in the Basin ........................................................................................................ 6 Figure 6. Major Streams in the Upper Missouri Basin ................................................................................................... 6 Figure 7. Two Contrasting Rivers .................................................................................................................................. 7 Figure 8. Basin Average Annual Precipitation ................................................................................................................ 7 Figure 9. An Example of Snow Monitoring Data ............................................................................................................ 8 Figure 10. Example Hydrographs for a Basin Stream .................................................................................................... 8 Figure 11. Major Reservoirs ........................................................................................................................................... 9 Figure 12. Gibson Reservoir ........................................................................................................................................... 9 Figure 13. Canyon Ferry Dam and Reservoir ............................................................................................................... 10 Figure 14. Canyon Ferry Reservoir Storage Trends and Joint Use Zone ...................................................................... 10 Figure 15. Effect of Canyon Ferry Reservoir on Missouri River Flows ......................................................................... 10 Figure 16. Diagrams of Gaining and Losing Streams.................................................................................................... 11 Figure 17. Surface and Groundwater Relationships in the Upper Beaverhead ........................................................... 11 Figure 18. Statewide Irrigation Statistics ..................................................................................................................... 12 Figure 19. 2003 Statewide Irrigation Diversions, by Crop ........................................................................................... 12 Figure 20. Comparison of Flood and Sprinkler Irrigation ............................................................................................. 13 Figure 21. Water Cycle Diagram For Irrigation Water Use .......................................................................................... 13 Figure 22. City of Bozeman Water Demand, By Use Type ........................................................................................... 15 Figure 23. Schematic of a Stream Cross-Section ......................................................................................................... 15 Figure 24. Two Examples of Stream Habitat Complexity ............................................................................................. 16 Figure 25. Example of Dynamic Hydrograph, Big Hole River ....................................................................................... 16 Figure 26. A Malting Plant Near Great Falls ................................................................................................................. 17 Figure 27. Major Hydroelectric Facilities in the Upper Missouri Basin........................................................................ 17 Figure 28. Missouri Mainstem Flow and Cochrane Hydroelectric Water Claim Level................................................. 18 Figure 29. Water-Based State Parks in the Upper Missouri Basin ............................................................................... 18 Figure 30. Missouri/Madison Corridor Recreational Use Statistics ............................................................................. 19 Figure 31. Montana Water-Related Recreation Statistics ........................................................................................... 19 Figure 32. various Closures in the Upper Missouri Basin ............................................................................................ 21 Figure 33. The Council at Work - Large Group and Small Group Discussions .............................................................. 23 Figure 34. Collaborative Discussions in the Big Hole ................................................................................................... 24 Figure 35. Changes in Percent of Irrigated Acres by County: 1987-2002 ...................................................................
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Lower Beaverhead River and Upper Jefferson River Temperature Tmdls – Attachment A
    Lower Beaverhead River and Upper Jefferson River Temperature TMDLs – Attachment A ATTACHMENT A – EVALUATION OF FISHERY TRENDS IN THE JEFFERSON RIVER DRAINAGE RELATED TO CHANGES IN STREAMFLOW PATTERN AND HABITAT RESTORATION ACTIVITIES 11/13/2014 Final Attachment A-1 Lower Beaverhead River and Upper Jefferson River Temperature TMDLs – Attachment A 11/13/2014 Final Attachment A-2 EVALUATION OF FISHERY TRENDS IN THE JEFFERSON RIVER DRAINAGE RELATED TO CHANGES IN STREAMFLOW PATTERN AND HABITAT RESTORATION ACTIVITIES Ron Spoon Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks March 2008 TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter I Fishery and Stream Flow Trends in the Jefferson River……………………….3 Chapter II Projects to Enhance Trout Spawning and Rearing Habitat……………………..21 Chapter III Evaluation of Fishery Trends in Tributaries of the Jefferson and Upper Missouri River……………………………………………..……….22 Chapter IV Boulder River Fishery Evaluation……………………………………………..38 Chapter V Stream Flow Protection and Enhancement Efforts for the Jefferson River…………………………………………………………………42 Chapter VI Fish Loss to Irrigation Canals…………………………………………………58 Chapter VII Water Temperature Measurements in the Jefferson River and Associated Tributaries on 31 July 2007………………………………………64 Chapter VIII Fishing Pressure and Angler Use of the Jefferson River……………………..73 Appendix A: Daily Flow Records at Waterloo (2000-2007)………………..77 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Information in this report is a product of over 20 years of attention provided to one of Montana’s great rivers. Compiling information to better understand the water and fishery resource is intended to help citizens in the valley make decisions on the fate of the Jefferson River. Once dubbed the “Forgotten Fork” of the headwaters of the Missouri, the past eight years of citizen involvement to protect and improve habitat have raised the profile of the river, and it is clear that the river can no longer be considered forgotten or dismissed.
    [Show full text]
  • Ruby River Access Sites Secured by Bruce Farling Hen the Topic of Stream Access Families, There Would Be No Formal Fishing Ago
    SPRING TROUT LINE 2016 Newsletter from the Montana Council of Trout Unlimited Ruby River access sites secured by Bruce Farling hen the topic of stream access families, there would be no formal fishing ago. Because of budget constraints, and the Ruby River is raised access sites for 40-plus river miles below some caused by limits imposed by Win Montana it’s often related the Vigilante Fishing Access Site a couple the Legislature, as well as demands at to absentee landowner James Cox miles downstream of the Ruby River Dam. some of the other 330 sites in FWP’s Kennedy from Atlanta and his 15-year Three county bridge popular fishing access legal and political efforts to prevent the rights-of-way provide site program, the public from accessing this great fishery. the only other points department didn’t However, not all stories about stream of access on the lower have adequate funding access coming from the Ruby Valley river. But the bridges to renew the leases for are as distressing as the Kennedy tale. have limited parking. the previous agreed Recently we can thank some civic-minded Plus, Mr. Kennedy upon price. The ranchers and, in part, Montana TU and has contested bridge Doornbos, Barnosky three of its chapters for a bit of good access in court and and Guillame families, news about the Ruby. made getting to the however, graciously Since the mid-1990s, three long- river at those spots agreed to lease the time ranching families in the valley have physically difficult access sites at a much- been leasing portions of their properties with his fencing schemes.
    [Show full text]
  • February 2003, Vol. 29 No. 1
    Contents Letters: York’s medicine; short-haired strangers; Missouri’s source 2 From the Directors: New endowment program 5 From the Bicentennial Council: Honoring Nez Perce envoys 6 Trail Notes: Trail managers cope with crowds 8 Reliving the Adventures of Meriwether Lewis 11 The explorer’s biographer explains his special attachment to “the man with whom I’d most like to sit around the campfire” By Stephen E. Ambrose The “Odyssey” of Lewis and Clark 14 A look at the Corps of Discovery through the eyes of Homer Rabbit Skin Leggings, p. 6 By Robert R. Hunt The Big 10 22 What were the essential events of the Lewis & Clark Expedition? By Arlen J. Large Hunt on Corvus Creek 26 A primer on the care and operation of flintlock rifles as practiced by the Corps of Discovery By Gary Peterson Reviews 32 Jefferson’s maps; Eclipse; paperback Moulton In Brief: Before Lewis and Clark; L&C in Illinois Clark meets the Shoshones, p. 24 Passages 37 Stephen E. Ambrose; Edward C. Carter L&C Roundup 38 River Dubois center; Clark’s Mountain; Jefferson in space Soundings 44 From Julia’s Kitchen By James J. Holmberg On the cover Michael Haynes’s portrait of Meriwether Lewis shows the captain holding his trusty espontoon, a symbol of rank that also appears in Charles Fritz’s painting on pages 22-23 of Lewis at the Great Falls. We also used Haynes’s portrait to help illustrate Robert R. Hunt’s article, beginning on page 14, about parallels between the L&C Expedition and Homer’s Odyssey.
    [Show full text]
  • DROUGHT RESILIENCE PLAN Jefferson River Watershed Council PO Box 550 Whitehall MT 59759
    JEFFERSON RIVER WATERSHED DROUGHT RESILIENCE PLAN Jefferson River Watershed Council PO Box 550 Whitehall MT 59759 September 2019 Prepared for the Jefferson River water users as an educational guide to drought impacts, drought vulnerabilities and adaptation strategies to proactively plan for drought. Compiled by Evan Norman [email protected] Jefferson River Watershed Drought Resiliency Plan Contents Drought Resiliency ........................................................................................................................................ 2 Project Overview ....................................................................................................................................... 2 Drought Mitigation ................................................................................................................................... 4 Defining Drought ........................................................................................................................................... 5 Utilization of Resources for Defining Drought Resilience Efforts ............................................................. 6 Jefferson River Watershed Characteristics ................................................................................................... 7 Land and Soil Distribution ....................................................................................................................... 10 Agrimet – JVWM, Jefferson Valley, MT ..................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • The Jefferson River Canyon
    Montana Department of Transportation TheA JeffersonPassage River Canyon Through Time he four-mile long Jefferson River Canyon was cut into Geo-Facts: the Tobacco Root Mountains between LaHood Park and • The high-quality Madison limestone was used as flux in the Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park relatively recently in Butte smelters during the height of that city’s prominence as geologic time. The canyon exposes rocks that span over a billion a mining town. A limestone quarry from the turn of the last T century is located just north of the highway at mile marker 5.5. years of geologic history. The rocks indicate times when the area The Madison limestone is also an important aquifer in much of was covered by shallow seas in which fine-grained sediment was Montana. deposited, and other times when rocks were exposed and eroded. The rocks also record times of volcanic activity and when stresses • Placer gold was discovered about a mile and a half upstream from in the earth caused rocks to contort into folds or break into com- the entrance to Lewis and Clark Caverns in the late 1800’s, but the placer mining operation was short-lived. plex and significant faults. Entering the canyon from the east will take you backward in time. Most of the rocks at the east end of • Acidic water caused the limestone to dissolve along cracks, the canyon are sedimentary and volcanic rocks from the age of di- forming the caves of Lewis and Clark Caverns. When the water nosaurs and younger. Gray cliffs of Madison limestone mark the table dropped as the Jefferson Canyon was cut, the caves became dry and their ceilings collapsed.
    [Show full text]
  • Recreational Trails Master Plan
    Beaverhead County Recreational Trails Master Plan Prepared by: Beaverhead County Recreational Trails Master Plan Prepared for: Beaverhead County Beaverhead County Commissioners 2 South Pacific Dillon, MT 59725 Prepared by: WWC Engineering 1275 Maple Street, Suite F Helena, MT 59601 (406) 443-3962 Fax: (406) 449-0056 TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Summary ...................................................................................................... 1 Overview ...................................................................................................................... 1 Public Involvement .................................................................................................... 1 Key Components of the Plan ..................................................................................... 1 Intent of the Plan ....................................................................................................... 1 Chapter 1 - Master Plan Overview................................................................................ 3 1.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................... 3 1.1.1 Project Location ............................................................................................... 3 1.2 Project Goals ......................................................................................................... 3 1.2.1 Variety of Uses ................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Estimating Irrigation Water Use Over the Contiguous United States by Combining Satellite and Reanalysis Soil Moisture Data
    Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 23, 897–923, 2019 https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-23-897-2019 © Author(s) 2019. This work is distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License. Estimating irrigation water use over the contiguous United States by combining satellite and reanalysis soil moisture data Felix Zaussinger1, Wouter Dorigo1, Alexander Gruber1,2, Angelica Tarpanelli3, Paolo Filippucci3, and Luca Brocca3 1CLIMERS – Research Group Climate and Environmental Remote Sensing, Department of Geodesy and Geoinformation, TU Wien, Vienna, Austria 2Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, KU Leuven, Heverlee, Belgium 3Research Institute for Geo-Hydrological Protection, National Research Council, Perugia, Italy Correspondence: Felix Zaussinger ([email protected]) and Wouter Dorigo ([email protected]) Received: 6 August 2018 – Discussion started: 10 August 2018 Revised: 12 December 2018 – Accepted: 5 February 2019 – Published: 18 February 2019 Abstract. Effective agricultural water management requires state-level irrigation water withdrawals (IWW) but system- accurate and timely information on the availability and use of atically underestimate them. We argue that this discrepancy irrigation water. However, most existing information on irri- can be mainly attributed to the coarse spatial resolution of gation water use (IWU) lacks the objectivity and spatiotem- the employed satellite soil moisture retrievals, which fails poral representativeness needed for operational water man- to resolve local irrigation practices. Consequently, higher- agement and meaningful characterization of land–climate in- resolution soil moisture data are needed to further enhance teractions. Although optical remote sensing has been used to the accuracy of IWU mapping. map the area affected by irrigation, it does not physically al- low for the estimation of the actual amount of irrigation wa- ter applied.
    [Show full text]
  • East Bench Unit History
    East Bench Unit Three Forks Division Pick Sloan Missouri Basin Program Jedediah S. Rogers Bureau of Reclamation 2008 Table of Contents East Bench Unit...............................................................2 Pick Sloan Missouri Basin Program .........................................2 Project Location.........................................................2 Historic Setting .........................................................3 Investigations...........................................................7 Project Authorization....................................................10 Construction History ....................................................10 Post Construction History ................................................15 Settlement of Project Lands ...............................................19 Project Benefits and Uses of Project Water...................................20 Conclusion............................................................21 Bibliography ................................................................23 Archival Sources .......................................................23 Government Documents .................................................23 Books ................................................................24 Other Sources..........................................................24 1 East Bench Unit Pick Sloan Missouri Basin Program Located in rural southwest Montana, the East Bench Unit of the Pick Sloan Missouri Basin Program provides water to 21,800 acres along the Beaverhead River in
    [Show full text]
  • Montana State Parks Guide Reservations for Camping and Other Accommodations: Toll Free: 1-855-922-6768 Stateparks.Mt.Gov
    For more information about Montana State Parks: 406-444-3750 TDD: 406-444-1200 website: stateparks.mt.gov P.O. Box 200701 • Helena, MT 59620-0701 Montana State Parks Guide Reservations for camping and other accommodations: Toll Free: 1-855-922-6768 stateparks.mt.gov For general travel information: 1-800-VISIT-MT (1-800-847-4868) www.visitmt.com Join us on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram If you need emergency assistance, call 911. To report vandalism or other park violations, call 1-800-TIP-MONT (1-800-847-6668). Your call can be anonymous. You may be eligible for a reward. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks strives to ensure its programs, sites and facilities are accessible to all people, including those with disabilities. To learn more, or to request accommodations, call 406-444-3750. Cover photo by Jason Savage Photography Lewis and Clark portrait reproductions courtesy of Independence National Historic Park Library, Philadelphia, PA. This document was produced by Montana Fish Wildlife & Parks and was printed at state expense. Information on the cost of this publication can be obtained by contacting Montana State Parks. Printed on Recycled Paper © 2018 Montana State Parks MSP Brochure Cover 15.indd 1 7/13/2018 9:40:43 AM 1 Whitefish Lake 6 15 24 33 First Peoples Buffalo Jump* 42 Tongue River Reservoir Logan BeTableaverta ilof Hill Contents Lewis & Clark Caverns Les Mason* 7 16 25 34 43 Thompson Falls Fort3-9 Owen*Historical Sites 28. VisitorMadison Centers, Buff Camping,alo Ju mp* Giant Springs* Medicine Rocks Whitefish Lake 8 Fish Creek 17 Granite11-15 *Nature Parks 26DisabledMissouri Access Headw ibility aters 35 Ackley Lake 44 Pirogue Island* WATERTON-GLACIER INTERNATIONAL 2 Lone Pine* PEACE PARK9 Council Grove* 18 Lost Creek 27 Elkhorn* 36 Greycliff Prairie Dog Town* 45 Makoshika Y a WHITEFISH < 16-23 Water-based Recreation 29.
    [Show full text]
  • Preliminary Permit Application for the Clark
    20150421-5044 FERC PDF (Unofficial) 4/20/2015 5:32:03 PM PRELIMINARY PERMIT APPLICATION FOR THE CLARK CANYON DAM HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT PREPARED BY: Clark Canyon Hydro, LLC. 2184 Channing Way, #131 Idaho Falls ID 83404 April 20, 2015 20150421-5044 FERC PDF (Unofficial) 4/20/2015 5:32:03 PM UNITED STATES OF AMERICA BEFORE THE FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION ) ) Clark Canyon Hydro, LLC ) Project No. ___________ ) ) Application for the Preliminary Permit for the Clark Canyon Dam Hydroelectric Project A. Initial Statement 1. Clark Canyon Hydro, LLC (Clark Canyon Hydro) applies to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or Commission) for a preliminary permit for the proposed Clark Canyon Dam Hydroelectric Project (Project), as described in the attached exhibits. This application is made in order that the applicant may secure and maintain priority of application for a license for the Project under Part I of the Federal Power Act (FPA) while obtaining the data and performing the acts required to determine the feasibility of the project and to support an application for a license. 2. The location of the proposed project is: State: Montana County: Beaverhead Nearby Town: Dillon, MT Stream: Beaverhead River 3. The exact name, business address, and telephone number of the applicant is: Clark Canyon Hydro, LLC. 2184 Channing Way, #131 Idaho Falls ID 83404 1 20150421-5044 FERC PDF (Unofficial) 4/20/2015 5:32:03 PM The exact legal name and business address of each person authorized to act as agent for the applicant in this application are: Alina Osorio Aquila Infrastructure Management Inc.
    [Show full text]
  • Jefferson River at Three Forks, Montana
    FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT JEFFERSON RIVER AT THREE FORKS, MONTANA Prepared by U.S. ARMY ENGINEER DISTRICT, OMAHA, NEBRASKA December 1971 Jefferson River at Three Forks, Montana ( ) Draft (X) Final Environmental Statement Responsible Office: U.S. Army Engineer District, Omaha, Nebraska 1. Name of Action: (x) Administrative ( ) Legislative 2. Description of Action: The proposed project would consist of the construction of an earth filled levee and a drainage collector ditch approximately lU ,700 feet in length along the northwest side of a small community. The location is at Three Forks in Gallatin County, Montana. 3. a. Environmental Impacts; Flood protection would be provided for a flood having a frequency of occurrence of once in a 100 years. A 28 acre loss of alternate land use would be required for levee alignment. A possibilit would exist for pollutants from adjacent land to accumulate in the collector ditch. A potential would exist for the collector ditch to develop aquatic growth. Five hundred feet of shelterbelt would be lost to levee construction. b. Adverse Environmental Effects: Construction would effect the removal of 28 acres of land from alternative land use; collector ditch could act as a collector of pollutants; and construction of the levee would necessitate the removal of 500 feet of shelterbelt. Alternatives; Floodplain zoning, evacuation, flood proofing, reservoir construction, channel improvement, and ”no development” were considered. 5• Comments Received: City of Three Forks Bureau of Sport Fisheries & Wildlife, USDI Montana Department of Fish Bureau of Reclamation, USDI and Game Bureau of Outdoor Recreation, USDI Montana Department of Health Environmental Protection Agency, USEPA Montana Highway Commission Bureau of Mines, USDI Soil Conservation Service, USDA Montana Water Resources Board National Park Service, USDI 6.
    [Show full text]
  • Arsenic Data for Streams in the Upper Missouri River Basin, Montana and Wyoming
    ARSENIC DATA FOR STREAMS IN THE UPPER MISSOURI RIVER BASIN, MONTANA AND WYOMING By J.R. Knapton and A.A. Horpestad U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY Open-File Report 87-124 Prepared in cooperation with the MONTANA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES Helena, Montana March 1987 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR DONALD PAUL MODEL, Secretary U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY Dallas L. Peck, Director For additional information Copies of this report can be write to: purchased from: District Chief U.S. Geological Survey U.S. Geological Survey Books and Open-File Reports Section 428 Federal Building Federal Center, Bldg. 41 301 S. Park, Drawer 10076 Box 25425 Helena, MT 59626-0076 Denver, CO 80225-0425 CONTENTS Page Abstract ................................... 1 Introduction ................................. 1 Field procedures ............................... 2 Laboratory procedures. ............................ 4 Data results ................................. 5 References cited ............................... 8 ILLUSTRATIONS Figure 1. Map showing location of study area and sampling stations. ..... 3 2-5. Graphs showing total recoverable arsenic concentration and total recoverable arsenic discharge: 2. For the Madison River below Hebgen Lake, near Grayling (station 16), November 1985 through October 1986. ....... 6 3. For the Missouri River at Toston (station 26), November 1985 through October 1986 ................... 6 4. At five stations on the Madison and Missouri Rivers for samples collected November 13-15, 1985 ............ 7 5. At five stations on the Madison and Missouri Rivers for samples collected June 16-18, 1986 .............. 7 TABLES Table 1. Laboratory precision, accuracy, and detection limit for arsenic and specific conductance ...................... 9 2. Descriptions of network stations .................. 10 3. Water-quality data for network stations. .............. 14 4. Water-quality data for miscellaneous stations.
    [Show full text]