Chelan River Biological Evaluation and Implementation Plan

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Chelan River Biological Evaluation and Implementation Plan CHELAN RIVER BIOLOGICAL EVALUATION AND IMPLEMENTATION PLAN DRAFT LAKE CHELAN HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT FERC Project No. 637 December 9, 2002 Public Utility District No. 1 of Chelan County Wenatchee, Washington CHAPTER 1: CHELAN RIVER BIOLOGICAL EVALUATION AND IMPLEMENTATION PLAN Chelan River Biological Evaluation and Implementation Plan TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER 1: Chelan River Biological Evaluation and Implementation Plan............................ 1-1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ......................................................................................................... 1-1 SECTION 1: Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 1-5 SECTION 2: Background .................................................................................................................................. 1-7 2.1 Current Operations..................................................................................................................................... 1-7 2.2 Lake Chelan - Water Quality...................................................................................................................... 1-9 2.3 Lake Chelan – Lake Levels.......................................................................................................................1-10 2.4 Lake Chelan – Recreation .........................................................................................................................1-11 2.5 Chelan River – Recreation ........................................................................................................................1-11 2.6 Chelan River Biological Evaluation and Implementation Plan.................................................................1-11 2.6.1 Instream Flow Incremental Methodology (IFIM) .............................................................................1-12 2.6.2 Limiting Factors ................................................................................................................................1-13 2.6.3 Barrier Analysis.................................................................................................................................1-14 2.6.4 Considerations and Investigations of the Working Group.................................................................1-14 2.6.5 Working Group Flow Proposal .........................................................................................................1-17 2.7 Discussion of Temperature Relationships in the Chelan River.................................................................1-18 2.7.1 Chelan River Thermodynamics – Site Potential................................................................................1-19 2.7.2 Influence of Fluvial Process on Thermodynamics ............................................................................1-23 2.7.3 Other Major Influences .....................................................................................................................1-23 2.7.4 Temperature Modeling......................................................................................................................1-24 2.8 Review of Biological Objectives and Site Limitations .............................................................................1-26 SECTION 3: Management Considerations and Options Investigated..........................................................1-28 3.1 Habitat and Flow Options Considered ......................................................................................................1-28 3.1.1 Sub-reach 4.1.....................................................................................................................................1-28 3.1.2 Sub-reach 4.2.....................................................................................................................................1-28 3.1.3 Sub-reach 4.3.....................................................................................................................................1-29 3.1.4 Sub-reach 4.4.....................................................................................................................................1-29 3.2 Habitat Modifications in the Tailrace........................................................................................................1-31 3.3 Water Temperature - Options Considered.................................................................................................1-34 3.3.1 Temperature Effects of Powerhouse Diversion.................................................................................1-34 3.3.2 Stream Channel Modification - Thalweg Formation.........................................................................1-36 3.3.3 Minimum Flow Diversion Structure..................................................................................................1-38 3.3.4 Site Potential Shade...........................................................................................................................1-38 3.3.5 Cutthroat Habitat and Potential Thermal Refugia in Reaches 1-3.....................................................1-39 3.3.6 Pumping of Tailrace Water into Reach 4 ..........................................................................................1-39 Tailwater................................................................................................................................................1-39 Draft Lake Chelan Project No. 637 December 9, 2002 Page 1-i SS/7547_4 Chelan River Biological Evaluation and Implementation Plan Pumping from Columbia River - Feasibility Analysis ..........................................................................1-40 3.3.7 Increase Flow During Daytime .........................................................................................................1-40 3.3.8 Other Options Considered to Improve Temperature Conditions.......................................................1-41 Providing Project Inflow During Summer Months – Feasibility Analysis ............................................1-42 Pipeline to Lake Chelan Thermocline - Feasibility Analysis ................................................................1-43 Ground Water Pumping for Upper Reaches - Feasibility Analysis .......................................................1-43 3.4 Riparian Vegetation - Limited Opportunities............................................................................................1-43 3.5 Macroinvertebrate Community - Limiting Factors ...................................................................................1-44 3.6 Summary of Management Options - Implemented, Pending or Discarded...............................................1-45 SECTION 4: Biological Outcomes – Criteria for Success..............................................................................1-49 4.1 Functional Aquatic Ecosystem..................................................................................................................1-49 4.1.1 Macroinvertebrate Community .........................................................................................................1-51 4.1.2 Fish Community - Reaches 1-3 .........................................................................................................1-52 Native Cool Water Species....................................................................................................................1-52 Cutthroat................................................................................................................................................1-52 4.1.3 Fish Community - Reach 4 and Tailrace...........................................................................................1-53 Salmon and steelhead Spawning Habitat...............................................................................................1-53 Redd Protection .....................................................................................................................................1-54 Prevent Dewatering...........................................................................................................................1-54 Prevent Low Oxygen, Have Adequate Metabolite Flushing.............................................................1-54 4.1.4 Other Ecological Considerations.......................................................................................................1-55 SECTION 5: Implementation Plan ..................................................................................................................1-56 5.1 Construct Flow Release Structure .............................................................................................................1-56 5.2 Construct Reach 4 Pump Station and Channel Modifications...................................................................1-56 5.3 Initiate Chelan River Comprehensive Management Plan Flow Releases..................................................1-57 5.4 M&E Program...........................................................................................................................................1-57 5.4.1 Benthic Community Analysis............................................................................................................1-57 5.4.2 Fish Community - Reaches 1-3 .........................................................................................................1-58 Fish Population - Fall-Spring
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