The Grande Ronde River Canyon a Few Miles Below the Mouth of the Waflowa River

Home , Grande Ronde River, Little Minam River, Minam River, North Fork Wenaha River, Wenaha 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. at Rondowa and Troy, Oregon, 1954-1957 Water Years. Mean Monthly Flows for the Lower Grande Ronde River / Water1954!ear LocationRondowa Oct543 Nov. 678 Dec.1,035 1,045Jan. 1,754Feb. 1,740Mar. A 3,67]. 4,458 3,716J 1,798J A 723 613 1955 RondowaTroy 821557 1,059 577 1,651 504 1,592 511 2,837 559 2,701 854 3,1765,724 5,1275,568 4,5195,556 2,0922,409 490988 874505 1956 RondowaTroy 657794 1,112 845 2,737 752 2,501 794 1,421 891 4,0341,286 7,3904,462 8,9646,890 6,4975,852 2,0522,661 74].700 616705 1957 RondowaTroy 616910 1,540 694 1,4024,189 3,494 719 1,6872,085 4,1035,652 10,780 5,168 11,790 8,771 4,8197,543 1,4502,667 615961 80851]. / Inforznation taken from USGS Water SupplyTroy Papers Nos. 1347, 1397, 1447, and 1517. 805 973 2,299 1,044 2,496 5,822 7,812 11,510 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. 0 1954 - 55 Rondowa High 686 649 1,050 2,040 399 j0 _476 Troy High 1,010 1,200 1,820 2,980 Low 7)4 682 69Q_

1955 - 56 Rondowa High 10,400 5,440 2,190 9,600 Low 1.070 j14P LJ5Q Troy High 20, 500 7,360 3,170 14,400 Low 2l00 l.632,70 1956 - 57 Rondowa High 3,870 964 8,540 6,250 Low - Q0 602 2.94L Troy- High 6,770 1,510 12,600 9,090 Low 00 700 900 3.40

21Information taken from USGS Water Supply Papers, Nos.1347, 1397, 1447,and 1517.

The extremes in discharge for these two stations since their establishment have been: for Rondowa, a maximum of19,900c.f.s. on May 28,1948and a minimum of 225 c.f.s.on December19, 1935; forTroy, a maximum of 30,000 c.f.s. on December 15, 1946 and a minimum of 434 c.f.s. on November29, 1952. Detailed temperature information on the lower Grande Ronde is available from thermograph records at Rondowa for the summer of1959and from thermograph records south of Anatone, Washington (USFWS,1958)for the first 7 months of1956. Other temperatures were also taken at variou3 times and places during the term of the project. Figures19and 20 show the maximum and minimum daily temperatures for the periods of record at Rondowa and near Anatone. These data Indicate that July and early August temperatures exceed 70°F. throughout the lower river. It may be noted that minimum temperatures near Anatone exceeded 70°F. on certain days in late July and early August. Summer temperatures at Rondowa are lowered somewhat by the influence of the Wallowa River which is usually a few degrees cooler than the Grando Ronde River.

Spot-temperature data collected during the study for the lower Grande Rondo River is presented in Table 16.

Tributaries: Only limited observations were made on the minor tributaries of the lower Grande Ronde River. Mud, Courtney, and Wildcat Creeks were observed from the air and Wildcat Creek was surveyed from the ground over part of its lower area. Other than incidental observations on some smaller tributaries, no other surveys were made.

-60- S 75 -a-- Maxirrr 70 Pt IC 0 65 J I l%I* '.1 I I I A ' , I % I-' C) 60 ,1 ' 'I I / V'J\J V \_ / itIt Ii'I L...'1 \/ V II'l A ()E0.LC) \ /_i Minimum :' V III II'I H0' 4s 'I 'I- V 321i Fo.e P Figure 1019. comoi1ec by the U.S.G.S. under contrct Junewith the Oregon20 Fishr Commission), Iat Daily Maxirui and 30MinimwrLordoa,I Water 0regon Temperatures Jre for the Lower Grende 10 I Ju1 20 I 30 I Ser-terrbr, 199 10 I ugust 20t 30(Infor'ationI collected and 10 I SepteTnDer 20 30 10 20 30 10 20 30 10 20 30 10 20 January- February March April

70 -

Max.

V 1' III : ;: :\ I' S I , I % ,% I I It I 1" :11 Minimum : : :V S _! 'i I, I Si S I-ilI / - '* II.? -j ,%_. %

32 10 20 30 10 20 30 10 20 30 10 20 May June July August Figure 20.Daily Maximum and Minimum Water Temperatures for the Lower Grande Ronde River South of Anatone, Washington, JanuaryAugust,19S6. (U.S.F.W.S., 1%8) Table 16. Spot-Temperature Observations on tho Lowor Grando Ronde River,1957-59.

Location in Miles Temperature in F. Date Above N uth Time Air Water

10-11-57 53 3:00 p.m. 54 10-30-58 67 2:30 p.m. 50 42

10-31-58 9:15a.m. 34 38 7-5-59 45 5:00 p.m. 60 7-20-59 45 2:30 p.m. 76

7-27-59 45 6:00 a.m. 67

8-16-59 45 5:00 a.m. 55 63

8-23-59 45 5:00a.m. 55 62

8-31-59 45 5:30 a.m. 62 11-2-59 19 12:00 noon 56 42

11-2- 59 13 2:30 p.m. 59 44

1. Wildcat Creek: Wildcat Creek enters the Grande Ronde River about 8 miles above Troy.Aerial observations were made over the lower 9 miles of this stream on July 8, 1959. The stream appears to have a moderate gradient in this area and is in a moderately narrow canyon. The canyon slopes contain conifers in the draws, but most of the slope cover consists of grass and rocks. The bank cover is primarily brush and conifers. The stream was partly shaded in the upper areas and partly shaded to open in the lower sections at the time of the survey. The flow appeared quite small and ground observations12days later indicated a flow of approximately5c.f.s. A foot survey was made on July20, 1959from3.5to6.5miles above the mouth. This survey indicated that the streambed was rather poor as a spawning area.Silt and sand were estimated to comprise20per cent of the bottom materials and gravel was considered to make up only about 10 per cent of the streambed.Three impassable log jams (LGR-Wc-l) were observed on this survey.These were located from 0.5to2.5miles above the road bridge that crosses Wildcat Creek shortly above the mouth of Waflupa Creek.A water temperature of 70°F. was recorded on this survey.

A road parallels Wildcat Creek over its lower 3.5 miles and observations were made on this lower section from the road on October 11,1957. No quantita- tive assessment of the streambed was made, but this section is believed to contain better gravel than the area above Wallupa Creek. A temperature and flow observation on lower Wildcat Creek at2:00 p.m.were 6 c.f.s. and53°F. Mud Creeks Mud Creek was observed from the air on July 8, 1959 over its lower 14 miles. It enters the Grands Rondo River about 7 miles above Troy. This stream is in a moderate to narrow canyon and has a moderate gradient below Buck Creek. Above here the stream appears to become progressively steeper until, near its source, the gradient again becomes moderate.Slope cover on Mud Creek is predominantly grass with conifers being very scarce in the lower reaches of the stream. Bank cover In the upper areas consists of conifers and brush; on the lower section of the stream it is made up mostly of grass, deciduous trees and brush. The upper stream is partly shaded while below Tope Creek the stream is more open. A wide streambed in the lower section contributed to this condition. Mud Creek appeared to have a larger flow than Wildcat Creek at the time of these observatlonse No obstructions to fish migration were noted below Tope Creek. Above Tope Creek, the stream could not be evaluated for obstructions because of poor observation conditions. In common with other small streams of the area, Mud Creek has very low summer flows and high temperatures.

Courtney Creek: Courtney Creek enters the Grande Ronde River 1 mile above Troy.An aerial survey over the lower 9 miles of this 12-mile-long stream was made on July 8, 1959.This stream is quite similar to Mud Creek except that it had less flow and less shade. One possible obstruction was noted approximately 1 mile below Bobcat Creek. Other obstructions may exist above this point as observation conditions became poorer with upstream progression.No obstructions wore noted in the lower reaches of the stream.

Miscellaneous Minor Tributaries: Incidental observations were also made on a few minor tributaries of the lower Grande Ronde. The lower 5 miles of Wallupa Creek, a tributary of Wildcat Creek, were observed In the fall of 3.957. This stream had an intermittent flow in the upper section and a flow of 2 c.f.s. at the mouth. The streambed contained some gravel areas. The lower 1 to 2 miles on lower Buford and Rattlesnake Creeks were also observed during the summer months. These streams are very small tributaries which enter the Grande Rondé about 26 miles above the mouth. Their gradients are rather steep and they have been observed to go dry in the summer, Schumaker Creek is another small tributary which was observed. This stream enters the Grande Ronde River 16 miles above the mouth. It is shorter than the two previously mentioned streams and has a steeper gradient. It also is not a perennial stream.

Anadromous Fish Populations

Chinook: Chinook salmon are not known to presently utilize the lower Grande Ronde River for spawning. Ground observations in the fall in both 1958 and 1959 over much of the river, and aerial observations over the entire river in 1959, failed to indicate the presence of fish.Because of high summer temperatures, these observations were made in late October and early November when use of the river might be made by fall-spawning chinook. Inasmuch as visibility conditions were poor when observations were made, the negative results do not confirm, but only suggest, the absence of a spawning population.

Although the lower Grande Ronde River is not known to be used as a chinook salmon spawning area, it may be of value for rearing purposes.On November 21, 1958, some time was spent in seining the river below Wildcat Creek.Several juvenile chinook were collected in this area. Some were young-of-the-year fish and others were 11 to 12 cm. in fork length indicating that they were yearlings. The presence of these fish in the river at this date suggests that the lower Grande Ronde may be utilized as a winter rearing area. Steelhead: No observations of steelhead in the lower Grande RondeRiver havebeen made during thisstudy.However,it is believed that steelhoad utilize all tributaries which are accessible and provide suitable conditions for successful spawning and egg incubation. Wildcat, ud and Courtney Creeks fall into this category.

Silver Salmon: Silver salmon are not known to utilize the lower Grands Ronde other than for a migration route to the Wallowa River drainage.Parkhurst (1950) reports that a few silver salmon spawnera wore observed on the lower Grande Ronde River in October of 1940. Observations during the present study do not indicate the continued existence of this species in the river.However, the same qualifications oflimited visibilityhold true for the Interpretation of these observations with respect to silver salmon as with chinook

Discussion and Rmmndat ions

Fish Transplants. It is believed that the best opportunity for increasing anadromous fish production on the lower Grande Rondo River is through the introduction of fall-spawning chinook salmon.This group appears best suited for the lower Grande Rondo from the standpoint of water temperature at the time of spawning and short fresh-water rearing period.

Superficially, it seems that the greatest deterrent to the success of a transplant program would be the effect of high spring and winter flows on incubation success. Indications are that winter temperatures are low and that the incubation period would be prolonged until the period of high flows even in years of late run-off (See temperature and flow section).

It Is recommended that test plants of eyed eggs be made in gravel areas in the vicinity of Troy to determine the incubational quality of the river. Such tests could be made by use of groups of eggs buried in the gravel in plasticmesh bags to be removed at Intervals during the incubation period. If the results prove encouraging, It is recommended that attempts be made toestablish a run in the lower river. It is suggested that the stock of fish which utilize the lower Wenatchee River may prove suitable both from the time of spawning andthe migration distance from the ocean (French and Wahie, 1959).

If the incubation tests prove successful, then an effort shouldbe made to Introduce a rim through large-scale transplants. In order to derive additional benefit from the egg donation, it is recommended that an incubatorstation be established on the river to inc3ure a high order of egg-to-fry survival.Releases of surviving fry could be made from the road along a 26-mile sectionof the river extending from Wildcat Creek downstream to State Highway 3.

Although the lower Grande Ronde River may not contain extensivespawning areas, it has a length of 81 miles, all of which arebelieved unproductive with respect to spawning area. If fall-run chinook could be transplanted to this section, a tremendous potential would be realized even with the limitedspawning area. It is felt that a 2 per cent utilization of the river bed forspawning purposes would he a conservative estimateof what is available. When this is applied to a conservative estimate of the average width of theriver of 90 feet, a total of 85,500 square yards of spawning areais obtained. Although the deri- vation of this figure must be considered extremely crude, itshigh order strongly suggests that serious consideration be given to transplants inthe lower Grande Rondo River Obstructions and Diversions: It is recommended that the 3 debris jamson Wildcat Crock (LGR-wi-1) be removed to improve access to the upper area8 of this stream for steelbead. No other recommendations are made.

This report has not considered the possibility of a (600-foot) high multi- purpose dam (Wenaha Dam) being constructed on the lower Grando Rondo River. Another dam on the Cloarwater River in Idaho was chosen by the USCE in lieu of the Wonaha Darn on the Grande Rondo River.

No diversions are known to exist on the lower Grancle Rondo River.

Impoundment and Hatchery Sites: No recommendations concerning impoundment and hatchery sites are made.

WENAHA RIVER

Introduction

The Wenaha River originates in the Blue Mountains 25 miles north of Elgin, Oregon. It flows in a general easterly course for approximately 30 miles to the village of Troy, Oregon, where it enters the Grande Rondo River (Figure 21). Stream elevation in the headwaters is between three and four thousand feet while at the mouth, the elevation is 1,580 feet above mean sea level. The main stem of the river is formed by theconfluenceof the North and South Forks which converge approximately 22 mileS above the mouth. In addition to the forks, the principal tributaries of the Wenaha are Milk Creek, which flows into the South Fork, and Butte and Crooked Creeks which drain into the main stem approximately 16 and 6 miles respectively above the mouth (Figure 22).

The Wenaha is accessible by road only at its mouth and, hence, remains relatively unspoiled by the activities of man.Some logging is being carried out, in a 7-square mile area on the ridge between the Wenaha and Grande Rondo Rivers above Crooked Creek. However, no future logging within the drainage is contem- plated within the next 4 years. No diversions are presentlyonthe streamand no appreciable diversion of water is anticipated since thereis anegligible amount of irrigablo land in the canyon floor.A trail is present from the mouth to the headwaters of the South Fork, and trails leading to the other major tributaries make the system available for recreational use.

Substantial numbers of chinook salmon and steelhead are produced in the Wenaha. River system. Early records suggest that large numbers of silver salmon also utilized this area 60 years ago, but there has been no evidence of these fish in the system since that time.

Inventory Surveys - Dates and Areas

Surveys to catalogue the physical characteristics of the stream were made in August1957and in July and September1958. These surveys covered approximately 57 miles of stream. In addition to surveying 22 miles of the main stem, 7 miles of the North Fork, 10 miles of Butte Creek, 7 miles of Milk Creek, and 11 miles of Crooked Creek were catalogued.Also, on June3, 1959,a brief aerial observation was made on some of the headwater areas. No inventory of the South Fork was made because of familarity with this tributary acquired during previous spawning ground surveys. S S

WerahaFigure and 21. Grande Ronde Rivers, The Village of Troy and Confluence of FrombeFigure SeenAbove 23. Entering Crooked FromCreek. Left. Lower Wenaha Canyon Looking down Canyon Crooked Creek Canyon can

FigureCreek,(72-58).. 24. This Section Appears Suitable for SpawningA Gravel and Rubble Area Below Crooked FigureWenahaConstructed. 25. Where Off-Channel llnpound]nents Could be One of Several Flat Areas on the Lower LEGEND Surveyed Stream Section Partially Surveyed Section Unsurveyed Stream Section Gravel Area (each dot equals approximately 10% per mile) Falls -*- Log Jam Beaver Dam = Rood Driuge Potential Rearing Site

S' 0ILi -S S. S - .% 0% I, S 'I oIl '-i" I/ , ' / I' I '0/ '4I I g 4\Dd: .I k ' b'' I .-J ..., UI f d. 05 -' : .-I.... ul 'kv.' 4? 1 ,/, ;; 'I .. .-I (LGR-wNf-2)2.I -. C. _j____ .I.I t' F / Crooked Cr. . S.) $ S icj 2'P LGR-WN-lJt % I I. 5'di 1 II& WASHlNGTON ___t _,_- Iti-- _' 0 --a _, .... S A -( OREGON 1J! %L. i S c' .''. s\ ,__ ''PS' -S RIVER P.- - TROYQ b S

S. . ; A

SS / % I

411

012345678I I I I I I I ( SCALE OF MILES

FIGURE 22. WENAHA RIVER SYSTEM

68- SurvoData--!4inStem

Terrain and Gradient: The WenahaRiver mainstem runs through a deep oan- yon which becomes somewhat wider about 2 miles above Crooked Creek.The gradient is generally niodorate with some moderate to steep sectionsoccurring downas far as Crooked Creek. The last. 5 miles of the Wenaha has been surveyed by the USGS and reportedly has a gradient of slightly less than 1. per cent.

Slope and Bank Cover: The slope cover is characterized by conifers and grass with some rock outcroppings intermixed. The conifer is the dominant cover type in the upper section of this area, while at thelower end ofthe canyon, grass predominates, especially on the slopes with a southern exposure(Figure 23). Streambank cover is a mixture of coniferous and deciduous trees, brush, and grass with more grass in evidence at the lower end of the section.

Shade: Stream shade from the forks down to halfway between Butte and Crooked Creeks is variable with both shaded and open areas being noted.Below this section, the stream has very little shade and is classified as open.

Stream Cross Section: The cross section of the stream is wide and shallow from halfway between Butte and Crooked Creeks down to the mouth. Above this area, the stream in general is slightly narrower and deeper.

Bottom Materials: The streambed is composed almost entirely of gravel, rubble, and boulders (Figure 24). Very little silt or sand was observed.The better spawning area appeared to be in the upper section from the forks down to Butte Creek. A general analysis of the streambed composition is: 20 per cent gravel, 50-60 per cent rubble, and 20-30 per cent boulders.

SObstructionsand Diversions: No obstructions or diversions were observed in the 22 mile section from the forks to the mouth.

Impoundment and Hatchery Sites: Areas for off channel impoundments are distributed throughout the survey section.Most opportunities for impoundments exist below Crooked Creek (Figure 25). However, one excellent area is present at the confluence of the North and South Forks and another smaller siteis located opposite the mouth of Butte Creek.

No hatchery sites of promise were noted in the survey section.

Flow and Temperature Data: Stream flows in this section appeal' adequate with late August 1957 and late July 1958 field estimates of 70 and 150o.f.s., respectively, above Butte Creek. Water temperatures in the lower canyon were relatively high in late July 1958 with 70° recorded below Crooked Creek inthe late afternoon of July 22. Tenmiles above Crooked Creek on July 20, 1958, the water temperature was 58°F. at 11:00 a1m. Detailed temperature records are available for the mouth of the Wenaha River j during theperiod May 1956 to October 1957 (USFWS, 1958, 1959).These data aregivenIn Figures 26 and 27 and also indicate that late July is the period of high temperature. It is of interest to note that November temperatures averaged below40°F. Other spot-temperature and flow data are presentedinTable 17.

/ The temperature station for this record was actually located inthe Grands Rondo River 100 feet below the mouth of the Wenaha River.However, it is believed that the Grando Ronde River does not Influencetemperatures at this point since the station is on the same side, of the GrandsRonde as Is the Wenaha and the flows of the two rivers are not mixed atthat point.

-69- 75 xLuii : V 0 C) : S '\"V / ,' 'I IV\'\ ,,J ..-. i t /.'i, / .-\J t - - I I ' l C) StS I' A I I I TV I C) AA '.1 I ' Figure 26. 13 I Mayat the Mouth,20 NayI - Decerbe.r,l9S6.Daily (U.S.F.W.S,, Maxirnuri and Mininum Water Teriperatures30 for theI Wenaha 10 I June 20 I 30 I 10 I July 20 I 301958-9).I 10 I August 20 I River 30 I - A3cc) --fl--

32 10 Figure 26.September 20 I 30 Daily Water Temperatures, Wenaha River (continued). 10 October 20 1 30 10 November 20 30 i 10 December 20 - vw' 65 60 Maximum s0 : A ' V %_I 35 \: " Minimum 10 Figure1 27. January 20 I Daily30 Maximum and Minimum Water Temperatures for the Wenaha River at- the Mouth,10 FebruaryI January - October,1957. (U.S.F.W.3.,20 I 1959). 10 March 20 I 30 I 10 I April 20 I 30 I 10 I May20 t 30 I 6S70 ItStL I I , A L I ti-I cr60 G) , I\ , l,tJII, ' / ..-'-.r'\IS V / 'S S.45 \i / 'I {tninrnm 'I' IFVI, 'r, Ai'1 I' (-I V I, / iv 125 Li 3S 3 10 I June 20 I Figure 27. 30 I Daily10 WaterI Temperatures, Water Temperatures (continued).July 20 30 I 10 I August 20 I 30 I 10 I September 20 I 30 I October10 I 20 Table 17. Spot-Temperature and Flow Observations on the Wenaha River1949-59.

Temp. in Source of U? Flowin Informa- ______Date Loation me Air Water ç,f.s . tion. January 1-22-52 Near Troy 12:00 Noon 18 32 USGS l-28-'56 11:00 a.m. 36 37 II It 1-15-58 ft 2:10 p.m. 38 38

February 2-4-51 Near Troy 4:00 p.m. 37 35 2-26-52 ft 12:00 Noon 18 32 I, 2-2-54 ft 12:00 Noon42 38 It 2-7-57 ft 11:00 a.m. 28 32 I, 2-22-58 It 11:00 a.m. 55 41 I, 2-19-53 ft 10:00 a.m, 29 34 'I

March 3-31-51 Near Troy 9:00 a.m. 60 48 II 3-16-54 3:00 p.m. 56 42 'I 3-9-55 'I 1:00 p.m. 54 39 It 3-3-56 It 10:00 a.in. 40 36 It, 3-15-57 ft 10:00 a.m. 47 40 It 3-30-53 II 4:00 p.m. 56 47 It

April 4-15-52 Near Troy 1:30 pm. 54 45 It 4-27-54 ft 11:00 a.m. 60 47 II 4-11-55 It 1:00 p.m. 47 42 U 4-22-55 It 12:00 Noon 48 44 It 4-10-56 I, 11:00 a.m. 68 45 It 4-10-58 It 10:00 a.m. - 47

May 5-19-51 Near Troy 9:00 a.m. 60 48 5-19-56 It 6:00 p.m. 62 50 II 5-18- 53 It 5:00 p.m. 61 51 II 5-22-54 'I 9:00 a.m. 66 50 ft 5-26-5 5 It 12:00 Noon 54 48 It 5-2-56 It 1:00 p.m. 64 46 It 5-24-56 I, 11:00 a.m. 54 46 II It 5-1-5 7 ft 2:00 p.m. 77 50 5-22-57 I, 11:00 a.m. 62 46 II 5-22-58 It 10:00 a.m. -- 47 It

June 6-29-55 Near Troy 11:00 a.m. 59 52 ft I, 6-13-57 ft 9:50 a.m. 60 53

July 7-26-51 Near Troy 2:00 p.m. 106 73 ft 7-11-52 It 1:00 p.m. 97 68 I, 7-2-54 ft 2:00 p.m. 86 61 It 7-9-56 It 2:00 p.m. 100 64 ft 7-31-57 ft 11:00 a.m. 86 76

-74- Table 17. Spot-Temperature 0bervations (continued)

Tori. in Flow Source of In Inforria- DatQ LoçaiQn Time Air War c.f,s tion.

July 7-9-58 Near Troy 1:00 p.m. 79 64 USGS 7-29-58 Butte Cr., 0.5 ml. below fks. 9:45 a.m. - 55 25 OFC 7-29-58 Butte Cr.,2 ml. below fbi. 11:15 a.m. - 58 28 7-29-58 Butte Cr.,4ml. below flcs. 12:15 p.m.76 62 35 7-2958 Butter.,at mouth. 2:00 p.m. 89 66 40 72958 ButteCr., at mouth. 10:00 a.m.78 58 45 7-29-58 E. Tic. Butte Cr., 2 ml. 7:45 a.m. 54 46 3-4 above mouth. 7-29-58 B. Fk. Butte Cr.,at mouth. 8:40 a.m. - 52 10 7-29-58 W. Tic. Butte Cr., at mouth. 8:40 a.m. - 53 15 7-24-58 Milk Cr.,6.5 ml. above mouth. 9:45 a.m. 64 41 0.5 Milk Cr,, 5 ml. above mouth. 11:00 a.m. 65 48 2.5 Milk Cr., 4ml.abovemouth. 2:00 p.m. 73 54 5 a Milk Cr., 3 ml. above mouth. 1:00 p.m. 78 56 5-6 Milk Cr., 2 ml. above mouth. 2:10 p.m. 68 56 s-io a MilkCr., 0.5ml. above mouth. 3:45 p.m. 66 56 14 N. Tic., 7.5ml.above mouth. 11:35 a.m.78 56 25 N. Plc., 6 ml. above mouth. 1:25 p.m. 82 60 30 N. Plc., 5 ni. above mouth. 2:35 p.m. 78 57 40 N. Fk., 35 miabove mouth. 4:00 p.m. 69 52 60 a N. Fk., near mouth. 7:20 p.m. 62 50 75 a a Deep Saddle Cr., near mouth. 2:30 ,p.m. - 5]. 10 7-30-58 Wenaha IL, shortly above 10:00 a.m. 78 54 150 Butte Cr. a Wenaha it., 1 ml. above 11:05 a.m. 80 58 200 Butte Cr. a Wenaha it., 4 ml. below 1:00 p.m. 89 64 200 Butte Cr. Wenaha it., 6 ml. below 2:10 p.m. 90 65 200 ButteCr. a Wenaha it. at Crooked Cr. 3:45 p.m. 90 68 200 a 7-22-58 Wenaha ft., shortly above 2:15 p.m. 96 67 200 Crooked Cr. Wenaha R., 2 ml. below 3:25 p.m. 96 69 250 a Crooked Cr. a 4 ml. below Crooked Cr. 4:30 p.m. 84 70 250 " 7 . b]cw Crooked Cr. 5:50 p.m. 90 70 250 7-5-54 At mouth. 9:20 a.m. 78 58 150 + 7-22-58 Crooked Cr., 0.25 ml. 4:15 p.m. - 66 35-40 " below Second Cr. Crooked Cr., 0.25 ml. 5:15 p.m. 83 65 - above First Cr. Crooked Cr., 0.5 ml. 9:30 a.m. 74 58 35 below First Cr. Crooked Cr., 3 xiii. above 10:35 a.m. 84 62 35 a mouth. Crooked Cr., 2 xiii. above 11:55 a.m. 90 67 40 mouth. Crooked Cr., 1 ml. above 1:30 p.m. 96 72 45 a mouth.

-75- Table 17.Spot-Temperature Oboervatlona (continued)

Temp. in Flow Source of in Inforina- Locatlo I ton

July 7-22-58 Crooked Cr.at mouth 2:10 p.m. 96 72 45 OFC Third Cr., 0.25 ml. below 1:30 p.m. - 62 20-25 N Trout Cr. Third Cr.,2ml. below 2:40 p.m. 85 64 25 Trout Cr. Cougar Cr., 1 ml. above mouth. 11:45 a.m. 54 6-7 N Cougar Cr., at mouth. 12:25 p.m. 56 - I, Trout Cr., at mouth. 12:25 p.m. 64 10 I, Trout Cr., below CougarCr. 12:35 p.m.84 60 18 I, Second Cr., at mouth. 4:05 p.m. 62 6-7 I, Third Cr., at mouth of 12:50 p.m. 63 5-6 Trout Cr. Melton Cr., at mouth. 5:00 p.m. - 63 5 First Cr., at mouth. 5:30 p.m. - 66 10-12 N 7-29-58Crooked Cr.at mouth. 3:45 p.m.90 73 N

August 8-15-56South Fit., near mouth. - 42 000 8-28-56South Fit., near mouth. - -- 90 OFC 8-30-53Location unknown. 2:20 p.m.66 48 12 N 8-15-52South Fit., 3 ml. below Milk Cr.3:30 p.m.72 54 35 ft 8-17-50 South Fit, just above 1:00 p.m.74 52 I, Cougar Cr. South Fit., justabove North Fit.3:00 p.m. 56 - 8-15-49South Fit,, just below Milk Cr. 2:10 p.m. 52 - I, I, South Fk., near mouth. 7:00 p.m. 54 ft - I, 8-23-54South Fk., just below Milk Cr. 9:00 a.m.67 52 60 I, 8-24-55South Fit., just below Milk Cr. 8:30 a.m. 44 35 N South Fit., near mouth. 1:30 p.m. 56 N North Fk., 3 ml. above mouth. 2:00 p.m. 78 50 N 8-22-56 'I N North Fit., near mouth. 4:20p.m. - 52 8-12-55North Fit., near mouth. 2:30 p.m.- 55 40 I, 8-29-53 North Fit., 2 ml. above mouth. 9:05 a.m. 58 47 30 ft 8-15-56North Fit., near mouth. 30 000 8-15-52 North Fit., 2 ml. above mouth. 1:00 p.m. 67 54 35 OFC North Fk. near mouth. 7:15 p.m. 49 ft 8-15-49 'I 8-28-57 North Fit., near mouth. 4:30 p.m. 52 I, Shortly below forks. 11:20 a.m. 48 65 ft I, 1.5 ml. below forks. 12:30 p.m. 49 70 lt I, 3 ml. below forks. 1:30 p.m. 50 70 'I I, 4.5 ml.belowforks. 2:30 p.m.- 51 70 N 6 ml. below forks. 3:30 p.m.- 52 70 N 8-15-52Shortly belowforks. 3:45 p.m.78 58 80 ft 8-28-51Near Troy. 10:30 a.m. 54 59 USGS 8-21-52 I, 12:00 Noon82 64 ft 8-6-53 1:30 p.m.9]. 73 I, 8-1.0-55 4:00 p.m.95 72 ft 8-9-56 11:30 a,m.96 62 I' 8-29-58 11:00 a.m. 61 ft 8-28-57 Milk Cr., at mouth. 10:00 a.m.62 47 10 OFC

-76- Table 17.Spot-Temperature Obeervations (continued)

Temp. in Flow Source of °F. in Informa- Date Location T1iie AirWatero,f.e. tion.

August 8-13-52MilkCr., at mouth. 1:25 p.m.62 56 8 OFC ft 10:20 a.m. - 52 ft I, 2:10 p.m. - 54 ft 828-57 South Tic., short].y above 10:00 a.m. 62 45 12 ft Milk Cr. ft South Tic., shortly below 22 Milk Cr.

September 9-24-53Near Troy. 12:00 Noon73 59 USGS 9-13-55 I, 3:00 p.m. 88 63 ft 9-26-56 I, 8:50 a.m. 63 52 ft 9-25-58West Tic, of Butte Cr., at 10:00 a.zn. 52 45 20 OFC Rainbow Cr. I, West Tic. Butte Cr., 0.5 mi. 11:30 a.m. 59 46 25 above mouth. I, Rainbow Cr., at mouth 10:00 a .m. 52 46 4 ft 9-1-53 Lower Butte Cr. 9:30 a.m.67 52 15 I, 9-3-56 South Tic. just below Milk Cr. 9:45 a.m.66 42 35 ft I, South Tic., near mouth. 3:20 67 51 I, ft North Tic., near mouth. 12:00 Noon68 46 I, I, North Tic., 3 ml.above mouth. 3:15 p.m.60 49 ft 9-5-55 North Tic.,4 ml, above mouth.12:00 Noon87 47 20 ft I, North Tic., near mouth 2:26 p .ni. 86 53 ft

October 10-26-50 Near Troy. 1:40 p.m.53 48 USGS 10-18-51 " 5:30 p.m.45 45 ft 10-7-52 " 12:00Noon74 53 ft 10-19- 54 " 31:00 a.m. 51 46 ft 10-25-55 ft 10:00 a.m. 55 46 I, 10-10-57 I, 10:00 a.m. 68 48 'I 10-29-58 ft 11:30 a.m.4 40 November 11-12-52 NearTroy. 12:15 p.m.43 37 N 11-2-53 " 2:30 p.m.62 44 ft 11-30-54 " 2:00 p.m. 28 34 ft

December 12-14-50Near Troy. 11:00 a.m.40 40 I, 12-5-51 " 11:40 a.m.45 38 12-30-52 ft 1:00 p.m.37 34 'I 12-24-53 I, 1:00 p.m. 4.4 39 ft 12-28-54 ft 12:00 Noon30 32 I, 12-7-55 ft 11:00 a.m.44 37 ft 12-29-55 if 1:00 p.m. 28 34 ft 12-19-56 I, 9:40 a.m.33 39 ft 12-2-5? ft 12:00a.m. 41 37 ft 12-4-58 ft 3:00 p.m.42 41 ft 12-30-8 10:40 a.m. L2_1.2 -77 Tributaries: Bcc3idos Butte and Crooked Creeks,other smaller tributaries of this section ore:Beavor, Slickoar, Rock, Swamp, Weller, Fairview, and Dry Gulch Creeks. Of these, .Slickear,Rock, and Swamp Creeks werenot observed, Beaver and Weller Creeks had small flows, Fairviow Creek was dry, and Dry Guloh Creekappeared to be dry when viewed from across the main river The observation of Beaver Creek was made in August 1957 and all other observations were madein late July 1958.

Anadromous Fish Pop4ati9ns-Wenaha River main stem

Chinook: Spawning ground surveys made by Fish Commission biologists have established the fact that chinook have utilized parts of the main stem for spawning. These surveys have been conducted during the period from mid-August to early Septemberwhenthe bulk ofthechinook spawning occurs. In 1953, a survey from the forks to Troy revealed thatfishwere spawning down as far as Crooked Creek. Seventy-seven liveand 17deadfish, as wellas 91 redde, were counted in that area. A 1.5 mile survey below the forks in mid-August 1952 gavO a count of 3 live fishand 2 redds. In August 1957, a survey was made from the forks down to 1 mile above Butte Creekin whichcounts of 198 live and 44 dead fish and 207 reddswere made. It was also reported by residents of Tz'oy that fish spawned in great numbers that year between Butte and Crooked Creeks.To the knowledge of the authors, no chinook have been observedspawning below Crooked Creek. On July 30, 1958, a few chinook fingerlings were observed one mile below Butte Creek.Two of those were collected and measured. One was 2 inches and the other 2.5inches infork length.

There have been no observations of latespawningchinook--those that spawn in OctoberandNovemberand the use, if any, of the Wenaha River by such fish is unknown.

SteeThead: The Wenaha systàn produces a run of steelhead, but nothing is known about the spawning of this species.11any small steelhead or resident rainbow trout were observed in this area in July 1958, but it was not determine6 if these fish wore produced in the main stem or in the tributary streams of thearea.

Silver Salmon: The use of this area by silver salmon is undetermined. Very early fish cultural work by the Oregon State Department of Fisheries offers an indication that silvers at one time entered the Wenaba.The annual report of this agency for 1903 states that the Wenaha River was rackeda few milesabove the mouth and eggs weretaken from 483 sockeye salmon.Since the Wenaha is not particularly adapted to the perpetuation of this species, having no lakes in the system, it appears that these fish might have been silvers.Evidence of the presence of silvers in any part of the Wenaha in recent years is not known to the authors. However, silvers are reportedly taken by anglers just below the mouth of the Wenaha at Troy during late summer and early tallandvery po$8ibly do utilize the stream.

Da - North ForkWeah&j

The North Fork is approximately 12 miles in length. It joins the South Fork to formthe main river 22 miles above the mouth.

Terrain andGradient: The North Fork is in anarrow canyonthroughout most of its course. Only near the mouth does the canyon widen slightly. The gradient is generally moderate to moderately steep throughout the lower 7 miles. Slope and Bank Cover: The slope cover is mostly conifers and brush in the headwatera with a transition to more grass and rock outoroppings farther down the canyon. Timbered slopes are the rule, however, for the entire area. The bank cover is a mixture of coniferous and deciduous trees and brush with some grass cover present near the mouth. A few swampy and meadow areas are located in the lower part of the canyon.

Shade: Shade from the atreambank cover and the canyon is classified as intermediate with considerable shaded and exposed areas occurring.

Stream Cross Section: The stream cross section is moderate throughout with few very wide or very narrow places present.

Bottom Materials: The composition of the streambed for the first half of the surveyed area is classified as 10 per cent gravel with the remainder of the bottom composed equally of rubble and boulders.The lower half of the section is believed to contain approximately 20 per cent gravel with more or less equal amounts of rubble and boulders making up the rest of the bottom area.

Obstructions and Diversions: One obstruction in the form of a beaver dam (LGR-WNf-1) was noted. This was located between 5 and 6 miles above the mouth and appeared to be impassable.However, it is questionable whether this will remain a permanent barrier or will be washed out during the spring runoff.A 20-foot falls (IflR-WNf-2) has been reported 8 miles above the mouth. This barrier was not observed from the ground as the upper limitof the survey was below this point. However, aerial observation confirmed its existence during a flight on June 3, 1959.

No diversions exist on the North Fork.

Impoundment and Hatchery Sites: Areas for impoundments are available on the North Fork in the lower two miles of the stream. No estimate of the amount of available area was made but it is believed to exceed20 acres.

The location of hatchery sites was not considered for the NorthFork.

Flow and Temperature Data: Flow estimates on July 24, 1958 were: at the upper end of the survey area, 25 c.f.s.; near themidpoint of the section 60 c.f.s.; and, at the mouth, 75 c.f.s.The water of the NorthForkis relatively cool.A high of 60°F. on the survey of July 24 was recorded 5.5miles above the mouth at 1:25 p.m. Other flow and temperature data are presented in Table 17.

Tributaries: Deep Saddle Creek is the major tributary of this sectionand was flowing an estimated 10 c.f .a. when observedin late July. This tributary flows into the North Fork from the west about 5 miles above themouth.

Ana4r.ous Fish Po.ulations - North Fork WenahaRiver

Chinook: Chinook salmon utilize the North Fork. Surveys conducted by the Fish Commission during the spawning season have establishedthat fish spawn as far as 3 miles above the mouth. Washington Department of Game and U. S. Forest Service employees have reportedly observed chinook about twomiles above this point. Unconfirmed reports indicate that chinook have spawned asfar upstream as the falls located approximately 8 miles abovethe mouth. However, spawning conditions in the upper half of the survey area are not as good asin the lower section and it is believed that the bulk of the spawning isin the lower 3 miles. The 1957 spawning ground survey produced the largest count offish and redda

-79- recorded to dato. In the lower 3 miles of the North Fork, 66 live and 6 dead fish were observed as well as 58 redde. Past spawning ground observations have been limited to the period from mid-August to mid-September and, consequently, no information is available concerning the presence of late-spawning chinook.

Stee].hoad: The extent to which steelhead utilize the North Fork is not known.Small numbers of fingerling rainbow trout wore observed throughout the lower 7 miles of the stream during a survey in July 1958.Steelhead have been reported in the vicinity of Deep Saddle Creek by Washington Department of Game (141)0) and U. S. Forest Service (USFS) personnel.

Silver Salmons The presence of this species in the North Fork has not been determined. -

Survey Data_-South Fork WQhaRj,ve

Because of familiarity with the general characteristics of the South Fork gained on spawning ground surveys, no inventory record of the environment was made. The following discussion is based on impressions made during spawning ground surveys in 1955 and 1956.

The South Fork appears to have the best production potential of any section of the Wenaha.Good spawning conditions exist from the confluence with the North Fork up to Milk Creek, a distance of approximately 7 miles The gradient is generally moderate with numerous riffles and some pools present. The streambed composition isestimated to be 30 per cent gravel, 50-60 per cent rubble and 10.20 per cent boulders. The stream cross section is generally moderate with no appreciable areas which are wide and shallow, or narrow and deep. Adequate shade is present due to the deep South Fork canyon, and the streambank coverwhich is mostly coniferous and deciduous trees and brush. Good areas for impoundments occur in the upper third of the stream section andoccasionally thereafter to the mouth. One large area exists near the mouth. No hatchery sites, obstructions, or diversions were noted on the South Fork. Flows and temperatures for this section are given in Table 17.

Anadromous Fish Pot,ulations

Chinook: FishCommission spawning ground surveys indicate that the South Fork Wenaha River regularly has the greatest number of spawners perunit area of any section of theWenaha. Most of the spawning is between the North Fork and Milk Creek, but fish and reddshavebeen observed in limited numbers above Milk Creek. The 1957 counts are the largest that have been recordedsince the inita- tion of spawning surveys in the eastern part of the statein 1948.Table 18 gives the counts for an 8-year period from 1949 to 1957(excluding 1951) in the South Fork from Milk Creek to the North Fork. These counts are not necessarily compa- rable from year to year due to the variation inobservation conditions and in the stage of spawning when the counts were made The peak period of spawning activity occurs sometime between mid-August andearly September. No information is available on the possible presence of October or November spawners.

Steelbead: Information on steelhead populations in theSouth Fork is lacking. Fork has not been Silver Salmon: The presence of this species In the South determined. Table 18.Spring Chinook Spawning Ground Counts on South Fork Wenaha River,1949-57. Observed Section is from North Fork to Milk Creek.

Livc, Dead Red Data Source

8-a5-49 22 0 35 OFC 8-17-50 35 0 53. 8-15-52 28 2 103 8-31-53 69 22 3.16 8-9-54 4 0 12 Idaho Dept. Fish and Game (IDFG) 8-23-54 71 2 56 OFC 9-6-54 40 7 107 IDFG 8-12-55 0 0 0 OFC 8-18-55 3 1 3 8-24-55 41 1 37 8-30-55 58 4 32 9-5-55 35 4 34 It 8-16-56 37 1 33 8-22-56 225 6 130 " 8-28-56 138 10 107 " 9-3-56 65 23 183 9-9-56 8 12 134 8-28-57 253 189 293 "

Survey Data - Milk creek

Milk Creek was surveyed from its source to the mouth in late July 1958. Milk Creek flows Into the South Fork 7 mIles above its mouth and is the uppermost stream on the drainage that was surveyed. This tributary Is approximately 7 miles in length and has its source just over the border in Washington.

Terrain and Gradient: The stream is In a narrow canyon throughout most of its course. The gradient over the upper halt of the stream is steep and the lower half is moderate.

Slope and Bank Cover: Conifers are the major slope cover type. Bank cover is predominantly brush on the upper two-thirds of the stream, while conifers intermixed with brush constitute the major part of the bank growth in the lower area. The dominant brush type is alder.

Shade: Stream shade is classified as partly shaded to densely shaded. Alders form a canopy over the stream In some sections.

Stream CrossSection: The stream cross section is moderate.

Bottom Materials: Bottom composition is approximately 40 per cent gravel 30 per cent rubble, and30per cent boulders.

Obstructions and Diversions: One beaver dam located approximately 0.25 mile below Shoofly Creek (LGR-WM-1) was believed to block fishfrom moving upstream at the observed water stage butnotat higher flows. Inthe upper area, numeroui3 brush and log jams (LGR-w4-2) were noted in addition to a 6-foot falls

-81- (LGR-WM-3) observed between 1.5 to 2 miles below the stream source. Those barriers, however, are in an area of small flow and do not obstruct good spawning grounds.

No diversions are believed to exist on Milk Creek.

Impoundment and Hatchery Sites: Some area suitable for impoundments exists on Milk Creek in the vicinity of Shoofly Creek. It is estimated that 5 acres of impoundments could be constructed in this vicinity.

Flow and Temperature Data: Stream flow in the upper areas of Milk Creek was very small at the time of the survey on July24, 1958. The flow near the source was estimated at 0.5 c,f.s. and shortly thereafter the flow disappeared for approximately 0.5 mile.The flow gradually increased with the entrance of small tributaries and4miles downstream it was estimated at 5-6 c.f.s. By the time the mouth was reached, the discharge volume was estimated at 14 c.f.s.The water temperature at the source at 9:45 a.m. was 41°F. Near the mouth, at 3:45 p.m., the water temperature was 56°F.Additional flow and temperature data are given in Table 17.

Tributaries: The principal tributary is Shoofly Creek, located about three.. fourths mile above the mouth. This was flowing an estimated 4 o.f.s. at the time of observation.

Anadronious Fish Poi,u].ations - Milk Cree'

Chinook: One female chinook was observed on a redd 0.25 mile above the mouth of Milk Creek during the July24, 1958survey. Other reports of salmon in lower Milk Creek are not uncommon. However, due to the low flow during the spawning season, it is doubtful if spring chinook utilize Milk Creek above the mouth of Shoofly Creek,

Steelhead: Since the time of steelhead spawning coincides with higher water levels, it is believed that Milk Creek may be more valuable to this species than to chinook. No statement regarding the abundance or distribution of steelhead in Milk Creek can be made however, because of the lack of observations in this area during the steelhead spawning season.

Silver Salmon: It is not known if silver salmon are present in Milk Creek.

Survey Data - Butte Creek

Butte Creek originates in Washington and flows approximately 14 miles before it drains into the Wenaha River 16 miles above the mouth. Observations were made on the Butte Creek system in late July and late September 1958.The lover 7 miles of Butte Creek were observed on July 29; on September25the lower 3 miles of the West Fork, which adjoins the lower survey area, were checked.

Terrain and Gradient; From 3 miles up on the West Fork down to the mouth of Butte Creek, the stream is in a narrow canyon which contains a one mile section of gorge-like terrain located approximately 1.5 miles below the confluence of the East and West Forks. The gradient is moderate to steep throughout.

Slope and Bank Cover: The slope cover is composed of conifers and grass with some rock outcroppings. Bank cover is dominated by conifers and brush intermixed. Shade: The West Fork is partly to densely shaded and the main stein is part.ly shaded.

Stream Cross Section: The cross section of the stream Is shallow in the main stem and moderate in the lower 3 miles of the West Fork.

Bottom Materials: The streainbed conposition is estimated to be approximately 20 per cent gravel, 50 per cent rubble, and 30 per cent boulders.

Obstructions and Diversions: No obstructions or diversions were noted in the survey area. However, a falls (LGR-WB-l) which appeared to be impassable was observed from the air about 0.75 mile above Rainbow Creek in early June 1959.

Impoundment and Hatchery Sites; No outstanding impoundment or hatchery sites were noted on Butte Creek.

Flow and Temperature Data: Water temperatures during the survey of late July were 550F. below tho forks at 9:45 aan. and 66°F. at the mouth at 2:00 p.m. The estimatedflow duringthis survey was 25 c.f.s. below the forks and 40 c.f.s. at the mouth. Late Septemberflow andtemperature in the West Fork of Butte Creek below RainbowCreek was 20 o.f.s. and450F. recordedat 10:00 a.m.More complete flow and temperature recordsforButte Creek are given in Table 17.

Tributaries: The main tributaries of the sectionfromthe inouthofButte creek to 3 miles up the West Fork are the EastForkand Rainbow Crook. Rainbow Creek, which is located at the upper terminus of the survey area, was observed over the lozer mile of Its course in late September. It wa flawing at an estimated 4 c4.s. and appeered to be of value to stoolbead but not chinook. The East Fork is located 7 mIles above the mouth and joins the West Fork toformthe main stein of Butte Creek.Thelower 4mIles of the East Fork were observed in late July. The stream at that time was discharging 3 or 4 c.f.s. a short distance above King Creek. At the mouth, the flow was estimated at 10 c.f.s. The mouth was also observed in September and the estimated flow at that time was 7 o .f.s The lower mile of the East Fork appears suitable for steelbead spawning but the stream Is of doubtful value to chinook. m9isFisPopt1onp -B

Chinook: Chinook are reported to spawn as far up Butte Creek as the falls which is located 0.5 mile above Preacher Creek.During the September 25, 1958 survey of the West Fork between Rainbow Creek and the East Fork, 5probable and 4 possible redde wore observed.A survey in the lower 3 miles of Butte Creek was made by FISh Couuaissionpersonnel on September 1, 1953.A count of 22 live and 1 dead fish and 24 redde was made. Reliable reports by the USFS and WDG Indicate that chinook are present 6 miles above the mouth.

Steelhead: FishCommissionpersonnel havemadeno observations of stool- head in Butte Creek, but It is reliably reported that USFS trail crewsand mem- bers of theWDG haveobserved steolhoadinthe upper main stem.

Silver Salmon: Noinformationon silversalmon inButte Creek Is available. rvey Data - Cropj4Qck

Crooked Creek Is located the farthestdownon the drainage of any of the major tributaries of the Wonaha. It flows into the Wenaha 6 miles above the mouth, From its mouth, Crooked Creek extends approximately 15 miles to its uppermost headwatera. The lower 11 miles of the stream were surveyed in late July 1958.

Terrain and Gradient: Crooked Creek is in a narrow canyon down as far as First Creek.Shortly below First Creek the caryon widens somewhat. The stream gradient is moderate to steep down to approximately 2 miles above the mouth where it becomes moderate.

Slope and Bank Cover: The slope cover in the narrow section of the canyon is mainly conifers with some deciduous brush. Below First Creek, the slopes are covered with grass and conifers with some rock outcroppinga. Bank cover is pri- manly conifers and brush with grass and deciduous trees included along the lower section of the stream.

Shade: The upper section, to just below First Creek, is partly shaded. From here down to the mouth, the stream is generally open.

Stream Cross Section: The stream cross section is generally shallow throughout.

Bottom Materials: The composition of bottom materials from Cougar Creek down to just below First Creek is estimated as follows: 20-30 per cent gravel, 30 per cent rubble, and 40-50 per cent boulders. In the wider canyon area, the composition is generally classified as 10 per cent silt, 10 per cent gravel, and 40 per cent each of rubble and boulders.

Obstructions and Diversions: Several small log and debris jams and falls over logs (LGR-WC-].) are present in the area above First Creek.These were doubtful obstructions at the time of observation, but may become barriers at lower water stages.One 5-foot sloping falls over bedrock (LGR-WC-2) exists 3 miles above the mouth. This appears passable at all times, except possibly very low water stages.A small tributary stream, Cougar Creek, was observed to have an impassable beaver dam (LGR-WCC-l) one-third mile above the mouth. This barrier may be isolating some steolhead spawning area.

No diversions were observed in the survey area.

Impoundment and Hatchery Sites: A sizeable area forimpoundments exists shortly below the mouth of First Creek. Other smaller areas occur below this section.

No hatchery sites were noted on Crooked Creek.

Flow and Temperature Data: The flow at the start of the survey at Cougar Creek was estimated at 38 c,f.s, and at the end of the survey at the mouth, the flow estimate was 45 c.f.s.The lower portion of Crooked Creek showed evidence of a very high water stage in the past. Stream temperatures were generafly high. At the upper limit of the survey, Trout Creek had a temperature of64°F. at 12:25 p.m. Crooked Creek, below Second Creek, at 4:15 p.m. had a temperature of66°F. and Crooked Creek at the mouth had a temperature of 72°F. at 2:10 p.m.More complete flow and temperature records are given in Table 17.

Tributaries: The major tributaries of Crooked Creek are Trout Creek, Third Creek, and First Creek.Trout Creek flows into Third Creek 3 miles above the mouth and appeared to be the main headwater source of Crooked Creek when observed in July 1958.

-84- Anadromous FiPgu1ation - Crookod Creek

Chinook: Chinook have boon reported to spawn in the CrookedCreek system up as far as lower Trout Crook. The main spawning tributaries are reported to be First and Third Crooks. USFS and WDG personnel have reportedly observed chinook up to Third Crook. One live chinook wasseen in lowerFirst Creek and several chinook skeletons have been observed in the vicinity ofFirstCreek. In 1953, Fish Commission biologists checked the lower 4 miles of Crooked Crook for spawning salmon, but no flab or redda were soon.

Steelhead: Steolhead have been observed up Crooked Creek as far as Third Creek and very probably go above this area. During the survey of July 22, 1958, fingerling rainbow-eteelboad trout were very numerous throughout the surveyed section.

Silver Salmon: Silver salmon are not known to be present in Crooked Creek.

Discussion and Recommendations

Fish Transplants: At the present time, the production of anadromous species in the Wenaha is believed to be almost entirely limited to steelhead and late summer-spawning chinook. The introduction of fall-spawning chinook and silver salmon could substantially increase this production.It is believed that fall- spawning chinook might be introduced into the main stem below Butte Creek. This area is not used to any extent by the late summer-spawning chinook andwould amount to a new production area of 16 miles.The introdution of silver salmon into Butto and Crooked Creeks could make over 20 miles of stream available for producing this species.

Although success cannot be predicted, it is recommended that the Introduction of fall-spawning chinook into the lower Wenaha River be attempted for the following reasons:

The area Is not now in production. Gravel Is available in sufficient quantity to warrant the attempt. Water temperature at spawning time is more favorable to fall-spawners than to late aumnier-spawners.

Initial steps in a transplantation program should involve an assessment of the lower Wenaha as an incubation area. A suggested procedure would be to plant eyed eggs, as outlined by Gangmark and Broad (1955, 1956) and Ganginark and Bakkala (1958), from a few selected fall-sps.wning chinook in riffle areas above Troy. Temperatures, flows, and observations on silting should be taken during the course of development. A comparison with a similar program on the main Grande Ronde wil) be possible.Water tomperatures during the fall months indicate that a late September or early October-spawner would be best suited as a donor stock.Fish which spawn in the Wenatchee River above Tumwater Dam (French and Wahle, bc.cit.) appear to be suited as a transplant group, both from the standpointof temperature and migration distance.

A drip-incubator station should be established In the vicinity of Troy to determine the value of this technique as a means of increasing initial plants of fall-spawning chinook. The general assessment ofthe bottom composition in the 16-mile area from Butte Creek to Tray 20 per cent gravel. If one-half of this is assumed to be suited for spawning,approximately 1.6miles of spawning areaexists Inthe

-85- oetion.Furthor, auminthat the usable strcambod has an average width of 30 foot, approximately 250,000 square foot of spawning area is present.Following the recommendations of Burner (1951) andassigning 200 square foot asthe size of the defended recid territory, a maximum total of 1,250 roddsis indicated for the section. Although this estimate is extremely crude, it isbelieved of valueto illustrate that a potential of considerable importance is indicated.

An attempt to establish silver salmon runs into Butto and Crooked Creeks is also recommended.These tributaries are notbelieved to beextensIvely utilized by chinook, possibly due tolate surmer low flows and high water temperatures. ItIs believedthat the Introduction otsilver salmon would overcomethese dis- advantages.Silversare more adapted to smaller flows, both by size and by nature, and their later time of spawning would removethe influence of hightem- peratures on the adults. Stream temperatures, as they affect rearing conditions, are believed to be satisfactory.

As in the case of the fall chinook, it is recommended that test plants of eyed eggs be made at the mouths of those tributaries to determine survival to the emergent fry stage.Since these areas are remote, observation at frequent intervals would be difficult or impossible and the most practical objective would be to attempt to determinetheproportion of fry reaching the emergent stage with- out determining progressive development and mortality during the intermediate period. /

Approximately 21 miles of stream is Involved in the surveyed sections of Butte and Crooked Creeks. The gravel component of the bottom composition has been assessed at 20 per cent of the total stream area. If one-half of this a- mount is assumed to be suited for spawning, approximately 2.1 miles of spawning area exists in the surveyed sections of these tributary streams. When an estimated average usable streambed width of 10 foot is applied to this distance, an estimate of slightly over 110,000 square foot of spawning area is obtained. Allowing 125 square feet of dofended territory for each redd (Burner, Ibid.), the total maximum combined gravel area in Butte and Crooked Creeks is estimated to aocommodate approximately 900 redde. This would average about 43 redde per mile.

Obstructions and Diversions: Recommendations for removal of obstructions in the Wenaha system are limited to one beaver dam (LGR-WNf-l) located 5.5 miles up the North Fork and one small debris jam (LGR-wM-1) located on Milk Creek one- half mile above the mouth. These obstructions may block chinook salmon from some usable spawning and rearing areas on the two streams. Other small log and debris barriers In the upper portions of the hoadwator areas may require removal If silver salmon becomereestablished inthe drainage. At. present, however, these are believed to be of no importance since they are barriers only during low flow stages. The removal of major barriers, such as thefalls onupper Butte Creek (LGR-wB-l) andon the North Fork (LGR-Wrf-2) is not recommended.These falls are high on the headwaters and obstruct very little aros. No diversions are present on the Wenaha system.

Impoundments and Hatchery Sites: Impoundment areas areavailable onthe Wenaha. Fromthe standpoint of economy the bestareas appearto be on the main stem below Crooked Creek. Impoundin3nt sites exist on the main stem above Crooked

1 Duo to the remoteness of the mouth of Butte Crook and Its position on the drainage, It may develop that the additional difficulties associated with testing og survival would warrant limiting tests to Crooked Creek.Butte Creek is 16 milo above Troy and approximately 2,700 feet above sea level. Crooked Creek is 6 miles above Troy and 1,900 feet above sea level.

-86- Crook and on the tributaries, but accessibility is progressively more difficult farther up5tream. No road is present above Troy and heavy equipment would have to cross tho river one or more times to reach the various81t08. In the event that impoundments are used on the Wonaha, the cost of reaching any given site will undoubtedly influence its selection. No recommendations for hatchery construction on the Wenaha River are made.

Stream Improvements2 During inventory surveys of the Wenaha drainage, it was noted that sill logs and defleotors might improve the environment.. How- ever, the benefits of such devices have not, to the knowledge of the authors, been fully demonstrated, especially inareas where theenvironmentis termed 1n- ferior but is not lacking in suitable spawning and rearing qualities to the extent that "Improvement" devices would definitely function as such.Therefore, recommendations concerning stream improvement structures are made with caution and only for areas where the need appears very apparent.

In the Wonaha system, it is recommended that deflectors be installed on an experimental basis in the area between Butte Creek and the mouth.These would have theprimary purposeof creating more pools in a section which is generally wide and shallow. Additional pool areas would be beneficial for holding adult salmon that spawn in the area. These would be especially beneficial if fall chinook became established in the section.

By narrowingthe stream in places, deflectors would also help to decrease the suiimier temperatures and make the area more suitable to late August and early September apawnors.

JOSEPH CREEK

Intro4ot ion

Joseph Creek is the lowest major tributary of the Grande Rondo system. It flows in a northerly direction for approximately 60 miles before emptying into the Grando Rondo 4.5 miles above the mouth.The lower 6.5 miles of the stream areinWashington.The major tributaries (shown on tho map in Figure 28) are Swamp Creek, Crow Creek, and Chosnimnus Creek. Approximately 45 miles above the mouth of Joseph Creek, Crow andheanimnus creeks converge to form Joseph Creek proper.Swamp Creek is located about 15 miles below this point.The altitude at the confluence of Crow and Chesnimnus Creeks is approximately 3,200 feet, while at the mouth the altitude is880feet. The average gradient of the first 45 miles of the stream is just under 52 feet per mile (1 per cent grade).

The Joseph Creek drainage area above the confluence of Crow and Chosnimnnua Creeks is estimated to be 280 square miles (USGS,1956). Canyons on each side of the stream are over 1,000 feet deep in many places in the Joseph Creek watershed.

Logging has been, and continues to be, carried out on the tributaries of Joseph Creek. Stout (1957) reports that many miles of spawning tributaries in the Joseph Creek drainage are being temporarily or permanently damaged by logging practices. The schedule of timber sales by the USFS extending from1958 through 1964 indicates that approximately 40 square miles in the Joseph Creek drainage will be logged during this period. Most of this area is on upper Chesnimnnus, Cougar and Elk Creeks. Outside the national forest boundary, at least one other logging operation below the mouth of Swamp Creek Is being carried on in the Joseph Creek drainage. - WASHINGTON

OREGON

LEGEND - Surveyed Stream Section Partially Surveyed Section Unsurveyed Stream Section Grovel Area (each dot equals approximately 10% per mile) -'E- Falls -- Log Jam -I-- Beaver Dam = Rood Bridge Potential Rearing Site

I I 'a / 'a / ---. ,I.

'a.. * Chico G.S. ,1

Starvation A Springs Road

SCALE OF MILES

C.)

FIGURE 28. JOSEPH CREEK

-88- Irrigation use on Joseph Creek is slight at present. Some water is taken for irrigation in the lower3or4miles, but little diversion is belieed o exist above this area.

The lower 3 or 4 and uppermost 10 miles of Joseph Creekproper are accessible by road.The 30-mile section between these areas is accessible only by trail. Roads are present along the major tributaries except for the lower7.5 miles of Swamp Greek.

Spring and fall chinook salmon were reported to have been present in Joseph Creek years ago. None have been located in recent surveys, however. Silver salmon are not known to be present. Joseph Creek is reported to have a good runof steelhead,

Inventory Surveys - Dates and Areas

Surveys to catalogue the main stem of the Joseph Creek system from the confluence of Crow and Chesnin-inus Creeks to the mouth were made on September 19, 1957, and June19and 20 and September 4 and5, l95,and August25, 1959.All observations were by means of foot surveys except those made on June 19 and 20, 195g. This survey was made by boat from the mouth of Swamp Creek to the mouth of Cottonwood Creek during the recession of the high spring flows. Poor observation conditions at this time necessitated resurveying this area on foot.

Survey Data - Main Stem

Terrain and Gradient: The stream canyon is generally narrow from 10 miles below the confluence of Crow and Chesnirnnus Creeks to5miles above the mouth. The canyon walls are quite steep and rise to over 1,000 feet above the stream in many places. In the upper 10 miles of the survey area, the stream is in a somewhat wider canyon.

The gradient of the stream is moderate above Swamp Creek and primarily moderate to steep below this tributary.

Slope and Bank Cover: The slope cover is primarily grass with rock outcroppings (Figure 29) Some timber is present in the draws and on the north and east-facing slopes, especially in the upper part of the survey area. The bank cover is a mixture of brush, deciduous and coniferous trees, and grass. A wide highwater streambed caused much of the stream to be lined with rubble rock and gravel at lower water stages.

Shade: Stream shading generally varied between partly shaded and open. The upper 10 miles of the stream were considered open and the remaining35miles was mostly partly shaded, but with considerable open to partly shaded areas below Swamp Creek

Stream Cross Section: Joseph Creek is generally shallow to moderate in cross section.A 17-mile section extending downstream from the Chico Guard Station to2miles below Swamp Creek is given this classification except for 3miles of shallow stream in the upper one-third of the area.Below here, alternate areas of moderate and moderate to shallow cross sections exist

Bottom Materials In the lower 45 miles of Joseph Creek, the general assessment of the streambed materials is 10 per cent silt, 20 per cent gravel, 40 per cent rubble and 30 per cent boulders The best spawning areas are found above Swamp Creek with approximately L0 per cent of the area containing gravel (Figure 30) S

Figure 29. Joseph Creek Canyon Below Swsmp Creek. CreekFigure above30. Swamp Creek (September 1958). Suitable Spawning Grave], on Joseph

Figureabove 31. Rush Creek (September 1958). Typical Streaxibed on Joseph Creek FigureLooking 32. Downstream from 15 Miles above the Mouth. Aerial View of Swamp Creek Canyon & The first 1.5 miles below the confluence ofChesnimnusand Crow Creeks has an estimated 70 per cent of the streambed composed of gravel. In general, the quality of the streambed for spawning diminishes as progression is made downstream (Figure 31). A 10-mile section ending at Cottonwood Creek is estimated to contain only 5 per cent gravel. Throughout the entire survey, section, most gravel areas contained cone iderabi', amounts of silt.

Obstructions and Diversions: The only obstructions observed on Joseph Creek in the 45-mile distance from the Chico Guard Station to the mouth were in the form of diversion dams in the area near the mouth. Four such dams, all made of streambed materials were noted In an area from 3 to 4 miles above the mouth. Three of these dams (LGR4-1) were impassable when observed on August 25, 1959. During spring high water, however, it is believed that all structures would be passable.These dams are all located In Washington.

Three diversions (LGR4-2) were withdrawing water from the stream at the time the dams were observed.Two ditches had estimated flows of 3 o.f.s. and the other was withdrawing 2 c.f.s. The diversions were not screened.

During the survey of August 25, 1959 in the upper section of Joseph Creek, it was learned that one other diversion and dam were being considered for an area a few miles below the Chico Guard Station.According to the irrigationist, the dam would be built in the fall of 1959 and would be an obstruction to upstream fish migration from June 1 to late August each year.

Impoundment and Hatchery Sites: Some off-channel impoundment sites exist from the Chico Guard Station downstream 10 miles No large areas are present, but several small Impoundments, up to perhaps 10 acres, could be made. High summer water temperatures will be a serious consideration associated with impoundments in this area. An unimproved road which fords the stream several times Is present along this section. No sites believed suitable for hatcheries were found on Joseph Crook.

Flow and Temperature Data: Flow estimatesduring surveyobservations below Swamp Creek ranged from 200-300 c.f.s. in late June to 35 c.f.s. in early September 1958. In 1959, late August flow observations were estimated at 15 c.f.s., 40 miles above the mouth, 25 c.f.s., 20 mIles above the mouth, and 30 e.f.s., 4.5 miles above the mouth. Earlier records obtained from a gaging station maintained 0.5 mile below the confluence of Chesnimnus and Crow Creeks from1931to1933 show extremes of 1,220 o.f.s. in April1932and 2.5 c.f.s. during many days in August and September 1931 (USGS, 1956). More extensive gaging records for other streams in Eastern Oregon indicate flows were extremely low in the fall of1931. Therefore the minimum flow on Joseph Creek for that year is thought to reflect the lower limit of the flow range for a much longer period than the 3 years during which the gage was in operation.

Data from three continuous recording thermometers set up on Joseph Creek in the late suimner of 1958 and in the spring of 1959 give a fairly complete temperature history for the summer season. The uppermost thermograph was established 10 miles below the Chico Guard Station in August 1958.This recorder was moved upstream 9 miles for the fall, winter, and spring months in both1958 and 1959 to allow the services of an operator to be continued. Two other stations were established in the spring of 1959, one at Ruøh Creek and the other at Cottonwood Creek. Figures3, 34, 35,and 36 present theinformationfrom these temperature stations and show that summer temperatures are exceedingly high throughout the system. Also Illustrated are the facts thatseasonalwater temperature changes are quite rapid, bothinthe fall and the spring, and that winter temperatures remain quite low. Other flow and temperature data for Joseph Creek are given in Table 19. -91- 80 S 7075 65 IIIIi a 4) 60 V j Ii% It 4)E 5550 \, : 45 , I ,r%I; La r - I S A II 'A IIA I a' __j I I a s / I S%I ' I a? 'V V 3235 10 20 30 I 10 20 I 30 I 10 I 20 I '.130I 10 i % Il20 30 a'a' 10 I 20 I 30 I August Figure 33. Daily Maxixium and M1niium Water Temperatures for Joseph 'reekSeptember below theChico Ranger Staaon, October t ist - December, November 1958. December 6570 -

I ft' it A I I I'tI, , 40 : S : ' I 'It 4 I.' , 'I\ v\ Shiv VIi a' r. 4 1- \ 1! 1 I Itg / ' I g;.I I I I I a'' i'J"! 3532 LVi'\ 10 January 20Figure 3L. . 30 It Daily Maxixt.um10 arid MinimumFebrtiaryI' Water TemperaturesI the Chico for Josetth Ranger Station, January - October,20 1959. v'J 10 March\ 20 30 10 / April 20 :30 Creek Below 0 May 20 30 tI c' 9 C 8075 6570 Maxiniui 60 t 4.) t I "-. I 1 VPN%%...s.% I I' A h fl,\i' rI, I"III''I I' I j1fl'iflUj ' I I I' * F'F '4;, ;:j '; '1\ ti I 'ti I' isi 'ttII '' t! t ,\, J I I' t t 35 -I !'ttI 'I tt 32 10 Figure 3!, June 20 Daily Water Te 10 Jul7 20 eratures, Chico arr kugust 20 Station (Continued), Septexnte' 20 30 10 I October 20 I 30 8085 7075 * Maximum 65 'I I I I 5 69 5l V -- 5- ,l Li / \_/ : V i55 Es 50 SI!\ A 45 .. _I 1 ?\ 3540 30 Figure10 35. May 20 I I Daily Maxiniuii30 and MinimumI Water Teperatur s fc.r Joseph Creek Iat Rush Creek, May10 t June I 20 30 10 July 20 10 Augut 20 30 October '10 I 20 I December, 1959. I 30 NovemberI I 90 8580 7075 J.1 LI W) L/ 65 i\ ' " ; I ' / ' 1 U p I 'I I 60 :: V / I ItI. I V.I. V _,t : I, I; p I S '.4' S I, a' I - 51*1,S a it I V 1 S Ia I 50 as I III I , 1, t 45 I-, tI III I 'II 40 IIt II It S 32 Figure June 36. Daily Maximum an I July Mnlmum Water Teetur August Seteber Joep 0k at Cotto ood £ek, June October November Novebr 1959 Table 19.Spot-Temperature and FlowObservations on Joseph Creek Drainage, 1957-59. Ierature(°F.) st.1ow 4pij.eLocation JOSEPH CREEK

9-10-573 ml. below Chico R. S. 1:30 p.m. 64 10 ft 7 ml. below Chico R.. S. 2:05 p.m. 65 ft 9.5 ml.below Chico R. 8. 2:35 p.m. 63 12 9-17-57 Swamp Creat mouth. 11:20 a.m. 48 8 ft Just above Swamp Cr. 11:25 a.m. 52 12 ft 0.5 ml. above Swamp Cr. 12:25 p.m. 53 12 ft 2.5 ml. above Swamp Cr. 1:25p.m. 56 15 ft 3ml. above SwampCr. 2:10 p.m. 57 15 8-28-58 At SwampCr. 9:30a.m. 70 63 9-4-58 4 ni. below Swamp Cr. 12:30 p.m. 71 60 40 ft 2 ml. below Swamp Cr. 2:10 p.m. 76 63 40 I, At Swamp Cr. 9:30 a.m. 72 63 35 8-25-59 1.5ml. below Chico R. S. 9:15 a.m. 66 54 17 ft 2.5 ml, below Chico R. S. 10:30 a.m. 76 59 15 ft 7 ml. below Chico R. S. 12:15 p.m. 83 68 15 ft 9 ml. below Chico R. S. 1:00 p.m. 83 70 15 ft At Rush Cr. 6:30 a.m. 50 57 25 ft 2 ml. below Rush Cr. 8:35 a.m. 64 59 ft 1 ml. below Tamarack Cr. 10:45a.ni. 76 64 mlbe owTa'ra C 1: 69 30

SWAHP CREEK

8-28-58 18 ml. above mouth. 9:30 a.m. 67 59 5 14 ml. above mouth. 11:15 am. 70 63 6 12 ml. above mouth. 1:35 p.m. 74 68 7 8 mlabove mouth. 3:10 p .m. 72 68 8 At mouth, 9:30 a.m. 70 60 8 3. ml. above mouth, 10:45 a.m. 72 63 7 2 ml. above mouth. 11:45 a.m. 75 65 7 4 ml. above mouth, 12:45 p.m. 76 67 5 6 ml. above mouth. 1:45 p.m. 7? 68 5 958Ath, 3:55 ,m. - 60 10 CHFSNINNUS CREEK

8-29-58 At mouth. 10:00 a.m. 58 63 8 6 ml, above mouth. 12:45 p.m. 62 64 3 34 ml, above mouth. 3:30 p.m. 56 59 3 8-25-59 At mouth. 8:25 a.m. 60 5/. 9

CROW CREEK 9-10-f ;7 4 ml,above mouth. 1:00 p.m. - 66 8-29-i 8 5 ml,above mouth. 9:45a.m. 58 59 ft 1 ml. above mouth. 4:00 p.m. 66 66 8-25-i 9 At moith. 8:21a 60 51

-97- Tributaries: Swamp, Chesninmus, and Crow Crooks are the major tributaries of Joseph Creek. Other smaller tributaries of Joseph Creek proper are: Cougar Creek, 5 miles above Swamp Creek; West Peavino Crook, 6 miles below Swamp Creek; Rush Creek; Tamarack Crook; and Cottonwood Creek, which is 4 miles above the mouth of Joseph Creek. In late June1958,flow estimates were made on all of these smaller tributaries except Cottonwood Creek.Flows at that time were estimated to be between 6 and 10 c.f,s. in each one. September observations in 1958 and late August observations in1959indicate that late summer flows are reduced to lees than 1 of.s. in these streams. Cottonwood Crook was flowing an estimated 3-4 o.f.s. in late August1959. One small unnamed tributary, believed to originate from a spring, was observed on September 4, 1958, approximately 2 miles below Swamp Creek. This stream had a relatively large estimated discharge of 5 c.f.s. and had a temperature of 560?. which was 7 degrees cooler than Joseph Creek at that time

Because Swamp, Chesniinns, and Crow Creeks are the largest tributaries of Joseph Creek, they will be treated in more detail in this section.

1. Swamp Creek: Swamp Creek was surveyed over its lower 18 miles on August 28, 1959. This tributary flows almost due north from its source to the mouth, a distance of 25 miles. It enters Joseph Creek approximately 30 miles above the mouth.

Terrain and Gradient: At the Starvation Springs road, 18 miles above the mouth, Swamp Creek is in a rather wide, shallow canyon.Although the sides of the canyon remain rather constant with regard to slope, the canyon flow becomes gradually narrower toward the mouth.The first 5 miles of terrain below the road is classified as a wide and shallow canyon, the next 10 miles are termed intermediate between wide and narrow, and the last 3 miles of the stream are in a relatively narrow canyon.The gradient is sluggish to moderate in the upper 7 miles,thenmoderate f or several miles, and finally moderate to steep in the lower mile or two.

Slope and Bank Cover: The major cover type on the slopes is grass, although conifers are dominant on the lover slopes with an eastern exposure. Rock out.- croppingsare also present in the lower half of the canyon.The stream in the upper 7.5 miles of the section is in a meadow area(Figure 32)and the bank cover is mostly grass with some alder stands.Below this area the bank cover is dominated by conifers and brush.

Shade: The stream is considered to be partly shaded along the lower 3 miles and also on an upper intermediate3mile section.Theupper 7miles and a 5-mile lover intermediate area are classified as open to partly shaded.

Stream Cross Section: The stream cross section is shallow to moderate in the lower 8 milos and moderate in the upper 10 miles.

Bottom Materials: The streanibed composition, averaged for the entire area, is estimated at approximately 40 per cent silt, 25-30 per cent gravel, 25-30 per cent rubble, and 5 per cent boulders.The upper meadow area is silt except for an estimated 20 per cent gravel.The middle and lower sections contained more gravel and rubble, but much of this appeared compacted with silt deposits.

Obstructions and Diversions: Many small brush and debris jams and beaver dams block the stream at the time of low water. Steolhead have been observed above the obstructed areas in past years and, therefore no complete blocks exist unless they were formed subsequent to the observation of steelhead in the upper

-98- areas. However, oven though the stream may not be completely bloekod, a total of 12 obstructions (LGR_Js-1), all in the form of brush and debris jams and beaver dams, is considered sufficiently serious to warrant removal.These are located inthe 12-mile area from 2 to 34 miles above tie mouth. The six uppermost ob- structiona are accessible by road and the lower six only by trail.

Impoundment and Hatchery Sites: Several hundred acres of impoundment area exists in the upper 7 miles of the survey section. The stream is in a meadow (Figure 28) in this area and is available by road. It is believed that Swamp Creek has a perennial flow in this region, although the flow might be quite small. No hatchery sites were observedinthe survey area.

Flow and Temperature Data: Flow and temperature data are scarce for Swamp Creek. One flow estimate was made and a temperature taken at the mouth in Sep- tember1957, andseveral recordings were inado in late August and in September 1958. On August 28, 1958, a series of flow estimates and temperature recordings were made over the lower 18 miles of Swamp Creek.At the mouth, at9:30 a.m., the flow estimate was 8 c.f.s. and the temperature was 60°F. At the same time, 18 miles above the mouth, the flow estimate was5 o.f.s. andthe water temperature was 59°F.The highest water temperatureduringthat day was 68°F. recorded at several places in the mid-section of the survey area between 1:30and 3:10 p.m. Complete flow and temperature data are presented in Table19.

Davis Creek is the only sizeable tributary of Swamp Creek. This stream flows into Swamp Creek about3miles above itsconfluencewith Joseph Creek and was discharging an estimated 3 c.f.s. at the time of observation. No observations of this tributary other than those at the mouth were made.

2.CbesniinnusCreek: Chesniinnus Creek was observed on August29, 1958, over a distanceof 34miles from its mouth to Devils Run Creek.Above this point the stream flow was reduced to approximately 1 o.f.s. Observations on this survey were mostly made while driving on a road paralleling the stream.Frequent stops were made, however, to ascertain the stresinbed characteristics. OnJune 1, 1959, anaerial flight was made from the hoadwaters in Thomason Meadows down to the mouth of Devils Run Creek.

Terrain and Gradient: The stream is In a wide canyon for the first 7.5 miles above Its mouth. Shortly above Pine Creek, the canyon narrows appreciably and is termed medium to narrow. Above Devils Run Creek, the canyon becomes progressively wider and finally forms a plateau in the headwaters.The gradient is generally slight to moderate from the mouth to shortly below Devils Run Creek. From this point upstream for several miles it is moderate and then changes once again near the headwators to a moderate to slight gradient.

Slope and Bank Cover: The slopes are mostly coveredwithgrass and conifers with conifers becoming dominant in the narrower canyon area.Numerous rock outcroppings are also present on the slopes above Butte Creek.Bank cover is brush and grass from the mouth to 0.25 mile above Pine Creek.A wide high water channel has reduced the effect of bank cover in this section.Beyond this point and up to a few miles above Devils Run Creek, conifers comprise the dominant cover type. Above this point, grass and brush again are prevalant.

Shade: Stream shade is classified as open In the lower 2.5 miles of the stream. Upstream from this area to shortly above Pine Creek, the stream hasboth shaded and open areas and Is considered as open to partly shaded.Above Pine Creekthestream Is partly shaded to shortly above Devils Run Creek whereit becomes partly shaded to open.

-99- Stream Cross Soction: The stream ishal1ow up to Devils Run Crook.Stream cross seotion was not evaluated above this point.

Bottom Materials: The boat gravel concentrations appear to be in the lower 2.5 miles where an estimated 50 per cent of the bottom is classified as gravel. For the survey area up to Devils Rim Creek, the general appraisal of the bottom composition is as follows: 15-20 per cent silt, 25-30 per cent gravel, 40 per cent rubble, and 15-20 per cent boulders. No assessment of the streambed was made above Devils Run Creek.

Obstructions and Diversions: One obstruction in the form of a debris jam (LGR-Jc-].) was observed 1.2 road milea above Pine Creek.This was believed Im- passable at the time of observation butnot duringthe timo of intermediate or high spring flows.Although the area below Pine Crook is used for agricultural. purposes, no diversions were observed during the survey of this section.

Impoundments and Hatchery Sites: Numerous flat areas below Pine Creek would make suitable sites for off-channel impoundments. At present, most of those areas are in agricultural production. The plateau area in the headwaters at Thomason Meadows may be suitable for making an in-channel impoundment. AU impoundment sites are accessible by road. No suitable hatchery sites were observed on Chosnimnus Creek.

Flow and Temperature Data: Stream flownearthe mouth of Chesnimnus Creek was estimated at 8 c.f.s. on August 29, 1958. Above Pine Creek, the flow had beenreduced to an estimated 3 c.f.a. The day of the survey was cool with some rain, a condition which was reflected in water temperatures being lower than would normallybe expected. At 10:00 a.m., near the mouth, the water temperature was 63°F.At 3:30 p.m., 14 miles upstream at the upper limit of the survey, the air temperature was recorded as 56°F. and the water temperature 59°F. All available flow and temperature data for Chesnimnus Creek is given in Table 19.

The main tributaries of Chesnimnus Crook are Butte, Peavino, Pine, and Devils Run creeks. These are located 2.5, 4.5, 6 and 14 miles above the mouth in the order named. These streams were all very small at the time of observation, flowing an estimated 2 c.f.s. or less.

3. Crow Creek: Crow Creek converges with Chesnimnus Creek approximately 45 miles above the mouth of Joseph Creek to form the main stream. Crow Creek was observed on August 29, 1958 from one-eighth mile above its mouth tq the area of uppermost flow 12 miles upstream. Observations of Crow Creek were made from a vehicle while driving a road which parallels the stream for almost its entire distance.

For purposes of describing this tributary, the 12-mile section was divided into a lower 5-mile area extending betweon the mouth and the road bridge to Highway 3, and an upper 7-mile section ending at the upper limit of the existing flow.

In the lower section, the stream is ina medium widecanyon which has slopes covered withconifers and grass. The bank cover is a mixture of grass, brush, and conifers.The gradient is generally moderate as is the cross section of the stream.The bottom composition was only grossly appraisedand is estimated to be 20 per cent silt, 20 per cent gravel, 50 per cent rubble, and 10 per cent boulders.Stream shade is classified as open to partlyshaded.The stream flow was estimated at from 5to 7 o.f.s.Air and watertemperature observations on August 29, 1958 ware as follows: 5 miles above the mouth at 9:45 a.m., air 58°F.,

-100- water 59°F.; 1 mile above the mouth at 4:00 p.m., air 66°F., water 66°F.On September 10, 1957, a flow estimate and a temperature wore taken 4 miles above the mouth at 1:00 p.m.At that time, the flow was estimated at 5-6 o.f.a. and the water temperature was 66°F.

Elk Creek, a known stee].hoad spawning stream, flows into Crow Creek 1 mile above its confluence with Chesnimnus Creek.No other perennial tributaries exist.

In the upper section of Crow Creek, tram 5 to 12 miles above the mouth, the stream canyon widens markedly 2 miles above the lower end of the area. The slope cover is mostly grass and the bank growth consists of brush and grass. Few conifers are in this section, either on the slopes or along the stream.The gradient and stream cross section are moderate. Shade is completely lacking in some places, but in other sections good stands of brush afford protection from the awi, This section is classified as being partly shaded with both considerable open and sheltered areas present. No appraisal of the bottom type was made.

No obstructions, diversions, or hatchery sites wore noted in the survey area.Some impoundment sites are present near the uth and from 7 miles above the mouth to the upper limit of the survey area.

Ajdromous Fish Popuiptton

Chinook Salmon: Stout (1957) reports that interviews with individuals livingon Joseph Creek indicate that good populations of both spring and fall runs were once present. Limited surveys by Fish Commission personnel in recent years have given no indication of the continued existence of this species in Joseph Creek.

Steelhead: Joseph Creek is reported to have a good run of steelhead. This species has been observed in Joseph Creek proper and also in many of the tributary streams. Cheeniinnua Creek and some of its tributaries, especially Peavine and Devils Run Creeks are reported to support good runs of steelhead.Steelhead are also known to utilize Swamp Creek.Reliable observations in the past hav placed ateelhead above the 18-mile survey section during the spring high-water period. It appears probable that they spawn throughout most of the Swamp Creek drainage. In the Crow Creek drainage, steelhead utilize Elk Creek and are believed to be in Crow Creek also.

Silver Salmon: Silver salmon are not known to inhabit the Joseph Creek drainage.However, because of a lack of observation during the season when the fish would be spawning, it is possible that an undetected run of limited numbers might exist.

D soussion and Recommendations

Fish Transplants: It is recommended that attempts be made to establish runs of chinook and silver salmon in Joseph Creek and its main tributaries. The fact that a rather large unproductive area with a potential for producing salmon now exists, seems to justify the serious consideration of such a program. With regard to flow and streambed composition, it is believed that over 50 miles of the Joseph Creek drainage could be used for producing salmon.

As mentioned before, residents on Joseph Creek report that both spring and fall chinook salmon were once present in the drainage.When and why these fish

-101- disappeared is not known.Whatever the cause, stream observations' made during this study indicate that Joseph Creek is not presently suitable for supporting a run of late sumner-spawning salmon. Water temperatures which are high during the summer months appear to be the principal detrimental factor,flows, while small, appear to be sufficient and a considerable area containing gravel suitable for spawning is present (Figure 30).

To effect a temperature reduction during the summer months, many miles of low flow channel would need to be narrowed on Chosnimnus Creek and on Joseph Creek proper. Also, streambank shading would need to be increased throughout most of the upper drainage area. It is also possible that a headwater reservoir of a capacity which would produce 2,000-3,000 acre-feet of cool water for release from June into September would be needed.

An alternative to attempting to change the temperature pattern of Joseph Creek would be to select a transplant stockwhichwould be more likely to survive in the present environment, The use of fall-spawning chinook and silver salmon would circumvent the problem of high temperatures during the holding and spawning periods whichwould be encountered by earlier spawning chinook.Figures33, 34, 35,,and 36 show the difference between the October and August temperatures.

Conditions associated with rearing also seem to favor the fall spawners. Fall chinook, withtheircharacteristic short fresh-water-rearing period will not be subjected to prolonged competition with, and predation from, a warm-water fish population which is well established in Joseph Creek.Forage fishes and squaw fish have been observed as far up the drainage as Doe Creek and young small-mouth bass have been collected in lower Joseph Creek,With regard to temperature, young silver salmon would be subjected to the hot summer conditions, but this species is reported to be the most resistant to high temperatures of any of the Pacific salmons (Brett, 1952). Also, it is known that rainbow trout survive through the summer in Joseph Creek.

Other serious considerations associated with the establishment of salmon in Joseph Creek include a measure of the influence of the spring run-off on survival through the incubation period. Low winter water temperatures suggest a long incubation period which would subject eggs and alevins to the conditions of high spring flows Since Joseph Creek does not drain a mountainous area, the high flow period can be expected to occur relatively early in the season. In this regard, late-summer spawners have an advantage over fall apawners, since they would emerge from the etreambed earlier in the spring.

An assessment of the influence of spring high flows on egg-to-fry survival could be made with test plants of eyed eggs in selected gravel areas ofthe Joseph Creek drainage.

Obstructions and Diversions: The surveyed portions of the upper Joseph Creek system were generally free of obstructions except for Swamp Creek,Twelve small debris jams and beaver dams (LGR-JS-l) in the lower and central portions ofSwamp Creek are believed to be limiting access to the stream to steelbead.These obstructions are recommended for removal.

On lower Joseph Creek, 3 diversion dams observed in late August1959, were considered to be impassable to upstream migration at that time,These would not be obstructions at the time of high water. Threo diversions, al]. unscreened, wore noted on lower Joseph Creek in the same area as the dams, In late August1959, these were withdrawing volumes of 2 to 3 o.f.s, each.These ditches and dams are in Washington.

No other diversions were found on Joseph Crook, although 1 diversion and dam a few miles below the Chico Guard Station is scheduled forinstallationin the fall of l99.

It is recommended that the ditches be investigated for screening arid that passage facilities at the diversion dams be provided if salmon are introduced into Joseph Creek.

Impoundment and Hatchery Sites: The best Impoundment areas on the Joseph Creek drainage appear to exist on Swamp Creek in a meadow area beginning 11 miles above the mouth and extending several miles upstream.Some good areas are also located on Chesnimnus Creek, from the mouth up to Pine Creek; on the upper 10 miles of Joseph Creek proper; and to a lesser extent on Crow Creek.No individual site locations need to be mentioned since there are numerous areas to choose from. It is sufficient to say that, from the standpoint of topography, the upper Joseph Creek drainage is abundantly supplied with sites for off-channel impoundments.

These areas are accessible by road during most, if not all of the year, and are located where the stream flow is perennial. One serious disadvantage, however, is the high stream temperature in the summer.

No hatchery sites were found on Joseph Creek.One tributary flowing an estimated 5 c.f.a. of 56° water, and believed to be a spring, was observed 2-3 miles below the mouth of Swamp Creek in September 1958. This water source might have some value as an egg Incubation station, but because of the small flow and the remote location, it was not considered suitable for hatchery use. WALLOWA RIVER SYSTEM Table of Contents

Page

List of Figures 108

List of Tables.a .a a a a a a a a a a a a 110

INTRODUCTION 113

WALLOWA RIITER MAIN STEM.a a a . a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a aa a a a a a 113 Introduction..... aa.aa...a.ea.oaaa,a,aaaae.aaaa113 Inventory Survey tates and Areasa..a.,aaaa.aa,.aaa.a.aaaa,a.,.a...115 Survey Data. Ia.,.. a... .aaa.aa.a.s,.aaeaa aa.aa..a.115

Terrain and Gradient 115 Slope and Bank Cover ,aaeaaaaaaa.,aaaaa.a115 Shadea,,a.a... a..,,,a, i16 Stream Cross Section.a a a aS.a a a a a . a a aa a e a a a a a. aa a a a a.a a a a e a 116 Bottom Materials,.,...a,..aaa,.....a,aaaaa.a..a.,, 118 Obstructions and Diversjons..a.a..aaa. 118 Impoundment and Hatchery Sites ...... 120 Flow and Temperature Data,a a aa a a. a aa a a a a a a a a . a a a a a a a a a a a a a a aa 120 Tributaries 122 Prairie Creek.a aa a a a aa a a aa a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a 131 Big Canyon Creek a...... 133 Trout, Whiskey, Dry and Howard Creeks..... aaa.aa.aaaaaa135 West Fork WaUowa River..,. a.eaa,.aaaa.aaa136 5, East Fork Wallowa River., a 136 Anadromous Fish Populations,.,..,,. 137 Chinook Salznon.,.a...a...aa,.,,.a.a,,aaa.,a.aaa,a.eaa.a.a....aa137 Silver Salmon. 139 Steelhead Trout 140 BluebackSalmona.,...a.. a .aa.asa.aaaa.a.aaaa.aI.aaaaaaaaaaaaa141

HURRICANE CREEK a a a . a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a aa a a a a a a a 142

Introduction,-,a a a a a a a.a a a aa a a a a aa a a. a a a a a a a 'a a aa a 142 Inventory Survey Dates and Areas,...... 142 Table of Contents (continued)

SurveyData

Terrain and Gradient...... 10.. . O Ill . . 142 Slope and Bank Cover S.... I.. 143 Shade 143

Stream Cros3 Section...... , ...... , ...... 143 Bottornl4aterialg,...... , .4.. 143 Obstructions and Diversions ...... 143 Impoundment and Hatchery Sites... 145

glow and Temperature Data...... a . a . . . . 145

Tributaries . a.... 146

Anadromous Fish Populations ...... ,...... 146

Spring Chinook Salmon .... 148 Steelhead Trout ....a 149

BEAR CREEK 149

Introduction 14.9

Inventory Survey Dates and Areas 149

Survey Data ol.IlaIaaa*l.lS.I.Ie.l.a. 149

Terrain and Gradient 149 Slope and Bank Cover...... , 149

Shade ...... a ...... a . . . . . 149 Stream Cross Section 149 Bottom Materials 149 Obstructions and Diversions 150 Impoundment and Hatchery Sites 15]. Flow and Temperature Data 151 Tributaries ...... ,., 151

Anadromous Fish Populations 155

DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS-(Waflowa River Main Stem and Hurricane and Bear Creeks..... 157

Fish Transplants 157

Fall-Spawning ChinookSalmon 157 Silver Salmon 158 Steelhead Trout . ,160

Obstructions andDiverp ions 160

Wallowa River Main Stem 160 Prairie Creek 160 Hurricane Creek 160 Bear Creek 162 Big Canyon Creek 162 Table of Contents (continued)

Page

Impoundments and Uatcherjei,,,.,.,.... a ..ø.a., ,e.e.ao..oa162

Stream Imrovemente... 1 3

LOSTINE RIVERS .è...... ,...... I...eoeèó.Iê..163 3ntroductior...... a. .a ..oa...ee...163 InventoriSurreyflatesandAreas.e...... S.eSo...e6163

Survey t)ata...... ,....,..,...... ,..,.e...... ,..e.,, 165

Terrain and 165 elope and BankCover.....e.,..,...... s,...... aa...... a,...... 165 165 Stream Cross Section ..a.o...a...Ia.ea.aaa*.aaasè,êssIöI165 Bottom Materials.. . .. a . . . aa. a . . .ie a. a . a a . a a aa a a sa165 Obstrtictions and Diversions...,,.1,,...,.....e.,,e...... 165 Impoundment and HatcherySites...... o..a..aa...o..oe...... a...168 !10and Temperature Data...,....,.....,...... ,...... 168 Tributaries ...... a.a ., 173

Anadromous Fish Popiilations,.,...,,,,,...... ,,.,,.,,,,,..,.,...., 173

Chinook Salmon ...... ,...... ,.....,...... 173 Silver Sa].mon..,...... ,...,..,.,.,...... ,,,,....,...... ,.. 173 Steelhead Trout,,,...,...... ,...,..,..,..,,..a,.....,... 175

DISCUSSION AND RECO)4}1ENDATIONS . a a a . . a a . , a . . a a a. a. . . a , . .176

Fish Transplants ...... 176

Obstructions and Diversions...

Impoundments and Hatcheries ...... a... 177

Stream Improvements., . ., .a. aa.a , s . . a. , a. . a . .a 177

MINAM RIVEa...... a a i . a . a . a . a . . a è a .. . .. a a. a a . a.. a .ö . a. a a., . a.. a a.177

Introduction ...... 17?

InventorySurveyDategandAreas,...,...,.,,...... aI aSS aa179 Survey Data.,...... ,...... ,..e...... ,.,...,

TerrainandGradjent Slope and Bank Cover Shade,oil. ..0 IIIIi III $iCIl 180 Stream Gross Section,...... ,....,.,..,...... 180 Boo Material.,.....,..,..,,,...111101,,,,.,.,..,...,...,.,... 180 Obstructions and Diversions,11....0. ....cc. ..e..e...s..c..180 Impoundment and Hatchery Sites o...... e...... o..184 FlowandTemperatureData...... 184 Tributaries, . .. . 185

Anadromous Fish 188

Chinook Salmon...... 4.....il...... o.. eel....'. 001.1 II C*188 Steelhead Trout 190

Silver Salmon C e . .. o e 0. el 190

LITTLE MINAM RIVER ...... 190

Introduction ...... e ...... e.,190

InventorySurveyDatesandAreas....,...... ,,..,...... ,..,.190

Si.rvey Data 190

Terrain and Gradient 190 Slope and Bank Cover '... 190 Shade 190 Stream Gross Section ...... 190 l3ottomMaterials Obstructions and Diversions 191 ImpoundmentandHatchery Sites 19]. Flow and Temperature Data... 191 Tributaries .... 191

AnadromousFishPopulations ...... ,...... ,19].

ChinookSalmon 191 Steelhead Trout .. 191 Silver Salmon 191

DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 191

Fish Transplants ...... 191

Obstructions and Diversions .e.193

Supplemental Rear in 194

Stream Improvements.I 0. II 0 0 lI , . e.s .. . .. 195 List of F'igurea

Wallowa River System,...e,..,...... ,..,... lee.... ICICCIII,

Slope Cover of Wallowa River Near the Motith..,,..,...,...... 117

Bank Cover Along the Wallowa River Just Above Lostinee,...... ,...... ,.oeullIlSiI

401 Wal].owa Lake Dam...... ,.....,.,...... o,..,.... 117

Irrigation Dam on Wallowa River, 2.5 Miles Below Joseph...,......

Daily Maxlrum and Minimum Temperatures of the Wallowa River, 2 Miles Above Enterprise, Oregon, 1958.,...... 125

Daily Maximum and Minimum Temperatures of the Wallowa River, 2 Miles Above Enterprise, Oregon, 1959...... 127

Daily Maximum and Minimum Temperatures of the Wallowa River, 3 Miles Above Minam, Oregon, 1959...... e ci. ..'i. 129

Daily Maximum and Minimum Temperatures of the Wa].lowa River, 1 Mile Below Wa].lowa, Oregon, 1957...... 130

Prairie Creek 11 Miles Above the Mouth...... e.Sl*SIliilSIlll

Bank Cover, Gradient, and Bottom Composition Typical of Much of Big Canyon Creek...... 132

Cover of Conifers, Grass, and Rock in Hurricane Canyon...... se. cc ..s.SsllS .11.aS.iII CSlICIl 144

Slope Cover and Rugged Terrain of Upper Bear Creek.,,...... l...III.s144

Terrain and Cover of Lower Bear Creek Canyon...... o.... 144 LostineRiver...... ,,...... 164 Terrain, Slope Cover, and Gradient of the Lostine Riverkbout8.5l4ilesAbovetheMouth 166

City of Lostine Water Supply Dam, 7 Miles Above Mouth of Lostine 166

Sheep Ridge Irrigation Darn, Located 8.5 Miles Above the Mouth of the Lostine River...... 166

Daily Maximum and Minimum Temperatures of the Lostine River at a Temperature Station 9 Miles Above the Mouth, Fal). of ]957,...... ,.. 172 List of Figures (continued

Figur Page

Min.ain River. .. . . , . , . . , , . . a a aa e . s a . a. . . a. is as a 178

Boulder Section of the Minam lUver Just Below the Mouth ofhe Little

Gravel Deposits on the Minam River a Short Distance Above the Splash Dam Remnant..,....a,.,e..o.,.,,,e..e..,...... a181

Slope Cover of Conifers, Grass and Rock in the Minam ft. Basin at Confi. of Minavi and Little Minam Rivers,...... ,...,...... 181

Slope Cover on the Minar River Just Above the Mouth of the North Minam River...... ,...... ,...... 181

UpperEnd of Area of Wide,Shallow Stream Cross Section Which is Typical of the Lower I.nlnam ftiver...... ea....,., 1$2

Gravel Deposits in OneofMain Spring Chinook Spawning Areas of the Minam River, 2 Miles Below the HorseRanch...... 182

GravelBedon the )4inam River 11 Miles Above Minam Fails and the Splash Darn...... ss...a.,.sa...IaoasaaIas5ss 182

Minam Falls, Located 4.5 Miles Above the Horse Ranch on Minam River , . ,... .182

Splash Dam Remnant on the Minam River 300 Yards Above MinainFalls......

A Possible Fish-Cultural Impoundment Site on Minarn River Just Below the Mouthof theLittle MinarnRjver,...... 183

Lower Falls onLittle Miriam River, 5 Miles Above the Mouth.,..,.....1,...... 000...... ,183 Table

A List of Inventory Surveys Made on the Wal].owaRiver, 1957-59......

Location and Estimated Abundance of Gravel on the WallogaRjver...... ,..

A List of Obstructions and Unscreeried Diversion Ditches Noted on the Wallowa River During Surveys,1957-59. SI...... a...... o.a a. a

Average Monthly Discharge of the Wallowa River in Cubic Feet Per Second Below Waliowa Lake Dam for the Water Years195l-57......

Average Monthly Discharge of the Wallowa River Below Miriam, Oregon,1904-07and l9O9-l4..o...... a...... 123

Spot Observations of Temperature and Flow in the Wallowa River......

26. SpotObservations ofTemperature and Flow During the Inventory Survey of Prairie Creek,1959..

2?. A List of Obstructions to Fish Migration Noted on Prairie Creek During Surveysin August, September, and October, 1959......

28. Spot Observations of Temperature and Flow Obtained During the Inventory Survey of Big CanyonCreokonJuly3l, 1958...... a...... 134

29 Spot Observations of Discharge at the Mouths of Trout, Whiskey, Dry, and Howard Creeks 135

A Comparison Showing the Contribution of the West andEast Forks Toward the Flow of Wallowa River Below Wallowa Lake Dam, Water Years 1956-57...... 136

Annual Spawning Ground Counts of Spring Chinook Salmon Within an Index Unit on the Wal].owaRiver, 1952-57 138

Monthly Catch Records of Juvenile Salmon Captured in By-Pass Traps at Irrigation-Ditch Fish-Screen Installations on the WaJiowa River, 138

Spawning Ground Counts of Silver Salmon on the Wallowa River, 1957 ....,...., 140

Monthly Catch Records of Juvenile Rainbows Captured in By-Pass Traps at Irrigation-Ditch Fish-Screen Installations on the Waflowa River...... 141 List of Tables (continued)

Page

A List of Inventory Surveys Made on Hurricane Creek,1957-59 142

Location and Estimated Abundance of Gravel Deposits Within the Surveyed Section of Hurricane Creek 145

Average Monthly Flows in Cubic Feet Per Second on Hurricane Creek ata Point 8 Miles Above the Mouth ,, 146

Spot Observations of Temperature and Flow in Hurricane Creek 147

39. Annual Spawning Ground Counts of Spring Chinook Salmon Within Index Unitson Hurricane Creek, 1948-57..,...... 148

A List of Inventory Surveys Conducted on Bear Creek, 195759...... Islse 150

A List of Obstructions to Fish Migration on Bear Creek During Surveys,1957-59 152

Average Monthly Discharge in Cubic Feet Per Second for Bear Creek, 1951-57 e... 153

Spot Observations of Temperature and Flow in Bear Creek,by Month.,...... ,. 154

Monthly Catch Records of Juvenile Salmon Captured in By-Pass Traps at Irrigation-Ditch Fish-Screen Installations on Bear Creek...... ,..s ...... 155

Numbers and Distribution of Spring Chinook Spawning on Bear Creek, 1957-58...... ,..,.,...... , 156

Monthly Catch Records of Juvenile Rainbow-Steelhead Trout Captured in By-Pass Traps atIrrigation-Ditch Fish-Screen Installations on Bear Creek..,..., ,....0...,...,,l6

47, A List of Recommendations Concerning Obstructions and Diversions Located on the Main Stem of the Wallowa River,.. ., ...... ,. . .e ,, . . . . ,...... 161

48. Location and Estimated Abundance of Gravel ConcentratIonson the LostjneRjver,...,,..,,,,,.....,.....,,,.,.. 167

49, Average Monthly Flows in Cubic Feet Per Second for the Lostine River at a GagingStationLocated 9 Miles Above the Mouth, Water Years, 1951a.57.,.s, ,....,...,.,...169 List of Tables (continued)

Page

Spot Observations of Temperature and Flow for the Lostine River, Arranged by Month...... ,,..,o..,o...... e 170

51. Spawning Ground Counts of Spring Chinook in Index Units on the Lostine River, 1948-57 1.74

52. Monthly Catch Records of Juvenile Salmon Captured in By-Pass Traps at Irrigation-Ditch Fish-Screen Installations on the Lostine River 174

53. Monthly Catch Records of Juvenile B.ainbow-Steelhead Trout Captured in ByPass Traps at Irrigation-Ditch fish-Screen Installations on the Lostine River, ... 175

54. Ground and Aerial Inventory Surveys Conducted on the Miriam River, 1957-59 ...... ,,....,, 179

55. Estimated Percentages of Bottom Material Components on the Miriam River from Elk Creek to the Mouth ,..e...... ,....o184

56. Location and Estimated Acreage of Potential Fish-Cultural Impoundment Sites of the 4inamRiver..,...... ,...,.,,...... , 185

57. Mean Monthly Discharge (Cubic Feet Per Second) of Minam River Near the Mouth, June l912-Merch 1914 186

58. Spot Observations of Temperature and Flow, Miriam River, 1913, 1940, 1949, 1950, 1952-59 186

Spot Observations of Temperature and Flow at the Mouth of Certain Miriam River Tributaries 188

Annual Spawning Ground Counts of Spring Chinook Salmon in Index Units onthe Miriamltiver..,...,...... , 19

Spot Observations of Temperature and Flow, Little Miriam River, 1949-59...... ' 192

Spawning Ground Survey Counts of Spring Chinook Salmon, Little Miriam River, 1949-59 192 INTRODUCT ION

The Wallowa River is located in the extreme northeastern corner of Oregon and drains the northern slopes of the Wallowa Mountains and a large block of plateau land which separates the Wallowa and upper Grande Ronde basins. This stream system forms a sizable and important part of the Grande Ronde system to which it is tributary. The principal streams of the Wallowa River system areg main Wallowa, Minam, and Lostine Rivers, East and West Forks, and Hurricane, Bear, Prairie, and Big Canyon Creeks.

The East and West Forks, Prairie Creek, and Hurricane Creek join the Wallowa River in the upper reaches near Enterprise, Oregon (Figure 37); the Lostine River enters the main stem approximately 27 miles above the mouth near Lostine, Oregon; Bear Creek enters 5 miles further downstreamatWallowa, Oregon; and the Minam River and Big Canyon Creek enter the larger stream at points 12 and 14mllas, respectively, above the mouth near Minam, Oregon.The total drainage area in the Wallowa Basin exceeds 900 square miles. Elevation in thewatershed ranges from 10,000 feet above mean sea level in the Wallowa Mountains to 2,300 feet near the mouth of the Wallows River.

Anadromous salmonids known to utilize the Wallowa drainage are chinook salmon, silver salmon, and steelhead trout.At one time, blueback salmon were of great importance to the fisheries resource of the basin.However, the runs of these fish have for some time been extinct.

For the purposes of this report, the East and West Forks, Hurricane Creek, Bear Creek, Big Canyon Creek, and several minor tributariesare considered as an integral part of the presentation for the Wallows River main stem. Because of their greater individual importance, the Minam and Loetine Rivers are considered separately.

A complete list of obstructions and diversions are listed in APPENDIX, Table IV.

WALLOWA RIVER MAIN STEM

Introduotioq

The Wallowa River originates on the northern slope of the Wallows Mountains, and enters the Grande Ronde River approximately 81 miles above the mouth at Rondowa, Oregon (Figure 37). As regards both drainagearea and the production of anadromous fishes, it is the most important tributary of the Grande Ronde basin. The main stem of the Wallowa River is approximately 55 mila in length, and is formed by the juncture of the East and West Forks near theirpoints of emergence from the Wallowa Mountains. In the upper mile, the river flows into Wallova Lake through a canyon formed by the materials of former glacial morainea. For the next 3.5 miles, the stream is impounded in the basin of the lake.From Wallowa Lake it flows for some 30 miles through predominantly valley Land. Com- mencing at Dry Creek, the river enters a 20-mile-long canyon which extends to the mouth. In general the direction of flow is northwesterly.

The climate of the Wallows River region varies from cool temperatures and more than 50 inches of annual precipitation in the mountains to moderate temperatures and only slight precipitationinthe lowlands. Because of the great var- iance of elevation within the watershed, two periods of spring freshet ordinarily occur. These consist of an early period of high water due to run oft in the low lands and hills, and a later freahet of greater volume caused by the melting of snow in the mountains from late May into July.

-113- L E GEND Surveyed Stream Section Grand Ronde River Partially Surveyed Section Unsurveyed Stream Section

RONDOWA Gravel Area (each dot equals J approximately 10% per mile) . Falls

.0 Dam (man-made) H a iaa.Fl. Log Jam Beaver Dam Diverson, Unscreened MINAM Highway 82 Road Bridge Elgin 15 miles Potential Rearing Site r

'5.I

(Wo8-3

Survey data tor Minom River _"4 presented on I1'e Lostine separate mop .,il i-I i#t!i .I ENTERPRISE

a 9. \c. Fe (We- 6e) 7- F

(WoW.?) Q Wollowo C 3 Lake

-T '

Survey data (WsW for Lostifle R. presented on separate map SW ,(4 rs AneroId Lake Minam 2'. d' Lake °Mirror 4 Lake

SCALE OF MILES

FIGURE 73.WALLOWA RIVER SYSTEM The economy of the area is based primarily on income received from the live.. stock and lumbering industries and from the tourist trade,Extensive irrigation Is practiced in conjunction with the production of crops associated with the live.. stock industry. In 1916, the need for additionalirrigationwater in the Waflowa Valley led to the construction of Wa].lowa Lake Darn at the outlet of Wallows Lake. This dam is a concrete structure, 40 feet in height, and hasno provision for the passage of fish. It is reported to have been an important factor in the depletion of former blueback runs into Wallows Lake. Additional water forirrigation is brought into the Wallows Valley by an inter-basin canal from Sheep Creek of theImnahadrainage.The lumbering industry consists of both the harvesting and processing of timber. Large sawmills are located at Joseph, Enterprise, and Wallows, Tourist attractions include Wallows Lake State Park, the Wallows Moun tamrecreational area, and hunting and fishing throughout the entire region.

The Wallows River is accessible by State Highway 82 except in the lower 12 miles,Access to this lower reach of stream can be made either by railway or boat or, in good weather, by way ofa logging spur near Howard Creek. The mouths of the East and Weet Forks are accessible by road at Wallowa Lake and, above there, by trail.

Inventory Survey - Dates ai1d Areas

Surveys were conducted on the main stem of the Wallows River by foot, horse-- back, boat, and vehicle. The entire stream was observed for determination of physical characteristics. In addition to inventory surveys, several spawning ground surveys, to determine the numbers of silver salmon utilizing the stream, were made in 1957 and 1958. Other information concerning the Wallowa River has been obtained from previous spawning ground surveys and from the records ofan associated study concerning the feasibility of ree8tablish.ng bluebackruns in Wallows Lake (APPENDIX A).A detailed account of the various inventory surveys i presented in Table 20.

Survey Data

Terrain and Gradient: The terrain bordering the Wallows River is about equally divided between valley and canyon.The upper Wallows Valley commences near the outlet of Wallows Lake and extends to the lower perimeter of Enterprise. At this point the stream entersa medium to wide canyon which continues to Lostine. Prom Lostine to Dry Creek, the stream is adjoined by valley land, below which there is a canyon to the mouth.The upper valley is bordered on the south by the rugged escarpment of the WallowsMountains,and on the north by a moderately dissected plateau. A short distance below En*rprise, the stream commences a divergence away from the high mountains and from this point to the mouth, the canyon traverses the plateau.

The gradient of the Wallows River varies from moderate to steep, and is relatively favorable to the deposition of gravel. In general, the gradient is as follows: juncture of forks to Wallowa Lake, steep; Wallows Lake to Joseph, moderate to steep; Joseph to Enterprise, moderate; Enterprise to mouth, moderate to steep with one steep section approximately 2 mIles in length midway between Enterprise and Lostine,

Slope and Bank Cover: Adjacent to the upper Wallowa valley, the mountains are forested with coniferoustimber,while the plateau area to the north is veg- stated with grasses and sparse timber in the lower elevations Below Enterprise, the plateau is moderately to sparsely forested, with grasses and rocks predominant on many of the slopes along this section of the stream (Figure 38). Table 20. A List of Inventory Surveys Made on the Wal1owa River 1957-59.

Survey Distance Location of Surve SurveD 0

West Fork 10-24-58 7 horse (spot check)

Confluence of E. and W. 7-14-5 1 toot Forks to Wallowa Lake

Wallowa Lake to Joseph 10-4 and 10-7-7 1.5 toot

Joseph to Dorrance Rd. 9-24-58 1.5 toot

Dorrance Rd. to Market Rd. 8-26-58 1.5 foot

Market Rd. to Hurricane Ck. 10-30-57 3.5 foot

Hurricane Ck. to Parsnip Ck. 9-9-58 13 boat

Parsnip Ck. to Dry Ck. 9-10-58 11 boat

Dry Ck. to Minam River. 9-10-58 7 vehicle

1inain River to mouth 10-28-58 11 boat

Miriam River to mouth2,1 8-5-59 13. boat

2,/Surveyed on two occasions due to poor visibility on 10-28-58.

Bank cover along the upper reach of the river to the vicinity of Enterprise consists of coniferous timber and brush. From this point to Minam, the predominant cover is deciduous trees and brush (Figure 39). In the lower 7-mile section of this area, from Dry Creek to Minam, the stream is in a canyon with the highway located along one bank and a railway on the other bank. Cover here is largely absent. From Minam to the mouth of the river, bank cover is composed of grasses and rock intermixed with conifers and brush.

Shades Shading of the stream varies from poor in some areas to moderate or excellent in others. In general, shading is considered to be moderate to the vicinity of Wallowa where the stream becomes slightly shaded the remaining distance to the mouth (Figure 38). The stream section with the poorest bank cover is between Dry Creek and the mouth; however, since the stream in this area 10 in a relatively deep canyon the effect of lack of cover may be modified to some degree.

Stream Cross Sectiont The configuration of the channel varies considerably. From Wallowa Lake to the town of Wallowa, the channel cross section was classified as moderate. This part of the stream is composed of alternate sections of riffles and pools, and contains the main spawning areas of anadromous fishes. Below Wallowa to Dry Creek, the channel is wide and shallow. The occurrence in this area of a shallow streambed and only a slight amount of bank cover is conducive to greater extremes of water temperature than in other sections of the stream. From Dry Creek to the river mouth, the channel cross section varies from shallow to moderate with shallow areas being in the majority. S . i Mouth.FigureIntroduction 38, of Fall-Spawning Chinook (11-1-59). This Stream Section May Be Suited to theSlope Cover of Wallowa River Near the FigureisAbove Below 39.Lostine. Spawning Areas (9-58). Bank Cover Along the Wallows River Large Unscreened Ditch in Foreground Just

Passage40Figure Feet 40. ofIn Fish.Height and has no Provision for the Wallowa Lake Dam. This Structure is MilesFigureAbove, Below11. Darn Joseph. in 1958. Irrigation Darn on Wallows River 2.5 Salmon Redds Noted to, but not Bottom Materials: Although observations of bottom materials on the Wallows River were handicapped in some sections due to turbid water conditions, gravel in varying degrees ot abundance was, noted throughout much of the stream length. The area of greatest concentration of gravel is from Joseph to Enterprise.Twenty to 30 per cent of this approximately 6-mile section of stream is suitable for spawning. For a majority of the remaining stream, gravel suitable for spawning consti- tutes 10 to 20 per cent of the bottom. Rubble is the dominant bottom material in all secti.ns. Some of the gravel is moderately compacted due to siltation resulting from the return of irrigation waste water.A more detailed description of bottom materials is presented in Table 21.Also, the locations and relative abundance of gravel deposits are illustrated in Figure 37.

Obstructions and Diversions: Obstructions on the Wallows River consist of the Wallows Lake Dam, a log jam, an area of periodic low flows, and several unscreened diversion ditches and minor diversion dams (Appendix&Table IV).As previously reported, Wallows Lake Dam (Wa-?) is a concrete structure, 40 feet in height, with no facilities for thepassage of fish (Figure 40).The purpose of this dam is the storage of floodwaters in Wallows Lake for the use of irrigation- lets In Wallowa Valley. The utilization of Wallowa Lake as a storage reservoir results in a considerable fluctuation in the surface level of this lake.Gage records at the dam for the past 20 years indicate an annual fluctuation in the reservoir level of from 4 to 26 feet. In 1955, the lake level decreased approximately 9 feet during the month of August. The volume of water which can be stored above the natural lake level is approximately 41,000 acre.feet.There are three tunnel-type openings at the base of the dam which regulatethe discharge of water from the lake. Two of these openings discharge directly into diversion structures and the remaining one empties into the river channel When the lake level is high during the spring, the tunnel intakes may be submerged 20 or more feet. At this time, water is likely to spill over the crest of the dam tø the concrete apron below (Figure 40).

During the survey of the Wallowa River, 4 minor diversion darns were noted between Joseph and Enterprise which appeared to be obstructions to upstream migrants during periods of low flow. Two of these dams (Wa-5) arelocatedabove the spawning areas of chinook and silver salmon and are of significance only if bluoback salmon are reintroduced into Waflowa Lake.The 2 lowermost dams (Wa-2) are believed to obstruct the migration of chinook and silver salmon into upper spawning areas. Evidence which supports this opinion was obtained on August 26, 1958, when chinook salmon redda wore noted up to the vicinity of the lower dam with no further indications of these fish above, even though suitable spawning area is present. Further details concerning the aforementioned darns are presented in Table 22 and Figure 3?.FIgure41 depicts oneof the observed dams.

There are about 54 ditches which divert water from the main stem of the Wallows River.Approximately half of these ditches are unscreened.Seven of the unscreened ditches (Wa-6), including some of thelargestdiversions on the river, are located near or above Joseph, and are upstream from the present production areas of anadromous fishes. The remaining ones (Wa-i) are situated in or below production areas (Figure 39). The ditches range in width from 3 to 15 feet and are used principally to convey irrigation water.Table 22 presents the general location, and widths of the unscreened ditches.The ditch locations are also indicated in Figure 37.

Other barriers on the Wallows River include a log jam (Wa-3) and an area of low summer flow (Wa-4). The section of low flow is created by the withdrawal of irrigation water above and at Joseph. The length of stream affected Is about one-third mile, and in some years, this section baa become completely dewatered Table 21. Location and Estimated Abundance of Gravel on the Wallowa River,

Forks to WallowaLake

Wallowa Lake to Joseph

Joseph to Enterprise

Enterprise to Wa].lowa

Wallowá to Minei

Minam to mouth

/ Estimate based on observation of 25 to 50 per cent of bottom. Observation of bottom materials hindered by turbid water conditions.

Table 22.A List of Obstructions and Unscreened Diversion Ditches Notedon the Wallowa River During Surveys, 1957-59.

Wailowa to Lostine 7 unsoreened irrigation Widths of diversions are 1.5, ditches (Wa-i) 2, 3, 3, 3, 10 and 13 feet. Lostine to Enter- 2 unscreened irrigation Widths of ditches 3.5 and 10 feet. prise ditches (Wa-i) Enterprise to 9 unsoreened irrigation Widths of ditchee are 3, 3, 3, 3, Joseph ditches (Wa-i) 6, 6, 6, 8, and 1feet. Area of intermittent Located just below Joseph-blocks summer flow (Wa-I) only a negligible amount of spawning area for existing species. Located in area of low flow. Believed to obstruct passage to good spawning area in some years. Dams have concrete abutments and use stop boerde to regulate head. Located 2.5 & 2.7 ml. below Joseph. Joseph to Wailowa Lake Dam (Wa-? Structure 40 feet in height-no Wallowa Lake fish passage facilities. 7 unscreened diversion Widths of ditches are 3.5, 3.5, ditches (Wa-6) 4.5, 6, 10, 12, & 30 feet. 2 irrigation dame (Wa-7) Low water barriers-only negligible spawning area above for existing anadromoue species, Located at Joseph. in the late summer and earlyfall.During seasons when thiscondition is pre- valent, a satisfactory stream flow is reinstated approximately one-third mile below Joseph by the influx of irrigation waste water and ground water. The area of low flow is located near the upper terminus of the strewn section ofvalue for the spawning of chinook or silver salmon and is, therefore, consideredto be of only minorimportance tothese fish. It would, however, influence the migration of adult blueback salmon, were this species to bereestablished in Wallowa Lake.

The aforementioned log jam is located about halfwaythrough the section of feet in height. low flow. It is approximately 60 feet wide, 30 feet long,and 4 It could not determined if this jam is passable toupstream migrants, but it appears serious. Asin the case of the area of low flow, thejam is of signif- bluoback into Wallow* icance only in theevent ofthe reintroduction of anadromous unsoreened diversion take at some future time.The locations of obstructionsand ditches on the Wallows River are depicted inFigure 37.

Impoundment and Hatchery Sites: Due to a large expanse of valley land along the Wallows River, innumerable sites are present which may be suitable for the construction of impoundments. One site which shows indication of promise is located between the Lostine and Wallows Rivers, approximately one-halfmileabove the confluence of these two streams (Figure 37). At this site, there are two springs which discharge an estimated 1.5 c.f.s. each. The land is owned by Frank Renthrow of Wallows, Oregon. In the summer of 1958, Mr. Renthrow indicated a willingness to permit use of 10 acres of his land for the construction of an' impoundment for the rearing of salmon. Mr. Renthrow has stated that the springs do not freeze in the winter and that the temperature of the spring water is quite constant. On two occasions, July 14, 1958, at 11:00 a.m. and September 24, 1959, at 2:00 p.m., the temperature of the spring water has been 55°F. Other nearby springs have been reported but not verified.

Other than a possibility of hatchery development at the Renthrow farm, no sites appeared suitable for the construction of a hatchery. At the present time, the Oregon Game Conuniss ion operates a trout hatchery at Enterprise which utilizes both the Wallows River and a small spring as a water supply.

Flow and Temperature Data: The flow pattern of the Wallows River is greatly influenced by irrigation practices which exist in the Wallows Valley. Some of the factors affecting the discharge of the river at various times and in different sections are: (1) the storage of water for irrigation in Wallows Lake Reservoir each year from October to May; (2) the extensive withdrawal of irrigation water from the stream from May through September; (3) the volumes of discharge of several tributaries; (4) the influx of' groundwater and irrigation waste water; and (5) the conveyance of water from Big Sheep Creek (Imnaba drainage) for irrigation use in the Wallows Valley (waste water return into Wallows River). Despite the extensive irrigation demands made on the Wallows River, the volume of flow is generally satisfactory from a fisheries standpoint.This is largely due to favorable groundwater conditions which allow the stream flow to recover rapidly from depletion by irrigation. As previously indicated, only one section of the stream (below Joseph) is subject to critically low flows and this is the result of the concentrated removal of water for irrigation purposes within a short length of stream.Also, the flow in this area is rapidly restored.

For, the period 1951 through 1957, the average maximum and average minimum monthly discharges of the Wallows River at Wallows Lake Dam were 49? and 42 c.f.s., respectively. Table 23 presents the average monthly discharge at the dam for this same period of time.As for flow records for other sections of the stream, the most recent data that have been published are those from 1904 to 1914.

-120- Tear Oct. Nov. Table 23. Per Second Below Wallows. LakeDec. Dam for the Water Years 1951-57. / Average Monthly Discharge of theJan. Wallowa River in Cubic Feet Feb. Mar. Apr. June July Aug. Sept. 195119521953 45.764.456.0 33.458.659.2 62.160.634.3 61.534.779.9 50.129.272.0 46.539.359.2 79.047.359.1 125.3217.0250J 430.0138.2439.5 440.9401.7 306.3204.9 104.2 58.8 19%19551954 86.444.957.7 60.381.040.5 ê90.635.152.9 66.337.446.8 14.l35.856.5 45.848.841.0 128.0 49.481.0 377.0149.0305.0 464.0332.0539.0 396.0302.0388.0 136.0123.0 95.6 1957 / Data obtained from USGS Waterstation1952 Supply adjusted located Papers 1,000by 1217, combining feet 1247, below 1287,discharges Wallows. 1347, of 1397,Lake Wallows. Darn. 1447, Riverand 1517. and diversion62.6 ditches abov, gaging station. Gaging 56.0 60.8 46.4 52.4 55.0 63.7 415.0 574.0 274.0 Data106.0 of 1951and Some of these data, obtained at a former USGS gaging station at Miriam, Oregon, are presented in Table 24. The degree of similarity between the flow pattern depicted in the old records and the present day conditions of flow at Miriam are unknown. It can be stated, however, that the volume of discharge of the Wallows River at Minam is always substantial.During the inventory survey of the Wallows River, the estimated flows ranged from about 1 cf.s. on October 7, 1957, immedi.. ately below Joseph to 135 o.f,s. at Wallows on August 10, 1958. The flow data obtained during the inventory surveys are included in Table 25 with other flow data extracted from spawning ground survey records and from instantaneous floi records of the USGS.

To obtain detailed data concerning the water temperatures of the Wallows River, two continuously recording water thermometers were installed and operated. One recorder was installed in the principal spawning area about midway between Joseph and Enterprise. The other recorder was placed some 30 to 35 miles further downstream, about 3 miles above the town of Miriam and the mouth of the Minam River.The uppermost recorder was operated intermittently from early April 1958 until late October 1959. Data resulting from the operation of this recorder indicate the existence of water temperatures favorable to the production of anadromous salmonids in the stream where the recorder was located (Figures 42 and 43). Since the water temperatures of this section of stream do not appear to be gener-. ally severe in the winter, the data also suggest that Wallows Lake has a tempering effect on the stream.

The lowermost temperature recorder was operated from mid-June 1959 until late September 1959. As would be expected for a station of lower altitude, the records obtained near Minam indicate warmer summer water conditions than present on the stream between Joseph and Enterprise (Figure 44). A comparison of the records of the two stations shows that during periods of highest water temperatures, the temperature ii the lower area may exceed that of the upper stream section by as much as 10°?. As indicated in Figure 44, the warmest water temperatures occur on the Wallowa River near Miriam in July and August.In 1959, during the 62 days existing in these two months, the water temperature reached or exceeded 65°F. on 48 days and attained or exceeded 70°F. on 17 days. On the warmest days when the water temperature would reach 720?., a temperature of this magnitude had a duration of approximately 1 to 2 hours, and the temperature would remain above 70°F. for approximately 3 to 5 hours. The average diurnal fluctuation in water temperature during the 17 days when the temperature reached or exceeded was about 14°?. Additional temperature data obtained from the inventory surveys, past spawning ground surveys, and USGSrecords areincluded in Table 25. Also presented are the records of a temperature station maintained by the USFWS on the Wallows River below Wallows, Oregon, in 1957 (Figure 45).

Tributaries; Under this section, dataare presented for Prairie, Big Can- yon, Trout, Whiskey, Dry, Howard Creeks, and the West and East Forks. Only Prairie and Big Canyon Creeks and the West Fork were surveyed. Immediately following this section, the survey data for Hurricane and Bear Creeks are submitted. These streams are presented in more detail because of their greater importance. Reports for themajor tributaries, Miriam and Lostine Rivers, are given separately following the discussion and recommendation section for the Wallowa River and the abovementioned lesser tributaries. Water Table 24. Below Minam, Oregon, 1904-07Average and 1909-14. Monthly / Discharge of the Wallowa River 1904Year1905 Oøt440 Nov 388858 De 389652 Jan396501 Fb 401661 1,270 2,610 944 1,5802,750 2,5903,1.10 2,330 768 287 428273 19071906 -372512547 1,420 434525 1,010 315 708326 1,530 626453 1,200 759917 1,6001,770 2,5302,000 3,1002,600 1,2801,720 623679384 478401359 1909 419 794 1,210 2,130 3,960 1,860 19101912 431467 430932 675356 400687 671880 2,850 661 1,7602,930 3,0703,190 4,7101,890 2,070 64]. 861386315 601353351 19141913 / Data obtained from USGS Water Supply Paper 1,217. 478446 495547 448392 344538 494396 1,3401,040 2,530 - - - - 3,770 4,850 2,040 624 417 Table 25. Spot Observations

Date Location Above Time Temp. in °y Est. Flow Mouth (Mfles) Air Water inc.t.s.

8-23-40 12 3:30 p.m. - 71 8-19-50 9 12:00 noon - 65 8-16-52 1? 8:45 a.m. 66 57 150 8-24-53 42 1:30 p.m. - 54 25 8-25-54 43 '11:00 a.m. 54 52 15 8-14-55 43 11:15 san. 68 59 8-14-55 48 11:15 a.m. 68 59 8-20-55 46 2:30 p.m. 78 55 9-1-55 44 2:35 p.m. - - 9-1-55 46 9-7-55 46 1:15 p.m. 8-23-56 44 9:45 a.m. 8-29-56 44 9:30a.m. 9-4-56 44 8:45 a.m. 58 48 9-10-56 43 9:10 a.m. 62 53 20 9-24-5631 5]. 4:00 p.m. 63 59 72 11-9-562/ 31 11:20 aan. 48 43 28 11-24-5631 51 -- -- - 29 12-13-56 51 -_ - - 39 3-13-57 51 10:00 san. 34 38 29 5-16-57 51 - - -- 402 5-21-5? 51 - -- - 483 6-5-57 51 -- -- - 1,180 6-7-572/ 51 -_ - - 813 8-27-57 1,4 11:40 a.m. 7) 53 20 8-27- 57 42 11:45 a.m. 66 56 10-4-57 50 2:00 p.m. 42 54

10-4- 57 50 ' 2:00 p.m. 10-7-57 49 2:10 p.m. 47

10-18-5? 46 ' 10:35 a.m. 45 48 10-18-57 42 11:40 a.m. 53 48 10-28-57 46 11:15 a.m. 44 47 8-5-58 11 10:40 a.m, 74 63 400 8-26-58 48 12:30 p.m. 78 57 50 8-26-58 47,4 1:30 p.m. 81 57 8-26-58 46 3:15 p.m. -- 58 30 9-24-58 50 2:20 p.m. 54 54 9 9-24-58 49 3:00 p.m. 20 9-24-58 48 3:50 p.m. 54 51 25 9-9-58 41 2:10 p.m. 78 62 100 9-9-58 37 2:45 p.m. 74 63 100 9-9-58 31 5:10 p.m. 76 63 100 9-9-5 8 29 5:30 p.m. 67 62 100 9-10-58 26 10:25 a.m. 76 55 100 9-10-58 24 11:40 a.m. 76 58 100 9-10-58 23 1:00 p.m. 84 61 135 9-10-58 21 2:00 p.m. 86 64 135 10-28-58 12 12:55 p.m. 66 46 300 10-28-58 11 12:50 p.m. 66 46 200 10-28-58 8 2:00 p.m. 47 45 200 Data obtained from USGS records, La Grande, Oregon. Other data collected by OFC, Research Division.

-124- 2 . 65 55 - - , A. ' '-, I-' \ I' '-S' 4 , J II',"I I..* 1..- '/ \ ''j' '-I J E-' t I I'I' ' A y 1'_\ l4inimum 40L35- v ) 'S 4 A , 32 10 April 20 I the Va11ow River 2 NilesFigure Above 42. 30 I 10 I Daily Mexlrniin and Nininum TemperaturesNay 20 I 30 1958I Enterprise,10 I Oregon, 1958. June 20 I 30 I 10 ofI July 20 I 30 I A (' 65 605.5 Maxi 5O __I j% I' \_g 4) -- l -' 't '. ,/ _J 4 440 I /\ MinimumIl 'V r 'I V I 35 "J \' ' t Y \ 32 10 I Anguet 20 I 30 Figure 42 10 I September D&ily Water20 Teperaturee Iof the Wallova River (cont,) 30 I 1958 10 j October 20 I 30 I 10 November 20 30 10 December 20 30 65 6055 ii A ItIr I\ * %__.__ S ,St ': t\ 'I .45 I I t % ,, V -'il Is t I \ I401 35 V '11 U I - iv !..lVl ii'I \i f\i ''-Minimum 32 I I I I I I I I I -I February! 10 20 the10 Wallowa River 2 MileaFigure Above 43. Enterpriae, Oregon, 1959. March 20 30 Daily Maximum and Minimum Tenperaturea of 10 April 20 30 1959 10 May 20 June