Overview of the Upper

Upper Klamath Klamath Lake and Agency Lake Drainage Lake TMDL

Upper Klamath Lake - Hanks Marsh

Page 1-24 Why is DEQ doing a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL)?

1. The federal Clean Water Act requires that water quality standards are developed to protect sensitive beneficial uses.

2. Water bodies that do not meet water quality standards are designated as water quality limited and placed on the 303(d) list.

3. All 303(d) listed water bodies are required to have TMDLs that develop pollutant loading that Williamson River meet water quality standards.

Page 2-24 What is a Total Maximum Daily Load?

A TMDL Distributes the Allowable Pollutant Loading Between Sources

TMDL = WLA + LA(NPS+Background) + MOS + RC

• Waste Load Allocations (WLA) -Allowable pollutant loading from point sources

• Load Allocations (LA(NPS+Background) ) - Allowable pollutant loading from nonpoint sources and natural background sources

• Margin of Safety (MOS) - Portion of the pollutant load held back to account for uncertainty in the analysis.

• Reserve Capacity (RC) - Portion of the pollutant Upper Klamath Lake load held back in reserve for future growth Page 3-24 Water Quality Limited Water Bodies

303(d) Listings in Red

Page 4-24 Why is Phosphorus Targeted in the TMDL? Total phosphorus load reduction is the primary and most practical mechanism to reduce algal biomass and attain water quality standards for pH and dissolved oxygen. • Seasonal maximum algal growth rates are controlled primarily by phosphorus, and secondarily by light and temperature.

• High phosphorus loading promotes production of algae, which, then modifies physical and chemical water quality characteristics that diminish the survival and production of fish populations.

Algal Bloom in Upper Klamath Lake

Page 5-24 Impacts of Poor Water Quality on Beneficial Uses Fisheries and aquatic health have suffered from poor water quality

Drying sucker fish at the Lost River. Tribal fishing for "We thought nothing of suckers was stopped in the catching a five- or six-pound mid-1980’s. trout," recalls Basin resident Ivan Bold, remembering days Historically, the Karuk people of of better fishing. Fishing the Klamath River harvested fish. guides are also noting Contemporary Karuk fishermen declining catches as the continue to dip net at Ishi Pishi Basin's waterways struggle to Falls on the Klamath River. There, support the demands placed they may still harvest salmon and on them. (OWRD, 2001) winter steelhead for subsistence purposes (NCIDC Photo Gallery).

Page 6-24 Mean Lake Data (Kann and Walker, 2001) Water Quality Monitoring 450 Outflow Sites – Nutrients & Flow 400 Lake (USBR, USGS, Klamath 350 Tribes, OSU, ODEQ) 300

250 S# S#

W 200 Upper i l A S# l i n Klamath a n S# ie Marsh m 150 C s r o Total Phosphorus(ppb) e S n e # k Su R n W Sycan 100 S# i v

C i

l e l arsh i M r r S# a S# S# e S# e m 50 k S#S# S#S# S# s S# S# S#o S# S# # n S# S# S# S# R 0 W # i

S v S# o# S# S S# e 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 S# o S# S#S# S# d S#S# # r # S# S# S# S#S R 400 S##iSvS#S# # Se # S S## S# r S S S# S#S S# y #S# # S## c S# S S S S# a 350 S# n S# # S# S# S R S# i S# v e 300 r S# # S# S# S# N.F. S#S# S# S# S S# S# S#S# S# S# S# S# S# S#S#S# Sprague River S# S# S# 250 S# # S# S S# S# S# S## F S# SSS# i S# S# s S# S.F. 200 h S# h S# o S# le S# # S S#S# C 150 S# r S# S# e e Chlorophyll-a (ppb) S# k S# S# 100 S#

50 pH > 9.0 pH > 9.5 0 DO < 4 DO < 6 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 10.5 100%

10.0 75%

9.5 WQ Standard 50% 9.0 pH 8.5 25% Lake WQ Standard Excursion Frequency Excursion

8.0 Frequency Excursion 0% 7.5 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

7.0 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 Page 7-24 Empirical Relationship Relating Total Phosphorus, Chlorophyll-a and pH (Walker 2001) Violations of water quality standards for pH and dissolved oxygen are directly related to algal productivity which in turn, is a function of phosphorous loading. Statistical Relationships support total phosphorus load reduction as the management goal for Upper Klamath and Agency Lakes

Chlorophyll-a v. Phosphorus Yearly lake mean total phosphorus is associated with chlorophyll-a to derive a TMDL target for total phosphorus.

Lake Mean pH v. Chlorophyll-a Chlorophyll-a correlates to lake mean pH. To achieve the pH standard of 9.0, a target concentration of chlorophyll-a is necessary.

Page 8-24 Indications of Lake Water Quality Changes “The view of the lake as a naturally hypereutrophic system is consistent with its shallow morphology, deep organic-rich sediments, and a large watershed with phosphorus-enriched soils. However, watershed development, beginning in the late-1800’s and accelerated through the 1900’s, is strongly implicated as the cause of its current hypereutrophic character.” -Bortleson and Fretwell 1993

Sediment Core Data (Eilers 2001)

Sediment Accumulation Rate (g/m2 yr) Distribution of Blue Green Algae in Sediment Core

2000 0 0

1975 5 5 1950 Aphanizomenon

1925 10 10 1900

15 1875 15 Depositional Year Sediment Depth (cm) Sediment Depth (cm) 1850 20 20 1825

1800 25 25 0 5 0 5 10 15 20 10 15 20 0% 3% 6% 9% 12% 15% Sediment core analysis demonstrates that sediment Nitrogen fixing blue-green algae accumulation rates have increased over that past are now more abundant 120 years indicating an increase in phosphorus availability Page 9-24 Total Phosphorus Loading to the Lake

Total Phosphorus Load as a Function of External and Internal Loads (Walker 2001)

600 Average Annual TP Loading External Load 466 mtons/yr Internal Load

500 169 220 External Loading 400 182 mtons/yr Internal 182 208 Loading 113 208 39% of total 241 285 mtons/yr 300 61% of total

112

200 394 376

294 285 265 257

Total Phosphorus Loading (mtons/year) Loading Total Phosphorus 100 195 212

0 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 Average

External Total Phosphorus Loads are Targeted as the Primary Control for AFA blooms and Corresponding pH Increases Page 10-24 Annual External Total Phosphorus Loads (Kann and Walker, 2001) External Phosphorus Load Distributions of External Phosphorus Loading, Total Inflow Current Phosphorus Load 181.6 Drainage Area and Flow Input to Upper Klamath and Total Tributary/Spring Inflow 176.7 Agency Lakes Wetland Sources Factored into Nonpoint Source Areas 100% Crooked Creek Hatchery 1.9 Ch iloq uin S TP 0.6 90% Crooked Creek Hatchery Pre cipitatio n 4.9 Springs, Ungaged Tribs & Misc Sources 18.1 80% Chiloquin STP A gricultural Pumps Directly to Lake 20.5 Precipitation 70% S eve nMile Cre ek 16.5 Springs, Ungaged Tribs & Misc Sources W ood R i ve r To ta l 35.2 60% Agricultural Pumps Directly to Lake Wood River below Weed Rd. 13.5 Wood River above Weed Rd. 21.7 50% SevenMile Creek Williamson Rive r To ta l 86.4 Wood River 40% Williamson Rive r 37.8 Sprague River Sprague River 48.7 Distribution of Total Distribution 30% Williamson River 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200 20% Total Phosphorus Load Export Area and InflowVolume Lake to (1000 kg per year) 10% External Phosphorus Unit Area Load Portion ofExternal Phosphorus Load, Drainage 0% Total Tributary/Spring Inflow 18.6 Current Phosphorus Unit Area Load External Drainage Inflow Wetland Sources Factored into Nonpoint Source Areas Phosphorus Area Volume to Load Lake Crooked Creek Hatchery N/A Ch iloq uin S TP N/A • External sources of phosphorus are distributed Pre cipitatio n 18.0 throughout the Upper Klamath Lake drainage. Springs, Ungaged Tribs & Misc Sources 15.8 A gricultural Pumps Directly to Lake 188.2 • For simplicity, these sources are broken into S eve nMile Cre ek 156.2 source areas and that contribute directly to the W ood R i ve r To ta l 90.0 lake phosphorus levels. Wood River below Weed Rd. 237.0 Wood River above Weed Rd. 64.9 • Unit area loads can be used to identify pollutant Williamson Rive r To ta l 11.2 “hot spots” or source areas. Williamson Rive r 10.8 Sprague River 11.5

0 50 100 150 200 250 Total Phosphorus Unit Load Export Page 11-24 (kg /km 2 per year) Page 12-24 Anthropogenic External Sources of Total Phosphorus Anthropogenic sources of external loading (loading from sources other than natural background and sediments in the lake) have increased total loading to the lake via: 1) Reclaiming/draining near lake wetlands for agricultural uses. Wetland reclamation and use may account for 29% of the external total phosphorous loading to the lake (ODEQ 2001), and Agriculture Pumps on 2) Increased water yields and runoff rates in the Williamson and Reclaimed Wetlands Sprague River Drainages have been documented in the 1951-1996 period that are independent of climatic conditions (Riseley and Laenen Wood River Reclaimed Wetland at 1998). The increase in water yield is likely caused by channelization, Modoc Point Road wetland/riparian area conversions and reductions evapotranspiration in the watershed. Increased water yields are associated with increased erosion and particulate total phosphorus transport. These increased water yields are likely the result human land use and may account for 18% of the external phosphorus loading to the lake (ODEQ 2001).

Turn of the century canal construction & wetland draining Wood River Canal

Agricultural Returns and Nutrient Erosion and Particulate Total Leaching from the Lower Williamson Phosphorus Transport River Delta Page 13-24 Wetland Reclaimed Water Table Water Dike communication). Lake Water Column Williamson River Delta River Williamson Dikes are constructed to Williamson River Delta ranging 1 to from feet. 13 ranging waters. Gravity drainage and Gravity waters. drainage Lake Reclaimed Wetland in these areas due to in these areas due soil loss, Lake Reclaimed Wetland water surface elevation and thewater surface elevation and the reclaimed wetlands can wetlands reclaimed the areas.Synder and Morace maintain lower water surface water lower maintain agricultural pumps maintain lower pumps agricultural river and lake waters. Gravity waters. lake and river water surface elevations below the elevations water surface the wetland from thethe riverlake and (Snyder, personal communication). (Snyder, personal elevation between the lake and dikes. The difference betweenlake Maximum subsidence in this area is drainageand agriculture pumps reach 7-8 feet. Subsidence these in is a experienced commonly elevations below the dikes. The dikes. the below elevations (1997) reportsubsidence values Example of an Upper Klamath Upper an of Example decomposition and loss of buoyancy and decomposition reported as 9-10 feet (TNC, as 9-10 reported personal Example of an Upper Klamath Dikes are constructed are Dikes to disassociate difference between water surface reclaimed wetland can reach 7-8 feet. wetland reclaimed disassociate the wetland fromthe Subsidence is commonly experienced is commonly Subsidence Wetland – River Delta Williamson Gravity Drainage Dikes

Willi amson River Upper Klamath Lake Klamath Upper Upper Klamath Lake Landsat Image (August, 2000) Rectified Aerial Photo Aerial Rectified August, 1998 Aerial Views of a Reclaimed Wetland Reclamation - Physical Changes to the Lake System

Extensive wetland draining has occurred around Upper Klamath Lake and Agency Lake, starting in 1889 and continuing through 1971. Drained wetlands are a large source of nutrients to Upper Klamath Lake (data and image from Snyder, 2001 ).

Phosphorus losses from reclaimed wetlands peaked in 1963 at 68,200 kg per year. Estimated year 2001 estimates are greatly reduced to ≈11,000 kg per year due to wetland restoration that is in progress. This represents a best-case scenario where restored wetlands not longer contribute to peat soil decomposition. Calculations that estimate a condition in which no restoration is occurring substantially increase the losses in phosphorus to ≈52,000 kg per year. It is important to note that the average total external phosphorus load to Upper Klamath Lake is 181,600 kg per year. Therefore, total phosphorus derived from reclaimed wetlands potentially account for 29% of the external load.

Estimated Phos phorus Loss from Reclaimed Wetlands (Based on Calculated First Order Decay Rates) 25000 80

Chiloquin Without Wetland Re stora tion 20000 64 Ag en cy Lake

15000 48 Rocky Point

Upper Klamath 10000 32 Lake (1000 kg per year) per kg (1000

With Wetland Reclaimed Wetla nds Re stora tion UpperKlamath Lake (acres) 5000 16 Estimated Phosphorus Lossfrom DrainedWetlands Connected that to Re claime d Wetland Area Undrained Wetlands Drained Wetlands 0 0 Klamath Falls Restoration in progress August 1, 2000 (Landsat 7 Image) 1880 1890 1900 1910 1920 19 30 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 2030 2040 Year Page 14-24 Wood River Longitudinal Increases in Total Phosphorus Concentration (river mile 0.0 and river mile 5.9)

450 RM 0 • Total phosphorus concentrations measured in RM 5.9 400 tributaries and rivers are elevated above Lake Mean TP headwater spring (background) conditions. 350 Mean Spring (77 ppb) • Paired water quality data collected longitudinally 300 along Wood River over a five-year period showed 250 that nutrient concentrations increased consistently as the river traveled through heavily impacted 200 areas in the lower watershed (i.e. downstream 150 Total Phosphorus (ppb) from Weed Road Bridge) (Kann and Walker,

100 2001).

50 • Median total phosphorus concentrations increases summarized by year (1993 to 1999) 0 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 range from 45 to 17 µg/l. 450 • Seasonal increase greater than 50 µg/l are associated with winter and spring flows. 350 50% 50%

250 40%

150 30% 25% Yearly Median 20% 17% RM 5.9 RM 0 (ppb) to 50 8% 10%

Wood RiverWood Change inPhosphorus Total -50 Wood River (RM 5.9 to RM 0) RM to 5.9 (RM River Wood Increases in Total Phosphorus Phosphorus in Total Increases 0% Greater than 50 ppb in the Lower Lower ppb in the 50 than Greater Seasonal Distribution of Measured Measured of Distribution Seasonal Jan-Mar Apr-Jun Jul-Sep Oct-Dec -150 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 Page 15-24 Upland Total Phosphorus Loading as a Function of Flow Rate

• A strong signal of watershed disturbance is provided in sediment core values for titanium (Ti) and aluminum (Al), both of which suggest major increases in erosion inputs to Upper Klamath Lake in the last century (Eilers et al. 2001). • Gearheart et al. (1995) report that the total phosphorus concentrations in many of the UKL tributaries can be correlated to both runoff events and suspended solids concentrations. • Spring systems such as Spring Creek, a major tributary to the Williamson River that comprises the majority of base flow downstream of Upper Klamath Marsh, cause a poor correlation between water yield and total phosphorus loading rates. • A strong correlation between water yield and loading rates indicates that the Sprague River is a primary source of erosional and runoff phosphorus loading. When summarized by monthly values, the Sprague River phosphorus loading is a function of season and high flow timing.

Total Phosphorus Loading Monthly Comparison Daily Total Phosphorus Loading v. Flow Rate 75th Percentile, Median Value and 25th Percentile 10,000

) Williamson River Sprague River at Mouth Williamson River Upstream of -1 700 700 (n = 151) Sprague Rive Confluence Upstream Sprague River (n = 146) Confluence . 0.8838 ) 600 600 1,000 LTP = 1.3983 Q -1 R2 = 0.46, n = 146 500 500 Sprague River at Mouth 100 400 400 . 1.2086 LTP = 0.0433 Q R2 = 0.89, n = 151 300 300

10 200 200 - Daily Total Phosphorus Loading (kg day (kg Loading Phosphorus Total Daily - TP Total Phosphorus Loading (kg day 100 100 L 1 0 0 1 10 100 1,000 10,000 Q - Flow Volume (cfs) July July May May March March

January January Page 16-24

November November

September September Upland Total Phosphorus Loading as a Function of Flow Rate and Increased Water Yield Two Sample Tests for Differences in Williamson and Sprague River Annual Runoff for Two Periods • Historical flow data from the Williamson River and (1922-1950 and 1951-1996) Sprague River drainages suggest that runoff patterns (Risley and Laenen, 1998) have changed as a result of human land use patterns 500 44% (Riseley and Laenen 1998). 1922-1950 42% • Long-term climate data (precipitation and air 450 1951-1996 temperature) were included in the analysis to account Average Increase 40% 400 for the influence of climate on historical runoff data. 38% 350 • Annual runoff in the Williamson River has been 36% measured below the confluence and at the mouth of 300

Yearly Runoff Yearly the Sprague River near Chiloquin. (1000 acre-feet) (1000 34%

Mean Yearly Runoff • The average yearly water yields have increased by 250 32% Observed Increase in Increase Observed Mean 34% in the Williamson River subbasin and 42% in the 200 30% Sprague River subbasin (Riseley and Laenen 1998). Williamson R. Subbasin Sprague R. Subbasin Williamson River and Sprague River Drainage Water Yields and Associated Total Phosphorus Loading Rates External Phosphorus Potential Total Increase in Current Load Phosphorus Load Water Yield from External Total Associated Reduction as a 1922-1950 Phosphorus with Increased Percent of the Total Period to 1951- Load Water Yield External Load 1996 Period (1000 kg/year) (1000 kg/year) (181,600 kg/year) Williamson River 34.2% 37.8 12.9 7.1% Subbasin Sprague River 41.6% 48.7 20.2 11.1% Subbasin Total 37.8% 86.5 32.7 18.0% Page 17-24 pH Model

Conceptual Diagram of the pH Model (Walker, 2001) Outflow Hydrology

Total Phosphorus Non-Algal Algal Phosphorus Loading Phosphorus Chlorophyll-a

Other Variables Solar Radiation Lake Depth pH Water Temperature Julian Day

Sediments

Burial Phosphorus Flux

Control Pathway

The response of pH levels at various phosphorus loading levels for Upper Klamath and Agency Lakes was developed using a dynamic mass-balance model that simulates phosphorus, chlorophyll-a and pH variation as function of external phosphorus loads and other controlling factors (see Conceptual Diagram). The model is calibrated with extensive monitoring data collected for the Lake and its tributaries between 1992 and 1998. Page 18-24 Lake Time Series Total Phosphorus Mass Balance Dynamics (Walker, 2001)

Phosphorus sources to the lake water column result from Lake Mean Total Phosphorus Concentration inflow (including precipitation) and recycling from lake data from Kann and Walker (2001) sediments. Phosphorus losses from the lake result from 200 150 outflow and gross sedimentation. Biweekly phosphorus flux Average pathways (i.e. inflows, outflows, gross sedimentation, recycling 100 and burial) combine to control the total available phosphorus 50

Total Phophorus Total 0

concentration in the lake at any given time (see black line). Concentration (ug/l) July May April

Seasonally, external loading dominates in the spring and June March August January internal loading is dominant in the summer, while the fall is October February November December period when gross sedimentation creates a negative flux from September the lake water column. Lake Total Phosphorus Flux Pathways Inflow Outflow Gross Sed Recycle Burial Net Flux 75,000

50,000

Phosphorus Sources, Losses and Sinks 25,000 Precipitation

Inflow Outflow 0

Upper Klamath Lake -25,000

Gross Recycling days) / 14 (kg TP Load Sedimentation -50,000 Net Retention -75,000 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 Page 19-24 pH Response at Various Total Phosphorus Load Reduction

Lake-Mean pH Frequency as a Function of Phosphorus Load Reduction (Walker, 2001)

Frequency of pH Values > 9.0

Reduction in External Year Round Summertime Mean Loading Mean June-July Improvement inpH

TP Load Reduction 0% 29% 75% 25% 16% 28% 30% 15% 19% 35% 5% 11% 40% 4% 6% 45% 0% 3% 50% 0% 0% 55% 0% 0%

Simulation results are expressed as relationships between percent reductions in external total phosphorus loads and pH excursion frequencies, computed using various spatial and temporal averaging methods. Total phosphorus reduction simulation results for external phosphorus loading reductions ranging from 0% to 55%. Analytical outputs suggest that excursion frequencies for the pH standard can theoretically be reduced to ~0%, if the load for total phosphorous is reduced by 50% (Walker 2001). However, there is evidence that such a load reduction is not possible/feasible. Page 20-24 Phosphorus Loading - Current Condition and Allocated Condition

Current Condition TMDL Targeted Condition Loading Capacity is: “the greatest 200 amount of loading that a water can 179.2 181.6 180 receive without violating water quality standards.” (40 CFR § 130.2(f)). The load 160 capacity is estimated for purposes of this 140 TMDL as the external total phosphorus 120 107.5 109.1 loading into Upper Klamath and Agency 100 Lakes that corresponds to a reduction of approximately 40% from current Capacity 80 Loading conditions. 60 A Load Allocation (LA) is the amount of (metric tons per year) per tons (metric Total Phosphorus Load Phosphorus Total 40 pollutant that non-point sources can contribute to the stream without 20 0.6 0.3 1.9 1.3 exceeding state water quality standards. 0 The Waste Load Allocation (WLA) is the Chiloquin STP Crooked Creek External NPS Total External Load amount of pollutant that point sources can Hatchery Loading contribute to the water body without Point Source Waste Load Nonpoint Source violating water quality standards. Allocations Loading Allocations In light monitoring and analytical limitations and the complexity of the lake and drainages, the selection of a TMDL targeted loading condition and compliance frequency ultimately becomes a professional judgment. As is the case in any such professional judgment, there are varying perspectives on an appropriate targeted condition. Regardless, a 40% reduction in external total phosphorus loading to Upper Klamath Lake represents the targeted condition for this TMDL. This target acknowledges external load reductions that range from 33% to 47% as well as, other potential external loading reductions that demonstrates a potential 29% reduction in external total phosphorus loading from near-lake wetland restoration and an additional 18% reduction in external total phosphorus loading resulting from upland hydrology and land cover restoration. Page 21-24 Upper Klamath Lake Analysis TMDL WQ Goals

Lake Total Phosphorus Concentration Goals ~110 ppb annual lake mean total phosphorus concentration ~30 ppb spring (March - May) lake mean total phosphorus concentration ~66 ppb annual mean total phosphorus concentration from all inflows

Total Phosphorus Loading Goal ~40% loading reduction of external total phosphorus where possible

Upper Klamath Lake sampled June 17, 2001 - Extensive blooms of the cyanobacterium Aphanizomenon flos- aqaue (AFA) are apparent. Image courtesy USGS EROS Data Center. Page 22-24 Participants - Designated Management Agencies

Temperature pH, DO and Chlorophyll-a • U.S. Forest Service • U.S. Bureau of Reclamation • Oregon Department of Agriculture • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service • City of Chiloquin • U.S. Forest Service • Oregon Department of Transportation • Bureau of Land Management • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service • Oregon Department of Agriculture • Oregon Department of Forestry • Oregon Department of Transportation • Crater Lake National Park • Klamath County

Spring Creek Page 23-24 TMDL Implementation The Water Quality Management Plan is focused on:

1. Continuing restoration efforts Adaptive Management • Reductions in nutrient loading • Riparian & wetland restoration/protection • Channel morphology improvements Analyze and Adjust TM DL, WQMP or

• Instream flow conservation Im plementation Targeted WQ Condition 303(d) Listings 303(d) Initial TMDL/W Q MP Poor WQ Monitoring, Expand Scientific 2. Adaptive Management Understanding and Im prove • Monitor management effects Im ple mentation Strategy • Evaluate management with site specific WQ Benchmark information • Alter management accordingly

• Create a technical review team to assess WQ Benchmark the TMDL targets and implementation agtdWQ Targeted W Condition

strategy and refine where appropriate. Condition Quality Water WQ Standards

Good Tim e Page 24-24