DOCSLIB.ORG

Bonanza Area Reach Assessment Yankee Fork of the Salmon River, Upper Salmon Subbasin

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Bonanza Area Reach Assessment Yankee Fork of the Salmon River, Upper Salmon Subbasin Bonanza Area Reach Assessment Yankee Fork of the Salmon River, Upper Salmon Subbasin Custer County, Idaho U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Reclamation Pacific Northwest Region Pacific Northwest Regional Office, Boise, Idaho September 2012 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR The Department of the Interior protects and manages the Nation’s natural resources and cultural heritage; provides scientific and other information about those resources; and honors its trust responsibilities or special commitments to American Indians, Alaska Natives, and affiliated island communities. MISSION OF THE BUREAU OF RECLAMATION The mission of the Bureau of Reclamation is to manage, develop, and protect water and related resources in an environmentally and economically sound manner in the interest of the American public. Cover Photo: View to the west looking upstream along the West Fork (upper channel) and Yankee Fork (lower channel), and their historic confluence area (upper right) – Bureau of Reclamation Date: September 2, 2010 Photo by: David Walsh Bonanza Reach Assessment Yankee Fork of the Salmon River, Upper Salmon Subbasin Custer County, Idaho U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Reclamation Pacific Northwest Region Pacific Northwest Regional Office, Boise, Idaho September 2012 This page intentionally left blank Acronyms and Abbreviations BiOp Biological Opinion cfs cubic feet per second FCRPS Federal Columbia River Power System GIS geographic information system Hecla Hecla Mining Company HUC hydrologic unit code LiDAR light detection and ranging 2 mi square miles 2 mi/mi miles per square mile mm millimeter Reclamation Bureau of Reclamation REI reach-scale ecosystem indicators RM river mile RPA Reasonable and Prudent Alternative Tribes Shoshone Bannock Tribes Tributary Assessment Yankee Fork of the Salmon River Tributary Assessment TWA total wetted area USFS U.S. Forest Service West Fork West Fork of the Yankee Fork Salmon River Yankee Fork Yankee Fork of the Salmon River September 2012 This page intentionally left blank Table of Contents Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................... 1 Executive Summary ................................................................................................................. 1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 5 Purpose of this Reach Assessment ................................................................................. 6 Reach Assessment Philosophy ....................................................................................... 6 Reach Assessment Goals................................................................................................ 9 Using this Document ...................................................................................................... 9 Assessment Methods ...................................................................................................... 9 Background Information .............................................................................................. 10 Limiting and Causal Factors ........................................................................................ 13 Summary of Existing Reports ...................................................................................... 13 Regional Setting ............................................................................................... 14 Yankee Fork Watershed Physical Characteristics and Condition .................... 14 Yankee Fork Watershed Fish Usage and Density ............................................ 16 Salmon and Steelhead Usage ........................................................................... 16 Chinook Salmon Fish Density ......................................................................... 17 Lower Yankee Fork and West Fork Subwatersheds ........................................ 19 Lower Yankee Fork Subwatershed .................................................................. 19 West Fork Subwatershed.................................................................................. 19 Historical Timeline....................................................................................................... 20 Historic and Existing Conditions Comparison ............................................................. 26 Historical Conditions ............................................................................................................. 27 Yankee Fork ................................................................................................................. 28 West Fork ..................................................................................................................... 34 Existing Conditions ................................................................................................................ 37 Yankee Fork ................................................................................................................. 38 Channel Reach Characteristics ......................................................................... 38 Bedforms and floodplain characteristics .......................................................... 41 Vegetation Condition ....................................................................................... 43 Floodplain Connectivity ................................................................................... 45 West Fork ..................................................................................................................... 47 Channel Characteristics .................................................................................... 47 Bedforms and Floodplain Characteristics ........................................................ 50 September 2012 i Table of Contents Vegetation Condition ....................................................................................... 52 Floodplain Connectivity ................................................................................... 52 Degree of Impairment ............................................................................................................ 55 Yankee Fork ................................................................................................................. 55 West Fork ..................................................................................................................... 59 Target Conditions .................................................................................................................. 62 Yankee Fork ................................................................................................................. 63 West Fork ..................................................................................................................... 65 Potential Habitat Actions ...................................................................................................... 68 Yankee Fork ................................................................................................................. 68 West Fork ..................................................................................................................... 74 Summary .......................................................................................................................... 76 Next Steps .......................................................................................................................... 78 List of Preparers ..................................................................................................................... 79 Literature Cited ...................................................................................................................... 81 Glossary .......................................................................................................................... 87 Appendix A – Reach-based Ecosystem Indicators Appendix B – Reach Assessment Analysis Appendix C – Photographic Documentation Appendix D – GIS Databases List of Figures Figure 1. Flow chart illustrating typical steps in the approach to habitat improvement. .......... 6 Figure 2. Yankee Fork subwatershed locations. ....................................................................... 8 Figure 3. Bonanza Area Reach Assessment location. ............................................................. 12 Figure 4. Yankee Fork stratified snorkel survey samples from 1984 to 2009 by subwatershed based on data collected by the Tribes. ......................................................... 18 Figure 5. Yankee Fork redd counts by subwatershed based on data collected by the Tribes.................................................................................................................................. 18 Figure 6. General Custer Mill 1937 located along the Yankee Fork upstream of Custer. ................................................................................................................................ 22 ii September 2012 Table of Contents Figure 7. Yankee Fork Gold Dredge working between Rankin Creek and Jerrys Creek in 1945................................................................................................................................ 23 Figure 8. U.S. Antimony Corporation’s vat leach cyanide mill at Preachers Cove in 1991...................................................................................................................................
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Sediment Transport Monitoring of the Yankee Fork of the Salmon River Near Stanley, Idaho, 2012–15
    Prepared in cooperation with the Bureau of Reclamation Sediment Transport Monitoring of the Yankee Fork of the Salmon River near Stanley, Idaho, 2012–15 Open-File Report 2018–1189 U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey Cover: Aerial image of dredge tailing piles at Yankee Fork of Salmon River, Idaho. Image © 2014 Google Earth. Inset photograph: U.S. Geological Survey hydrologic technicians sampling suspended-sediment at the streamgage site of Yankee Fork of the Salmon River near Stanley, Idaho. Photograph by Doug Ott, U.S. Geological Survey, May 23, 2016. Sediment Transport Monitoring of the Yankee Fork of the Salmon River near Stanley, Idaho, 2012–15 By James W. Johnsen Prepared in cooperation with the Bureau of Reclamation Open-File Report 2018–1189 U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey U.S. Department of the Interior RYAN K. ZINKE, Secretary U.S. Geological Survey James F. Reilly II, Director U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia: 2018 For more information on the USGS—the Federal source for science about the Earth, its natural and living resources, natural hazards, and the environment—visit http://www.usgs.gov/ or call 1–888–ASK–USGS (1–888–275–8747). For an overview of USGS information products, including maps, imagery, and publications, visit http://www.usgs.gov/pubprod/. Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. Although this information product, for the most part, is in the public domain, it also may contain copyrighted materials as noted in the text.
    [Show full text]
  • 2013 Yankee Fork Salmon River Chinook Salmon Run Report
    2013 Yankee Fork Salmon River Chinook Salmon Run Report Lytle P. Denny, William S. Youmans, and David J. Evans Shoshone‐Bannock Tribes 2013 Yankee Fork Salmon River Chinook Salmon Run Report Annual Report Prepared by: Lytle P. Denny, William S. Youmans, and David J. Evans Shoshone-Bannock Tribes Fish and Wildlife Department 3rd and B Avenue Fort Hall, Idaho (208) 239-4560 Prepared for: United States Fish and Wildlife Service Lower Snake River Compensation Plan – Office 1387 S. Vinnell Way, Suite 343 Boise, Idaho 83709 Cooperative Agreement F13AC00031 October 1, 2012 – September 30, 2013 March 1, 2014 ii TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF FIGURES .................................................................................................................................... IV LIST OF TABLES ........................................................................................................................................ V ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................................................ VI PROGRAM PERSONNEL .......................................................................................................................VII AUTHORS .................................................................................................................................................VII ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ......................................................................................................................VII INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Yankee Fork Tributary Assessment Upper Salmon Subbasin
    Yankee Fork Tributary Assessment Upper Salmon Subbasin Custer County, Idaho U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Reclamation Pacific Northwest Region Pacific Northwest Regional Office, Boise, Idaho January 2012 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR The Department of the Interior protects and manages the Nation’s natural resources and cultural heritage; provides scientific and other information about those resources; and honors its trust responsibilities or special commitments to American Indians, Alaska Natives, and affiliated island communities. MISSION OF THE BUREAU OF RECLAMATION The mission of the Bureau of Reclamation is to manage, develop, and protect water and related resources in an environmentally and economically sound manner in the interest of the American public. Cover Photo: View to the southwest looking downstream along the Yankee Fork near river mile 13.8 – Bureau of Reclamation. Date: September 2, 2010 Photo by: David Walsh Yankee Fork Tributary Assessment Upper Salmon Subbasin Custer County, Idaho U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Reclamation Pacific Northwest Region Pacific Northwest Regional Office, Boise, Idaho January 2012 This page intentionally left blank Acronyms and Abbreviations BiOp Biological Opinion BY brood year cfs cubic feet per second DPS Distinct Population Segments ESA Endangered Species Act FCRPS Federal Columbia River Power System ft/s feet per second GIS geographic information system HUC hydrologic unit code IDEQ Idaho Department of Environmental Quality IDFG Idaho Department of Fish and Game LIDAR light detection and ranging mi2 square miles mi/mi2 miles per square miles MIS management indicator species NOAA Fisheries Service NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service NRCS Natural Resources Conservation Service Reclamation Bureau of Reclamation RM river mile RPA Reasonable and Prudent Alternative SNOTEL Snowpack Telemetry TA tributary assessment TMDL total maximum daily load Tribes Shoshone Bannock Tribes USFS U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • Crystal Springs Master Plan Volume 1
    This page is intentionally blank. Crystal Springs Fish Hatchery and Programs for Snake River Chinook Salmon And Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout Master Plan February 15, 2011 Prepared by the Shoshone Bannock Tribes Fort Hall, Idaho This page is intentionally blank. Shoshone ‐ Bannock Tribes EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Shoshone‐Bannock Tribes (the Tribes) submit this Master Plan for the Crystal Springs Hatchery to the Northwest Power and Conservation Council to fulfill Step 1 of the Council’s Step Review requirements for artificial propagation projects involving new construction and/or programs that will produce fish for reintroduction. The Tribes have a long history of managing fish, wildlife and their habitat through a variety of government and Tribal funds; both within and outside the exterior boundaries of the Fort Hall Reservation. It is the obligation of the Tribes’ Fish and Wildlife Department to protect, preserve and enhance fish, wildlife and their habitats in perpetuity for all Tribal members. This is pursued in partnership with a number of state and federal agencies to help achieve mutual resource goals and management objectives. Successfully implementing the proposed Crystal Springs Program will be achieved only by continuing this cooperation with agencies that include the Bonneville Power Administration, US Forest Service, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and NOAA‐Fisheries. The Crystal Springs program is designed to help restore two native fish species of cultural and economic significance to the Tribes: Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tschawytscha) and Yellowstone cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarki bouvieri ). Restoration will occur in geographically distinct regions of Idaho. Chinook salmon produced at Crystal Springs Hatchery will be acclimated and released in the Yankee Fork and in Panther Creek, both tributaries to the upper Salmon River.
    [Show full text]
  • Schedule of Proposed Action (SOPA)
    Schedule of Proposed Action (SOPA) 04/01/2017 to 06/30/2017 Salmon-Challis National Forest This report contains the best available information at the time of publication. Questions may be directed to the Project Contact. Expected Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Implementation Project Contact Salmon-Challis National Forest, Forestwide (excluding Projects occurring in more than one Forest) R4 - Intermountain Region NRCS Snow Data Sites Special - Special use management On Hold N/A N/A Gail Baer Use Permit Reissuance 208-756-5128 CE [email protected] Description: The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is requesting a reissuance of the Special Use Permits for operation, maintenance, and conversion of manual snow courses and automated SNOTEL data collection sites on Forest Service Lands. Web Link: http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=34081 Location: UNIT - Salmon-Challis National Forest All Units. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Custer, Lemhi. The manual snow courses and automated SNOTEL data collection sites are located across the Salmon-Challis National Forest outside of the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness. Salmon-Challis Forest Plan - Land management planning Developing Proposal Expected:10/2020 10/2020 Joshua Milligan Revision Est. NOI in Federal Register 208-756-5560 EIS 06/2017 [email protected] *UPDATED* Description: The Salmon-Challis National Forest is revising and updating the 1987 Challis and the 1988 Salmon Land and Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan) Web Link: http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=49464 Location: UNIT - Salmon-Challis National Forest All Units. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Blaine, Butte, Clark, Custer, Idaho, Lemhi, Valley.
    [Show full text]
  • Yankee Fork Drainage Fisheries Summary and Analysis 2 Distribution, Density, and Population
    Final Report By Jim S. Gregory Caselle L. Wood Lost River Fish Ecology, INC. Trout Unlimited 5306 Zollinger Rd. 151 North Ridge Suite 151 Mackay, ID 83251 Idaho Falls, Idaho 83402 for Bureau of Reclamation 1150 North Curtis Road, Suite 100 Boise, ID 83706-1234 February 2013 Table of Contents Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 4 Basic Overview of Fish Habitat Conditions ................................................................................................... 6 Pond Series................................................................................................................................................ 8 Water Quality ............................................................................................................................................ 9 Age Naming Conventions ............................................................................................................................ 10 Chinook ....................................................................................................................................................... 11 Genetics .................................................................................................................................................. 11 Adult Migration and Timing .................................................................................................................... 11 Redd Numbers .......................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Westslope Cutthroat Trout in Idaho
    Management Plan for the Conservation of Westslope Cutthroat Trout in Idaho Idaho Department of Fish and Game Fisheries Bureau Boise, Idaho November 2013 TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .................................................................................................................................. 1 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ................................................................................................................................... 3 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................. 3 GOALS AND OBJECTIVES ............................................................................................................................... 3 Goals ....................................................................................................................................................... 3 Objectives ............................................................................................................................................... 3 Distribution ............................................................................................................................................. 3 Taxonomy ............................................................................................................................................... 4 Morphometrics ....................................................................................................................................... 4
    [Show full text]
  • Draft Management Plan for Conservation of Westslope
    Management Plan for Conservation of Westslope Cutthroat Trout in Idaho Idaho Department of Fish and Game Fisheries Bureau Boise, Idaho TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ................................................................................................................................... 1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................. 1 GOALS AND OBJECTIVES ............................................................................................................................... 1 Goals ....................................................................................................................................................... 1 Objectives ............................................................................................................................................... 1 Distribution ............................................................................................................................................. 1 Taxonomy ............................................................................................................................................... 2 Morphometrics ....................................................................................................................................... 2 Life History and Ecology ......................................................................................................................... 4 Habitat Requirements
    [Show full text]
  • APPENDIX F Hydrology
    APPENDIX F Hydrology This page intentionally left blank Table of Contents Executive Summary ............................................................................................................. 1 1. Overview ...................................................................................................................... 3 2. Introduction .................................................................................................................. 3 3. Watershed Characteristics ............................................................................................ 4 3.1 General Description ................................................................................................ 4 3.2 Area and Relief ....................................................................................................... 9 3.3 Subwatersheds ........................................................................................................ 9 3.4 Water Rights ......................................................................................................... 10 3.5 Land Use Trends ................................................................................................... 13 4. Meteorology ............................................................................................................... 14 4.1 Climate Summary ................................................................................................. 14 4.2 Regional Precipitation Estimates .........................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Crystal Springs Master Plan Volume 2
    This page is intentionally blank. Shoshone ‐ Bannock Tribes APPENDICES Appendix A Draft Hatchery and Genetic Management Plan: Yankee Fork Salmon Supplementation Program Appendix B Draft Hatchery and Genetic Management Plan: Panther Creek Spring Chinook Salmon Program Appendix C Draft Hatchery and Genetic Management Plan: Upper Snake River Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout Program Appendix D Bioprogramming Reports and Hatchery Operations Schedule Technical Memo: Biological Criteria for Spring Chinook Technical Memo: Biological Criteria for Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout Appendix E Crystal Springs Hatchery Site Water Supply Report Appendix F Memorandum of Agreement between Shoshone‐Bannock Tribes, BPA, Corps of Engineers and Bureau of Reclamation Appendix G Preliminary Design Drawings Crystal Springs Design Drawings Yankee Fork Design Drawings Appendix H Detailed Program Cost Estimates Appendix I Letter of Support This page is intentionally blank. Shoshone ‐ Bannock Tribes Appendix A Draft Hatchery and Genetic Management Plan: Yankee Fork Salmon Supplementation Program This page is intentionally blank. HATCHERY AND GENETIC MANAGEMENT PLAN (HGMP) Hatchery Program: Yankee Fork Chinook Salmon Supplementation Project Species or Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) Hatchery Stock: Agency/Operator: Shoshone-Bannock Tribes Watershed and Region: Yankee Fork Salmon River, Idaho Date Submitted: Date Last Updated: February 11, 2011 Yankee Fork Chinook Salmon HGMP / Draft 2/9/2011 Page 1 This page is intentionally blank. Page 2 Yankee Fork Chinook Salmon HGMP / Draft 2/9/2011 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Historically, the Shoshone and Bannock peoples harvested salmon throughout the Columbia River Basin for subsistence. Annual salmon and steelhead runs in what are now Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Nevada provided harvest opportunities throughout the year. The Shoshone-Bannock Tribes continue to harvest anadromous fish under rights reserved by the Fort Bridger Treaty of 1868.
    [Show full text]
  • Yankee Fork Panther Creek Draft EA
    DRAFT Environmental Assessment Yankee Fork and Panther Creek Chinook Salmon hatchery programs Upper Salmon River Basin January 15, 2019 Draft Section 1 - Introduction DRAFT | Do Not Cite or Distribute Yankee Fork/Panther Creek Hatcheries EA January 15, 2019 Draft Section 1 - Introduction DRAFT | Do Not Cite or Distribute Yankee Fork and Panther Creek Chinook Salmon Hatchery Programs Draft Environmental Assessment January 13, 2020 Lead Agency: National Marine Fisheries Service, West Coast Region National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Responsible Official: Barry Thom Regional Administrator, West Coast Region National Marine Fisheries Service For further information contact: Brett Farman 1201 NE Lloyd Blvd., Suite 1100 Portland, OR 97232 503-231-6222 [email protected] Persons and Agencies Consulted Include name and agency of those consulted for information during the preparation of the EA. Preparers (note this section is optional and not required by CEQ NEPA regulations) Include name and agency DRAFT Yankee Fork/Panther Creek Hatcheries EA i January 15, 2019 Draft Section 1 - Introduction DRAFT | Do Not Cite or Distribute Contents 1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 1-1 1.1 Purpose and Need ..................................................................................................... 1-2 1.2 Project Area and Analysis Area ................................................................................. 1-2 1.3 Relationship
    [Show full text]
  • Schedule of Proposed Action (SOPA)
    Schedule of Proposed Action (SOPA) 07/01/2017 to 09/30/2017 Salmon-Challis National Forest This report contains the best available information at the time of publication. Questions may be directed to the Project Contact. Expected Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Implementation Project Contact Salmon-Challis National Forest, Forestwide (excluding Projects occurring in more than one Forest) R4 - Intermountain Region Colorado Ditch Bill and Special - Special use management Completed Actual: 04/07/2017 08/2017 Gail Baer Use Authorizations 208-756-5177 CE [email protected] *UPDATED* Description: Issue SUP permit and/or easements on approximately 20 existing non-wilderness water diversions across the Salmon-Challis National Forest. Web Link: http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=50165 Location: UNIT - Salmon-Challis National Forest All Units. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Custer, Lemhi. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Various locations across the Challis-Yankee Fork, Salmon-Cobalt, Middle Fork, North Fork, and Leadore Ranger Districts. NRCS Snow Data Sites Special - Special use management Cancelled N/A N/A Gail Baer Use Permit Reissuance 208-756-5128 CE [email protected] *UPDATED* Description: The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is requesting a reissuance of the Special Use Permits for operation, maintenance, and conversion of manual snow courses and automated SNOTEL data collection sites on Forest Service Lands. Web Link: http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=34081 Location: UNIT - Salmon-Challis National Forest All Units. STATE - Idaho. COUNTY - Custer, Lemhi. The manual snow courses and automated SNOTEL data collection sites are located across the Salmon-Challis National Forest outside of the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness.
    [Show full text]