SOUTH SWP HYDROPOWER FERC PROJECT NO. 2426-227 Updated Study Report From May 1, 2018 through April 30, 2019 May 2019 State of California Los Angeles California Natural Resources Agency DEPARTMENT OF DEPARTMENT OF WATER WATER AND POWER RESOURCES Hydropower License Planning and Compliance Office This page intentionally left blank. Updated Study Report South SWP Hydropower, FERC Project No. 2426-227 TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ................................................................................................. 1 1.0 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................... 1-1 1.1 Background ............................................................................................. 1-1 1.2 Description of the Existing Project and Licensees’ Proposal .................. 1-2 1.3 Relicensing Studies ................................................................................ 1-2 1.4 Use of Field Results and Data Summary Reports .................................. 1-7 1.5 Status of Studies ..................................................................................... 1-7 1.6 Updated Study Report Content and Considerations ............................... 1-7 2.0 STATUS OF EACH STUDY .............................................................................. 2-1 2.1 Aquatic Invasive Species Study .............................................................. 2-5 2.1.1 Completed Work to Date ............................................................ 2-5 2.1.2 Key Accomplishments and Summary of Findings to Date ......... 2-5 2.1.3 Incidental Observations: ............................................................ 2-6 2.1.4 Associated Data Files ................................................................ 2-6 2.1.5 Variances from Study Methods, Schedule or Approach, and Unexpected Field Conditions ..................................................... 2-7 2.1.6 Remaining Work ........................................................................ 2-7 2.2 Quail Lake Fisheries Assessment Study ................................................. 2-7 2.2.1 Completed Work to Date ............................................................ 2-7 2.2.2 Key Accomplishments and Summary of Findings to Date ......... 2-9 2.2.2.1 Boat Electrofishing ...................................................... 2-9 2.2.2.2 Creel Surveys ........................................................... 2-14 2.2.3 Associated Data Files .............................................................. 2-17 2.2.4 Variances from Study Methods, Schedule or Approach, and Abnormalities in Expected Field Conditions ............................. 2-17 2.2.5 Remaining Work ...................................................................... 2-17 2.3 Pyramid Reach Fish Populations Study ................................................ 2-18 2.3.1 Completed Work to Date .......................................................... 2-18 2.3.1.1 Step 1: Classify Mesohabitat and Channels ............. 2-18 2.3.1.2 Step 2: Conduct eDNA Sampling ............................. 2-18 2.3.1.3 Step 3: Select Sampling Sites for Fish Population Sampling .................................................................. 2-18 2.3.1.4 Step 4: Sample Fish Population ............................... 2-19 2.3.2 Key Accomplishments and Summary of Findings to Date ....... 2-20 2.3.2.1 Mesohabitats ............................................................ 2-20 2.3.2.2 eDNA ........................................................................ 2-22 2.3.2.3 Fish Population ......................................................... 2-22 2.3.3 Associated Data Files .............................................................. 2-28 2.3.4 Variances from Study Methods, Schedule or Approach, and Unexpected Field Conditions ................................................... 2-28 2.3.5 Remaining Work ...................................................................... 2-28 2.4 Special-Status Aquatic Amphibians and Semi-Aquatic Snakes Study..................................................................................................... 2-29 2.4.1 Completed Work to Date .......................................................... 2-29 2.4.2 Key Accomplishments and Summary of Findings to Date ....... 2-29 Department of Water Resources/ Page i May 2019 Los Angeles Department of Water and Power Updated Study Report South SWP Hydropower, FERC Project No. 2426-227 2.4.2.1 Foothill Yellow-legged Frog ...................................... 2-29 2.4.2.2 Western Spadefoot ................................................... 2-30 2.4.2.3 Two-Striped Gartersnake and South Coast Gartersnake .............................................................. 2-30 2.4.3 Associated Data Files .............................................................. 2-32 2.4.4 Variances from Study Methods, Schedule or Approach, and Unexpected Field Conditions ................................................... 2-32 2.4.5 Remaining Work ...................................................................... 2-32 2.5 Botanical Resources Study ................................................................... 2-32 2.5.1 Completed Work to Date .......................................................... 2-32 2.5.2 Key Accomplishments and Summary of Findings to Date ....... 2-32 2.5.2.1 Step 2: Special-Status Plant Surveys ....................... 2-32 2.5.2.2 Step 3: Wetland and Riparian Assessment .............. 2-35 2.5.3 Associated Data Files .............................................................. 2-37 2.5.4 Variances from Study Methods, Schedule or Approach, and Unexpected Field Conditions ................................................... 2-39 2.5.5 Remaining Work ...................................................................... 2-39 2.6 Non-Native Invasive Plants Study ......................................................... 2-40 2.6.1 Completed Work to Date .......................................................... 2-40 2.6.2 Key Accomplishments and Summary of Findings to Date ....... 2-40 2.6.3 Associated Data Files .............................................................. 2-47 2.6.4 Variances from Study Methods, Schedule or Approach, and Unexpected Field Conditions ................................................... 2-47 2.6.5 Remaining Work ...................................................................... 2-48 2.7 Special-Status Terrestrial Wildlife Species – California Wildlife Habitat Relationships Study .................................................................. 2-48 2.7.1 Completed Work to Date .......................................................... 2-48 2.7.2 Key Accomplishments and Summary of Findings to Date ....... 2-49 2.7.2.1 CWHR ...................................................................... 2-49 2.7.2.2 Wildlife Movement .................................................... 2-53 2.7.2.3 Incidental Observations ............................................ 2-53 2.7.3 Associated Data Files .............................................................. 2-54 2.7.4 Variances from Study Methods, Schedule or Approach, and Unexpected Field Conditions ................................................... 2-55 2.7.5 Remaining Work ...................................................................... 2-56 2.8 ESA-Listed Plants Study ....................................................................... 2-56 2.8.1 Completed Work to Date .......................................................... 2-56 2.8.2 Key Accomplishments and Summary of Findings to Date ....... 2-56 2.8.3 Associated Data Files .............................................................. 2-63 2.8.4 Variances from Study Methods, Schedule or Approach, and Unexpected Field Conditions ................................................... 2-63 2.8.5 Remaining Work ...................................................................... 2-63 2.9 ESA-Listed Amphibians, California Red-legged Frog Study ................. 2-63 2.9.1 Completed Work to Date .......................................................... 2-63 2.9.2 Key Accomplishments and Summary of Findings To Date ...... 2-63 2.9.3 Associated Data Files .............................................................. 2-66 Department of Water Resources/ Page ii May 2019 Los Angeles Department of Water and Power Updated Study Report South SWP Hydropower, FERC Project No. 2426-227 2.9.4 Variances from Study Methods, Schedule or Approach, and Unexpected Field Conditions ................................................... 2-66 2.9.5 Remaining Work ...................................................................... 2-67 2.10 ESA-Listed Riparian Bird Species, Southwestern Willow Flycatcher, Least Bell’s Vireo, and Yellow-billed Cuckoo Riparian Habitat Evaluations Study ................................................................................. 2-67 2.10.1 Completed Work to Date .......................................................... 2-67 2.10.2 Key Accomplishments and Summary of Findings to Date ....... 2-68 2.10.2.1 LBVI .......................................................................... 2-68 2.10.2.2 WIFL ......................................................................... 2-68 2.10.2.3 Incidental Observations ............................................ 2-69 2.10.3 Associated Data Files .............................................................. 2-69 2.10.4 Variances