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TABLE OF CONTENTS Fish Passage Fluvial Geomorphology GIS and Mapping Capabilities Instream Flow Analysis Permitting and Planning Plant Ecology and Wetland Science Stormwater Management Stream Restoration Planning and Design Surface Water Hydrology Technical Facilitation, Public Scoping and Public Participation Water Quality Assessments Water Resource Assessments Water Rights and Water Use Watershed Analysis
Oregon Ecoregion Condition Summary Big Elk Pilot Watershed Assessment Development of Headwaters Habitat Conservation Plan Watershed Analysis Manual Freshwater Creek Watershed Assessment, California East Fork South Fork Salmon River Watershed Analysis, Idaho Newaukum River Watershed Analysis Upper Little Klickitat Watershed Analysis Cabin Creek Watershed Analysis, WA Williams River and South Fork Coos River Watershed Analysis Gold Fork River Watershed Analysis South Fork Siletz Road Inventory and Watershed Analysis, Oregon |
PROJECT DESCRIPTIONS |
Watershed AnalysisWatershed analysis is a systematic procedure for characterizing watershed and ecological processes. Watershed analysis consists of technically rigorous and defensible procedures that are designed to: 1) identify processes active within a watershed; 2) locate where the processes are active; 3) describe the current upland, riparian, and stream channel conditions; and 4) assess how these factors influence fish habitat, stream health, and other watershed uses. Watershed analysis is typically organized as a set of modules that examine the physical and biological processes in a watershed. WPN members have the interdisciplinary skills and experience to identify key watershed issues and select the appropriate modules to complete a defensible analysis. The modules which may be included in an analysis include: Mass Wasting, Surface Erosion, Hydrology, Stream Channel Geomorphology, Riparian Condition, Water Quality, Fish and Wildlife Habitat, and Monitoring. WPN members also provide leadership in the development and application of watershed analysis approaches. WPN wrote the Oregon Watershed Analysis Methodology through a contract with the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB). In addition, WPN members have been active in reviewing and modifying portions of the Washington Department of Natural Resource Watershed Analysis Methodology. Collectively we have managed or contributed to over 35 watershed analyses for major industrial firms, small landowners, and local, state, and federal agencies including the U.S. Forest Service. Below is a list of watershed analysis projects in which WPN members played a major role. Idaho
Western Washington
Central & Eastern Washington
Oregon
Oregon Watershed Assessment ManualClient: Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board Project Description: In 1996, Oregon watershed representatives and stakeholders identified the need for a uniform and understandable assessment methodology. It would need dovetail with Endangered Species Act requirements, federal Clean Water Act regulations, and the “Oregon Plan”. In response, a team of eight WPN members, managed by Karen Kuzis, were contracted to produce the Watershed Assessment Manual for Non-Technical Users. Praised as “refreshingly clear and practical” by the Oregon Insider, this manual provides: 1) an educational tool to help council members understand watershed processes, 2) watershed “baseline” information, and 3) an evaluation of watershed conditions to identify appropriate watershed restoration projects. The assessment process focuses on evaluating instream fisheries and water quality resources to aid watershed councils addressing endangered species issues and TMDL development. All watershed councils in Oregon are now using this methodology for documenting funding needs to the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board. Oregon Ecoregion Condition SummaryClient: Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board Project Description: : In order to support Watershed Assessment efforts and provide easily accessible information on watershed condition to watershed councils the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board contracted WPN to develop companion Appendix to the Watershed Assessment Manual describing hydrologic and riparian conditions in the level 4 EPA ecoregions in the state of Oregon. The Oregon Manual and companion Ecoregion Appendix can be accessed at: http://www.oweb.state.or.us/publications/wa_manual99.shtml Big Elk Pilot Watershed AssessmentClient: Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board Project Description: Big Elk Creek is a 89 mi2 watershed that is tributary to the Yaquina River in the Oregon Coast Range. A WPN team completed a watershed assessment of the area to demonstrate use of the Oregon Watershed Assessment methodology developed by WPN. Development of Headwaters Habitat Conservation Plan Watershed Analysis ManualClient: Pacific Lumber Company Project Description: In March 1999 Pacific Lumber Company (PALCO) signed a Habitat Conservation Plan (Headwaters HCP) for 200,000 acres of timberland on the northern California coast, with National Marine Fisheries Service, U.S. Fish and Wild life Service and California Fish and Game. WPN was contracted to develop a watershed analysis manual to outline the analysis procedures that would be used. Due to the high profile and contentious nature of this project there was extensive public participation and scoping. A WPN team worked collaboratively with agencies, Timber Company and the public, and helped develop a decision-making structure and management strategy designed to ensure effective communications and to facilitate a potentially difficult technical process. In addition, the WPN team provided technical expertise in developing the manual, leading the public input process, providing technical facilitation services and project coordination. Karen Kuzis provided project management and technical facilitation services. She was responsible for coordinating project activities and helping PALCO and the agencies develop a decision-making structure and management strategy designed to ensure effective communications and to facilitate a potentially difficult technical process. The PALCO manual was based on the watershed analysis process developed by Washington Department of Natural Resources with significant modifications to account for watershed conditions typical of California redwood forests and regulatory requirements of the Headwaters HCP. Freshwater Creek Watershed Assessment, CaliforniaClient: Pacific Lumber Company Project Description: Karen Kuzis managed a WPN team that completed a watershed assessment of the Freshewater Creek Watershed in compliance with the Headwaters Conservation Plan. and using the methodology developed in collaboration with federal and state agencies PALCO and the public. East Fork South Fork Salmon River Watershed Analysis, IdahoClient: Dakota Mining/ Payette National Forest Project Description: The East Fork of the South Fork of the Salmon River watershed in central Idaho is in a highly mineralized geology and has a long history of mining activity. The goal of the analysis was determine potential impacts of historic, ongoing and proposed gold mining operations following Federal Guide for Watershed Analysis. The watershed is in a highly mineralized and unstable geologic formation. It also contains populations of several federally listed fish species including, chinook salmon, steelhead and bull trout. The analysis results were designed to support a subsequent NEPA Environmental Impact Statement on proposed mining activities. Newaukum River Watershed AnalysisClient: Weyerhauser Co. Project Description: Completed fisheries analysis in the North and South Fork Newaukum River Watersheds in southwest Washington. Fish species of concern include spring chinook, fall chinook, coho and steelhead. Primary issues of concern were effects of summer water temperatures on summer chinook. Upper Little Klickitat Watershed AnalysisClient: Boise Cascade Project Description: Ed Salminen, Jean Caldwell, Sue Perkins and Karen Kuzis were members of the Assessment team on the watershed analysis conducted for Boise Cascade following the DNR assessment methodology with improvements. Ed completed the hydrology assessment which addressed water quantity, natural flows, and land use effects on winter peak flows. Jean completed portions of the assessment dealing with water quality issues in the basin, which included 303(d) listed streams. Karen completed the fish assessment. Sue Perkins completed the channel assessment that analyzed channel response to riparian timber harvest, removal of large woody debris, and sediment inputs from landslides and road surface erosion. Prescriptions were developed to address identified problems in the basin. Assessment participants included DNR, WDFW, and the Yakama Indian Nation. Cabin Creek Watershed Analysis, WAClient: Plum Creek Timber Project Description: Jean Caldwell provided analysis of current fish habitat conditions, comparison against desired conditions, historical and current population status and trends, analysis of the legacy of past and current land use on habitat and riparian area conditions, Assessments were used to develop prescriptions for timber practices and road construction and maintenance, and to address water quality concerns raised by 303(d) listings. Assessments developed a report of instream and riparian habitat improvement opportunities. Williams River and South Fork Coos River Watershed AnalysisClient: Weyerhaeuser Co. Project Description: Jean Caldwell led the fish habitat assessment portion of 80,000-acre headwater basin of the Coos River, and 60,000-acre mainstem area. Assessment process also developed a report of instream restoration opportunities, which were grouped by Rosgen stream type. Gold Fork River Watershed AnalysisClient: Boise Cascade Project Description: The Gold Fork River is part of a 98,000-acre watershed in central Idaho with grazing, private timberlands and Forest Service lands. Primary issues considered in the analysis were identifying phosphorus inputs from forestry and grazing activities into Cascade Reservoir and presence of bull trout in the headwaters. The Gold Fork River Watershed Analysis demonstrates the utility of the watershed analysis framework to development of a TMDL. Boise Cascade Corporation initiated the watershed analysis project to evaluate their potential contribution to pollution problems in Cascade Reservoir. A key issue in the analysis was the magnitude of phosphorus inputs to Cascade Reservoir that is in on the high priority list for completion of a TMDL. Karen Kuzis managed the project team, which included WPN members, Steve Bauer, and Joanne Greenberg. The team modified the Standard Methodology for Conducting Watershed Analysis developed by the Washington Forest Practices Board to include a water quality evaluation. Steve Bauer completed the water quality evaluation, which focused on the contribution of phosphorus from forest management and the bioavailability of phosphorus to stimulate algal growth in Cascade reservoir. The conclusions and recommendations of the watershed analysis revised the assumptions of the draft Cascade Reservoir TMDL. The Gold Fork River data analysis showed that phosphorus contribution is primarily due to background sources. Forest management activities, with the exception of riparian grazing, did not contribute to bioavailable phosphorus inputs to the reservoir. The watershed analysis provided Boise Cascade Corporation with a realistic evaluation of pollution inputs, a prioritized list of erosion sites to be addressed, recommended control actions, and an evaluation of the draft TMDL assumptions. Watershed landowners were able to use the analysis to obtain $100,000 in Section 319 Clean Water Act funding. The private timberland owner used the analysis to revise their grazing management program and to target problem roads for closing. South Fork Siletz Road Inventory and Watershed Analysis, OregonClient: Boise Cascade Corporation Project Description: Developed Global Positioning System (GPS) database to accurately locate roads, road features and to inventory road system condition. Road data was converted into GIS format for mapping and analysis. Information collected during the inventory was used to assess the effects of roads on basin resources and prioritize and budget road maintenance needs. Performed an assessment of surface erosion in the basin as part of a watershed analysis. Assessed sediment input from undisturbed conditions, timber harvest, and roads. Used the road inventory data and GIS to pinpoint road segments contributing the most sediment. This allows road maintenance dollars to be spent most effectively. Analysis included current fish habitat conditions, comparison against desired conditions, historical and current population status and trends, analysis of the legacy of past and current land use on habitat and riparian area conditions. Assessments were used to develop a report of instream and riparian habitat improvement opportunities as well as, prescriptions for timber practices and road construction and maintenance. |
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