Water Quality & Fisheries

WPN members draw on a diversity of water resource expertise (e.g., biology, hydrology, geomorphology) that enables us to take an interdisciplinary approach to biological assessments for endangered species, habitat evaluations and water quality studies. We assist agencies, tribes and other clients in developing restoration plans, and formulating projects to avoid, minimize or compensate for impacts to aquatic resources.

Water Quality

WPN provides technical assistance to EPA, State water quality agencies, Tribes, local governments and private companies in implementing the Clean Water Act and State water quality programs.

Technical Assistance in implementing the Clean Water Act and State water quality programs

  • TMDL and implementation plan development
  • Water quality standards and criteria – review and development
  • Data evaluation and interpretation
  • Temperature and shade evaluation and modeling
  • Monitoring design and quality assurance plans (QAPP)
  • Water quality and flow instrumentation development (surface and groundwater)
  • Stormwater management – policies, local ordinances and program development

Metals Toxicology

WPN aquatic biologists provide agencies and private companies with evaluation of toxic effects of metals to aquatic ecosystems in various applications related to the Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act and CERCLA (Superfund). The WPN team specializes in the following services:
  • Endangered Species Act consultations with NOAA Fisheries and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
  • Biological Assessment (BA’s) and Biological Evaluations(BE’s)
  • CERCLA (Superfund) support
  • Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment (Phase 1 ESA)
  • Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study (RI/FS)
  • Engineering Evaluation/Cost Analysis (EE/CA

Fisheries

WPN members have experience completing fish population assessments, habitat assessments, and habitat mitigation and enhancement. In addition, members develop instream flow requirements, and complete sediment source, transport and effects analyses. Our work focuses on freshwater streams and rivers in the western states and Alaska. The WPN team specializes in the following services:
  • Fisheries habitat assessment
  • Habitat restoration planning
  • Assessment and evaluation of limiting factors
  • Hydrologic and hydraulic analysis and design flow calculations
  • Evaluation of riparian ecosystem functions
  • Fish passage assessment
  • Instream flow and water resources negotiations

Water Quality & Fisheries Example Projects:

North Fork Coeur d'Alene River TMDL (click on title to expand)

WPN completed a sediment source investigation, hydrologic assessment and stream channel assessment of the watershed to support a sediment TMDL Implementation Plan for the North Fork system. The watershed assessment focused on identifying and quantifying sediment sources and impacts related to the condition of 303(d) listed impaired streams within the North Fork subbasin. The analysis summarized watershed land use history; summarized fish distribution and habitat; refined sediment sources and sediment movement; and evaluated hydrologic impacts from land management using the Distributed Hydrology Soil Vegetation Model (DHSVM).
Click here to see final products from the North Fork Coeur d'Alene River TMDL project
Contact Kathy Dube for more information about this project

Oregon Statewide Restoration Priorities

WPN summarized limiting factors and watershed restoration priorities throughout the state for the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board. OWEB funds stream restoration projects and wanted a consistent way of evaluating project needs. The team summarized limiting factors for instream aquatic habitat, riparian zones, wetlands and upland areas at a broad scale. The final phase of this project will develop a database and internet interface to provide easy access to the information.
Click here for more information and final products
Contact Steve Bauer for more information about this project

Granite Creek Watershed Assessment & Action Plan for Restoring Native Salmonids

WPN members completed a watershed assessment and action plan for bull trout and cutthroat trout restoration opportunities in a ~65,000 acre watershed in NE Washington/ NW Idaho. Limiting factors to native fish populations were assessed, habitat conditions evaluated (connectivity, riparian condition, hydrologic regime, sediment supply, and thermal regime), and a rating system was developed. The restoration strategy action plan addresses treatment of fish passage barriers, road sediment sources, LWD enhancement and riparian management treatments.
Contact Steve Bauer for more information about this project

Interagency Review Group of the Selenium Site Specific Criteria in Idaho

A WPN fish biologist serves as the Forest Service’s representative on the Interagency Review Group of the Selenium Site Specific Criteria with representatives from Idaho DEQ, Region 10 EPA and EPA national specialists on selenium. The site-specific criterion for selenium is being developed for surface waters downstream from a phosphate mine. Selenium contamination from overburden at phosphate mines is a widespread problem in Southeast idaho. At elevated concentrations selenium reduces reproductive success of Yellowstone cutthroat trout and other aquatic species concerns.
Contact Steve Bauer for more information about this project

Fish Passage Surveys in the Clackamas River Subbasin, Oregon

WPN worked with subcontractors to complete fish passage assessments in three major tributaries to the Clackamas River. The goal of the project was to identify the barrier status of all artificial and natural barriers within the three watersheds. WPN then developed cost estimates for removing or replacing the 30 highest priority barriers in the basin. The Clackamas River Watershed Council has since completed construction of bridges and passable culverts to provide access to spawning and rearing habitat for salmon and troutconcerns.
Click here for more information and final products
Contact Steve Bauer for more information about this project