ECOSYSTEM AND MANAGEMENT ATTRIBUTES FOR: Hamilton Branch Reach

Attributes Month Notes

Physical

Channel maintenance

Jan.97 peak 3000 cfs, norm. snowmelt peak 1500.

Limited by watershed runoff potential and impoundment by Indian Ole Dam, quality and quantity of alluvium – hyporheic flows & habitat diversity.

Sediment Transport

Same as above. Limited sediment source.

Gravel recruitment

Same as above

Large woody debris transport

Limited availability

Precipitation runoff

™

Spring accretion flow

Dominate source of streamflow in lower HB.

Water Temp

™

Upper HB above Walker Springs above 20 degrees C.

Water Temp

Lower HB, springs add cool water

Trace metal

™

Solid dots in June and July apply to upper HB. Ongoing additional studies

Nutrient

Primary focus on upper HB

Biological

Wetland/Riparian

™

Growing season

Fish Habitat

™

Brown trout and Chinook salmon migration and spawning

™

Rainbow trout migration and spawning

™

Benthic macroinvertebrates

™

Maintain Species Diversity and wetted perimeter – Indicator of stream health

Native molluscs

™

Same as benthic note

Fish Entrainment

™

Upper HB and lower HB may require different management strategies

Water associated mammals and birds

™

Social

Angling

™

Other Rec uses

™

Dispersed recreation (camping); wet rec

Whitewater boating

™

Consistent with natural hydrograph

Management

Power generation

™

Drafting until precluded by 89 agreement

Water rights

™

(check water rights doc)

™ = driver = must be considered in overall assessment of monthly flow or lake level requirement

˜ = primary driver = limiting factor in determining monthly flow or lake level requirement

Other attributes considered but not included in the matrix:

· T&E Amphibians/Reptiles: Limited habitat, but no species located.

Hamilton Branch Reach

Rationale for Selection

Ecosystem and Management Attributes

PHYSICAL

Channel Maintenance: Maintenance of fluvial process provides for balanced sediment transport, channel bed material mobilization and distribution, and channel structural stability distribution that contributes to a diverse aquatic habitat and healthy riparian habitat.

Sediment Transport: Sediment mobilization and movement is critical to proper riparian function and fish, amphibian and other aquatic organism reproduction and rearing.

Gravel Recruitment: Gravel recruitment occurs as a natural process of landslides and hillside sloughing of appropriate sized materials onto the active floodplain and is directly affected by the quantity of material that is available and periodicity of sufficient flows to mobilize this material.

Large Woody Debris Transport: Large woody material provides cover for fish; substrate and nutrients for aquatic organisms; variation in aquatic habitat through scouring of the streambed and structure and diversity to riparian corridors. Flow variations contribute to woody transport cycling however, existing infrastructure limits availability to the system.

Precipitation Runoff: Storm and/or snowmelt runoff results in seasonal and annual streamflow diversity that provides biological triggers and energy required for channel evolution, move sediment, and create diverse riparian stand structure.

Spring Accretion Flow: Accretion flow from springs provides relatively large volumes of high quality, cold water supplementing instream flow releases in the reach below Hamilton Branch Diversion Dam.

Water Temperature: Temperature thresholds provide growth, reproductive, and migratory triggers and appropriate temperatures throughout the year are necessary for aquatic organism sustainablility. Water temperature in upper Hamilton Branch is warmer than that below Walker Springs, which contributes colder flows.

Trace Metal: Trace metal concentrations may have impacts during certain parts of the year. Evaluation will consider measurements above and below springs within Hamilton Branch.

Nutrient: The seasonal hydrograph with associated variations in reservoir releases, stream velocity and flow rate contribute to nutrient cycling processes. Excessive loading from MMR can deplete dissolved oxygen requirement in Hamilton Branch.

BIOLOGICAL

Wetland/Riparian: Properly functioning riparian systems provide shade and cover, moderate fluctuations in stream temperature, are a nutrient and energy source, temporarily store sediment and contribute to habitat diversity.

Fish habitat: Flows and adequate temperatures are necessary year-round for adult holding and rearing and juvenile nursery habitat.

Brown Trout and Chinook Salmon Migration and Spawning: Brown trout and Chinook salmon migrate into Hamilton Branch and its tributaries to spawn in the Fall.

Rainbow Trout Migration and Spawning: Rainbow troutmigrate into Hamilton Branch and its tributaries to spawn in the Spring.

Benthic Macroinvertebrates: Diverse and healthy populations of benthic macroinvertebrates are indicators of properly functioning biological and physical aquatic systems and an important food source for fish.

Native Molluscs: Diverse and healthy populations of molluscs are indicators of properly functioning biological and physical aquatic systems.

Fish Entrainment: Fish may be entrained at all three diversion points, with warm water species having the highest potential of being entrained at the Hamilton Branch Diversion Dam, and rainbow trout, brown trout, and chinook salmon having a higher potential of entrainment at the Clear Creek and Red Bridge diversions.

Water Associated Mammals and birds: Hamilton Branch provides important water-associated mammal and bird habitat.

SOCIAL

Angling: Angling occurs from late May through November 15.

Other Rec Uses: Stream-associated recreation (hunting, camping, picnicking, etc.) occurs primarily from May through November.

Whitewater Boating: Whitewater boating is a potential recreational use in this area.

MANAGEMENT

Power Generation: Water diverted from the stream is used for power generation at the Hamilton Branch Powerhouse. Water may be diverted at any time of the year, but the greatest diversions relative to stream flows occur in the summer and fall months.

Water Right: Community of Clear Creek has water rights to Walker Spring which may impact summer base flow below Walker Spring.

ECOSYSTEM AND MANAGEMENT ATTRIBUTES FOR Mountain Meadows Reservoir

Attributes Month Notes

Physical

Lake Level/Storage

™

23,952 acre ft. full pool.

Minimum pool – 1989 DFG agreement

Precipitation

™

Component of the hydrologic cycle – not controlled by Project so little management opportunity

Water Temp

™

Two issues: Reservoir temps for warm water fishery; downstream releases for cold water needs in-stream and to Lake Almanor

™

DO level info within reservoir needed for all seasons

Nutrient Cycling

Cattle grazing/Public owned treatment works/algal blooms

Water Quality*

™

Heavy metal concerns and other chemistry

Biological

Wetland/riparian

Plant growth

Warm H₂0 Fish spawning

™

LM bass and other sunfish

Warm H₂0 Fish habitat

Dec concern is effect of reservoir freezing on overwintering habitat; spawning and rearing habitat May-Sept (min pool)

Fish Passage

™

Passage/migration barrier issue – rainbow and brown trout and suckers spawn in tributaries so months indicated identify critical water levels for access to tribs.

Grazing Interactions

™

Early in year interaction with wildlife populations; later, nutrient loading and increased turbidity

Water associated mammals and birds

™

Breeding & Pacific Flyway pattern (resting); brood escape cover

Species of Concern

Osprey

™

Nesting, resting and foraging

Bald Eagle

™

Nesting, resting and foraging

Willow flycatcher

™

Sandhill Crane

™

Nesting, resting and foraging

Lake Level/Social

On water/shoreline/

lake vicinity recreation

Hunting

™

Variable legal hunting season

Angling

™

Aesthetics

™

Pre-historic site conservation

™

Exposed and potential vandalism during low levels

Management

89 op agreement

No generation from May 15-June 30.

Power generation

™ = driver = must be considered in overall assessment of monthly flow or lake level requirement

˜ = primary driver = limiting factor in determining monthly flow or lake level requirement

* Additional water quality evaluation pending.

Other attributes considered but not included in the matrix:

· Peregrine falcon

· Sierra red fox

· Northern Leopard Frog

· Western Pond Turtle

· Heritage site interpretation

Mountain Meadows Reservoir

Rationale for Selection

Ecosystem and Management Attributes

PHYSICAL

Lake Storage Level: Lake level both minimum and maximum pool, affects waterfowl production, fish habitat (and population), and wetland and riparian communities.

Precipitation: Storm runoff and snowmelt results in seasonal and annual streamflow to the reservoir that provides biological triggers to wildlife and fishery resources.

Water Temperature: Warm water temperatures support the warm water fishery in the reservoir but may impact coldwater aquatic resources downstream through the timing of instream releases and releases to Lake Almanor.

Dissolved Oxygen: Dissolved oxygen levels can affect aquatic resources both in the reservoir and downstream. Additional evaluation needed.

Nutrient Cycling: Cattle grazing activities and Westwood’s sewage treatment facility may be contributing to nutrient loading in the reservoir.

Water Quality: Heavy metals analysis, including mercury and silver, needs to be evaluated both in the water and fish species in the reservoir.

BIOLOGICAL

Wetland/Riparian: Wetland/riparian plants along the margins of the reservoir provide important fish and wildlife food, breeding, and escape cover.

Warmwater Fishery (spawning and habitat): Lake water level and minimum pool can affect spawning and rearing habitat for the warmwater fishery (largemouth bass, redear sunfish, pumpkinseed, bluegill, and bullheads). Minimum pool during winter may also affect over winter survival due to lake freezing over. Lake level fluctuation and maximum pool level in late spring to early summer provides stable spawning conditions for largemouth bass and other warmwater species.

Fish Passage: Precipitation runoff occurring in the fall and late winter and into the spring can provide access from the reservoir into tributary streams for spawning fish (rainbow trout, brown trout, and suckers).

Grazing Interactions: Both from nutrient loading to the reservoir (see Nutrient Cycling, above), and impacts on wetland/riparian community and subsequent impacts on fish and wildlife populations.

Waterfowl and other associated water birds and mammals: The reservoir and its surrounding wetland/riparian community provides important habitat for both resting birds during migration as part of the Pacific Flyway and for breeding in the spring and summer months and important habitat for an assortment of water-associated birds and mammals.

SPECIES OF CONCERN

Osprey: Osprey, although not a threatened or endangered species, are known to occur in the vicinity and uses the reservoir area for nesting and foraging.

Bald Eagle: The bald eagle is a state endangered and federal threatened (proposed for delisting 7/6/99) species known to occur in the vicinity and uses the reservoir area for nesting and foraging.

Willow Flycatcher: The willow flycatcher is state endangered and is known to occur in the vicinity of the reservoir and historically has used the area for nesting (outside the FERC boundary, ~ 2 miles away) and foraging.

Sandhill Crane: Sandhill crane, although not a threatened or endangered species, are known to occur in the vicinity and uses the reservoir area for nesting and foraging.

LAKE LEVEL/SOCIAL

On-Water/Shoreline/Lake Vicinity Recreation: The reservoir provides opportunities for a variety of on-shore hiking, bird watching, and picnicking; and on-water boating and fishing.

Angling: The reservoir provides year-round fishing (may be limited in some years by ice during some winter months), with peak fishing for cold water fish species in the early spring and warmwater species in all months, with the heaviest pressure occurring during summer and fall.

Hunting: Hunting for waterfowl occurs during autumn during regularly permitted hunting season.

Aesthetics: The reservoir provides a relatively natural lake-type setting with minimal development on its shoreline.

Pre-Historic Site Conservation: Reservoir water surface elevation may help to protect any existing pre-historic sites that were present prior to its filling. Fluctuating water levels may impact shoreline sites.

MANAGEMENT

1989 CDFG Operations Agreement: This agreement between CDFG and Licensee provides operational limits/constraints on seasonal minimum and maximum pool requirements and instream flow releases. The purpose is to provide both waterfowl and fishery resource protection.

Power Generation: The primary purpose of the reservoir is to provide water storage for downstream power generation at the Hamilton Branch Powerhouse.

ECOSYSTEM AND MANAGEMENT ATTRIBUTES FOR _Upper Butt Creek Reach

Attributes Month Notes

Physical

Water Quality/Turbidity

™

Only when Howell-Bunger valve is exercised because of turbidity concerns. Conduct maintenance only in high flow months.

Biological

**Rainbow trout Sac. Sucker, Pikeminnow migration & spawning

™

Access past flow gaging weir and sediment deposition or scouring during Howell-Bunger valve use

Fish habitat

™

Adult holding, rearing and nursery

Brown Trout Migration & Spawning

™

Access past flow gaging weir and sediment deposition or scouring during Howell-Bunger valve use

Benthic macroinvertebrates

™

Maintain species diversity – Indicator of stream health. Sediment deposition or scouring during Howell-Bunger valve use

Native Molluscs

™

Channel scouring associated with use of Howell-Bunger valve

Amphibian habitat

™

Located in pool below old tunnel and affected by sediment deposition or scouring during Howell-Bunger valve use

Water associated mammals and birds

™

Breeding, rearing and escape cover

Social

Angling

™

Prescribed season

Management

Exercise of Howell-Bunger valve

™

™ = driver = must be considered in overall assessment of monthly flow or lake level requirement

˜ = primary driver = limiting factor in determining monthly flow or lake level requirement

** The one other species present is prickly sculpin

Other attributes considered but not included in the matrix:

· Other physical attributes were deleted due to the presence of Butt Valley Reservoir and lack of operational effects above (unregulated above). Decoupling system and transport of gravel is not possible.

Upper Butt Creek Reach

Rationale for Selection

Ecosystem and Management Attributes

PHYSICAL

Water Quality/Turbidity: Releases from Howell-Bunger valve when exercised per FERC regulations can result in high turbidity levels; valve maintenance should only be conducted under high streamflow conditions.

BIOLOGICAL

Rainbow Trout, Sac. Sucker, and Pikemninnow Migration and Spawning: Migration to suitable spawning areas may be limited past the existing two weirs (one abandoned) on the creek. Spawning areas could be negatively affected by scouring or sediment deposition by the Howell-Bunger valve use in the spring.

Fish Habitat: Unregulated reach of stream. Spawning, holding and rearing habitat for various species.

Brown Trout Migration and Spawning: Migration to suitable spawning areas may be limited past the existing two weirs (one abandoned) on the creek. Spawning areas could be negatively affected by scouring or sediment deposition by the Howell-Bunger valve use in the fall.

Benthic Macroinvertebrates: Diverse and healthy populations of benthic macroinvertebrates are indicators of properly functioning biological and physical aquatic systems.

Native Molluscs: Diverse and healthy populations of endemic molluscs are indicators of properly functioning biological and physical aquatic systems.

Amphibian Habitat: Appropriate amphibian habitat for pacific tree frogs is present in pool below abandoned tunnel near Howell-Bunger valve. Pool could be negatively affected by scouring or sediment deposition by the Howell-Bunger valve use.

Water Associated Mammals and Birds: Habitat.

SOCIAL

Angling: This stream reach is highly used by anglers for both rainbow and brown trout in the spring and fall, respectively, during regular fishing season.

MANAGEMENT

Exercise of Howell-Bunger Valve: Exercise in winter months to minimize scouring and sediment deposition.

ECOSYSTEM AND MANAGEMENT ATTRIBUTES FOR _Lower Butt Creek Reach

Attributes Month Notes

Physical

Channel maintenance

™

Limited by presence of Butt Valley Dam, Quality of alluvium – Hyporheic flows & Habitat Diversity

Sediment transport

™

Same as above

Precipitation runoff

™

Limited snowpack, no control. Mostly rain and accretion

Water temperature

™

April/May trigger for amphibian and Trout egg laying, incubation, and rearing (too cold) Maybe a limiting factor for amphibian reproduction.

Large woody debris transport

™

Limited transport

Accretion flow

™

Dominant source of streamflow since no flows are released from Butt Valley Reservoir

Biological

Wetland/riparian

™

Growing season

**Rainbow trout Migration & Spawning

™

Movement past abandoned flow weir site

Rainbow trout habitat

™

Fry, Juvenile & Adult Rearing

Benthic macroinvertebrates

™

Maintain Species Diversity– Indicator of stream health

Native Molluscs

™

Highly diverse endemic population of molluscs.

Species of Concern

Foothill yellow-legged frog

™

Social

Angling

™

Prescribed season

Management

™ = driver = must be considered in overall assessment of monthly flow or lake level requirement

˜ = primary driver = limiting factor in determining monthly flow or lake level requirement

** The one other species present is prickly sculpin

Other attributes considered but not included in the matrix:

· Water quality – testing revealed no issues

· Species of Concern – none found

· Mining/recreational dredging occurs on this reach

Lower Butt Creek Reach

Rationale for Selection

Ecosystem and Management Attributes

PHYSICAL

Sediment Transport: Sediment mobilization and movement is critical to proper riparian function and fish, amphibian and other aquatic organism reproduction and rearing.

Precipitation Runoff: Storm and/or snowmelt runoff results in seasonal and annual streamflow diversity that provides biological triggers and energy required to cause channel evolution, move sediment, and create diverse riparian stand structure.

Water Temperature: Temperature thresholds provide growth, reproductive, and migratory triggers. Stable favorable water temperatures for fish and mollusk exist year-round.

Large Woody Debris Transport: Large woody material provides cover for fish, substrate and nutrients of aquatic organisms, variation in aquatic habitat through scouring of the streambed and structure and diversity to riparian corridors. Flow variations contribute to wood transport. Abundant large woody debris is present. Mobilization flows are largely absent.

Accretion Flow: Accretion flow from ephemeral/seasonal tributaries to lower Butt Creek augment springs and dam leakage and provides flow variability. Springs located a short distance downstream of Butt Valley Dam provides year-round significant volumes of high quality, cold water to flows in the creek.

BIOLOGICAL

Rainbow Trout Migration and Spawning: Migration to suitable spawning areas and passage into and out of tributaries as well as spawning habitat characteristics are not adversely affected by lack of substrate, water depth and water velocity or temperature. Highest number of redds observed per mile in the project area. Abandoned weir near confluence may be a barrier to smaller size class migration.

Rainbow Trout Habitat: Riparian and aquatic habitats provide an excellent self-sustaining trout fishery and functioning ecosystem to all naturally occurring species.

Benthic Macroinvertebrates: Diverse and healthy populations of benthic macroinvertebrates are indicators of properly functioning biological and physical aquatic systems.

Native Molluscs: Diverse and healthy populations of molluscs are indicators of properly functioning biological and physical aquatic systems. Highest number of endemic mollusks observed in the project area.

SPECIES OF CONCERN

Foothill Yellow-Legged Frog: Water temperature may inhibit reproduction. Limited habitat.

SOCIAL

Angling: Flow regime, fish migration and size provide high quality angling opportunity but access is limited.

ECOSYSTEM AND MANAGEMENT ATTRIBUTES FOR _Seneca Reach________________

Attributes Month Notes

Physical

Channel maintenance

Limited by presence of Canyon Dam, Quality of alluvium – Hyporheic flows & Habitat Diversity. Limited ability to move sediment

Sediment transport

Precipitation runoff

™

Limited snowpack, mostly rain

Water temperature

™

Trying to mimic historic pattern for amphibian and Trout egg laying, Incubation and rearing

Large woody debris transport

™

Limited availability

Accretion flow

™

Dominant source of streamflow. In addition to the minimum streamflow release, an additional 30+cfs is supplied by tributaries and groundwater above confluence with Butt Creek

Water quality input at Canyon Dam

™

Influence increases as accretion diminishes. Sept can have WQ issues; fall turnover can produce WQ problems immediately downstream of Canyon Dam. Additional study for metals currently underway

Biological

Wetland/riparian

™

Growing season

Vegetation encroachment

™

Himalayan blackberry and willow

**Rainbow trout Migration & Spawning

™

Initiation temperature dependent & Access to Tributaries

Rainbow trout habitat

™

Fry, Juvenile & Adult Rearing habitat

Water associated mammals and birds

™

Benthic macroinvertebrates

™

Maintain Species Diversity – Indicator of stream health

Native Molluscs

™

Social

Angling

™

Prescribed season

Whitewater boating

™

Flow sufficient infrequently

Management

Power generation

™

™ = driver = must be considered in overall assessment of monthly flow or lake level requirement

˜ = primary driver = limiting factor in determining monthly flow or lake level requirement

** Other species present brown trout, Sacramento sucker & prickly sculpin

Other attributes considered but not included in the matrix:

· Amphibians – None observed but potential habitat exists, caution not to allow pulse flows after time water temperature exceeds critical value for breeding and egg laying

· Peregrine falcon presence considered, one known to exist but not a management driver or impacted by Project operations.

· Mining occurs on USFS and private lands

Seneca Reach

Rationale for Selection

Ecosystem and Management Attributes

PHYSICAL

Channel Maintenance: Maintenance of fluvial processes provides for balanced sediment transport, channel bed material mobilization and distribution, and channel structural stability distribution that contributes to a diverse aquatic habitat and healthy riparian habitat. Existing outlet capacity limited to 2100cfs. Channel maintenance flows from __ to __ were reported in geomorphology report.

Sediment Transport: Sediment mobilization and movement is critical to proper riparian function and fish, amphibian and other aquatic organism reproduction and rearing. Sediment transport flows from __ to __ were reported in geomorphology report.

Precipitation Runoff: Precipitation runoff occurring in late winter and into the spring can provide access to tributary streams, stimulate biological triggers, and facilitate germination and survival of riparian vegetation.

Water Temperature: Temperature thresholds provide growth, reproductive and migratory triggers. Atypical spring cold water temperatures can affect aquatic species reproduction. Existing thermal regime is beneficial to cold water species.

Large Woody Debris (LWD) Transport: Large woody material provides cover for fish, substrate and nutrients for aquatic organisms, variation in aquatic habitat through stream hydraulics and localized scouring of the streambed and structure, and diversity to riparian corridors. LWD in this reach is limited in quantity and provides limited habitat.

Accretion Flow: Tributaries to the North Fork augment releases from Canyon Dam and contribute to flow variability in winter months. Summer accretion adds a significant quantity of high quality water to the existing release from Canyon Dam.

Water Quality Input at Canyon Dam: Hypolimnetic withdrawal from Canyon Dam low-level outlet affects water chemistry in the North Fork. The impact diminishes with increasing distance from Canyon Dam.

BIOLOGICAL

Vegetation Encroachment: Encroachment of Himalayan blackberry and willows reduces plant diversity, impedes access to the North Fork and is a potential hazard to anglers and water contact recreationists.

Rainbow Trout Migration and Spawning: Migration to suitable spawning areas and passage into and out of tributaries may be limited by NFFR base flow during the typical February through April spawning period. Spawning habitat characteristics are not adversely affected by lack of substrate, water velocity or temperature.

Rainbow Trout Habitat: Riparian and aquatic conditions provide suitable adult and rearing habitat year-round.

Water-associated Mammals & Birds: Most require multi-storied riparian corridor with healthy BMI community.

Native Molluscs: Diverse and healthy populations of molluscs are indicators of properly functioning biological and physical aquatic systems.

SOCIAL

Angling: Reach has limited access points and provides high quality, self-sustaining rainbow and brown trout fishery.

Whitewater Boating: Springtime natural flows provide seasonal whitewater boating opportunities.

MANAGEMENT

Power Generation: The existing stream discharge schedule is consistent with maximizing power generation capacity.