Grande Ronde Basin Stream Flow Gauging Stations Operation- Water Years 2025 & 2026

The Grande Ronde Basin (GRB) in northeast Oregon encompasses over 5,000 square miles and is home to numerous perennial flowing streams and, crucial habitats for ESA-listed Snake River spring/summer Chinook salmon, Snake River summer steelhead, and bull trout. To effectively manage this vital ecosystem, a network of stream gauges has been established across the Grande Ronde and Imnaha River subbasins. These gauges serve multiple purposes, including irrigation water management, fisheries management, long-term flow and trend analysis, TMDL and SB1010 water quality management plan effectiveness, subbasin plan implementation, and restoration project development. The data gathered through these gauges play a critical role in providing essential data for understanding the cumulative effects response to conservation efforts in the basin. It is important to note that while these gauges offer valuable insights, their data should be utilized in conjunction with a larger assessment of cumulative effect. This project focuses on the operation of 12 existing stream gauges, in collaboration with partners such as the US Geological Survey (USGS), Idaho Power, and the Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD). Additionally, five gauges operated independently by OWRD are included in this network. These gauges, strategically located throughout the basin, enable the characterization of flow dynamics in both the Grande Ronde and Imnaha subbasins. They capture various stream flow characteristics, including headwater contribution, land management influence, and basin outlet data. Production partners for this project include the Grande Ronde Model Watershed (GRMW) and Oregon Water Resource Department (OWRD), with funding provided by the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB). This collaborative effort aims to enhance our understanding of the basins hydrology and ecosystem, supporting informed decision-making for management and conservation efforts.

Our goal is to continue providing stream flow data assisting in watershed conservation, restoration, research and management in the Grande Ronde Basin. Real time flow data provides the ability to manage surface flow during irrigation season and provides fisheries professionals the ability to manage fisheries facilities based on stream flow conditions. Stream flow records provide restoration project teams the ability to design and engineer restoration actions based on empirical data rather than modeled conditions and additionally provide important supplemental data to fisheries research programs and other researchers.