Optimizing Stream Flow Enhancement

Salmonid Research, Monitoring, and Evaluation (RM&E)

Monitoring
Project ID020 04 SC B1
Recovery DomainsSnake River
Start Date01/20/2005
End Date01/01/2007
Year2004
StatusCompleted
Last Edited01/14/2025
 
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Description    


Through this project, a subcontract was signed with Idaho Power Company to install and maintain17 stream gages; all equipment is owned by Idaho Power Company and will be removed and retained by IPCO when the contract is completed. In addition to the subcontracted data collection other hydrologic, biologic, and geographic data were collected by IDWR staff as part of this project. MIKE Basin computer models were completed for the Lemhi River, Challis Creek, and Garden Creek; these represent the hydrologic system and water use in the respective watersheds. These models can be used to evaluate how the hydrologic system functions and how the system will respond to changes in recharge, discharge, or changes in water management practices.

Data, analysis and models were used by the Idaho Department of Water Resources (IDWR) to support the Upper Salmon Basin Tech Team projects. Critical elements of these projects relate to the water rights and associated impacts of distribution changes. The success of each of these projects depended and still depends on accurate understanding of the hydrologic system and the hydrologic responses in the watershed resulting from changes to water use, water management and other land changes. Support during public meetings, meetings with landowners, water users, and state water masters was provided.

Highlights of the project.

A map of the MIKE Basin models completed or enhanced during this project are on file with the Office of Species Conservation. Data from the 17 gages and other information gathered during this project were used to populate the models.

Project Benefit    


The project will result in enhanced management decision making for fish habitat restoration in the upper Salmon subbasin.

Accomplishments

Metric Completed Originally
Proposed
Research and Monitoring
  Stream Miles Monitored 199.63 200.00

Funding Details

SourceFunds
PCSRF$327,084
State$222,928
Report Total:$550,012


Project Map



Worksites

20022240    


  • Worksite Identifier: 20022240
  • Start Date: 11/01/2004
  • End Date: 01/01/2007
Area Description

No Area Description data was found for this worksite.

Location Information

  • Basin: Salmon (170602)
  • Subbasin: Lemhi (17060204)
  • Watershed:
  • Subwatershed:
  • State: Idaho
  • Recovery Domain: Snake River
  • Latitude: 45.1715
  • Longitude: -113.8824

ESU

  • Snake River Basin Steelhead DPS
  • Snake River Spring/Summer-run Chinook Salmon ESU

Map

Photos

Metrics

Metrics
  • E.0 Salmonid Research, Monitoring, and Evaluation (RM&E)Y (Y/N)
    •      . . E.0.a RM&E Funding 550,012.00
    •      . . E.0.b
      Complement habitat restoration project
      Provided staff assistance for 19 water transactions through the Idaho Water Transaction Program. Upper Salmon 2005: Beaver, Big Hat, Eighteenmile, Four of July, Kenney creeks, Lemhi River @ Baker, Lemhi River @ Early Season, Lemihi River @ Late Season, and Pole Creek. Upper Salmon 2006: Alturas Lake, Big Hat, Lower Eighteenmile-Ellsworth, Lower Eighteenmile-Kruckeberg, Fourth of July, Iron, Morgan, and Pole creeks, and lower Lemhi River
    •      . . E.0.c
      Project identified in a plan or watershed assessment.
      NPCC. 2004. Salmon Subbasin Management Plan. In, Columbia River Basin Fish and Wildlife Program. Portland, Oregon
    •      . . E.0.d.1 Number of Cooperating Organizations 3
    •      . . E.0.d.2
      Name Of Cooperating Organizations.
      Idaho Department of Water Resources Idaho Gov's Office of Species Conservation U.S. Bureau of Reclamation
    •      . . E.0.e.1 Number of reports prepared 12
    •      . . E.0.e.2
      Name Of Report
      -Graham. 2005-2006. Quarterly Reports. IDWR. Boise, Idaho -Scheidt. 2005. Water transaction program monitoring and evaluation report for 2005. Boise, Idaho -DHI, Inc. 2006. Development of a MIKE BASIN model for the Challis and Garden creeks basins: a tool for evaluating streamflows, diversion operations, and surface water-groundwater relationships. Boise, Idaho -DHL, Inc. 2006. The Lemhi River MIKE BASIN Model: A tool for evaluating stream flows,diversion operations, and surface water-ground water relationships in the Lemhi River Basin, Idaho. Boise, Idaho -Scheidt. 2006. Optimizing streamflow enhancement project summary. Boise, Idaho -Scheidt. 2006. Water transaction program monitoring and evaluation report for 2006.
    •      . . E.1 MonitoringY (Y/N)
      •      . . . . E.1.a Monitoring funding 550,012.00
      •      . . . . E.1.b.1 Stream Miles Monitored 199.63
      •      . . . . E.1.b.2 Acres of Watershed Area Monitored 1,368,514.0
      •      . . . . E.1.c.9 Water quantity (flow) monitoringY (Y/N)
        •      . . . . . . E.1.c.9.a # miles (to nearest 0.01 mile) monitored for water quantity (flow) monitoring 199.63
        •      . . . . E.1.d
          Name Of Comprehensive Monitoring Strategy/Program
          None
        •      . . . . E.1.e
          Description of monitoring
          Data will be used to assist flow enhancement and habitat restoration decisions made by the Upper Salmon Basin Technical Team or other parties that may propsed projects.