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TOPIC: Fish Need Water. How much? When?
Where? Discussion initiator: Gary James. Scribe: Brian Wolcott The Feasibility Study will identify some targets for the Basin, with the Milton-Freewater to the mouth reach being the most critical. Other areas like the Touchet are important, too. Salmon extinction is due to migration problems. Spring is the most important time for salmon. Priority targets (Estimated) 1) 150 cubic feet per second (cfs) Winter to June (15,000 acre feet) 2) 50 cfs July-October (12,000 acre feet) 3) 100 cfs July-October (12,000 acre feet) the location for these target flows is from the Little Walla Walla diversion to the mouth. 1) is for migration of steelhead and salmon, these flows are vital 2) is for juvenile rearing 3) is not as critical-it would mean more productive rearing much of 1) is already there as winter/spring flows Is the target for the whole reach or the lowest flow location? If Temperature is a problem in the lower river, then the target reach may be shortened. How can the targets be reached with no loss to ag. Production? Some of the target has been met. This is the first year with no need for a fish salvage where they were traditionally stranded between Milton-Freewater and stateline. 3 irrigation districts have given up 13 – 25 cfs out of around 100 cfs available in the summer. Without more money it will be difficult for them to give up any more. The Tribes should consider that cooperation is essential. Now we have enough flow for migration to up river habitat. Currently the irrigators are exposed to regulation until the HCP is complete. They need help in holding off the regulators, others need to do their part. The previously mentioned target flows should keep in mind low flow or drought years. The total irrigation community not diverting may equal the targets. The whole basin needs to have input on what the targets should be or can be. Are there similar goals for the Touchet river and Mill creek? Answer (Gary): Not yet, but Bennington Lake could be expanded. Fall Chinook and coho salmon are not being considered for Walla Walla reintroduction. The tribes should clarify if pre-Columbian flows are desired. Irrigators need to state the flow they need What is municipal future demand? With above targets, you can get it all without dividing the pie What about a Bennington lake expansion? Problems with dam capability? Water quality and use of Yellowhawk or Mill Creek Channel cross sections may lead to better targets What will the returning salmon do in 3 years? What flows provide habitat in the Yakima, John Day, etc. If we don’t unify to meet targets then we’ll have problems Why not go right to a Columbia River exchange? This is being considered. Early analysis of piping water to Milton-Freewater is $30-40 million with high yearly cost of $100-200,000 / year. We could combine techniques. New power generator could help fund as mitigation. Long term O & M will not likely be federally funded. If we look big – let’s include the Forks and municipal needs. We could list priorities as to what construction would happen first. Umatilla only got 2/3 of their project. Congress prefers not to revisit a project with additional funds Is flow target looking at quality or just quantity? A: mainly quantity What about aquifer recharge? Concern that if we don’t get federal $ - these targets are not scientific, but they may become the standard requirement The congressionals cannot fund this if they see bickering. Our annual runoff exceeds by far the amount needed for fish. 200,000-400,000 acre feet when 50,000 acre feet is needed. 9,000 acre feet total within Walla Walla 3 Districts = about 40% of irrigated ground in basin To reach priority 2 & 3 then we need 39K acre feet The HCP and 2514 Groups will develop their own flow targets Storage may seem to be the obvious answer. If so, what is the total need The COE is considering teaming with states on flow analysis Historical hydrograph may have had a later lower runoff on average and higher base flows – with bank storage and less surface runoff Water quality – storing Pine and Dry Creek and this water goes to irrigation with high quality water stays in for fish |
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