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no.78/
68
COOPERATIVE
INSTREAM FLOW
SERVICE GROUP
INSTREAM
FLOW
INFORMATION
PAPER: NO.8
FWS /OBS-78 /68
JUNE 1978
Reco~aed Stream
-'~
Resource Maintenance
Flows on Seven
Southern Idaho
Streams
Cooperating Agencies:
Fish and Wildlife Service
Environmental Protection Agency
Heritage Conservation afHi.Recreation Service
Bureau of Reclamation
@ .
.
SERVICES
COOPERATIVE
IN STREAM FLOW SERVICE
GROUP
The Cooperative lnstream Flow Service
Group was formed in 1976 under the
sponsorship of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service. Primary funding was provided by
the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency. The group operates as a satellite
of the Western Energy and Land Use
Team. It is a part of the Western Water AI·
location Project, Office of Biological
Services.
Cooperative lnstream Flow
Service Group
2625 Redwing Road
Fort Collins, CO 80526
(303) 493-4275 FTS 323-5231
While the Fish and Wildlife Service Is ,
providing the initiative and leadership,
the IFG is conceived as a multl·agency,
multi·disciplinary program which is to be·
come a "center of activity," providing a
focus for the increasing importance of In·
.,..,.,lr,"""-'"'"''"'Urces stream flow assessments.
. The multi·agency, multi·disclpllnary
SernceS nature of the group is provided through
. Alaska the Intergovernmental Personnel Act
transfer of state personnel, and details
from other Federal agencies.
RECOMMENDED STREAM RESOURCE MAINTENANCE
FLOWS ON SEVEN SOUTHERN IDAHO STREAMS
Instream Flow Information Paper No. 8
by
Thomas A Pruitt 1
Richard L. Nadeau 2
Boise Field Office
Division of Ecological Services
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Boise, Idaho
Edited by:
Keith Bayha 3
Tim Cochnauer 4
Cooperative Instream Flow Service Group
Creekside Building
2625 Redwing Road
Fort Collins, Colorado 80526
Cooperative Instream Flow Service Group
Western Energy and Land Use Team
Office of Biological Services
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
F-W)/OBS-78/68
June 1978
1 2036 NW 12th, Meridian, Idaho (formerly on staff at Boise Field Office,
ES).
2 Currently at US Fish and Wildlife Service, ANSCA, Room 3012, Interior
Building, Washington, DC 20240 (formerly on staff at Boise Field
Office, ES).
3 Eco l ogi st, Cooperative Instream Flow Service Group (formerly on staff
at Boise Field Office, ES).
4 Currently, Fishery Research Biologist, Idaho Fish and Game Department,
Jerome, Idaho (formerly on IPA assignment with Cooperative Instream Flow
Service Group).
DISCLAIMER
The op1n1ons, findings, conclusions, or
reconvnendations expressed in this report
product are those of the authors and do
not necessarily reflect the views of the
Office of Biological Services, Fish and
Wildlife Service, U.S. Department of the
Interior, nor does mention of trade names
or commercial products constitute endorse-
ment or recommendation for use by the
Federal Government.
i ~
For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20t02
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1. Study area on Little Weiser River below c. Ben Ross Diversion. 7
Figure 2. Trout passage curve for Little Weiser
River below C. Ben Ross Diversion. 8
Figure 3. Rainbow trout spawning curve for Little
Weiser River at C. Ben Ross Diversion. 9
Figure 4. Wetted perimeter curve for Little Weiser
River below C. Ben Ross Diversion. 9
Figure 5. Study area on Deadwood River below Dead-
wood Dam. 11
Figure 6. Trout passage curve for Deadwood River
below Deadwood Dam. 13
Figure 7. Rainbow trout spawning curve for Dead-
wood River below Deadwood Dam. 15
Figure 8. Cutthroat trout spawning curve for Dead-
wood River below Deadwood Dam. 15
Figure 9. Dolly Varden spawning curve for Deadwood
River below Deadwood Dam. 16
Figure 10. Wetted perimeter curve for Deadwood
River below Deadwood Dam. 16
Figure 11. Study area on North Fork Payette River
below Payette Lake. 18
Figure 12. Rainbow trout spawning curve for North
Fork Payette River below Payette Lake. 20
Figure 13. Brown trout spawning curve for North
Fork Payette River below Payette Lake. 20
Figure 14. Brook Trout spawning curve for North
Fork Payette River below Payette Lake. 21
iii
LIST OF FIGURES (CONTINUED)
Figure 15. Dolly Varden spawning curve for North
Fork Payette River below Payette Lake.
Figure 16. Kokanee salmon spawning curve for North
Fork Payette River below Payette Lake.
Figure 17. Wetted perimeter curve for North Fork
Payette River below Payette Dam.
Figure 18. Study area on South Fork Boise River
below Anderson Ranch Dam.
Figure 19. Rainbow trout spawning curve for South
Fork Boise River below Anderson Ranch
Dam.
Figure 20. Brook trout spawning curve for South
Fork Boise River below Anderson Ranch
Dam.
Figure 21. Dolly Varden spawning curve for South
Fork Boise River below Anderson Ranch
Dam.
Figure 22. Study area on Boise River below Lucky
Peak Dam.
Figure 23. Rainbow trout spawning curve for Boise
River below Lucky Peak Dam.
Figure 24. Brown trout spawning curve for Boise
River below Lucky Peak Dam.
Figure 25. Dolly Varden spawning curve for Boise
River below Lucky Peak Dam.
Figure 26. Wetted perimeter curve for Boise River
below Lucky Peak Dam.
Figure 27. Study area on Blackfoot River below
Blackfoot Reservoir.
Figure 28. Rainbow trout spawning curve for Black-
foot River below Blackfoot Reservoir.
iv
21
22
22
24
26
26
27
30
35
35
36
36
38
41
LIST OF FIGURES (CONTINUED)
Figure 29. Cutthroat trout spawning curve for Black-
foot River below Blackfoot Reservoir. 41
Figure 30. Wetted perimeter curve for Blackfoot
River b~low Blackfoot Reservoir. 42
Figure 31. Study area on Willow Creek below Ririe
Dam. 44
Figure 32. Rainbow trout spawning curve for Willow
Creek below Ririe Dam. 46
Figure 33. Cutthroat trout spawning curve for
Willow Creek below Ririe Dam. 46
Figure 34. Brown trout spawning curve for Willow
Creek below Ririe Dam. 47
Figure 35. Brook lrout spawning curve for Willow
Creek b~low Ririe Dam. 47
Figure 36. Wetted perimeter curve for Willow Creek
below Ririe Dam. 48
Figure A·l. Raihbow trout spawning probability
curves. (From Bovee, 1978) 53
Figure A-2. Cutthroat trout spawning probability
curves. (From Bovee, 1978) 54
Figure A .. 3. Brown trout spawning probability
curves. (From Bovee, 1978) 55
Figure A-4. BroOk trout spawning probability
curves. (From Bovee, 1978) 56
Figure A-5. Dolly Varden spawning probability
curves. (From unpublished data provided
to Cooperative Instream Flow Service
Group by Tim Cochnauer, Idaho Fish and
Game Oe"Partment, Jerome, Idaho.) 57
Figure A-6. Kokanee salmon spawning probability
curves. (trom Bovee, 1978). 58
v
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1. Important fish and wildlife resources
in study streams.
Table 2. Recommended stream resource maintenance
flows (cfs) for seven study stream
reaches.
vi
2
49
ABSTRACT
This paper documents the results of i nstream f1 ow investigations
conducted on seven south Idaho streams by the Boise Ecological Services
Field Office during 1972 to 1975. The results were reanalyzed by the Co-
operative Instream Flow Service Group using the concept of probability-
of-use curves which are based on weighted criteria for depth and
ve 1 oci ty. Recommended stream resource maintenance flows by month are
presented.
vii
INTRODUCTION
Coordinated comprehensive planning for the wise use and management
of Idaho • s water and re 1 a ted 1 ands has been in progress s i nee 1966.
Since 1972, these efforts have been led by the Idaho Department of Water
Resources (formerly the Idaho Water Resources Board) with participation
from other State and Federal agencies represented on the Pacific North-
west River Basins Commission.
Such planning efforts have led to the recognition that a major step
leading to proper water management is the determination of the quantity
of water which should remain in the stream to support fish and wildlife
resources and other public values.
Accordingly, in June 1972 the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
(USFWS), Boise Office, initiated field studies to gather instream flow
information, utilizing funds from the U.S. Department of Interior•s
Western U.S. Water Plan (Westwide) Study. Because of curtailment of
Westwide funds, these instream flow investigations were continued with
funding from the Pacific Northwest River Basin Commission•s Comprehen-
sive Coordinated Joint Plan (CCJP) Study, the U. S. Army Corps of Engin-
eers, and U. S. Bureau of Reclamation.
This report presents stream resource rna i ntenance flow recommenda-
tions for those stream reaches on which sufficient data were collected
during these studies. The study waters include Little Weiser, Deadwood,
North Fork Payette, South Fork Boise, Boise, Blackfoot rivers and Willow
Creek. Stream resource maintenance flows are defined as the range of
flows within which fish, wildlife, other aquatic organisms, and related
recreational activities (fishing, hunting, boatin~, etc.) are maintained
or protected.
GENERAL METHOD
The method employed for determining all stream resource maintenance
flow recommendations is based on criteria reflecting depth and velocity
requirements of fish, and expressing flow requirements in terms of one
or more of the following four biological activities: passage, spawning,
incubation, and rearing. Fish and wildlife resources for each study
stream are presented in Table 1.
Basic procedures used in collecting flow data required the follow-
; ng equipment: (1) Price type AA current meter; (2) headset for use
with current meter; (3) stopwatch; (4) current meter rating chart; (5)
beaded steel tagline; (6) permanent transect marking materials; (7) data
collection sheets; (8) cameras and film (color, black and white); and
(9) hip boots.
1
Table 1. Important fish and wildlife resources in study streams.
..c ...., ..c ....,
m S::Vl ::I
Study Streams :::: 0 •r--•r-Q) 0
0 S-s:: lUI+-Q)S:: E ..c...., ..c...., S::+J .::,£ ...., >,Q) +JQ) s::o ..--s:: ::I +'::I 3:::::1 0::::1 ..--"'0 S::+J mE ..--Vl
.,.... 0 +'0 00 00 r-S-::::S•r-.::,£ ..--IUVl
IUS-::IS-S-S-S-S-om o..c om Em
0:: 1-Ul-COl-COl-O> ::E3 ~ V') V') co
Little Weiser River X X
Deadwood River X X X X X
North Fork Payette River X X X X X X
South Fork Boi:se River X X X X X
Botse River X X X X
Blackfoot River X X X X
vi ill ow Creek X X X
In order to conduct i nstream flow studies on most study streams,
controlled releases from upstream structures were requested for a given
period of time. Generally, a given flow was released for a minimum of
24 hours to allow for stabilization of water levels throughout the study
reach.
During preliminary investigations of most streams or stream
reaches, three spawning and three passage transects were se 1 ected for
study. Orange-painted stakes were placed in each stream bank at natural
high watermark to identify all transects. A beaded tagline was extended
across the stream between the markers. A Price Type AA current meter,
mounted on a standard top-setting wading rod, was used to measure depth
and velocity parameters on the transect.
At least one discharge transect was established at each study site.
Procedures for determining stream flows at these transects were in
accordance with U.S. Geological Survey methods (USGS 1969). Velocities
were taken at 0. 6 of the water depth from the water surface in water
less than 2.5 feet deep, and at 0.8 and 0.2 of depth from water surface
over 2.5 feet in depth.
Passage transects were established on the shallow gravel bars most
critical to passage of adult fish, with a linear transect following the
shallowest course from bank to bank. The transects were divided into
segments based on the consistency of bottom elevations so as to obtain
as accurate a channel configuration as possible. Velocities were mea-
sured at 0.6 of the water depth from the water surface.
At each of several flows, the total width and longest continuous
portion meeting minimum depth (0.4 feet) and maximum velocity (4.0 fps)
criteria for passage are recorded and graphed against discharge. Graphs
for each transect, with velocity plotted against percent usable stream
width, were used to select the flow which meets the criteria on at least
25% of the tota 1 transect width and a continuous portion equa 1 i ng at
1 east 10% of its total width (Thompson 1972). The usab 1 e widths (con-
sidering both depth and velocity) of all transects for each stream reach
are plotted and averaged, and the results provide a minimum flow recom-
mendation for passage.
Spawning transect sites were established by selecting an area that
was determined to be representative of the stream as a spawning area,
usually at the head of a riffle. The transect was divided into 10 equal
segments with a measuring station at the midpoint of each segment. At
each station the current meter was positioned at a depth of 0.4 feet
above the bottom.
Spawning flow recommendations are based on a concept presented by
the Cooperative Instream Flow Service Group, Fort Collins, Colorado.
3
These recommendations are based on the concept of probabi 1 ity-of-use
curves which are based on weighted criteria developed for depth and vel-
ocity parameters. The
11
• • • curves are based on the assumption that i ndi-
viduals of a species will tend to select areas
within the stream having the most favorable combina-
tions of hydraulic conditions. It is further assumed
that they wi 11 also uti 1 i ze less favorab 1 e condi-
tions, with the probability-of-use decreasing with
diminishing favorability of one or several hydraulic
conditions. Finally, it is assumed that i ndi vidual s
will elect to leave an area before conditions become
lethal. The weighted criteria are presented in the
form of probability-of-use curves, the peak of which
represents optimum conditions for a given hydraulic
parameter. 11 (Bovee and Cochnauer J.978: iii).
Each spawning transect was segmented into at least 10 sections. The
weighted value of each segment was determined by multiplying the width
of the segment by the weighted value for depth and velocity. The total
weighted value for the transect is the total of the transect segments.
Each total weighted value was then plotted against the corresponding
discharge resulting in a curve such as depicted in Figure 3.
Starting at zero discharge, the weighted value of the study site
increases rapidly for small increases in discharge up to a point where
the weighted spawning value increases slowly while discharge increases
rapidly. At this inflection point, the greatest amount of spawning habi-
tat is available for the least amount of flow, and is selected as the
spawning maintenance flow. In cases where more than one spawning tran-
sect was measured, the weighted values for all transects were averaged,
and the average was plotted against corresponding discharge.
Egg incubation and fry emergence flow recommendations are 66% of
the recommended spawning flow if a velocity of at least 1 foot/sec is
maintained. This flow provides enough shear force to adequately oxygen-
ate the spawning gravels through the incubation period.
The period of year when fish are not migrating, spawning, or when
eggs or fry are not in gravel is loosely defined as the rearing period.
This period is probably most criticial for survival. and is the life
history phase for which the least amount of information is available
with respect to physical flow requirements. Since this period encom-
passes many activities whose relationships with the stream are highly
complex, a combination of measurements and judgements were employed to
determine rearing flow recommendations.
4
No measurements were made specifically for rearing because at the
time of the studies, little or no information was available relating
fish rearing to stream flows. Collings (1974) recommended that rearing
flows for Pacific salmon species be based on the assumption that rearing
is proportional to food production, which in turn is assumed to be pro-
portional to wetted perimeter. Since data were collected on riffle
areas, the wetted perimeter concept was app 1 i ed to the study streams.
In determining rearing discharge, a representative riffle transect was
selected and wetted perimeter calculated and plotted against discharge
to produce a curve such as depicted in Figure 10.
Starting at zero discharge, wetted perimeter increases rapidly for
small increases in discharge, up to the point where the river channel
nears its maximum width. Beyond this inflection point, wetted perimeter
increases slowly with increasing discharge. The desired quantity of
water for rearing (food production) is selected near this inflection
point where the greatest amount of wetted perimeter is available for the
least amount of flow. On streams where adequate data were not collec-
ted, visual judgement of the field team was relied on to determine a
rearing flow.
Photo points were established at each transect to record vis·ual
changes in stream characteristics by various flow stages. These photos
are on file at the Boise office, USFWS.
To assimilate flow recommendations for the four biological activ-
ities of all important fish species, a periodicity chart was compiled
for each study stream. The flow requirement determined for each 1 ife
history phase, for each species inhabiting the stream reach of concern,
is arrayed according to the applicable period. The stream resource main-
tenance flow se 1 ected for any month is the hi gh'@!st flow required to
accommodate all biological activities within that month.
The recommended flow reflects only the quantitative requirements
for fish and does not compensate for quality deficiencies. Comprehensive
investigations of water quality were beyond the scope of these field
studies and flows recommended herein are presented under the assumption
that State and Federal water quality standards are met.
5
LITTLE WEISER RIVER
The headwaters of Little Weiser River originate about 20 air miles
south of the town of McCall, Idaho (Figure 1). A long narrow ridge of
peaks, called the West Mountains, form a divide between the Payette and
Weiser River drainages of western Idaho. The Little Weiser River flows
south and west from West Mountains to its confluence with Weiser River
near Cambridge, Idaho at river mile 45.0. Major tributaries to the Lit-
tle Weiser River are Anderson, Four-bit and, Gray•s Creeks, which com-
bine to give the Little Weiser River a drainage area of approximately
195 square miles. The study area is in the Gl adhart section, approx-
imately 8 miles upstream of the mouth.
Water is diverted at river mile 20.0 for filling of C. Ben Ross
Reservoir, an off-stream impoundment used primarily for irrigation water
storage. Additional irrigation water is withdrawn directly from the
stream throughout most of its length.
The stream elevation of the Little Weiser River at the C. Ben Ross
Diversion is approximately 3,220 feet. Through the 20.0 mile study area
the river drops 590 feet to an elevation of 2,630 feet. The average gra-
dient through the area is 0.558% or 29.5 feet per mile. Average annual
discharge of Little Weiser River at the Indian Valley gage station just
above the study area is 102 cfs (USGS 1960). Records are not available
for discharge throughout the study area.
Game fish species include rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) and moun-
tain whitefish (Proso~ium williamsoni). Three spawning and three passage
transects were estab 11 shed for the study, and phys i ca 1 parameters were
measured at each of five flows.
The recommended passage flow for rainbow trout is 42 cfs (Figure 2)
and the spawning flow recommendation for rainbow trout is 40 cfs (Fig-
ure 3). The rearing flow recommendation, based on the wetted perimeter
curve (Figure 4), is 70 cfs. Flows for angling were not considered in
the study, but in most cases the suggested flows are adequate for that
purpose.
The recommendations are for continuous flows from Gray•s Creek to
the mouth. The recommended flow regime in cfs, based on fish species
periodicity flows, is shown on page 8.
6
0
IDAHO
Location Map
N
1
SCALE
Miles
1:500,000
10
Figure 1. Study area on Little Weiser River below C. Ben Ross Diversion
7
100
..., 80
4-...._...
.l:: ...,
60 "0 .,....
3
Q)
C'l 40 n:J
Vl
Vl
n:J
0...
20
Species/life Stage JAN
Rainbow Trout
Spawning
Incubation
Passage
Rearing -All Species 70
Recommended Flow Regime 70
Minimum Flow
20 40
FEB MAR APR HAY JUN
40 40
27 27
42 42 42
70 70 70 70
70 70 70 70
60
Discharge (cfs)
27
70
70
JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV
27
70 70 70 70 70
70 70 70 70 70
80 100
Figure 2. Trout passage curve for Little Weiser River below
C. Ben Ross Diversion.
8
DEC
70
70
.20
72 . ....,
4-
-'= 60 ....,
""0 .,...
3:
O'l 48 s::: .,...
s:::
3: ta
0. 36
(/)
""0
Q) ....,
-'= 24
O'l .,...
Q)
3:
300
250 ......... ....,
4-........
s.. 200
Q) ....,
Q)
E .,...
150 s..
Q)
0..
""0
Q) 100 ...., ....,
Q)
3:
50
Spawning
20
Maintenance Flow
1
40 60
Discharge (cfs)
80 100
Figure 3. Rainbow trout spawning curves for Little Weiser River at
C. Ben Ross Diversion.
20 40
Rearing Maintenance
60
Discharge ( cfs)
80
Flow
100
Figure 4. Wetted perimeter curve for Little Weiser River below
C. Ben Ross Diversion.
9
120
120
DEADWOOD RIVER
The Deadwood River is located in the mountainous region of south
central Idaho in the Boise National Forest (Figure 5). The headwaters
of Deadwood River originate approximately 27 air miles·east of Cascade,
Idaho, and about 75 miles north of the city of Boise. The river flows
mainly in a southerly direction to its confluence with South Fork Pay-
ette River at river mile 105.0, and drains an area of approximately 224
square miles. The major tributaries to the Deadwood River are Deer
Creek above Deadwood Dam and Warm Springs, Whitehawk, and Lorenzo Creeks
below the dam.
Deadwood Dam at river mile 24.4 is the only major impoundment on
the Deadwood River. Built and operated by the Bureau of Reclamation, it
is a concrete arch structure that was completed in 1930. The reservoir
has a reported capacity of 160,400 acre-feet between the elevations of
5,230 feet and 5,334 feet. A recent report reveals that there is 108,000
acre-feet of 11 unut il i zed storage 111 for i nstream purposes. Water is used
to augment flow of the Payette River at Black Canyon power plant near
Emmett, and since 1952 as supplemental irrigation supply for Emmett
Irrigation District and other users in the Lower Payette River Valley.
A small transbasin diversion is maintained from a tributary of Johnson
Creek, in the Salmon River Basin, to the Deadwood River for supplemental
storage in Deadwood Reservoir.
The study encompassed that part of the Deadwood River from Deadwood
Dam to the mouth.
The Deadwood River drains a portion of the exposed Idaho Batholith.
The soil composition is highly granitic, allowing for rapid changes in
stream channel configuration during the large spring runoff.
The stream e 1 evat ion of the Deadwood River be 1 ow Deadwood Dam is
5,200 feet. In the 24.4 mile reach to the mouth the river drops 1,510
feet to an e 1 evat ion of 3, 690 feet. The average gradient through the
area is 1.172% or 61.88 feet per mil e.
Maximum recorded discharge, 2,580 cfs, occurred July 14, 1953.
Essentially no flow was recorded for long periods in 1934-1937, when the
gates in the dam were closed. The U.S. Geological Survey has maintained
a gage at river mile 23.4 since October 1926. Mean annual discharge
near the mouth is 349 cfs (USGS 1952).
111 ••• portion of conservation storage which is contractually obligated
for future use and potentially avai 1 ab 1 e for interim use. 11 (Ne 1 son et
al., 1977).
10
N
1
• Cascade
IDAHO
Location Map
Study Area
Transect Sites
0 SCALE 10
Miles
1:500,000
Figure 5. Study area on Deadwood River below Deadwood Dam.
11
Game fish populations include rainbow trout, cutthroat trout (Salmo
clarki), Dolly Varden (Salvelinus malma), brook trout (Salvelinus fon-
tlnalis), and mountain whitefish. Rainbow and cutthroat trout are spring
spawners; while Dolly Varden, brook trout, and whitefish spawn in the
fall.
In order to accomplish the study, the Bureau of Reclamation made a
series of controlled releases so data could be collected over a range of
flows. The flow releases from the dam compared to those measured at the
study site are set forth below.
Released Flows At Dam (cfs) Measured Flow at Stud,x: Site
250 333
150 230
112 183
75 137
50 107
25 75
On September 26, 1972, 7 hours of rain increased the amount of
inflow from the tributaries approximately 34 cfs. By the time the flow
from the dam had been reduced to the point where it was becoming cri-
tical to spawning and passage of fish, the total additional inflow from
the rainstorm has fallen to about 10 cfs. At the end of the study
(October 5, 1972), the inflow had dropped below the normal base flows
for that time of year. Thus, it is not felt that these inflows from the
rain had a significant effect on habitat conditions recorded at the
beginning and end of the study.
The recommended trout passage flow at the study site was determined
to be 50 cfs (Figure 6). The flow recommendations for spawning at the
study site were determined to be 125 cfs for rainbow trout, 90 cfs for
cutthroat trout, and 120 cfs for Dolly Varden (Figures 7, 8, and 9).
Using the wetted perimeter curve, the rearing flow recommendation at the
study site was determined to be 125 cfs (Figure 10). Flows for angling
were not considered in the study but, in most cases, the suggested flows
are probably adequate for that purpose.
12
20
.--..
.jJ
tt-100
.J::
.jJ
-o ...... 80 3
CLI
0)
~
Vl 60 Vl
~
0..
CLI
r-40 ..0
~
Vl
::::>
Passage Flow
40 80 120 160
Discharge (cfs)
Figure 6. Trout passage .curve for Deadwood River
below Deadwood Dam
13
200 240
The recommended flow regime encompasses that section of river from
Deadwood Reservoir Dam to the South Fork of the Payette River. The
recommended 1 ow flow regime in cfs re 1 eased from Deadwood Reservoir,
based on species periodicity flows, is as follows:
Species/Life Stage JAN FEB MAR APR HAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
Rainbow Trout
Spawning 125 125
Incubation 85 85 85 85
Passage 50 50 50
Cutthroat Trout
Spawning 90 90
Incubation 60 60 60 60
Passage 50 50 50
Dolly Varden
Spawning 120 120
Incubation 80 80 80 80 80 Passage 50 50 50
Rearing -All Species 125 125 125 125 125 125 125 125 125 125 125 125
Recommended Flow Regime 125 125 125 125 125 125 125 125 125 125 125 125
14
.
~
4-
00
.c:
~ -o .,...
80 3:
C'l r:: .,...
r:: 60 ~ 11:1 c..
(/')
-o 40 Q)
~ .c:
C'l .,...
Q) 20 3:
.
~
4-100
.c:
~ -o .,...
3: 80
C'l r:: .,...
r:: ~ 60 11:1 c..
(/')
-o
Q)
~ 40
.c:
C'l .,...
Q)
3: 20
40
Spawning Maintenance
l
80 120
Discharge (cfs)
Flow
160 200
Figure 7. Rainbow trout spawning curve for Deadwood River
below Deadwood Dam .
Spawning
40
Maintenance Flow
l
80 120
Discharge (cfs)
60 200
Figure 8. Cutthroat trout spawning curve for Deadwood
River below Deadwood Dam.
15
240
240
-.
+' 4-
100
.s:::
+'
"'C
•r-
3 80
0')
c:
•r-c:
3: 60 "' c..
(/)
"'C
QJ 40 +' .s:::
0')
•r-
QJ
3 20
200 -+' 4--
S-160
QJ
+'
QJ
E
•r-120 S-
QJ
0..
"'C
QJ 80 +' +'
QJ
3
40
40
Spawning Maintenance~Frtow
80
1
120
Discharge (cfs)
160 200
Figure 9. Dolly Varden spawning curve for Deadwood River
below Deadwood Dam.
40 80
Rearing Maintenance
120
Discharge (cfs)
Flow
160 200
Figure 10. Wetted perimeter curve for Deadwood River
below Deadwood Dam.
16
240
240
NORTH FORK PAYETTE RIVER
The North Fork of the Payette River is located in the mountainous
region of south central Idaho. It is situated geologically in the Idaho
Batholith of the Northern Rocky Mountain Province. The headwaters of
the North Fork Payette River originate approximately 19 air miles north
of McCall, Idaho, along the western margin of the Salmon River Moun-
tains.
From Payette Lake•s outlet at river mile 75.4, the North Fork
Payette River flows south into Cascade Reservoir (river mile 53.9) near
the mouth of Lake Fork Creek (Figure 11).
The North Fork of the Payette River, at its mouth near Banks,
drains approximately 1,260 square miles and drops to a water elevation
of 2,790 feet. Extremes in elevations in the drainage vary from 2,790
feet near Banks to mountain peaks in excess of 9,000 feet. The mean
altitude for the Payette Lake drainage is 6,520 feet.
The study site for this instream flow study is located approxi-
mately 2 river miles downstream from Lardo Dam on McCall 1 s Payette Lake.
All of the study transects are located within a 1 mile length of river
beginning 200 yards downstream from an iron bridge adjacent to McCall 1 s
sanitary landfill. The upper transect is located approximately at river
mile 73.5, the lowest transect located near river mile 72.5.
The volumes of discharges released from the outlet of Payette Lake
were measured and recorded by means of a USGS water-stage recording gage
0.2 miles downstream from Payette Lake•s outlet at river mile 75.2.
(The period of record for this water gage is from September 1908 to
June 1917, and from May 1919 to 1972. ) The average annua 1 discharge
from Lardo Dam for the period of 61 years was 369 cfs or 267,300 acre-
feet per year. During a 15-year base period (195t to 1967) the average
annual discharge was 377 cfs. Maximum and minimum discharges on record
with the USGS range from 4,260 cfs on June 4, 1948, to no flow on more
than one occassion, most recently from October 22 to November 11, 1938
(USGS 1976).
The water released annually from Payette Lake contributes approx-
imately 10% of the total discharge from Black Canyon Reservoir on the
Lower Payette system. A single irrigation diversion was located within
the study area approximately midway between transect locations, but at
no time was the gate observed to be open to allow water to be diverted
from the river. The observations were made primarily during the months
of July and August when irrigation demands are normally at their high-
est. It was concluded from these observations that this diversion posed
no immediate threat to the aquatic biota of the North Fork Payette
River.
17
Transect Sites
Study Area
@ <
.
IDAHO
Location Map
0 SCALE
Miles
1:500,000
Figure 11. Study area on North Fork Payette River below
Payette Lake. 18
N
1
10
Fish species known to inhabit the study area, at least part of the
year, include: kokanee salmon (Onchorynchus nerka), rainbow trout, brown
trout (Salmo trutta), brook trout, Dolly Varden, mountain whitefish, and
miscellaneous rough fish species.
Because of recreational demands, flow releases from Lardo Dam are
regulated to allow the water level in Payette Lake to remain at a rela-
tively high level throughout the summer months until near mid-September.
This stabilized water level enables swimmers, boaters, and water-skiers
to gain full benefit from use of docks and beaches. Water released from
Payette Lake for irrigation purposes appears to be of a lower priority
than that which is retained for recreational use. As a result of stabil-
izing the lake level, flows below the dam are severely depleted, par-
ticularly during dry periods in late summer.
The spawning flow recommendations are: rainbow trout, 100 cfs;
brook trout, 90 cfs; brown trout, 125 cfs; Dolly Varden, 80 cfs; kokanee
salmon, 75 cfs (Figures 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16). The recommended rear-
ing flow, which would give the greatest amount of wetted perimeter for
the least flow over riffles, is 140 cfs (Figure 17). Flows for angling
were not considered in the study; however, the recommended flows are
believed to be adequate for that purpose.
The recommended 1 ow flow regime in cfs for the stretch of stream
from Payette Lake to Cascade Reservoir, based on fish species periodi-
city flows, is as follows:
Spectes/ltfe Stage JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUl AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
Rainbow Trout
Spawning 100 100
Incubation 67 67 67 67
Brown Trout 125 125 125 Spawning
Incubation 83 83 83 83 83
Brook Trout 90 90 Spawning
Incubation 60 60 60 60 60
Dolly Varden 80 80 Spawning
Incubation 53 53 53 53 53
Kokanee Salmon 75 75 Spawntng
Incubation 50 50 50 50 50
Rearing -All Spectes 140 140 140 140 140 140 140 140 140 140 140 140
Recommended Flow Regime 140 140 140 140 140 140 140 140 140 140 140 140
19
.
+J
'+-100
..c:
+J
"'C ...... 80 3
O'l r:: ......
r:: 60 3: co
0..
(/)
"'C 40 QJ
+J ..c:
O'l ......
QJ 20 3
.......... .
+J
~ 100
..c:
+J
"'C ......
3 80
O'l
r:: ......
r::
~ 60
0..
(/)
"'C
QJ 40
+J ..c:
O'l ......
QJ
3 20
Spawning
40 80
Maintenance Flow
l
120
Discharge (cfs)
160 200
Figure 12. Rainbow trout spawning curve for North Fork
Payette River below Payette Lake.
Spawning Maintenance Flow
l
40 80 120 160 200
Discharge (cfs)
Figure 13. Brown trout spawning curve for North Fork
Payette River below Payette Lake.
20
240
240
.
+.>
'+-100
..c
+.>
"'0 ..... 80
3
Ol s::: .....
s:::
3:
60
ItS
0.
(/')
"'0 40
<lJ
~ ..c
Ol .....
<lJ 20
3
.
+.>
~ 100
..c
+.>
"'0 ..... 80 3
Ol s::: .....
s::: 60 3:
ItS
0.
(/')
"'0 40 <lJ
+.>
..c
Ol .....
<lJ 20 3
Spawning
40
Maintenance Flow
l
80 120
Discharge (cfs)
160 200
Figure 14. Brook trout spawning curve for North Fork
Payette River below Payette Lake.
20 40
Spawning Maintenance Flow
60
Discharge (cfs)
1
80 100
Figure 15. Dolly Varden spawning curve for North Fork
Payette River below Payette Lake.
21
240
120
100
.s::::.
~ -o ...... 80 3:
O'l c: ......
c: 60 3:
"' c..
V)
-o 40 Q)
~
.s::::.
O'l ......
Q) 20 3:
300
~ 250
4-
s..
Q)
.j...J 200
Q)
E ...... s..
Q)
c.. 150
-o
Q)
~
~
Q) 100
3:
50
20
Figure 16.
40
40
Spawning Maintenance
60
Discharge (cfs)
1
80
Flow
100
Kokanee salmon spawning curve for North Fork
Payette River below Payette Lake.
80
Rearing Maintenance Flow
120
Discharge (cfs)
160 200
Figure 17. Wetted perimeter curve for North Fork Payette
River below Payette Dam.
22
120
240
SOUTH FORK BOISE RIVER
The South Fork of the Boise River is located in southwestern Idaho
(Figure 18). From its sources in the Smokey Mountains, it flows south
and west to its confluence with the Middle Fork of the Boise to form the
main Boise River at River mile 79.0. The main part of the drainage is
located approximately 60 air miles east of Boise, and drains approx-
imately 1,304 square miles. Since Arrowrock Dam was built in 1915, the
South Fork of the Boise no longer drains directly into the Middle Fork
of the Boise River, but flows into Arrowrock Reservoir, 11.2 river miles
upstream from the original mouth. The major impoundment on the South
Fork of the Boise is Anderson Ranch Dam, built in 1945, which has a
capacity of 502,700 acre-feet of storage. The major tributaries to the
South Fork of the Boise River below Anderson Ranch Dam are Rattlesnake
Creek, Smith Creek, and Cow Creek.
Our study encompassed that part of the South Fork of the Boise
River from Anderson Ranch Dam to Neal Bridge, a section 32.3 miles long
from river mile 11.2 to river mile 43.5.
The South Fork of the Boise River drainage lies mainly in the
northern Rocky Mountain Physiographic province, in the region of the
Idaho Batholith.
The stream elevation of the South Fork of the Boise River at Ander-
son Ranch Dam is 3,970 feet. In the 32.3 miles through the study area,
the river drops 760 feet by the time it reaches the mouth. The average
gradient through the study area is 0.445% or 23.5 feet per mile.
The USGS has maintained a stream discharge gage station on the
South Fork of the Boise River, 1.8 miles downstream from Anderson Ranch
Dam since April 1943, with continuous records to the present year.
Average annual runoff for the South Fork of the Boise ~iver below
Anderson Ranch Dam is 1,028 cfs, or 744,800 acre-feet per year, about
one-third of the usable water for the Lower Boise system. Maximum
recorded discharge, 9,850 cubic feet per second, occurred on May 25,
1956. Minimum discharge of record is 0.1 cfs on November 13, 1959, when
the dam was closed (USGS 1976).
The overhanging cliffs, the foothills, and the lower slopes envel-
oping the South Fork of the Boise River support a sagebrush-grass vege-
tative association. Coniferous forest and aspen groves occur at the
higher elevations in the headwaters of the South Fork.
Game fish populations include rainbow trout, Dolly Varden, mountain
whitefish, brook trout, and smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieui). The
23
Little Camas Res«voir
~ ~
IDAHO
Location Map
Study Area
0
N
1
SCALE
Miles
1:500,000
Figure 18. Study area on South Fork Boise River below
Anderson Ranch Dam.
24
10
rainbow trout is the highest valued fish species below Anderson Ranch
Dam. The stream is presently being managed as a wild trout stream with
tackle restrictions allowing only artificial lures and flies.
An Idaho Fish and Game Department study during 1973 and 1974 indi-
cated that anglers spent 28,914 hours to catch 25,258 game fish in the
river from the dam downstream to Danskin Bridge (Beach, 1975). During
the 1974 general trout season (June-November), anglers spent 26,443
hours to harvest 22,025 game fish. In 1976 tackle restrictions (arti-
ficial lures and flies only) and a minimum length requirement for
rainbow trout were imposed. During the general trout season, anglers
fished an estimated 14,960 hours to harvest 11,076 rainbow trout, with
9,525 of these fish released back into the stream (Steve Mate, personal
communications). Mountain whitefish are abundant through the study
areas, and produce a good fishery through the winter months when the
trout season is closed.
The majority of the rainbow trout spawning takes place in late
April and May. The whitefish, kokanee, and Dolly Varden spawn from
September through November.
To assist our instream flow studies the Bureau of Reclamation made
a series of controlled releases from Anderson Ranch Dam. The flows re-
leased from the Dam were approximately those requested.
Flow (cfs)
1,000
600
500
400
300
200
100
Date
Monday, November 13, 1972
Tuesday, November 14, 1972
Saturday, March 23, 1974
Sunday, March 31, 1974
Thursday, November 16, 1972
Friday, November 17, 1972
Tuesday, May 1, 1973
It was found that most of the river posed no problem to fish pass-
age and only one passage transect was utilized to represent potential
passage blocks in the stream. The recommended passage flow to allow
fish movement throughout the study area is 130 cfs.
The spawning flow recommendation for rainbow trout is 280 cfs;
brook trout, 170 cfs; and Dolly Varden, 200 cfs (Figures 19, 20, 21).
It should be recognized that the spawning flow recommendations are
for main channel spawning. The amount of suitable substrate is limited
in the main channel, and most spawning apparently occurs in the smaller
side channels where more suitable spawning substrate exists.
25
180 .
~
4-
..c:::: 150 ~
"'0 .,....
3
g> 120
.,....
s:::
~ ItS
0.. 90 Vl
"'0
Q)
~ ..c:::: 60 O'l .,....
Q)
3
30
180 .
~
4-
..c:::: 150
~
"'0 .,....
3
O'l 120
s::: .,....
s:::
~
ItS 90 0..
Vl
"'0
Q)
~ ..c:::: 60
O'l .,....
Q)
3
30
Spawning Maintenance Flo~
l
80 160 240 320 400
Discharge (cfs)
Figure 19. Rainbow trout spawning curve for South Fork Boise
River below Anderson Ranch Dam.
Spawning Maintenance
1
/
80
Flow
160 240
Discharge (cfs)
320 400
Figure 20. Brook trout spawning curve for South Fork Boise
River below Anderson Ranch Dam.
26
480
480
180 Spawning Maintenance Flow .
+l
4-
.s:: 150
+l l
"'0 ......
3
0'1 120
c ......
c
3:
ttl c..
(/)
"'0
IV
+l .s::
0'1 ......
IV
3
90
60
30
80 160 240
Discharge (cfs)
320 400
Figure 21. Dolly Varden spawning curve for South Fork Boise
River below Anderson Ranch Dam.
The rearing flow recommendation is based on subjective evaluation
of the habitat loss at each flow, and 200 cfs is suggested as the mini-
mum rearing flow for all activities other than spawning, incubation, and
passage.
Flows for angling were not considered in the study, but in most
cases, the suggested levels are probably adequate for the purpose.
Beach (1974) recommends that during the whitefish season (December
through March), maximum flow of 700 cfs be maintained to optimize the
fishability of the stream.
27
480
The recommended low flow regime in cfs, from Anderson Ranch Dam to
Arrowrock Reservoir, based on species periodicity flows, is as follows:
Species/life Stage JAN FEB MAR APR HAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
Rainbow Trout
Spawning 280 280 280
Incubation 187 187 187 187 187
Brook Trout
Spawntng 100 100 100 100
Incubation 67 67 67 67 67 67 67 67
Dolly Varden
Spawning 200 200
Incubation 120 120 120 120 120 120
Rearing -All Species 200 200 200 200 200 200 200 200 200 200 200 200
Recommended Flow Regime 200 200 200 280 280 200 200 200 200 200 200 200
Editor's Note: Since these data were collected in the early 1970's, the
Idaho Department of Fish and Game has conducted instream flow studies on
South Fork Boise River and has made a rearing flow recommendation of
279 cfs based on wetted perimeter/discharge relationship (Cochnauer
1977). The department is presently evaluating greater flows to allow
for spawning in the smaller side channels.
28
BOISE RIVER
The lower Boise River includes that portion of the river from Lucky
Peak Dam downstream to the mouth (Figure 22). The stream channel through
the study area averages between 105 feet and 200 feet in width; in some
places it splits into two or more channels where the river becomes
intricately braided. Some sections of the river have been channelized,
leveed, and riprapped to the point where it is no longer in a natural
condition.
The gradient thr·ough the study area is from an elevation of 2,827
feet at Lucky Peak Dam to 2,177 feet at the Snake River, for a drop of
10.2 feet per mile through the 63.8-mile reach.
Major tributaries which contribute to the Lower Boise River are
North Fork, Middle Fork, and South Fork of the Boise River, and Mores
Creek, all of which are located above the study area.
Average annual discharge for the Boise River near Boise is 3.023
cfs or 2,190,000 acre-feet per year (USGS 1976). The flow is regulated
by th·ree reservoirs on the river and one off-stream reservoir, with a
combined usable storage capacity of 1,165,150 acre-feet. Anderson Ranch
Dam, on the South Fork of the Boise River, built in 1945 by Bureau of
Reclamation, has an active storage capacity of 423,000 acre-feet.
Arrowrock Dam, on the main Boise River, built by Bureau of Reclamation
in 1915, has an active storage capacity of 286,000 acre-feet. Lucky
Peak Dam, on the main Boise River, built by the Corps of Engineers in
1954, has an active storage capacity of 278,200 acre-feet. Nelson et.
al. (1977) reports, 11 Lucky Peak Reservoir has 116,000 acre-feet of unob-
ligated storage2 which could be renegotiated to provide the needed
instream flows. Lake Lowell is an off-stream reservoir built in 1915
along with Diversion Dam below Lucky Peak Dam. The diversions and
return from groundwater and canals along the Lower Boise River combined
to produce a complicated hydrologic system.
Maximum recorded discharge for the Boise River was 35,500 cfs on
June 14, 1896. There has been zero discharge on many occasions when the
gates at Lucky Peak Dam were closed. Mi nimuni recorded discharge for
Boise River near Boise prior to the construction of the major storage
dams upstream, was 432 cfs on November 14, 1915.
2 11 ••• portion of conservation storage which is not contractually obli-
gated to water users although bound by legislative intent for particular
rei mbursab 1 e purposes ... 11 (Ne 1 son et a 1. , 1977)
29
IDAHO
Location Map
e NAMPA
Study Area
0 SCALE
Miles
1:500,000
10
Figure 22. Study area on Boise River below
Lucky Peak Reservoir.
30
N
1
Runoff characteristics follow a basic pattern which does not vary
significantly from one year to the next. Natural runoff is characteris-
ized by low flows from late July through February, increased flows
during March, and high flows during April through June. Flows below
Diversion Dam are normally high just prior to the irrigation season for
flood contro 1, during i rri gat ion season, and are very 1 ow during the
late fall and early winter months.
The U.S. Geological Survey has maintained stream discharge gages on
the Lower Boise River since 1895. Gages have been added and discon-
tinued at several locations since this time. The following is a list of
the gage stations that were used for this study:
Gage Title Location Landmark
Boise R. near Boise River Mile 63.8 At Lucky Peak Dam
Boise R. at Boise River Mile 52.8 Capital Blvd. Bridge
Boise R. near Middleton (new) River Mile 29.2 Lansing Lane
Boise R. at Notus (discontinued) River Mile 13.8 At Notus
Boise R. near Parma (new) River Mile 3.6 County Road Bridge
Diversions and inflows from Lucky Peak Dam to the mouth are very
numerous. The tota 1 capacity of the more than 40 can a 1 s which divert
water from the Boise River is approximately 6,700 cfs. Normal maximum
diversion rates during. the irrigation season are 600 cfs from Diversion
Dam to Boise, 1,400 cfs from Boise to Star, 850 cfs from Star to Notus,
and 175 cfs from Notus to Parma. Boise River flows exhibit wide fluctu-
ations, particularly from Diversion Dam to Star, where diversions can
range from 0 to 2,000 cfs. Diversions and inflows on the Boise River
have a major impact on the existing fisheries. Diversions often limit
flows in the Boise River to less than 5 cfs in the Star to Middleton
area, and to less than 100 cfs in the Notus area.
The most significant low flow conditions above Eagle, Idaho, occur
from the end of the i rri gat ion season (October 15) to whenever flood
contro 1 or i rri gat ion re 1 eases are resumed the next year. From Eagle,
downstream low flow conditions are generally associated with irrigation
diversions.
The Boise River provides water for irrigation of about 347,000
acres of cropland. Most of this is in the Boise Valley, but some water
is diverted for irrigation of land out of the drainage near Mountain
Home. Water for municipal and industrial use is also provided by the
Boise River by recharging the ground water in some areas.
The US Bureau of Reclamation's Boise Project is the largest user of
Boise River water, and can be divided into an upper and lower system.
The upper system, 116,300 acres, includes the area served directly from
31
In order to conduct instream flow studies on the Lower Boise River,
the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers made a series of controlled flow re-
leases from Lucky Peak Dam as follows:
Flow
500 cfs
400 cfs
300 cfs
250 cfs
150 cfs
100 cfs
Return to Normal Operations
Time Flow
Changed
4:00pm
4:00 pm
4:00 pm
4:00 pm
4:00pm
4:00pm
4:00pm
Date
Monday, Feb 10, 1975
Wednesday, Feb 12, 1975
Friday, February 14, 1975
Sunday, Feb 16, 1975
Tuesday, Feb 18, 1975
Thursday, Feb 20, 1975
Saturday, Feb 22, 1975
Individual transects have been coded for convenience with respect
to its type (spawning or passage), location (river reach), and order of
occurrence (numbered downstream). PT-LBR-1 refers to the farthest up-
stream (-1) passage transect (PT-) on the Lower Boise River (LBR-).
Transect
PT-LBR-1
ST-LBR-1
PT-LBR-2
PT-LBR-3
ST-LBR-2
ST-LBR-3
River Mile
53.9
53.6
53.6
53.0
52.3
52.2
Major Landmark
Broadway Bridge (downstream) (RM 53.7)
Broadway Bridge (upstream)
Broadway Bridge (upstream)
Capital Bridge (downstream) (RM 52.8)
Americana Blvd. Bridge (upstream) (RM 52.0)
Americana Blvd. Bridge (upstream)
Various side channels and slough areas were monitored for loss of
depth and wetted bottom as these areas provided habitat which is typical
for war·m water fish. These s 1 ough areas were characterized by sand,
mud, or gravel bottoms, adjacent brush on either or both banks, and gen-
erally slow velocities. Water depths in these various channels or
sloughs are directly influenced by Boise River flows or indirectly by
seepage.
Slough Locations:
Study Site
SL #1 (left bank)
SL #2 (right bank)
SL #3 (right bank)
SL #4 (right bank)
SL #5 (right bank)
River Mile
39.2
30.2
29.1
14.3
14.0
32
Major Landmark
North Channel, Linear Rd.,
100 yds. upstream
Lansing Lane, @ 1 mile upstream
Lansing Lane, at road end
0.5 mile upstream from Notus Gage
0.2 mile upstream from Notus Gage
the Boise River, mostly by the Main (New York) and Ridenbaugh Canals.
The lower system, 50,600 acres, includes the area that receives water
after it has first been stored in Lake Lowell. The remainder of the
canals on the Lower Boise River supply approximately 160,000 acres of
land.
Releases from Lucky Peak Dam to the Boise River are regulated by
the Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Reel amati on, Boise Project Board of
Control, and the Boise River Watermaster. At present, the Idaho Depart-
ment of Fish and Game Department owns approximately 50,000 acre-feet of
storage in Lucky Peak Reservoir which is used for releases during the
winter months to maintain fish populations.
Waste loads that accumulate during these low flow periods, in
addition to the large fluctuations in flows that occur on a predictable
annual schedule, provide for a poor habitat and a limited carryover
population of game fish.
Wildlife along the Lower Boise River originally was very abundant,
but has decreased with the loss of natural cover caused by man 1 s en-
croachment into the area. Deer are still found along the river in
reduced numbers. Muskrat, mink, and a few beaver are found along the
Lower Boise River, and are the mammals most affected by reduced flows in
the river.
The habitat along the Boise River holds a diversity of birds,
including song birds, raptors, upland game birds, waterfowl, and shore
birds. Waterfowl and shore birds are most affected by reduced or ex-
cessive flows in the Boise River during nesting seasons. Low flows
during the winter have an adverse affect on the river 1 s waterfowl carry-
; ng capacity.
Game fish populations in the Boise River above Star include rainbow
trout, brown trout, mountain whitefish, and Dolly Varden. Game fish
species below Star include largemouth bass ( Micropterus salmoides),
smallmouth bass, and channel catfish ( Ictalurus punctatus). Rainbow
trout is the species of highest value to the sportsman above Star.
Brown trout fry have been planted in the stream and natural reproduction
has been documented (Will Reid, personal communications). Brown trout
up to 2 pounds have been harvested in this river stretch. Mountain
whitefish make up approximately 46% of the game fish population in the
study area and are the second most sought after species. The river
below Star is generally a low-quality fishery due to returned irrigation
water, effluent from waste water treatment p 1 ants and food process
plants, and an inconsistent flow regime.
The Boise River thr,ough Boise has a high recreational potential due
to its proximity to 25% of the State 1 s population.
33
The spawning flow recommendations are: rainbow trout, 255 cfs;
brown trout, 225 cfs; and Dolly Varden, 150 cfs (Figures 23, 24, and
25). The majority of the stream bottom in the study reach consists of
unsuitable spawning substrate, and large rocks 6 to 10 inches in diam-
eter. Gravels suitable for spawning have been removed from the main
river channel by high spring flows and deposited either in higher side
channels or in downstream locations. Because of the dams constructed
above the study area, the bedload, which would have replaced the removed
gravel, is not available.
By observing the Boise River throughout the study area at high
flows, it was f~und that a flow of 1,100 cfs or greater is needed to
provide suitable water depths and velocities in the side channels where
more suitable spawning gravel now exists. For incubation, a flow of 900
cfs is needed. The higher spawning flow recommendation is suggested as
an optimum spawning flow and should be maintained as much as possible
through the spawning and incubation periods.
The rearing flow recommendation is that flow which provides for the
greatest wetted perimeter on riffles for the least amount of discharge.
For the study reach, a rearing flow of 220 cfs is recommended (Figure
26).
Flows for angling were not considered for this study reach; how-
ever, the suggested discharge levels are probably adequate for angling.
No conclusive recommendations could be made from the data collected
in the slough areas in the lower section of the river; therefore, it is
recommended that the flow recommendations above Star be maintained to
the mouth.
The recommended low flow regime in cfs, for the Boise River from
Lucky Peak Dam to Snake River, based on species periodicity flows, is as
follows:
Species/Lffe Stage J~ FEB ~R APR ~y JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
Rainbow Trout
Spawnfng 225 225 225 Incubation 151 151 151 151 151 Brown Trout
Spawning 225 225 Incubation 151 151 151 151 151 Dolly Varden
Spawning 150 150 Incubation 100 100 100 100 100 Rearing -All Specfes 150 150 150 150 150 150 150 150 150 150 150 150
Recommended Flow Regfme 150 150 150 225 225 225 150 150 150 225 225 150
34
.
+.l
~ 150
..c:
+.l
"'0 ...... 120 3
0'1 s::: ......
s::: 90 3
113 c...
t/)
"'0 60 Ql
+.l
..c:
0'1 ......
Ql 30 3
180 .
+.l
~
..c: 150
+.l
"'0 ......
3
0'1 120
s::: ......
s:::
3
113 90 c...
t/)
"'0
Ql
+.l 60 ..c:
0'1 ......
Ql
3
30
Spawning Maintenance Flow
1
80 160 240 320 400
Discharge (cfs)
Figure 23. Rainbow trout spawning curve for Boise River
below Lucky Peak Dam.
Spawning Maintenance Flow
l
80 160 240 320 400
Discharge (cfs)
Figure 24. Brown trout spawning curve for Boise River
below Lucky Peak Dam.
35
480
420
.......... .
+-1 150 \f.-
.s::.
+-1
"'C ...... 120 3
01
I:: .....
I:: 90 3:
~
0.
(/)
"'C 60
QJ
+-1 .s::.
01 .,...
QJ 30
3
200
..........
+-1
\f.-160
~
QJ
+-1
~ 120 .,...
~
QJ
Cl..
"'C 80
QJ
+-1
+-1
QJ
3 40
Spawning Maintenance Flow
!
80 160 240 320 400
Discharge (cfs)
Figure 25. Dolly Varden spawning curve for Boise River
below Lucky Peak Dam.
Rearing Maintenance Flow
!
80 160 240 320
Discharge (cfs)
Figure 26. Wetted perimeter curve for Boise River
below Lucky Peak Dam.
36
400
480
480
BLACKFOOT RIVER
The Blackfoot River is located in the highly productive southeast-
ern Idaho area (Figure 27). From its sources in the Caribou Range, the
river flows north and west to its confluence with the Snake River at
river mile 751.2. The drainage is located approximately 30 air miles
southeast of the city of Idaho Falls and 40 air miles northeast of Poca-
tello and drains almost 1,295 square miles. The major tributaries to the
Blackfoot River are Lanes Creek, Diamond Creek, and Slug Creek above
Blackfoot Dam; and Corral Creek, Brush Creek, and Wolverine Creek below
the dam. Most of the water of Sand Creek, small drainage north of the
Blackfoot River, is diverted into the Blackfoot River through the Idaho
Canal at river mile 31.3.
Blackfoot Dam at river mile 78.0 is the major impoundment structure
on the Blackfoot River. Built by Corps of Engineers in 1909 and oper-
ated by the Fort Hall Irrigation District, it is a 50-foot high rockfill
structure with a concrete core. The reservoir has a usable storage ca-
pacity of 413,000 acre-feet between the elevations of 6,086 feet and
6,124 feet. Water in Blackfoot Reservoir is held in storage to be
diverted for irrigation of about 50,000 acres near Pocatello and on the
Fort Hall Indian Reservation. Inflows to Blackfoot Reservoir have been
augmented by seasona 1 diversions from Grays Lake through Clark • s Cut
since 1924. Depending on the runoff situation, up to 20,000 acre-feet a
year are obtained from this source for use on Fort Hall Indian Reserva-
tion lands with control in Blackfoot Reservoir.
Our study encompassed that part of the Blackfoot River below Black-
foot Dam at the mouth of Wolverine Creek, a section 38.3 miles long from
river mile 39.7 to river mile 78.0.
The Blackfoot River drainage lies mainly in the Middle Rocky Moun-
tain physiographic area. The rocks of this section are largely sedi-
mentari es such as 1 imestones, sandstones, sha 1 es, etc. The phosphoria
formation is only a few hundred feet in thickness, but holds the rich
phosphate deposits.
The stream elevation of the Blackfoot River at Blackfoot Dam is
6,100 feet. Through the 38.3 mile study area, the river drops 1,415 feet
to an e 1 evat ion of 4, 685 feet at the mouth of Wo 1 veri ne Creek. The
average gradient through the area is 0. 699% or 36.9 feet per mil e.
Draney Peak at 9.737 feet is the highest point in the Blackfoot drain-
age, which drops to 4,400 feet at the confluence with the Snake River.
As the e 1 evat ion drops from 9, 000 feet, the vegetation changes from
coniferous-aspen type to a drier sagebrush zone with a few straggling
conifers. The area encompassing the Blackfoot Reservoir still shows some
evidence of marsh vegetation, but the lower watershed elevations below
the dam support semidesert vegetation where sagebrush, tall grasses, and
37
a POCATELLO
/ /.
I
IDAI'tO FALLS
\
4··
t<J
' :
e SHELLY :
N
1
CHESTERFIELD •
0 SCALE
Miles
1:500,000
Location Map
10
Figure 27. Study area on Blackfoot River below
Blackfoot Reservoir.
38
forbs are the dominant plant species and where stream banks support a
fringe of willows.
The average annual precipitation for the Blackfoot River Basin is
16 inches, but ranges up to 50 inches in the highest mountains of the
drainage. The seasonal distribution of precipitation in the Basin is
1.3 to 1.7 inches per month from September through June, and 0.6 to 0.8
inches per month in July and August. The precipitation during the cooler
months falls largely as snow at high elevations in the basin, leaving
most of the runoff as snowmelt in the mountains.
The US Geological Survey has maintained stream discharge gages at
the mouth of the Blackfoot River since July 1913. Prior to October 1931
they were maintained only during the summer months. The USGS also main-
tains a gage on the Blackfoot near Henry (above Blackfoot Reservoir)
with records from April 1914 to September 1925, but without winter
records except water year 1915. The gage was discontinued from 1925 to
1967, and records have been kept from 1967 to the current year.
Average annual discharge of the Blackfoot River below Blackfoot
Reservoir at the 1961 level of development is 185 cfs or 135,000 acre-
feet per year, and the average annual discharge where the Blackfoot
enters the Shake is 176 cfs or 127,500 acre-feet per year (USGS, 1976).
Discharge just below the reservoir reflects a large amount of regula-
tion, irrigation and water imported from Willow Creek drainage. In addi-
tion, the runoff at the downstream location also reflects relatively
large amounts of exchange irrigation water from the Snake River and
large irrigation diversions from the Blackfoot River.
Maximum recorded Blackfoot River discharge, 1,710 cfs, occurred on
February 11, 1962. Maximum recorded discharge for the Blackfoot River
and Blackfoot River bypass was 1,840 cfs on May 12, 1972. Minimum dis-
charge of record is 0.0 cfs on many days through the period of record.
The rainbow trout and cutthroat trout are the highest valued fish
species on the Blackfoot River below Blackfoot Dam. Mountain whitefish
and a small population of brook trout are also found in the Blackfoot
River. Because of the high nutrient content, the Blackfoot River and the
Blackfoot Reservoir are one of the most productive fisheries in Idaho.
The fish in the Blackfoot drainage grow quite large for resident trout,
and are characteri st i ca lly deep bodied and range up to 20 inches in
length.
The majority of rainbow trout spawning takes place from early May
to early June. The cutthroat spawning occurs from late May to 1 ate
June.
39
In order to conduct instream flow studies on the Blackfoot River
below Blackfoot Reservoir, the Fort Hall Irrigation District made a
series of controlled releases from Blackfoot Dam between October 28,
1973, and November 4, 1973. The change was made at 4:00 pm each day.
However, neither Blackfoot Dam nor the river below it through the study
area is gaged. Thus, the flows released were only approximately those
requested. Each release was measured by the investigators at the bridge
below the dam.
Flow Requested
250 cfs
200 cfs
150 cfs
100 cfs
75 cfs
50 cfs
25 cfs
Return to Normal
Discharge Measured
272
247
188
145
115
76
43
Operation
Date
Monday, October 29, 1973
Tuesday, October 30, 1973
Wednesday, October 31, 1973
Thursday, November 1, 1973
Friday, November 2, 1973
Saturday, November 3, 1973
Sunday, November 4, 1973
The spawning flow recommendations are: rainbow trout, 92 cfs; and
cutthroat trout, 87 cfs (Figures 28 and 29). The recommended incubation
flows are 66% of the recommended spawning flows.
The recommended rearing flow, 140 cfs, is based on the greatest
amount of wetted perimeter for the least discharge (Figure 30).
Flows for angling were not considered in the recommendations but in
most cases, the suggested flows for fish life history periods are pro-
bably adequate for that angling.
The recommended low flow regime in cfs, based on fish periodicity
charts from Blackfoot Reservoir to Wolverine Creek, is as follows:
Species/Life Stage JAN FEB MAR APR HAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
Rainbow Trout
Spawning 92 92 92
Incubation 62 62 62 62 62
Cutthroat Trout
Spawning 87 87
Incubation 58 58 58 58
Rearing -All Species 140 140 140 140 140 140 140 140 140 140 140 140
Recommended Flow Regime 140 140 140 140 140 140 140 140 140 140 140 140
40
75
.,....
3 60
O'l c: .,....
c:
3: 45
ttl c.
(/)
"'C
~ 30
..c:
O'l .,....
(I)
3 15
........... 60 .
..c: 50
~
"'C .,....
3
O'l 40 c: .,....
c:
3: ttl c. 30
(/)
"'C
(I)
~
..c: 20
O'l .....
(I)
3
10
40
Spawning Maintenance Flow
80 120
Discharge ( cfs)
160 200
Figure 28. Rainbow trout spawning curve for Blackfoot River
below Blackfoot Reservoir.
Spawning Maintenance Flow
!
40 80 120
Discharge (cfs)
160 200
Figure 29. Cutthroat trout spawning curve for Blackfoot
River below Blackfoot Reservoir.
41
240
240
150
-~
4-
......... 120
s... cu
~ cu E 90 ..... s... cu c..
"0 60 cu
~
~ cu
3
30
40 80
Rearing Maintenance Flow
120
Discharge (cfs)
160 200
Figure 30. Wetted perimeter curve for Blackfoot River
below Blackfoot Reservoir.
42
240
WILLOW CREEK
The Willow Creek drainage is located in eastern Idaho north of the
Blackfoot River drainage and east of the city of Idaho Falls (Figure
31). From its sources in the Blackfoot Mountains, it flows north and
then west to its confluence with the Snake River at river mile 800.4.
Approximately 627 square miles are drained by Willow Creek above the
study area. Major tributaries to Willow Creek are Grays Lake Outlet,
Cranes Creek, Meadow Creek, and Tex Creek. Since 1924 up to 20,000 acre-
feet of water a year have been diverted from the Willow Creek drainage
to Blackfoot Reservoir through Clark's Cut.
The construction of Ririe Dam, a rock-face, earth filled structure,
was completed by the Corps of Engineers in 1976. The dam, located at
river mile 20.5, has a total capacity of 100,000 acre-feet between the
elevations of 4,997 feet and 5,118.7 feet. Water is diverted for irri-
gation of about 7,300 acres upstream from Ririe Reservoir but as yet
90,000 acre-feet of the storage in Ririe Reservoir is unobligated
(Nelson et. al., 1977). The study area was located approximately 1 mile
downstream from Ririe Dam.
The stream e 1 evat ion of Will ow Creek be 1 ow Ririe Dam is approxi-
mately 5,010 feet. From Ririe Dam to its confluence with Snake River,
Willow Creek drops 320 feet to an elevation of 4,690 feet. The average
gradient through the reach is 0.295% or 15.6 feet per mile.
Mean annual discharge of Willow Creek below Ririe Dam is 188 cfs or
136,200 acre-feet per year. Maximum discharge observed in Willow Creek
was 4,200 cfs on May 15, 1917, while the minimum flow of record was 0.27
cfs on January 6-15, 1976, after the construction of Ririe Dam (USGS,
1976).
The US Geological Survey has maintained a stream discharge gage
station on Willow Creek about a mile upstream from the mouth of the can-
yon intermittently since 1903 and constantly since October 1962.
Fish species of consideration in Willow Creek include rainbow
trout, cutthroat trout, brook trout, and brown trout. Rainbow and cut-
throat trout are spring spawners, while brown and brook trout spawn in
the fall.
In order to conduct instream flow studies on Willow Creek, the
Corps of Engineers made a series of controlled releases from Ririe Dam.
The flows released from the dam were approximately those requested.
43
IDAHO
IDAHO
Location Map
N
1 0 SCALE
Miles
1:500,000
10
Figure 31. Study area on Willow Creek below Ririe Dam.
44
Flow (cfs) Date
10 Apri 1 7, 1976
20 April 8, 1976
30 April 9, 1976
50 April 10, 1976
70 April 11, 1976
90 April 12, 1976
The spawning flow recommendations are: rainbow trout, 40 cfs;
cutthroat trout, 25 cfs; brown trout, 40 cfs; and brook trout, 23 cfs
(Figures 32, 33, 34, and 35).
The recommended rearing flow of 25 cfs is based on the greatest
amount of wetted perimeter for the least flow (Figure 36).
Flows for angling were not considered in the study, but in most
cases the suggested levels are probably adequate for that purpose.
The recommended low flow regime in cfs, based on fish periodicity
charts, in Willow Creek from Ririe Dam to Snake River, is as follows:
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
Rainbow Trout
Spawning 40 40 40 40
Incubation 27 27 27 27 27
Cutthroat Trout
Spawning 25 25 25
Incubation 17 17 17 17
Brown Trout
Spawning 40 40 40
Incubation 27 27 27 27 27 27 27
Brook Trout
Spawning 23 23 23
Incubation 15 15 15 15 15 15 15
Rearing -All Species 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25
Recommended Flow Regime 25 25 27 40 40 40 40 27 25 40 40 40
45
.
.jJ
4-50 -..c
.jJ
"'C .,.... 40
3
O'l c: .,....
~ 30
ItS c..
V'l
-g 20
.jJ
..c
O'l .,....
~ 10
....-.. 30
.jJ
4-
..c 25
.jJ
"'C .,....
3
O'l 20 c: .,....
c:
3:
ItS
c.. 15
V'l
"'C
<I)
.jJ
..c 10
O'l .,....
<I)
3
10 20
Spawning Maintenance Flow
30
Discharge (cfs)
J
40 50
Figure 32. Rainbow trout spawning curve for Willow Creek
below Ririe Dam.
60
Spawning Maintenance Flow 1----------~
10 20 30
Discharge (cfs)
40 50
Figure 33. Cutthroat trout spawning curve for Willow Creek
below Ririe Dam.
46
60
30
25 ..s:: .....,
-c ......
3
O'l 20
c ......
c
3: ~ 15
(/')
-c
<LI ....., 10 ..s::
O'l ......
<LI
3
. .....,
4-.........
5
30
..s:: 25 .....,
-c ......
3
O'l 20
c ......
c
3:
~ 15
(/')
-c
<LI
~ 10
O'l ......
<LI
3
5
10
Figure 34.
10
Spawning Maintenance Flow
20 30
Discharge ( cfs)
40 50
Brown trout spawning curve for Willow Creek
below Ririe Dam.
" Spawning Maintenance Flow
1
20 30
Discharge ( cfs)
40 50
Figure 35. Brook trout spawning curve for Willow Creek
below Ririe Dam.
47
60
60
30
25
......... .....,
4-
~ 20
QJ .....,
QJ
E .,..... 15 ~
QJ
0...
-o
QJ 10 ....., .....,
QJ
3
5
10
Rearing Maintenance Flow
20
1
30
Discharge ( cfs)
40
Figure 36. Wetted perimeter curve for Willow Creek
below Ririe Dam.
48
50 60
SUMMARY
Stream resource rna i ntenance flow recommendations in cfs for seven
stream reaches in southern Idaho were determined, based on field studies
performed by personnel of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service during the period
1972-1974. These recommendations are summarized in Table 2.
Table 2. Recommended stream resource maintenance flows (cfs) for seven
study stream reaches.
Study Reach JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
Little Weiser River
Gray's Creek to Mouth 70 70 70 70 70 70 70 70 70 70 70 70
Deadwood River
Deadwood Dam to Mouth 125 125 125 125 125 125 125 125 125 125 125 125
North Fork Payette River
Payette Lake to Cascade
Reservoir 140 140 140 140 140 140 140 140 140 140 140 140
South Fork Boise River
Anderson Ranch Dam to
Arrowrock Reservoir 200 200 200 280 280 200 200 200 200 200 200 200
Boise River
Lucky Peak Dam to Mouth 150 150 150 225 225 225 150 150 150 225 225 150
Blackfoot River
Blackfoot Dam to Mouth 140 140 140 140 140 140 140 140 140 140 140 140
Willow Creek
Ririe Dam to Mouth 25 25 27 40 40 40 40 27 25 40 40 40
49
REFERENCES
Beach, Donald R. 1974. Lake and Reservoir Investigations: Survey of
Fish Harvest in South Fork Boise River from Anderson Ranch Dam to
Arrowrock Reservoir. Project F-53-R-10, Job II!e. Idaho Fish and
Game Department.
Beach, Donald R. 1975. Lake and Reservoir Investigations: Survey of
Fish Populations in South Fork Boise River from Anderson Ranch Dam
to Arrowrock Reservoir. Project F-53-R-10. Job !!If. Idaho Fish and
Game Department.
Bovee, Ken D. and Tim Cochnauer. 1977. Development and Evaluation of
Weighted Criteria, Probability-of-Use Curves for Instream Flow
Assessments: Fisheries. Instream Flow Information Paper No. 3.
Cooperative Instream Flow Service Group, Fort Collins, CO. Decem-
ber 1977. 39 pages.
Bovee, Ken D. 1978. Probability-of-Use Criteria for the Family Salmon-
idae. Instream Flow Information Paper No. 4. Cooperative Instream
Flow Service Group, Fort Collins, Colorado, January 1978. 88 pages.
Cochnauer, Tim. 1977. Streamflow Investigations--Stream Resource Main-
tenance Flow Determination on Idaho Stream Job Performance Report
F-66-R-2. Job No. II. Idaho Dept. of Fish and Game, Boise, Idaho.
85 pp.
Collings, M. R. 1974. Generalization of Spawning and Rearing Discharges
for Several Pacific Spawning Species in Western Washington, USGS,
open file report. 39 pages.
Ne 1 son, Wayne, Gera 1 d Horak, and Martin Lewis. 1977. Unob 1 i gated and
Unut il i zed Reservoir Storage at Federally Contro 11 ed Dams. FWS/
OBS-77/49, US Fish and Wildlife Service. 52 pages.
Mate, Steve. Personal Communications. Idaho Fish and Game Department.
Reid, Will. Personal Communications. Idaho Department of Fish and
Game.
Thompson, Ken. 1972. Determining stream flows for fish 1 ife. In:
Proceedings, Instream Flow Requirements Workshop, Portland, Oregon,
Pacific Northwest River Basin Commission, Vancouver, Washington,
page 3150.
50
USGS. 1952. Water Resources Data for Idaho, Part 1 Surface Water
Records.
USGS. 1960. Water Resoruces Data for Idaho, Part 1 Surface Water
Records.
USGS. 1969. Discharge measurements at gaging stations. Book 3, Chapter
A8, of Techniques of Water Resource Investigations of US Geological
Survey. Gov•t Printing Office. 65 pages.
USGS. 1976. Water Resources Data for Idaho, Part 1 Surface Water
Records.
51
APPENDIX
PROBABILITY-OF-USE CURVES
52
0
.,
0
>-"'
t-o
....J
(D a:
(D
0• g:o
"' 0
0
0
0
CD
0
>-"' t-o
....J
(D a:
(D
0• a::· a_O
"' 0
0
0
0
0
1111 0
r
II
I
I
J
~
\
\
\
RAINBOW TROUT
SPAWNING
0
"' 0
>-"' t-o
....J
(D a:
(D
0• g:o
"' 0
I \
1\ I 0
0
2 3 0
VELOCITY lrTISECJ
I 1\
I
\
\
\
0
CD
0
>-"' t-o
....J
(D a:
(D
0• g:o
"' 0
0
0
78/01/24.
1\
\
\
\
\
~
2
O£PTH lrTJ
I
3
2 J 5 6 0 20 40 60 80
SUBSTRATE TEMPERATURE lrl
100
Figure A-1. Rainbow trout spawning probability curves (from Bovee 1978).
53
0
..
0
,.....,
t-o
.J
CD a:
CD o ... fo
N
0
0
0
0
..
0
,.....,
1-d
.J
CD a:
CD o ... g:o
N
d
0
d
I
0
0
11210
( 1\
\
\
\ r----
2
VELOCITY IFT/SECJ
2 3
SUBSTRATE
CUTTHROAT TROUT
SPAWNING 78/01/24.
I \
I
\
\
5 6
0
..
0
>-"' t-o
.J
CD a:
CD o ... fo
N
0
0
0
0
..
0
,.....,
t-o
.J
CD a:
CD o ... g:o
N
0
0
0
!\
I \
1/ \
I \
I \
0 0.5 I 1.5
DEPTH IFTJ
I
0 20 to so eo
TEMPERATURE !Fl
Figure A-2. Cutthroat trout spawning probability curves(from
Bovee 1978). 54
2
100
_,
CD a:
C>
"' 0
CD o ...
Q::• a.."'
"' 0
C>
0
0
"' 0
>-"' 1-o _,
CD a:
CD o ... ca::· a..<>
"' 0
0
0
0
0
I
)
11310
~
J
1/
\
~
2 3 i
VELOCITY IFT/SECJ
2 3
SUBSTRATE
BROWN TROUT
5
I 1\
I
5
SPAWNING
\
\
6
0
"' 0
>-"' 1-o
:J
CD a:
CD o ...
~0
"' 0
0
0
J
0
0
\
78/01/24.
\
\
.......... ~
2
DEPTH lrTl
'
\
3
20 iO 60 80
TEMPERATURE ltl
100
Figure A-3. Brown trout spawning probability curves (from Bovee
1978). 55
0
..
0
.......
l-ei
-l
CD a:
CD
0• fo
...
c:i
0
ei
0
..
ei
.......
l-ei
-l
~
CD
O•
fei
...
ei
0
0
0
0
(
I
11410
\
\
\
\
2
VELOCITY !fTISECl
~
2 J
SUBSTRATE
BROOK TROUT
SPAWNING
~
~
\
\
\
5 6
0
..
ei
.......
o-ci
-l
CD a:
CD
0•
fci
...
c:i
0
ei
0
0
.......
1-o
-l
CD a:
CD
0• fo
...
0
0
ei
1
1/
0
0
(\
l
\
78/01/24.
ll
\
~ 1'---
2
DEPTH !FTl
\
20 10 60 eo
TEMPERATURE lfl
100
Figure A-4. Brook trout spawning probability curves (from Bovee
1978).
56
0.9
0.8
0.7
> 0.6 1-~
a5 0.5 <t ~ 0.4 g:
0.3
0.2
0.1
0.9
0.8
0.7
> 0.6 1-
~ as 0.5 <t ~ 0.4 g:
0.3
0.2
0.1
DEPTH
feet
VELOCITY
ft/sec
0.9
0.8
0.7
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0.9
0.8
0.7
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
Figure A-5. Dolly Varden spawning probability curves.(From
unpublished data provided to Cooperative Instream
Flow Service Group by Tim Gochnauer, Idaho Fish
and Game Department, Jerome, Idaho.
57
0
..
c:i
,... ...
.... c:i
..J
m a: m
0•
l[c:i
N
c:i
0
c:i
.,
c:i
,... ...
.... c:i
..J
m a: m
0• o::· ~0
N
c:i
0
c:i
0
0
I
10210
! \
I
I
\
\
\
' "--._
2
VELOCfiY lfT/SECJ
2 3
SUBSTRATE
I
KOKANEE SALMON
(
s
SPAWNING
0
..
c:i
,... ...
.-.c:i
..J
m a: m 0•
l[c:i
N
c:i
0
c:i
0
0
I
78/01/24.
/'\
1\
\
\
\
I'..
~ r--........
O.S I l.S
DEPTH lfTJ
(\
I
I
20 10 60 80
TEMPERATURE lfl
2
100
Figure A-6. Kokanee salmon spawning probability curves (From Bovee
1978). 58
l.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
INSTREAM FLOW INFORMATION PAPERS ISSUED
Lamb, Berton Lee, Editor. Guide 1 i nes for Preparing Expert Test i-
mony in Water Management Decisions Related to Instream Flow Issues.
Fort Collins, Colorado, Cooperative Instream Flow Service Group,
July 1977, 30 pages. FWS/OBS-77/19. (NTIS Accession Number: PB 268
597; Library of Congress Catalog Card No. 77-83281).
Lamb, Berton Lee, Editor. ProtectinE Instream Flows Under Western
Water Law: Selected Papers. Fort oll1ns, Colorado, Cooperative
Instream Flow Serv1ce Group, September 1977, 60 pages. FWS/OBS-
77/47. (NTIS Accession Number: PB 272 993; Library of Congress
Catalog Card No. 77-15286).
Bovee, Ken D., and Cochnauer, Tim. Development and Evaluation of
Weighted Criteria , Probability-of-Use Curves for Instream Flow
Assessments; Fisheries. Fort Collins, Colorado, Cooperative
Instream Flow Service Group, December 1977, 49 pages. FWS/OBS-77/63
(NTIS Accession Number: PB
Bovee, Ken D. Probability-of-Use Criteria for the Family Salmon-
idae. Fort Collins, Colorado, Cooperative Instream Flow Service
Group, January 1978, 88 pages. FWS/OBS-78/07. (NTIS Accession
Number: PB
Bovee, Ken D. and Milhous, Robert T. Hydraulic Simulation in
Instream Flow Studies: Theory and Techni lies. Fort Collins,
Colorado, Cooperative Instream Flow Service G oup, May 1978,
pages. FWS/OBS-78/33. (NTIS Accars:i on Number: PB ; Library
of Congress Catalog Card No. 78-600110).
Hyra, Ronald. Methods of Assessing Instr~a~ Flows for Recreation.
Fort Collins, Colorado-, Cooperative Instream Flow Serv1ce Group,
May 1978, 49 pages. FWS/OBS-78/34. (NTIS Accession Number: PB
; Library of Congress Catalog Card No. 78-600071).
Bayha, Keith. Instream Flow Methodologies for Regional/National
Assessments: A State-of-the-Art Review. Fort Collins, Colorado,
Cooperative Instream Flow Service Group, July 1978, pages.
FWS/OBS-78/61. (NTIS Accession Number: PB ; Library of
Congress Catalog Card No. ).
Pruitt, Thomas A. and Richard L. Nadeau. Recommended Stream
Resource Maintenance Flows on Seven Idaho Streams. Fort Collins,
Colorado, Cooperative--rn5tream--rl0w Service Group, July 1978
pages. FWS/OBS-78/68. (NTIS Accession Number: PB
Library of Congress Catalog Card No. ).
59
50272 -J01
REPORT DOCUMENTATION !l,_RE!'ORT NO. T 2. 3. Recipient's Accession No.
-PAGE 1 FWS/OBS-78/68 I
4. Title and Subtitle ~~~-----~~_c_~~ ~~------+-=-5.-R=--e-po-rt~D-at-e~~~~~~~--l
Recommended Stream Resource Maintenance Flows on Seven July 1978
Southern Idaho Streams ~-
~~~~~~-------
----·---~~ --------~ 8. -Performing Organization Rept. N~~ 7. Author(s)
Thomas A. Pruitt and Richard L. Nadeau IFIP-8 -~~---------------~~----~~~~~~--! 9. Performing Organization Name and Address
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Division of Ecological Services
Overland Road
Boise, Idaho
-----~~~~~~~~~~-----------------------
12. Sponsoring OrfJanization Name and Ad9,n;ss Cooperative Instream t1ow Service Group
Office of Biological Service
Creekside Building, 2625 Redwing Road
Fort Collins, Colorado 80526
-~~~~~~-----~-----------~ -------~~-------------
15. Supplementary Notes
1-~~~--~~---------
16. Abstract (limit: 200 words)
10. Project/Task/Work Unit No.
-~------------~~-----
11. Contract(C) or Grant(G) No.
(C)
(G)
il." Typ~ -;;tR;p~rt&P;Mod Cover;;;--
----
14.
--------------~~~-1
----
This paper documents the results of instream flow investigations conducted on seven
south Idaho streams by the Boise Ecological Service Field Office durring 1972-1975.
The results were reanalyzed by the Cooperative Instream Flow Service Group using the
concept of probability-of-use curves which are based on weighted criteria for depth
and velocity. Recommended stream resource maintenance flows are presented.
17. Document Analysis a. Descri~tor-;----~~-------------~ ------~. -------·--------------~~~---~~~~--!
Stream resource maintenance flow recommendations
Instream flow studies
Hydrologic units 170402 and 170501
Probability -of-use curves (Mt. Whitefish)
b. Identifiers/Open-Ended Terms
Cooperative Instream Flow Service Group
c. COSATI Field/Group
t----~--~~~~-----~--------
18. Availability Statement
Release Unlimited
See ANSI-Z39.18)
60
OPTIONAL FORM 272 (4-77)
(Formerly NTIS--35)
Department of Commerce
~U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE' 1978·0·777· 138131 Zl
The Biological Services Program was established within the U.S. F ish
and Wildlife Service to supply scientific information and methodolog ies on
key environmental issues which have an impact f ish and wildlife resources
and their supporting ecosystems. The mission of the Program i s as follows:
1. To strengthen the Fish and Wildlife Service in its ro le as a pri mary
source of information on natural fish and wildlife resources , par-
ticularly with respect to environmental impact assessment.
2 . To gather, analyze, and present information that will aid decisi on-
makers in the identification and resolut ion of problems associated
with major land and water use changes.
3 . To provide better ecological information and evaluation for Depart-
ment of the Interior development programs, such as those relating
to energy development.
Information developed by the B i ological Services Program is i ntended
for use in the planning and decisionmaking process, to prevent or m i nimize
the impact of development on fish and wildlife. Biolog ical Services research
activities and technical assistance services are based on an analysi s of the
issues, the decisionmakers involved and their information needs, and an
evaluation of the state-of-the-art to identify information gaps and determi ne
priorities. This is a strategy to assure that the products produced and dis-
seminated will be timely and useful.
Biological Services projects have been in itiated in the following areas:
Coal extraction and conversion
Power plants
Geothermal, mineral, and oil shale development
Water resource analysis, including stream alterations and western
water allocation
Coastal ecosystems and Outer Continental Shelf development.
Systems and inventory, including National Wetlands Inventory, habi-
tat classification and analysis, and information transfer
The Program consists of the Office of Biological Services in Washington,
D .C., which is responsible for overall planning and management; National
Teams which provide the Program's central, scientific and technical expertise,
and which arrange for contracting of Biological Services studies with States,
universities, consulting firms, and others; ~~i,9nal staff who provide a link
to problems at the operating level; and ..... I Srtain Fish and Wildl i fe
Service research facilities who cond~ci§RS~e research studies.
Librarv esources
. & Tnformation ~erVi
A..nchor!lf1"e AJ u ces '-"' · aska
U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife S e rvice
As the Nation's principal conservation
agency, the Department of the Interior has re-
sponsibility for most of our nationally owned pub-
lic lands and natural resources. This includes
fostering the wisest use of our land and water re-
sources, protecting our fish and wildlife, preserv-
ing the environmental and cultural values of our
national parks and historical places, and provid-
ing for the enjoyment of life through outdoor rec-
reation. The Qepartment assesses our energy
and mineral resources and works to assure that
their development is in the best interests of all
our people. The Department also has a major re-
sponsibility for American Indian reservation A
communities and for people who live in island
territories under U.S. administration.