Category Archives: Water Quality

Improving Water Temperature Management in Sacramento River Below Shasta for Salmon

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Background

The Sacramento River below Shasta-Keswick near Redding is the spawning reach of Winter-Run Chinook salmon in summer. Winter-Run originally spawned in the cold, spring-fed reaches upstream of Shasta Reservoir. Since Shasta Dam’s construction over a half century ago, Winter-Run have spawned below in Shasta’s cold tailwater. However, in some dry years the cold water has run out and the Winter-Run spawn has failed, as was the case in late summer 2014. There simply are not sufficient guarantees in the State Water Right Order 90-5 (WRO-90-5) or the NMFS Biological Opinion (BO) to protect the Winter-Run: there weren’t in 2014 and there aren’t in 2015. Winter-Run need cold water (<56°F) through the summer to protect spawning adults, eggs laid in gravel, and fry developing in gravel beds throughout their spawning reach upstream of Red Bluff. In nearly all years there is sufficient cold water in Shasta to sustain cold water through the summer above Red Bluff, especially after construction of the Shasta Dam Temperature Control Device (TCD), which allows conservation of the coldest water in Shasta through the summer. The problem is that the cold water cannot be conserved because of downstream demands on the water.

Downstream agricultural demands force the release of too much of the Shasta cold water pool in spring and summer, which in drier years like 2014 and 2015 results in exhaustion of the cold water pool by late summer. To complicate matters, warmer Trinity water is brought over for release below Shasta to meet some of the downstream demands, thus requiring even more of the Shasta cold water pool to maintain target temperatures above Red Bluff. Shasta releases also are highest in warm afternoons to meet peak power demands; this release pattern also requires more from the cold water pool.

The federal and state agencies develop a plan to operate the system each year in the winter prior to the irrigation season. Based on what they know and forecast for the upcoming season, they develop a plan to maintain cold water through the summer for the salmon, as well as a forecasted water supply for downstream users. Both the WRO-90-5 and BO contain provisions that allow the targets for salmon temperatures to be modified in dry years to allow downstream water users a portion of their normal water supply.

WRO-90-5 allows weakening of targets for water temperature by moving the compliance point upstream from Red Bluff, sometimes as far as Redding. In 2015 the State Board in a Temporary Urgency Change Order allowed the target temperature to be raised to a daily average of 58°F in Redding.

The Problem

Both the 2014 and 2015 plans failed to meet their objectives for a multitude of reasons, least among them inaccurate information and poor planning tools (e.g., mathematical models). Lack of conservative conditions in the plan and follow-up conservative decision-making were the key problems. In 2014, the plan and operational failure led to the loss of most of the 2014 Winter-Run salmon production; the Winter-Run perished in low flows and high water temperatures in late summer in the small spawning reach upstream of Highway 44 in Redding. By late spring of 2015, it became apparent, as predicted by CSPA and others, that the Bureau had allocated spring releases (already made to downstream users) based on a forecast that overestimated the size and quality of the Shasta cold water pool . So the State Board allowed the Bureau of Reclamation to adopt a new temperature management plan, raising the target to an average daily temperature of 58°F even in the tiny amount of the Sacramento River between Keswick Dam and Clear Creek.

What more can be done?

First, rescind the weakened numeric target because it does not protect salmon eggs and newly newly hatched fry. The 56°F target must be reinstated as far downstream as possible. The SWRCB should at the very least ensure that maximum water temperatures never exceed 58°F and that average daily and weekly average maximums do not exceed 56°F.

Minimum water temp chartSecond, reduce the input of warmer Trinity water via Whiskeytown and the Spring Creek Powerhouse. The chart of present conditions below shows that the warmer Trinity water entering Keswick Reservoir below Shasta makes up over 20% (1500/7000) of the water entering the Redding reach. Ensuring that the Redding reach target is maintained requires that more 50°F cold-water pool water from Shasta be mixed into the TCD than would be necessary to maintain the mandatory 58°F average daily target at Redding (CCR location) without the Trinity water. Cutting the Trinity input at this time would be especially prudent. Low flows in the Trinity (460 cfs release to river, compared to 1500 cfs diversion to Sacramento River) are contributing to disease and die-off of salmon in the lower Klamath-Trinity system. {Note: it may not be possible to reduce Trinity inputs without increasing Shasta releases because salmon have or are now spawning at these flows. Cutting Trinity inflow could still reduce demand on Shasta cold water pool water even if Trinity flow cuts are made up by Shasta water.}

This map depicts conditions in the first week of August 2015. Daily average Shasta releases to Keswick Reservoir are approximately 5500 cfs. Daily average Whiskeytown releases to Keswick are 1500 cfs. Keswick release is approximately 7000 cfs. The daily range in water temperatures is shown by location in magenta. Gaging and recording stations are blue dots (from CDEC).

This map depicts conditions in the first week of August 2015. Daily average Shasta releases to Keswick Reservoir are approximately 5500 cfs. Daily average Whiskeytown releases to Keswick are 1500 cfs. Keswick release is approximately 7000 cfs. The daily range in water temperatures is shown by location in magenta. Gaging and recording stations are blue dots (from CDEC).

Third, reduce hourly peaking power releases from Shasta, because water released through the Shasta powerhouses is pulled from relatively high in the water column, and is thus relatively warm. Data from the past several days indicates Reclamation may already be instituting this measure – see figures below.

Water temperature recordings from one of five Shasta Dam penstocks over past ten days note high daytime water temperatures.. Lower maximum temperatures in last five days may be from reduced daytime releases or changes in TCD operation (see chart below).

Water temperature recordings from one of five Shasta Dam penstocks over past ten days note high daytime water temperatures.. Lower maximum temperatures in last five days may be from reduced daytime releases or changes in TCD operation (see chart below).

Note high daytime releases to meet peak power demands. Note Reclamation has altered the normal pattern in the last two days, which apparently further reduced release water temperature (see chart above).

Note high daytime releases to meet peak power demands. Note Reclamation has altered the normal pattern in the last two days, which apparently further reduced release water temperature (see chart above).

In summary, saving Winter Run Chinook salmon this summer demands immediate action. This will require one or more of the following: reduced reservoir releases to downstream users, less transfer of warm water from Trinity Reservoir (via Whiskeytown and Spring Creek Powerhouse), reduced power generation, less peaking power operation, and/or the bypass of releases past Shasta’s power generation facilities (use of Shasta Dam’s lower level outlet).

Are popular trout fishing waters too warm to fish?

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The Wild Fish Conservancy and other fishing groups have sent a request to the governors and fish & wildlife department directors and commissioners of Washington, Oregon, and California, and NOAA Fisheries, “urging the states to immediately implement emergency measures that would close all river reaches to all fishing, both recreational and commercial, that exceed 18°C (64.4°F), until water temperatures and flows return to more normal conditions”.1 The petition notes that the drought (they referred to as “weather abnormalities”) have caused low flows and high water temperatures in rivers, streams, and lakes.

“A report released today by the Conservancy indicates that current water temperatures in almost all salmon and trout bearing rivers and streams analyzed in Washington, Oregon, and California have exceeded thresholds which result in biological stress, indirect mortality, and reduced spawning success. Furthermore, lethal conditions were detected in 39 of 54 of the rivers and streams.”

CDFW, in its CDFW News Blog, recommended on June 22 that anglers not fish whenever water temperatures exceed 70°F. 2

While the threshold temperature for the decision not to fish is somewhat species dependent, anglers should give careful thought to where they fish in hot weather, low water conditions.

Northern California Lakes and Reservoirs

Popular trout fishing locations in northern California include Shasta, Oroville, Almanor, Davis, Eagle, Siskiyou, Bullards Bar, and Folsom reservoirs, as well as many smaller foothill and Sierra lakes and reservoirs. Nearly all of these waters have surface temperatures in the mid-seventies in summer. Although these are not wild trout fisheries and are sustained primarily by stocking, many are quality fisheries that have carryover trout prized by many fishermen. Catch-and-release should be discouraged in these waters in summer, as many of the trout (and salmon) caught would likely die if released. Some guides and private waters no longer offer fishing in these waters because of the warm water. Harvested fish should be immediately put on ice and not on stringers.

Northern California River and Streams

Northern California is rich in cold water stream fisheries sustained by large springs (e.g., Hat Creek, Fall River, upper Battle Creek, upper McCloud, and upper North Fork Feather), and by others sustained by cold-water reservoir releases (e.g., upper Lower Trinity River, upper Lower Sacramento River below Shasta, and lower Yuba River). These waters can sustain fisheries through the summer even in most drought years.

However there are some streams that should be closed, partially closed, or considered for closure on a case-by-case basis. These include the Klamath, lower Trinity, lower sections of the upper Sacramento and lower McCloud, the Pit above Shasta, and the lower Truckee rivers.

Some selected water temperature charts are included below. They are available on CDEC, DWR’s streamflow and reservoir website.3 Check the web before you head out.

DLT Temprature

Upper Sacramento River upstream of Shasta Reservoir

Lower Sacramento River below Redding.

Lower Sacramento River below Redding.

McCloud River above Shasta Reservoir

McCloud River above Shasta Reservoir

Lower Truckee River near Nevada border.

Lower Truckee River near Nevada border.

Lower Yuba River below Englebright Dam

Lower Yuba River below Englebright Dam

Lower Klamath River.

Lower Klamath River.

Lower Trinity River.

Lower Trinity River.

  1.  http://wildfishconservancy.org/about/press-room/press-releases/extreme-water-temperatures-low-flows-in-pacific-northwest-rivers-creating-lethal-conditions-for-salmon ↩
  2. https://cdfgnews.wordpress.com/ (Search June 22, 2015) ↩
  3. http://cdec.water.ca.gov/river/rivcond.html It takes some trial and error to find the temperature plots, and not all stations have them. Generally, if you click on the title in blue below each graph it directs you to a list of data available for the station. The blue headers for each category of data are links, which opens up further graphing functions. ↩

It is time to save the Delta Smelt

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Causes of the Decline of the Endangered Delta Smelt

There are multiple threats to the Delta Smelt population that contribute to its viability and risk of extinction. Chief among these threats are reductions in freshwater inflow to the estuary; loss of larval, juvenile and adult fish at the state and federal Delta export facilities and in urban, agricultural and industrial water diversions; direct and indirect impacts of the Delta Smelt’s planktonic food supply and habitat; and lethal and sub-lethal effects of warm water and toxic chemicals in Delta open-water habitats.

Temporary urgency change orders by the State Board have allowed reduced Delta outflow and increased Delta salinity. This has moved the Low Salinity Zone further upstream (eastward) into the Delta, thereby increasing the degree of each of these threats. During the past few drought summers, remnants of the population have been confined to a small area of the Low Salinity Zone where water temperatures barely remain below lethal levels. The change orders are an obvious and direct threat to the remnants living in the Low Salinity Zone. Further allowing these weakened standards to be violated is a direct disregard for the remnants of the population. It places them at extraordinary risk by bringing them further into the zone of water diversions, degrading their habitat into the lethal range of water temperature, further degrading their already depleted food supply, and increasing the concentrations of toxic chemicals being relentlessly discharged into the Delta.

Saving the Delta Smelt

The following are measures necessary to save the remnant Delta Smelt population:

  1. Keep the low salinity zone (LSZ) out of the Delta as prescribed in State water quality control plans over the last several decades. This can be readily accomplished by meeting already defined flow and salinity standards and restrictions on Delta exports. The LSZ on the Sacramento channel side should be in the wide open reach of eastern Suisun Bay between Collinsville and the west end of Sherman Island (location of Emmaton standard). It must be kept out of the Emmaton-to-Rio Vista reach just upstream in the west Delta, because this reach is confined and continually degraded by reservoir releases and warm water passing through the North Delta via Three Mile Slough to the interior of the Delta and south Delta water diversions. On the San Joaquin (south) side, the low salinity zone belongs in the wide Antioch–to-Jersey Point reach as prescribed in standards. This can be accomplished in spring and summer of dry years by maintaining prescribed flows, salinity standards at Jersey Point, installation of the False River and Dutch Slough Barriers, and opening the Delta Cross Channel (which results in positive net outflow from the mouth of Old River downstream to Jersey Point in the Central Delta). Maintaining the net positive flows in west Delta channels helps tremendously in getting salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, striped bass, and smelt from upstream freshwater spawning areas to their downstream rearing area target, the estuary’s LSZ. Keeping the LSZ in eastern Suisun Bay, as has always been an objective Delta Water Quality Plans, has huge indirect benefits as well, including greater plankton production, lower non-stressful water temperatures (conducive to growth and survival of all the Delta fish including smelt and salmonids), higher turbidity levels in the LSZ (reduced predation on and improved feeding for Delta smelt), lower invasive Asian clam concentrations in eastern Suisun Bay (which siphon off plankton and larval fish), and lower concentrations of toxins in the LSZ.
  2.  Improve the physical habitat of the LSZ. Habitat in eastern Suisun Bay, though far better than that of the west Delta, has been continuously degraded over the past century. Fortunately, there are few levees along the north shore of the Sacramento side. However, the wave-swept shores along Antioch Hills have lost all riparian vegetation except pockets of invasive Arundo. Hillside windfarm and shoreline erosion have filled in shoreline shoals, shallows, bays and alcoves that provided rearing habitat for smelt and salmon (salmon fry are the most abundant fish in these shallows through the winter). Miles of shoreline bays, inlets, and tidal marshes east of Collinsville have been lost. On the south side of the Sacramento channel are the remnants of historic Delta marshes and islands of West Sherman Island and Sherman Lake. Gradually the riparian shoreline and shallow waters are washing away as a consequence of wind as well as ship-wake erosion. Lack of interior marsh channel circulation has also led to grand infestations of invasive non-native submergent, emergent, and floating aquatic vegetation. Like the north shore, the south shoreline of West Suisun Bay on the San Joaquin side is not leveed. Likewise, shoreline and shallow water habitats are degraded, but from industrialization. Large areas east of Antioch to Big Break are degraded much as in the area of Sherman Lake. Both the north and south East Suisun Bay channels are degraded by dredging of the two deep-water ship channels, which has resulted in the loss of shallow shoal, bay, and mudflat habitats. Virtually none of the habitats mentioned above were addressed in the grand BDCP restoration plans for the Bay-Delta. Though some of the areas have been prescribed for restoration in various mitigation plans, virtually no progress has been made toward their restoration in the last several decades.
  3. Stock hatchery raised smelt in the LSZ. The agency-sponsored Delta Smelt conservation hatcheries could be upgraded to production status to provide juveniles to be stocked in the LSZ in late spring and summer. The population is so low now (zero 20-mm and Townet survey indices) that stocking would be helpful if not necessary.
  4. Provide a spring pulse flow into and through the Delta to help smelt fry transport from freshwater spawning areas downstream to the LSZ. This could include passing some Sacramento River flow through the blocked entrance to the Deepwater Ship Channel at the Port of West Sacramento. Delta inflow pulses could be provided by reservoir releases coordinated with infrequent natural flow pulses through the Delta.
  5. Manage tidal flows and Delta hydrodynamics, as well as water quality, on a real time basis to help maintain the LSZ in east Suisun Bay and to stimulate and sustain plankton blooms. Real time management is possible because of the many satellite-accessible data recorders in the Delta, as well as the many frequent biological monitoring surveys being conducted throughout the Bay and Delta. Active adaptive management is possible with the many flow controls available on diversions, reservoir releases, and flow splits (e.g., Delta Cross Channel).

Corps gears up for summer fish operations – June news release

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Sorry to say this is not in California – it’s the Columbia River system with its eight major mainstem dams.1  Summer “spills” have been the heart of the Columbia salmon recovery because they have helped smolts reach the ocean. The cost of “spills” is primarily lost hydropower to federal and state utilities. That was the price for keeping all the dams.

In the Central Valley the dams were built for hydropower, flood control, and water supply. Here we have Settlement Contractors with water rights that preceded the dams, who agreed to contracts that allowed the dams to be built. These folks come first in line when it comes to federal and state water rights to stored water. After these folks come the big water districts and urban water contractors of the Central Valley Project and the State Water Project.

The Columbia dams also have fish ladders that allow adult salmon to reach tributaries and headwaters and require smolts to pass the dams to reach the ocean. In the Central Valley we have wild and hatchery salmon populations below the large dams, and there are no fish ladders. (Note there are also no ladders on the big Grand Coulee and Hells Canyon Columbia system dams.)

The equivalent action of “summer spills” on the Columbia would be “spring spills” from Central Valley reservoirs. However, with stored water over-appropriated (even in most flood years when too little storage is carried over for the following year), there really is no water for “spring spills” without taking water away from people, mostly irrigators, who expect to get that water. (Note there are some higher flow requirements on the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers and from the Delta in wetter years, but these are not near the amount of water in “spills”.)

Would Central Valley salmon benefit from “spring spills”? Yes, substantially, especially in non-flood wet and normal years. Obviously, there would be insufficient water for “spills” in some drier years and even in some normal years.

What do they do on the Columbia River in dry years? They have a smolt collection and transport program that collects wild and hatchery smolts and transports them with trucks and barges around the dams and to the estuary.

The federal recovery plan for Central Valley salmon does not include either spills or transport, but instead requires trap-and-haul above the dams. This is important and likely essential to prevent extinction of some salmon races (e.g., winter and spring run), but we also need spill and transport programs downstream of the dams. If we want to retain these fisheries, we must invest in spill and transport programs now. These programs, like those on the Columbia, should be paid for by those benefitting from the flood control, electricity, water supply and recreation provided by the dams.

Summer 2015 Temporary Urgency Change Petition: Deadly for Delta Smelt

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What does the May 21 TUCP mean for the Delta if the State Board adopts it for the summer? What would be the consequences of weakening the outdated standards for outflow and salinity do to the Bay-Delta ecosystem?

letter

Location of X2 and Delta Outflow

The location of X2, the critical location of the Low Salinity Zone center where salinity is 2 parts per thousand (ppt), is shown below for various Net Delta Outflow Indices (NDOI). The existing standards and proposed changes are as follows:

  • 4000 cfs NDOI in July – 3000 cfs proposed
  • 3000 cfs NDOI August – 2500 cfs proposed for September
  • X2 (2.78 mmhoes EC) required at Emmaton (EMM) moved upstream to Threemile Slough (TMS) through August 15 (no limit thereafter)
Location of X2 in Bay-Delta at various Delta outflows (NDOI cfs).

Location of X2 in Bay-Delta at various Delta outflows (NDOI cfs).

Effect on Water Temperature

In June weakened standards from a previous TUCP were 4000 cfs NDOI, with X2 allowed at TMS. Water temperature at X2 location by mid-June reached 70-73°F, levels considered sublethal but stressful on Delta Smelt.

stressful on Delta Smelt. Early June 2015 water temperatures in X2 region.

Early June 2015 water temperatures in X2 region.

On June 12, 2015, X2 reached Rio Vista Bridge (for first time this year) on high tide after midnight at 72°F (NDOI was 5200 cfs). Afternoon water temperatures at bridge at low tide had been >74°F. When EC was 2000 at TMS, the water temperature was 72°F. On this date in 2012, the X2 location was downstream of EMM, with an NDOI of 7100 cfs and a water temperature of 69°F. On this date in 2013, X2 was downstream of EMM, with an NDOI of 7500 cfs and a water temperature of 68°F. On this date in 2014, X2 was upstream of EMM, with an NDOI of 3150 cfs and a water temperature of 72°F. The pattern is consistent with the hypothesis that the further X2 is east, the warmer the water temperature will be. The pattern also indicates that the normal standard of 7100 cfs keeps water temperatures at X2 below 70°F, at least in late spring.

My prediction for water temperature for July through September in the X2 region is shown below. This conservative prediction is based on June 2015 and June-September 2014 data.

Predicted summer water temperatures in X2 region of the Delta under proposed weakened standards.

Predicted summer water temperatures in X2 region of the Delta under proposed weakened standards.

Consequences to Smelt and Salmon

Delta Smelt, already on the brink of extinction, will be further stressed by near lethal water temperatures in the X2 region. We can assume that only a small number of smelt remain in the X2 zone going into summer 2015, as compared to 2012 (see following charts). Any remaining smelt in the X2 zone must be protected at least at the normal standards as in 2012. Any weakening of the critical year standards will jeopardize the existence of the species.

No Delta Smelt were collected from the X2 zone in late May 2015. Only 5 were collected at the northern Deep Water Ship C

No Delta Smelt were collected from the X2 zone in late May 2015. Only 5 were collected at the northern Deep Water Ship Channel station.”

In contrast to 2015, the distribution of Delta Smelt in late spring 2012 shows higher numbers collected in the X2 zone below Emmaton under NDOIs of 8000-10,000 cfs. Water temperatures at that time in the X2 zone were <70°F.


In contrast to 2015, the distribution of Delta Smelt in late spring 2012 shows higher numbers collected in the X2 zone below Emmaton under NDOIs of 8000-10,000 cfs. Water temperatures at that time in the X2 zone were <70°F.

Fall Run Chinook Salmon enter the Bay-Delta on their spawning migrations from the ocean in August-September. Expected near -lethal water temperature (>77°F) will delay and stress these fish. Expected water temperatures greater than 70°F will stop migrations and degrade subsequent adult salmon pre-spawn survival and egg viability. The proposed 2500 cfs outflow standard for September will result in water temperatures of 73-75°F in the X2 zone near Rio Vista in mid-September. In contrast, in mid -September 2012, outflow was 7100 cfs and water temperatures at Rio Vista and the X2 zone near Emmaton were <70°F.