FY07-09 proposal 200731800

Jump to Reviews and Recommendations

Section 1. Administrative

Proposal titleEntiat River - UPA - Knapp-Wham Hanan Detwiler Irrigation System Consolidation Project.
Proposal ID200731800
OrganizationChelan County Conservation District (SWCD)
Short descriptionConsolidation of the Knapp-Wham and Hanan Detwiler irrigation systems will eliminate partial fish passage barriers associated with 2 surface water diversions, add instream habitat within the lower Entiat River, and enhance instream flows via water saved
Information transferPublic Access: Chelan County Conservation District web-site and EKO-System Project Tracking System. Pisces Reporting. Final budget, photo and document report.
Proposal contact person or principal investigator
Contacts
ContactOrganizationEmail
Form submitter
Rich Malinowski Chelan County Conservation District [email protected]
All assigned contacts

Section 2. Locations

Province / subbasin: Columbia Cascade / Entiat

LatitudeLongitudeWaterbodyDescription
4768.64 120.3157 Entiat River Knapp-Wham Diversion Point
4767.68 120.31.20 Entiat River Hanan-Detwiler Headgate

Section 3. Focal species

primary: All Anadromous Fish
secondary: Chinook Upper Columbia River Summer/Fall ESU
secondary: Coho Unspecified Population
secondary: Pacific Lamprey
secondary: Sockeye Lake Wenatchee ESU
secondary: Steelhead Upper Columbia River ESU
secondary: Resident Fish
secondary: Westslope Cutthroat
secondary: Rainbow Trout
secondary: Mountain Whitefish

Section 4. Past accomplishments

YearAccomplishments

Section 5. Relationships to other projects

Funding sourceRelated IDRelated titleRelationship
PCSRF - WSRFB 00-1167 Jon Small Off-Channel Rearing WDFW, trout unlimited and a private landowner created a rearing pond, fed by a groundwater upwelling, and off-channel connection to the mainstem Entiat River within the lower Entiat Assessment Unit. The project was designed and implemented to increase juvenile salmonid off-channel rearing and overwintering habitat, and address a primary limiting factor for salmonid production in the lower Entiat River. Similar off-channel rearing pond connection will occur in the Lower River Off-Channel Restoration.
PCSRF - WSRFB 04-1503 Entiat R. BridgeToBridge Reach The Chelan County Conservation District is the Project Sponsor for the “Bridge-to-Bridge” (B-to-B) reach restoration project in the lower Entiat River (~RM 3.2 to RM 4.4). Other project partners include Chelan County, WDFW, USFWS, members of the UCSRB Regional Technical Team, and BOR. This area is the highest priority restoration area in WRIA 46. Past activities that have altered the lower Entiat River include logging, dams, stream clearing; channelization, filling & flood control protection works. Riparian vegetation has been removed by fire & development. The B-to-B effort addresses lack of off-channel rearing habitat, temperature extremes & habitat simplicity. It will restore geomorphology, floodplain function, habitat complexity/diversity, off-channel habitat and shading, benefiting adult & juvenile Chinook, steelhead & coho. At the end of Phase 3, the reach will be restored to its geomorphic potential (e.g. now 0.3 pools/mi., restored to 9 pools/mi.). The EWPU supports this 3-phase project, developed via 10 years of planning. Actions proposed are based on geomorphic, biologic, hydrologic & thermal analyses. Funding for Phase 1 will be used to: (a) restore ~1000 contiguous ft. of riparian vegetation to improve stream temperatures, bank condition, cover, nutrient inputs; (b) enhance juvenile off-channel rearing habitat via rock/LWD placement in ~700 ft. irrigation ditch; (c) install 2 instream structures to direct flow to the off-channel habitat and restore resting pools in the lowest portion of the reach. A ditch outfall structure will also be added.
BPA 200500300 Entiat Four Mile-Wells The Entiat 4 Mile diversion is located in the lower Entiat Assessment Unit of the Entiat subbasin, and will benefit Upper Columbia steelhead, spring Chinook and bull trout. The goal of this project is to prevent juvenile fish from being diverted into an out-of-stream irrigation system and to eliminate impacts due to the annual maintenance of an instream pushup dam. The objectives include eliminating a surface irrigation diversion and replacing it with two wells, which will provide BPA and the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) with a Federal Columbia River Power System (FCRPS) BiOp metric credit of one (1). Wells were chosen over a new fish screen based on biological benefits and costs. Long-term biological benefits are provided by completely eliminating the surface diversion and the potential for fish entrainment in a fish screen. Construction costs for a new fish screen were estimated at $150,000, which does not include other costs associated with implementing and maintaining a fish screening project. Construction costs for a well are estimated at $20,000 each. The diversion currently consists of a pushup dam that diverts water into an off-channel pond. Water is then pumped into a pressurized system for irrigation. There are 3 different irrigators who use water from this surface diversion, and each has multiple water rights. Some irrigated acreage was taken out of orchard production less than 5 years ago. Therefore, approximately 144 acre-feet will be put into a water trust so it is not subject to relinquishment. No water will be set aside for conservation savings. The project is part of the Entiat Watershed Planning Unit's overall approach to salmonid population restoration within the lower Entiat AU.
BPA 200500400 Whitehall Wells The Whitehall Diversion project is located in the Entiat subbasin, lower Entiat Assessment Unit, and will benefit Upper Columbia steelhead, spring chinook and bull trout. The goal of this project is to prevent juvenile fish from being diverted into an out-of-stream irrigation system. The objectives include eliminating four unscreened surface irrigation diversions and replacing them with three wells, which will provide BPA with a HIP BiOp metric credit of four (4). One of the surface water diversions and associated sump and pump for irrigation water lies within the off-channel area proposed for restoration. Completion of the Whitehall wells project will enable full off-channel restoration. This project is part of the Entiat Watershed Planning Unit's overall strategy for restoration of salmonid populations within the lower Entiat AU.
Other: BPA 200705400 UPA - Entiat River Stillwater Restoration Project The Stillwater reach (River Mile 16.2-25.8) of the mainstem Entiat River lies within the Middle Entiat River Assessment Unit (AU). This area is the primary spring Chinook spawning area in the Entiat subbasin. The Stillwater Restoration Project is located at RM 21.4 of the Entiat River and will benefit federally endangered Upper Columbia River spring Chinook (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), as well as endangered steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) threatened bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus), Non-listed salmonids and resident fish species will also benefit from the project. The goals of the Stillwater Restoration Project are to protect existing spawning grounds, enhance instream habitat complexity, restore 1500 feet of severely eroding streambank and reduce associated sediment delivery to critical spawning areas, and reestablish native riparian vegetation. The objectives include: 1) design and placement of approximately 365 pieces of LWD/logs instream in the Entiat River and 2) planting approximately 550 feet of native riparian vegetation. The Stillwater Restoration Project will provide Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) and BOR with a Federal Columbia River Power System (FCRPS) BiOp metric credit of 0.56 miles for the stream complexity limiting factor and 0.1 mile for the riparian enhancement limiting factor.
Other: BPA 200705500 UPA - Lower Entiat River Off-Channel Restoration The Lower Entiat River Off-Channel Restoration site is a 0.28 mile long irrigation channel that lies within the Lower Entiat River Assessment Unit (RM 0.0-16.2) of the Entiat subbasin. The ESA listed salmonids that utilize the mainstem Entiat River within the Lower AU and project portion of the subbasin include endangered Upper Columbia River spring Chinook (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), as well as endangered steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and threatened bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus). Non-listed salmonids such as summer Chinook and Coho, and resident fish species such as westslope cutthroat trout are also in the mainstem adjacent to the off-channel area. The existing irrigation channel will no longer be necessary after successful implementation of the Whitehall Diversion project (Bonneville Power Administration Project ID 200500400; see Section D, Relationship to Other Projects), which was recently authorized through FY2005 within-year funding. Decommissioning of the sump and pump that lie in the middle of the off-channel area will enable improvements to the existing off-channel habitat. Juvenile use and a Coho redd were observed in the off-channel area in 2005 during project site reconnaissance The primary objective of the Lower Entiat River Off-Channel Restoration is to enhance juvenile off-channel rearing habitat conditions, the most primary limiting factor for salmonid production in the Lower Entiat AU. Other project goals include: • Remove Fish Passage Barrier • Replace Diversion Structure • Improve substrate by placement of spawning gravels in channel. • Improve rearing habitat by connecting small pond to channel and adding LWD. • Increase canopy and riparian area in disturbed areas. The Lower River Off-Channel Restoration will provide the BOR/BPA with BiOp Metrics for the following criteria: 0.28 miles of Increased Stream Habitat Complexity 0.10 miles of habitat accessed 1 Fish Barrier/Passage Removed 6 Large Woody Debris pieces
BPA 200301700 Integrated Status/Effect Progr The Entiat Effectiveness Monitoring Study will measure the extent to which the Bridge-to-Bridge Habitat Restoration Project in the lower Entiat River affects (a) fish habitat, (b) fish habitat utilization, and (c) the productivity of salmonid fishes in the Entiat Subbasin, and will test aspects of the Monitoring Strategy for the Upper Columbia Basin (Hillman 2004) that pertain to effectiveness monitoring. Surveys of fish habitat and fish habitat utilization supported by this Study will be synthesized with separately-funded, yet compatible, agency monitoring programs to include all of the indicators specified for study in Hillman (2004). Coordination with landowners and the local Watershed Planning Unit are built into this Study design. The Study will monitor treatment and control reaches of the Entiat Subbasin, and utilize an ecological landscape classification system that has been recently developed (by BPA and Upper Columbia Salmon Recovery Board) to support effectiveness monitoring, and quantify Project-related changes in several indicators: Ideally, the Study will be implemented over a 10 year period. This duration is dependent upon funding. To start, a minimum of five years participation has been solicited from willing private landowners. An extended monitoring time frame is necessary to account for at least two salmonid generations (4-5 years per generation), to capture pre and post-restoration project conditions, interannual variability, long-term channel adjustments resulting from the restoration project, and possible changes to restoration project features that might arise from periodic factors like large runoff events.
Other: BPA 200723100 UPA - Entiat subbasin riparian enhancement program This programmatic application will help restore streamside riparian vegetation within the Entiat subbasin to: increase habitat complexity and LWD recruitment; stabilize localized areas of accelerated bank erosion; and increase site-specific shade to help reduce summer stream temperatures and provide winter insolation. The project also includes fencing in specific tributaries to exclude sheep from streams that provide ESA listed salmonid habitat

Section 6. Biological objectives

Biological objectivesFull descriptionAssociated subbasin planStrategy
Hydrograph is at or near normative condition The Knapp-Wham Hanan Detwiler Irrigation System Consolidation will provide 2-6 cfs of instream flow enhancement via elimination of the 3.28 miles of open Hanan Detwiler canal and its associated surface water point of diversion. Entiat • Reduce impact, and increase efficiency of water withdrawal during August and September.
Lg pools found in reaches w/ adult hold, juv rear The installation of 2 engineered rock cross vanes to replace existing push-up wing dams will create two new large resting pools > 1 foot in depth for adult holding and juvenile rearing in 0.1 mile of the lower Entiat River. Entiat • Increase quality pool (20 m2 by 1m deep) to an average of 9 pools per mile (Entiat Watershed Assessment) based on geomorphic type with a relatively high degree of structural diversity suitable for hiding cover.
Low levels of chemicals from Ag & other sources Removing the 3.26mile open shallow irrigation ditch that runs through orchards and agricultural areas. Entiat • Maintain toxic pesticide and herbicides within regulatory standards and avoid contact of these materials with water
Upstream and downstream fish passage at all flows Two seasonal push-up wing dams associated with the intakes of the Hanan Detwiler & Knapp-Wham Irrigation systems will be eliminated and replaced with engineered rock cross vanes. The cross vanes will alleviate potential partial barrier issues and increase large resting pool habitat in 0.1 mile of the lower Entiat River. Entiat Maintain and improve fish passage throughout the Assessment Unit
Water temperatures will be at or near normative By removing 3.28 miles of open, shallow HD ditch, associated water temperature increases and the return of warmer water to the mainstem will be eliminated. Entiat • Reduce impact of high temperature on incubation, rearing, and migrating adults so it does not exceed the 7 day average maximum within any reach

Section 7. Work elements (coming back to this)

Work element nameWork element titleDescriptionStart dateEnd dateEst budget
Produce/Submit Scientific Findings Report Pisces Status Reporting Pisces Reporting 12/30/2006 12/30/2009 $11,387
Biological objectives
Metrics
Manage and Administer Projects Contract Management Developing land owner agreements, rfp's, contracting reviews, and finiancial reports. 11/1/2006 12/30/2008 $15,751
Biological objectives
Upstream and downstream fish passage at all flows
Metrics
Produce Design and/or Specifications Engineering Design and Planning The design plans for the irrigation system consolidation, diversion structures, bifurcation and fish screen removal and replacement, and well placement. 11/1/2006 12/30/2008 $5,873
Biological objectives
Metrics
Produce Environmental Compliance Documentation Produce Environmnetal Compliance Documentation Land-Owner Agreements, JARPA Permit, Fish Screen Permit 12/30/2006 12/30/2008 $9,334
Biological objectives
Metrics
Coordination Coordinate activities between Land Owner, Agencies, Contractors The coordination efforts for this diverse type of project will be crucial to the timeliness and success inwhich it occurs. 11/1/2006 12/30/2008 $13,846
Biological objectives
Upstream and downstream fish passage at all flows
Metrics
Develop Alternative Water Source Develop seven wells along the irrigation systems to decrease withdrawals By developing alternative water sources the irrigation systems will reduce the amount of withdrawal and reduce the amount of elevated water temperatures being returned to the mainstem of the Entiat River. 11/1/2006 11/30/2008 $115,320
Biological objectives
Water temperatures will be at or near normative
Metrics
Develop Alternative Water Source H/D Irrigation system closure. The Hanan-Detwiler Irrigation System will be eliminated and closed. The amount of overspray and runoff of pesticides and herbicides into the ditch will be eliminated. 11/1/2006 11/30/2008 $0
Biological objectives
Low levels of chemicals from Ag & other sources
Metrics
Install Well Develop seven wells along the irrigation systems to decrease withdrawals The Bureau of Reclamation has selected well locations along the system that will significantly reduce water loss and usage. 11/1/2006 12/30/2007 $0
Biological objectives
Hydrograph is at or near normative condition
Metrics
* Estimated # of miles of primary stream reach improvement: 1.7 miles
* Amount of unprotected water flow returned to the stream by conservation in cfs: 3.36
Remove/Install Diversion Remove and Replace Diversion Structures By removing these two wing dam diversions and installing a permanent consolidation diversion the amount of in-stream maintanence will be eliminated and thus reducing the disturbance of downstream redds. The new diversion will provide increased passage and increased pool habitat. 11/1/2006 12/30/2008 $155,520
Biological objectives
Upstream and downstream fish passage at all flows
Metrics
* # of miles of habitat accessed: 0.5miles
Install Fish Passage Structure Knapp-Wham Diversion Intake Upgrade The Knapp-Wham irrigation system will be upgraded with the installation of the removed H.E. Finch fish screen. 11/1/2006 11/30/2008 $38,880
Biological objectives
Metrics
* Does the structure remove or replace a fish passage barrier?: yes
Increase Instream Habitat Complexity Installation of two (2) permanent diversion structures The installation of the diversion structures at the intakes of each irrigation system will greatly enhance the instream habitat complexity. 11/1/2006 11/30/2008 $0
Biological objectives
Lg pools found in reaches w/ adult hold, juv rear
Metrics
* # of structures installed: 2
* # of stream miles treated: 0.2 miles
* End lat of treated reach: 47.6652
* End long of treated reach: 120.2879
* Start lat of treated reach: 47.6864
* Start long of treated reach: 120.3154
Increase Instream Habitat Complexity Provide instream pool habitat The new diversion structures will be engineered to increase the amount of available pool habitat is increased. 11/1/2006 12/30/2008 $0
Biological objectives
Upstream and downstream fish passage at all flows
Metrics
* End lat of treated reach: 47.6768
* End long of treated reach: 120.3120
* Start lat of treated reach: 47.6768
* Start long of treated reach: 120 31.20
* # of structures installed: 2 v-weirs
* # of stream miles treated: 0.20 miles
Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data Fish Surveys Fish Presence/Absence Surveys 3/1/2007 12/30/2008 $7,479
Biological objectives
Metrics

Section 8. Budgets

Itemized estimated budget
ItemNoteFY07FY08FY09
Personnel [blank] $24,487 $5,282 $0
Fringe Benefits [blank] $10,485 $2,279 $0
Supplies [blank] $265,625 $200 $0
Travel [blank] $2,800 $0 $0
Overhead [blank] $60,680 $1,552 $0
Totals $364,077 $9,313 $0
Total estimated FY 2007-2009 budgets
Total itemized budget: $373,390
Total work element budget: $373,390
Cost sharing
Funding source/orgItem or service providedFY 07 est value ($)FY 08 est value ($)FY 09 est value ($)Cash or in-kind?Status
Bureau of Reclamation Engineering Services $116,300 $0 $0 Cash Confirmed
USFWS Technical Review $1,500 $0 $0 Cash Confirmed
Totals $117,800 $0 $0

Section 9. Project future

FY 2010 estimated budget: $0
FY 2011 estimated budget: $0
Comments:

Future O&M costs:

Termination date:
Comments:

Final deliverables:

Section 10. Narrative and other documents


Reviews and recommendations

FY07 budget FY08 budget FY09 budget Total budget Type Category Recommendation
NPCC FINAL FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS (Oct 23, 2006) [full Council recs]
$365,000 $10,000 $0 $375,000 Expense ProvinceExpense Fund
NPCC DRAFT FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS (Sep 15, 2006) [full Council recs]
$365,000 $10,000 $0 $0 ProvinceExpense
Comments: ISRP fundable qualified: Address ISRP concerns during contracting.

ISRP PRELIMINARY REVIEW (Jun 2, 2006)

Recommendation: Fundable (Qualified)

NPCC comments: This proposal would (1) eliminate one of the two main river irrigation diversions in the lower Entiat River (Hanan Detwiler), (2) move the expensive, high capacity rotary screen from this diversion to the upper diversion (Knapp-Wham) which has an undersized screen, (3) replace the two existing push-up dams with full channel-spanning rock cross-vanes to impound water and create holding pools, and (4) replace a 3.4 mile open irrigation ditch with a pipe network to distribute irrigation water to farmers. The ISRP is not requesting a response, but the proposal would be improved by addressing the following comments: Two large irrigation diversions have been identified as high priority sites for restoration, which makes this project attractive. A stronger case for the work could have been made that included a better estimate of how much water will actually be saved in the river during irrigation season, and what species and life stages are likely to benefit from these incremental flows and presumably improved water quality. Although the theoretical increase in flow in the lower Entiat during the irrigation season is claimed to be 2-6 cfs, the proposal admits that the realized incremental flow savings will be less. In addition to re-engineering the water intake, new wells are being added to the system, and the contribution of those wells to flow savings is also uncertain. The proposal states that these two irrigation systems are the largest in the Entiat subbasin and have been assigned highest priority for improvement in the Entiat Watershed Planning Unit, which underscores the value of this project. However, irregardless of the amount of water being conserved, it is important that instream flows not be appropriated by junior water right holders downstream. Therefore, project managers should provide some evidence that conserved water will remain in the river. Alternatively, it might be cost-effective to purchase water rights. The engineering aspects of the proposal were adequately described, but the habitat and fish population benefits were less clear. Since both existing diversions are screened, how much will the consolidation really lead to a reduction in juvenile salmonid entrainment? Will the flow savings primarily benefit spawning, rearing or both -- and to which species? Have pesticide residues been identified in irrigation return water of the existing canal systems that this project will help reduce? It is stated that "both physical and biological changes will be noted post-implementation", but there was no elaboration of what this meant. The budget includes a request for a dry suit for snorkel surveys in 2008-2009 during March, May, and September, but additional details were not provided. Monitoring water quality (temperature, pesticide residues) in irrigation return water would help verify the effectiveness of this project.


ISRP FINAL REVIEW (Aug 31, 2006)

Recommendation: Fundable (Qualified)

NPCC comments: This proposal would (1) eliminate one of the two main river irrigation diversions in the lower Entiat River (Hanan Detwiler), (2) move the expensive, high capacity rotary screen from this diversion to the upper diversion (Knapp-Wham) which has an undersized screen, (3) replace the two existing push-up dams with full channel-spanning rock cross-vanes to impound water and create holding pools, and (4) replace a 3.4 mile open irrigation ditch with a pipe network to distribute irrigation water to farmers. The ISRP is not requesting a response, but the proposal would be improved by addressing the following comments: Two large irrigation diversions have been identified as high priority sites for restoration, which makes this project attractive. A stronger case for the work could have been made that included a better estimate of how much water will actually be saved in the river during irrigation season, and what species and life stages are likely to benefit from these incremental flows and presumably improved water quality. Although the theoretical increase in flow in the lower Entiat during the irrigation season is claimed to be 2-6 cfs, the proposal admits that the realized incremental flow savings will be less. In addition to re-engineering the water intake, new wells are being added to the system, and the contribution of those wells to flow savings is also uncertain. The proposal states that these two irrigation systems are the largest in the Entiat subbasin and have been assigned highest priority for improvement in the Entiat Watershed Planning Unit, which underscores the value of this project. However, regardless of the amount of water being conserved, it is important that instream flows not be appropriated by junior water right holders downstream. Therefore, project managers should provide some evidence that conserved water will remain in the river. Alternatively, it might be cost-effective to purchase water rights. The engineering aspects of the proposal were adequately described, but the habitat and fish population benefits were less clear. Since both existing diversions are screened, how much will the consolidation really lead to a reduction in juvenile salmonid entrainment? Will the flow savings primarily benefit spawning, rearing or both -- and to which species? Have pesticide residues been identified in irrigation return water of the existing canal systems that this project will help reduce? It is stated that "both physical and biological changes will be noted post-implementation", but there was no elaboration of what this meant. The budget includes a request for a dry suit for snorkel surveys in 2008-2009 during March, May, and September, but additional details were not provided. Monitoring water quality (temperature, pesticide residues) in irrigation return water would help verify the effectiveness of this project.