Flow Meeting

1
Flow Meeting

• 2004 Biop Litigation
• September 29, 2005
• Jim Litchfield
• Montana

2
Montanas Interests

• Provide improved ecosystem conditions in
  Montanas rivers and reservoirs
• Minimize any potential impacts on fish in the
  Lower Columbia in driest water years
• Implement Councils Mainstem recommendations for
  Libby and Horse
• Evaluate to the extent possible the
  biological and physical effects of changes

3
Background

• Since the 95 Biop Libby and Hungry Horse have
  been drafted in ways that cause maximum impacts
  on fish in Montana
• Both reservoirs have been drafted down 20 feet by
  8/31
• The drafts were typically in August to backfill
  Grand Coulee
• MT has sought the summer drafts to be limited to
  5 feet from full similar to GCL
• In negotiating the Councils Mainstem Amendments
  a compromise was reached at 20 feet in dry 20
  and 10 feet otherwise

4
Montanas SORs

• Provide stable flows in Montana during July,
  August and September
• Draft Libby Horse 20 feet from full by end of
  September driest 20
• Adjust flows gradually in response to changes in
  actual inflows
• Follow ramp rates and minimum flows for bull
  trout

5
Forecast Biop Flows in 2004
6
Summer Flows at Libby
7
Summer Flows at Libby
8
Summer Flows at Libby
9
Summer Flows at Horse
10
Summer Flows at Horse
11
Summer Flows at Horse
12
ISAB Recommendations

• Resident fish influenced by Hungry Horse and
  Libby may receive important biological benefits
  from the flow modifications, assuming they are
  carried out as planned.
• It is almost certain that the general
  productivity in the Montana reservoirs and in the
  immediate downstream reaches will benefit
  considerably.
• Effects of the Councils Mainstem Amendment on
  the survival of juvenile and adult anadromous
  fish in the Columbia River below Chief Joseph Dam
  will be immeasurable.