Conjunctive Use and River Enhancement CURE

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Conjunctive Use and River Enhancement (CURE)
CBFWA Proposal Number 29002
Project Sponsor
Bob Anderson Golder Associates Chris
Johnson Chewuch Basin Council
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Project Abstract

• Project physically increases streamflows in the
  Upper Methow Basin using groundwater storage
• Provides for in-stream and off-stream uses and
  values
• Project sponsor (CBC) represents 35 of total
  irrigation in Methow Basin
• Phased approach to demonstrate habitat benefits
  first, then address irrigation opportunities

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Project Location and Setting

• Upper Methow Basin Weeman Bridge Area
• Reach is seasonally dry at the upper end, and
  gaining toward Winthrop
• Principal spring chinook spawning area in Methow
  Basin

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Project Area Conditions

• HABITAT
• Reach between Winthrop and Lost River is
• most productive spring chinook spawning habitat
  in entire Methow sub-basin
• critical to sustaining naturally viable
  populations
• sustaining flows in this reach should be given
  highest priority
• Methow Sub-Basin Summary (2001)

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Project Area Conditions

• GROUNDWATER
• Methow Valley Aquifer is
• Massive
• gt16,000 acres extent
• gt800 feet thick
• 4 Million Acre-ft storage
• Prolific
• gt2,000 gpm wells
• lt3 feet of drawdown
• Seasonally Recharged
• 10-foot wl fluctuations
• 50,000 AF/year
• Bounded (dammed)
• Boesel Fault

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NMFS Biological Opinion

• Section 9.6.2.1 Action 151
• BPA shall experiment with innovative ways to
  increase tributary flows
• Addresses multiple RPAs
• 3 Water Mgmt Planning
• 24 25 Storage for summer release
• 30 Address flow problems in priority basins

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Related BPA Projects

• MVID (199603401)
• Alternatives to benefit fish and continue
  irrigation
• Early Winters Ck (199802500)
• Restoration of habitat upstream of project area
• Hancock Springs (23024)
• Increase salmonid access in habitat adjacent to
  project area
• Goat Creek (199802900)
• Restoration of habitat adjacent to project area
• Screening (200106300)
• Adjacent to project area

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Project Objectives

• Increase Streamflow
• Pilot Phase 5 cfs
• Full Scale 15-25 cfs
• Monitor Habitat Benefits
• Pilot Phase 2 Ac. Wetted Perimeter
• Other PI Elements
• Full Scale 16 Ac. Wetted Perimeter
• Other PI Elements
• Provide Alternate Irrigation Water Supply
• Pilot Phase 0 cfs
• Full Scale Stage 1 0 cfs
• Full Scale Stage 2 15-20 cfs

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Phasing, Schedule Budget

• 500,000
• 1,020,000
• 3,500,000 (NPV)
• 50-year project life-cycle
• 375 /AF

• Phase 1 Pilot Test (2003-2004)
• Pilot Well
• Pilot Monitoring
• Reporting
• Phase 2 Full Scale (2005-2006)
• Full Scale Wellfield
• Monitoring
• Reporting
• Phase 3 Irrigation Supply (2007)
• Permitting
• Intake/Conveyance
• Monitoring

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Expected Outcome

• Phase 1 Pilot Test
• Demonstration of innovative technique
• Demonstration of effects (positive and/or
  negative)
• Phase 2 Full-scale Augmentation
• Creation of wetted perimeter habitat, flow depth,
  and thermal benefits
• Phase 3 CURE
• Opportunity for alternate water supply
• Secondary creation of Chewuch habitat through
  reduction in diversions

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Methods Study Design Pilot Test

• Pilot Test Plan
• Conceptual/predictive model
• Monitoring plan
• Permitting
• Pilot Well Site
• 16 inch well, 500 feet deep
• 2-3 Monitoring wells
• Conveyance/Diffuser
• Reach monitoring
• Surface Groundwater Flow
• Quality quality
• Habitat

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Flow Enhancement Site
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CURE Proposal Summary

• Multi-faceted and balanced package supports
• Habitat protection/restoration
• Improved irrigation operations
• Water storage enhancement
• Beneficial to people and fish
• Constructive regionally relevant
• Pro-active (wet water)
• Successful demonstration of innovative water
  strategy
• Addresses BiOp conditions
• Complements on-going BPA projects
• Consistent with State water strategy

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Thank You
Surface Water
Ground Water
To Winthrop
To Mazama

• Provides fish habitat enhancement
• Sustainable recharge replenishment

• Utilizes groundwater storage
• Operates during flow limited periods

Well
Gravel Aquifer
Bedrock
Boesel Fault
People
Fish
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Questions?
Chewuch
Upper Methow
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River Enhancement Time Lag Example
Degree of Continuity
Low
Mod
High