middle fork project aq 12 – special-status amphibian and aquatic reptiles technical study plan...
Post on 18-Dec-2015
216 Views
Preview:
TRANSCRIPT
Middle Fork ProjectMiddle Fork ProjectAQ 12 – Special-Status AQ 12 – Special-Status Amphibian and Aquatic Amphibian and Aquatic
Reptiles Reptiles Technical Study Plan Report Technical Study Plan Report
Overview Overview
March 10, 2008March 10, 2008
2
Study ObjectivesStudy Objectives Identify and map potential habitat for CRLF and FYLF in Identify and map potential habitat for CRLF and FYLF in
the study area.the study area.
Document the distribution and abundance of CRLF Document the distribution and abundance of CRLF populations in the study area, as required by USFWS.populations in the study area, as required by USFWS.
Document the distribution and abundance of FYLF Document the distribution and abundance of FYLF populations in the study area.populations in the study area.
Document the timing and length of FYLF breeding season. Document the timing and length of FYLF breeding season.
Identify existing data and obtain new data necessary to Identify existing data and obtain new data necessary to develop habitat suitability criteria (HSC) for FYLF. develop habitat suitability criteria (HSC) for FYLF.
Characterize the water stage, velocity, and temperature of Characterize the water stage, velocity, and temperature of various flow regimes as it relates to FYLF habitat through various flow regimes as it relates to FYLF habitat through coordination with the instream flow and water coordination with the instream flow and water temperature studies.temperature studies.
3
Study ObjectivesStudy Objectives Document the presence of potential WPT nesting Document the presence of potential WPT nesting
habitat near Project reservoirs and potential Project habitat near Project reservoirs and potential Project betterment inundation zones.betterment inundation zones.
Document the presence of WPT during CRLF and Document the presence of WPT during CRLF and FYLF surveys.FYLF surveys.
4
AQ 12 AQ 12 –– Special-Status Amphibian and Aquatic Special-Status Amphibian and Aquatic ReptileReptile
Study Objectives and RelatedStudy Objectives and RelatedStudy Elements and Study Elements and ReportsReports
CRLF Study Objectives
Identify and map potential habitat and document the distribution and abundance of populations in
the study area, as required by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
(USFWS).
Conduct USFWS protocol-level site assessment
Conduct a field reconnaissance
survey
Document 2007 findings in a Site Assessment Report included in this Amphibian Report
Consult with Aquatic Technical Working Group (TWG) & USFWS
Determine if protocol-levelsurveys are needed.
Complete 2008 CRLF surveys in areas requested by USFWS, if needed
Document 2008 Results in Amphibian Report (2009)
FYLF Study Objectives
Identify and map potential habitat and document the distribution and abundance of populations in the study area.
Document the timing and length of breeding season.
Develop habitat suitability criteria (HSC).
Characterize the water stage, velocity, and temperature of various flow regimes as it relates to habitat through coordination with instream flow and
water temperature studies.
WPT Study Objectives
Document the presence of potential nesting habitat near Project reservoirs and
potential Project betterment inundationzones and document presence
during amphibian surveys.
Conduct 2007 Field Surveys
Identify and map known
occurrences within one mile
of the study area
Develop and GIS map of potential
habitat around reservoirs and
rivers
Document 2007 findings in this Amphibian Report
Conduct a field reconnaissance reservoir survey
of potentialhabitat
Conduct 2007 Field Surveys
Complete Habitat
Characterization
Determine Timing and Length of Breeding Season
Document 2007 findings in this Amphibian Report
Consult with Aquatic TWG
Determine if additional limited-scope surveys are needed
(i.e. breeding timing)
Complete 2008 FYLF ContingencyField Surveys, if needed
Document 2008 FYLF Results in Amphibian Report (2009)
Conduct Distribution & Abundance
Surveys
Develop Habitat
SuitabilityCriteria
Determine Stage, Velocity, and Temperature Effects of Various Flow Regimes
Coordinate with AQ 1 - Instream
Flow
Coordinate with AQ 4 - Water Temperatures
Conduct Project Effects Analysis
Coordinate with AQ 1 -
Instream Flow
Evaluate water temperatures near
potential habitat
Conduct Project Effects Analysis
Identify and map known occurrences within one mile of the
study area
5
Special-Status Amphibian and Special-Status Amphibian and Aquatic Reptile Study SitesAquatic Reptile Study Sites
6
Potential FYLF Data Gaps and Need for Potential FYLF Data Gaps and Need for Limited Scope SurveysLimited Scope Surveys Determine any ambiguities in the analysis of Determine any ambiguities in the analysis of
data collected in 2007 preclude meeting the data collected in 2007 preclude meeting the study objectives (distribution and length of study objectives (distribution and length of breeding season).breeding season).
If FYLF are not found at a site during the first If FYLF are not found at a site during the first year of surveys, the site will be revisited or year of surveys, the site will be revisited or another site may be surveyed if the Aquatic another site may be surveyed if the Aquatic TWG determines it is necessary. TWG determines it is necessary. Determine data to be collected and the number of Determine data to be collected and the number of
times a site is revisited, if necessary. times a site is revisited, if necessary.
Potential Contingency StudiesPotential Contingency Studies
7
Survey ResultsSurvey Results
Foothill Yellow-legged FrogFoothill Yellow-legged Frog Habitat CharacterizationHabitat Characterization Distribution and Abundance Surveys Distribution and Abundance Surveys Timing and Length of Breeding Season Timing and Length of Breeding Season Habitat Suitability Criteria Development Habitat Suitability Criteria Development Coordination to Determine Stage and Coordination to Determine Stage and
Velocity Effects Velocity Effects
8
Foothill Yellow-legged FrogFoothill Yellow-legged FrogHabitat SuitabilityHabitat Suitability
9
Foothill Yellow-legged FrogFoothill Yellow-legged FrogDistribution and AbundanceDistribution and Abundance
10
Foothill Yellow-legged Frog Breeding Foothill Yellow-legged Frog Breeding SeasonSeason
Breeding Locations
30
35
40
45
50
55
60
65
70
75
80
1/1/2007 2/1/2007 3/1/2007 4/1/2007 5/1/2007 6/1/2007 7/1/2007 8/1/2007 9/1/2007 10/1/2007 11/1/2007
Date
MF 14.1 (OC0.1)MF 26.2 (MF26.0)R 1.2 (RR0.7)R 3.5 (RR3.7)R 14.3 (RR14.3)R 20.9 (RR22.5)NFMF 2.3 (NM2.3)NF35.7 (NF38.0)54F Breeding TempEstimated Breeding P eriod
Annual Profile of Average Daily Water Temperatures at all breeding locations
2007 Breeding Season*: May 10 – June 5
*Dates inferred from observed developmental stage of eggs
11
Foothill Yellow-legged Frog Breeding Foothill Yellow-legged Frog Breeding SeasonSeason30
35
40
45
50
55
60
65
70
75
80
1/1/2007 2/1/2007 3/1/2007 4/1/2007 5/1/2007 6/1/2007 7/1/2007 8/1/2007 9/1/2007 10/1/2007 11/1/2007
Bypass Reaches Non-Breeding Locations
30
35
40
45
50
55
60
65
70
75
80
1/1/2007 2/1/2007 3/1/2007 4/1/2007 5/1/2007 6/1/2007 7/1/2007 8/1/2007 9/1/2007 10/1/2007 11/1/2007
Date
Tem
pera
ture
(oF
)
R 25.7 (RR25.3)R 28.8 (RR28.8)R 30.2 (RR302.)MF 44.7 (MF46.6)MF 39.7 (MF39.4)MF 36.2 (MF36.1)MF 35.3 (MF35.5)MF 29.4 (MF29.4)54F Breeding TempEstimated Breeding P eriod
Peaking Reach Non-Breeding Locations
30
35
40
45
50
55
60
65
70
75
80
1/1/2007 2/1/2007 3/1/2007 4/1/2007 5/1/2007 6/1/2007 7/1/2007 8/1/2007 9/1/2007 10/1/2007 11/1/2007
Date
Tem
pera
ture
(oF
)
NF21.1 (MF0.1)
MF 9.3 (MF8.9)MF 14.1 (MF14.3)
MF 19.1 & 21.0 (MF19.6)MF 24.1 (MF23.1)
54F Breeding TempEstimated Breeding P eriod
Annual Profile of Average Daily Water Temperatures at all non-breeding locations
12
Foothill Yellow-legged FrogFoothill Yellow-legged FrogBreeding Season Water TemperatureBreeding Season Water Temperature
13
Foothill Yellow-legged FrogFoothill Yellow-legged FrogHabitat Suitability Criteria - EggmassesHabitat Suitability Criteria - Eggmasses
Depth Habitat Suitability
00.10.20.30.40.50.60.70.80.9
11.1
0 20 40 60 80 100
120
Depth (cm)
Su
ita
bili
ty
Egg Masses Tadpoles
Velocity Habitat Suitability
00.10.20.30.40.50.60.70.80.9
11.1
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35
Velocity (cm/s)
Su
ita
bili
ty
Egg Masses Tadpoles
Substrate Habitat Suitability
00.10.20.30.40.50.60.70.80.9
11.1
Silt
(1)
San
d (2
)
Gra
vel
(3)
Cob
ble
(4)
Bou
lder
(5)
Bed
rock
(6)
Oth
er (
7)
Substrate Type
Su
ita
bili
ty
Egg Masses Tadpoles
14
Foothill Yellow-legged FrogFoothill Yellow-legged FrogHabitat Suitability Criteria - TadpolesHabitat Suitability Criteria - Tadpoles
Depth Habitat Suitability
00.10.20.30.40.50.60.70.80.9
11.1
0 20 40 60 80 100
120
Depth (cm)
Su
ita
bili
ty
Egg Masses Tadpoles
Velocity Habitat Suitability
00.10.20.30.40.50.60.70.80.9
11.1
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35
Velocity (cm/s)
Su
ita
bili
ty
Egg Masses Tadpoles
Substrate Habitat Suitability
00.10.20.30.40.50.60.70.80.9
11.1
Silt
(1)
San
d (2
)
Gra
vel
(3)
Cob
ble
(4)
Bou
lder
(5)
Bed
rock
(6)
Oth
er (
7)
Substrate Type
Su
ita
bili
ty
Egg Masses Tadpoles
15
Foothill Yellow-legged Frog Foothill Yellow-legged Frog Assessment of Stage & Velocity EffectsAssessment of Stage & Velocity Effects
Use HSC for in-stream flow modeling Use HSC for in-stream flow modeling at:at:
2 peaking reach sites (MF 4.8, MF 14.1)2 peaking reach sites (MF 4.8, MF 14.1)
2 bypass reach sites (MF 26.1, 3.5)2 bypass reach sites (MF 26.1, 3.5)
2 reference reach sites (NF 35.7, NFMF 2 reference reach sites (NF 35.7, NFMF 2.3) (x-sect only)2.3) (x-sect only)
Eggmass validation data collected in Eggmass validation data collected in Spring, 2008Spring, 2008
16
Western Pond TurtleWestern Pond Turtle 8 incidental observations8 incidental observations
6 along MFAR below Ralston (2 hatchlings on Otter Ck)6 along MFAR below Ralston (2 hatchlings on Otter Ck) 2 on NFAR2 on NFAR
GIS Analysis of potential nesting habitatGIS Analysis of potential nesting habitat Slope less than 15 degreesSlope less than 15 degrees Southern aspectSouthern aspect 150 ft buffer150 ft buffer Less than 6000 ft elevationLess than 6000 ft elevation
Field ReconnaissanceField Reconnaissance Off-channel ponds within CRLF 1 mile buffer zone, but no Off-channel ponds within CRLF 1 mile buffer zone, but no
ponds within the smaller WPT buffer zone.ponds within the smaller WPT buffer zone.
Reservoir GIS habitat validationReservoir GIS habitat validation
17
Western Pond Turtle Incidental Western Pond Turtle Incidental SightingsSightings
18
Western Pond Turtle Potential Nesting Western Pond Turtle Potential Nesting HabitatHabitat
19
Western Pond Turtle Potential Nesting Western Pond Turtle Potential Nesting HabitatHabitat
20
Western Pond Turtle Potential Nesting Western Pond Turtle Potential Nesting HabitatHabitat
GIS and Field Validation Analysis of Potential GIS and Field Validation Analysis of Potential Habitat near ReservoirsHabitat near Reservoirs
Average Minimum Maximum Median 25% 75%
Hell Hole Reservoir2
Wet 4630.1 4619.5 4636.0 4631.3 4629.2 4631.4
Above Normal 4626.2 4619.3 4632.6 4627.7 4623.2 4628.0
Below Normal 4617.8 4587.5 4630.7 4626.5 4615.1 4629.2
Dry 4577.3 4529.1 4630.9 4579.8 4541.0 4607.3
Critically Dry 4570.3 4527.6 4590.4 4582.3 4566.4 4584.6 4540 72.2French Meadows Reservoir2
Wet 5262.7 5261.8 5263.5 5262.8 5262.6 5263.0
Above Normal 5260.6 5257.3 5262.8 5260.7 5259.2 5262.8
Below Normal 5259.5 5252.7 5262.6 5261.3 5259.0 5261.7
Dry 5237.3 5212.6 5253.9 5240.0 5231.4 5246.5 5240 25.2 Critically Dry 5224.5 5193.7 5241.2 5232.6 5218.0 5237.1 5220 34.9Ralston Afterbay2
All Water Years 1177.5 1175.5 1179.9 1176.9 1176.6 1177.7 1180.0 0.07Middle Fork Interbay2
All Water Years 2528.0 2527.3 2529.9 2527.8 2527.7 2528.0 2530.0 0.02
Potential WPT Habitat above
GIS WSE (acres)
5260 0.6
4630 1.0
4580 54.2
Project Reservoirsand
Water Years
Water Surface Elevation (ft)1 GIS WSE Used for Analysis
(ft)
top related