technical memorandum date: march 24, 2020 to: cold water ......technical memorandum date: march 24,...
TRANSCRIPT
Technical Memorandum
Date: March 24, 2020
To: Cold Water Refuges Team
From: Martin Merz, John Palmer, and Alex Clayton
Subject: Characterization of Columbia River Temperature Variability
This memorandum discribes the lognitundinal, seasonal, interannual, vertical, and daily
temperature variation in the Lower Columbia River from the confluence with the Snake River to
the ocean.
Longitudinal Temperature Variability in the Lower Columbia River
The Columbia River is a large low-lying river, which enters the State of Washington from
Canada and warms as it moves through Washington towards the Pacific Ocean. Figure 1,
assembled with NorWeST data, illustrates this longitudinal warming in the summer month of
August when river temperatures are at their seasonal peak. When the river enters Washington,
average August river temperatures generally fluctuate between 17-18°C from year to year.
Throughout the Lower Columbia River, where the river serves as the border between
Washington and Oregon, the river fluctuates between 21-22°C. The lower section of the river is
the corridor through which all Columbia Basin adult salmon migration must begin and is the
focus of EPA’s Cold Water Refuges project.
1
Less than 15' C
- 15 .1-16.0
16 .1-17.0
17 .1-18.0
18 .1 - 19.0
19.1-20.0
20.1-21 .0
Figure 1 Current August Mean Water Temperature in the Columbia River and tributaries
(2011-2016) (DART)
Columbia River DART (DART) data from the forebay (upstream) and tailrace (downstream) of
each Lower Columbia River Dam was utilized to provide a closer look at the longitudinal
temperature regime in the Lower Columbia River (Figure 2). The August data was averaged for
the years 2011-2016. The forebay and tailrace data were already similar at any given dam but
was averaged for this analysis. Thirty-five river miles upstream of McNary Dam, the Columbia
River mixes with its largest tributary, the Snake River, which is warmer albeit smaller than the
Columbia. By the time the Columbia River reaches McNary Dam, the most upstream of the four
Lower Columbia River dams, the average August temperature is 21°C. The Columbia River then
warms by 0.5°C on average in the 80-mile pool between McNary Dam and John Day Dam. The
highest average August temperatures in the Lower Columbia River, and the whole Columbia
River for that matter, occur near the John Day Dam, reaching 21.5°C on average in August.
Temperatures then decrease slightly at The Dalles Dam and Bonneville Dam from the high
temperatures at John Day Dam (Figure 2).
2
1.6
21.5
21.4 u ~ 21.3 ::J ...., <ti .._ ~ 21.2 E ~
21.1
21
20.9 100
Lower Columbia River August Mean Temperature (2011-2016)
Bonneville Dam RM 140 21.3"(
150 200
River Mile
John Day Dam RM 214
250
McNary Dam RM 291
300
Figure 2 Longitudinal profile of the August Mean Columbia River Temperature from
McNary Dam to the Bonneville Dam (2011-2016) (DART)
Figure 3 illustrates the six-year (2011-2016) observed daily average temperatures at the tailrace
(downstream side) of the same four Columbia River dams, McNary (MCPW), John Day
(JHAW), The Dalles (TDDO) and Bonneville (WRNO). Also illustrated in Figure 3 is the 20°C
water quality standard for the whole Lower Columbia River, developed by both Washington and
Oregon to be protective of migrating salmon. Daily average temperatures typically exceed 20°C
for 2 months in a given summer on average throughout the Lower Columbia River, from the
middle of July to the middle of September. Further, temperatures exceed 21°C for one month on
average, generally the month of August, and peak close to 22°C during this time. Average
temperatures are slightly cooler at McNary Dam, due to the longitudinal warming pattern in the
Lower Columbia River visible in Figure 2, which is also observable in Figure 3.
3
~ ;;;i
23
22
21
Daily Average River Temperature at the Lower Columbia River Dams (2011-2016)
, • ! fl : •••• : . , •••••• • • • • . ,• · . .. •·. • •• II • •••••• •• I .. ······ .· . . ., .. .. ... .· .... ····•· ... I I • ••• ••• • • • • • : • • •
. . . . . . . . . ~ 20
I .-:•• ••• ·: •••• ·• ••
1!•11- • • ·······=·=· • T •••••••••••• ,, ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• , ••••• .•· .·· ··:· . (lJ
C. E {E
tt • ••• • •• I • •••• • • • • •
19
. . .. . . ,• ••••• • ♦ : • • • . . .
•• • • : ' . .... 18
17
1-Jul
. .
15-Jul 29-Jul 12-Aug Date
26-Aug 9-Sep
--McNary --John Day --The Dalles --Bonnevi lle --water Quality Standard
23-Sep
Figure 3 Lower Columbia River Temperature from early July to mid-September, 6-year
average 2011-2016 (DART)
Upstream of McNary Dam (RM 291) is the Snake River confluence with the Columbia River
(RM 325). The six-year daily average temperatures at McNary Dam (MCPW) are a function of
the Columbia River temperature in Pasco (PAQW; just upstream of the Snake confluence) and
the temperature of the smaller Snake River at Ice Harbor (IDSW; just upstream of the
confluence), in addition to any longitudinal warming between the confluence and McNary Dam.
The Snake River flow is generally close to 20% that of the Columbia River in July and August,
so the temperature of the Columbia River has a larger impact after mixing. Figure 4 illustrates
this blending, showing the Columbia River (yellow) mix with the smaller yet warmer Snake
River (blue) leading to the temperature at McNary Dam (MCPW), along with longitudinal
warming between the confluence and McNary Dam.
4
Harbor (Blue)+ Pasco (Yellow)= McNary (G reen) 2011-2016 25
··········· ::::::::::::::::::a,,,:::::•1 11• • • • • • • • • • • .-.•••• • ,-. 1 1 1 1 • •• •
1 1 I I I I It 1 1 1 t I I I 20
•:::::: ........... ··········· ············ .. • .. !::::::: . .. ::::= · ..•. ........ ···.·· ,.,.,,:::• ·
Q 15 •••••••
5
0
Jun-16 Jul-16 Aug-16 Sep-16
DATE
- 11-16 Daily Average Ice Harbor (IDSW) - 11-16 Daily Average Pasco (PAQW) - 11-16 Daily Average McNary (MCPW)
Figure 4 Influence of the Snake River (IDSW) and Columbia River as measured upstream
of the Snake confluence in Pasco (PAQW) on the Lower Columbia River as measured at
McNary Dam (MCPW) (DART)
5
[ Q.
E .. ...
22
20
18
16
1 4
12
10
8
6
4
2
0 06/ 04 06/ 18
River Environment Temperature (WQM) 10YrAvg
07/ 02 07/ 1 6 07/ 30 08/ 1 3 08/ 27 09/ 10
- Avg0S- 15:BON:tempc - Avg0S- 15:CCIW:tempc - Avg0S- 15:CWM W :tempc
www.cbr.washinqt on .edu/ dart 06 0ec 201 6 1 4 :02:29 PST
Consistent temperature measurements are limited below Bonneville Dam. Figure 5 illustrates
that 10-year daily average temperatures below Bonneville Dam at Cascade Island (CCIW) and
Camas/Washougal (CWMW) are about the same as Bonneville forebay (BON) temperatures,
suggesting very little change in river temperatures below Bonneville Dam.
Figure 5 10 year average temperature at Bonneville Dam compared with temperatures
slightly downstream at Cascade Island and Camas/Washougal (DART)
6
22
20
18
16
1 4
12
10
8
6
4
2
0 06/ 04 06/ 1 8 07/ 02
River Environment Temperature WQM
07/ 1 6 07/ 30 08/ 1 3 08/ 27
- 1998:BON:tempc - 1998:KLAW:tempc - 1997:B O N :tempc
- 1997:K L AW:tempc - 1996:BON:tempc - 1 996:KLAW :temp
09/ 1 0
www.cbr.washin ton .edu/ dart 06 Dec 2016 14:25:22 PST
Daily average temperatures further downstream at Kalama (KLAW) compared to Bonneville
forebay (BON) show very similar temperature profiles in 1996 – 1998, when temperatures were
recorded at Kalama (see Figure 6). This, along with Figure 5 above, indicates that Bonneville
Dam forebay temperatures are representative of Columbia River temperatures downstream of
Bonneville Dam.
Figure 6 1996, 1997 and 1998 average temperature at Bonneville Dam compared with
temperatures downstream at in Kalama (DART)
Seasonal and Interannual Temperature Variability in the Lower Columbia River
The figures above illustrates the temperature regime of the Columbia River averaged over
multiple years, but it is important to note that this seasonal temperature profile can look very
different between years due to different timing and magnitude of flows, different timing and
intensity of warm weather and other factors. Figure 7 shows the seasonal temperature profile
downstream of Bonneville Dam (WRNO) for 10 individual years (2009-2018), illustrating the
range that is observed in this seasonal temperature profile. These Bonneville daily average
temperatures typically reach 20°C in mid July (thick black line), rise to 21-22°C in August, and
fall below 20°C in early September.
The timing, duration and peak of warming can vary substantially year to year, and these
characteristics relative to the timing of fish runs is very important in the context of cold water
refuges. In mid-July, temperature ranged from about 17.5°C in 2011 (blue line) to 22.5°C in
2015 (red line) during this 10-year timeframe, a spread of 5°C (Figure 7). In mid-August when
7
22.5
20
17.5
E 15 <11
E ~ ii.12.5 E ~ ~
~ 10
7.5
5
2.5 \/4J 0
2009
Daily Average Columbia River Temperature Downstream of Bonneville Dam
{2009-2018)
M A M A 0
Date
N
2010 - 2011 2012 2013 2014 - 2015 2016 2017 2018 - 10-Yea, Avg. (2009-2018)
D
25
cold water refuge use is of particular importance, temperatures have less interannual variablity
ranging from 20-22°C, more reliably exceeding the 20°C water quality standard. As an
individual example year, 2015 (red line) warmed very early and peaked very early, but come the
month of August when cold water refuge use is of particular importance, 2015 more closely
matches average temperatures. The relatively cool summer of 2011 is an example of the river
warming late, only exceeding 20°C for closer to a month and peaking at a much lower
temperature than average.
Figure 7 Seasonal temperature profiles downstream of Bonneville Dam, 10-year average
2009-2018 (DART)
Difference Between the August Mean and August Maximum Temperature
Since temperatures in the Lower Columbia River typically peak in the month of August, the
August mean temperature is a common metric to characterize annual maximum temperatures in
the Lower Columbia River. To characterize the difference between the August mean
temperature and the maximum August temperature, Table 1 shows the August mean and
maximum hour temperature for the John Day Dam forebay for 2011 through 2019. As shown in
Table 1, the difference between the August mean and the maximum August hour temperature is
typically about 1.1C. Figures 8 - 11 show the August hourly temperatures for the years 2016-
8
Deg
ree
C
2019 which depict the range of hourly temperatures in the John Day Dam forebay, with the
difference between the August mean and the maximum hour typically about 1C.
Table 1 and Figures 8-11 also show that since 2013, the August mean at the John Day Dam
forebay has been around 22°C and the maximum hourly temperature has been around 23°C.
Table 1 John Day Dam Forebay August Temperatures (DART)
Year August Mean
August Maximum Hour Difference
2011 20.5 21.7 1.2
2012 20.8 22.2 1.4
2013 22.1 23.1 1.0
2014 22.1 23.2 1.1
2015 21.9 22.6 0.7
2016 21.9 23.1 1.2
2017 22.6 23.5 0.9
2018 22.2 23.2 1.0
2019 22.1 23.1 1.0
Average 21.8 22.9 1.1
20
20.5
21
21.5
22
22.5
23
23.5
John Day Dam August 2016 Forebay Temperature (C)
12
14
1
61
81
10
1
12
11
41
16
1
18
1
20
12
21
24
12
61
28
13
01
32
13
41
36
13
81
40
14
21
44
1
46
14
81
50
1
52
1
54
15
61
58
16
01
62
16
41
66
16
81
70
1
August Hours
Hourly Temperature August Mean Temperature (C)
Figure 8 John Day Dam Forebay Hourly and August Mean Temperature (2016) (DART)
9
Deg
ree
C
Deg
ree
C
21.5
21
20.5
20
19.5
19
August Hours
Hourly Temperature (C) August Mean Temperature
Figure 9 John Day Dam Forebay Hourly and August Mean Temperature (2017) (DART)
John Day Dam August 2018 Forebay Temperature (C)
23.5
23
22.5
22
1
1
21
2
1
41
61
81
10
1
12
11
41
16
1
18
1
20
12
21
24
12
61
28
13
01
32
13
41
36
13
81
40
14
21
44
1
46
14
81
50
1
52
1
54
15
61
58
16
01
62
16
41
41
61
81
10
1
12
11
41
16
1
18
1
20
12
21
24
12
61
28
13
01
32
13
41
36
13
81
40
14
21
44
1
46
14
81
50
1
52
1
54
15
61
58
16
01
62
16
41
21
21.5
22
22.5
23
23.5
24
John Day Dam August 2017 Hourly Temperature (C)
August Hours
Hourly Temperature (C) August Mean Temperature
Figure 10 John Day Dam Forebay Hourly and August Mean Temperature (2018) (DART)
10
66
1
66
1
68
1
68
1
70
1
70
1
21.5
22
22.5
23
23.5
Deg
ree
C
John Day Dam August 2019 Forebay Temperature (C)
21
20.5
20 70
0
67
0
63
9
60
9
57
8
54
7
51
7
48
6
45
6
42
5
39
7
36
6
August Hours 3
35
30
5
27
4
24
4
21
3
18
2
15
2
12
1
91
60
32
1
Hourly Temperature (C) August Mean Temperature (C)
Figure 11 John Day Dam Forebay Hourly and August Mean Temperature (2019) (DART)
Vertical Temperature Variability in the Lower Columbia River
The following figures and tables (Figures 12-24 and Tables 2 and 3) show degree to which the
reservoirs behind each the four Lower Columbia River dams have a thermal gradient or
stratification where the surface is warmer than the bottom. Figure 12 and 13 show there is very
little difference in temperature between the top and the bottom of the Bonneville Dam forebay
with no significant temperature gradient. Similarly, Figures 14 and 15 show there is very little
temperature gradient in The Dalles Dam forebay.
In contrast, Figures 16 and 17 show a significant difference temperatures gradient in the John
Day Dam forebay. Figure 17 shows the difference between the surface (5 feet depth) and near
the bottom (100-foot depth) to be in the 2.3–3.3°C (4°F-6°F) range on numerous summer days in
2018 and as high as 4°C (7-8°F) on a couple of days. As shown in Figure 16, temperatures near
the surface (5-foot depth) in the John Day forebay reached 25-25.6°C (77-78°F) on a few days in
2018, while the temperatures at 100-foot depth were in the 22°C (72-73°F) range on those days.
11
!... ., .:; C
"' ~ "' ;;. 0 ~ ::, -l! "' a. E ~ ~
"' -., ::: > -;: ::, 0 :c
75
70
65
60
55 21-May 10-Jun
Bonneville Forebay Temperature String near Bradford Island Fish Ladder
BON-Bl-1 & BON-Bl-2
- SflBl-2 -lOlt Bl-2 - 20lt81-2 - 30lt81-2
30-Jun 20-Jul 9-Aug 18-Sep 8-0ct
Bonneville Dam Bradford Island Temperature String BON-Bl-2 Hourly Water Temperature Differentials Between 5 Feet verses 30 Feet Depth
1.6
1.4
1.2
1
0.8
0.6
.1WM. 0.4
I 0.2 I}.~ l' I 0
28-0ct
~ 20-Jun 10-Jul 30-Jul 19-Aug 8-Sep 28-Sep 18-0ct
Figure 12 Bonneville Forebay Hourly Vertical Profile Temperatures Measured from the
Wall Mounted and Floating Strings near the Bradford Island Fish Ladder Exit, May 23 - October
30, 2018 (Figure 5-14 in USACE, 2019)
Figure 13 Bonneville Dam at Bradford Island Hourly Vertical Profile Temperatures
Differentials BON-BI-2 Calculated between 5 Foot and 30 Foot Depths, June 20 - October 30,
2018 (Figure 5-15 in USACE, 2019)
12
E ~ ~ .. i E .. ... ~
! .. 3: ~ ::, 0 :c
The Dalles Forebay Temperature Strings near East Fish ladder Exit
TDA-EA-1, TDA-EA-2, TDA-EA-3 75 ~ -------------------------------
70
65
60
55
22-May
0.6
0.5
E ~ 0.4
~ .J!/ !t: 0.3 0 ~ ::,
ii .. 0.
0.2
E ~ 0.1 $ i ~ 0 ::, 0 :c
.o.,
-0.2 19--Jun
- lftEA-1 - SftEA-1 - lO ftEA-1 - 60ft EA-1
- lftEA-2 - SftEA-2 - lO ft EA-2 - 38.Sft EA-2
1 ftEA-3 Sft EA-3 - lO ft EA-3 - 60ft EA-3
11-Jun 1-Jul 21-Jul 10-Aug 30-Aug 19-Sep 9-0ct
The 0dlle, FIOdtin~ Temper.ilur• Slrin~ TDA-EA-3 Hourly Wdt.r Temperature Differentials Between 5 Feet verses 60 Feet Depth
9--Jul 29--Jul 18-Ai,g 7•5ep 27•5ep 17-0ct
29-0ct
Figure 14 The Dalles Forebay Hourly Vertical Profile Temperatures Measured from the
Wall Mounted and Two Floating Strings near the East Fish Ladder Exit, May 22 - October 29,
2018 (Figure 5-8 in USACE, 2019)
Figure 15 The Dalles Forebay Hourly Vertical Profile Temperatures Differentials for
Floating String TDA-EA-3 Calculated between 5 Foot and 60 Foot Depths, June 19 - October
29, 2018 (Figure 5-9 in USACE, 2019)
13
John Day Forebay Temperature String near South Fish ladder
JDA-SS-2 80 ~--------------------------------~
75
~ ~
~ ;? ~ ., ll. E {!! ~
!!l "' :;: ~ ::, 0 J:
70
65
60
- Sft - 10ft - 20ft - 30ft - 40 ft - SOit - 60ft - 70 ft - 80ft - 90ft - lOOft
55 ~ --~---~---~--~---~---~--~---~--~~ 21-May
9
8 ii;' ~ ;;; 7
'€ ~ .. ii: 6
0 ., ~ ~
5
., Q. 4 E {!!
~ "' :;:
3
~ ::, 2 0 :z:
1
0 21~May
4-Jun 18-Jun 2-Jul 16-Jul 30-Jul 13-Aug 27-Aug 10-5ep 24-5ep
John Day Temperature String JDA-SS-2 Hourly Water Temperature Differentials Between 5 Feet and 100 Feet Depth
10-.Jun 30-Jun 20-Jul 9-Aug 29-Aug 18-Sep
Figure 16 John Day Forebay Hourly Vertical Profile Temperatures Measured from the Dam
Structure North of the South Fish Ladder Exit, May 21 - September 25, 2018 (Figure 5-2 in
USACE, 2019)
Figure 17 John Day Forebay Hourly Vertical Profile Temperatures Differentials JDA-SS-2
Calculated between 5 Foot and 100 Foot Depths, May 21 - September 25, 2018 (Figure 5-6 2 in
USACE, 2019)
14
ime O.~m l.~m 3m 5:m. 10m Bm ~Om ~Im i 00:00 24.21 23.83 21.72 21.05 20.82 20.69 20.66 20.51 01:00 23.87 23.62 21.74 21.11 20.86 20.75 20.66 20.52 02:00 23.49 23.46 21.66 21.05 20.89 20. 73 20.67 20.54 03:00 23.09 22.91 21.64 21.13 20.8S 20. 73 20.6S 20.55 04:00 22.99 23.05 21.66 21.30 20.89 20. 79 20. 70 20.56 05:00 22.77 22.87 21.71 21.06 20.89 20.79 20.6S 20.57 06:00 22.60 22.65 21.63 21.03 20.91 20.80 20.71 20.59 07:00 22.53 22.36 21.6S 21.12 20.92 20.80 20.71 20.60 08:00 22.46 22.20 21.40 21.15 21.03 20. 77 20. 70 20.61 09:00 22.65 22.17 21.33 21.13 21.04 20.82 20.74 20.62 l0:00 22.69 22.57 21.72 21.3S 20.89 20.81 20.75 20.62 11:00 23.68 22.36 21.91 21.63 20.92 20.85 20. 75 20.63 12:00 24.04 22.83 21.65 21.56 20.93 20.86 20. 76 20.64 13:00 25.34 22.73 22.25 21.55 20.92 20.84 20.75 20.66 14:00 23.45 22.7S 21.S2 20.94 20.81 20.73 20.66 15:00 16:00 17:00 18:00
23.90 22.87 21.29 20.90 20.80 20. 72 20.66 24.02 22.0S 21.39 20.89 20.83 20. 76 20.67 24.72 23.02 21.56 20.8S 20.82 20.74 20.67 24.33 22.61 21.93 20.8S 20.83 20. 76 20.67
19:00 24.54 22.62 21.43 20.85 20.80 20. 75 20.69 20:00 24.95 22.47 21.6S 20.85 20. 79 20. 77 20. 70 21:00 25.54 24.41 22.91 21.51 20.84 20.7S 20.74 20.6S 22:00 25.36 24.73 22.90 22.04 20.84 20. 79 20.75 20.6S 23:00 25. 24.8 22.60 21.81 20.91 20.79 20.78 20.68
Tables 2 and 3 show the temperature at different depths within the McNary Dam forebay on
August 1, 2015 and August 17, 2016, respectively, and show a significant temperature gradient
on these days. On August 1, 2015 (Table 2), surface temperatures reached 28°C during the late
afternoon-evening, while bottom temperatures remained below 21°C, resulting in a temperature
difference of 7°C. Similar maximum temperatures and temperature different between the surface
and the bottom occurred on August 17, 2016 (Table 3). These data show that the warmest
temperatures were in the upper 3 meters (10 feet). String data collected by the Army Corps of
Engineers demonstrates that a significant temperature gradient is a common occurrence in the
McNary Dam forebay in the summer (USACE).
For reference, the McNary forebay fixed temperature monitor recorded a daily mean of 21.2°C
on August 1, 2015 and on August 17, 2016. The fixed monitor is approximately 10 meters (30
feet) deep, so it does not capture the warmer temperatures in the upper 3 meters.
Table 2 McNary Forebay August 1, 2015(USACE String Data)
15
t 0.5m l.5m 3m 5m 10m 15m l Om l lm 00:00 JO 2$~ 23. l 22.25 21.06 20.99 20.S8 20.79 01:00 gi 25.01 23.4l 22.16 21.0l 21.01 20.90 20.81 02:00 .65 24.73 23.ll 22.24 21.09 21.00 20.88 20.82 03:00 .38 24.lO 23.67 22.18 21.12 21.04 20.91 20.84 04:00 .44 24.48 22.90 22.30 21.12 21.03 20.90 20.87 Ol:00 .23 24.31 23.l9 22.39 21.13 21.07 20.93 20.88 06:00 .13 24.17 23.62 22.Sl 21.15 21.06 20.92 20.88 07:00 .08 24.ll 23.39 22.44 21.26 21.08 20.96 20.88 08:00 .02 24.10 23.3S 22.27 21.34 21.04 20.97 20.88 09:00 .JO 24.14 23.46 22.43 21.34 21.08 20.99 20.88 10:00 .20 24.19 23.43 22.26 21.35 21.07 20.94 20.87 11:00 .40 24.35 23.70 22.25 21.15 21.07 20.95 20.87 12:00 .49 24.25 23.73 22.02 21.38 21.06 20.95 20.87 13:00 .10 24.30 23.39 22.07 21.36 21.08 20.99 20.89 14:00 .ll 24.l6 23.82 22.53 21.31 21.08 20.97 20.90 15:00 25.05 24.07 22.80 21.28 21.09 21.00 20.91 16:00 25.62 23.84 22.61 21.44 21.10 20.99 20.90 17:00 25.11 23.95 22.64 21.21 21.06 20.94 20.89 18:00 25.62 24.10 2258 21.21 21.11 20.95 20.88 19:00 25.fO 24.09 22.73 21.28 21.03 20.95 20.90 20:00 JU6 24.19 23.02 21.33 21.05 21.02 20.S9 21:00 25.19 23.82 22.82 21.29 21.09 21.00 20.91 22:00 23:00 24.10 22.83 21.18 21.11 20.98 20.93
Table 3 McNary Forebay August 17, 2016 (USACE String Data)
Figure 18 shows measured and modeled temperatures in the four different locations in the
McNary Dam forebay on August 18, 2004. Near the surface temperatures were around 25°C at
6pm and were about 22°C below 10 meters (30 feet). Figure 19 provide a model profile of the
McNary Dam forebay on August 18, 2004.
16
n ;
JO .-, ..$ 15
a ' I I) :,. -
n ;
25
,:, Field d:1la al 6:00 1,1111
o Field d:tt:t ~.12:1.1,:, pm - · - Prdicte,d ,11 (ft.10 Plll -- i>r,;-<11.ct.:<t at 12:0:•~lm
T t'UJ))enllUIC ("Cl (a~ P l
2~ 2,1 13
T t'UJ))t':t;llUI~ ("Cl (c.) P.~
O:OD hr
26
"' ... .. r>Tcilich:tlbyl>,;li1m111 ,:;r xi, (2hOX) at b:O(! pm - -- - Ptetlicletl I~ P❖Litruto Cl al C20!Jij :u.1~:(11) pm
'·' ;
10
25
'·' ;
10
25
0 t,
.r
JO
..
T t•w µem lmc ("Cl (h) P2
35~--~------------'J I
I M
2:; 2,1 T t'W))t':l<llUI~ ("Cl
(rl) P•I
26
l (ll<..): Z2,I Z2.4 Z.UI ZJ,1 23,(); ZJ.g 24.3 24.6 2S»
Figure 18 Temperature profiles at 6:00 pm and 12:00 pm for stations P1, P2, P3, and P4 in
McNary Forebay on August 18, 2004 (Yu-shi Wang et al., 2013)
Figure 19 Dissection view of vertical temperature variability in the McNary Forebay on
August 18, 2004 (M. Haque presentation of McNary Dam model and presented in Politano et al.,
2008)
17
Figures 20-25 show predicted two-dimensional temperatures in the Lower Columbia River
reservoirs on selected days based on the Army Corps of Engineers model. Consistent with the
measured data shown above, Figures 20 and 21 show significant thermal gradients in the
McNary and John Day reservoirs on July 8 and July 10, 2015, respectively. On July 8, 2015, the
McNary reservoir was modelled to exceed 26°C in McNary Dam forebay and exceed 24°C in
upper portion of the lower half of the McNary reservoir, while temperatures in the deepest part
of the reservoir were modeled to be in the 20-22°C range. On July 10, 2015, the John Day
reservoir was modelled to exceed 27°C in John Day Dam forebay and exceed 24°C in upper
portion of most of the John Day reservoir, while temperatures in the deepest part of the reservoir
were modeled to be in the 20-22°C range.
Also consistent with measured data shown above, Figures 22 and 23 show very little modelled
thermal gradient in The Dalles and Bonneville reservoirs, on July 10 and July 15, respectively.
Figures 24 and 25 show modelled temperatures for the John Day reservoir for two additional
days on August 5 and 18, 2014, respectively. Model results for August 5, 2014 (Figure 24) in
the John Day reservoir are similar to those shown for July 10, 2015 (Figure 21), with the
warmest temperatures in the forebay, warm temperatures in the upper part of the reservoir, and
cooler temperatures in the deepest part of the reservoir. On August 18, 2014 (Figure 25) the
model shows warmer temperature at the surface, especially in the forebay area, but the rest of the
reservoir at about the same temperature.
The depth of the John Day Dam forebay continuous temperature monitor reflected in Columbia
River DART is approximately 30-35 feet deep, so it reflects temperatures at approximately 1/3
the depth of the reservoir near the dam and does not reflect the warm surface temperatures. The
continuous temperature monitor at this depth, however, does appear to be a good representation
of the overall John Day reservoir temperature. For comparison, the John Day forebay monitor in
DART recorded 23.1°C on July 10, 2015 (Figure 21), 21.5°C on August 5, 2014 (Figure 24),
and 22.6°C on August 18, 2014 (Figure 25)
The above figures indicate that there is significant thermal gradient in the John Day reservoir and
the McNary reservoir during warm summer days, but there is not a thermal gradient in The
Dalles and Bonneville reservoirs. The difference in temperature in the John Day and McNary
reservoirs is greater than 2°C so the water at depth can be viewed as cold water refuge relative to
the surface temperatures on the days when the gradient exists. However, the cooler water deep
in the reservoirs near the dams is generally not 2°C cooler than the main channel temperatures
measured at the continuous monitors. Thus, the deep cooler water is not CWR relative to the
main channel. Therefore, a better characterization is that the surface of the John Day and
McNary Reservoirs warm due to warm air temperatures and solar radiation. This warming
creates a temperature gradient relative to the main channel such that during warm periods, the
top 3-5 meters (10-15 feet) is warmer than the main reservoir temperature.
18
Pool, Columbia River - RES-SIM No Action [2019-02-05] -January 1, 2011 - December 31, 2015
111 50 - - --- ---T -------T--------r---------r----------r----------1 --------[---------T-------T-_______ T ________ -r---------r -------1----------;---------T---------r--------_ T _________ i _________ T ---------! ----------r---------r---------r--------r-------r --------1 -------r-------T---------r---------T--------r--------r------- i---------r --------r--------r --------r--------r -------T---------i
, .. •••••••••·1 r 1••••••••r••••••••1 ••• r •••• 1••••••••r• r r r••••••·•r •••••• 1 •• r r••••••·•r • T r r ••••••••1 104.30 - -- ' ' ' ' ' ' ---i --- ~,,~§~~~ ---! 100.70 ---
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Distance (m ) 40472.35000 47384.41 000 54296.46000 61208.~000 68120.58000
Figure 20 Two-Dimensional Model of McNary Reservoir Temperatures on July 8, 2015 (USACE, 2020)
19
7.00
8 1.65
33.50 . 1200.300000 11042.750000
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35528.850000 23285.800000
8
Figure 21 Two-Dimensional Model of John Day Reservoir Temperatures on July 10, 2015 (USACE, 2020)
20
.00
49 .40
I C
o 23.00
"i w
3.20
-10.00~--~---~--~---~---~--~---~--~---~---~--~---~--~---~---~--~---~--~---~--~ -988.68000 3163.TTSO0 7316.23000 11468.69000 15621.1 4000 19773.60000
Distance (m) 23926.05000 28078.51000 32230.96000 36383.42000 40535.87000
56
Figure 22 Two-Dimensional Model of The Dalles Reservoir Temperatures on July 10, 2015 (USACE, 2020)
21
.48
20.96 --
10.86 --
8 .33 --
5.8 1 --
3.28
Tempe,atu,e r---· deg C
Oate~ 42,200.000 : __ j _____ _
__ ::::::r:::::: I ~2
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___________ t ________ _
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-995.0 1000 6666.57000 14328. 15000 21989.73000 29651.3 1000 37312.89000
Distance (m) 4-4974.4 7000 52636.05000 60297 .63000 67959.21000 75620. 79000
23
Figure 23 Two-Dimensional Model of Bonneville Reservoir Temperatures on July 15, 2015 (USACE, 2020)
22
_00
81_65
~~·-/
1212302 00000
87
Figure 24 Two-Dimensional Model of John Day Reservoir Temperatures on August 5, 2014 (USACE, 2020)
23
.00
81.65
76.30
70.95
I = _g 60.25
~ w
54.90
49.55
John Day Pool, Columbia River - RES-SIM No Action [2019-02-05] ________ T _________ f _________ T ________ r ________ ---------T---------;----------1 January r' 2011 _. r cembl 31 , 201 r---------r -------- _________ T _________ [ _________ T _______ T ________ T _______ _ ---------r--------r--------r--------r--------- ----------r---------;----------r---------r----------r--------r---------;----------r--------- ----------r---------;----------r---------r----------( ----------------- '-----------' ---------- '-----------' ---------- ---------- '-----------' ---------- ·-----------' ---------- '-----------' ---------- ' -----------' ---------- ---------- '----------- ' - - ---- -- ' '
' ' ' ' _ L __________ .J __ _
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-1200.300000 11042.750000 23285.800000 35528.8 50000 47TT1 .890000 60014.950000
Distance (m) 722.57.990000 84501.050000 9674-4.090000 108987 .100000 121230.200000
87
Figure 25 Two-Dimensional Model of John Day Reservoir Temperatures on August 18, 2014 (USACE, 2020)
24
22.4
22.2
Q 22
QJ
:i 21.8 ... ~ ~ 21.6 E QJ I- 21.4
21.2
21
23.4 23.2
23 22.8
Q 22.6
~ 22.4 1§ 22.2 QJ
22 0..
~ 21.8 I-
21.6 21.4 21.2
21
Bonneville Forebay Daily Temperature Range
l t t +
I
t
8/15/2016 8/16/2016 8/17/2016 8/18/2016 8/19/2016 8/20/2016 8/21/2016
Date Max M in • Mean
John Day Forebay Daily Temperature Range
t t t t
8/15/2016 8/16/2016 8/17/2016 8/18/2016 8/19/2016 8/20/2016 8/21/2016
Date Max M in • Mean
Diurnal Temperature Variability in the Lower Columbia River
Figure26 and Figure 27 show the range in temperature on certain days in the Bonneville and
John Day forebays, respectively. Due to the large volume of water, there is only a small amount
of daily variation in the Columbia River temperatures. During warm periods, the difference
between the maximum and minimum temperature is less than 1°C, and typically about 0.2 – 0.5°C. Thus, there is no CWR in the Columbia River mainstem due to cooler nighttime
temperatures.
Figure 26 Bonneville Forebay Daily Temperature Range (DART)
Figure 27 John Day Forebay Daily Temperature Range (DART)
25
References
DART. Columbia River DART (Data Access in Real Time). www.cbr.washington.edu/dart.
Politano, M., Haque, M. D. M., and Weber, L. J. 2008. A numerical study of the temperature
dynamics at McNary Dam. Ecological Modelling, 212(3-4), 408-421.
[doi:10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2007.10.040]
USACE, String Data. https://pweb.crohms.org/ftppub/water_quality/tempstrings/
USACE, 2019. Lower Columbia River Dam Forebays Temperature Depth Profile Study for
2018. US Corps of Engineers. Portland District.
USACE, 2020. Model outputs provided by Dan Turner and Alexis Mills, USACE. March, 2020.
Yu-Shi WANG, Marcela POLITANO, Ryan LAUGHERY. 2013. Towards full predictions of
temperature dynamics in McNary Dam forebay using OpenFOAM. Water Science and
Engineering, 2013, 6(3): 317-330 [doi:10.3882/j.issn.1674-2370.2013.03.008]
26