Streamflow Monitoring. Along with two USGS real-time streamflow gages located at management segments C and D, DNRC continued to operate and maintain four real-time streamflow gages located at the upper project boundary and at management segments A, B, and E (Figure 1) as part of a Furnished Record Policy with the USGS. Ownership of the Furnished Record gages was transferred to DNRC on July 1st, 2021. DNRC continues to operate and maintain these four gages in a real- time capacity. In addition, DNRC continuously monitored flow in at least one tributary within each management segment and six key irrigation ditches. Snowpack and precipitation data were monitored by NRCS (available at NWCC iMap (xxxx.xxx)), and results are based on the period-of-record (1991–2020). In 2023, the Big Hole basin snowpack peaked at 104% of median values, and snowpack receded at a normal rate. Total precipitation in the Big Hole basin was 108% of median values. Spring precipitation was 98%, Summer was 103% and fall ended the water year at 108% of median values, respectively. Air temperatures in the Big Hole were average or slightly below throughout the summer. Big Hole Arctic Grayling CCAA stream discharge targets (in all reaches) were met 81% of the time in 2023(Figures 5-10). Figure 5. 2023 DNRC stream discharge data collected from the Big Hole River at the real-time gaging station located at the upper Big Hole Arctic Grayling CCAA project area boundary (Saginaw Bridge). Figure 6. 2023 stream discharge data collected from the Big Hole River at the real-time gaging station located at the lower Big Hole Arctic Grayling CCAA Reach A boundary (Miner Lakes Road). Figure 7. 2023 stream discharge data collected from the Big Hole River at the real-time gaging station located at the lower Big Hole Arctic Grayling CCAA Reach B boundary (confluence with Miner Creek). Figure 8. 2023 stream discharge data collected from the Big Hole River at the real-time gaging station located at the lower Big Hole Arctic Grayling CCAA Reach C boundary (Wisdom Bridge). Figure 9. 2023 stream discharge data collected from the Big Hole River at the real-time gaging station located at the lower Big Hole Arctic Grayling CCAA Reach D boundary (Xxxx Xx Bridge). Figure 10. 2023 stream discharge data collected from the Big Hole River at the real-time gaging station located at the lower Big Hole Arctic Grayling CCAA Reach E boundary (Xxxxxx Bridge).
Streamflow Monitoring. TU will operate two streamflow gauges within the Enrolled Property from May through October during the term of this Agreement, to evaluate the benefit of releases on summer base flow and spring freshets. TU will install two pressure transducers within the Enrolled Property and visit each gauge site approximately monthly to measure streamflow and download data from the pressure transducers. In addition to collecting stage data and measuring streamflow, TU and UC Sea Grant representatives will walk as much of Xxxxxx Creek as possible to identify where the stream is flowing, intermittent, or dry during each site visit, and to identify any other flow depth/velocity features to characterize the quality of habitat for over-summering salmonids in Xxxxxx Creek.
