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ANATOMY OF A RIVER, AN EVALUATION OF WATER REQUIREMENTS FOR THE HELL'S CANYON REACH OF THE SNAKE RIVER, IDAHO, 1973
Description:
This evaluation began in March 1973, involving more than 30 state and federal agencies and private entities. 79 specialists monitored the effects of 5 controlled flows on the biological community and mans use of the Middle Snake River (17060103, 17060101). The total program involved studies of the time of travel of the stage wave and water mass, water quality, general recreation, white-water boating, and navigation. Biological studies involved aquatic vegetation, benthic invertebrates and insect drift, stranding of insects, fish and other aquatic organisms, fish food habits and fishability, salmonid reproduction requirements, warm-water fish habitat, white sturgeon population, and wildlife. New methodologies were applied in some of the studies, notably a modification of the Oregon Method for evaluating salmonid reproduction requirements and a modification of the Kanawha River Method for evaluating general recreation. This study found that salmonid fish flow requirements vary seasonally from 12,000 to 15,050 cfs. Other functional flow requirements would be met by this flow, providing rapid and severe fluctuation did not occur. Some effects of providing this flow on hydropower generation are discussed. Bodien, D.G. 1973. Working Paper No. 69. U.S. Department of the Interior, Federal Water Pollution Control Administration, Portland, OR. 66 pp plus appendices.