Grantee Research Project Results
2006 Progress Report: Harnessing the Hydrologic Disturbance Regime: Sustaining Multiple Benefits in Large River Floodplains in the Pacific Northwest
EPA Grant Number: X3832205Title: Harnessing the Hydrologic Disturbance Regime: Sustaining Multiple Benefits in Large River Floodplains in the Pacific Northwest
Investigators: Gregory, Stanley V. , Hulse, David , Haggerty, Roy
Institution: Oregon State University , University of Oregon
EPA Project Officer: Packard, Benjamin H
Project Period: May 1, 2005 through April 30, 2008
Project Period Covered by this Report: May 1, 2006 through April 30,2007
Project Amount: $287,999
RFA: Collaborative Science & Technology Network for Sustainability (2004) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Pollution Prevention/Sustainable Development , Sustainable and Healthy Communities
Objective:
Large river floodplains in the Pacific Northwest are the most ecologically and economically productive lands in the region. We have integrated a study of thermal patterns in the Willamette River, development of a model of hyporheic influence on water temperature, creation of dynamic visualizations of technical concepts and research results. We have used this information and informatics tools to work with regional decision makers and state agencies to simultaneously derive water temperature reductions, terrestrial and aquatic habitat enhancements, increased recreation and improved non-structural flood storage in large river floodplains while meeting the requirements of the Clean Water Act Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for elevated temperature as a water quality limiting factor and federal Endangered Species Act concerns for elevated stream temperature effects on listed salmonids and other native riverine species. We have worked with municipalities, state and federal agencies, and NGOs to find solutions to comply with regulations while maximizing and sustaining the benefits to their constituencies. We have developed empirical water temperature data, models of hyporheic exchange, tools for geographic prioritization to an iterative, and interaction with citizens and agencies to find socially plausible solutions.
Progress Summary:
Our research has been focused on three fundamental questions:
- What scientific evidence is necessary to understand the mechanisms by which the water temperature reductions occur?
- Where riverine features hold the most promise for such temperature reductions?
- What types of regulator and local citizen mechanisms can increase the likelihood of achieving multiple environmental benefits from efforts to meet regulatory requirements?
What scientific evidence is necessary to understand the mechanisms by which the water temperature reductions observed to date occur?
We mapped the spatial distribution (both longitudinal and lateral) of cold water habitats in the upper Willamette River between Albany and Eugene, Oregon. We used our maps of channel and floodplain complexity in the Willamette River in 1850, 1895, 1932, and 1995 to develop a typology of thermal reach types based on associations of thermal characteristics and channel morphology and floodplain vegetation. We have identified six reach types: 1) mainstem, 2) alcoves on gravel bars, 3) alcoves on floodplains, 4) side channels, 5) gravel bars without alcoves, and 6) embayments. Based on these typologies, we will develop spatially explicit representations of the likely thermal patterns of the Willamette River circa 1850, 1895, 1932, and 1995. These typologies also will be used to project potential future thermal patterns in response to human population increase and land use changes and the potential effectiveness of hyporheic restoration.
We also developed a simple conceptual model of thermal dynamics in surface and hyporheic flows of floodplain rivers to predict thermal patterns that might result from alternative channel configurations, flow patterns, and floodplain vegetation. The first model was developed for the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality to explore floodplain application of wastewater. In summer 2006, we conducted field studies of hyporheic properties as a basis for developing a model of in-channel hyporheic influence on temperature. We will use our field observations to assess the accuracy of the model and subsequently refine it for agency use to design restoration efforts in the Willamette River.
Where are the riverine features that hold the most promise for such temperature reduction effects?
We used the field study results and preliminary modeling as a basis to discuss spatially-explicit restoration efforts with regional agencies and citizen groups. We held two workshops in 2006 with the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality and citizen groups and municipalities in the Willamette valley. We identified approaches for achieving and sustaining multiple benefits, including but not limited to thermal modification, in prioritized locations. We also worked with the Willamette Partnership to develop market-based approaches to accomplish these goals. The meetings facilitated discussions between the state and major water users and have resulted in provisions with TMDL permits that encourage floodplain restoration.
What types of regulator and local citizen acceptance are necessary to bring about such change?
We will continue the workshops in 2007 to use presentations, break out sessions and electronic voting as means for review, feedback and response to research findings. We also will hold smaller group meetings that are more technically-focused to interact with key constituencies. During these interactions, we will use visualizations that we have developed to more effectively communicate the technical basis of the restoration approaches and bring about constructive change on the ground in how land is used and managed. We have developed a videographic animation of our filed data to illustrate hyporheic influences on river temperature in the Willamette River.
Collaboration and Transferability
This project is highly collaborative, based on the participation of two universities, aquatic researchers and landscape planning scientists, a governor-created Willamette Restoration Partnership, a municipal wastewater manager, and groups of stakeholders. This research and the coordination by the Willamette Restoration Initiative works closely with water managers in the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (Neil Mullane) and the Metropolitan Wastewater Management Commission (a cooperative program of regional municipalities).
Journal Articles:
No journal articles submitted with this report: View all 6 publications for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
RFA, Scientific Discipline, TREATMENT/CONTROL, Sustainable Industry/Business, Sustainable Environment, cleaner production/pollution prevention, Technology for Sustainable Environment, Urban and Regional Planning, Environmental Engineering, Water Pollution Control, wastewater treatment, water evaluation and urban planning tool, revegetation, environmental sustainability, credit trading, collaborative urban planning, water conservation, aqueous discharge streams, pollution preventionRelevant Websites:
http://oregonstate.edu/dept/pnw-erc/ Exit
http://ise.uoregon.edu Exit
Progress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.