PCWA Study Plan

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PCWA Study Plan

• Physical Habitat Characterization Study Plan
• Geomorphology Study Plan
• Riparian Habitat Mapping Study Plan
• Aquatic Habitat Characterization Study Plan
• Water Temperature Study Plan
• Hydrology Study Plan
• Cultural Studies

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Geomorphology Study

• Classify and organize bypass reaches (river
  reaches downstream of Project dams and/or
  diversions) into distinct reaches based on stream
  morphology.
• Distinguish the relative responsiveness (i.e.
  sensitivity) of river reaches to alterations of
  flow and sediment regimes.
• Describe geomorphic conditions of river reaches
  immediately upstream of Project facilities to
  evaluate their suitability to serve as reference
  reaches in later study phases.
• Identify potential comparison streams (reference
  reaches) in the vicinity of the MFP if reaches
  immediately upstream of Project facilities are
  determined to be unsuitable as reference reaches.
• Provide the framework for organizing future
  survey efforts.

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Helicopter Survey

• Sediment contributions from large-scale
  mass-wasting sites
• Depositional features at tributary confluences
• Fine sediment deposits
• Dominant bank materials
• Relative presence of large woody debris
• Potential floodplain locations

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Ground Characterization

• Entrenchment ratio (floodprone width divided by
  the bankfull width Wfp/Wbf)
• Width-to-depth ratio (bankfull width divided by
  the average bankfull depth Wbf/Dbf)
• Sinuosity (ratio of stream distance to valley
  distance)
• Water surface slope
• Bed particle size

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Riparian Habitat Mapping

• Identify the locations of riparian and meadow
  habitat along the streams and rivers upstream and
  downstream of the MFP dams and reservoirs,
• Qualitatively describe riparian and meadow
  habitats ,
• Identify unregulated streams in the vicinity of
  the MFP that could serve as comparison reaches
  for subsequent studies, and
• Identify potential historical and existing
  activities that may have or are currently
  affecting the development of riparian habitat.

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Aquatic Habitat Characterization

• Review existing reports, topographic maps,
  geological maps, hydrologic units and
  contributing watershed areas, and other available
  materials.
• Stratify and classify habitats in the study
  streams based on review of existing information,
  Rosgen Level I geomorphologic classifications,
  topographic maps, and aerial imagery.
• Evaluate habitats and strata in the field using
  helicopter reconnaissance for confirmation and a
  higher level of resolution.
• Incorporate Rosgen Level II information for
  finalization of strata.
• Select habitats in portions of major strata to be
  ground-truthed in consultation with resource
  agencies.
• Ground-truth habitats in representative lengths
  of major strata.

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Hydrology

• Assemble the existing hydrologic data available
  in the Project vicinity into a comprehensive
  database.
• Select a preliminary water-year type
  classification for the watershed, in consultation
  with the resource agencies.
• Select the period of record for analysis of
  Project and unimpaired hydrology.
• Describe the Project and unimpaired hydrology
  through a series of hydrologic analyses.
• Determine if additional data are needed to
  support the upcoming relicensing.
• Provide a complete hydrologic data set and
  corresponding analyses to support the
  geomorphology, riparian and aquatic habitat, and
  water temperature studies described in this
  package.