Review of 2004 Upper Putah Creek Watershed Study by 2008 Technical Advisory Committee
Chairman�s Summary
Has the 2004 report
functioned as an objective problem-solving tool that
identifies the potential causes of problems?
Yes, to some extent it has.� In reviewing scientific knowledge of the watershed, it only hints at causes of problems, but does describe the nature of current problems.�
Does the report interpret
watershed information and data, leading to conclusions about watershed conditions?
No, but it has prompted action by the UPCS in reporting to the public on
watershed conditions based on new data/analysis based on bioassessment.� Much of the 2004 report is in the form of
maps, which in themselves are the first steps in data interpretation.
Does the report identify
information gaps?
Yes.� Most notably in stressing
the paucity of data from the western portion of the watershed, where it hints
there exists some mysterious impairment of fish habitat.�
Only one area impacted by septic systems is discussed, Anderson Springs,
other areas might be of concern.
The Corps of Engineers studied only one-third of the watershed, the area
with the most demonstrated problems; this surely suggests an information gap
Have the analysis and findings
been used to develop appropriate actions?
Yes, the report has prompted data-gathering and public outreach.� It has been cited in support of the grading
ordinance and in prompting flood-hazard analysis.
Has the report become a
watershed management package that leads to planning, implementation,
evaluation, and additional monitoring?
Yes.� It has paved the way for
funding on citizen monitoring of nutrients and mercury in sediments.
More generally, it is the first step in a plan that might tie growth to
water availability.
Is the 2004 study a product that is useful
for its audience?
Yes, it presents a
broad view of geology, watershed features, and watershed processes.
How could the study be improved on in the
current watershed assessment?
The current technical advisory committee recommends the assessment team:
Examine, to some extent, the whole watershed from the
headwaters to
Develop new flood hazard maps.
Update Rainbow Trout and Western Pond Turtle data.
Develop current lists of species and places of cultural significance.
Incorporate new hydrological models.
Examine changes in use of agricultural lands.
Identify point and non-point sources of pollution.
Individual Comments
JON
LEE�S COMMENTS
Colleagues,
Obviously
a lot of time and effort went into this. I must confess,
I didn't study each chart and table (!) but a valuable reference.
A lot of good
information. Will have to
take another look but these points stood out for me:
1. "27
miles of Upper Putah Creek are affected by an
impairment of an unknown toxicity." Has this unknown toxicity been
determined since the report was published?
2.
The eastern part of the Upper Putah Creek has
been more impaired and studied than the western portion. Seems an
assessment from the headwaters to
3.
Expansion of agricultural land. The report mentions any flat land
with a water supply is potential agricultural land. Is this the heart of
the issue?
Regards,
Jon
Lee
Jon
Lee Consulting
707-441-9347
Comments from Dwight Holford
2004 Upper Putah
Creek Watershed Study
The purpose of these notes is
to make sure that I have recorded my opinions on this matter.� These notes will be added to the work that Dr
Harry Lyons is doing with the TAC.
Section 3� Geology will be covered by Dean
Enderlin
No doubt he will seismic activity to his concerns
Section 4� Geology will be covered by Dean
Enderlin
Human History of the Upper Putah Creek Watershed will be covered by
Watershed Features and Processes� US Army
Corps of Engineers
Section 5� Watershed Features and Processes
The COE chose to study the
area around
For Lev� COE used their HEC-HMS Version 2.2.1
model to work the data.
Section 6� Flood Hazard� Tom Smythe� new maps will be provided.
Fish in the
Upper Putah Creek Watershed�� Get copy of FB179 from CA DFG.� Important work relating to our area on Rainbow trout.�
Vegetation� See
page 81 � future analysis ,sub-areas can be analyzed as needed.�� We need to figure out which areas need more
investigation and a what level.
Also see Lake County Land
Trust priority list.� It lists Dead Horse
Flats.
Wildlife and Habitat� Skip Kruse
Herpetology
Is the California Wildlife
Habitat Relationship model good enough for our assessment.� We know we are going to add to our amphibian
and reptile studies.� Update the Western
Pond Turtle data.
Encroachment on Streams
Septic Systems
�Anderson Springs is the only area
addressed by this study.� All other areas
that are not served by a sewer system should be studied.� Health Department needs to be involved.� What is status of Berryessa
Estates?� Septic or
sewer?
Fire in the Upper Putah Creek Watershed
It would be appropriate for CalFire to review the data.
Agricultural Land� Korinn
Smith
The future expansion of
agriculture depends on what the water data shows.
Resource
Assessment Checklist.� Is this the latest?
Identified Concerns
Flooding� New
maps from Tom Smythe
It can be assumed that that
the
Erosion and Sediment
Add in the new Grading
Ordinance�
Water Quality
I think we have a strong
water quality program; we have added in nutrients and mercury sediment and will
be doing extensive bioassessment.
Water balance is the new
thing that we want to put a lot of effort in.�
This properly used will be an aid in keeping growth tied to water
availability.
We also need to be aggressive
in the IRWMP program.� Most people think
that this is the future conveyor of all grant monies.
The other big push is that we
should make every effort to get on the California 303(d) for impaired water
bodies.� If we really have a problem, and
we don�t know this yet, we need to be in a position to where we can take the
appropriate action.
Beneficial Uses
No change needed.
Threatened and Endangered
Species.
All of this data needs to be
updated.� This item is the most volatile
of them all.� It needs an even hand, well
thought out approach.� Nothing important
should be left out.
Conclusions�� Fold in present conclusions into final
conclusions.
Appendices, Glossary and Bibliography,
change or add to as appropriate.
Review of� Upper Putah Creek Watershed Study � Harry Lyons � 21 April 2008
This was a well-sewed quilt of information.� Who sewed it?� I assume it was Holford & Dills, but in the upcoming assessment we should squarely lay the blame for this high-quality work.
In my opinion, the body of the document presents information of two types:� that which does not need updating and that which does.� Has the basic biology, geology, ecology, and hydrology of the region changed?� If not, the assessment can let such topics stand and address current issues:
1.� Is there any earth-shaking, biota-baking literature to review on the region?� Do we have any data on 21st Century flooding, local peak flows after 1997?� The assessment should hazard an educated guess on how flows will change with probable warming.
2.� How effective are civic actions?� In 1989 the Lake County General Plan called for restrictions in flood plains, in 1988 the DFG protested appropriative water right applications, in the 1990s the Anderson Springs Study forwarded recommendations, and we now have a road grading ordinance.� The assessment should describe why the watershed looks different as a result of all this talk and typing.�
3.� The Study suggests there is a West/East split in terms of historical data on stream flow and water quality.� Elsewhere it hints at some mysterious impairment of fish habitat in the west end.� The assessment should report on how our efforts in the UPCS added useful information on the western watershed.�
4.� Does anyone still use the Resource Assessment Checklist and the Index of Watershed Indicators?� Are there new forms and protocols even more massive?� If so, they should be used in the new study.
5.� We await hydrological models.� I have no doubt they are new and also improved.� In the old study, the models stood alone, like an expensive date unwilling to dance.� The watershed assessment must tie the models to other sections of the study, show their value.���
Comments, questions,
and answers from Korinn Smith, NRCS � April 30, 2008
The
section on agricultural land needs updated.�
The new crop reports from the Ag. Commissioner will have the needed info
for county Ag since 2001.
Prime
farmland should not have changed, so that information should be up to
date.� Dwight � Do you have the
electronic files for the maps included in this section?� Should I be trying to find those from NRCS
State Office?
To
answer question 4 in Harry�s comments, Yes, NRCS
still uses the Resource Assessment Checklist.�
I will get the most recent version to everyone.
Chris Simon Comments
Preliminary PSP
REVIEW FOR TAC
The following are components I
believe (keeping in mind that I believe that a perfect world exists somewhere)
are missing or�
incomplete in the PSP and�
need to be addressed in our watershed assessment.
Cultural: Tribal &
Pioneer
�
Indigenous Territory
�
Plants of Significance
�
Species of Significance
�
Places of significance
Point and
Potential Groundwater
Recharge Areas
Potential buffer strips
Update Inventories
�
��Inventory of invasive, Plants - Quagga mussel � ect
Historical-Pre Dam� Fisheries Data
(HITCH?)
Past, Present & Proposed� Projects ( a
time line�wish list?)
Where does Restoration measures for plant and animal communities
go?
Stakeholders ( a list of organizations active in our watershed)
�
Fishing organizations
�
Non Profits � Land Trust, Sierra
Club, etc
�
Landowner Associations
�
Water Districts
My dream assessment would be how the
CWAM authors stated:
What an Assessment Is
�
An
objective problem-solving tool that identifies the potential causes of problems
�
The
scientific interpretation of watershed information and data, leading to
conclusions about watershed condition
�
A tool
to help identify data and information gaps
�
Analysis
and findings that can be used to develop appropriate actions
�
A
component of a watershed management package that leads to planning,
implementation, evaluation, and additional monitoring
�
A
product that is useful for its audience
What an Assessment Is Not
�
Monitoring
and data collection only
�
A list
of data only
�
A
consolidation or summary of existing information only
�
Historical
conditions or �baseline� only
�
An
identification of symptoms of problems only
�
A plan
�
An
endpoint
Just extra garb . . .FYI�
���������
Resources
available Regarding Hitch in the UPC Watershed:
California Department of Water Resources.
�Clear
California Department of Water Resources.
Clear
CIS US Serial Set Index, 1789 � 1969,
CIS Index to Congressional Publications and Legislative
History, 1970 � present.� Washington DC and Bethesda, MD, Congressional Information Service.
Reference/Index Table
CIS
Climatological Data,
Directory of Water and Wildland
Expertise and Facilities in the
Gifford, Edward Winslow, Pomo Lands on Clear Lake, University of California, Publications. American Archaeology and Ethnology, Berkeley, CA, University of California, 1923. v. 20 U300 P9am
Hopkirk, John D., Endemism in Fishes of the Clear Lake Region of Central California, University of California Publications in Zoology, Berkeley, CA, University of California Press, 1973.� U300 P9z v. 96.
Macedo, Richard. �Swimming Upstream Without a Hitch,� Outdoor California, January/February 1994, vol. 55, No. 1, pages 1-5.� F650 O8 v. 54-55
Moyle, Peter B., et al, Fish Species of Special Concern in California, Sacramento, CA Department of Fish and Game, 1995.� F 660 S63 1995 (#)
Moyle, Peter B. and Yoshiyama,
Ronald M., Fishes, Aquatic Diversity Management Areas, and Endangered
Species:� A Plan to Protect
Rostlund, Erhard, Freshwater Fish and Fishing in Native North America, Publications in Geography, No. 9,� Berkeley and Los Angeles, University of California,1952. U300 P9g
Geological Survey (U.S.) Lakeport quadrangle,
Week, Larry E., Habitat Selectivity of Littoral Zone Fishes at Clear Lake, California, Sacramento, CA, Department of Fish and Game, 1982.� F660 A3 82-7
Quick keyword searches on �
The fish and wildlife resources of Anderson Marsh, Clear Lake, Lake
County.
[
Mercury
concentrations and loads from the Sacramento River and from Cache Creek to the
Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Estuary.
[
Methyl mercury in northern
coastal mountain lakes : guidelines for sport fish
consumption for
Physical,
chemical, and isotopic data for samples from the Anderson Springs area, Lake
County, California, 1998-1999 [microform] / by C.J. Janik
... [et al.].
�
[
�
[
�
California
Energy Commission.
California
Department of Water Resources Bottle Rock Geothermal Power Plant, Lake County, CA : draft environmental impact report /
[
California Energy Commission. California
Department of Water Resources Bottle Rock Geothermal Power Plant, Lake County, CA : final environmental impact report.
[
�
Hom,
Leonard Wayne.
Evaluation of water pollution potential,
Clear Lake basin, 1965-66 / [Leonard W. Hom,
principal investigator].
Sacramento :
���
Sorenson, Stephen K. Water-quality assessment of
Cache Creek, Yolo, Lake, and Colusa Counties, California microform / by Stephen
K. Sorenson and Ann L. Elliott ; prepared in cooperation with the California
State Water Resources Control Board.