Objective

The project objective is to continue stream flow gauging at twelve locations in the Grande Ronde Basin.  The project will maintain annual flow records at these stations.  The data from these stations, as well as the other stations, will provide flow information essential to water management, water quality control, and evaluation of restoration projects in the Grande Ronde Basin.

The Grande Ronde Model Watershed Program Operations - Action Plan identifies both water quantity and quality as major issues/concerns in the Grande Ronde Basin.  Stream flow gauging stations provide essential data for water management decisions and evaluating success of water conservation restoration projects.  Long-term continuous stream flow monitoring is necessary.  

Currently there are seven gauging stations in the Upper and Middle Grande Ronde (Union County) and five in the Lower Grande Ronde (Wallowa County) funded in this SOW.  All the stations have flow records dating back at least 20 years.  The Grande Ronde River near Perry river reach has continuously recorded flows since 1904 and provides hourly flow information via satellite telemetry and internet support provided by the National Weather Service.   The Upper Catherine Creek station has continuously recorded flows since 1912.  Five stations are cooperatively supported by the Forest Service (USFS funds) and operated out of the local Water Master office.  Two sites; Catherine Creek at Union, and Grande Ronde River near Perry are cooperative stations operated out of the local Watermaster Office.  Five gauges exist in Wallowa County including two each on the Lostine and Wallowa Rivers and one on Bear Creek.  The upper Lostine and Bear Creek sites have been in operation since the early 1900's with both Wallowa sites and the Lower Lostine having been established in 1995.

Gauging Stations to be Monitored:
Grande Ronde River (2)
Meadow Creek (2)
Five Point Creek
North Fork Catherine Creek
Catherine Creek
Lostine River (2)
Wallowa River (2)
Bear Creek

This contract addresses the operation of twelve gauges in the Grande Ronde Basin; seven in Union County and five in Wallowa County.

The operation of gauging sites in the Grande Ronde Basin has depended on support from BPA and OWEB for the last 20-years.  In the past USGS operated and helped funds more gauge stations in the basin than they currently do, and at this time they only operate 3 and funds 2, and none of these 12 are included in that list. The BOR historically operated or helped fund gauge stations in the basin but is no longer able to partially support any of the stations in the Grande Ronde Basin.  

Clarification:  Water years runs from October 1 through September 30 of the following year and there are overlapping work elements so several points of clarification need to be made:

1.  A water year starts on October 1 and ends on September 30 of the following year.
2.  Provisional (non final) flow record is compiled immediately following the conclusion of the water year and this work is typically done between October 1 and December 31.
3.  Final flow record is completed following provisional record completion and this work is typically done between January 1 and April 1.  
4.  All provisional and final record production is completed after data is collected for one complete water year.
5.  Final flow record is not typically delivered until 7 months post water year completion.
6.  As flow data is collected for one water year provisional and final record is compiled for the previous water year.