Objective:
The project objective is to continue stream flow gauging at twelve locations in the Grande Ronde Basin.

Project Description:

Introduction
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 eight gauging stations in the Upper and Middle Grande Ronde (Union County) and five in the Lower Grande Ronde (Wallowa County).  All the stations have flow records dating back at least 10 years.  The Grande Ronde River near Perry river reach has continuously recorded flows since 1904 and provides near real time 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 (see USFS Gauging Station proposal) and operated out of the local Water Master office.  One site,  Catherine Creek near Union, is operated by OWRD out of the Baker 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.  

Union County provides administrative support and a Watermaster Assistant position using funding from the cooperative program to run and maintain the cooperative stations under the supervision of the local Watermaster.   This proposal addresses the operation of twelve gauges in the Grande Ronde Basin; seven in Union County and five in Wallowa County.

Existing Condition
The operation of gauging sites in the Grande Ronde Basin has depended on support from BPA and OWEB for the last several years.  In the past USGS and the BOR have either operated gauging stations or helped fund their operation.  The USGS discontinued operation of the upper Catherine Creek site and a station near Perry on Grande Ronde River several years ago.  OWRD has taken over the Catherine Creek station. The BOR is no longer able to partially support any of the stations in the Grande Ronde Basin.  

Benefits
The project will maintain continuous 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.