During this contract period, Confederated Tribe Colville Reservation  (CTCR) will be accomplishing the following work:

Actively participate in watershed coordination by discussing schedules for redd and juvenile steelhead surveys, water releases, fish out-plants with irrigation district, local, NGOs, and city/state/federal governments.  CTCR will continue to facilitate communication between the Okanogan Irrigation District (OID), Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW), Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) and Washington Water Trust (WWT) to maximize the available water to benefit the reestablishment of summer steelhead in Salmon Creek.

CTCR staff will continue to evaluate fish passage conditions during controlled releases in Salmon Creek.  Will survey stream channel to ensure stability and identify any impediments to adult fish passage within the lower reach of Salmon Creek.  Staff will prepare and present results and evaluation of low flow channel to the OID.  Also, CTCR will evaluate the environmental conditions within the lower reach, particularly during the low discharge time period (June through October) to determine if these flows and volume of 3,600 ac-ft. are adequate for survival of juvenile (age 0, 1, 2) summer steelhead.  

In this contract, based upon results of the EDT output/prioritization and hydraulic model, contract manager will reach out to landowners to discuss conceptual plans to address impacts upon aquatic resources from current and past land management practices.  CTCR contract manager will coordinate with the BPA COTR and EC Lead on habitat restoration projects before including the project in the SOW.  CTCR Contract Manager will respond to ISRP question about proposal for the Anadromous Fish Habitat and Artificial Production Review through the Northwest Power and Conservation Council (NPCC) Independent Scientific Review Panel (ISRP).  Lastly, CTCR will submit Progress (Annual) Report for the period 8/1/2020 to 7/31/2021 summarizing the accomplishments made possible through this contract.


BACKGROUND/HISTORY OF SALMON CREEK:

The objective of the CTCR is to return perennial flow to Salmon Creek.  At a minimum, 3,600 ac-ft is required to meet adequate conditions for the life history for summer steelhead.  

Since 1910, water from Salmon Creek has been stored in Conconully Reservoir, which is delivered to agricultural fields within the OID, via ~ 12 miles of Salmon Creek.  In addition,  the North Fork of Salmon Creek is diverted into Salmon Lake, an off-channel storage reservoir, via a feeder canal.  Water is then released from Salmon Lake to augment storage of Conconully Reservoir.  Both reservoirs are near the town of Conconully, about 17 miles northwest of Okanogan. Two pumping plants supplement the water supply during water-short years.  Shell Rock Pump Station lifts water from the Okanogan River, and Duck Lake Pumping Plant withdraws water from Duck Lake.

Salmon Creek, a tributary to the Okanogan River, is considered to be one of the most significant opportunities to restore summer steelhead in the Okanogan Basin.  This project reconnects the Okanogan River with approximately 11 miles of habitat conducive for spawning and rearing of summer steelhead.  During controlled water releases in 2003, approximately 25 cfs was required for fish migration downstream of the diversion dam.  During 2008 a "low-flow" channel was constructed downstream of the diversion dam which provided suitable fish passage conditions at approximately 10 cfs.  The low flow channel extended the duration of water available through a 12-year water lease program.  During 2011, uncontrolled spill exceeded 500 cfs resulting in an undistinguishable low flow channel.  The low flow channel was re-established after the irrigation season of 2012.  This included re-shaping the outlet of Salmon Creek as well as fortifying the stream bank in two reaches, one of which where a structure was in jeopardy of falling into the channel.  

In addition land purchases (+200 acres) have occurred within the lowermost 15 miles of Salmon Creek, as well as activating high flow channels, reestablishing spring-fed alcoves, and abating sediment delivery from incised stream banks.  

This is the first year that 3,600 ac-ft., the minimum volume of water to provide perennial flow, will be evaluated to ensure the volume is adequate to provide year round flow which supports the life history of summer steelhead.