This project supports implementing larger-scale projects to improve local watershed health and ecosystem conditions and function within the Pend Oreille subbasin, consistent with the NPCC Sub-Basin Plan. The Kalispel Tribe has a history of matching & leveraging  funds from various sources (e.g. SRFB, DOE, DOT, BIA, USFS) to implement large scale watershed projects.  Land management and watershed restoration will be based upon the jointly-developed objectives and expected performance outcomes. There is an opportunity for cost share on survey and design for future culvert removal projects on a tributary to Quartz Creek and Harvey Creek.  


This project will also provide for amenities at the Indian Creek Pond including a pre-cast vault toilet, an ADA accessible dock, a day use area including a 20’ x 20’ pole building and two picnic tables, as well as fencing, security gates, and interpretive signage will be installed later by KNRD.



Temperature Mitigation:
USGS will identify and predict the spatial and temporal extent of cold-water refuges by using a variety of mapping sources, modeling and remote sensing tools, and direct measurement techniques.  Emphasis will be placed on using publicly available map and remote sensing data sources and geographic information system (GIS) – based modeling tools.   A bathymetry map of the river that is fused to the existing LiDAR data representing the floodplain is a critical component of that analysis.  


The Kalispel Tribe will hire Portland State University (PSU) to evaluate potential strategies to enhance cold-water refugia along the Pend Oreille River within the Box Canyon Pool.  The feasibility study portion of the project will be organized into two tasks comprised of different evaluations to:
1. Update the existing CE-QUAL-W2 model of the Pend Oreille River with added capabilities to evaluate potential structural enhancements at the confluence of cool tributaries (2 sites initially) and;
2. In collaboration with USGS, evaluate other possible opportunities to enhance cold-water refugia throughout the Box Canyon Pool utilizing remote sensing, expanded monitoring, and hydrogeological evaluations.


Phase II of a bathymetry map of the river will be completed in 2018. The deliverables for bathymetry mapping are the following:

1) A digital elevation model (DEM) that includes bathymetry tied to publicly available existing LiDAR data.    
2)  Bathymetric Maps created in a GIS (ArcMap) with appropriate depth contours to best display the range of bathymetry.    
3)  Technical memo describing data collection and analysis process and methods.

In 2017, Phase I was completed.