Middle Fork ProjectMiddle Fork ProjectAQ 12 – Special-Status AQ 12 – Special-Status Amphibian and Aquatic Amphibian and Aquatic

Reptiles Reptiles Technical Study Plan Report Technical Study Plan Report

Overview Overview

March 10, 2008March 10, 2008

2

Study ObjectivesStudy Objectives Identify and map potential habitat for CRLF and FYLF in Identify and map potential habitat for CRLF and FYLF in

the study area.the study area.

Document the distribution and abundance of CRLF Document the distribution and abundance of CRLF populations in the study area, as required by USFWS.populations in the study area, as required by USFWS.

Document the distribution and abundance of FYLF Document the distribution and abundance of FYLF populations in the study area.populations in the study area.

Document the timing and length of FYLF breeding season. Document the timing and length of FYLF breeding season.

Identify existing data and obtain new data necessary to Identify existing data and obtain new data necessary to develop habitat suitability criteria (HSC) for FYLF. develop habitat suitability criteria (HSC) for FYLF.

Characterize the water stage, velocity, and temperature of Characterize the water stage, velocity, and temperature of various flow regimes as it relates to FYLF habitat through various flow regimes as it relates to FYLF habitat through coordination with the instream flow and water coordination with the instream flow and water temperature studies.temperature studies.

3

Study ObjectivesStudy Objectives Document the presence of potential WPT nesting Document the presence of potential WPT nesting

habitat near Project reservoirs and potential Project habitat near Project reservoirs and potential Project betterment inundation zones.betterment inundation zones.

Document the presence of WPT during CRLF and Document the presence of WPT during CRLF and FYLF surveys.FYLF surveys.

4

AQ 12 AQ 12 –– Special-Status Amphibian and Aquatic Special-Status Amphibian and Aquatic ReptileReptile

Study Objectives and RelatedStudy Objectives and RelatedStudy Elements and Study Elements and ReportsReports

CRLF Study Objectives

Identify and map potential habitat and document the distribution and abundance of populations in

the study area, as required by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

(USFWS).

Conduct USFWS protocol-level site assessment

Conduct a field reconnaissance

survey

Document 2007 findings in a Site Assessment Report included in this Amphibian Report

Consult with Aquatic Technical Working Group (TWG) & USFWS

Determine if protocol-levelsurveys are needed.

Complete 2008 CRLF surveys in areas requested by USFWS, if needed

Document 2008 Results in Amphibian Report (2009)

FYLF Study Objectives

Identify and map potential habitat and document the distribution and abundance of populations in the study area.

Document the timing and length of breeding season.

Develop habitat suitability criteria (HSC).

Characterize the water stage, velocity, and temperature of various flow regimes as it relates to habitat through coordination with instream flow and

water temperature studies.

WPT Study Objectives

Document the presence of potential nesting habitat near Project reservoirs and

potential Project betterment inundationzones and document presence

during amphibian surveys.

Conduct 2007 Field Surveys

Identify and map known

occurrences within one mile

of the study area

Develop and GIS map of potential

habitat around reservoirs and

rivers

Document 2007 findings in this Amphibian Report

Conduct a field reconnaissance reservoir survey

of potentialhabitat

Conduct 2007 Field Surveys

Complete Habitat

Characterization

Determine Timing and Length of Breeding Season

Document 2007 findings in this Amphibian Report

Consult with Aquatic TWG

Determine if additional limited-scope surveys are needed

(i.e. breeding timing)

Complete 2008 FYLF ContingencyField Surveys, if needed

Document 2008 FYLF Results in Amphibian Report (2009)

Conduct Distribution & Abundance

Surveys

Develop Habitat

SuitabilityCriteria

Determine Stage, Velocity, and Temperature Effects of Various Flow Regimes

Coordinate with AQ 1 - Instream

Flow

Coordinate with AQ 4 - Water Temperatures

Conduct Project Effects Analysis

Coordinate with AQ 1 -

Instream Flow

Evaluate water temperatures near

potential habitat

Conduct Project Effects Analysis

Identify and map known occurrences within one mile of the

study area

5

Special-Status Amphibian and Special-Status Amphibian and Aquatic Reptile Study SitesAquatic Reptile Study Sites

6

Potential FYLF Data Gaps and Need for Potential FYLF Data Gaps and Need for Limited Scope SurveysLimited Scope Surveys Determine any ambiguities in the analysis of Determine any ambiguities in the analysis of

data collected in 2007 preclude meeting the data collected in 2007 preclude meeting the study objectives (distribution and length of study objectives (distribution and length of breeding season).breeding season).

If FYLF are not found at a site during the first If FYLF are not found at a site during the first year of surveys, the site will be revisited or year of surveys, the site will be revisited or another site may be surveyed if the Aquatic another site may be surveyed if the Aquatic TWG determines it is necessary. TWG determines it is necessary. Determine data to be collected and the number of Determine data to be collected and the number of

times a site is revisited, if necessary. times a site is revisited, if necessary.

Potential Contingency StudiesPotential Contingency Studies

7

Survey ResultsSurvey Results

Foothill Yellow-legged FrogFoothill Yellow-legged Frog Habitat CharacterizationHabitat Characterization Distribution and Abundance Surveys Distribution and Abundance Surveys Timing and Length of Breeding Season Timing and Length of Breeding Season Habitat Suitability Criteria Development Habitat Suitability Criteria Development Coordination to Determine Stage and Coordination to Determine Stage and

Velocity Effects Velocity Effects

8

Foothill Yellow-legged FrogFoothill Yellow-legged FrogHabitat SuitabilityHabitat Suitability

9

Foothill Yellow-legged FrogFoothill Yellow-legged FrogDistribution and AbundanceDistribution and Abundance

10

Foothill Yellow-legged Frog Breeding Foothill Yellow-legged Frog Breeding SeasonSeason

Breeding Locations

30

35

40

45

50

55

60

65

70

75

80

1/1/2007 2/1/2007 3/1/2007 4/1/2007 5/1/2007 6/1/2007 7/1/2007 8/1/2007 9/1/2007 10/1/2007 11/1/2007

Date

MF 14.1 (OC0.1)MF 26.2 (MF26.0)R 1.2 (RR0.7)R 3.5 (RR3.7)R 14.3 (RR14.3)R 20.9 (RR22.5)NFMF 2.3 (NM2.3)NF35.7 (NF38.0)54F Breeding TempEstimated Breeding P eriod

Annual Profile of Average Daily Water Temperatures at all breeding locations

2007 Breeding Season*: May 10 – June 5

*Dates inferred from observed developmental stage of eggs

11

Foothill Yellow-legged Frog Breeding Foothill Yellow-legged Frog Breeding SeasonSeason30

35

40

45

50

55

60

65

70

75

80

1/1/2007 2/1/2007 3/1/2007 4/1/2007 5/1/2007 6/1/2007 7/1/2007 8/1/2007 9/1/2007 10/1/2007 11/1/2007

Bypass Reaches Non-Breeding Locations

30

35

40

45

50

55

60

65

70

75

80

1/1/2007 2/1/2007 3/1/2007 4/1/2007 5/1/2007 6/1/2007 7/1/2007 8/1/2007 9/1/2007 10/1/2007 11/1/2007

Date

Tem

pera

ture

(oF

)

R 25.7 (RR25.3)R 28.8 (RR28.8)R 30.2 (RR302.)MF 44.7 (MF46.6)MF 39.7 (MF39.4)MF 36.2 (MF36.1)MF 35.3 (MF35.5)MF 29.4 (MF29.4)54F Breeding TempEstimated Breeding P eriod

Peaking Reach Non-Breeding Locations

30

35

40

45

50

55

60

65

70

75

80

1/1/2007 2/1/2007 3/1/2007 4/1/2007 5/1/2007 6/1/2007 7/1/2007 8/1/2007 9/1/2007 10/1/2007 11/1/2007

Date

Tem

pera

ture

(oF

)

NF21.1 (MF0.1)

MF 9.3 (MF8.9)MF 14.1 (MF14.3)

MF 19.1 & 21.0 (MF19.6)MF 24.1 (MF23.1)

54F Breeding TempEstimated Breeding P eriod

Annual Profile of Average Daily Water Temperatures at all non-breeding locations

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Foothill Yellow-legged FrogFoothill Yellow-legged FrogBreeding Season Water TemperatureBreeding Season Water Temperature

13

Foothill Yellow-legged FrogFoothill Yellow-legged FrogHabitat Suitability Criteria - EggmassesHabitat Suitability Criteria - Eggmasses

Depth Habitat Suitability

00.10.20.30.40.50.60.70.80.9

11.1

0 20 40 60 80 100

120

Depth (cm)

Su

ita

bili

ty

Egg Masses Tadpoles

Velocity Habitat Suitability

00.10.20.30.40.50.60.70.80.9

11.1

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35

Velocity (cm/s)

Su

ita

bili

ty

Egg Masses Tadpoles

Substrate Habitat Suitability

00.10.20.30.40.50.60.70.80.9

11.1

Silt

(1)

San

d (2

)

Gra

vel

(3)

Cob

ble

(4)

Bou

lder

(5)

Bed

rock

(6)

Oth

er (

7)

Substrate Type

Su

ita

bili

ty

Egg Masses Tadpoles

14

Foothill Yellow-legged FrogFoothill Yellow-legged FrogHabitat Suitability Criteria - TadpolesHabitat Suitability Criteria - Tadpoles

Depth Habitat Suitability

00.10.20.30.40.50.60.70.80.9

11.1

0 20 40 60 80 100

120

Depth (cm)

Su

ita

bili

ty

Egg Masses Tadpoles

Velocity Habitat Suitability

00.10.20.30.40.50.60.70.80.9

11.1

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35

Velocity (cm/s)

Su

ita

bili

ty

Egg Masses Tadpoles

Substrate Habitat Suitability

00.10.20.30.40.50.60.70.80.9

11.1

Silt

(1)

San

d (2

)

Gra

vel

(3)

Cob

ble

(4)

Bou

lder

(5)

Bed

rock

(6)

Oth

er (

7)

Substrate Type

Su

ita

bili

ty

Egg Masses Tadpoles

15

Foothill Yellow-legged Frog Foothill Yellow-legged Frog Assessment of Stage & Velocity EffectsAssessment of Stage & Velocity Effects

Use HSC for in-stream flow modeling Use HSC for in-stream flow modeling at:at:

2 peaking reach sites (MF 4.8, MF 14.1)2 peaking reach sites (MF 4.8, MF 14.1)

2 bypass reach sites (MF 26.1, 3.5)2 bypass reach sites (MF 26.1, 3.5)

2 reference reach sites (NF 35.7, NFMF 2 reference reach sites (NF 35.7, NFMF 2.3) (x-sect only)2.3) (x-sect only)

Eggmass validation data collected in Eggmass validation data collected in Spring, 2008Spring, 2008

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Western Pond TurtleWestern Pond Turtle 8 incidental observations8 incidental observations

6 along MFAR below Ralston (2 hatchlings on Otter Ck)6 along MFAR below Ralston (2 hatchlings on Otter Ck) 2 on NFAR2 on NFAR

GIS Analysis of potential nesting habitatGIS Analysis of potential nesting habitat Slope less than 15 degreesSlope less than 15 degrees Southern aspectSouthern aspect 150 ft buffer150 ft buffer Less than 6000 ft elevationLess than 6000 ft elevation

Field ReconnaissanceField Reconnaissance Off-channel ponds within CRLF 1 mile buffer zone, but no Off-channel ponds within CRLF 1 mile buffer zone, but no

ponds within the smaller WPT buffer zone.ponds within the smaller WPT buffer zone.

Reservoir GIS habitat validationReservoir GIS habitat validation

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Western Pond Turtle Incidental Western Pond Turtle Incidental SightingsSightings

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Western Pond Turtle Potential Nesting Western Pond Turtle Potential Nesting HabitatHabitat

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Western Pond Turtle Potential Nesting Western Pond Turtle Potential Nesting HabitatHabitat

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Western Pond Turtle Potential Nesting Western Pond Turtle Potential Nesting HabitatHabitat

GIS and Field Validation Analysis of Potential GIS and Field Validation Analysis of Potential Habitat near ReservoirsHabitat near Reservoirs

Average Minimum Maximum Median 25% 75%

Hell Hole Reservoir2

Wet 4630.1 4619.5 4636.0 4631.3 4629.2 4631.4

Above Normal 4626.2 4619.3 4632.6 4627.7 4623.2 4628.0

Below Normal 4617.8 4587.5 4630.7 4626.5 4615.1 4629.2

Dry 4577.3 4529.1 4630.9 4579.8 4541.0 4607.3

Critically Dry 4570.3 4527.6 4590.4 4582.3 4566.4 4584.6 4540 72.2French Meadows Reservoir2

Wet 5262.7 5261.8 5263.5 5262.8 5262.6 5263.0

Above Normal 5260.6 5257.3 5262.8 5260.7 5259.2 5262.8

Below Normal 5259.5 5252.7 5262.6 5261.3 5259.0 5261.7

Dry 5237.3 5212.6 5253.9 5240.0 5231.4 5246.5 5240 25.2 Critically Dry 5224.5 5193.7 5241.2 5232.6 5218.0 5237.1 5220 34.9Ralston Afterbay2

All Water Years 1177.5 1175.5 1179.9 1176.9 1176.6 1177.7 1180.0 0.07Middle Fork Interbay2

All Water Years 2528.0 2527.3 2529.9 2527.8 2527.7 2528.0 2530.0 0.02

Potential WPT Habitat above

GIS WSE (acres)

5260 0.6

4630 1.0

4580 54.2

Project Reservoirsand

Water Years

Water Surface Elevation (ft)1 GIS WSE Used for Analysis

(ft)