ysf action 1 - collect and transport north yuba 20130312 clean · 2013-03-21 · section 2.0 action...

Section2.0 Action1–CollectandTransport–NorthYubaRiver

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SECTION 2.0 ACTION 1 - COLLECT AND TRANSPORT - NORTH YUBA RIVER

This Section describes a collect and transport program for spring-run Chinook salmon and steelhead to the North Yuba River. This program includes collection and transport of adults from the lower Yuba River to above New Bullards Bar Reservoir, and collection and transport of juveniles from the North Yuba River, or from New Bullards Bar Reservoir, to the lower Yuba River. This action would allow adult fish access to as much as 34 miles of habitat in the mainstem of the North Yuba River (accessible tributaries could provide additional habitat). Please refer to the habitat reports produced by the Yuba Salmon Forum (YSF) Technical Working Group (TWG) for a description of the holding, spawning, egg incubation and juvenile rearing habitat available that would be made available to salmon and steelhead under different water year conditions under this action. This is one of only two actions developed for this report that would not have redirected impacts on power production, water supply and/or recreation.

2.1 DESCRIPTION OF ACTION

2.1.1 Action Description

Collection and transport of adults would require a collection facility on the lower Yuba River, either utilizing a portion of the structure of Daguerre Point Dam, or an entirely new facility located anywhere downstream of Englebright Dam. Collection on the lower Yuba River would require attraction flows and barriers to guide fish to the adult collection facility and control upstream migration. Transport would be accomplished with specialized tanker trucks for the 45 to 50 mile trip from the lower Yuba River to the North Yuba River in the vicinity of the Highway 49 crossing. Adult release locations could consist of one or multiple locations depending upon ease of access and need. Adult release facilities would include a holding pond for acclimation prior to release.

Downstream transport of juvenile spring-run Chinook salmon and steelhead would consist of either an in-river barrier with collection/holding and loading facilities on the North Yuba River or a floating surface collector in New Bullards Bar Reservoir. Because in-river collection for out-migration would, at times, be subject to very high flows, a Floating Surface Collector (FSC) is assumed for this Action. If needed, in-river collection costs and challenges can be acquired from the Action 3 – South Yuba River Collection and Transport description (see Section 4 of this report).

The North Yuba River does not have any significant facilities that affect water temperatures or impair flows downstream from the upper natural migration barrier at Love’s Falls, located at river mile 51 approximately 34 miles upstream from New Bullards Bar Reservoir. Because of this, major elements of this action are limited to infrastructure for adult and juvenile collection and release, with trucking used for both.

2.1.2 Action-Specific Design Assumptions

All elevations presented in the document are on the National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929 (NGVD29), unless otherwise noted.

It is assumed that an upstream adult collection facility for collection and transport would be an identical facility (only one facility) for the North, Middle, and South Yuba rivers collection and transport actions.



The following assumptions impact the selection of upstream adult release locations:

Multiple locations can be utilized if access permits, transport time and in-river temperature acclimation is not an issue

Only one location per reach if temperature acclimation facilities are required (i.e., if temperature acclimation cannot be completed onboard the fish transport truck), to provide a reasonable minimum for estimated costs (additional release locations would involve multiples of the estimated cost of this element)

Selection of release location is to be based on habitat availability and major cost considerations such as land ownership and access

Identification of the percentage of adult fish collected vs. adult fish allowed to continue migrating up the lower Yuba River will be required.

The following assumptions impact the selection of downstream collection locations:

Only one collection location per reach for juvenile collection downstream of all adult release locations (assume no multiple collection points)

Selection of location is to be based on cost considerations, anticipated collection efficiency, and ease of access.

2.2 ELEMENTS OF THE ACTION

To construct Action 1 – Collect and Transport North Yuba River, a number of project elements would be required. This Section describes those project elements, their justification, the approach to their design, and any assumptions and criteria specific to each element. Also included are notes on the development of the engineering design, facility operation and maintenance requirements, and any design features considered but not included. The following is a list of the key elements of Action 1. The elements listed are not intended to represent the final selection for each project element, but rather feasible options to allow a realistic appraisal of the scope and cost of the overall Action. Figure 2-1 shows an overview of the Action and indicates the locations of proposed new facilities and modifications to existing facilities.

1. Adult collection facility on the Lower Yuba River

2. Adult migration barrier for collection (Not required for this Action as currently configured)

3. River access facilities for adult migration collection facilities (included in Element 1)

4. Adult release location on the North Yuba River

5. FSC and guide nets on New Bullards Bar Reservoir for juvenile collection

6. Debris management at FSC*

7. Reservoir access for juvenile migration transport

8. Lower Yuba River juvenile release facility

9. Recreational access around/beyond FSC in New Bullards Bar Reservoir*

10. Resident fish management for in-reservoir predator fish and FSC siting*



11. Management actions for resident fish and Spring-Run Chinook Salmon and Steelhead in the North Yuba River*

12. Improved (downstream) fish passage at Daguerre Point Dam*

13. Address ESA issues concerning the movement and location of listed species in North Yuba and New Bullards Bar Reservoir*

14. Monitoring and Evaluation

*Designated elements have been identified and described but preliminary design and cost considerations will be developed by others and are not addressed in this document.

Figure 2-1. Action 1 Overview Map

2.2.1 Adult Collection Facility on the Lower Yuba River (Element 1)

Description: The adult collection facility would be either at Daguerre Point Dam or a separate facility farther upstream from the dam. As a placeholder for this element, the collection facility is assumed to utilize Daguerre Point Dam to guide fish to the facility. The collection facility would likely be located on the north side (right abutment) and replace the existing fish ladder (refer to Plates 1 and 2). Adult collection would include attraction flows, a collection and holding facility, and the capability to sort fish and bypass/release non-target species. The facility would also need to house fish inspection and tissue collection and tagging. If constructed at Daguerre



Point Dam, the fish ladder on the south side of the dam would need to be closed at least during times of upstream migration of spring-run Chinook salmon and steelhead.

Justification: During the collection process, target fish species must be prohibited from migrating past the adult collection facility, so some form of in-river barrier is needed. The existing infrastructure of Daguerre Point Dam forms such a barrier structure. In addition, Daguerre is one of the few places in the middle reaches of the lower Yuba River providing road and property access. The Highway 20 bridge would be another potential location.

Design Approach: The Daguerre Point Dam collection and transport facility described in the NMFS February 2010 report was used as a starting point for facility configuration, design criteria, cost estimate, and operational considerations. The design was refined and modified to meet current project requirements.

Design Assumptions/Criteria: The design assumptions and criteria used in the engineering design and cost estimating efforts for this element of Action 1 are listed below. Also refer to Section 1 Introduction for additional project assumptions.

Daguerre Point Dam is located on the Yuba River approximately 11.4 miles upstream from the confluence with the Feather River (DWR/COE June 2003). The overall length of the dam is about 1,340 feet, with the central ogee spillway section about 575 feet long and at elevation 122.4 ft (125.3 COE datum). The crest of the spillway section is 24.3 feet above its downstream apron and about 5 feet above the streambed on the upstream side of the dam (COE August 2001).

There is approximately 20 ft of water surface elevation change from the downstream side of the Dam to the upstream side of the Dam, which is fairly constant over river flow range (COE August 2001).

The Dam would be modified to accommodate a fish ladder and auxiliary water supply system. In addition, the existing penetration for the 600 cfs Hallwood-Cordua canal diversion would be relocated to accommodate the new facilities.

The ladder would be designed to carry sufficient flow as to allow Green Sturgeon and Fall-run Salmon to safely move upstream of Daguerre Point Dam and allow capture and transport of spring-run Chinook salmon and steelhead. Specific facility operational procedures will be developed during a later phase of design.

The ladder would accommodate the peak run of fish over the season.

The facility would operate year-round to accommodate all target fish species.

The ladder would be designed in such a manner that it could release fish upstream of Daguerre Point Dam and capture and transport fish for the full design range of Yuba River water surface elevations.

The ladder would include provisions for tagging and biological study at an adjacent facility.

The ladder would conform to NMFS and CDFG guidelines

The ladder would be designed to withstand a 100 yr flood event.



A remote-operated/automatic trash-rack cleaning mechanism will be provided for the fish ladder and the auxiliary water supply.

Maximum Upstream River WSEL = 139.1 ft (100-year flood flow) (YCWA April 2009)

Maximum Downstream River WSEL = 118.1 ft (100-year flood flow) (YCWA April 2009)

Maximum Operating River Design Flow = 6,000 cfs (10 percent exceedence) (YCWA April 2009)

Maximum Upstream Operating Design WSEL = 124.6 ft ( At 10 percent exceedence) (YCWA April 2009)

Maximum Downstream Operating Design WSEL = 103.2 ft (At 10 percent exceedence) (YCWA April 2009)

Minimum River Operating Design Flow = 250 cfs (Min instream flow per Lower Yuba River Accord) (YCWA April 2009)

Minimum Upstream Operating Design WSEL = 122.7 ft (At minimum river operating design flow) (YCWA April 2009)

Minimum Downstream Operating Design WSEL = 101.1 ft (At minimum river operating design flow) (10 percent exceedence) (YCWA April 2009)

Invert of Fish Ladder at Dam = 116.4 ft

Top of fish ladder at Dam would be set at the upstream 100-year flood elevation, transitioning to the downstream 100-year flood elevation at the downstream apron of the dam.

Fish ladder would be a vertical slot type

Fish ladder design flow = 38 cfs

Fish ladder would have 3 ft of freeboard (per NMFS guidelines)

Fish ladder would have gates at upstream end for isolation

Assume 1 ft thick ladder floor slab

Water surface drop between pools = 0.5 ft (to accommodate juvenile fish and sturgeon)

Vertical slot width = 1.5 ft (> 1 ft to accommodate sturgeon)

Pool dimensions = 8 ft wide x 8 ft long

Nominal fish ladder slope = 5.7 percent, approximate length = 420 ft

Auxiliary water supply flow = 0 to 300 cfs (maximum at 5 percent of 10 percent river exceedence flow)

Fish screens for auxiliary water intake will be flat plate-type with an automated screen cleaning system. Design approach velocity = 0.33 ft/sec



Fish Bypass pipe would be 36-inch diameter mortar lined and coated steel pipe, approximately 310 feet long. Fish would be routed to a location downstream of the dam for release.

Holding ponds would be designed to accommodate a daily maximum of up to 2,000 fish. The three ponds would each be approximately 50-feet long, 10-feet wide and 5 feet deep.

Engineering Design Development: Items relating to engineering design development and construction cost considerations for Action 1 – Element 1 are listed below:

The relocation of the Hallwood-Cordua diversion would include construction of a new trash rack intake and routing three 72-inch diameter pipes, with isolation gates, through the right abutment of Dam to the existing diversion channel.

Water flow to the Monitoring and Evaluation facility will be by gravity.

It is assumed that downstream movement of fish at Daguerre Point Dam would be possible via the ogee crest of the dam, through the new fish ladder (when not collecting upstream target fish migrants), through the auxiliary water supply fish bypass, or through the Hallwood-Cordua fish bypass.

Loading and transport will provide for water-to-water safe transfer of fish from the holding area to the transport vehicles

Adult fish transport trucks (3) will include life support systems such as oxygenation, temperature control and waste disposal to ensure the fish are successfully released to the North Yuba River. Three trucks will allow flexibility and redundancy for successful fish transport.

Access road improvements would be required to accommodate fish transport truck traffic and facility security (fencing and gates).

Power would be routed to the site to serve the fish screen cleaner and holding facility. It is assumed power is within 0.5 miles of the site. A backup generator would be used for power supply if the electrical service were lost.

Operation and Maintenance: The fish ladder and collection/transport facility would require year-round daily inspection by a team of two workers to assure the systems are functioning properly. Minor monthly maintenance and more extensive annual maintenance would be required for the holding and tagging facility equipment and instrumentation, trash racks, fish screen cleaning system and miscellaneous valves, gates, piping, etc. Periodic sediment and debris removal from the in-river structures and general site maintenance would also be required. It is assumed that a team of two operators would be required to load and transport collected fish.

Electrical power would be required to operate the mechanical system noted above. The fish transport trucks would require regular fueling, as well as routine maintenance. Periodic inspection and exercising of the backup diesel generator would be required.

Design Items Considered But Not Included: Items considered but not included with Action 1 – Element 1 are listed below:



Downstream passage improvement at Daguerre Point Dam was not addressed under this action element due to time, budget, and cost/benefit priorities.

2.2.2 Adult Migration Barrier for Collection (not needed for collection at Daguerre) (Element 2)

Description: If Daguerre Point Dam is not used for the adult collection facility, a migration barrier must be constructed and operated at the adult collection facility to ensure target species adults enter the facility. The barrier may require the ability for placement and removal and periodic upstream and downstream fish passage, depending on the nature of the facility. This could take the form of an overhead cable system, or a crane. Similarly, there would likely need to be a structure in the river to hold the barrier in place.

Justification: This migration barrier is necessary if the adult collection facility is not located at Daguerre.

Design Approach: This facility is not required due to the location of the proposed adult collection facility at Daguerre Point Dam (see Element 1 above).

2.2.3 River Access Facilities for Adult Migration Collection Facilities (Element 3)

Description: If Daguerre Point Dam is used for the adult collection facility, the existing roadways would need to be improved for higher levels of traffic and for all-weather access. If an alternate collection facility location is chosen, new rights of way and roadway development would most likely be needed and the cost estimates should be adjusted accordingly.

Justification: The existing Daguerre Point Dam access roadway is not suitable for all-weather high traffic access and would need improvement, as well as installation of fencing and gates for facility security.

Design Approach: Provisions for improving the existing access roadway to the north side of Daguerre Point Dam were included in Element 1 of this action.

2.2.4 Adult Release location on the North Yuba River (Element 4)

Description: Access to the North Yuba River is limited downstream of the Highway 49 crossing at river mile 23. Normal water surface of New Bullards Bar Reservoir ends just above river mile 17. There are many potential access points above the Highway 49 crossing as the highway parallels the river all the way past Loves Falls. Due to variations in flow and temperature suitability with varied hydrologic conditions, multiple release locations may be warranted. In drier years, when summer holding temperatures may limit viable habitat, adult release may need to be farther upstream than in wetter years when most or all of the North Yuba River between New Bullards Bar Reservoir and Loves Falls is suitable for holding.

For this report it is assumed that a single site with an access road, acclimation pond, and ancillary facilities will be used (refer to Plate 3). The costs and challenges of additional release sites may be extrapolated from the information presented herein. It is assumed that the primary acclimation of fish will occur in the transport truck and the acclimation pond will be used primarily to allow the fish to de-stress after transport, and to acclimate to the local water temperatures before release. Also, it is possible some form of mild anesthetic could be used during handling, sorting and tagging/sampling at the collection facility and during transportation and the adults would likely need time to recover before entering the river.



Justification: An adult release location and facility are necessary for primary operation of this action.

Design Approach: A design was developed for a “typical” acclimation pond release facility. If it is determined by future detailed analysis that one facility is not sufficient, additional similar facilities may be constructed at one or more of the many similar sites available along the river.


Fish would be trucked from Daguerre Point Dam collection facility to adult release facility located above the Highway 49 crossing of the Yuba River at approximate North Yuba River mile 25.2.

An all-weather access road would need to be constructed off of Hwy 49 and Indian Valley Road that could accommodate fish transport trucks.

It is assumed that the primary temperature acclimation for fish would be conducted in the transport trucks.

The dimensions of acclimation pond at the release site will be 20 ft wide x 40 ft long with a depth of 8 ft.

An intake pump would be required to generate flow through the acclimation pond.

The intake line will be screened on both ends to prevent fish from entering the line and will have a diameter of 12 inches.

The river end of the intake line will have a fish screen designed with 0.33 ft/s approach velocity per NMFS/CDFG guidelines.

The release line will be 24-in diameter and have a manually operated gate at the pond end to allow the pond to fill.

The intake pump and related support equipment would be housed in an approximately 240 ft2. generator/mechanical building.

Power is assumed to be available within 0.5 mi of the site. A backup generator would be used for power supply if the electrical service were lost.


Fish would be initially released from the transport truck into the acclimation pond. Fish would be held in the pond until they are fully acclimatized and then would be released to the river via the 24-in diameter release line.

The acclimation pond side slope would be 4:1 and the pond would be asphalt lined.

Yard lights and security fencing will be provided to discourage poaching, predator intrusion and vandalism.

Operation and Maintenance: The fish release facility would require year-round daily inspection by a team of two workers to assure the systems are functioning properly. Typical



monthly O&M activities at this location would include general site maintenance and periodic cleaning of the pond. Annual O&M would account for periodic inundation of the facility and restoration activities after flood events

Electrical power would be required to operate the acclimation pond pump, fish screen intake cleaning system, and miscellaneous valving, lighting and instrumentation. Periodic inspection and exercising of the backup diesel generator would be required.


The concept of directly discharging fish into the river, without an acclimation pond, was considered but rejected due to concerns about temperature acclimatization and survival of released fish after significant transport, especially if anesthetic were required.

2.2.5 Floating Surface Collector on New Bullards Bar Reservoir for Juvenile collection (Element 5)

Description and Justification: Construction of an in-river fish juvenile collection facility on the North Yuba River could be challenging. NMFS guidelines call for screens to be able to pass flows covering the 5 percent to 95 percent exceedance during the screen’s period of operation. During the peak juvenile spring-run Chinook salmon and steelhead outmigration period from January through March, the North Yuba River at Goodyears Bar (river mile 29) median flow ranges from 400 to 800 cfs and the 5 percent exceedance flow is about 3,000 cfs. Flood flows during this time can be as high as 20,000 cfs. Farther downstream, flow in the North Yuba River as it enters New Bullards Bar Reservoir can be more than twice these amounts. An in-river juvenile collection facility would either have to be located far enough upstream to avoid the high flood flows typical of winter storms or would have to be designed to operate over a wide range of flows. As an example, a facility at Goodyears Bar, which would only collect juveniles from the upper 22 miles of the river (and not the lower 12 miles), would have to operate during flows of approximately 3,000 cfs in order to collect juveniles for 95 percent of flow range of the river. The facility would need to include a fish screen designed for 3,000 cfs along with holding, inspection and loading facilities. To operate a 3,000 cfs fish screen, either the river would have to be dammed as much as 15 to 20 ft to provide water depth at the screen, or an off-river canal and screen-forebay would need to be constructed to provide for minimum submergence of the screen. The size of the screen would be prohibitive and costly, with a high potential for damage from flood flows and debris.

A 3,000 cfs screen, if configured as a vee screen, would have to be about 350 feet long and 15 feet deep and would have to include an approach flow channel and trash racks, collection pipes at the fish collection outlet to holding pens, and a discharge canal. In addition, some form of adult bypass would be needed to accommodate resident fish movement. The facility would also have to manage the large amount of debris that could be deposited at the in-river facility, and would have to withstand the periodic high flood flows.

Because of these challenges for an in-river collector, it is assumed that a Floating Surface Collection (FSC) facility in New Bullards Bar Reservoir would be used (refer to Plates 4, 5, and 6). A FSC in New Bullards Bar Reservoir could be located near the dam or in the upper reservoir arm that leads to the North Yuba River. The upper reservoir site has no roadway access or power lines, but these facilities could be constructed. Alternately, a floating barge facility could be



located in the upper reservoir and be self-contained, with barge/boat transport of juveniles to a facility adjacent to the dam. A FSC near the dam would require juveniles to transit up to 17 miles of reservoir and “find” the FSC. This transit could result in significant losses due to predation (New Bullards Bar Reservoir is highly prized for its abundant bass fishery) and straying. Presumably, a FSC located near the dam would require guide nets across the width of the reservoir and extending down to the bottom (approximately 600 ft depth), while allowing frequent boat passage at the surface, to ensure that juvenile fish reaching the dam would encounter the FSC.

The facilities and operation of the FSC would be similar to other recently constructed facilities in the Northwest, including the Upper Baker Dam FSC (Puget South Electric, see Figure 2-2) and Round Butte Dam FSC (Portland General Electric). The facility would consist of a floating barge with guide nets attached to shore, an attraction flow around 500 cfs or more, a screen section and holding bins, sorting, inspection, testing, and research rooms on the barge and a transport system to offload juveniles into tanker trucks for transport to the lower Yuba River. If the FSC was located in the upper reservoir, the transport system would consist of a barge and/or boats to move holding bins to the Cottage Creek boat launch adjacent to the dam for offloading to tanker trucks (See Figure 2-3 for typical transport boat).

A FSC would need to be designed to collect and transfer a maximum daily number of outmigrating salmon and steelhead over a pre-determined operating season and schedule. Other design criteria and challenges include development of attraction flows, the large fluctuation in water levels in New Bullards Bar Reservoir seasonally and year to year, as well as occasional flood flows and use of the dam spillway during the juvenile collection season. Reservoir level fluctuations can be significant during the winter due to large storms and can increase by as much as 80 ft in just a few days. In addition, the water surface level during the period from January to March can vary by up to 100 feet from year to year.

Design Approach: Experience gained with the design and commissioning of the Upper Baker Dam FSC and current NMFS and CDFG guidelines were used to prepare a preliminary design layout for an FSC and an associated fish transport system at the New Bullards Bar Reservoir. The preliminary concepts for off-loading and transport of the collected fish are presented in Section 2.2.7 of this document.



Figure 2-2. Upper Baker Dam Floating Surface Collector (Puget Sound Electric)


Downstream outmigrating juvenile salmon and outmigrating adult and juvenile steelhead collection in the North Yuba River would be accomplished by using a floating surface collector located at the north end of New Bullards Bar Reservoir at approximate North Yuba River mile 10.4.

The floating surface collector would be operated so as to collect fish for transport to the juvenile release facilities.

The floating surface collector would hold fish for transfer to the shoreside loading facility throughout the fish collection season.

The floating surface collector would include facilities for tagging and biological study.

The floating surface collector would conform to NMFS and CDFG guidelines

Maximum New Bullards Bar Reservoir WSEL = 1,995 ft

Minimum New Bullards Bar WSEL = 1,732 ft

The vertical operational water surface range of the floating surface collector would be 100 ft.



O&M costs at this location include operation and maintenance personnel, facility power, fuel/maintenance for boats and barges, and equipment replacement (including guide nets and debris barriers).


Floating surface collector approximate dimensions would be 100 ft wide by 200 ft long

Floating surface collector attraction water design flow would be 500 cfs

A boat lock system would be provided to allow recreational boats to traverse the guide nets, which would extend from bank to bank.

A 50 ft wide and 100 ft long generator barge would provide power to the floating surface collector. Four 375 kW generators would be provided. The FSC would be operated at reduced flow if one of the generators fails. A dedicated fuel supply maintenance boat would be provided for refueling and heavy maintenance.

Three operations crew transport boats would be provided to ferry workers to and from the facility.

Two transport barges would be used to transfer the fish to the shoreside off-loading dock located adjacent to the New Bullards Bar Dam, approximately 8.1 miles distant.

Figure 2-3. Typical Fish Transport Boat

Operation and Maintenance: The fish release facility would require year-round daily inspection and maintenance by a team of two workers to assure the systems are in good condition and functioning properly. The FSC is a complex facility with various mechanical, electrical, and instrumentation system components that require daily, monthly, and annual inspection, maintenance and repair. Examples would include the ballast and venting system, primary and secondary water flow pumps, variable frequency drives, generators, and water flow rate and level measuring instruments.

Operating the facility and processing fish would require a daily year-round average of 3 workers, with more required during peak migration periods and less at other times. Sunny-day travel to the FSC from the shoreside transfer facility would take about 25 minutes each way for the personnel boats, with the fish transport barges taking about twice as long to make the trip.



Electrical power for the facility would be exclusively provided by the four diesel generators. Peak power output would be 1.5 MW. A fuel supply boat would be used to ferry diesel fuel from the shoreside transfer facility to the generator barge at the FSC.


As noted above, placement of the FSC adjacent to the NBB dam was considered. This option was not selected for development at this phase of the work due to several design challenges including fish predation during downstream transit of the reservoir, impacts of the guide nets to recreational boating, and impacts of the guide nets on resident fish populations.

2.2.6 Debris management at FSC (Element 6)

Description: A FSC at an upper reservoir site would be subject to substantial amounts of debris from flood flows. The debris could impede the operation of the FSC and could damage the facility. For the upper reservoir option, the collection and removal of debris is a significant element of the operations and maintenance of the facility.

For a FSC near New Bullards Bar Dam, debris collection is currently part of the maintenance activities in the reservoir and at the dam. With the inclusion of a FSC, debris removal would be more frequent and would require protection of the guide nets. Debris management could take the form of a log boom upstream of the FSC, with periodic clearing of the debris. It is possible that the log boom and guide nets could be designed in such a manner that floating debris was directed to a selected location along the guide net where it could safely be passed downstream of the FSC.

Design Approach: The upper reservoir site was selected for the FSC. While a cost estimate for this element could be developed from the current cost of debris management and collection at New Bullards Bar Reservoir, the lack of characterization of the debris at the upper reservoir location would make it a very rough estimate. The development of this element was deferred to a future date when a more detailed analysis of facility requirements and probable costs can be performed.

2.2.7 Reservoir Access for juvenile migration transport (Element 7)

Description: Location of the FSC and the method of access to the FSC would be significant factors for reservoir access to transport juveniles from the FSC to transport tankers. If the FSC is located near New Bullards Bar Dam, the Cottage Creek boat ramp could provide access to the reservoir for transfer of juveniles from the FSC to tanker trucks. An alternate access location would be on the dam, with the FSC located adjacent to the dam to take advantage of the flow of the dam outlet. The dam could be used as the access location, as shown in Figure 2-2 for the Upper Baker FSC. A hopper system could be used in which hoppers are loaded with fish and water and then lifted onto the bed of a transport truck at the dam.

For a FSC located at the upper reservoir, two primary options are available for access to the reservoir for transport. A roadway could be constructed to the FSC site on the northern shore of the reservoir and power could be brought in to the site. A transfer barge or holding bin shuttle system (similar to the Upper Baker FSC) would be used to move juveniles to the shore to load into the tanker trucks. An alternative approach to juvenile transfer from the FSC to the tankers would be to float the juveniles from the FSC across the reservoir to the boat ramp near the dam



using bins and boats and/or barges (refer to Plates 4 and 7). With this option, no roadway would be needed, and access to the FSC would be by boat. Power would be provided either by land transmission or by the use of mobile generation.

Design Approach: A preliminary design layout for an off-loading and transport facility for the collected fish, using the fish transport barge approach, was developed (see Figure 2-4 for an example transport facility pier arrangement).

Figure 2-4. Example Fish Transport Pier Facility


A dock would be constructed near New Bullards Bar Reservoir to facilitate off-loading of the juvenile fish collected at the floating surface collector. The dock would include a monorail crane system that would lift the fish transport tanks off the transport vessel and move it to waiting trucks on the shoreline. The monorail system would be supported by steel towers founded on concrete piers.

An all-weather access road would need to be constructed to the off-loading dock that accommodates fish transport trucks.

Electrical service to the monorail crane would be routed from existing nearby power lines.

Juvenile transport trucks (3) would include life support systems such as oxygenation, cooling and waste disposal to ensure the juveniles are successfully released to the lower Yuba River. Three trucks will allow flexibility and redundancy for successful fish transport.




NBB Reservoir water surface elevations indicated in Section 2.2.5 were used to estimate the size of the facility.

Operation and Maintenance: The hoist and monorail system would require routine inspection and maintenance. Monitoring and maintenance of the yard lighting security system would be important for this facility. Routine debris removal and facility painting would be required. It is assumed that a team of two workers would be required to off-load the fish transport vessels and transport the fish to the release point on the lower Yuba River.


None noted.

2.2.8 Lower Yuba River Juvenile Release Facility (Element 8)

Description: Juvenile salmonids that are collected at the juvenile collection facility described in Section 2.2.5 will be transported to the lower Yuba River. The lower Yuba River has limited road access and the juvenile salmonids would likely be best served by being released as far upstream as possible. Possible release locations include the UC Davis property at approximate river mile 20 and the Hwy 20/Parks Bar area at river mile 17.5. For this assessment, the Parks Bar location was chosen, which provides approximately 20 miles of Lower Yuba River habitat upstream of the Feather River (refer to Plate 8). Acclimation facilities would be needed at the release location to allow the juveniles to become oriented and acclimate to the local water temperatures before release. (see Figure 2-5 for typical acclimation pond photo)

Figure 2-5. Typical Concrete Acclimation Pond



Justification: Release of juveniles could occur year-round but would likely peak in the January to April period. Highway 20/Parks Bar is easily accessible and provides a good mid-river location upstream of Daguerre Point Dam where little predation is expected and where juveniles could have a longer growth period within the Yuba River. Release at Daguerre Point Dam at or near the adult collection facility could result in excessive predation. Even with release well upstream of Daguerre Point Dam, juvenile fish must transit the reach of the lower Yuba River downstream of Daguerre Point Dam which is known to have significant numbers of predators in the pool below the dam.

Design Approach: The design approach included an assessment of the river flow characteristics and fish transport vehicle accessibility in the vicinity of Highway 20/Parks Bar area to select an optimal release location.

Design Assumptions/Criteria: The design assumptions and criteria used in the engineering design and cost estimating efforts for this element of Action 1 are listed below. Also refer to Section 1 - Introduction for additional project assumptions.

Fish would be trucked from New Bullards Bar transfer facility to a juvenile release facility located near the Highway 20 crossing of the Yuba River at approximate Yuba River mile 17.5.

An all-weather access road would need to be constructed near the Hwy 20 crossing that could accommodate fish transport trucks.

The acclimation pond raceway dimensions would be approximately 40 ft long x 8 ft wide with a water depth of 6 ft for each of 3 raceways.

An intake pump would be required to generate flow through the acclimation pond.

The intake line would be screened on both ends to prevent fish from entering the line and would have a diameter of 12”.

The river end of the intake line will have a fish screen = 0.33 ft/s

The release line will be 24” diameter and have a manually operated gate at the pond end to allow the pond to fill.

The intake pump and related support equipment would be housed in an approximately 240 ft2. generator/mechanical building.

Power is assumed to be available within 0.5 mi of the site. A backup generator would be used for power supply if the electrical service were lost.


Fish would be initially released into a 3-raceway acclimation pond facility. The acclimation pond design was initially configured as a single pond system, similar to the upstream adult release facilities, but was revised to a 3-raceway system to allow greater flexibility with juvenile fish acclimation.

The intake pipe would be routed through a heat exchanger and distributed to each of the raceways to facilitate fish acclimation.



The raceways would be of concrete construction.

Yard lights and security fencing will be provided to discourage poaching, predator intrusion and vandalism.


None noted.

2.2.9 Recreational Access Around/Beyond FSC in New Bullards Bar Reservoir (Element 9)

Description: The FSC includes guide nets that must be anchored to both shores to span the entire reservoir at the location selected. If the FSC location is near the dam, the floating facilities and the guide nets would likely require relocation or reconfiguration of the Emerald Cove Marina and operations of the Cottage Creek boat launch facility. Currently, the marina is behind the main dam buoy line with an “inlet” in the buoy line for boat access to the ramp and marina. This guide net configuration would need to be evaluated for collection efficiency impacts and, if located near the dam, to determine if operation of the marina and ramp would conflict with juvenile collection operations of the FSC.

If the FSC is located in the upper reservoir, the facility and guide nets would limit boat access beyond the FSC into the upper most reaches of the reservoir during the collection period. Since the outmigration timing of juveniles is in winter and early spring, operation of the FSC could be configured to avoid significant recreational impacts for the upper reservoir location.

Justification: Because recreation is a primary purpose of the Yuba River Development Project (YRDP) under the current FERC license, impacts to recreation would most likely need to be mitigated under any fish passage program that affects these resources.

Design Approach: The types and levels of recreation impacts at New Bullards Bar reservoir will need to be identified, and the costs associated with mitigation of impacts need to be determined.

Design Assumptions/Criteria: No further development of this element is included in the current phase of work.

2.2.10 Resident fish management for in-reservoir predator fish and FSC Siting (Element 10)

Description: New Bullards Bar Reservoir is recognized as one of the best lake bass fishing destinations in the West, if not the United States. There is a large bass fishery with largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass. It is believed that “football-size” spotted bass gorge on kokanee salmon that are planted in the reservoir, and that the spotted bass are caught in the middle of the reservoir where they are foraging for juvenile fish.

A FSC in the vicinity of the dam would require juveniles to transit the reservoir, exposing them to significant predation pressures. Even with a FSC located in the upper reservoir, predation would need to be managed.

Justification: Predation could significantly impact the collection efficiency of a FSC and should be considered in the site selection and design of the FSC. Reservoir fishery management actions should also be considered to address the potential for conflict between recreational fishing, and in-reservoir fishery and passage objectives.



Design Approach: This element needs to be investigated to a level sufficient to inform the site selection for the FSC.

Design Assumptions/Criteria: The current phase of work does not include any attempt to describe or quantify the impacts of the FSC, at its proposed location, to resident fish populations.

2.2.11 Management Actions for Resident Fish and Spring-Run Chinook Salmon and Steelhead in the North Yuba River (Element 11)

Description – The North Yuba River is a fishing destination for recreation in Sierra County and a primary driver of the local economy. The North Yuba River supports a thriving trout fishery that is currently managed by CDFW with special wild trout catch and release restrictions for a four mile section downstream of Sierra City. Impacts to the local economy and tourism, as well as questions about how the North Yuba River fishery resources would be managed, have been raised by Sierra County in recent discussions. Addressing disease management and genetic integrity concerns will be important factors in the decision to reintroduce steelhead to the North Yuba River.

Justification: The North Yuba River trout fishery is a central element of Sierra County’s economy and is a valuable natural resource. Therefore, fishery management actions for reintroduction are needed to protect the existing fishery resources of the North Yuba River.

Design Approach: Characterization of the current fishery conditions and potential effects of introducing new fish species to the reach needs to be completed, as well as characterization of the recreational, tourism, and economic setting in the area.


2.2.12 Improved (downstream) Passage at Daguerre Point Dam (Element 12)

Description: Fish passage conditions would be improved through refurbishing or reconstructing the existing ladders and implementing measure(s) to improve downstream migration at Daguerre Point Dam. This work could be integrated with adult collection or juvenile release facilities located at Daguerre Point Dam.

Justification: Daguerre Point Dam was constructed in 1906 and the current fish ladders for upstream passage were constructed in the late 1960’s. For downstream passage, juveniles pass over the ogee crest of the dam, through the existing fish ladders, or through the Hallwood-Cordua fish bypass. It is generally accepted that passage at the dam could be more efficient, and that improved passage could reduce potential impacts to out-migrating juveniles and increase passage efficiency for adults. Modifying the face of Daguerre Point Dam to improve conditions for juvenile salmonid passage and modifying the fish ladders to improve adult passage are specifically identified as beneficial actions in the Final Restoration Plan for the CVPIA Anadromous Fish Restoration Program.

Design Approach: Several studies regarding Daguerre Point Dam fish passage improvement options have been published by DWR and others. However, additional work will be necessary to refine and advance the design concepts presented in these studies to a level that would allow selection of a preferred alternative (Wood Rodgers September 2003). Additionally, integration between improved upstream and downstream passage, integration with improved fisheries protections associated with consumptive water diversions, and integration with various habitat



improvement projects would be required. Additional features of an improved facility at Daguerre would include the provision for upstream migrant handling (counting, tagging, and sorting), downstream migrant handling (counting and marking), and predator control or exclusion.

Assumptions specific to this element would include the following:

Daguerre Point Dam would be retained to maintain hydraulic control for upstream habitat, existing associated diversions and sediment storage

Improved downstream passage facilities at Daguerre would need to be:

Robust enough to withstand full flood flows

Operable over a wide range of flows

Resistant to sediment and debris loading

Design Assumptions/Criteria: While improved upstream passage at Daguerre has been addressed in Section 2.2.1, no further development of downstream improvements is included in the current phase of work.

2.2.13 Address ESA Issues Concerning the Movement and Location of Listed Species in North Yuba and New Bullards Bar Reservoir (Element 13)

Description: A collection and transport program for the reintroduction of listed species into the upper Yuba River watershed would require numerous regulatory approvals and permits. Reintroduction of listed salmonids to the North Yuba River and into New Bullards Bar Reservoir would require Endangered Species Act coverage to be obtained for the program as well as for activities in the watershed and reservoir. The social and economic effects of required changes to or ceasing of current ongoing activities, or new activities that may be required as ancillary to the collection and transport program in the North Yuba watershed and New Bullards Bar Reservoir, need to be identified and assessed before such an Action could be initiated.

Justification: The presence of listed species in the North Yuba River and New Bullards Bar Reservoir will require a legal and regulatory framework for any reintroduction program.

Design Approach: An assessment of the activities in the North Yuba watershed and at New Bullards Bar reservoir that might be impacted by the reintroduction of listed salmonids should be prepared.


2.2.14 Monitoring and Evaluation (Element 14)

Description, Justification, and Assumptions: Given the substantial investments associated with the construction of any of the various Actions, and the strict requirements involved in handling listed species, an evaluation and documentation of the success of the effort would be warranted. A monitoring and evaluation program would provide a mechanism to assess and fine tune the elements of the action and would provide valuable information for future reintroduction efforts. It is anticipated that a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation (M&E) program will be required to evaluate the success of any Actions or Elements implemented. A M&E program would monitor and evaluate key elements such as characterization of fish populations including



key life stages, habitat conditions, water flow conditions, capture and survival statistics, and water temperature conditions.

The monitoring and evaluation program would include field data collection as well as data evaluation and report preparation. It is assumed that the program would continue throughout the full project design life. The details of the monitoring and evaluation program would be developed in a later phase of the project. It is assumed that activities and staffing levels would be similar to those currently employed by the RMT.

Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) cost estimates for YSF actions utilize the following assumptions (based on Lower Yuba River RMT costs and experience). Assumptions are as follows:

1. Staffing levels are developed with safety in mind: always a minimum of two employees at remote locations where hazardous conditions may be encountered.

2. Staffing estimates are based on lower Yuba River RMT staff budgets, assignments, responsibilities, costs and workloads.

3. Cost estimates for the M&E program assumes monitoring of all life stages present in the river. For example, adult life stage monitoring could include acoustic tracking and redd inventory, where juvenile life stage monitoring could include downstream movement monitoring (e.g. rotary screw traps), and habitat use surveys (e.g. snorkel surveys). General conditions assessment could include temperature and flow monitoring.

4. All M&E studies would be documented, and annual reports prepared.

5. The M&E data would be made available through web sites, presentations at conferences, and other public outreach.

6. Use a full loaded salary cost which includes staff wages, overhead and benefits, and approximately 25% markup towards facilities, vehicles, computers, supplies, etc.

7. Escalation to midpoint of construction (assume M&E staff comes on board prior to “first fish”, in order to develop M&E program, protocols, assemble infrastructure, and complete M&E habitat mapping).

8. M&E program cost estimates are developed using an estimate of FTE’s for each Action, in consideration of:

a. Remoteness and difficulty of access

b. Length or area of potential habitat

9. Actions 1,2,3: assume 5 FTE’s year round.

10. Actions 4,5,6: assume 3 FTE’s for lower Yuba, plus 7 FTE’s for the upper reaches (above the site of Englebright Dam)

11. Action 7: assume 6 FTE’s (current RMT staffing number)

2.3 ADDITIONAL ASSESSMENT REQUIRED FOR ADVANCED DESIGN

The following is a list of studies, assessments, and additional evaluations that will be needed to develop this action and its elements beyond this initial concept screening level:



Actions and Elements will need to be optimized for design, construction cost, and operational efficiency. Likely this optimization would require: a) a set of biological and operational goals, which would lead to refined design criteria; b) additional physical site analysis (including access, ownership, power sources, geotechnical, etc.); c) legal, regulatory and permitting considerations all developed and included in design criteria; d) site location optimization in consideration of geotechnical and flooding hazards; e) facility design optimization to address cost and operational considerations; and f) final design process to include all of the aspects and considerations developed in the optimization process.

Evaluation of transport transit time and conditions with regard to fish viability and health assessment

Development of a strategy for identification and treatment of steelhead vs. rainbow trout

Characterization of disease management associated with introduction of steelhead to North Yuba River

Assessment of native fish populations (including predators) in upstream reaches, and development of strategies to manage or mitigate impacts from or to native populations

Development (including background studies) of process and procedure for selecting upstream migrating adults for transport (e.g. genetic sorting, phenotypic sorting, etc.)

Development of a permitting plan for all improvement projects, completion of CEQA processing, completion of NEPA processing (for all projects with a Federal nexus), securing of 404, 401, 1600 and other necessary permits and authorities.

2.4 OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

This Section describes other considerations associated with the proposed action.

2.4.1 Benefits of Action

This action would provide reintroduction of spring-run Chinook salmon and steelhead to the North Yuba River upstream of New Bullards Bar Reservoir, contributing to the recovery of these species. The North Yuba River is essentially an unimpaired natural flowing stream with generally good habitat and temperatures for all life stages of these species. The reintroduction would provide access to the longest contiguous stretch of suitable upper watershed available, while not requiring significant reoperation of any water storage or conveyance facilities or substantial habitat restoration activities in the North Yuba River to be successful.

2.4.2 Challenges of Action

There are major challenges associated with this action. First, the potential for significant health impacts and mortality of transported fish due to stresses related to handling and changes in water temperature. Introduction of fish diseases to the North Yuba River, and impacts to the native sport fishery in the North Yuba River is also a concern.

This action requires substantial initial and ongoing investment and commitment of resources by a number of primary program sponsors, as well as continued program operational activities for an indefinite period of time. Funding and support from multiple public and private sources likely required.



Variable weather patterns could influence the year-to-year success of the program by affecting water temperatures and length of available habitat, as well as the levels of debris loading. Additionally, local opposition based on potentially adverse impacts to recreation could affect the costs and ability to permit the Action or delay the timing of implementation.

The FSC facility would look somewhat industrial and would not easily blend in visually with the surroundings, which are primarily lands managed by the US Forest Service for developed or dispersed recreation.

ysf action 1 - collect and transport north yuba 20130312 clean · 2013-03-21 · section 2.0 action...

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