Title
Little Blackfoot River Streamflow and Water Temperature Study - Identifying Opportunities for Cooperative Problem Solving
Abstract
This poster presents the findings of a streamflow and thermal assessment project on the Little Blackfoot River initiated in 2003 by the Little Blackfoot Watershed Group. The project goals were 1) to identify and prioritize mainstem reaches of the Little Blackfoot River which suffer from elevated water temperatures and low streamflows, 2) to examine causal as well as mitigating factors, and 3) to identify site- or reach-specific opportunities to solve the documented problems through voluntary measures and landowner participation.
Continuous logging temperature recorders were installed in the mainstem Little Blackfoot River at various locations from the confluence with Dog Creek to the mouth, for the summers of 2003 and 2004. Temperature was measured every half hour from July to October. In 2004, synoptic streamflow measurements were conducted on the mainstem Little Blackfoot River, at the mouths of most of the river’s major tributaries, and at many irrigation diversions. Streamflows were gaged during the pre-irrigation season, during the irrigation season, and during base flow conditions.
The Little Blackfoot River streamflow data were analyzed for influences by natural gaining and losing reaches, tributary inflows, the effects of irrigation withdrawals and "passive storage", and general riparian condition. The results of the temperature monitoring and synoptic flow runs were evaluated with results from a detailed riparian assessment completed by Land & Water in August of 2001. Critical reaches of concern along the mainstem Little Blackfoot River were identified, as well as potential opportunities for instream leasing.
Start Date
1-4-2005 1:00 PM
End Date
1-4-2005 3:00 PM
Document Type
Poster
Little Blackfoot River Streamflow and Water Temperature Study - Identifying Opportunities for Cooperative Problem Solving
This poster presents the findings of a streamflow and thermal assessment project on the Little Blackfoot River initiated in 2003 by the Little Blackfoot Watershed Group. The project goals were 1) to identify and prioritize mainstem reaches of the Little Blackfoot River which suffer from elevated water temperatures and low streamflows, 2) to examine causal as well as mitigating factors, and 3) to identify site- or reach-specific opportunities to solve the documented problems through voluntary measures and landowner participation.
Continuous logging temperature recorders were installed in the mainstem Little Blackfoot River at various locations from the confluence with Dog Creek to the mouth, for the summers of 2003 and 2004. Temperature was measured every half hour from July to October. In 2004, synoptic streamflow measurements were conducted on the mainstem Little Blackfoot River, at the mouths of most of the river’s major tributaries, and at many irrigation diversions. Streamflows were gaged during the pre-irrigation season, during the irrigation season, and during base flow conditions.
The Little Blackfoot River streamflow data were analyzed for influences by natural gaining and losing reaches, tributary inflows, the effects of irrigation withdrawals and "passive storage", and general riparian condition. The results of the temperature monitoring and synoptic flow runs were evaluated with results from a detailed riparian assessment completed by Land & Water in August of 2001. Critical reaches of concern along the mainstem Little Blackfoot River were identified, as well as potential opportunities for instream leasing.