2006 Annual Report

Coquitlam-Buntzen Water Use Plan Monitoring Programs and Physical Works Annual Report: 2006 For Water Licenses 119709, 119710 and 119711 24 April 2006 Coquitlam-Buntzen Water Use Plan Monitoring Programs and Physical Works Annual Report: 2006 Coquitlam-Buntzen Water Use Plan Monitoring Programs and Physical Works Annual Report: 2006 1 Introduction This document represents a summary of the Coquitlam-Buntzen Water Use Plan (WUP) monitoring programs and physical works to March 2006, as per the Coquitlam-Buntzen Order under the Water Act, dated 21 April 2005 and the amendment dated 8 March 2006. All monitoring programs and physical works scheduled to March 2006 were initiated according to plan. 2 Background The water use planning process for BC Hydro’s Coquitlam-Buntzen storage/hydroelectric project was initiated in September 2000 and completed in March 2003. The conditions proposed in the WUP for the operation of the project reflect the March 2003 recommendations of the WUP Consultative Committee (CC). In May 2004, the Coquitlam-Buntzen WUP was submitted to the CWR. On 21 April 2005, BC Hydro was ordered to implement the conditions proposed in the Coquitlam-Buntzen WUP and prepare monitoring programs and physical works terms of reference (TOR). On 24 October 2005 the Coquitlam-Buntzen WUP monitoring programs and physical works TOR were submitted to the CWR for review and approval. On 2 December 2005, the CWR accepted the TOR for the physical works, Coquitlam Flow Release Valve. On 3 January 2006, the CWR accepted the TOR for all monitoring programs except the Lower Coquitlam River Habitat Suitability Criteria Development and Lower Coquitlam River Fish Productivity Indices programs. Revisions were made to the two TOR and submitted on 8 February 2006, and on 8 March 2006 the CWR accepted the Lower Coquitlam River Fish Productivity Indices monitoring program and rescinded the Lower Coquitlam River Habitat Suitability Criteria Development monitoring program from the Order. The Order will be implemented until 2016, when BC Hydro will assess the results of the monitoring programs. As detailed in the Coquitlam-Buntzen WUP CC Report (2003), a review may be triggered sooner where warranted. 3 Status The following table outlines the status and schedule for the Coquitlam-Buntzen WUP monitoring programs and physical works. BC Hydro Page 2 Coquitlam-Buntzen Water Use Plan Monitoring Programs and Physical Works Annual Report: 2006 Table 3-1: Status of Coquitlam-Buntzen WUP Monitoring Programs and Physical Works Implementation Monitoring Program/ Studies Physical Work Assessment of Fisheries Access to Streams Tributary to Coquitlam Reservoir Coquitlam Dam Flow Release Interim Ramping Rate Monitoring Assessment of Pink Salmon Passage in Lower Coquitlam River Coquitlam River Periphyton and Benthic Invertebrate Monitoring Lower Coquitlam River Temperature Monitoring Lower Coquitlam River Fish Productivity Index Smolt and Fry Outmigration Assessment Fry and Juvenile Standing Stock Assessment Fall Adult Salmon Escapement Surveys Steelhead Redd Surveys Recruitment Analysis Lower Coquitlam River Substrate Quality Assessment Coquitlam Flow Release Valve U/W U/W U/W U/W U/W 2006 WLR Yr1 2007 WLR Yr2 2008 WLR Yr3 2009 WLR Yr4 2010 WLR Yr5 2011 WLR Yr6 2012 WLR Yr7 2013 WLR Yr8 2014 WLR Yr9 2015 WLR Yr10 Legend: = Project timing subject to change according to maintenance schedule U/W = Project to be undertaken/initiated in identified year = Project is underway = Project is complete for the year 4 Summary of Coquitlam-Buntzen WUP Monitoring Programs This section outlines the status of the Coquitlam-Buntzen WUP monitoring programs as per the Order under the Water Act dated 21 April 2005 and the amendment dated 8 March 2006. The following table summarizes the monitoring programs results according to the key monitoring indicators for each program. BC Hydro Page 3 Coquitlam-Buntzen Water Use Plan Monitoring Programs and Physical Works Annual Report: 2006 Table 4-1: Summary of Coquitlam-Buntzen WUP Monitoring Program Results 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 WLR Yr10 Monitoring Program Monitoring Indicator BioStandard Pre WLR Pre WLR Pre WLR Pre WLR Pre WLR Pre WLR WLR Yr1 WLR Yr2 WLR Yr3 WLR Yr4 WLR Yr5 WLR Yr6 WLR Yr7 WLR Yr8 WLR Yr9 N/A 6 Not studied Initial Study Not studied Not studied Not studied Not studied N/A 1 2 (1 ) 0 (53 ) Not studied Not studied 6 Not studied 1 15 13 3 14 3 2 1 Assessment of Fisheries Access to Streams Tributary to Barrier Identified? Coquitlam Reservoir Coquitlam Dam Flow Release (a) Number of Interim Ramping Rate Rampdowns studied Monitoring (b) Average number of stranded fish observed N/A 6 Not studied Number of Days of Impeded Access 0 5 Not studied Not studied Not studied Not studied Assessment of Pink Salmon Passage in Lower Coquitlam River Coquitlam River Periphyton and Benthic Invertebrate Monitoring (a) Benthos Abundance 2 (animals/m ) > 20,000 20 6.6 Not studied Not studied Not studied Not studied Not studied Not studied Not studied Not studied Not studied Not studied Not studied Not studied 75,000 27,000 13.0 Not studied Not studied (b) Index of Biologic Integrity (IBI) (a) Temperature Deviation from natural 0 N/A 7 2.8 9% 13% 10% 4 1 1 2 3 Lower Coquitlam River Temperature Monitoring Not studied Not studied Not studied Not studied Not studied Not studied (b) Degree of operational influence (a) Coho Smolt Density (production) (b) Steelhead Smolt Density (production) (c) Chum Fry Survival (d) Pink Fry Survival N/A 35.0% 42.0% Not studied Not studied Not studied Not studied Not studied Not studied Lower Coquitlam River Fish Productivity Index 7.8 5.1 (19378) (12581) 2.7 2.0 (6671) (4891) 21.5% 25.8% 17.0% Not studied 7.7 5.6 6.0 (19017) (14138) (14901) 2.8 3.0 3.0 (6999) (7621) (7366) 6.6% N/A Not studied Lower Coquitlam River Substrate Quality (areal Substrate Quality Assessment fraction of fine sand) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Salmonid Enhancement Program biostandards for Lower Fraser River natural egg-fry survival of chum and pink salmon - March 1997 Qualitative assessment of productive capacity at Keough River (R. Ptolemy, pers. comm.) Estimate of coho production based on stream alkalinity (Ptolemy 1992) R. Ptolemy's assessment of clean substrate from: nhc, 2001. Coquitlam River channel morphology and substrate condition study. Prepared for BC Hydro, Burnaby, BC. Review of densities observed from Lower Mainland streams from: Perrin, 2005. Periphyton and invertebrate monitoring for Water Use Planning Coquitlam River Fall 2004. Prepared for BC Hydro, Burnaby. Emergency flood control operation in January 2006 resulted in scheduled ramping rates being exceeded and stranding observed. BC Hydro Studies suspended during Water Use Plan Project Page 4 Coquitlam-Buntzen Water Use Plan Monitoring Programs and Physical Works Annual Report: 2006 4.1 4.1.1 Assessment of Fisheries Access to Streams Tributary to Coquitlam Reservoir Overview The objective of this monitoring program is to identify fish use and/or fish habitat potential in each of the three streams identified with potential fish access issues and to recommend physical works and/or operational constraints to restore fish access for all operations. Monitoring Indicator (a): Barrier to fish passage identified (yes/no) The program is comprised of a field reconnaissance, fish sampling and habitat prescription and is to be completed over a one-year period. 4.1.2 Status This program is scheduled to be initiated in July 2006. A final program report is expected in July 2007. 4.1.3 Interpretation of Data At this time there is no data to interpret for this monitoring program. Fisheries access will be assessed according to field reconnaissance data to be collected. 4.2 4.2.1 Coquitlam Dam Flow Release Interim Ramping Rate Monitoring Overview The objective of this monitoring program is to report on the fish stranding impacts in the lower Coquitlam River associated with the implementation of the interim ramping rate protocol for the Coquitlam Dam. Monitoring Indicator (a): Stranding risk (number of fish stranded per area of dewatered habitat measured). This program will involve the annual assessment of fish stranding following prespill operations at Coquitlam Dam. Up to 5 assessments per year will be funded. 4.2.2 Status Assessment of stranding risk associated with ramping rate operations was initiated in 2003 at the conclusion of the Coquitlam-Buntzen WUP, with the objective of refining a ramping-rate schedule prior to the start of the monitoring program. A ramping rate schedule was drafted in 2005 for implementation and monitoring over the review period. Since implementing the terms of reference for this monitoring program in 2006, there has been one assessment of fish impacts, since leave to commence was granted in February 2006. The first program report is expected in June 2006. 4.2.3 Interpretation of Data The current ramping rate schedule was developed based on fish stranding assessments compiled over several versions of Coquitlam Dam flow release operations. However, there is insufficient data to determine if the ramping rate BC Hydro Page 5 Coquitlam-Buntzen Water Use Plan Monitoring Programs and Physical Works Annual Report: 2006 schedule is minimizing impacts or not. This information will be evaluated at the end of the Coquitlam-Buntzen WUP review period. 4.3 4.3.1 Assessment of Pink Salmon Passage in Lower Coquitlam River Overview The objective of this monitoring program is to monitor the migration of returning pink salmon in odd years to determine if there are any flow-related partial or complete migration barriers in the Lower Coquitlam River corridor. Monitoring Indicator (a): Number of days of unimpeded access This program will involve direct stream-side observations at potential barriers during pink salmon migration and documenting passage issues. 4.3.2 Status This monitoring program will be initiated in August 2007 according to the migration timing of pink salmon in the Coquitlam River. The first program report is expected in November 2008. 4.3.3 Interpretation of Data To date there is no data to interpret for this monitoring program. Passage issues that are documented during the review period, will be assessed at the conclusion of the review period. 4.4 4.4.1 Coquitlam River Periphyton and Benthic Invertebrate Monitoring Overview The objective of this monitoring program is to develop a predictive model for evaluating periphyton and invertebrate benefits associated with Lower Coquitlam River flow alternatives. Monitoring Indicators (short term) (a): seasonal results of benthos monitoring (e.g. number of invertebrates/m2, Index of Biologic Integrity [IBI]); Monitoring Indicators (long term) (b): modeled results of benthos abundance and diversity indicators. The monitoring program is comprised of several seasonal sampling periods, where environmental variables (e.g. temperature) will be monitored to determine their influence on invertebrate and periphyton production. 4.4.2 Status This program was initiated in 2003 and repeated in 2004 as part of a commitment to the Coquitlam-Buntzen WUP Consultative Committee to undertake monitoring at the conclusion of the WUP process. The third trial in this program is scheduled to resume May 2006. The next three trials will occur over three years during the implementation of the modified flow regime. The third program report is expected in January 2007. BC Hydro Page 6 Coquitlam-Buntzen Water Use Plan Monitoring Programs and Physical Works Annual Report: 2006 4.4.3 Interpretation of Results The results of sampling have concluded that several factors affect the production of key indicators of primary production, including water depth and velocity, suspended solids and distance from sources of impact. A preliminary model for the prediction of invertebrate production has been developed and will be revised after each successive field trial. Results of 2003 and 2004 monitoring trials are summarized in Table 4-1. These results indicate that benthos production exceeds levels for comparable watersheds in spite of a sub-standard biologic integrity rating. 4.5 4.5.1 Lower Coquitlam River Temperature Monitoring Overview The objective of this monitoring program is to identify if and how temperature in the lower Coquitlam River is influenced by reservoir operations. Monitoring Indicator (a): Deviation of temperature regime from natural examples; Monitoring Indicator (b): Correlation between temperature and reservoir operations. This program will include the direct monitoring of stream and reservoir temperatures in the Coquitlam Watershed, as well as the analysis of local watersheds of similar characteristics to determine the level of impact due to operations. 4.5.2 Status This program was initiated in 2006. The direct monitoring of river temperatures is underway, and the reservoir and local watershed analysis will occur in late 2006. The first program report is expected in January 2007. 4.5.3 Interpretation of Results To date, there are no results to report for this monitoring program. 4.6 4.6.1 Lower Coquitlam River Fish Productivity Index Overview The objective of this monitoring program is to determine the fisheries benefits of two test flows and to enable a better understanding of trade-offs between fisheries, domestic water and power generation for the benefit of future water planning processes. Monitoring Indicator (a): Smolt per spawner (stock productivity) for coho salmon and steelhead; Monitoring Indicator (b): Fry per spawner for chum and pink salmon (fry survival). Note: Prior to the recruitment analysis for the base flow regime being conducted in 2007, monitoring indicators are limited to smolt productivity (fish per unit area). BC Hydro Page 7 Coquitlam-Buntzen Water Use Plan Monitoring Programs and Physical Works Annual Report: 2006 This monitoring program is comprised of several study components involving the direct observation of salmon fry, smolts and adults in the Lower Coquitlam River: Electroshocking of rearing fry and parr in several sites; Instream trapping of fry and smolt outmigrating from the system; and Observations of salmon adults returning to spawn 4.6.2 Status This program was started in 2000 and enhanced in 2003 as part of a commitment to the Coquitlam-Buntzen WUP Consultative Committee to undertake monitoring at the conclusion of the WUP process. As a result, it is in its fourth year of full implementation. The program report is expected on 31 December 2006. 4.6.3 Interpretation of Data Results of this monitoring program will be compared between flow regimes preand post-2007. As results summarized in Table 4.1 indicate, Coquitlam River steelhead and coho productivity compare well to bio-standards for coastal streams. To date, there is insufficient data to determine whether the current operating regime is beneficial to the species of interest. 4.7 4.7.1 Lower Coquitlam River Substrate Quality Assessment Overview The objective of this monitoring program is to evaluate the effectiveness of the flushing flow provisions outlined in the Coquitlam-Buntzen WUP to increase fish productivity through improved substrate quality in the Lower Coquitlam River. Monitoring Indicator (a): Substrate quality (areal fraction of fine sand) Three seasonal surveys will be conducted on an annual basis where substrate sites are repeatedly sampled and analysed for surface area grain size distribution. Surface analysis will be calibrated with bulk sieve samples to ensure sampling is indicative of substrate quality. An assessment of linkages between substrate quality and fish productivity will be provided at the end of the review period. 4.7.2 Status This monitoring program is in its first year of full implementation. A preliminary survey in 2003 was conducted to evaluate best practices for substrate sampling. The first program report is expected in December 2006. 4.7.3 Interpretation of Data To date, there is insufficient data to determine whether operations influence substrate quality. Previous assessments in 2003 and 2000 did not provide an adequate dataset to compare impacts of streamflows on substrate quality. BC Hydro Page 8 Coquitlam-Buntzen Water Use Plan Monitoring Programs and Physical Works Annual Report: 2006 5 Summary of Coquitlam-Buntzen WUP Physical Works The following section outlines the status of the Coquitlam-Buntzen WUP physical works as per the Coquitlam Order under the Water Act, dated 21 April 2005. 5.1 5.1.1 Coquitlam Flow Release Valve Overview The replacement of the existing low level outlet gate is required to facilitate the releases to the Coquitlam River ordered by the Comptroller of Water Rights recommended in the Coquitlam-Buntzen WUP. This valve will have 12 m3/s capacity to provide monthly fish flow releases from 1 March 2007 to 1 March 2016. 5.1.2 Status The new gate assembly is expected to be installed in October 2006. A final report is expected in early 2007. BC Hydro Page 9