FEATHER RIVER WATERSHED MONITORING PROGRAM

Click on numbered spots to access stream monitoring information
Downloadable Excel files need to unzipped. One zip utility at Winzip
Another interactive map with project info on Projects page



Continuous Recording Stations¹

                                            Updated 6/12/08





     ¹ Hourly & Daily Flow (cfs) & Temperature data
       from Water Year 2000 to 2008
       Water Year = October 1 to September 30


     ² SCI = Stream Condition Inventory; used to inventory    
        and monitor stream conditions of select reaches of
        streams in the Upper Feather River Watershed
        in 1999, 2001, & 2003  (USDA Forest Service, 1998)

 

SCI² Monitoring Reaches


more information available at
California Data Exchange Center
access point to the Department of Water Resources Operational Hydrologic Data


REPORTS

 

Watershed Monitoring Report 2007

Watershed Monitoring Report 2006

Watershed Monitoring Report 2005


*CORRECTION NOTICE:  If you have used the 2005 and 2006 Watershed Monitoring Reports before April 14, 2008. please note that there was an error in reported diurnal fluctuations.  The reports stated diurnal fluctuations 32 degrees Farenheit greater than the actual fluctuations.  Errors were in Figure 18 in the 2005 report, and on page 16 in the 2006 report.  Both reports available on this page have been corrected.  Many thanks to Lori Powers of California Department of Fish and Game for finding the error. 
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Watershed Monitoring report 1999 - 2003 .pdf files
Appendix A
Appendix B
Appendix C
Appendix D
Appendix E
Appendix F
Appendix G

319 Monitoring Report text (1998-2000)
319 Monitoring Quality Assurance Plan
Butt Valley PG&E Monitoring Report



Background

The Feather River watershed includes 3,222 square miles of land base that drains west from the crest of the northern Sierra Nevada into the Sacramento River. Water produced from the Feather River system provides over 1,400 MW of hydroelectric power, and represents a significant component of the State Water Project. Much of the Feather River watershed, though, has been affected by 140 years of intensive human influence. Extensive mining, grazing, timber harvesting, wildfire, railroad, and road construction and maintenance have collectively contributed to watershed degradation, resulting in accelerated erosion, sedimentation in streams and reservoirs, and degraded terrestrial and aquatic habitats. In response, local stakeholders convened in 1984 to discuss collaborative strategies to reduce erosion and restore the watershed. This group later became the Feather River Coordinated Resource Management group (FRCRM).

The FRCRM is an alliance of 23 natural resource management agencies, local landowners, academia, and public and private sector groups working towards restoration of the Feather River watershed. Since 1985, the FRCRM has implemented over 50 restoration projects, which were planned and funded collaboratively by the watershed partners. Since inception, members of the FRCRM recognized the need to establish a monitoring program to assess long-term trends in watershed condition, and help to identify the effect of restoration projects on hydrologic function and environmental values.

Toward this end, the FRCRM was awarded a Clean Water Act 319 (h) grant in 1998 to develop and test a two-year watershed monitoring pilot program in the upper Feather River. The goal of the program was to identify and evaluate long term trends in watershed condition resulting cumulatively from restoration activities, land management changes and natural processes.  Monitoring efforts continued with funding from the Calif. State Water Resources Control Board and North Central Valley Regional Board through their Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP).  Current monitoring efforts are funded through the  Plumas County Water Forum.

Monitoring Approach

The monitoring approach consists of three basic components that vary in scale, parameters measured and sampling interval. They are highlighted below.

  • Continuous monitoring of temperature and surface flow at ten continuous recording stations located strategically in the watershed. Collect continuous turbidity data at two locations testing the effectiveness of two types of instruments. Collect bedload and suspended sediment samples in high flow conditions. Periodically collect conductivity and pH data with a hand held meter.  
  • Monitoring of 21 designated reference reaches that includes selected physical and biological parameters. Measurements include stream morphology, water chemistry, habitat, macro-invertebrates, and fisheries, and basically follow protocols established by the US Forest Service. Aerial and ground photography at pre-determined locations are used for comparison between data collection years.
  • Assess the current state of the watershed in order to produce a "snapshot" of baseline watershed condition prior to initiating the monitoring program. Parameters were selected based on discussions with the Forest Service and data available, and are available in a GIS format. Comparison of the baseline to future watershed condition will support efforts to interpret and understand quantitative data collected at permanent sampling stations and reference reaches.  

Sampling of reference reaches has been conducted for three field seasons: 1999,  2001, and 2003.  Data are available by clicking on the site locations on the above map.

The selected monitoring strategy is based on the Stream Condition Inventory (SCI) protocol developed by the US Forest Service, with some modification. The program is integrated with other ongoing Feather River monitoring activities conducted by federal and state agencies, and citizens.  A GIS data management system that is compatible with the Plumas National Forest system has been developed to facilitate data storage, analysis and sharing.  A technical subcommittee composed of FRCRM Monitoring Committee members, agency specialists, and academic reviewers provide technical guidance on the implementation of the program.