NOAA Presentation-River Flows for Fish in the Willamette River Project and the Columbia River Basin 

Please join our lunch time webinar on habitat support from seasonal variable flow given from a NOAA perspective with opportunities for Q&A on the science, policy, and agency interactions with Army Corps and water rights agencies and water rights permit holders

Requirements for surface water storage for flood control, recreation, and water use diversions intersect with needs of river flow for fish habitat, spawning and rearing along with other ecosystem considerations. The scientific understanding of the impact of flow variations seasonally continues to expand yearly. Those understandings have led to new policy proposals on releases from storage for habitat. The Water Resources Committee is pleased to have a presentation from NOAA Marine Fisheries on how flows have changed historically, what the elements of flow releases are within the Biological Opinions for the Willamette and Columbia Rivers, and what new analyses suggest for seasonal varying flow to improve habitat and endangered anadromous fish species recovery.

Presenters:  Anne Mullan, PhD., Fisheries Biologist, NOAA/NMFS and Paul Wagner, NOAA Fisheries

Abstract for Presentations

Anne Mullan and Paul Wagner have been involved in the extensive implementation of the Biological Opinions (BiOps) for Endangered Species Act listed anadromous salmonid species in the Willamette and Columbia River Basins. Each will provide a 20-minute presentation on their respective projects and perspectives on current and future needs for river flows to support species survival and recovery in light of other purposes of dam storage and releases. The presentations will cover how historic flows have changed and current flows in the Willamette and Columbia Rivers are managed to meet flood control, hydropower, fish and wildlife, recreation and diversion needs. They will cover modifications the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have made in the timing and quantity of flows for anadromous fish migration, spawning and rearing.  They will also address elements of flow releases within the BiOps and additional analyses for improving habitat quantity and quality. This might include the shape of the river hydrograph, minimum and maximum flows, temperature-related operations, and the rationale for the anticipated benefits. An overview of the scope of the talks will be provided with time left at the end of the hour for questions and answers.

Cost is $15 for AWWA Members, and $25 for non-AWWA Members