20150827-0056 FERC PDF (Unofficial) 08/27/2015

Non-Decisional Items
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State Water Resources Control Board

Al)G I 2 2015 n
Ms. Neva Geldard
Hydro Licensing
Mail Code N11C
P.O. Box 770000
San Francisco, CA 94177

Dear Ms. Geldard

"1
COMMENTS ON PACIFIC GAS AND ELECTRIC COMPANY'S ASSESSMENT OF FISH
MIGRATION BARRIERS ON THE WEST BRANCH FEATHER RIVER DRAFT REPORT FOR
THE DESABLA-CENTERVILLE HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT, FEDERAL ENERGY
REGULATORY COMMISSION PROJECT NO. 803, BUTTE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA

The State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board), Division of Water Rights
(Division), appreciates the opportunity to provide comments on Pacific Gas and Electric
Company's (PG&E) Assessment of Fish Migration Barriers on the West Branch Feather River:
2011 Field Survey and Data Compilation -Draft Report (Report) for the DeSabla-Centerville
Hydroelectric Project (Project), Federal Energy Regulatory Commision (FERC) Project No. 803

The State Water Board acknowledges the Project's diversions at Henddicks Diversion Dam
often benefit the threatened Spring-run Chinook and Central Valley steelhead in Butte Creek by
increasing cold water flows in Butte Creek. Balancing both the West Branch Feather River
(WBFR) and Butte Creek beneficial uses is very important. Comments on the Report are
provided below.

Comments:

1) The detailed survey data and quantitative passage assessment of the potential barriers at
site WBFR-X 24.4 and WBFR-X 27.5 were evaluated at 24 cfs with the finding of, "as flows
increase the vertical drop has the potential for reduction which may allow passage." Based
on the regulated and unimpaired hydrology submitted in PG&E's license application',
Project operations decrease the flow downstream of the Hendricks Diversion creating
instream flow conditions below 24 cfs. There is a need to evaluate the barriers at flows

'BFR downstream of the Hendricks Diversion has a range of mean regulated flows from 29 to
279 cfs and a mean unimpaired flow range of 92 cfs to 680 cfs. Downstream of the Hendricks
Diversion the WBFR has mean monthly unimpaired flows for July and August (when thermal
refuge usually is needed) of 67 cfs and 42 cfs, respecffully. The 90% exceedance for
unimpaired fiows downstream of the Hendricks Diversion in July and August are 37 cfs and 26
cfs, respectively. These flows are available in the 2007 PG&E document titled IHA Group-
WBFR Below Hendricks (PG8 E 2007b).

FEMCIA MATICUS, CHAIR i THOMAS HOWARD, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

1001 street, sacramento.

1 OA 9591E i Ma sng Address p 0 Bon 100. sacramento. Oa Easlg 0100 i www wslarooards ca go

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20150827-0056 FERC PDF (Unofficial) 08/27/2015

AUG18205-
Ms. Neva Geldard -2-

above 24 cfs to determine if the locations identified below the Hendricks Diversion will
remain barriers to upstream passage. Please include a passage evaluation at a range of
flows that encompasses the Project's effect on instream flow downstream of the Hendricks
Diversion.

2) Table 3 of the Report list the upper size-limit length of Rainbow Trout at 10 inches. PG&E's
January 16, 2007, Supplemental Initial Study Report (PG&E 2007a), reports Rainbow trout
with a fork length of 13.8 inches. If the burst speed of 13.8 inch Rainbow trout is greater
than 10 inch rainbow trout, the Report should evaluate the burst speed and height of leap for
Rainbow Trout with an upper size-limit length of 13.8 inches.

3) Section 2.1 of the report describes the initial screening of the assessment reach for potential
fish migration barriers. Please identify the criteria to categorize a location as a potential
barrier.

4) Table 1 of the Report includes a bamer description for California Fish Passage Assessment
Database (CFPAD) barrier (No. 736834) as Histon'cal upstream limit to Chinook salmon
runs at Stirling City". This description was entered into the CFPAD using a personal
communication, with a reference to a possible end of anadromy. The cited text is, "Salmon
originally ascended e considereb/e distance into the Feather River system, parliculariy the
spring run which spawnedin the higher streams and headwaters. They went up the West
Branch at least to the site of Stirling City". While the document provided a probable area, it
did not include an actual location, a bamer rating (e.g., total, or partial), or provide
supporting data. Recommend noting the narrative to this description to accurately reflect
the barrier description as unknown.

5) Single longitudinal profiles were documented at sites WBFR-X 24.4 and WBFR-X 27.5 at 24
cfs. When evaluating sites WBFR-X 24.4 and WBFR-X 27.5 at a range of flows, please note
the likelihood for upstream migration path options to change.

References:

California Department of Water Resources. 2004. Final Report Assessment of Potential Fish
Passage Impediments Above Lake Oroville's High Water Mark, FERC.Project No. 2100.
htto://www.water.ca.aov/orovillerelicensina/wa-reoorts EWG.cfm. Accessed on July 21,
2015. May 2004. Page 5-13
Pacific Gas & Electric Company. 2007a. DeSabla-Centerville Hydroelectric Project FERC
Project No. 803 Supplemental Initial Study Report Fish Quarterly Progress Report
Volume II of III. January 16, 2007.

Pacific Gas 8 Electric Company. 2007b. DeSabla-Centerville Hydroelectric Project FERC

Project No. 803 License Application Volume IIA: Exhibit E. October 2007.

Yoshiyama, Ronald M., et. al. 2001. Historical and Present Distribution of Chinook Salmon in
the Central Valley Drainage of California. Fish Bulletin 179 —Contributions to the Biology
of Central Valley Salmonids, Volume 1 of 2. 2001.
htto:/iwww.dfa.ca.aovlfish/REsources/Reoorts/Bulletin179 V1.aso. Accessed on July 20,
2015.
20150827-0056 FERC PDF (Unofficial) 08/27/2015

Ms. Neva Geldard AUG 12 2015

Questions regarding this notice should be directed to me, Amber Villalobos, at (916) 323-9389 or
by email at: amber.villalobosl5waterboards.ca.gov. Written correspondence should be directed to:

State Water Resources Control Board

Division of Water Rights
Attn: Amber Villalobos
P.O. Box 2000
Sacramento, CA 95812-2000

Sincerely,

mber Villalobos
Environmental Scientist

CC:
Mr. Ken Hogan
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
888 First Street, N.E.
Washington, D.C. 20426

Gretchen Umlauf Chris Shutes

National Marine Fisheries Service Cal Sportsfishing Protection Alliance
Gretchen.umlaufnoae.oov blancaoalomamsn.corn

Beth Lawson Tristan Leong

California Department of Fish & Wildlife US Forest Service
Beth.lawsont@wildlife.ca.oov Tleonafs.fed.us
20150827-0056 FERC PDF (Unofficial) 08/27/2015
Document Content(s)

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