Table Of Content

TU7T (aEe COMPLETED The Ehwha RG vai) January 1994 Restoration of the ITH AT( mei ad Ecosystem & Native BULL OLR lay ami A Report Submitted Pursuant lo Public Law 102-4995 rer hlaha River near Arause Bottom ants Bure The Elwha Report Restoration of the Elwha River Ecosystem & Native Anadromous Fisheries of ) . 4 A Report Submitted Pursuant to Public Law 102-495 January 1994 Department of the Interior Department of Commerce Vational Pare Seric National Marine Fisheries Servics - Pi Hwnd wii wi Bureau of Reclamation Lower Elwha S‘Kiallam Tribe The Kluha River Restoration a ~ Restoration of the Klaha River kcosystem and Native Anadromous Kisheries A Report Submitied Pursuant to Public Law 102-495 Page No. PAPCUTIVE SUMMARY xi Background xi Public Law 102-495 xii The Secretary's Determination xii Affected Environment xiii Dam Retention Alternatives iii Dam Removal iN Water Quality Protection x) Fish Restoration x\ Habitat Restoration x\ Disposition of Project Lands xvi Interpretation of Dam Removal xvi Living xvi Impacts to Cultural Resources xvi Impacts on Regional Power Supply xvii Cost Sharing xvii Restoration Costs KVii Conclusions xVili I. INTRODUCTION . Hi. BACKGROUND OF THE PROBLEM 9 A. History of the Projects 9 B. Description of the Projects 10 C. Affected Environment 11 1 FLUVIAL PROCESSES AND CONDITIONS 1] 2. WATER QUANTITY, QUALITY, AND USE 12 5 TPISHERIES RESOURCES i2 4. Spring Chinook Salmon 14 b. Summer Fall Chinook Salmon 14 Coho Salmon 14 d Chum Salmon i4 e¢ Pink Salmon i4 i Sockeve Salmon 14 g Winter Seclhead 4 h Summer Steelhead 14 i Sea-run Cutthroat Trout and Native Char 14 i Resident Fish 14 k Shellfish 14 | Harvest Management i5 m Marine Hanwess 16 nm Freshwater Harvests 17 4. VEGETATION i8 5S WILDLIFI 18 6 THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES 19 7? CULTURAL RESOURCES 20 lhe Hluha River Restoration Report 8. OTHER RESOURCES 20 D. Fisheries Restoration Efforts in the Pacifk Northwest 20 I, HISTORY OF THE PREDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION PROCESS 24 IV. ALTERNATIVES POR RESTORATION 29 A. Removal of Both Dames 29 B. Removal of Glines Canyon Dam 29 C. Removal of Eilwha Dam 29 D. Retention of Both Dams 29 Vv. CONSEQUENCES OF ALTERNATIVES 45 A. Removal of Both Dams 4§ 1 RESTORATION OF THE ECOSYSTEM AND NATIVE ANADROMOL'S FISHERIES 45 2 FLUVIAL PROCESSES AND CONDITIONS % 4. WATER QUANTITY AND QUALITY 47 i FISHERIES AND OTHER PRESHWATER AQUATIC COMMUNITIES Aw a. Chinook Salmon AK b Coho Salmon 9 ‘ Steelhead 499 d. Pink Salmon 49 e Chum Salmon a f Sockeye Salmon 49 g. Sea-run Cutthroat Trout and Native Char 99 h Resident Fish 40 Stream Ecology 40 } js Shellfish 40 5. LIVING MARINE RESOURCES 40 6 VEGETATION 41 7 WILDLIFE 41 a Mammals 41 b. Birds 42 c= Reptiles and Amphibians 44 ds Restoration of Anadromous Fish 44 8 THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES 44 9. RECREATION 44 10. POWER 44 11. TRIBAL SOCIAL EPPECTS 44 12. CULTURAL RESOURCES 44 14. OTHER EPPECTS 45 B. Removal of Glines Canyon Dam 45 1 RESTORATION OF THE BOCOSYSTEM AND NATIVI ANADROMOUS FISHERIES 45 2. PLUVIAL PROCESSES AND CONDITIONS 45 4 WALER QUANTITY AND QUALITY 45 4 FISHERIES AND OTHER PRESHWATER AQUATIC COMMUNTTIES 46 5S. LIVING MARINE RESOURCES 47 The Elwha River Restoration Report on = 6. VEGETATION 47 7 WILDLIFE 47 8. THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES 47 9 RECREATION 44 10. POWER An 11. TRIBAL SOCIAL EPPECTS 44 12. CULTURAL RESOURCES 48 14. OTHER EPFPECTS 48 C. Removal of Eiwha Dam Vv 1. RESTORATION OF THE BCOSYSTEM AND NATIVE ANADROMOUS FISHERIES 49 2. PLUVIAL PROCESSES AND CONDITIONS 49 4. WATER QUANTITY AND QUALITY 49 4. FISHERIES AND OTHER FRESHWATER AQUATIC COMMUNITIES $0 5. LIVING MARINE RESOURCES 51 6. VEGETATION 51 7, WILDLIFE , 51 8. THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES 52 9. RECREATION 52 10. POWER , | 52 11. TRIBAL SOCIAL EPPECTS | 52 12. CULTURAL RESOURCES 54 14. OTHER EFFECTS | | a , 54 D. Retention of Both Dams 54 1. RESTORATION OF THE BCOSYSTEM AND NATIVE ANADROMOUS FISHERIES meena 54 2. FLUVIAL PROCESSES AND CONDITIONS . || 4. WATER QUANTITY AND QUALITY 54 4. FISHERIES AND OTHER FRESHWATER AQUATIC COMMUNITIES | — a. Chinook Salmon , ————— b. Coho Salmon seuumapenneonie ———— c. Steelhead - — | ..% d. Pink Salmon , — e. Chum Salmon — " 57 f, Sockeye Salmon , ipeaeeunseuneenesnenee ta g. Sea-run Cutthroat Trout and Native Char , reoccce BY h. Resident Pish SR i. Stream Ecology 58 j. Shellfish | 58 5. LIVING MARINE RESOURCES SR 6. VEGETATION .. 58 7. WILDLIFE | — | — SK 8. THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES 59 9. RECREATION 59 10. POWER : 60 11. TRIBAL SOCIAL EPPECTS 60 12. CULTURAL RESOURCES .60 14. OTHER EFFECTS 60 E. Summaryo f Consequences 60 Ihe Elwha River Restoration Report Vi, DEFINITE PLAN FOR DAM REMOVAL 65 A. Precise Terms of Acquisition 65 1. PREACQUISITION WORK 65 a. Title Evidence 65 b. Appraisals 65 ¢. Environmental Survey sesesene GE d. Assets to be Acquired 65 2, ACQUISITION TERMS 66 a. Consideration 66 b. Conveyance 66 c. Timber Rights and Resolution ..... sees 66 d. Transaction Costs and Relocation Benesits ............660. OO 1. CONTAMINANTS. . yeneesees posncececens - - . OB 2. DAM SAFETY. voononccoscnees senevenssvenvescnncescnossnnen 4. ELWHAC HANNEL AGREEMENT. , reece , ve . 09 4. OTHER LIABILITIES .....0..66606 seenenmsesevenosensevsnessnevenseceen TEE C. Dam Removal and Sediment Management | ——— 1. DAM REMOVAL AND RIVER DIVERSION AL TE RNATIVES seossncennen 70 a. Plan 1 - Diversion Tunnel .................. sevenesenesnccesonsen Sl SD GID TEIIID 2c ccccccccccccccccccccccccccsccocscssosescccccscsscssecscsseceeeees 71 TEI Sit cccercesanbesseneesesensegapsevecenstgneenssqnensennoveseususueebaceonscennenses 71 b. Plan 2 - Surface Diversion Channel .....................06600060 a 72 Glines Canyon Dam......... pesnnensedenbsoneeoneseneeseuenbnccoosenssnessonentons 72 BUTE GERI cocccocconasoncnncccccencneccensensseusecescconsncossssoonenssenesssoneesosooens 72 c¢. Plan 4 - Low Level Diversion through Dam Structure ............. 72 d. Plan 4 - Notch through Dam - Top Down Removal................ 74 e. Cost Comparison of Alternative Diversion Plans................... 74 2. SEDIMENT MANAGEMENT ALTERNATIVES ...........0...60600008 74 Sediment Material Characteristics .............ccccccccsscesssesseessssssseeeee OD Sediment Management Design Criteria «0.0.0.0... 20 Revegetation Potential of Relocated Sediments ..............006600 70 Water Quality During Sediment Relocation ..................666 70 ee I aocc enscceencenseumsnsssentacsenseturessbcesscevdeqsurseetensenessnscenssansevtenseniie: 78 Scenario 1 -C omplete Removal.......... sessnuseusneunsessvessesvesuvec, UT Scenario 2 - Complete Removal ...............6666en 7B Advantages Disadvantages b. Erosion.......... seepestpvereseepeeseess pensnsepeeueboneesessuspesseonesseaenaseUsE Scenario 3. ED GID cccccccocccesocccccccscessconcccssccesccons 79 Advantages Disadvantages Scenario 4 - Partial Erosion .................. jnepsepesssuseeusesseusunesens 81 Advantages Disadvantages Bi Fac cnccenscscncoscccnsncaccnenccbacssechecbecnesenconsnnssusonseconenetsousesenbeneses 82 Scenario § - Use Mec hanic al Equipment oor Submersible Dredges to Relocate Coarse and Fine Material Adjacent to New Chane) oo... occcccccccccccccce seeeueeeseneeeseeeeeeneeeeneneneees 82 Advantages Disadvantages The Elwha River Restoration Report Scenario 6 - Erode Delta to Stable Profile, Retain and Relocate Coarse Material, Fine Material in Lake Area AO Advantages Disadvantages d, Combination Approaches , 87 Seenario 7 ...... 7 _ | 87 Advantages Disadvantages Scenario 8 - Remove Delta Material to Terrestrial Site, Erosion Of FIM@ Material ........0:scccccccccccsccseeeeeeeeesseeeseeseseeeeeeee OS Advantages Disadvantages Scenario 9 - Remove Delta Material to Saltwater Site, Erosion of Fine Material. . secees —— e. Cost Comparison ol Alternative Sediment Management IED ccccoccccccsscccccccccccccccccccccsccccccsssoconecscssooccsssccooccsooccoccooocceee 89 4, RECOMMENDATIONS. . a D. Compliance with the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act a — IID ccccccccccscccovescccvcsconccsvescncsceccveccscscoscoccceseocoeees mm) i, Vin nIIIIIIEED cocovecccnssnsssreseveneentsnssosnessesnossssconccenescconneesooccsessonrent 91 2, WATER QUALITY ...........065 yensuovesenéenensnsnes ee 3. WATER USE ............00000 seetnevnceneesnens peguunascnenedesapeceenaatseseneieeuebsoenstint 96 I 96 D. Groundwater DIVEPIONS ...........00sccssssesrsssssssssereesessseresessesesens 96 4. FLOOD CONTROL PROTECTION ....... snqensennaebssonsenansentecsaneuonesscons 97 5. IMPACTS OF DAM REMOVAL ON WATER _T t) 97 6. MITIGATION OF WATER QUALITY IMPACTS. . a Be IID cncnvecnscecsecseccersssssnosennesenesnnseqneveagonsegnoeencseeccocsccsccsencees . 100 1. SUMMER/FALL CHINOOK SALMON RESTORATION ................... 104 2. SPRING CHINOOK SALMON RESTORATION .....0.0.....6ee 104 D. GOGTD GARDEN TTATI N cccccccscccccccscsccssvcccscceseeessccescccecsnoveees 104 4. WINTER STEELHEAD RESTORATION .....0000....0.ccccccceeeeeeeennees 104 5. SUMMER STEELHEAD RESTORATION ..............00:c000cccccseeeeeeeeeennnens 105 6. PINK SALMON RESTORATION ..........0.000000006 aietecesnseseegnasennnans 105 7. CHUM SALMON RESTORATION ...........000cccccccsseecsseeseeeeereeeeeeeeeeen 106 8. SOCKEYE SALMON RESTORATION .............c:cc:cceeeeeeeeenenenennnnennns 106 9, SEA-RUN CUTTHROAT AND NATIVE CHAR RESTORATION ....... 107 ep. WaT. ccccnscncesccnnseinisnnsenmienssonenessenennnesnesosssneenbeetionsesenien 107 I cnc evcscreccnsssensesnepreqmnntianserosensngstenenemneneecoveesctnesentees 107 1. RESTORATION OBJECTIVES FOR THE GLINES CANYON PROJECT ARBA ooocccccccccccscssssssessssesvsvsvesesesesvavesvavsvnvesusvnvnvnvnvnvanvevsene 107 2. RESTORATION OBJECTIVES POR THE ELWHA SEIIIEET (IIE cnseccounssennenneunenencssenntmntunensnsnannnanennseubipaneensneenacnesecneeene 111 4. PROPOSED ACTIONS FOR RESERVOIR RESTORATION ............... 111 4. ACTIONS PRIOR TO DAM REMOVAL .................. psenat stetasennensens 111 i, HEP CITT cxconecccscenestussounieundanenosnsepsdesstonsseesenvanantepsonsesananssa lil b. Determination of substrate fertility requirements .................... 111 ¢. Determination of substrate physical requirements ................ 112 BP i cccrietccisersncessnstensesccsscnaninnssonsnenocsseneneensenintsns 113 C. Exotic plant species COMMOL .............:cccsssssesssssssssssresssssseseseseess 114 SI GED secccccccccnccccsceccesosccccsccessscccsercccsosescosens 113 g. Costs - Actions prior to dam removal ............ccccccceeeeeeneen 113 e VV) + 2 Ihe Lluba River Restoration Report Pe 5. ACTIONS DURING DAM REMOVAL 115 a Timing 114 b. Erosion control techniques, short-term 114 ¢ In-stream measures 114 d. Powerline corridors rocccocece BOW ¢. Costs - Actions during dam removal... 115 6. ACTIONS FOLLOWING DAM REMOVAL sevcccccccceceee BOD a. Habitat restoration , a — (1) Lowland/Montane Forest receeoeons ANS (2) Mixed Coniler/Hardwood Forest ................. recoccccecee OT (4) Riparian/Streamside , roveveees a CS) TRG GTIGID a ccccccrccccccccecccccccccccnscecceccccseescccnsssccnssseeee oo 1l6 (5) Special Communities , , yeccccccoccccs OU b. Costs - Actions following dam removal seeeuonenenvensseteeuenent 116 7. LONG-TERM ACTIONS ) ooccccccccces OOD A, COBES ~ LOMBAETIN ACTIONS ooo... cece ccccccceeirreeeeeeeeeeenennnnnn seooeeeee 117 BD i ccccccccepesseceseveccccccenscoceccccceccccccccccccccccscccsocsccnssescnvecocscnes 117 1. Dispoosf iProtjeict oLannds ........ ove 117 1. ADDITION TO THE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE SYSTEM......117 2. ADDITION TO THE NATIONAL PARK SYSTEM ...........060:0005 117 4. TRANSFER TO THE LOWER ELWHA S’KLALLAM TRIBE ............... 118 4. DEVELOPMENT AND USE BY THE STATE .............666c6e e 118 5. MANAGEMENT OF GLINES CANYON PROJECT LANDS ............... 120 J of Dam Removal ................. secconsnsncsnsscsonsoncessocossees 120 1. NEED FOR INTERPRETATION ............::ccccccccssssscssssesreresssressssseeens .120 GREED WHI ccccccccccccccccccccoccccocoscosccccconscoessescccsosoooneseooete 120 3. SCALE OF INTERPRETATION ............::ccssscssssssessssesssssssssresessreesessees 121 4. BENEFITS OF INTERPRETATION ................00cccccccceeeereeernneenenns 121 5. COSTS ...... penenoanensnnecnent SE Bp SOD cccccvcccccccccccecsccccccccccecvccncccccccncccecscoees moenenauenvennneesousentne 121 L. Impacts to Cultural Resources | savedeueenusnenecoveunestuenventenecuneneen 122 1. TYPES OF CULTURAL RESOURC MESs scscsvsssssssssessssosesesessssssvvvveeeeseen 122 2. STATUS OF CULTURAL RESOURCES ......0.0......6ccccccceceseeeeeeenennens 122 4. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR TREATMENT/MITIGATION ................ 123 ©, GERI coczvccccqrvsceceguagoesccsocecqnecnennggecees seevecoseusnenesnossessusonecueusuen 123 M. er 7 on Regional Power SEIIIIIEED cossanasquvcvscessevevsvecevsnevonveusussoesvansee 123 AVAILABLE REPLACEMENT RESOURC BS oo cooccccceeeeee seunennneneeneen 124 COST OF REPLACEMENT POWER ...... senscnnsconsesonsseonseossoueeneecsensees 127 4. ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES .....00000..cccccccceeeeeeeeceeeeenennnns 128 I GD cccszesssveseenesonesecsscnsensscncescessosensncenenesscesencnsens 128 BD WEI PIIIIIIIED ccccsnsscscsoctscesesnscessonseserssssesonssnsnessnssnspnosassen 129 BD crrccsccsencersevernnsedeanceecdesesesesecisnesssntecnnsisecgusensansnesenenentits 129 N. Cost-Sharing .................... Sas iottaiseshenasapenbccannenshaseubeqneneneaannesnensioonionas 129 VII. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS oon teen nenennnens 143 Vill. REFERENCES AND APPENDICES A THROUGH D References ..... sbeneevioneineis siepsacchsiouptiousbninpstorbeidansateiiesennel 145 AppendixA : Public Law 102-495 a —— Vi The Elwha River Restoration ——{ E Appendix B: Federal Licensing Chronology 155 Appendix C; List af Preparers, Persons and Agencies Consulted, Design and Production 104 AppendixD : List af Common and Sctentific Names 171 The following appendices are bound separately and expand upon specific sections of the report. Appendix E: Responsibilities and Liabilities Appendix F: Dam Removal and Sediment Management Appendix G: Fish Restoration Plan Appendix H: Habitat Restoration Plan Appendix |: Disposition of Project Lands Appendix J: /nterpreting Dam Removal Appendix K: Elwba Ecosystem Restoration Studies Appendix L: /mpacts to Cultural Resources AppendixM : Public Comments FIGURES 1. Location map for the Elwha and Glines Canyon dams ...............666065 4 2. Approach alternative matrix for sediment management ...................0000060. 77 4. Cross section of 500 feet wide channel through Lake Mills area ................. 84 4. Cross section of 500 feet wide channel through Lake Aldwell area ............ 85 5. Lineal extent of anadromous salmonid habitat in the Elwha River basin following removal of the Elwha and Glines Canyon dams ...................... 103 6. Conceptual retuge boundaries and tribal use of Elwha Project lands ....... 119 7. Elwha River restoration project schedule ....................600005 senconeesenezecoencoes 145 8. Total project cost, sediment management removal option sscenocesonnensewndusnnes 146 9. Total project cost, sediment management retention Option ................000 137 TABLES 1. Restoration prospects for stocks of anadromous salmonids native to the SEER UIIIIEY ssccssnensecebsensensesecqnuspveneienmssicenhagentnesneonsbenenseuhiqimnsnetnnsatevtveniensevecsoees 45 2. Potential carcass biomass (pounds) contributed to the Elwha River ecosystem from salmon stocks with at least fair prospects for restoration .. 46 4. The long-term consequences of various restoration alternatives .................. 62 4. Estimated possible costs associated with Project acquisition ........................ 67 5. Daily and monthly average discharge for the Elwha River .......................... 94 6. Estimated Elwha River flood flows measured at the river's mouth .............. 93 7. Monthly statistics for maximum daily water temperature ('C) in the lower reach Of the Blwhia Rivet ooo... ccc ccccseesseeeeeeeeeeeeeesseesseeeeeneeneeens soaeeee 94 8. Water quality statistics for the Elwha River.......... Lessssseeseesseseeees OG 9. Anticipated mitigation costs for municipal water supplies sacbeueheesententonsosssaa te 10. Anticipated mitigation costs for industrial water supplies ...............0........ 99 Vil t* Vil