Disposition of 2005 SORs / TMT

DISPOSITION OF 2005 SORs

01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 12 Amended 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 19 Amended 20 21 22
FWS-1 FWS-1 Amendment FWS-IDFG-2 FWS-3
MT-1 MT-1 Final v2
C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 C7

D2005-22 Top of Page

06-Dec-2005 2005-22 USFWS, NPT, SBT, CRITFC
Snake River Zero Nighttime and Weekend Flow

1. SOR request

2. Participants U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, NOAA Fisheries, Nez Perce Tribe, Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, and the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission.

3. TMT recommendation There will be a single-topic TMT meeting in the near future to discuss development of an experiment, per the COE's suggestion.

4. AA decision The COE will implement the following operation: Starting Friday, December 9, between 2200-0600 hours, operate for up to a six hour period a zero flow at Lower Monumental, Little Goose and Lower Granite. Ice Harbor will be operated at 65 megawatts during the same time period.

5. IT recommendation

6. AA decision (after IT)

7. Actual Operation As stated above. Permission to go to zero flows was canceled March 9th.

8. If different from AA decision, why?

D2005-21 Top of Page

06-Dec-2005 2005-21 USFWS, NPT, SBT, CRITFC
To provide the best spawning and incubation conditions possible below Bonneville Dam to:

1. SOR request

If the Salmon Managers determine that significant superimposition is occurring and that the population size of spawning chum at the Ives Island complex warrants additional spawning habitat based on the ongoing field monitoring programs, and consideration of other salmon flow needs, beginning on or about December 1, 2005 (dependent on in-season field monitoring) increase instantaneous tailwater elevation up to 13.5 feet ( range from 13.3-13.7) at Bonneville Dam.

If the tailwater is increased to the 13.2-13.7 range in December, then beginning on or about January 1, 2006 (dependent on the cessation of spawning), provide a minimum instantaneous tailrace elevation of 13.0 feet (range 12.8-13.2) at Bonneville Dam through incubation and emergence.

Maintain Grand Coulee Dam at upper rule curve elevations throughout the winter and spring, except as needed to achieve the Bonneville tailwater elevation, as described above, subject to the regular check-ins shown under number 4 below.

Check in regularly to review the present operations, the difference between observed flows and those needed to achieve the tailwater elevations determined above, and the probability of being on upper rule curve on April 10, 2006. It is the intention to maximize the probability of achieving spring flow targets by being at upper rule curve on April 10.

2. Participants U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Nez Perce Tribe, Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, and the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission.

3. TMT recommendation TMT members present agreed to the following operation, which the COE will implement: Unless superimposition occurs between now and the end of the year, the 24 hour operational constraint will be a minimum of 11.5' starting at 00:00 on 1/01/06 consistent with prior year's operations.

4. AA decision

5. IT recommendation

6. AA decision (after IT)

7. Actual Operation The minimum tailwater elevation was set to 11.5 feet starting 0000 hours Sunday 1 January 2006.

8. If different from AA decision, why?

D2005-20 Top of Page

08-Nov-2005 2005-20 USFWS, IDFG, ODFW, WDFW, NPT, SBT,CRITFC Ice/Trash Sluiceway at The Dalles Dam

1. SOR request
Immediately restart the Ice/Trash Sluiceway at The Dalles Dam and continue operation through the end of November. Operate the Ice/Trash Sluiceway at The Dalles Dam 24 hrs/day.

2. Participants U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Nez Perce Tribe, Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, and the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission.

3. TMT recommendation Do not operate The Dalles ice and trash sluiceway in November 2005 but discuss the possibility of November operation in future years.

4. AA decision

5. IT recommendation

6. AA decision (after IT)

7. Actual Operation Maintain The Dalles ice/trash sluiceway closed in November 2005.

8. If different from AA decision, why?

D2005-19amended Top of Page

18-Oct-2005 2005-19amended USFWS, IDFG, ODFW, WDFW, NOAA Fisheries, NPT, SBT,CRITFC Tailwater elevation at Bonneville Dam to protect natural spawning of chum and fall chinook salmon at the Ives/Pierce Island Complex, Multnomah Falls, and partly influence the I-205 seeps.

1. SOR request
As required by the 2004 NMFS Biological Opinion, beginning when chum are present and continuing until further notice, provide a minimum instantaneous tailrace elevation of 11.5 feet at Bonneville Dam. On average it is anticipated that daily average flows will not exceed 125 Kcfs.

2. Participants U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, NOAA Fisheries, Nez Perce Tribe, Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, and the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission.

3. TMT recommendation When chum are present in the Ives/Pierce Island area, operate Bonneville tailwater at a minimum of 11.3' during all hours and 11.3' - 11.7' during the day.

4. AA decision

5. IT recommendation

6. AA decision (after IT)

7. Actual Operation On 10 November the chum survey crew was GPS marking redds and saw approximately 10 chum below Hamilton Creek. The Oregon Salmon Manager felt this was sufficient to say the chum at Ives Island were present. The 11.3' minimum during all hours and 11.3' - 11.7' during the day operation was initiated that evening. Normally it takes 1 - 2 days to set up the system to implement the chum operation, but it so happened the conditions were such that it could be implemented quickly this year.

8. If different from AA decision, why?

D2005-FWS-IDFG-2 Top of Page

17-Oct-2005 2005-FWS-IDFG-2 USFWS, IDFG Request for winter water level operations on Lake Pend Oreille, Idaho during winter 2005 and 2006, to increase egg to fry survival of kokanee, the primary forage base for listed bull trout.

1. SOR request

By November 15, 2005, draw Lake Pend Oreille down to an elevation no lower than 2055 feet to enhance kokanee spawning. During the winter of 2005-2006, maintain the lake level at an elevation at or above 2055 feet to prevent harm to kokanee redds by dessication or disturbance by wave action.

The Corps of Engineers is to hold Lake Pend Oreille as high as possible (up to 2059) through October 31st and minimize as much as possible the need to spill in order to reach elevation 2055 by mid November.

The goal is to reach the winter elevation by November 15th but can be extended up to November 20th to minimize the need to spill.

2. Participants U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Idaho Department of Fish and Game

3. TMT recommendation Maintain Lake Pend Oreille as high as possible but not higher than 2059' by the end of October. Draft Lake Pend Oreille to elevation 2055' by 15 November if possible but no later than 20 November.

4. AA decision

5. IT recommendation

6. AA decision (after IT)

7. Actual Operation Lake Pend Oreille elevation 31 October was 2058.5'. Drafted to 2055'- 2055.5' range on 12 November.

8. If different from AA decision, why?

D2005-C7 Top of Page

27-Sep-2005 2005-C7 CRITFC Operation of the Lower Columbia Pools for the Autumn 2005 Treaty Fishery

1. SOR request
Implement the following operations as a hard system constraint as follows:
September 28th, 2005, 6 am, Monday, through 6 pm, September 30th, 2005, Friday.

Bonneville Pool: Operate the pool within a 1.0 foot band, near full pool (no lower than 75 ft)
The Dalles Pool: Operate the pool within a 1.0 foot band, near full pool (no lower than 158 ft)
John Day Pool: Operate the pool within a 1.0 foot band, near full pool (no lower than 263 ft)

2. Participants Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission.

3. TMT recommendation As a result of coordination among the Corps, BPA, and CRITFC: Hold BON pool within a 1.5 foot range, elevations 75.0 - 76.5 feet, as a hard constraint from 0600 hrs Wednesday, 28 September 2005 - 1800 hrs Friday, 30 September 2005.

4. AA decision

5. IT recommendation

6. AA decision (after IT)

7. Actual Operation Bon forebay elevation was held within the specified limit 100% of the time. Note John Day pool is being held within a 1.5 foot range as part of the minimum level that provides irrigation pumping operation during fish passage season.

8. If different from AA decision, why?

D2005-FWS-3 Top of Page

20-Sep-2005 2005-FWS-3 UCFWO, USFWS, KVRI - Burbot Recovery sub-committee Winter Temperature Operation of Libby Dam for burbot

1. SOR request

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service staff and others, as members of the Kootenai Valley Resource Initiative (KVRI) burbot sub-committee, request that the Corps of Engineers use the selective withdrawal system at Libby Dam to release the coolest water possible in November and December, 2005 before temperature stratification limits the temperature control capability. The purpose of this operation is to determine if cooler releases result in cooler river temperatures downstream of Bonners Ferry, and also to determine how radio-tagged burbot in the Kootenai River respond to these temperatures. This will likely result in November and December temperatures slightly cooler than the existing selective withdrawal temperature rule curve (Figure 1). This deviation from the temperature rule curve has been coordinated with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (MFWP). MFWP asked that the selective withdrawal gates be removed incrementally to assure that daily temperature change remains within 2 degrees F per day; gates should be removed systematically during the last 2 weeks of October (17th through 31st) to slowly lower river temperature to the minimum by November 1 (on average, a span of about 5 degrees C, or 9 degrees F; Figure 1).

2. Participants Upper Columbia Fish and Wildlife Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, on behalf of the Kootenai Valley Resource Initiative. Burbot Recovery sub-committee.

3. TMT recommendation Use the selective withdrawl system at Libby Dam to achieve releases as cold as possible in November and December

4. AA decision

5. IT recommendation

6. AA decision (after IT)

7. Actual Operation Selective withdrawl system gates were moved to achieve releases as cold as possible in November and December.

8. If different from AA decision, why?

D2005-C6 Top of Page

16-Sep-2005 2005-C6 CRITFC Operation of the Lower Columbia Pools for the Autumn 2005 Treaty Fishery

1. SOR request
Implement the following operations as a hard system constraint as follows:
September 19th, 2005, 6 am, Monday, through 6 pm, September 23th, 2005, Friday.

Bonneville Pool: Operate the pool within 1.0 foot from full pool (msl elevation 76.5 - 75.5).
The Dalles (Celilo) Pool: Operate the pool within 1.0 foot (msl elevation 159.5 - 158.5).
John Day Pool: Operate the pool within 1.0 foot (msl elevation 264.5 - 263.5).

At this time we anticipate a Treaty fishery each week through September. CRITFC will notify the Corps with specific times for the tribal fishery, after each Compact hearing, via a new SOR.

2. Participants Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission.

3. TMT recommendation As a result of coordination among the Corps, BPA, and CRITFC: Hold BON pool within a 1.5 foot range, elevations 75.0 - 76.5 feet, as a hard constraint from 0600 hrs Monday, 19 September 2005 - 1800 hrs Friday, 23 September 2005.

4. AA decision

5. IT recommendation

6. AA decision (after IT)

7. Actual Operation Bon forebay elevation was held within the specified limit 100% of the time. Note John Day pool is being held within a 1.5 foot range as part of the minimum level that provides irrigation pumping operation during fish passage season.

8. If different from AA decision, why?

D2005-19 Top of Page

12-Sep-2005 2005-19 CRTA, the Port of Clarkston, and the Port of Lewiston Lower Granite Operations for September through December

1. SOR request
Navigation Objectives:
The objective of this SOR is to restore adequate water depths to the Federal navigation channel in the Snake River in the area of the confluence of the Snake and Clearwater Rivers. Current channel conditions provide well under the authorized 14-foot channel depth when the pool level is held to the MOP+1 requirement in effect for the remainder of the juvenile salmonid outmigration.
Specifications:
This SOR recommends that the special operation of the Lower Granite Reservoir to accommodate outmigrating salmonids be terminated earlier than normal and that the reservoir be operated in the upper foot of the normal pool range to address increasing navigation issues. Operation of the reservoir in the upper foot of the pool would restore the 14-foot authorized depth in most parts of the channel.

2. Participants Columbia River Towboat Association, the Port of Clarkston, and the Port of Lewiston

3. TMT recommendation Operating Lower Granite at 736-737. with an operating range of MOP +3 or MOP +4, until the surveys were available.

4. AA decision

5. IT recommendation

6. AA decision (after IT)

7. Actual Operation On September 14th the pool operating range was raised to 736.5 - 737.5 ft due to navigation concerns at the ports of Clarkston and Lewiston.

8. If different from AA decision, why?

D2005-C5 Top of Page

09-Sep-2005 2005-C5 CRITFC Operation of the Lower Columbia Pools for the Autumn 2005 Treaty Fishery

1. SOR request
Implement the following operations as a hard system constraint as follows:
September 12th, 2005, 6 am, Monday, through 6 pm, September 16th, 2005, Friday.

Bonneville Pool: Operate the pool within 1.0 foot from full pool (msl elevation 76.5 - 75.5).
The Dalles (Celilo) Pool: Operate the pool within 1.0 foot (msl elevation 159.5 - 158.5).
John Day Pool: Operate the pool within 1.0 foot (msl elevation 264.5 - 263.5).

At this time we anticipate a Treaty fishery each week through September. CRITFC will notify the Corps with specific times for the tribal fishery, after each Compact hearing, via a new SOR.

2. Participants Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission.

3. TMT recommendation As a result of coordination among the Corps, BPA, and CRITFC: Hold BON pool within a 1.5 foot range, elevations 75.0 - 76.5 feet, as a hard constraint from 0600 hrs Monday, 12 September 2005 - 1800 hrs Friday, 16 September 2005.

4. AA decision

5. IT recommendation

6. AA decision (after IT)

7. Actual Operation Bon forebay elevation was held within the specified limit 100% of the time. Note John Day pool is being held within a 1.5 foot range as part of the minimum level that provides irrigation pumping operation during fish passage season.

8. If different from AA decision, why?

D2005-C4 Top of Page

29-Aug-2005 2005-C4 CRITFC Operation of the Lower Columbia Pools for the Autumn 2005 Treaty Fishery

1. SOR request
Implement the following operations as a hard system constraint as follows:
August 22nd, 2005, 6 am, Monday, through 6 pm, August 26th, 2005, Friday.
August 29th, 2005, 6 am, Monday, through 6 pm, August 31st, 2005, Wednesday.
Bonneville Pool: Operate the pool within a 1.0 foot band.
The Dalles (Celilo) Pool: Operate the pool within a 1.0 foot band.
John Day Pool: Operate the pool within a 1.0 foot band.
Implement the following operations as a hard system constraint as follows:
September 1st, 2005, 6 am, Thursday, through 6 pm, September 2nd, 2005, Friday.
September 6th, 2005, 6 am, Tuesday, through 6 pm, September 10th, 2005, Saturday.
Bonneville Pool: Operate the pool within 1.0 foot from full pool (msl elevation 76.5 - 75.5).
The Dalles (Celilo) Pool: Operate the pool within 1.0 foot (msl elevation 159.5 - 158.5).
John Day Pool: Operate the pool within 1.0 foot (msl elevation 264.5 - 263.5).
At this time we anticipate a Treaty fishery each week through September. CRITFC will notify the Corps with specific times for the tribal fishery, after each Compact hearing, via a new SOR.

2. Participants Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission.

3. TMT recommendation As a result of coordination among the Corps, BPA, and CRITFC: Hold BON pool within a 1.5 foot range, elevations 74.5 - 76.0 feet, as a hard constraint from 0600 hrs Monday, 22 August 2005 - 1800 hrs Friday, 26 August 2005. Hold BON pool within a 1.5 foot range, elevations 75.0 - 76.5 feet, as a hard constraint from 0600 hrs Monday, 29 August 2005 - 1800 hrs Wednesday, 31 August 2005. Hold BON pool within a 1.5 foot range, elevations 75.0 - 76.5 feet, as a hard constraint from 0600 hrs Thursday, 1 September 2005 - 1800 hrs Friday, 2 September 2005. Hold BON pool within a 1.5 foot range, elevations 75.0 - 76.5 feet, as a hard constraint from 0600 hrs Tuesday, 6 September 2005 - 1800 hrs Saturday, 10 September 2005.

4. AA decision

5. IT recommendation

6. AA decision (after IT)

7. Actual Operation Bon forebay elevation was held within the specified limit 100% of the time. Note John Day pool is being held within a 1.5 foot range as part of the minimum level that provides irrigation pumping operation during fish passage season.

8. If different from AA decision, why?

D2005-C3 Top of Page

22-Jul-2005 2005-C3 CRITFC Operation of the Lower Columbia Pools for the Summer 2005 Treaty Fishery

1. SOR request
Implement the following operations as a hard system constraint as follows:
July 25th, 2005, 6 am, Monday, through 6 pm, July 29th, 2005,
Bonneville Pool: Operate the pool within a 1.0 foot band.
The Dalles (Celilo) Pool: Operate the pool within a 1.0 foot band.
John Day Pool: Operate the pool within a 1.0 foot band.

2. Participants Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission.

3. TMT recommendation As a result of coordination among the Corps, BPA, and CRITFC: Hold BON pool within a 1.5 foot range, elevations 75.0 - 76.5 feet, as a hard constraint from 0600 hrs Monday, 25 July 2005 - 1800 hrs Friday, 29 July 2005.

4. AA decision

5. IT recommendation

6. AA decision (after IT)

7. Actual Operation Bon forebay elevation was held within the specified limit 97% of the time. Note John Day pool is being held within a 1.5 foot range as part of the minimum level that provides irrigation pumping operation during fish passage season.

8. If different from AA decision, why?

D2005-18 Top of Page

12-Jul-2005 2005-18 USFWS, IDFG, WDFW, ODFW, NOAA Fisheries, SBT, CRITFC Dworshak Operations

1. SOR request

Increase outflows to 14 Kcfs immediately at Dworshak and continue for a period of one week (through 7/19). Continue target of 46-48F outflow water temperature over specified time.

2. Participants U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, NOAA Fisheries, Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, and the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission.

3. TMT recommendation The salmon managers and action agencies agreed to a proposed alternative operation, 12 kcfs at 43-45° out of Dworshak over the next week.

4. AA decision

5. IT recommendation

6. AA decision (after IT)

7. Actual Operation As specified in TMT recommendation.

8. If different from AA decision, why?

D2005-C2 Top of Page

08-Jul-2005 2005-C2 CRITFC Operation of the Lower Columbia Pools for the Summer 2005 Treaty Fishery

1. SOR request
Implement the following operations as a hard system constraint as follows:
July 11th, 2005, 6 am, Monday, through 6 pm, July 14th, 2005, Thursday and July 18th, 2005 6 am, Monday, through 6pm, July 22, Friday.
Bonneville Pool: Operate the pool within a 1.0 foot band.
The Dalles (Celilo) Pool: Operate the pool within a 1.0 foot band.
John Day Pool: Operate the pool within a 1.0 foot band.

At this time we anticipate a Treaty fishery each week through July. CRITFC will notify the Corps with specific times for the tribal fishery, after each Compact hearing, via a new SOR.

2. Participants Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission.

3. TMT recommendation As a result of coordination among the Corps, BPA, and CRITFC: Hold BON pool within a 1.5 foot range, elevations 74.5 - 76.0 feet, as a hard constraint from 0600 hrs Monday, 11 July 2005 - 1800 hrs Thursday, 14 July 2005. Hold BON pool within a 1.5 foot range, elevations 74.5 - 76.0 feet, as a hard constraint from 0600 hrs Monday, 18 July 2005 - 1800 hrs Friday, 22 July 2005.

4. AA decision

5. IT recommendation

6. AA decision (after IT)

7. Actual Operation Bon forebay elevation was held within the specified limit 100% of the time for the operation from July 11th to 14th, and was held within the specified limit 96% of the time for the operation from July 17th to 18th. Note John Day pool is being held within a 1.5 foot range as part of the minimum level that provides irrigation pumping operation during fish passage season.

8. If different from AA decision, why?

D2005-MT-1 Final v2 Top of Page

06-Jul-2005 2005-MT-1 Final v2 MFWP, KTID, KST Updated Libby & Hungry Horse Operations for July through September

1. SOR request Continue implementation of the Northwest Power Planning Council's Mainstem Recommendations for operation of Libby and Hungry Horse dams during July through September. The following specific operations are recommended:
Hungry Horse
Maintain minimum flows for bull trout. Based on this yearsi volume forecast the minimum flows will be 3,250 cfs at Columbia Falls and 483 cfs from Hungry Horse dam.

Refill by about June 30.

Operations in May and June have insured that there is a high likelihood of filling Hungry Horse reservoir by about the end of June. Following refill, the Bureau of Reclamation will utilize its hydrologic models to estimate a flat flow from Hungry Horse for July through September that will draft the reservoir to 20 feet from full by September 30, 2005. This operation will be monitored throughout the summer to insure that the reservoir draft limit is achieved.

Attempt to provide even or gradually declining flows at Columbia Falls during the draft (minimize double peak).

Limit spill to avoid exceeding Montana State TDG standards of 110%.

Libby
Flows at Libby have increased substantially during June to prevent the reservoir from filling too quickly, thus causing spill. As inflows drop below the current turbine capacity outflow and the reservoir approaches full, establish a flat flow using the Corps hydrologic models. These models are currently estimating a flat flow of 13.6 kcfs would be necessary to draft Libby to the end of September elevation of 2439, 20 feet from full. Last year a flat flow of 12.5 kcfs was maintained for the July through September period and this produced excellent biological conditions for resident fish below Libby dam. This operation will be monitored throughout the summer to insure that the reservoir draft limit is not exceeded.
Operate to provide at least minimum bull trout flows through September (USFWS BiOp).

Provide even or gradually declining flows during summer months (minimize double peak).

Investigate the possibility of a storage exchange with Canada to reduce summer flows from Libby.

Grand Coulee
To contribute to providing the conditions necessary to protect spawning and rearing habitat for fish in, and adjacent to, Lake Roosevelt consistent with recommendations of the Spokane and Colville Tribes, the following operations are implemented in 2005.

September refill to elevation 1282-1285 feet to assure that additional September flows from Libby and Hungry Horse are passed through Lake Roosevelt. This range will be modified in future years to assure flow augmentation water from Montana passes through Grand Coulee and historic elevation levels are achieved at Lake Roosevelt.

2. Participants Montana Fish Wildlife & Parks, Kootenai Tribe of Idaho, Kootenei Salish Tribe

3. TMT recommendation Issue of Libby summer operations was raised to IT. After discussion TMT members agreed to gradually ramp down Libby outflow through the month of August. The COE plans to ramp the project down to about 14 kcfs around August 13.

4. AA decision

5. IT recommendation Montana asked IT to table the issue. (See below).

6. AA decision (after IT)

7. Actual Operation Libby outflows were approximately 19 kcfs from August 1st to August 17th. Outflows was16.5 kcfs from August 18th to August 24th. Outflows were ramped down to 12 kcfs which was obtained August 27th. Libby elevation was 2439.54 feet midnight August 31st.

8. If different from AA decision, why?

D2005-17 Top of Page

05-Jul-2005 2005-17 USFWS, IDFG, WDFW, NOAA Fisheries, NPT, SBT, CRITFC Dworshak Operations

1. SOR request Continue outflows of 7 Kcfs at Dworshak through July 10th, 2005, however, after July 7th, 2005 increase outflows at Dworshak to 10 Kcfs if temperatures at Lower Granite exceed 67F (19.4C) on a 24-hr rolling average. On July 11th, 2005 increase outflows to 10 Kcfs until further notice. Continue to target 46-48F outflow water temperature over the specified time.

2. Participants U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, NOAA Fisheries, Nez Perce Tribe, Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, and the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission.

3. TMT recommendation Agreed to implement the SOR it was agreed that any change to Dworshak operations will be based on the 24-hour rolling average temperature at the Lower Granite tailrace, not on hourly readings.

4. AA decision

5. IT recommendation

6. AA decision (after IT)

7. Actual Operation Dworshak outflows were 7.2 kcfs from July 7th until July 11th when flows were ramped up to full powerhouse outflow of 9.5 kcfs.

8. If different from AA decision, why?

D2005-C1 Top of Page

30-Jun-2005 2005-C1 CRITFC Operation of the Lower Columbia Pools for the Summer 2005 Treaty Fishery

1. SOR request
Implement the following operations as a hard system constraint as follows:
July 5th, 2005, 6 am, Tuesday, through 6 pm, July 7th, 2005, Thursday.
Bonneville Pool: Operate the pool within a 1.0 foot band.
The Dalles (Celilo) Pool: Operate the pool within a 1.0 foot band.
John Day Pool: Operate the pool within a 1.0 foot band.

At this time we anticipate a Treaty fishery each week through July. CRITFC will notify the Corps with specific times for the tribal fishery, after each Compact hearing, via a new SOR.

2. Participants Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission.

3. TMT recommendation As a result of coordination among the Corps, BPA, and CRITFC: Hold BON pool within a 1.5 foot range, elevations 74.5 - 76.0 feet, as a hard constraint from 0600 hrs Tuesday, 5 July 2005 - 1800 hrs Thursday, 7 July 2005.

4. AA decision

5. IT recommendation

6. AA decision (after IT)

7. Actual Operation Bon forebay elevation was held within the specified limit 97% of the time. Note John Day pool is being held within a 1.5 foot range as part of the minimum level that provides irrigation pumping operation during fish passage season.

8. If different from AA decision, why?

D2005-MT-1 Top of Page

29-Jun-2005 2005-MT-1 MFWP Libby & Hungry Horse Operations for July through September

1. SOR request Continue implementation of the Northwest Power Planning Council's Mainstem Recommendations for operation of Libby and Hungry Horse dams during July through September. The following specific operations are recommended:
Hungry Horse
Maintain minimum flows for bull trout. Based on this yearsi volume forecast the minimum flows will be 3,250 cfs at Columbia Falls and 483 cfs from Hungry Horse dam.

Refill by about June 30.

Operations in May and June have insured that there is a high likelihood of filling Hungry Horse reservoir by about the end of June. Following refill, the Bureau of Reclamation will utilize its hydrologic models to estimate a flat flow from Hungry Horse for July through September that will draft the reservoir to 20 feet from full by September 30, 2005. This operation will be monitored throughout the summer to insure that the reservoir draft limit is achieved.

Attempt to provide even or gradually declining flows at Columbia Falls during the draft (minimize double peak).

Limit spill to avoid exceeding Montana State TDG standards of 110%.

Libby
Flows at Libby have increased substantially during June to prevent the reservoir from filling too quickly, thus causing spill. As inflows drop below the current turbine capacity outflow and the reservoir approaches full, establish a flat flow using the Corps hydrologic models. These models are currently estimating a flat flow of 13.6 kcfs would be necessary to draft Libby to the end of September elevation of 2439, 20 feet from full. Last year a flat flow of 12.5 kcfs was maintained for the July through September period and this produced excellent biological conditions for resident fish below Libby dam. This operation will be monitored throughout the summer to insure that the reservoir draft limit is not exceeded.
Operate to provide at least minimum bull trout flows through September (USFWS BiOp).

Provide even or gradually declining flows during summer months (minimize double peak).

Investigate the possibility of a storage exchange with Canada to reduce summer flows from Libby.

Grand Coulee
To contribute to providing the conditions necessary to protect spawning and rearing habitat for fish in, and adjacent to, Lake Roosevelt consistent with recommendations of the Spokane and Colville Tribes, the following operations are implemented in 2005.

September refill to elevation 1282-1285 feet to assure that additional September flows from Libby and Hungry Horse are passed through Lake Roosevelt. This range will be modified in future years to assure flow augmentation water from Montana passes through Grand Coulee and historic elevation levels are achieved at Lake Roosevelt.

2. Participants Montana Fish Wildlife & Parks

3. TMT recommendation Issue of Libby summer operations was raised to IT. After discussion TMT members agreed to gradually ramp down Libby outflow through the month of August. The COE plans to ramp the project down to about 14 kcfs around August 13.

4. AA decision

5. IT recommendation Montana asked IT to table the issue.

6. AA decision (after IT)

7. Actual Operation Libby outflows were approximately 19 kcfs from August 1st to August 17th. Outflows was16.5 kcfs from August 18th to August 24th. Outflows were ramped down to 12 kcfs which was obtained August 27th. Libby elevation was 2439.54 feet midnight August 31st.

8. If different from AA decision, why?

D2005-16 Top of Page

28-Jun-2005 2005-16 USFWS, CRITFC Libby Summer Operations

1. SOR request

Maintain stable outflows from Libby while drafting to 2439 feet by August 31st, 2005.

2. Participants U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission. August 31st, 2005.

3. TMT recommendation Issue of Libby summer operations was raised to IT. After discussion TMT members agreed to gradually ramp down Libby outflow through the month of August. The COE plans to ramp the project down to about 14 kcfs around August 13.

4. AA decision

5. IT recommendation Montana asked IT to table the issue. (See below).

6. AA decision (after IT)

7. Actual Operation Libby outflows were approximately 19 kcfs from August 1st to August 17th. Outflows was16.5 kcfs from August 18th to August 24th. Outflows were ramped down to 12 kcfs which was obtained August 27th. Libby elevation was 2439.54 feet midnight August 31st.

8. If different from AA decision, why?

D2005-15 Top of Page

02-Jun-2005 2005-15 USFWS, IDFG, ODFW, WDFW, NOAA Fisheries, NPT, SBT, CRITFC Actions required at Lower Granite Dam when head differentials across VBS reach 1.5 feet.

1. SOR request According to FPP, page LWG-10, paragraph 8, "When a head differential of 1.5. is reached, the respective turbine unit should be operated at a reduced loading, not more than 110 MW...clean VBSs as soon as possible...". The Salmon Managers recommend that the COE operate to these specifications. We also recommend that the Project follow up with video monitoring of the VBSs after raking trashracks to ensure they are clear of debris.

2. Participants U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, NOAA Fisheries, Nez Perce Tribe, Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, and the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission.

3. TMT recommendation There will be a follow-up report at the June 15 TMT meeting about the cause of the debris load issues.

4. AA decision

5. IT recommendation

6. AA decision (after IT)

7. Actual Operation A response was sent out in regards to SOR 2005-15 presented at TMT on June 8, saying that the COE operated within the criteria to deal with increasing mortalities at Lower Granite due to debris load issues.

8. If different from AA decision, why?

D2005-14 Top of Page

24-May-2005 2005-14 USFWS, ODFG, WDFW, NPT, SBT, CRITFC Spring Spill Operations at John Day Dam

1. SOR request Provide at least 120 Kcfs hourly spill at John Day Dam (and higher if possible to achieve the 60% nighttime and 40% daytime spill percentage) for fish passage through spill, and operate at flat flows if necessary to achieve this objective. This request is in response to The Dalles Dam not achieving the required Biological Opinion 40% spill.

2. Participants U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Nez Perce Tribe, Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, and the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission.

3. TMT recommendation Day time spill will stop at John Day at the end of Monday May 30th.

4. AA decision

5. IT recommendation

6. AA decision (after IT)

7. Actual Operation As specified in the TMT recommendation.

8. If different from AA decision, why?

D2005-12 Amended Top of Page

18-May-2005 2005-12 Amended USFWS, IDFG, ODFG, WDFW, NOAA Fisheries, NPT, SBT, CRITFC Adjustment for decreased spill volumes at The Dalles Dam

1. SOR request

Provide adjustment for the spill that is not occurring at The Dalles Dam due to restricted spill gate operations.

The adjustment should be in the form of spill volume equal to what would have been provided if The Dalles Dam were fully operational.

Spill is to be implemented as daytime spill at John Day Dam as 40% of instantaneous flow for the next seven days.

Note: Because of the sensitivity of the Action Agencies to the use of the word "compensation", SOR 2005-12 was amended to remove the word "compensation" and replace it with the word "adjustment".

2. Participants U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, NOAA Fisheries, Nez Perce Tribe, Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, and the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission.

3. TMT recommendation Beginning Saturday morning, 5/21, operators will try to reach the objective in the SOR of spill at John Day to 40% daytime, through the weekend. The action agencies will check in on Monday, 5/23, and decide how to proceed with the rest of the 7-day period, given TDG, fish run timing and other monitoring data that becomes available.

4. AA decision

5. IT recommendation

6. AA decision (after IT)

7. Actual Operation As specified in the TMT recommendation.

8. If different from AA decision, why?

D2005-12 Top of Page

17-May-2005 2005-12 USFWS, IDFG, ODFG, WDFW, NOAA Fisheries, NPT, SBT, CRITFC Compensation for decreased spill volumes at The Dalles

1. SOR request

Provide compensation for the spill that is not occurring at The Dalles Dam due to restricted spill gate operations.

The compensation should be in the form of spill volume equal to what would have been provided if The Dalles Dam were fully operational.

Spill is to be implemented as daytime spill at John Day Dam as 40% of instantaneous flow for the next seven days.

2. Participants U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, NOAA Fisheries, Nez Perce Tribe, Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, and the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission.

3. TMT recommendation Beginning Saturday morning, 5/21, operators will try to reach the objective in the SOR of spill at John Day to 40% daytime, through the weekend. The action agencies will check in on Monday, 5/23, and decide how to proceed with the rest of the 7-day period, given TDG, fish run timing and other monitoring data that becomes available.

4. AA decision

5. IT recommendation

6. AA decision (after IT)

7. Actual Operation As specified in the TMT recommendation.

8. If different from AA decision, why?

D2005-FWS-1 Amendment Top of Page

28-May-2005 2005-FWS-1 Amendment USFWS From Bob Hallock, USFWS on May 24, 2005

1. SOR request

Beginning Saturday May 28 at about 6:00 AM reduce Libby discharge to 18,000 cfs, and maintain this discharge until June 2 at about 6:00 AM.

Then select a "flat flow" agreeable to NMFS which meets or exceeds the established bull trout minimum tiered flow of 7,000 cfs. It is acknowledged that releases to achieve this yet to be determined flat flow through approximately June 14 will be credited to the 0.8 MAF sturgeon tiered volume recommended in the Fish and Wildlife Service's 2000 FCRPS Biological Opinion.

2. Participants U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

3. TMT recommendation Drop Libby flow from 25 to 20 kcfs at 1800 hrs, Friday, May 27 and drop to 18 kcfs at 0600 hrs, 28 May and hold that flow through 0600 hrs on June 2. After June 2, in order to draft the project to 2439 ft by the end of August, the Corps was expecting flows to be between 14 and 18 kcfs depending on the expected residual runoff. The Corps will determine what flat flow is appropriate.

4. AA decision

5. IT recommendation

6. AA decision (after IT)

7. Actual Operation As specified in the TMT recommendation. Outflows were reduced May 29th and 30th to aid in drowning victim body retrieval. Flat flows were set at 14 kcfs.

8. If different from AA decision, why?

D2005-FWS-1 Top of Page

13-May-2005 2005-FWS-1 USFWS Libby Dam Releases for Sturgeon and Bull Trout Augmentation Flows

1. SOR request
Based on the May final April-August volume runoff forecast of 5.189 million acre-feet we are within a tier 2 operations year for Kootenai River white sturgeon as defined in the Fish and Wildlife Service's December 2000 Biological Opinion on operations of the Federal Columbia River Power System. The minimum recommended release volume for sturgeon conservation under current circumstances is 800 thousand acre-feet, and we now recommend the following procedures for discharge of at least this minimum volume from Libby Dam:

Thursday May 19th at about 6:00 am, increase flow at Libby Dam to 15,000 cfs (Kcfs): Ascending limb of hydrograph; USGS will conduct suspended sediment sampling and ADCP on May 20 and 21 (Friday and Saturday)

Saturday May 21st at about 6:00 am, increase flow at Libby Dam to 20Kcfs: Ascending limb of hydrograph; USGS will conduct suspended sediment sampling and ADCP on May 22 and 23 (Sunday and Monday)

Monday May 23rd at about 6:00 am, increase flow at Libby Dam to 25Kcfs: Peak of hydrograph; USGS will conduct suspended sediment sampling and ADCP on May 24 and 25 (Tuesday, Wednesday), and multi-beam bathymetic mapping in the braided reach from May 24 through 28th (Tuesday through Saturday)

Saturday May 28th at about 6:00 am, reduce flow at Libby Dam to 20Kcfs: Weekend low power demand

Sunday May 29th at about 6:00 am, reduce flow at Libby Dam to 15K cfs: Weekend low power demand

Monday May 30th maintain flow at Libby Dam at 15Kcfs, Memorial Day Holiday

Tuesday May 31st at about 6:00 am, increase flow at Libby Dam to 20Kcfs: Restart the descending limb of hydrograph; USGS will conduct suspended sediment sampling and ADCP on June 1 and 2 (Wednesday and Thursday)

Thursday June 2nd at about 6:00 am; reduce flow at Libby Dam to 15Kcfs: Descending limb of hydrograph; USGS will conduct suspended sediment sampling and ADCP on June 3 and 4 (Friday and Saturday)

Continue discharging at this rate through approximately June 14 to utilize the minimum tiered volume of 800 thousand acre-feet. However, this discharge rate may be continued beyond June 14 if you elect to provide sturgeon flow in addition to the minimum recommended.

When it is clarified whether Lake Kooncanusa will be drafted to elevation 2439 by the end of August or by the end of September and releases from Libby Dam beginning June 15 are defined, we may provide additional recommendations. However in the absence of this clarification, beginning approximately June 15, 2005 we recommend that at least the tiered bull trout minimum flow of 7,000 cfs from the Fish and Wildlife Service December 2000 Biological Opinion be maintained through September.

Further, since Libby operations are anticipated to be constrained by having only 4 turbines (with maximum release capacity of slightly more the 20,000 cfs) in operation for much of this spring and summer, we recommend timely releases of additional water as necessary in excess of these recommended sturgeon or bull trout minimum flows to preclude any amount of forced spill this year.

This is a tier 2 water year as defined in the December 2000 Jeopardy Biological Opinion on the operations of Libby Dam. Based on these specifications the figure below illustrates how the Fish and Wildlife Service recommends this tiered sturgeon volume of water be shaped from Libby Dam through approximately June 14. Note that this illustration also depicts potential summer operations based on the current volume runoff forecast and NOAA Fisheries' Final Remand Biological Opinion of November 2004.

2. Participants U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

3. TMT recommendation In order to operate to 15 kcfs on 5/19, the COE noted that they would need to exceed ramp rates set out in the USFWS 2000 BiOp; Bob Hallock, USFWS, responded that this exceedance was acceptable. Also, for safety purposes, the COE recommended ramping to 9 kcfs at 5:00 pm today (5/18) and the additional 6 kcfs tomorrow at 6 am to reach 15 kcfs.

4. AA decision

5. IT recommendation

6. AA decision (after IT)

7. Actual Operation As specified in the TMT recommendation. See SOR # 2005-FWS-1 Amendment

8. If different from AA decision, why?

D2005-13 Top of Page

12-May-2005 2005-13 USFWS, IDFG, ODFW, WDFW, NOAA Fisheries, NPT, SBT, CRITFC Spill at Lower Monumental Dam

1. SOR request

Begin immediately to implement bulk spill to the gas cap 24 hours per day at Lower Monumental Dam. Return to collection and holding for transport when holding criteria can be met.

2. Participants U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, NOAA Fisheries, Nez Perce Tribe, Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, and the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission.

3. TMT recommendation Spill ~20 kcfs starting this evening, 5/13, for 24-hours through bays 3 and 7. A radio-tag study at Lower Monumental will require the project to spill through bays 7 and 8 from 10am-1pm tomorrow, 5/14, after which spill through 3 and 7 will continue to complete the 24-hour bulk spill operation.

4. AA decision

5. IT recommendation

6. AA decision (after IT)

7. Actual Operation As specified in the TMT recommendation.

8. If different from AA decision, why?

D2005-11 Top of Page

10-May-2005 2005-11 USFWS, IDFG, ODFW, WDFW, NOAA Fisheries, NPT, SBT, CRITFC Spring Dworshak Operations

1. SOR request

Pass inflows at Dworshak Dam to the 110% TDG level in the Dworshak tailrace for a period of one week, outflows at Dworshak should not drop below 12 Kcfs during this period.

Assure refill of Dworshak reservoir by June 30th.

This request is for this coming week, anticipate further requests as new information based on fish numbers and water supply forecast becomes available.

2. Participants U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, NOAA Fisheries, Nez Perce Tribe, Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, and the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission.

3. TMT recommendation The project will continue to operate at 15 kcfs out until Friday morning, 5/13. Dworshak will continue to pass inflow, 15 kcfs outflow, through the weekend. The action agencies will determine on Monday whether to continue with 15 kcfs or drop outflows to 12 kcfs, given the water supply forecast.

4. AA decision

5. IT recommendation

6. AA decision (after IT)

7. Actual Operation Dworshak outflow was 15 kcfs from May 11th to May 14th. The outflow was 14.9 kcfs May 15th, 14.1 kcfs May 16th, 12 kcfs May 16th and 17th.

8. If different from AA decision, why?

D2005-10 Top of Page

03-May-2005 2005-10 USFWS, IDFG, ODFW, NOAA Fisheries, NPT, SBT, CRITFC Priest Rapids Flows to Improve Migration Conditions
in the Middle Columbia River

1. SOR request

Increase flows at Grand Coulee Dam to provide 135 Kcfs at Priest Rapids Dam beginning May 4, 2005 and continue through the month of May. Do not draft Grand Coulee below elevation 1240 feet and assure refill to elevations 1280-1285 feet by late June.

2. Participants U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, NOAA Fisheries, Nez Perce Tribe, Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, and the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission.

3. TMT recommendation Finish the week by targeting a week-average flow of 125 Kcfs at Priest Rapids, and begin targeting 135 Kcfs as a weekly average beginning Monday, May 9th.

4. AA decision

5. IT recommendation

6. AA decision (after IT)

7. Actual Operation Priest Rapids weekly average outflow was 124.46 kcfs for the week starting May 2nd. For the week starting May 9th the average outflow was 147.26.

8. If different from AA decision, why?

D2005-09 Top of Page

03-May-2005 2005-09 USFWS, IDFG, ODFW, NOAA Fisheries, NPT, SBT, CRITFC Spring Dworshak Operations to Provide Improved
Migration Conditions in the Snake River

1. SOR request

Increase Outflows at Dworshak Dam to full powerhouse capacity along with spill to the 110% TDG level in the Dworshak tailrace for a period of one week (approximately 14 Kcfs day average flow). We estimate this operation will use 174 Kaf of reservoir water from Dworshak reservoir, above the 1.5 Kcfs minimum outflow.

Assure refill of Dworshak reservoir by June 30th.

This request is for this coming week, anticipate further requests as new information based on fish numbers and water supply forecast becomes available.

2. Participants U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, NOAA Fisheries, Nez Perce Tribe, Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, and the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission.

3. TMT recommendation The action agencies agreed to increase outflows on the afternoon of 5/4 to 7.6 kcfs; then further increase the next morning (5/5 AM) to full powerhouse plus spill, roughly 14 kcfs.

4. AA decision

5. IT recommendation

6. AA decision (after IT)

7. Actual Operation Daily outflow was 14 kcfs May 6th. Daily outflows were above 14 kcfs until May 16th.

8. If different from AA decision, why?

D2005-08 Top of Page

26-Apr-2005 2005-08 USFWS, IDFG, WDFW, NPT, SBT, CRITFC Lower Columbia Flow Shaping

1. SOR request
Flat load flow through Lower Columbia projects as much as possible to improve fish passage conditions for migrating juvenile salmonids.

2. Participants U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Nez Perce Tribe, Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, and the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission.

3. TMT recommendation The request to flatten flows on the Lower Columbia was implemented due to an increase in system flows.

4. AA decision

5. IT recommendation

6. AA decision (after IT)

7. Actual Operation As specified in the TMT recommendation.

8. If different from AA decision, why?

D2005-07 Top of Page

19-Apr-2005 2005-07 USFWS, IDFG, ODFW, WDFW, NPT, SBT, CRITFC Priest Rapids Flows

1. SOR request

Increase flows at Grand Coulee Dam to begin providing 95-105 Kcfs at Priest Rapids Dam beginning April 22nd, 2005.

2. Participants U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, NOAA Fisheries, Nez Perce Tribe, Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, and the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission.

3. TMT recommendation The request was completed - the COE increased flows at Grand Coulee to begin providing 95-105 kcfs at Priest Rapids on 4/22.

4. AA decision

5. IT recommendation

6. AA decision (after IT)

7. Actual Operation Daily outflows were above 95 kcfs staring April 25th.

8. If different from AA decision, why?

D2005-06 Top of Page

19-Apr-2005 2005-06 USFWS, IDFG, ODFW, WDFW, NPT, SBT, CRITFC Ice Harbor Dam Spill

1. SOR request

It is requested that the COE please provide requests for input on operations to all Technical Management Team Salmon Manager members and the tribes, as far in advance as possible in writing, to assure adequate time for coordination and response.

To the extent possible piggyback transducer installation at Ice Harbor Dam with the proposed spill outage at Ice Harbor Dam scheduled for Wednesday, April 20, 2005.

Compensate for any spill not provided at Ice Harbor during this outage by providing that volume at McNary Dam as spill during daytime hours.

2. Participants U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Nez Perce Tribe, Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, and the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission.

3. TMT recommendation This request primarily covers coordination issues, and a request for timely information by the salmon managers; the action agencies try to get that information out to the salmon managers as soon as we receive it, This SOR has been implemented.

4. AA decision

5. IT recommendation

6. AA decision (after IT)

7. Actual Operation

8. If different from AA decision, why?

D2005-05 Top of Page

14-Apr-2005 2005-05 USFWS, IDFG, ODFW, WDFW, NOAA Fisheries, NPT, SBT, CRITFC Bonneville Project Spill

1. SOR request

Beginning April 15, 2005 at 1800 hours, spill 50 Kcfs hourly at Bonneville Dam. Begin operating the Bonneville Corner Collector on April 15, no later than 1600 hours. Flatten daily load following at the project to the extent possible to moderate tailwater elevation fluctuations. Avoiding daily tailwater fluctuations should effectively increase tailwater elevations from the minimums observed during low load time periods, providing better conditions for emerging juvenile chum salmon.

Increase Bonneville spill to full Biological Opinion levels (75 Kcfs during daytime hours and spill to the 120% TDG gas cap during nighttime hours) on April 19 at 1800 hours. (1)

(1) CRITFC and the Nez Perce Tribe do not oppose this SOR, but want to see a higher spill volume, 120 kcfs daytime at Bonneville Dam, as outlined in their 2005 River Operations Plan.

2. Participants U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, NOAA Fisheries, Nez Perce Tribe, Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, and the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission.

3. TMT recommendation The action agencies will plan to begin spill at Bonneville on Friday 4/15, for 24 hours, at 50 kcfs. The salmon managers will notify the action agencies on Thursday morning If a change in the operation is requested. The action agencies will target BiOp spill on Tuesday 4/19 pm, per recommendation from the salmon managers, unless noted otherwise after FPAC discussions Tuesday morning.

4. AA decision

5. IT recommendation

6. AA decision (after IT)

7. Actual Operation At Bonneville spill for juvenile fish passage began 1800 hours April 15th,. Spill started out at 50 kcfs 24 hours a day. Spill was increased to normal BiOp levels (75 kcfs day 120% spill at night at 1800 hours, April 19th.

8. If different from AA decision, why?

D2005-04 Top of Page

05-Apr-2005 2005-04 USFWS, IDFG, ODFW, WDFW, NOAA Fisheries, NPT, SBT, CRITFC Ice Harbor and Lower Columbia Spill (1)

1. SOR request

Ice Harbor Dam: Begin spill immediately to the amount specified in the Biological Opinion with the bulk spill pattern.

McNary Dam: Begin spill on April 10th, 2005 to the amount specified in the Biological Opinion.

John Day Dam: Begin spill on April 10th, 2005 to the amount specified in the Biological Opinion.

The Dalles Dam: Begin spill on April 11th, 2005 to the amount specified in the Biological Opinion.

Bonneville Spill: The commencement of spill at Bonneville Dam is being considered by the agencies and tribes. ODFW will monitor dissolved gas at chum emergence sites downstream. The agencies and tribes will consider additional data prior to requesting spill at Bonneville. The agencies and tribes anticipate that start of spill will be requested for April 15.

(1) CRITFC and the Nez Perce Tribe do not oppose this SOR but want to see higher spill volumes, as outlined in their 2005 River Operations Plan.

2. Participants U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, NOAA Fisheries, Nez Perce Tribe, Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, and the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission.

3. TMT recommendation The action agencies will begin spill at Ice Harbor on 4/7 from 6:00pm-6:00am, to BiOp, without interfering with the 10-hour RSW test (the salmon managers supported use of best research conditions for the RSW test). McNary and John Day will operate to UPA spill at 6:00 pm on 4/10. Work on The Dalles was scheduled to begin on 4/10, at which time the gates would be dogged off. The action agencies will plan to begin spill at Bonneville on 4/15, and wait to hear from the salmon managers on 4/14 about specific recommendations.

4. AA decision

5. IT recommendation

6. AA decision (after IT)

7. Actual Operation At Ice Harbor spill for juvenile fish passage began at 1800 hours April 7th, 2005. At The Dalles spill for juvenile fish passage began 1000 April 11th. At John Day spill for juvenile fish passage began at 1800 hours April 10th.

8. If different from AA decision, why?

D2005-03 Top of Page

01-Apr-2005 2005-03 USFWS, IDFG, ODFW, WDFW, NMFS, NPT, SBT, CRITFC Lower Snake and John Day Operations (1)

1. SOR request

Draft Ice Harbor Pool to MOP +1 on the evening of Monday, April 4th;

Draft Lower Granite pool to MOP +1 beginning the evening of Monday April 11, 2005;

Draft Little Goose pool to MOP +1 beginning the evening of April 12th;

Draft Lower Monumental Pool to MOP beginning the evening of April 13th;

Draft John Day Pool evenly over a three-day period to MIP beginning the evening of April 15th.

Grand Coulee Dam should be operated as planned before this request (steady draft of several 1/10ths of a foot per day, 3-30-05 STP). It is anticipated that the combination of all of the requested drafts will increase flows at Bonneville Dam relative to that planned (163-173 Kcfs at Bonneville Dame between April 10th to April 20th, 3-30-05 STP). If Grand Coulee decreases planned drafts (STP 3-30-05) as a result of these increases in flow, then an overall increase in flow at Bonneville Dam will not be accomplished.
(1) CRITFC and the Nez Perce Tribe agree with the intent of this SOR; however, would like all Snake projects drafted to MOP, as outlined in their 2005 River Operations Plan.

2. Participants U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, NOAA Fisheries, Nez Perce Tribe, Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, and the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission.

3. TMT recommendation Ice Harbor was operated to MOP+1 on 4/4 as requested. The action agencies will implement Lower Granite, Little Goose and Lower Monumental to their operating ranges by midnight of the day requested (4/11-4/13). John Day will operate to MIP over a 24-hour period, starting on 4/15 at 5:00 pm and reaching the operating range by 5:00 pm on 4/16. There will be no hard constraints on the flow objectives at Bonneville or draft at Grand Coulee.

4. AA decision

5. IT recommendation

6. AA decision (after IT)

7. Actual Operation At Lower Granite MOP +1 to MOP +2 operation started 2359 April 11. From May 15 - May 17 the pool operation was reduced to 733 to 734 because of inflows higher than 120 kcfs to the project. On September 14th the pool operating range was raised to 736.5 - 737.5 ft due to navigation concerns at the ports of Clarkston and Lewiston. During the period from April 11th to May 15th and from May 17th to September 14. Lower Granite operated within the specified elevation 99% of the time.
At Little Goose MOP +1 to MOP +2 operation started 2359 April 12th. The operation ended September 13 at 2359. Little Goose operated in this range 98% of the time.
At Lower Monumental MOP to MOP+1 operation started 2359 April 13th. The operation ended September 7 at 2359. Lower Monumental operated in this range 98% of the time.
At Ice Harbor MOP+1 to MOP+2 operation started 1200 April 4th. The operation ended August 31st 7 at 2359. Ice Harbor operated in this range 97% of the time.
At John Day the minimum level that provides irrigation pumping operation started April 16th at 1700. This operation was still ongoing September 16th. As of September 16th the pool was operated in this range 99% of the time.

8. If different from AA decision, why?

D2005-02 Top of Page

01-Mar-2005 2005-02 USFWS, IDFG, ODFW, WDFW, NMFS, NPT, SBT, CRITFC Fishery operations at the Bonneville Project

1. SOR request

No operation of unscreened units at Bonneville Powerhouse I or II and follow the turbine operating priority in the Fish Passage Plan;

Operate Powerhouse II as first priority. Fully load PH II before operating PH I;

Operate turbine units within 1% of peak efficiency;

Operate juvenile and adult facilities according to criteria;

Beginning on the morning of March 3, operate the corner collector (B2CC) for a period of 5 days, to the morning of March 8. Provide a sixth day, to the morning of March 9, of B2CC operation and tailwater compensation if there are sufficient numbers of hatchery fish still passing the project. Presence of low hundreds of fish per day passage will be interpreted as .sufficient. for the provision of an additional day of protection. This assessment will be based on fish passage index numbers for the sample ending the morning of Tuesday March 8.

Concurrent with the operation of the B2CC, operate the Bonneville Project to maintain a minimum 12.5-foot project tailwater elevation. Based on last year.s B2CC operation, which produced TDG readings approaching 108%, a 12.5 foot minimum project tailwater should be sufficient to maintain a maximum level of 105 % TDG (factored for depth compensation) at the chum redds in the Ives Island complex, and on the Oregon shore to the Multnomah area.

We request that the Action Agencies use the flexibility in the system to accomplish this while maintaining the target elevation of 1255 feet at Grand Coulee by March 31 to accommodate drum gate maintenance planned by the Bureau of Reclamation.

2. Participants U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, NOAA Fisheries, Nez Perce Tribe, Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, and the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission.

3. TMT recommendation The COE will begin the operation (open the corner collector) on March 3 when fish are present (as late as 3 pm). The COE will collect TDG data overnight and the salmon managers will gauge TDG levels at the chum redd locations. With this new information and further thought on the options generated today, TMT will revisit the issue during a conference call on Friday, March 4.

4. AA decision

5. IT recommendation

6. AA decision (after IT)

7. Actual Operation Starting March 2nd Bonneville was operated with the following conditions

Operate the second powerhouse as first priority and follow unit operating priorities in the fish passage plan dated february 2005 (fpp).

Operate all turbine units within their respective 1% of best efficiency ranges.

Operate the second powerhouse corner collector beginning tomorrow, Thursday March3.

When the corner collector is operating, maintain a minimum tailwater elevation of 12.5 feet and keep spill bays 1 and 18 closed.

Operations will be managed to not exceed 120% total dissolved gas (tdg) at warrendale, 115% tdg at camas/washougal, and a depth-compensated level of 105% tdg at chum salmon redds downstream of the project.
The corner collector was turned on at approximately 1500 March 3rd. It was closed at 1700 March 5th.
The minimum tailwater elevation was increased to 13.5 ft 1800 March 4th. It was reduced to 12.5 ft at 1700 hours March 5th. At 2100 March 5th it was reduced to 11.5 ft.

Normal project operation resumed March 6th.

8. If different from AA decision, why?

D2005-01 Top of Page

12-Jan-2005 2005-01 USFWS, IDFG, ODFW, WDFW, NMFS, NPT, SBT, CRITFC Operations at Dworshak Reservoir

1. SOR request Maintain Dworshak Reservoir to the highest elevation possible within the flood control rule curves. Do not evacuate 50 Ksfd (99.2 Kaf) as planned by the COE over the next week for power operations. Continue to release minimum discharges (1.5 Kcfs) until further notice.

2. Participants U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, National Marine Fisheries Service, Nez Perce Tribe, Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, and the Columbia River Inter Tribal Fish Commission.

3. TMT recommendation The COE will use caution with flexibility at Dworshak. If a weather event occurs before the next TMT meeting, the COE will notify TMT if it plans to use flexibility to accommodate power needs because of the weather condition. The action agencies have looked into other areas for flexibility as well (e.g. Grand Coulee), and will continue to keep TMT apprised that this is happening.

4. AA decision

5. IT recommendation

6. AA decision (after IT)

7. Actual Operation Dworshak Outflow was increased above minimum flow on January 13 and 14. E-mail notification was sent to TMT advising them of this. Project was on minimujm flow from January 15 - January 24. Between January 25 - January 31, flows were increased to between 2.3 and 6 kcfs in order to meet end of January flood control elevation. Outflows were reduced back to 1.5 kcfs February 2 and kept in that range until April 4th

8. If different from AA decision, why?