Methodology to Predict Total and Fine Sediment Load Reductions as a Result of Channel
Restoration in Lake Tahoe Streams
Upper Truckee River, California
Research Proposal in Response to
A Request for Proposals to Conduct Research in Support of the
Lake Tahoe Environmental Improvement Program
January 26 2007
ECOSYSTEM
SCIENCE + DESIGN
321 Frederick Street
Santa Cruz, California 95062
p 831.426.9119 f 831.421.9023
w 2ndnatureinc.com
Research Proposal: Theme 2B
Project Team and Contact
Information
page 1
Principal Investigator
Nicole Beck, PhD, 2NDNATURE, LLC
321 Frederick Street, Santa Cruz CA 95062
p. 831.426.9119 f. 831.421.9023
nbeck@2ndnatureinc.com
Contributing Researchers
Dr. Catherine Riihimaki, Dept. of Geology, Bryn Mawr College
101 N. Merion Avenue, Bryn Mawr PA 19010
p. 610.526.7971
criihima@brynmawr.edu
Cynthia Walck, California Department of Parks and Recreation,
Sierra District
P.O. Box 16, Tahoe City CA 96145
p.530.581. 0925
cwalck@parks.ca.gov
Matt Kiesse, River Run Consulting
24124 County Road 1, Cedarville CA 96104
p. 530.279.2400
mkiesse@frontiernet.net
Grants Contact
Krista McDonald, 2NDNATURE, LLC
321 Frederick Street, Santa Cruz CA 95062
p. 831.426.9119 f. 831.421.9023
krista@2ndnatureinc.com
Theme 2. Water Quality
Sub-Theme B. Stream Channel Erosion.
Proposal Word Count: 3,192
Justification Statement
This project will directly improve our understanding of how stream
restoration projects in the Lake Tahoe Basin enhance total and fine
sediment1 deposition. The primary goal of the Lake Tahoe TMDL is to
reduce pollutant loading such that the clarity of Lake Tahoe over the next
20-30 years returns to the conditions present in the 1960’s (Roberts
2006). Towards this end, the most effective pollutant control options
will target the greatest source of the pollutant most responsible for the
Lake’s water clarity impairment. Fine inorganic particles are assumed to
1
For textual simplicity, sediment referred to throughout this proposal includes total
suspended and fine-grained sediment. The 2NDNATURE team is aware that fine
sediment in streams is a priority pollutant of concern. All samples collected on behalf
of these efforts will be analyzed for suspended sediment in a manner consistent with
previous and ongoing sediment research in the Basin. Grain size distribution analysis
will include, but not limited to, the <63 um and <20 um fractions to ensure data are
consistent with CONCEPTS, Watershed LSPC, Lake Clarity and other TMDL empirical
modeling efforts.
2NDNATURE, LLC
321 Frederick Street Santa Cruz California 95062 phone 831-426-9119 fax 831-421-9023 email info@2ndnatureinc.com
Research Proposal: Theme 2B
page 2
be responsible for over 50-60% of the clarity impairment of Lake Tahoe
(Swift et al. 2006) and stream channel loading is estimated to contribute
over 65% of the fine particles delivered to Lake Tahoe on an annual basis
(LWQCB 20062). To date, very little research has been conducted on the
fate and transport of the fine sediment fraction in Lake Tahoe streams.
From a management perspective, regulators must demand evidence of
quantifiable water quality benefit of stream channel restoration projects.
The realignment of a stream to restore a more functional morphology
requires significant resource allocations for property acquisition,
planning, engineering design teams, contractors, etc. Currently, reliable
methodologies to estimate the total and fine sediment load reductions
anticipated and/or achieved as a result of stream channel restoration
efforts are sparse. One common primary objective of Lake Tahoe stream
restoration or reconfiguration design projects is to modify the channel
morphology such that the frequency and duration of overbank flow
increases. It is assumed that by increasing connectivity of the channel
to the floodplain, the hydraulic force available to erode, mobilize and
transport sediment downstream, and ultimately to the Lake, will be
reduced. Also, is assumed that by increasing the frequency and duration
of water on the floodplain, more sediment will be deposited on the
floodplain. Both of these assumptions are commonly made and asserted
to be benefits of stream channel restoration projects, but little empirical
data exists. The proposed project presents a cost-effective methodology
to quantify and predict these sediment/fine-sediment load reductions,
providing well-needed tools for both restoration design and project
performance evaluations.
The 2NDNATURE team will characterize the vertical and horizontal
distribution of various sediment grain-size fractions within the water
column across existing reaches in the Upper Truckee River with varying
degrees of floodplain interaction. The gained knowledge will provide more
accurate empirical relationships to constrain the total suspended and finesediment rating curves of Lake Tahoe streams for the USDA CONCEPTS
(Conservational Channel Evolution and Pollutant Transport System) model
(Simon et al. 2003). Continued research that increased the accuracy of
these rating curves will ensure effective long-term tracking of the TMDL
and improve project-specific fine sediment load reductions predictions
of stream channel restoration efforts. This type of a methodology is also
being requested by the Lahontan Region of the California Water Quality
Control Board (LWQCB) to show benefits of restoration projects to water
quality. Again, managers and practitioners make the assumption that
stream restoration projects will have a positive effect on sediment loading
to Lake Tahoe, but to date little site-specific evidence exists.
We expect the findings from this research to:
1. Illustrate the differences in fine sediment dynamics in an
entrenched versus a non-entrenched stream morphology.
2
2NDNATURE, LLC
http://ndep.nv.gov/BWQP/file/tahoe_draft_scg_work_plan.pdf, p. 2
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Research Proposal: Theme 2B
page 3
2. Evaluate these differences during a variety of flow conditions in
order to predict sediment characteristics of floodplain deposition if
channel restoration occurred and
3. Inform stream restoration project planning by improving our
predictions of expected patterns of sediment deposition and/or
erosion.
The project’s primary personnel include Dr. Nicole Beck, principal of
2NDNATURE, Dr. Riihimaki, an accomplished geomorphologist from
Bryn Mawr College, Cyndie Walck, geomorphologist/hydrologist for
California Department of Parks and Recreation (State Parks), and Matt
Kiesse, principal of River Run Consulting. Dr. Beck has been intimately
involved in Lake Tahoe research and is committed to implementing and
communicating cost-effective applied science to Basin resource agencies.
Dr. Riihimaki has extensive experience in modeling hydraulic and sediment
dynamics in stream environments and will provide invaluable quantitative
perspective to data evaluation and interpretation. Dr. Riihimaki’s
laboratory will conduct the proposed hundreds of sediment and grain-size
analyses for a nominal cost to the project, the results of which will be
published in peer-reviewed publications. Mr. Kiesse is a well-respected
geomorphologist who lead the design for several high-profile stream
restorations within the Basin, including Trout Creek, Blackwood Creek,
Angora Creek, and the Upper Truckee River (UTR). His local expertise and
highly innovative approaches to channel restorations will be indispensable
to the scientific integrity of this project.
The collaboration with State Parks and support from the California Tahoe
Conservancy (as expressed in the attached letter from Steve Carroll) is
invaluable. All sediment evaluations will be conducted within targeted
reaches on State Parks property within the UTR (Figure 1). These efforts
will build upon the existing long-term morphologic and hydrologic
monitoring efforts conducted by State Parks, as well as generate preproject baseline data on fine sediment loading and floodplain interactions
in a high-priority stream system.
Background / Problem Statement
This research effort will address two primary data gaps:
1. Minimal research has been conducted on grain-size distribution
and fine-sediment dynamics within Lake Tahoe streams. Thus, our
current ability to characterize the <63 um and <20 um particle
dynamics in streams can be greatly improved. Our data collection
approach will characterize the vertical and horizontal grain-size
distribution, with a focus on fine sediment classes, as a function of
discharge and channel cross-section morphology.
Research that identified the overwhelming role inorganic fine particles
(<20 um) play in impairing the clarity of Lake Tahoe was released in
2005. Prior to this date, water quality data collection focused upon
the total suspended sediment load, with far less attention to grain-size
distribution within the suspended sediment load. The 2NDNATURE team
has developed cost-effective data collection techniques to improve our
2NDNATURE, LLC
321 Frederick Street Santa Cruz California 95062 phone 831-426-9119 fax 831-421-9023 email info@2ndnatureinc.com
to South Lake Tahoe
Incline
Village, NV
Tahoe
City, CA
Lake
Tahoe
South Lake
Tahoe, CA
Area of
Detail
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Specific project locations will
be selected within the reach
of State Parks property.
Up
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Upper Truckee
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LEGEND
CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS PROPERTY
MAINSTEM UPPER TRUCKEE RIVER
RIVERS / STREAMS
to Meyers
1: 12,000
PROJECT LOCATION MAP
FIGURE 1
Research Proposal: Theme 2B
page 5
understanding of how finer particles are distributed within a stream
channel during a variety of discharge conditions and how floodplain
interactions may affect these concentration gradients and loads. The
empirical data collected will improve modeling capabilities to show how
transport of fine-grained sediments through Lake Tahoe streams. Project
data will show how representative sediment grab samples are of the total
sediment yield, how sediment grain-size distribution will change along
channels with greater overbank flow, and how to adjust rating curves for
models like CONCEPTS to better represent the fine-sediment distribution
throughout the entire water column.
2. Resource and regulatory agencies currently lack a cost-effective and
scientifically defensible approach to quantify the suspended and
fine-sediment load reductions as a result of stream restoration.
Local stakeholders and agencies are undertaking stream channel
reconfiguration projects to improve the natural fluvial processes of
Lake Tahoe streams. The projects’ goals are to reduce erosion, improve
sediment retention within the streams and floodplains, and ultimately
reduce the annual suspended sediment and fine sediment loading to
Lake Tahoe. To meet the goals of the TMDL cost-effective and sustainable
solutions will require that an effective long-term adaptive management
process rigorously tracks pollutant load reductions. Initial approaches
to quantify total sediment reductions by the City of South Lake Tahoe
(CSLT) and CTC have included automated continuous turbidity monitoring
in locations surrounding scheduled stream restoration efforts in the UTR
(2NDNATURE 2006, CTC pers. com). While turbidity records provide an
invaluable high-resolution time-series of sediment dynamics at a particular
location, the instrumentation is costly and attributing differences in total
and fine sediment loading between stations (or pre and post project) to
specific in-stream modifications can be ambiguous without additional
measurements.
Goals, Objectives and Statement
of Hypotheses to be Tested
Goal 1. Develop, verify and document site specific fine sediment
monitoring protocols to quantify and predict the sediment load reductions
as a result of stream restoration projects. The proposed methodology will
provide the necessary stream reach evaluation tools to track and model
the water quality performance (i.e., fine sediment load reductions) of Lake
Tahoe stream restorations.
Goal 2. Improve the Basin-wide empirical relationships between fine
particles (<63 um and <20 um) and total suspended sediment loads.
Hypothesis 1. Very simple and repeatable monitoring techniques
(presented in Section 5) can quantify the retention of total sediment and
fine sediment on an existing floodplain. These techniques can be refined
and implemented to quantify long-term stream restoration “success”
with respect to reducing total suspended and fine sediment loading to
downstream resources.
2NDNATURE, LLC
321 Frederick Street Santa Cruz California 95062 phone 831-426-9119 fax 831-421-9023 email info@2ndnatureinc.com
Research Proposal: Theme 2B
page 6
Hypothesis 2. Differences in vertical and horizontal grain-size distribution
across a range of channel cross-section morphologies will directly inform
modeling efforts to characterize existing fine sediment yields from stream
systems. This data-collection effort will improve estimates of total and finegrained sediment loads and allow predictions of load reductions resulting
from channel restoration.
Hypothesis 3. The methodology and approach developed will focus future
stream restoration monitoring efforts to quantify the suspended and fine
sediment reductions expected from increasing floodplain connectivity.
Objective 1. Implement and evaluate a cost-effective, robust and
repeatable methodology to quantify the suspended sediment and finesediment load reductions as a result of restoration efforts that increase
the frequency and duration of floodplain interactions in Lake Tahoe
streams.
Objective 2. Document the dynamics of total and fine sediment deposition
on existing floodplain surfaces within the Upper Truckee River, Middle
Reach, over two complete seasons.
Objective 3. Evaluate and document the differences in vertical grainsize distribution across reaches with differing width-to-depth ratios and
flood plain connectivity. Data will be used to model the anticipated
sediment load reductions in entrenched reaches within the UTR if channel
modifications were implemented. These predictions can be evaluated
following project implementation to inform adaptive management as well
as the modeling parameters.
Objective 4. Provide empirical data and additional insight on improving
the CONCEPTS representation of the fate and transport of total suspended
and fine-grained sediment loads in Lake Tahoe streams.
Approach, Methodology and
Geographic Location of Research
Geographic Location of Research
Data collection will occur at a total of 3-5 specific sites within the Middle
Reach of the Upper Truckee River (UTR) on property owned by State Parks
(Figure 1). This research can serve as a preliminary effort from which
the approach, protocols and data evaluation procedures can be refined
and applied to quantify the fine sediment reduction success of stream
restoration projects throughout the Lake Tahoe Basin.
Approach and Methodology
Typical channel restoration modifications increase floodplain area or
connectivity, and thereby reduce stream stage for any given discharge
greater than bankfull. These morphologic differences directly control
changes in stream stage, water velocity, sediment transport capacity,
shear stress, etc. for any given discharge. With greater floodplain access,
channel shear stress is reduced and the amount and duration of water on
the floodplain, where lower forces and velocity may cause deposition, is
increased.
2NDNATURE, LLC
321 Frederick Street Santa Cruz California 95062 phone 831-426-9119 fax 831-421-9023 email info@2ndnatureinc.com
Research Proposal: Theme 2B
page 7
Simple sediment monitoring and characterization on existing floodplain
surfaces will improve our understanding of the amount and type of
sediment that is retained on floodplains during elevated flows. Detailed
sampling upstream and downstream of the floodplain surfaces will
document any differences in the water column’s grain-size distributions
as a result of floodplain interactions. This information will be coupled with
the comparison of vertical grain-size distribution to stream channel crosssection width-to-depth ratio. The collection of vertical profiles of grainsize distribution in highly entrenched stream reaches (i.e., low likelihood
of floodplain inundation) will constrain existing fine-sediment loads and
vertical water column distributions within stream reaches targeted for
future channel alterations. Figure 2 presents a schematic of the proposed
instrumentation and monitoring difference proposed at these distinct
channel types.
Collected sediment data will be used to constrain a numerical model of
sediment transport in entrenched and non-entrenched channel reaches.
Vertical sampling within the stream channels will allow assessment of the
relative importance of near-surface waters versus deeper waters to overall
transport of sediment to Lake Tahoe. These near-surface waters and
associated sediment are preferentially removed by overbank deposition
during flooding. Cross-section data will be used to model shear stress and
stream power during a range of discharge conditions. Floodplain samples
will constrain sediment deposition dynamics on floodplains during
overbank flooding. Once the model approach is verified, vertical and
horizontal grain-size dynamics can be predicted as hypothetical channel
cross-section geometries are changed to assess the impact of channel
modification or restoration. Modeling efforts will be based directly on sitespecific observations and provide a reliable approach to predicting (preproject) and testing (post-project) the reductions of fine-sediment load as a
result of channel restoration.
Specific Reach Selection
The primary goal of reach selection will be to constrain as many variables
influencing the sediment transport dynamics as possible, while varying
the floodplain connectivity, and thus the overbank flow, characteristics of
each selected reach. By selecting sites in close proximity and sampling
the water column’s vertical sediment profile almost simultaneously across
sites, discharge will be nearly constant for respective events and thus
observed differences in the vertical grain-size profiles can be primarily
attributed to differences in channel morphology.
Site Data Collection and Protocols
Figure 2 provides a schematic of the reach monitoring stations for
entrenched channel sites (i.e., LOW likelihood of floodplain inundation
over the duration of the study), and non-entrenched channel sites (i.e.,
HIGH likelihood of floodplain inundation). The goal is to monitor each
site during 15-20 different stream discharge conditions each year for a
two-year period. Focused efforts will be placed on obtaining grain-size
distribution data during the larger, less frequent event types.
Reach monitoring will consist of the following:
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321 Frederick Street Santa Cruz California 95062 phone 831-426-9119 fax 831-421-9023 email info@2ndnatureinc.com
ENTRENCHED CHANNEL
LOW Width to Depth Ratio
LOW Likelihood of Overbank Flow
Samplers placed vertically every 12”
Instream Passive Sampler Schematic
lever is extended to bank and triggers
closure and collection of sample
Instream Passive Sampler
Floodplain
Peak Flow
Streamflow
• 3 to 5 spring-loaded samplers are attached to a steel
pole secured in the channel.
• Sampler locations
are surveyed and fixed.
• Samplers are placed parallel to streamflow and remain
in ‘open’ position (shown abpve) until sampling event.
• During sampling event, field personnel on bank
engages samplers (red plungers are released from ‘up’
position and snap down to seal both ends of sampler).
Bankfull
Stage Recorder collects
water surface elevation
on 15-min intervals
Planview
NON-ENTRENCHED CHANNEL
HIGH Width to Depth Ratio
HIGH Likelihood of Overbank Flow
Samplers placed vertically every 6”
Streamflow
Cross-Section
Instream Passive Sampler
XS1
A’
A
Peak Flow
Floodplain
Potential Floodplain
Bankfull
A
Sediment Traps, Pins and
Passive Samplers
Stage
Recorder
Sediment Pin Schematic
Pre-inundation event
Post-inundation event
• Instream passive sampler and
stage recorder located at XS2.
• 2 to 3 sediment traps per XS.
• 3 to 5 sediment pins per XS.
• All locations surveyed and fixed.
XS2
A’
Sediment Traps, Pins and
Passive Samplers
XS3
z
z1
newly accumulated
sediment following
overbank flow
• Pin locations and elevations are surveyed fixed.
• Bolt is placed at grade with floodplain and height from pin head
to bolt (z) is measured.
• Following an inundation event, height from pin head to floodplain
surface (z1) is measured.
• Difference is height measurements (z-z1) is the depth of newly
accumulated sediments due to overbank flow.
• Provides simple calculation of volume of floodplain sediment
deposition.
Sediment Passive Sampler
floodplain surface
‘Plastic Grass’ Sediment Trap
Streamflow
10” disc of artifical grass used to trap
suspended sediment in overbank flow
• Trap is placed at grade with floodplain.
• Trap locations and elevations are surveyed.
• During an inundation event, suspended sediment is trapped within the ‘grass’.
• Samples can be collected and analyzed for grain size distribution.
position of ball following
sample collection
buoyant ball prior to
sample collection
• Sediment passive samplers are placed at grade with
floodplain to trap samples as overbank flow occurs.
• Sampler locations are surveyed and fixed.
• Flange installed over mouth of sampler to reduce
contamination of sample by aeolian sediment.
• Buoyant ball will float to top of jar as sample is collected
and seal sample closed.
SCHEMATIC OF PROPOSED SEDIMENT SAMPLING TECHNIQUES
FIGURE 2
Research Proposal: Theme 2B
Deliverables/Products
page 9
•
Three repeatable cross sectional surveys along the selected reach
no more than 100 ft apart longitudinally. Efforts will be made to
select sites with existing cross-section monuments maintained by
State Parks (SH+G 2004, Simon et al. 2003) and cross-sectional
surveys will be tied to elevations using previously established
benchmarks and repeated throughout the study.
•
Automated stage recorders will be installed, surveyed for elevation
and maintained on 15 minute intervals within each reach. Stage
recorders will be linked to the USGS discharge record at Meyers to
develop site-specific hydrology (SH+G 2004) including a discharge
time series within the subject reach.
•
Within each subject reach 3-5 in-stream passive samplers will be
installed vertically in the water column to facilitate discrete vertical
sediment sampling during a variety of discharge conditions. The
housings will be installed using low-cost materials and secured
in the channel cross-section. Field personnel arriving at the site
will pull a string or flip a lever to open and close the samplers at
discrete times and depths. The spatial location of each sampler will
be surveyed, and the date and time of all collected samples will
be noted. Using the stage and USGS discharge time series and the
unique elevation of each sample collected, simple vertical profiles of
sediment grain-size distributions can be created.
•
Reaches that have a high likelihood of floodplain inundation will be
equipped with sediment traps, passive samplers and floodplain pins
within the floodplain at horizontal distances perpendicular to the
channel (Figure 2).
•
All water and/or sediment samples collected on behalf of this study
will be analyzed for suspended sediment and grain-size distribution
using a sedigraph automated particle-size analyzer, with a focus on
quantifying <63 um and <20 um size fractions.
•
All raw data will be stored in a project-specific MS Access database.
Basic statistical relationships between current hydrologic and
sedimentologic variables will be plotted. Numerical modeling
results of the effects of channel restoration on suspended sediment
transport will be also be accessible.
Following the approach and methodology above, the project consists of 5
primary tasks.
Task 1. Sampling Plan (SAP)
Upon contract initiation the project team will meet and collaborate with
property managers, other relevant researchers and key stakeholders
to take into account their concerns and needs, while still meeting the
project’s budgetary and research objectives. Specific sites will be selected
and a detailed SAP will be developed to document all details regarding
data collection protocols, timing, data management, etc.
Task 1 Product: Sampling Plan
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Research Proposal: Theme 2B
page 10
Task 2. Site instrumentation and preparation
Once an accepted SAP has been developed, site instrumentation
development and installation will be conducted in accordance with the
details outlined in the SAP.
Task 3. Field data collection
Site monitoring will continue for 2 complete years once initiated in
accordance with the SAP.
Task 4. Data management and analysis
An MS Access database will be developed to store and easily share all
raw hydraulic, hydrologic, cross-section and sediment data collected.
Numerical model results showing the effects of channel restoration on
sediment transport dynamics will also be available in the database.
Task 4 Products: Database of raw data, statistical analysis of sediment
data, development and implementation of sediment-transport model
Task 5. Project Communications
Task 5A: Presentations/ Technical Meetings. The project team will
participate in technical discussions with other researchers and agency
personnel involved in quantifying fine sediment dynamics in stream
environments. The project team will present at conferences and
participate in technical meetings and other communication efforts to
appropriately share and collaborate information and approaches.
Task 5B: Draft and Final Technical Reports. Following two complete
seasons of monitoring, the Draft Technical Report will be produced to
present, document and summarize the findings, data and modeling
efforts. The report will include a detailed site map, cross-sections, vertical
and horizontal sediment profiles, hydrologic and other relevant data in
graphical format. The MS Access database of raw data will be provided, as
well as the relevant modeling infrastructure, results and other necessary
components to integrate results into larger sediment loading tracking
efforts. 45 days following the submission of comments on the draft, the
Final Technical Report will be provided.
Task 5 Products: Draft and Final Technical Reports
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Research Proposal: Theme 2B
Schedule of Events/Reporting
and Deliverables
page 11
The funding request is for two complete seasons of site-specific hydrologic
and sediment data collection. Therefore, the schedule of events will
proceed forward from the time of contract award. A more definitive
schedule of deliverable dates will be developed once contract is awarded.
ask
Begin:
Time since contract
award
End:
Time since contract award
Task 1: Sampling Plan (SAP)
1 month
SAP delivered 3 mo.
Task 2: Site Instrumentation
and Preparation
Acceptance of SAP
(est. 3-4 mo)
1 mo from Task 2 initiation
(est. 4-5 mo)
Task 3. Data Collection
Acceptance of SAP
(est. 3-4 mo)
Two complete years,
est. 27-28 mo.
Task 4: Data Management
and Analysis
Acceptance of SAP
(est. 3-4 mo)
Two complete years,
est. 27-28 mo.
Ongoing
Ongoing
Draft Technical Report
28 mo.
30 mo.
Final Technical Report
32 mo.
34 mo.
Task 5A: Presentations/
Technical Meetings
Task 5B. Draft and Final
Technical Reports
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Research Proposal: Theme 2B
Proposal Citations
page 12
2NDNATURE. 2006. 2006 Final Report, CSLT Upper Truckee River
Sediment Monitoring, Middle Reach (2002-2005). Prepared for the City of
South Lake Tahoe. Funded by the Bureau of Reclamation in cooperation
with Tahoe Resource Conservation District (TRCD). Monitoring designed
and implemented by the CSLT. March 27, 2006. (ftp://2ndnatureinc.com/
2ndnature/TahoeReferences)
Lambert, C.P. and D.E. Walling. 1987. Floodplain Sedimentation: A
Preliminary Investigation of Contemporary Deposition within the Lower
Reaches of the River Culm, Devon, UK. Georafiska Annalu. Series A,
Physical Geography, 69(3/4): 393-404.
LWQCB. 2006. Draft Lake Tahoe TMDL Source Category Group Work Plan.
December 15, 2006.
Roberts, D. 2006. Preliminary TMDL Lake Tahoe Clarity Model Results.
Presentation to LTIMP. June 9, 2006.
Simon, A., E. Langendoen, R. Bingner, R. Wells, A. Heins, N. Jokay
and I. Jaramillo. 2003. Draft Final Lake Tahoe Basin Framework
Implementation Study: Sediment Loadings and Channel Erosion. USDAAgricultural Research Service, Channel and Watershed Processes
Research Unit, National Sedimentation Laboratory. July, 2003.
SH+G. 2004. Final Report: Upper Truckee River Upper Reach
Environmental Assessment. Prepared for the Bureau of Reclamation,
Tahoe Resource Conservation District and Lahontan Region of the
California Water Quality Control Board. March 23, 2004.
Swift, T.J., J. Perez-Losada, S.G. Schladow, J.L Reuter, A.D. Jassby, and
C.R. Goldman. 2006. Water Clarity Modeling in Lake Tahoe: Linking
Suspended Matter Characteristics to Secchi Depth. Aquatic Sciences,
68:1-15
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2NDNATURE is an ecosystem science + design firm specializing in aquatic
resource assessment, monitoring and restoration plans. We devise innovative
and sustainable solutions to enhance today’s human impacted ecosystems.
ECOSYSTEM
SCIENCE + DESIGN
321 FREDERICK STREET
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Company Philosophy + Vision
p2
Philosophy
Upstream land use and limited land availability restrain the chemical and physical function of streams,
wetlands and other waterways from ever returning to their pre-human development condition. The
challenge of today’s natural resource managers is to implement enhancement actions that will assist
aquatic ecosystems to establish a new sustainable equilibrium in the presence of human constraints.
2NDNATURE assists resource managers in developing cost-effective techniques to gain quantitative information of aquatic system function. Integrating science and engineering tools, 2NDNATURE approaches
enhancement with the intent of improving the functional components of a particular system that are
directly limiting health. 2NDNATURE’s expertise in pollutant load reductions help resource managers to
meet TMDLs, maximize beneficial uses and implement effective enhancement designs. Focused physical,
chemical and biological data collection serve to quantify the success and failure of management actions
and are critical to facilitating an effective adaptive management process.
Capabilities
• Ecological restoration design
• Science engineering
• Hypothesis driven water quality monitoring both surface + groundwater resources
• Complete empirical and technical water quality expertise for all typical natural and
urban pollutants
• Quantitative performance assessments of restoration, management + BMP projects
• Hydrologic + geomorphic analyses
• Science communication
• GIS + topographic mapping
Vision
2NDNATURE is a woman-owned environmental consulting firm with a vision to provide innovative,
sustainable, yet cost-effective solutions to impaired ecosystems.
2NDNATURE prides ourselves on being responsive to our clients’ product and budgetary needs.
2NDNATURE strives to be a consulting liaison between science, engineering and policy.
2NDNATURE’s greatest asset is our ability to communicate complex scientific concepts in a clear,
coherent manner.
2NDNATURE’s goal is to promote long-term harmony between nature and human development.
2NDNATURE, LLC
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Project Experience
p3
Lake Tahoe
PROJECT: Lake Tahoe TMDL Phase II - Lake Tahoe Basin 2006 - 2008
CLIENT: Lahonton Regional Water Quality Control Board
Phase II of the Lake Tahoe TMDL consists of identifying and quantitatively testing potential pollutant control options (PCOs) that could collectively provide the necessary nutrient and sediment load reductions
to restore 30 feet of Lake Tahoe’s renowned clarity. The potential load reduction evaluations are being
addressed across pollutant source categories responsible for pollutant routing to Lake Tahoe and include
atmospheric, streams, urban runoff, forested uplands and groundwater. Dr. Beck and her 2NDNATURE team
are the technical lead consultant for the groundwater source category group. 2NDNATURE is also a technical
consult for the urban stormwater and stream channel loading source category groups. Over the duration of
the project, 2NDNATURE will collaborate with the TMDL Watershed modeling group to improve the models’
representation of subsurface nutrient fate and transport. Once existing conditions are better constrained,
modeling and empirical evaluations will be employed by 2NDNATURE to quantitatively compare a gamut and
pollutant control options based on implementation costs and annual anticipated nutrient and fine sediment
load reductions.
PROJECT: Village Green Pilot Project Phase II – Incline Village, NV 2004 - 2007
CLIENT: Nevada Tahoe Conservation District (NTCD)
2NDNATURE is addressing management questions regarding the impacts of fertilized land use on water
resources in the Lake Tahoe Basin. The objective of the study is to provide a complete annual and seasonal
evaluation of the nutrient treatment capability and potential downstream impacts of a wet basin BMP that
accepts runoff from a fertilized ball field. Using automated instrumentation and advanced data collection
techniques, site evaluations include detailed water budget, nutrient cycling in surface waters, nutrient
impact to shallow groundwater, nutrient loading changes due to fertilizer and irrigation management alterations, and quantification of detention basin
modifications to improve pollutant treatment.
The project has been designed to provide scientific data that can be applied to future management of fertilized surfaces in the Lake Tahoe
Basin. It will also identify specific techniques
that decrease the nutrient delivery of fertilized
surfaces on the local aquatic resources.
PROJECT: Irrigation Reuse Experiment Village
Green Pond - Incline Village, NV 2006 - 2007
CLIENT: USEPA and NTCD
The USEPA has funded 2NDNATURE to evaluate an alternative management strategy to
increase the performance of the above wet basin BMP. 2NDNATURE designed and implemented a costeffective, functional water reuse program to recycle Village Green Pond waters and use that water to irrigate
a small subplot of the adjacent ballfields. The hypothesis is that the nutrient-rich water can be reused to
irrigate and fertilize portions of the turf, thereby reducing consumptive uses of fertilizer and water. In concert with recycling, we anticipate increased water circulation and periodic drying of the Pond sediments will
improve the nutrient retention and treatment capability of the BMP. In coordination with the Village Green
Pond Pilot Project, surface water and groundwater continue to be monitored. This monitoring data will be
used to evaluate the reuse success at improving BMP nutrient treatment capability, reducing annual dissolved nutrient loading at the site, and reducing water and fertilizer consumption of turf grass land use.
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Project Experience
p4
Lake Tahoe
PROJECT: Lake Tahoe BMP Monitoring Evaluation Process Science Synthesis - Lake Tahoe Basin 2005 - 2006
CLIENT: USFS Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU)
In the Lake Tahoe Basin, there is an imminent need to quantify the benefit of restoration and pollutant treatment efforts. The Tahoe World July 7, 2005 featured article states, “After millions of dollars have been spent
on environmental restoration projects in recent decades, many are hopeful research will soon show those
projects are having a positive effect. But no one has drawn that conclusion yet.” 2NDNATURE was retained
to review and synthesize the existing research and monitoring projects completed on Lake Tahoe stormwater BMP structures. 2NDNATURE summarized the lessons
learned from these various efforts, provided a preliminary comparison of available pollutant treatment
results and developed recommendations to
improve the quality and applicability of monitoring data. The findings and recommendations aim to improve the consistency
and integration of water quality data
collected within the Lake Tahoe Basin
and improve the application of these
data to inform BMP design.
PROJECT: Surface Water/Groundwater
Nutrient Study - South Lake Tahoe, CA
2005 - 2007
CLIENT: City of South Lake Tahoe (CSLT)
2NDNATURE has been retained by the
CSLT to design and manage an extensive water quality monitoring project at the
urban Park Avenue detention basins. The BMP
consists of two consecutive basins, installed in
phases over the past few years. The CSLT conducted
limited surface water and groundwater monitoring of the
upper basin in the early 2000’s. 2NDNATURE is teaming with the
USGS to implement a broader assessment of both the treatment capacity of this large urban BMP and the
potential influence of infiltration of urban waters on the shallow groundwater quality. The project includes
the installation and monitoring of numerous upgradient and downgradient monitoring wells, in-basin lysimeters, surface water monitoring stations and continuous water level recorders. Possible solute tracer experiments and slug tests will improve the overall understanding of hydrogeologic processes occurring at this
site. The products will include a detailed event based water budget of the Park Avenue Basins, an evaluation
of the fate and transport of key nutrient constituents introduced to this BMP, and the quantitative evaluation
of the efficiency of this project to reduce pollutant loading in urban stormwater to Lake Tahoe.
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Project Experience
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Lake Tahoe
PROJECT: Analysis of CSLT Upper Truckee River Sediment Monitoring: Middle Reach - Lake Tahoe, CA 2005-2006
CLIENT: City of South Lake Tahoe
The City of South Lake Tahoe (CSLT) established three long-term turbidity monitoring stations on the Upper
Truckee River in April of 2002 and operated the stations through 2005. The high resolution monitoring
included periodic sediment sampling with the intent of providing quantitative methodology to quantify
event, seasonal and annual sediment loads emanating from this high priority stream system in Lake Tahoe.
2NDNATURE was retained to oversee and facilitate data management, as well as to compile and statistically
analyze existing hydrologic and sediment data. 2NDNATURE compiled and integrated the turbidity data, relevant USGS stream gage time series data and analytical sample results to create the statistically representative rating curves based on seasonal event differences. In addition, 2NDNATURE calculated instantaneous
and annual sediment loads and documented the quantitative findings in a final technical report. The methodology, approach and findings from the CSLT and 2NDNATURE will likely be used to facilitate the adaptive
management process with respect to the future UTR restoration efforts.
PROJECT: Detention Basin Treatment of Hydrocarbon Compounds in Urban Stormwater - South Lake Tahoe, CA 2002-2006
CLIENT: South Tahoe Public Utility District
Following a competitive bid process, South Tahoe Public Utility District retained Nicole Beck, Ph.D. as the
project manager to evaluate the potential impact of detention basin structures on shallow groundwater quality. To reduce surface water pollutant loading to Lake Tahoe, infiltration of urban stormwater has been a
primary management practice. The goal of the project was to determine if the chronic induced infiltration of
urban stormwater may be inadvertently polluting the South Lake Tahoe groundwater resources with hydrocarbon constituents. Since groundwater is the local community's sole drinking water supply, this work was
imperative. A number of the city's wells have recently been closed due to low levels of MtBE. Over the 2.5
year evaluation no detections of MtBE were found in any surface water or groundwater samples collected for
this study, however Lake Tahoe Basin banned MtBE gasoline sales in 1999. The evaluations substantiated
that urban stormwater in Lake Tahoe contains elevated levels of heavier hydrocarbon constituents, but the
absence of any detections of these hydrocarbons during recharge-based groundwater monitoring beneath
two dry detention basins suggests
the vertical soil column effectively
retains and removes these hydrophobic contaminants. The inclusion
of nutrient analyses during event
monitoring suggests the presence
of a groundwater nitrate plume during spring snow melt in urbanized
areas where infiltration is induced.
2NDNATURE is intimately involved in the
scientific efforts to reduce the 1 foot per
year water clarity decline of Lake Tahoe.
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Project Experience
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Lake Tahoe
PROJECT: Lake Tahoe Basin Wetland Nutrient Removal Efficiency Study - Lake Tahoe Basin 2000 - 2003
CLIENT: Tahoe Regional Planning Agency + USEPA
As Senior Scientist at Swanson Hydrology + Geomorphology, Dr. Beck designed and managed an extensive
data collection effort. This effort evaluated the seasonal ability of three detention basins to remove nutrients and fine sediments from Lake Tahoe Basin stormwater. The study included quantification of pollutant
stormwater loading from different land use cover types. The treatment efficiency of each BMP, with respect
to pollutants of concern, was also evaluated. The project identified the key spatial and temporal differences
of nutrient and fine sediment loads from various land use types within the Tahoe Basin. The study also identified the annual efficiency of CIP projects to reduce the net annual pollutant loads to local surface water
resources. The results of this project stimulated changes to the TRPA fertilization management policy. The
findings from the TRPA project also facilitated the ongoing evaluations at Village Green Pilot Project to expand
existing knowledge of the fate and transport of nutrients emanating from fertilized surfaces.
PROJECT: Upper Truckee River: Upper Reach Environmental Assessment - Lake Tahoe, CA 2002 - 2004
CLIENT: Tahoe Resource Conservation District
While employed with Swanson Hydrology + Geomorphology, 2NDNATURE team members conducted numerous aspects of this comprehensive fluvial evaluation. Mr. Patsch utilized the team’s detailed topographic
survey and hydrologic evaluations to develop the HEC-RAS model of the subject riverine reach for potential
enhancement alternative evaluations. Dr. Beck and Ms. Mathias completed the hydrologic and fluvial morphologic evaluations, including a detailed stream bank erosion potential analysis from techniques modified from
Rosgen. All members were also intimately involved in the watershed sediment source and loading analyses
and the final product generation.
PROJECT: Meeks Creek Watershed Assessment - Lake Tahoe, CA
2002 - 2004
CLIENT: U.S. Forest Service LTBMU
Dr. Beck conducted the hydrologic analysis and water quality portions of the Meeks Creek Watershed Assessment
performed by Swanson Hydrology + Geomorphology. The
water quality assessment included soil core extraction from
Meeks Marina to document historic pollutant and ecological
impacts of the natural wetland removal and current Meeks
Marina operation. Pore water samplers were utilized to document spatial and temporal trace metal enrichment as a
result of Marina operation. Targeted monthly sampling of the
Marina and surrounding waters were utilized to document
the annual nutrient and carbon cycling within the Meeks
Marina relative to other Lake Tahoe Lagoons that remain in
a naturally functioning state. Mr. Patsch developed a HECRAS model of the lower Meeks Creek Watershed to identify
floodplain surfaces and model the hydrologic and hydraulic
response of the system to a variety of potential channel
modification alternatives.
Meeks Creek Marina on Lake Tahoe
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Project Experience
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Lagoon Restoration + Monitoring
PROJECT: Comparative Lagoon Ecological Assessment Plan (CLEAP) – Santa Cruz, CA 2003 - 2006
CLIENT: Santa Cruz County RCD
In cooperation with the Coastal Conservancy, Dr. Beck developed the project problem statement and
study design to secure funding to conduct CLEAP in Santa Cruz County. CLEAP was a multi-disciplinary
data collection effort that documented the biological response to an array of physical and chemical habitat conditions in these unique ecosystems. Data collection included watershed characteristics, hydrologic
conditions, lagoon morphologic components, and detailed seasonal water quality and nutrient cycling
evaluations. Biological data included extensive primary producer, zooplankton, benthic invertebrate and
fish community evaluations during the critical dry season over two water years (2004 and 2005). The
end products include a detailed evaluation of our understanding of Central Coastal Lagoon function, the
identification of site specific physical and chemical stressors appearing to limit ecological health, the
selection of primary biological indicators to focus future lagoon monitoring, and a functional database of
all CLEAP data available for future evaluations. The gained functional understanding by CLEAP efforts will
continue to direct the identification of potential restoration and management recommendations to preserve and restore ecological function in coastal California lagoons.
Scott Lagoon (Santa Cruz County) was the
relatively less impaired lagoon end-member of
the five CLEAP lagoons selected to represent a
range of lagoon habitat conditions for detailed
evaluations.
PROJECT: San Lorenzo River Lagoon Biogeochemical Study – Santa Cruz, CA 2001 - 2003
CLIENT: City of Santa Cruz
Dr. Beck was the project manager of a detailed assessment of the primary factors controlling the ecological
function of the San Lorenzo River Lagoon. The project was initiated to evaluate if water level maintenance of
the summer lagoon in San Lorenzo would provide the same functional summer lagoon conditions that occur
in the managed Soquel Lagoon. The hypothesis stated that the excessive nitrogen loads and the limited
riparian cover in the San Lorenzo Lagoon may produce deleterious water quality results if water levels are
managed through the summer months. Data collection and interpretation efforts included the quantification
of temporal and spatial nutrient loading rates, physical habitat distribution, and the short-term biological
response to various physical conditions during the changing seasons. The physical hydrologic and lagoon
inundation conditions were linked to chemical and biological function, providing future management recommendations that work to improve the ecological health of the system, which did not include water level
maintenance. The findings of this project spurred the project design and funding for CLEAP.
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Project Experience
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Lagoon Restoration + Monitoring
PROJECT: Malibu Lagoon Restoration and Enhancement Project - Malibu, CA 2004 - 2005
CLIENT: Heal the Bay
Subcontracting to Moffatt & Nichol Engineering, 2NDNATURE provided the water quality expertise to the
Malibu Lagoon Restoration Plan. One of the primary goals of the conceptual restoration design is to improve
closed lagoon water quality conditions. This is a very difficult task given the surrounding land use remains
on septic treatment of wastewater and the restoration design was to be strictly a physical reconfiguration
of the lagoon. 2NDNATURE played a key role in the development of three physical restoration alternatives
to improve the habitat and water quality of Malibu Lagoon given the existing constraints. Restoration alternative development was followed by a critical analysis of the pros and cons of each physical alternative to
reduce annual eutrophic conditions by increased water mixing and bed scour. Following the selection of the
preferred alternative, 2NDNATURE led the development of a comprehensive pre and post monitoring plan to
quantify the restoration improvements to water quality 5 years beyond the restoration of the Lagoon.
The mouth of Malibu Lagoon is
home to the popular Surfrider
Beach longboard break.
PROJECT: Malibu Lagoon Restoration Monitoring - Malibu, CA 2005-2013
CLIENT: Santa Monica Mountains RCD
2NDNATURE expanded upon the Monitoring Plan developed for the Restoration and Enhancement Project
to ensure restoration water quality and hydrologic benefits of enhancement efforts can be quantified in the
future. 2NDNATURE prepared the accepted Quality Assurance Protection Plan (QAPP) for the RWQCB and
will perform all aspects of the pre and post enhancement monitoring to quantify changes in biogeochemical
cycling, sediment characteristics, hydraulic dynamics, benthic invertebrate community and the primary producer community. Wetland restoration activities are planned to begin in 2007.
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