Upper Yuba River Aquatic Monitoring Plan
Attachment F
Water Quality
Yuba River Development Project
FERC Project No. 2246
April 2014
©2014, Yuba County Water Agency
All Rights Reserved
Yuba County Water Agency
Yuba River Development Project
FERC Project No. 2246
Section No.
1.0
2.0
Table of Contents
Description
Page No.
Introduction ...................................................................................................................... F-1
Summary of Results by Reach ......................................................................................... F-1
2.1
Our House Diversion Dam Reach........................................................................ F-1
2.2
Oregon Creek Reach ............................................................................................ F-1
2.3
Middle/North Yuba River Reach ......................................................................... F-2
2.4
New Bullards Bar Dam Reach ............................................................................. F-2
2.5
Log Cabin Diversion Dam Reach ........................................................................ F-2
Figure No.
List of Figures
Description
Page No.
List of Tables
Description
Page No.
None.
Table No.
None.
April 2014
Upper Yuba River Aquatic Monitoring Plan
©2014, Yuba County Water Agency
Attachment F
Page F-i
Yuba County Water Agency
Yuba River Development Project
FERC Project No. 2246
Page Left Blank
Attachment F
Page F-ii
Upper Yuba River Aquatic Monitoring Plan
©2014, Yuba County Water Agency
April 2014
Yuba County Water Agency
Yuba River Development Project
FERC Project No. 2246
1.0
Introduction
During the 2012 spring and summer seasons, surface water samples were collected from 28
locations upstream, within, and downstream of the Project. During the 2012 fall season, a single
surface water sample was collected downstream of the Project. During the 30 days surrounding
and including the 2012 Independence Day and Labor Day holidays, five rounds of surface water
samples were collected adjacent to six reservoir and impoundment sites and analyzed for bacteria
and hydrocarbons. During a high-turbidity event and when the powerhouses were in operation,
one surface water quality sample was collected each from the New Colgate Powerhouse tailrace
and the Narrows No. 2 Powerhouse tailrace and analyzed for turbidity, total suspended sediment,
total dissolved sediment, total mercury and methylmercury. (Study 2.3). Yuba County Water
Agency (YCWA) found that most analytes reported at non-detect to just above reporting limit
concentrations. YCWA found no inconsistencies with the Basin Plan Water Quality Objectives.
A summary of data collected at sites during the relicensing study in the proposed future
monitoring areas are below.
2.0
Summary of Results by Reach
2.1
Our House Diversion Dam Reach
Water quality sampling occurred at one location in this reach, immediately downstream of Our
House Diversion Dam.
YCWA found that general water quality is high, with most analytes reported at non-detect to just
above reporting limit concentrations, and there does not appear to be a pattern of increasing
chemical concentrations from upstream to downstream of Project impoundments and
facilities. YCWA found no inconsistencies with the Basin Plan Water Quality Objectives.
2.2
Oregon Creek Reach
The Oregon Creek Reach is a 4.7 mi long section of the Middle Yuba River from the confluence
of the Middle Yuba River and Oregon Creek at RM 4.7 (El. 1,430 ft) to the confluence of the
Middle Yuba River with the North Yuba River at RM 0.0 (El. 1,120 ft). The reach has a gradient
of 1.2 percent.
Water quality sampling occurred at one location in this reach, 1.0 mi upstream of the confluence
with the North Yuba River near Yellowjacket Creek.
YCWA found that general water quality is high, with most analytes reported at non-detect to just
above reporting limit concentrations, and there does not appear to be a pattern of increasing
chemical concentrations from upstream to downstream of Project impoundments and
facilities. YCWA found no inconsistencies with the Basin Plan Water Quality Objectives.
April 2014
Upper Yuba River Aquatic Monitoring Plan
©2014, Yuba County Water Agency
Attachment F
Page F-1
Yuba County Water Agency
Yuba River Development Project
FERC Project No. 2246
2.3
Middle/North Yuba River Reach
Water quality sampling occurred at one location in this reach, above New Colgate Powerhouse
(RM 34.4).
YCWA found that general water quality is high, with most analytes reported at non-detect to just
above reporting limit concentrations, and there does not appear to be a pattern of increasing
chemical concentrations from upstream to downstream of Project impoundments and
facilities. YCWA found no inconsistencies with the Basin Plan Water Quality Objectives.
2.4
New Bullards Bar Dam Reach
The New Bullards Bar Dam Reach is a 2.4 mi long section of the North Yuba River from the
base of New Bullards Bar Dam at RM 2.4 (El. 1,360 ft) to the confluence of the North Yuba
River with the Middle Yuba River at RM 0.0 (El. 1,125 ft). The reach has a gradient of 1 percent
to 3 percent, expect for a short 0.2 mile section with a gradient of 3 percent to 8 percent.
Water quality was sampled at one location in this reach, immediately downstream of New
Bullards Bar Dam.
YCWA found that general water quality is high, with most analytes reported at non-detect to just
above reporting limit concentrations, and there does not appear to be a pattern of increasing
chemical concentrations from upstream to downstream of Project impoundments and
facilities. YCWA found no inconsistencies with the Basin Plan Water Quality Objectives.
2.5
Log Cabin Diversion Dam Reach
The Log Cabin Diversion Dam Reach is a 4.3 mi long section of Oregon Creek from the Log
Cabin Diversion Dam at RM 4.3 to the confluence of Oregon Creek with the Middle Yuba River
at RM 4.7. The 3.6 miles of this reach has a gradient of 1 percent to 3 percent while the
remained section has a gradient of 3 percent to 8 percent.
YCWA found that general water quality is high, with most analytes reported at non-detect to just
above reporting limit concentrations, and there does not appear to be a pattern of increasing
chemical concentrations from upstream to downstream of Project impoundments and
facilities. YCWA found no inconsistencies with the Basin Plan Water Quality Objectives.
Attachment F
Page F-2
Upper Yuba River Aquatic Monitoring Plan
©2014, Yuba County Water Agency
April 2014