SARSAS Summary of Minimum Water Flow Studies on the Auburn Ravine
October 3, 2012
INTRODUCTION
The Auburn Ravine is a unique river when compared to other small waterways that feed the Feather
River and Sacramento Rivers. Many western Sierra streams are ephemeral at present and in past history.
While the Auburn Ravine was mistakenly classified as ephemeral historically, that classification was
based upon faulty assumptions. In reality the Auburn Ravine was fed year round by any number of
springs that existed historically. Some of those springs have since been destroyed by man, but some are
still in existence. There were no less than five strong springs above Old Town Auburn, at least two
smaller springs on the branch that follows Auburn Ravine Road in Auburn, three or more springs that
feed the North Ravine, beginning just south of Atwood Road near the Placer County County Jail.
Immediately downstream of Ophir Tunnel, two unnamed springs feed year round streams that currently
flow into the Ravine as observed by Jack Sanchez, who was born and grew up in that exact location. On
the Sanchez property, one or more springs feed what is known to the locals as Myrtle Creek just east of
the Lozanos Bridge, crossing Sunset Lane in Ophir. Immediately downstream of Lozanos Bridge, Little
Bridge Ravine, fed by multiple springs, one fork of which flows through Ophir Elementary School and
the other fork through the grove of alders known to locals as Jiminy Crickets. One or more springs feed
Dutch Ravine, running parallel to Highway 193, and joining Auburn Ravine downstream of Gold Hill
Road. Two or more springs empty into the Auburn Ravine between Gold Hill Road and Fowler Road,
downstream from the Rabe property on Stonewood Road. There are also some smaller springs that exist
today between the Fowler Road and the City of Lincoln.
The accumulation of these springs very likely placed a flow from between four and six cfs in the
stream throughout the summer months and into the Fall. It is quite possible that the stream was
ephemeral somewhere in the Lincoln area although there were numerous wetland ponds that survived
the summer located west of Lincoln. It is abundantly clear that the Auburn Ravine from somewhere
downstream of Fowler road east to the City of Auburn flowed year round.
Clearly, that makes Auburn Ravine a unique stream as compared to hundreds of small streams that
feed the Sacramento and Feather Rivers.
Beginning mid-century during the Gold Rush, the Auburn Ravine began carrying irrigation water
from Auburn to the Sacramento River. Thus, the Auburn Ravine began a significant change which
allowed the river to contain steelhead and various seasonal salmon runs. It is unclear whether or not
there were Spring Run Salmon within its banks, but Fall and Winter Run Chinook were observed
through 1987 and up to1992 in one location 2.3 miles east of Gold Hill Road. The period 1987 to
present is significant as man-made barriers were put in place and had a very negative impact upon
Salmon populations within the Auburn Ravine. That said, at least 25 salmon were spotted below the
NID Gauging Station in Lincoln as late as 2010.
There is every reason to believe that Salmon and Steelhead will return in significant numbers as the
various barriers are removed and the significant canals are screened.
Minimum flows, however, must be maintained in order to protect the habitat. SARSAS has studied and
observed the various flows within the Ravine and has data demonstrating the need to maintain minimum
flows no lower than 10 cfs and preferably between 12 to 20 cfs.
RATIONALE FOR SARSAS FLOW RECOMMENDATIONS
First, it is important to understand that no government agency or water district has done more day to day
observations and in-stream studies than SARSAS. Also, SARSAS strives to make sure that their studies
adhere to good scientific standards. SARSAS has done the following studies: in stream flow rates,
temperature measurement, dissolved oxygen levels and ph measurements.
FINDINGS
1. From approximately April 1 through October 15th (during the irrigation season) the daily flow in
the Auburn Ravine ranges from a low of 50 cfs to a high of 250 cfs. The typical flow during these
months is between 175 cfs and 250 cfs
2. During PGE’s Fall Outage to repair canals, the lowest flow recorded by SARSAS was 1.5 cfs in
both 2010 and 2011. Those measurements were taken west of the NID Auburn Ravine 1, known
locally as the Gold Hill Dam. In some of the riverbed just west of the Gold Hill Dam, stretches of the
river were actually dry with large numbers of fish stranded in deep pools causing SARSAS to rescue
countless stranded fishes. Flows in the Auburn Ravine east of the Gold Hill dam were better with
estimated flows of between seven and 10 cfs. Flow measurements were not done at that time east of
Gold Hill dam.
Measured flows of between 12 and 20 cfs clearly maintain good rifles and deep pools creating
significant havens for larger as well as smaller fishes.
3. Water Temperature
During the irrigation season SARSAS has not measured an in-stream temperature above 60 degrees
Fahrenheit east of Fowler Road. Water temperatures west of Lincoln do exceed 60 degrees and clearly
there is evidence of fewer trout and more warm water
species west of Highway 65. It should be noted that SARSAS perceives habitat west of Joiner Bridge in
Lincoln as weak habitat for salmon, rainbow trout and steelhead. SARSAS sees this stretch of river as a
highway to spawning grounds east of Highway 193 in Lincoln.
During the Outage water temperatures can and do fluctuate considerably. When flows are in the 1.5 to 4
cfs range, temperatures occasionally rise into the high 60’s and algal bloom will at times be evident.
Usually, water temperatures will be cooler during a Fall Outage as daytime temperatures are lower and
night time temperatures are considerably lower, helping to keep water cooler. This same trend may or
may not occur in the Spring Outages. When the flows are between 4 and 8 cfs, water temperatures tend
to be better but not ideal - from 58 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Thse temperatures are somewhat equal
whether in the fall or spring low flows.
However, when the flows are between 10 and 18 cfs, the fall period will bring water temperatures
between 55 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit. And the spring outages will be between 54 and 58 degrees
Fahrenheit on average.
4. PH Levels
During the irrigation season the ph level is relatively constant – between 6.9 to 7.2
During a flow of 1.5 to 4cfs, there is wide fluctuation - between 6.6 to 7.8
During a flow between 10 and 18 cfs, there are fairly consistent levels of 7.0 to 7.4
5. Dissolved Oxygen
It should be noted that oxygen levels appear to be most heavily influenced by flow levels as follows:
a. With flows between 18 cfs and 250 cfs, the readings east of Fowler road typically are at or above
58% with a high of 62%. SARSAS usually does not do regular tests when the flows exceed 50 or
more cfs as there is little fluctuation in dissolved oxygen levels, and certainly SARSAS has not
measured poor oxygen levels when stream flows are above 18 cfs.
b. With flows between 1.5 to 4 cfs, dissolved oxygen levels have been measured as low as 19 % to
as high as 30%
c. With flows between 4 and 8 cfs, dissolved oxygen levels have been measured as low as 18% and
as high as 45%
d. With flows ranging between 10 and 18 cfs, the dissolved oxygen levels have been measured in
the range of 48 to 60%
5. PREDATION
The primary predators within the Auburn Ravine are Grey Heron, Raccoon and fresh water Otters.
During outages SARSAS members and some residents along the banks of the Auburn Ravine have
observed the following:
1. Heron have easy access to frogs, crawfish and smaller salmonids
2. Raccoon have easy access to salmonids
3. Fresh water Otter feast at will on salmonids within the shrunken pools
Important considerations regarding flow between Wise Powerhouse and Lincoln
When minimum flows are discussed it is critical to keep in mind the flow from in and around the
Wise Powerhouse all the way to the City of Lincoln. It is not unusual during low flows to have a
positive flow from the Wise Powerhouse to NID 1 commonly referred to as the Gold Hill Dam. NID has
a large canal that removes water from the Auburn Ravine. It has not been unusual during low flows to
have the entirety of the Auburn Ravine diverted into that canal leaving the Auburn Ravine below the
dam completely without water. SARSAS has pictures(please see attached photos) Thus the only water is
what accumulates in deep pools. This is an unacceptable practice as SARSAS has documented fish kills
as well as rampant predation. Further, it leaves some of the best steelhead habitat in peril. The distance
left dry during these occurrences is approximately 3.6 miles. At the point that Dutch Ravine enters the
Auburn Ravine water will exist but at a cfs of approximately 1.5.
SUMMARY
SARSAS has studied the Auburn Ravine over the past four years in order to determine minimum flows
that would suggest positive conditions for all riparian habitat, as well as those creatures living along and
in the Auburn Ravine. The conclusion SARSAS has reached is flows below 12 cfs are detrimental to all
habitat and species living within the Ravine, and, especially to salmonids. During outages two factors
stand out as major problems for maintenance of a healthy habitat: 1. Dissolved oxygen levels; and 2.
Predation; and, to a degree, water temperature. PH levels are not poor during outages but neither are
they ideal.
Therefore, given on-stream observation coupled with electronic measurement of water temperature,
dissolved oxygen and ph levels and including issues with predation, SARSAS recommends a range of
flow from 12 to 20 cfs. Further, SARSAS finds any flow below 10 cfs as dangerous to the maintenance
of a healthy salmonid population.
These recommendations are primarily focused upon the regions upstream of the Hemphill Dam.
Further Considerations
SARSAS recognizes that because the Auburn Ravine has ideal flows created by irrigation water, these
conditions are ideal for habitat required by Spring Run Salmon. High flows, coupled with ideal
temperatures, excellent dissolved oxygen levels, positive ph levels and a flow that creates deep cold
pools enhance a positive habitat for these Spring Run Salmon. The only factor that would inhibit this
ideal condition would be allowing flow levels below 12 cfs. That same factor can and should be applied
to the threatened steelhead in Auburn Ravine.
Clearly the Auburn Ravine is an excellent stream for trout, steelhead and salmon spawning. The only
negative factor regarding habitat is maintenance of a suitable habitat for the salmonid species. Clearly,
flow levels below the SARSAS
recommendation should not be considered as viable.
Contact information
Jack Sanchez
SARSAS President
3675 Larkin Lane
Auburn, CA95603
530 888 0281
Jlsanchez39@gmail.com