Submitted by: Toni Turner, Bureau, PN-3415, (208) 378-5025, tturner@pn.usbr.gov
Proposal ID: 9654
| Title |
| Using the Fiber Optic Distributed Temperature Sensing (DTS) system to determine temperature dynamics and groundwater spring influences due to channel relocation and habitat enhancement in a mountain stream. |
| What Is the Primary Research Question You Are Proposing with this Proposal? | Big Boulder Creek is a major tributary to the Middle Fork John Day River near John Day, Oregon. During the summer of 2008, the channel was relocated to its historic alignment and reconnected with the floodplain as well as spring-fed groundwater springs throughout the new reach. Large woody debris was installed at designated locations as well as in the vicinity of the springs to enhance steelhead and salmon habitat opportunities. Can realigning a steep mountainous stream, installing woody material, and reconnecting it with springs aide in lowering temperatures and creating pocket pool habitat such that summer/fall steelhead, Chinook, and trout habitat is enhanced? If increased chemical (dissolved oxygen improvement, etc), biological, and physical (temperature decrease, pools, spring re-introduction, holding areas, etc) integrity can be observed through these type of projects, then we can show an increase of available habitat to multiple species. |