F25AS00274 Water Supply Analyses Project for Coleman National Fish Hatchery Intake 2.pdf

United States Department of the Interior

FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE

Red Bluff Fish & Wildlife Office 10950 Tyler Road, Red Bluff, California 96080

(530) 527-3043, FAX (530) 529-0292

Notice of Funding Opportunity

Funding Opportunity Number: F25AS00274

Project Title: F25AS00274 Water Supply Analyses Project for Coleman National Fish Hatchery Intake 2

Estimated Award: $600,000

Executive Summary (Project Description) The Red Bluff Fish and Wildlife Office (RBFWO), Battle Creek Program, is soliciting proposals for fluvial geomorphic, hydrologic, bathymetric and terrestrial surveying including a sediment transport analysis to provide the baseline data necessary for the future design of a screened and fish-safe diversion at the Intake #2 location on Battle Creek. These analyzes should assess stream conditions, model flow and sediment regimes, and thereby inform the plan to ensure adequate water diversions for Coleman National Fish Hatchery (CNFH) in perpetuity. CNFH also is one of the largest production hatcheries in the continental United States, producing tens of millions of salmonids annually, supporting an economically important sport fishery. RBFWO, CNFH, US Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) and California Department of Fish and Wildlife have been working collaboratively on a multi-benefit water infrastructure improvement program. Part of that program focuses on establishing a population of endangered winter-run Chinook Salmon into Battle Creek, so they have a secondary population outside the Sacramento River. CNFH has been chosen as a prime site for us to raise these fish in addition to its sport fishing production goals, but currently the water intake system does not meet specific standards and are under an aged infrastructure review being led by USBR. Under this review a new water intake system is to be added along with updating older water intake structures. The analysis and model to be generated by this agreement would directly assist USBR with creating designs for updating this water intake and overall help CNFH meet their production goals. Required deliverables include a complete and comprehensive assessment for the future design team.

A. Project

Background:

Battle Creek is a vital tributary of the Sacramento River, supporting Central Valley (CV) steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and all four runs of Chinook Salmon (O.

tshawytscha), including the endangered winter-run Chinook Salmon. This unique population is adapted to the specific geological conditions of the upper Sacramento River Basin (Lindley et al. 2004). Reintroducing winter-run Chinook Salmon into Battle Creek aligns with the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Recovery Plan to restore the spatial structure of this Evolutionarily Significant Unit (ESU) by reintroducing populations to their historic habitats (NMFS 2014).

Battle Creek also is the location of Coleman National Fish Hatchery, one of the largest production hatcheries in the continental United States that, in conjunction with 4 State-operated hatcheries in the Central Valley, are the primary contributors to harvest in California's ocean sport and commercial salmon fisheries and the freshwater sport fishery in the Sacramento River. Coleman National Fish Hatchery (CNFH) also plays a crucial role in supporting the winter-run Chinook recovery efforts by collecting returning adults used for broodstock. The 2016 CNFH Adaptive Management Plan and the 2019 agreement with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) highlight CNFH’s commitment to restoring natural salmonid populations in Battle Creek. However, winter-run are currently raised at an offsite facility, necessitating a more strategic approach by utilizing CNFH’s unique position to raise endangered winter-run salmon effectively.

Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) operates several hydroelectric facilities on the North and South Forks of Battle Creek. In 1999, PG&E, along with NMFS, CDFW, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at restoring salmon and steelhead populations. The Battle Creek Salmon and Steelhead Restoration Project (BCRP) implements various restoration actions, including the removal of ageing and unused diversion dams and the incorporation of fish ladders and screens. After many years of planning, portions of the major restoration project have been implemented on Battle Creek. Unfortunately, one side effect of these actions has led to CNFH losing its main water supply.

CNFH holds non-consumptive water rights to withdraw up to 122 cubic feet per second (cfs) from Battle Creek, with 109 cfs designated for fish culture and 13 cfs for downstream users. The hatchery relies on four water intake structures to ensure uninterrupted water delivery. Currently, Intake #1 and Expanded #1, which draw from the PG&E powerhouse, are the primary sources, but both are slated to become inoperable by 2026. This will leave CNFH dependent on Intake #2 and Intake #3, which are unscreened and in the case of Intake #2 underperforming.

The Northern California Area Office (NCAO) at USBR is working to install fish screens at Intake #3, but screening Intake #2 will necessitate significant additional funding and design analyses. Given the sediment mobility and flow dynamics of Battle Creek, appropriate screening solutions are critical.

Intake #2 has also been identified as underperforming, with a maximum capacity of approximately 65 cfs under normal conditions, decreasing to 58 cfs during low water conditions. Changes in channel morphology, sediment deposition, and a malfunctioning valve have further compromised its functionality. To optimize Intake #2, sediment removal and construction of a barrier to prevent continual aggradation may be necessary, while ensuring fish passage for fish.

The ongoing aged infrastructure review and alternatives analysis for CNFH's water supply, led by USBR and a private contractor, will provide essential data to address these challenges. Utilizing this information is vital for developing sustainable strategies to ensure CNFH meets its operational needs while supporting the recovery of endangered salmonid populations in Battle Creek.

B. Scope of Work This project will operate under a tight deadline, as the grant agreement funding it expires on November 1, 2025. All billing must be completed, and deliverables received, before this date. The primary goal of this funding is to identify options for increasing the water capacity at Intake #2 for Coleman National Fish Hatchery.

To achieve this, both the upstream and downstream areas of the current intake must be thoroughly mapped and studied, along with an evaluation of historical data trends. This comprehensive analysis will ensure that Intake #2 can operate at full capacity throughout the year across a range of annual flows, while also meeting screening requirements in compliance with NMFS and CDFW criteria.

Figure 1: Project Reach for Water Supply analyses and Upgrades for Coleman National Fish Hatchery Intake 2. The survey will begin at 4923951.025449, -13597783.626776 and end at 4925230.713701, -13594023.652775, focusing on the surrounding area of Intake 2 which is located at 4924671.269075, -13594919.671471. The project area consists just under 3 river miles.

Project Goals:

1. Gather baseline data on the current fluvial geomorphic conditions of Battle Creek relevant to Intake 2, identify limitations to diversion capacity, identify pool depth needed to improve operation of the existing Intake 2, and create a complete and comprehensive assessment for the diversion of 72 CFS at a fully screened, fish-safe intake.

2. Build and calibrate a model that can be handed over to the future design team, including considerations for sediment transport and flow regimes of current and projected conditions at the intake site, as well as information that could be used for an alternative location.

3. Provide recommendations to inform infrastructure improvements, ensuring that the new design aligns with ecological and operational needs.

Funds under this award will be used to complete the implementation and analysis of these studies at and around Intake #2 on the mainstem of Battle Creek.

Project tasks and applicant responsibilities:

1. Collect, analyze, and provide both historic and current data trends from water intake system and gauges related to CNFN to determine yearly requirements to ensure adequate diversion levels.

2. Complete instream study, measurements, and mapping of the channel and intake system.

3. Provide a calibrated model of stream conditions, including sediment transport, hydrology, bathometry and fluvial geomorphology relevant to the Intake #2 location.

4. Create feasibility study of how a fish safe screen design may be affected by different flow regimes.

5. Develop a monitoring and maintenance plan for the intake reach,

6. Provide a complete and a comprehensive assessment of the Intake #2 site and reach;

related to geomorphic processes (emphasizing the fate and transport of sediment) for relevant flow conditions for the future design team.

C. Eligibility Eligible Applicants: Unrestricted

Additional Information on Eligibility: Final applicant must be approved by California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

D. Required System Registrations Unique Entity Identifier and SAM.gov Registration:

Before applying, all applicants except individuals applying as a natural person must be registered in SAM.gov.

GrantSolutions

This program accepts through GrantSolutions.gov. You must register with GrantSolutions. See Submission Instructions.

Pre-Application Requirements California Department of Fish and Wildlife Approval

Application Documents Applicants must submit the following forms with their application as specified below.

Instructions for accessing and submitting application forms are provided in the Submission Instructions section of this document below. For instructions on completing form fields, see the form instructions on the Grants.gov Forms Repository.

• SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance

• SF-424A, Budget Information – Non-Construction

• Project Abstract Summary bookmark://_bookmark0/ bookmark://_bookmark0/ bookmark://_bookmark0/ https://www.grants.gov/forms/forms-repository.html o Award purpose, o Activities to be performed, o Expected deliverables or outcomes, o Intended beneficiaries

• Project Narrative

• Budget Narrative

Other Required Information o Conflict of Interest and Unresolved Matters Disclosures o Overlap or Duplication of Effort Statement o Disclosure of Lobbying Activities o Indirect Cost Rate Statement o Single Audit Requirement Statement o Pre-Award Cost Statement

E. Program Contacts RJ Bottaro Battle Creek Program Manager Red Bluff Fish and Wildlife Office 10950 Tyler Road Red Bluff, CA 96080

(530) 536-0263 rj_bottaro@fws.gov

Jacqueline Gonzalez Administrative Officer Red Bluff Fish and Wildlife Office 10950 Tyler Road, Red Bluff, CA 96080

(530) 536-0016 jacqueline_gonzalez@fws.gov

E. Program Contacts