PWS_KBAO_Hydrologic_Modeling_1.pdf

STATEMENT OF WORK

Hydrologic modeling and analysis support for implementation of the Klamath Project Biological

Assessment/Opinion May 2025

Introduction

Purpose: Klamath Basin Area Office (KBAO) staff has determined the need for a services procurement requirement. These services are required to implement the Proposed Action (PA) as specified in requirements found in the current and future Biological Assessment (BA) and associated Biological Opinions (BiOps) for the Klamath Project. The BA is issued by the KBAO, while the subsequent BiOps are issued by NOAA-Fisheries (NMFS) and US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). This Performance Work Statement (PWS) describes the tasks required to support Reclamation in its hydrologic modeling and analysis as the agency works to formulate and implement the BA/BiOps.

Authorization: The KBAO is implementing the BA/BiOps to ensure the most effective management of finite water supplies to the Klamath Project and in the Klamath River Basin, while protecting endangered species in compliance with the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The authority to undertake the work requirement described in this PWS exists in the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (FWCA), whereby the work involved in this PWS will assist Reclamation managers in determinations of project operations alternatives which are consistent with the protection of endangered species. Species of endangered fish can be found in Klamath Project waters, including UKL, and the Klamath River, and are affected by hydrologic operations of the Klamath Project.

Background: Several hydrologic modeling tools have been developed as part of Reclamation’s 2019 and 2024 BA’s to track and forecast hydrologic conditions throughout the Klamath Basin.

These tools have been used for both planning and operational purposes for compliance with the ESA as detailed in the BA. The full BA can be found on the web (https://www.usbr.gov/mp/kbao/docs/20241120-finalba-reclamation-klamathprojops2024- 2029.pdf.

The BA enumerates several compliance challenges faced by the Klamath Project including:

• Limited carry-over water storage capacity from year to year in Upper Klamath Lake, the largest source of water for the Project.

• Dependency upon forecasted seasonal streamflows for water management decisions as a result of the limited storage.

• Multiple legal responsibilities including the Reclamation Act, the Kuchel Act, state water rights, and federal tribal trust responsibilities in addition to the ESA requirements.

• A highly variable natural hydrologic system with an average annual rainfall of less than 15 inches.

As in the previous Section 7 ESA consultations on Reclamation Project operations, the KBPM was used to simulate operations under the Proposed Action. Various versions of the KBPM have been used for about 15 years, each based in the Water Resources Integrated Modeling System (WRIMS). This highly flexible modeling system enables implementation of operational alternatives in simulations. In the current re-consultation effort, removal of dams in the Klamath Hydroelectric Project required that the downstream-most compliance point be moved from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) gage below IGD (USGS Station ID#11516530) to the USGS gage below Keno Dam (USGS Station ID#11509500). As a result, the version of the KBPM developed in support of this re-consultation has been named the Keno Release Model (KRM) and is based on the model viewer entitled “Viewer_v11d for MST11b_DraftPA_Jan26, including two studies: MST11b_DraftPA_Jan26 and MST11b_DraftPA_PFoff_Jan26.

The two studies are identical in rules, parameter settings, and results; however, one model study releases the Flexible Flow Account (FFA) in form of a pulse flow, and the other releases the FFA evenly over a longer period of time in the spring/summer.

Reclamation’s proposed Project operations from completion of environmental compliance (from October 28, 2024 to October 31, 2029) consists of the following three major elements:

The 2024 Klamath Project Operations Biological Assessment Proposed Action consists of the following three major elements:

1. Store waters of the Upper Klamath Basin and Lost River.

2. Operate the Klamath Project, or direct the operation of the Klamath Project, for the delivery of water for irrigation purposes, subject to water availability, while maintaining UKL and Klamath River hydrologic conditions that avoid jeopardizing the continued existence of listed species and adverse modification of designated critical habitat.

3. Perform O&M activities necessary to maintain Klamath Project facilities to ensure proper long-term function and operation.

Each of the elements of the proposed action is described in detail in Sections 1.3.1.1 Element One- Store Waters of the Upper Klamath Basin and Lost River, 1.3.1.2 Element Two- Operation and Delivery of Water from Upper Klamath Lake and the Klamath River, and 0 Element Three – Operation and Maintenance Activities. Volume of water herein is expressed in units of either acre-feet (AF) or thousand acre-feet (TAF).

Description of Work

The objective of this requirement is to provide as-needed support to Reclamation hydrologists as they work to implement the Klamath Project Proposed Action. Most of the anticipated work is focused on satisfying conditions detailed in the Proposed Action or BiOps. However, several related concerns requiring analysis have arisen during implementation of the 20125 BiOps and even during their predecessor, the 2019 BiOp. These ancillary tasks may include, but are not limited to:

• Quantification of water resulting from a regulatory call on water rights

• Dam removal effects on hydrology

• Forecast Informed Reservoir Operations

• Effects of climate change

• Improved UKL inflow forecasting

• Assist in development or testing of RiverWare model

• If re-consultation is triggered, assist with rescoping of actions

The actual consultant assignments will be at the request of Reclamation personnel.

Tasks and Deliverables

The tasks in this requirement will provide as-needed support to Reclamation managers as they work to implement the Klamath Project BA/BO. Below is a list of tasks that stem from the BA, that the Contractor may be assigned; additional work related to these tasks may also be assigned as work evolves or consultation is triggered, and dependent on funding.

Task 1. Develop models and analytical tools to calculate and archive flows for routine operations.

The Contractor shall assist with daily hydrological operations as requested, including:

A. Klamath Project irrigation demand and deliveries B. Operations Index C. Flexible flow account D. NWR deliveries E. Irrigation district operations F. Upper Klamath Lake inflows G. Klamath River flows at Link River Dam H. Klamath River flows at Keno Dam

Task 1 Deliverables: Spreadsheets and databases that track flow data, and technical memoranda describing how the spreadsheets and database function (electronic format).

Task 2. Development of new procedures and tools for hydrologic analyses

Subtask 2.1 – The Contractor shall work with Reclamation staff to identify new procedures or tools that will assist in compliance with the BiOp requirements, such as:

• Quantification of water resulting from a regulatory call on water rights

• Dam removal effects on hydrology

• Forecast Informed Reservoir Operations

• Effects of climate change

• Improved UKL inflow forecasting

• Assist in development or testing of RiverWare model

Subtask 2.2 – The Contractor shall develop agreed-upon procedures or tools identified in Subtask 2.1.

Task 2 Deliverables: Report identifying new procedures that were considered, timeframe, and cost of development. Development of agreed-upon tools to ready-to-implement condition.

Task 3. Compliance Assessment

Subtask 3.1 – If requested the Contractor shall determine the potential necessity for National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance for implementation of the BA.Subtask 3.2 – The Contractor shall determine if Upper Klamath Lake and the Klamath River operations comply with ESA requirements for listed coho salmon and shortnose and Lost River suckers.

Subtask 3.3 – The Contractor shall determine if the incidental take of ESA-listed fishes resulting from implementation of the BA is within the limits allowed under the BO.

Task 3 Deliverables: Documents to determine if NEPA and ESA compliance has been met, with recommendations (electronic format).

Task 4. Coordination

Subtask 4.1 – Upon request from Reclamation, the Contractor shall coordinate with federal, state, local, private, and tribal stakeholders, as well as staff from KBAO, Reclamation’s Technical Services Center (TSC), and Reclamation’s Regional Planning Division on:

- Development of the products delineated in Tasks 1, 2, and 3 above

- Implementation of daily operation of Upper Klamath Lake and the Klamath River

Subtask 4.2 – Provide support for presentations to irrigators, regulatory agencies, tribes, and other stakeholders regarding operations.

Task 4 Deliverables: Stakeholder meeting materials, summaries, and presentation;

documents to determine operational and drought plans are consistent with BA/BO (electronic format).

Schedule of Deliverables and Performance Period

The Contractor shall develop a project and deliverables schedule, in coordination with Reclamation, within two months from date requested by Reclamation staff. The performance period of this contract will be from date of award through five years from date of award.

Performance Assessment Plan:

(a) Monitoring Performance. During the course of the evaluation period, the COR will track Contractor performance. Interim (mid-term) evaluations may be provided to identify strengths and weaknesses in the Contractor's performance during the period being evaluated. At the end of the period, the COR will assess the Contractor's performance in accordance with the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) and report to the Contracting Officer.

(b) Contractor Self-Assessment. Following each evaluation period, the Contractor may provide a written self-assessment of its performance to the COR to be considered in its report to the Contracting Officer. The self-assessment shall be submitted not later than 5 working days after the end of each evaluation period. The self-evaluation shall not exceed 1 page per PRS element. The self-assessment shall address both the strengths and weaknesses of the Contractor's performance during the evaluation period. Where deficiencies in performance are noted, the Contractor shall describe the actions planned or taken to correct such deficiencies and avoid their recurrence. The self-assessment itself will NOT be the basis for the Disincentives determination.

(c) COR Recommendation. The COR will consider all evaluations and any other pertinent information, including Contractor self-assessment, and will prepare a report to the Contracting Officer with findings and recommendations. The Contractor will be provided a copy of the draft findings and recommendations of the COR and will be afforded the opportunity to identify factual errors. The COR's draft recommendation is not subject to negotiation and the COR will not engage in discussions with the Contractor. Any errors identified by the Contractor will be addressed by the COR in its final report. The Contractor will be provided a copy of the final COR report at the same time the report is submitted to the Contracting Officer.

(d) Payment Determination. The Contracting Officer may meet with the COR to discuss the COR's report. The Contracting Officer will make a final determination in writing as to the percentage of work successfully completed, and the resulting payment to be made. A copy of the determination will be provided to the Contractor no later than 45 calendar days after the end of the period being evaluated. All Contracting Officer decisions regarding Disincentives are unilateral decisions made solely at the discretion of the Government.

(e) Deduction. Notwithstanding any other clause of this contract, deduction of the Disincentive will be made within the later of 60 days after the end of the evaluation period or 30 days after receipt of an approved invoice.

(f) The Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan is one evaluation method the government uses to surveillance performance to determine whether the Contractor meets the standards of performance as defined in the PWS. The absence of a QASP for any contract requirement, however, shall not detract from its enforceability or limit the rights or remedies of the government under any other provision of the contract in determining the quality of the Contractor performance.

QUALITY ASSURANCE SURVEILLANCE PLAN (QASP)

Performance Requirement

Summary

Acceptable Quality Level Means of Measurement

Contractor shall comply with the Performance Work Statement Tasks 1-4.

a. Timeliness:

Workshops, reports, and model runs, and development of new tools or models are completed within the specified timeframes 95% of the time.

Confirmed Reports and/or Periodic COR Surveillance

b. Quality:

Reports are thorough, model changes are comprehensive, and model runs are complete and on schedule. .

Confirmed Reports and/or Periodic COR Surveillance