Biological Opinions - Bureau of Reclamation

period when they migrate upstream to the Big Springs area, Miller Creek, or above Malone Dam
(USBR 2001a, Sutton and Morris 2005).
Adult sucker habitat is fragmented within the Lost River because of dams and historic
channelization that created zone of poor habitat (USFWS 2008, USBR 2009). As with earlier
life stages, seasonal flow diversions under the proposed action, particularly flow reduction at the
end of the irrigation season in the Lost River, will have negative impacts on suckers in the Lost
River. Increased crowding of adult suckers into remaining available habitat at either the
impoundments or deep pools following reduced flows at the end of the irrigation season
adversely impact adult suckers in the Lost River. Inflows from groundwater and local runoff
during weather events in the fall and winter periodically likely lessen the impacts of reduced
habitat during the fall and winter months by reconnecting isolated areas of habitat (i.e., reservoirs
and deep pools).
Based on this analysis, the USFWS concludes it is likely that the proposed action will contribute
to adverse habitat conditions in the Lost River for older juveniles and adult suckers. However,
since the USFWS has determined that the LRS and the SNS in this area not necessary for
recovery, the proposed Project operations in the Link River would not be considered an adverse
effect on the condition of the species.
8.3.9.4 Effects to LRS and SNS from Water Quality in the Lost River
Agricultural runoff and drain water that enter the Lost River are likely to contain nutrients,
organics, pesticides, and sediment; these are likely to degrade sucker habitat through
deteriorating water quality (USFWS 2008, USBR 2009, ODEQ 2010). The effects of this water
on suckers would most likely be due to low DO concentrations, resulting from the nocturnal
respiration or decay of organic matter, as well as ammonia which is a byproduct of
decomposition (USFWS 2008). Pesticides are also likely present, at least in low or trace
concentrations in agricultural runoff and drain water, and have been detected in the lower Lost
River (Cameron 2008).
Adverse effects to LRS and SNS from Project runoff and drainage are most likely to occur in the
middle and lower Lost River because water quality in the river is worse in the downstream areas
(USBR 2009, ODEQ 2010). Sucker habitats in the lower river are downstream from large areas
of agriculture, including much of the Project-service area. Because water quality conditions in
the Lost River are due to both Project and non-Project effects, it is difficult to determine what
effects are due solely to the Project. However, periods of adverse water quality, regardless of the
source in the Lost River, are likely to negatively impact suckers. However, since the USFWS
has determined that the LRS and the SNS in this area not necessary for recovery, the proposed
Project operations in the Link River would not be considered an adverse effect on the condition
of the species.
8.3.9.5 Effects of Entrainment Losses in the Lost River
Reclamation documented 130 diversions in the Lost River area; most are small pumped
diversions (USBR 2001b). We assume some of these diversions use Project water, and,
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