Biological Opinions - Bureau of Reclamation

9.3.1.1.3 Effects to PCE 3—Food
In UKL, because of its high productivity, the proposed action is not anticipated to affect the
availability of food invertebrates, especially midges, cladocerans, and copepods. Thus, the
proposed action does not affect the recovery-support function of critical habitat to provide food
for the LRS and the SNS in UKL. The proposed action does not affect food availability in the
tributaries to UKL.
The modified proposed action, mentioned above Sections 4 and 8.3.1.1, will not affect critical
habitat in UKL because UKL elevations will not be altered, or would not result in an adverse
effect to LRS and SNS greater than what was analyzed here.
9.3.1.2 Effects to LRS and SNS Critical Habitat at Keno Reservoir
9.3.1.2.1 Effects to PCE 1—Water
The proposed action has much more of an effect on water quality in Keno Reservoir than to UKL
because it is downstream of parts of the Project. This is discussed in detail in Section 7.10, but
in general, the quality of water entering, within, and leaving the Keno Reservoir is largely due to
water entering from UKL containing large amounts of organic matter with an associated high
oxygen demand (Doyle and Lynch 2005; Deas and Vaughn 2006; ODEQ 2010). Because
downstream flows at the Link River Dam during the summer are in part used to meet demands
from Project diversions at the Lost River Diversion Channel and Ady and North Canals, the
degraded water quality in the Keno Reservoir is partially due to the proposed action. Also, drain
water coming from the Project containing high concentrations of nutrients degrades water quality
in the vicinity of the Straits Drain at the south end of the reservoir (ODEQ 2010). Additionally,
winter storm-driven run-off containing nutrients and sediments from the Lost River empties into
the Lost River Diversion Channel and that is likely to contribute to stressful water quality
conditions in the Keno Reservoir. Currently, because of the multiple factors affecting water
quality in the Keno Reservoir, we cannot quantify how much of the degradation to water quality
is caused by past Project operations and is likely to be caused by proposed Project operations,
but Project operations are contributing to degraded water quality at Keno Reservoir. To the
degree that the Project is contributing to this problem, those effects are limiting the ability of
critical habitat in Keno Reservoir to provide sucker rearing and foraging habitats that are
essential to the recovery of these species. Thus, the proposed action is likely to have some
unquantifiable negative effects to the recovery-support function of critical habitat for the LRS
and the SNS in Keno Reservoir.
Water-surface elevations and depths likely to occur under the proposed action at Keno Reservoir
are expected to be similar to recent and historic elevations, which are mostly compatible with the
life-history requirements of the suckers. However, the maintenance of constant water levels in
Keno Reservoir is likely contributing to adverse water quality and degradation of marsh habitat
important for young suckers.
9.3.1.2.2 Effects to PCE 2—Spawning and Rearing Habitat
Suckers have been seen spawning in the lower Link River, but it appears to be limited to a few
individuals and it is not known if this is a regular occurrence. In May 2007, 10 suckers were
seen showing behaviors known to be associated with spawning (Smith and Tinniswood 2007).
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