Biological Opinions - Bureau of Reclamation

Required hydrologic monitoring includes the following:
3a. Klamath Basin Planning Model
Reclamation shall use the WRIMS 2.0 software platform, or the most recent version, for
all future versions of the KBPM, including annual updates, instead of WRIMS 1.0.
Reclamation shall update the software to new versions as they are published and verified.
Potential use of software other than WRIMS will be evaluated in coordination with the
Services.
3b. Implementation
As of mid-March 2013, Reclamation was developing one or more operations
spreadsheets that will be used to implement the proposed action. The spreadsheet(s)
translate the code in the KBPM and the detailed written description of the proposed
action provided in Appendix 4A of Reclamation’s biological assessment (Reclamation
2012) into an operations spreadsheet(s). The operations spreadsheet(s) will bring
together the input data (e.g. Williamson River flow, UKL elevations, NRCS forecasts),
equations (e.g. the multiplier applied to UKL Supply to calculate EWA, fill rate ratio),
and relationships (e.g. EWA is calculated before Project Supply, methods by which the
Lower Klamath Lake Refuge may be delivered water) that Reclamation will use on a
daily basis to implement the proposed action. Reclamation shall provide the Services
with the proposed action implementation and operation spreadsheet(s) by June 1, 2013,
and at least annually thereafter. Thereafter, Reclamation shall provide updates to the
Services within 2 weeks of Reclamation’s acceptance and use of the updated
spreadsheet(s). The Services expect a brief tutorial explaining how Reclamation uses the
spreadsheet, which data may be updated, and which data should remain fixed and not be
changed or updated. Thereafter, it will be the responsibility of the Services to use the
spreadsheet(s). It is not Reclamation’s responsibility to continually provide updated
spreadsheets or input data on a daily, weekly, or other planned schedule.
3c. Implement Gage Quality Assurance/Quality Control Procedures
Reclamation, in consultation with the Services, shall develop a draft QA/QC Procedures
Plan for collecting, reviewing, and presenting Project reservoir elevation, flow, diversion,
and pumping data. The draft plan shall be completed and formally submitted for the
Services’ review and approval by October 1, 2013. A final QA/QC plan shall be
completed and formally submitted to the Services by December 1, 2013, and
implementation shall begin January 1, 2014. Quality assurance shall fully describe
current measurement locations and equipment, gage (or other appropriate measurement
device) maintenance and installation, pump-rating curves, and data collection procedures
for measuring water use within the Project. Quality control shall describe procedures for
review, correction (as needed), and finalizing datasets, including a schedule for
completion of QA/QC and providing the data to stakeholders. An annual summary of
QA/QC compliance shall be included in the annual monitoring report due March 1 every
year.
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