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Uplift Report 2012
2 — The Freshwater Trust Uplift Report 2012 The Freshwater Trust Uplift Report 2012 — 3
Quantifying the benefits of restoration projects in this way can provide a more robust picture of a project’s value. In fact, we are now doing these calculations on projects before implementation to determine potential ecological uplift prior to committing significant resources to a project. We are doing this to ensure we apply resources to project sites and restoration actions that achieve the most benefit.
In the future, this new ability to quantify project benefits can aid conservation groups and funders in better directing grant dollars and other environmental investments. Traditionally, grant seekers — like The Freshwater Trust — submit project proposals to grant makers that describe the actions to be taken, the cost to implement and a general rationale for why the project is needed. This method makes it challenging to distinguish between similar projects in a competitive environment where the need is great and the funding is limited. Using the scientific tools described in this report, we imagine that conservationists will be able to estimate ecological uplift for projects and improve rationales for project location and design.
We have quantified most of our work in 2012 with regard to ecological uplift. We are committed to doing this every year so that we may begin to understand and evaluate the actual effectiveness of our actions and their benefits to our rivers and streams.
The Freshwater Trust measured and quantified the ecological uplift of its projects with powerful tools, built using the best thinking and data available to the various developers and partners. That said, the underlying science and modeling methods remain iterative. Over time, as The Freshwater Trust and others use these tools to evaluate project benefits, the monitoring of ongoing project performance will provide an essential feedback loop for refining the formulas, calculation methodologies and modeling logic used by the tools. In this way, not only will uplift calculation continue to improve, but so will restoration practices, project design and our general understanding of aquatic ecosystem functions.
The following tools are discussed in this report:
Salmon Calculator Water Temperature Transaction Tool (W3T) Shade-a-lator Nutrient Tracking Tool (NTT)
Quantifying Ecological Uplift: Why it is Important
The Freshwater Trust is a non-profit organization with a mission to preserve and restore freshwater ecosystems. With nearly 30 years of on-the-ground experience, we have always looked for innovative ways to fix imperiled rivers and streams.
Like all groups in this field, The Freshwater Trust has traditionally evaluated and reported on projects in terms of dollars spent, trees planted, gallons of water restored instream or acres of floodplain reconnected, etc. In 2012, our approach is evolving, just like the science we use to
measure ecological benefit. Using recently developed — and in some cases, still developing — tools for calculating the ecological uplift of restoration projects, we are advancing a new system for communicating the value of our work.
What do we mean by ecological uplift? Simply put, “uplift” refers to the environmental gain of a project — the quantifiable environmental benefit of the restoration actions we take. For example, when we plant trees next to a stream, we can now model the solar radiation that will be blocked by mature trees and calculate kilocalories per day of solar load avoided. How do we reflect that in our analysis and reporting of our projects? First, let’s look at how we might have reported a tree planting project in the past:
ExamplE FRom ThE paST: plaNTiNg pRojECT WiThoUT UpliFT mETRiCS
acres Trees planted Total cost
10 5,000 $50,000
ExamplE USiNg NEW SCiENCE & ToolS: plaNTiNg pRojECT WiTh UpliFT mETRiCS
acres Trees planted Total costKilocalories/day
of solar load avoided
pounds/year of phosphorus
reduced
Weighted linear feet of salmon
habitat restored
10 5,000 $50,000 50,000,000 50 100
Tracking the number of trees planted does not measure or report the impact of trees on habitat function.
Healthy and functioning habitat is critical to improving wild fish populations.
Table of Contents
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Front & Back Cover images:all images sean O’COnnOr, FreesOlO COlleCtive; exCept FOr BOttOm Center, Hanmi meyer
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Salmon Calculator .......................................................................................................................................................4
Shade-a-lator ................................................................................................................................................................5
Water Temperature Tracking Tool ..............................................................................................................................6
Nutrient Tracking Tool ................................................................................................................................................. 7
Case Study: Rudio Creek ............................................................................................................................................8
Uplift from 2012 projects ..........................................................................................................................................10
map of 2012 projects .................................................................................................................................................11
Measuring the width of a stream is an important factor in determining baseline habitat conditions.
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Healthy streamside vegetation is critical to improving habitat for aquatic species.
4 — The Freshwater Trust Uplift Report 2012 The Freshwater Trust Uplift Report 2012 — 5
Tool DEVElopERSOregon Department of Environmental Quality
Oregon State University, Departments of Bioresource Engineering & Civil Engineering
Salmon Calculator Quantifying increased salmon habitat through stream restoration
The Salmon Calculator is designed to quantify ecological changes that directly impact salmon habitat. The Salmon Calculator helps us model, on average, how well a given stream reach supports salmon. Put a different way, the Salmon Calculator uses data from a given reach of stream (say 1,000 feet long), and weights the number of feet that
demonstrate ideal habitat function. If 10% of a 1,000 foot reach is optimal, then that reach receives a score of 100 weighted linear feet. Change is calculated as the difference between pre-project conditions (baseline) and modeled conditions 20 years after project work.
Inputs into the Salmon Calculator are physical characteristics of the stream and terrestrial areas (see sidebar for model inputs). Based on the inputs, the Salmon Calculator measures the ecological functions of a stream with regard to its ability to create and maintain salmon habitat. The Salmon Calculator then consolidates those ecological functions into one salmon habitat score. The score is a percentage of functional habitat per linear foot of stream, which is recorded as weighted linear feet.
The Salmon Calculator was developed as part of Counting on the Environment, a Natural Resources Conservation Service grant project managed by Willamette Partnership. The development of the Salmon Calculator began as part of the Oregon Department of Transportation bridges project and was further refined by Parametrix, Inc.
While robust, the Salmon Calculator remains a work in progress. Willamette Partnership is also working on a more comprehensive functional stream assessment tool that may further improve our ability to calculate stream function for salmon. In the meantime, we are using the Salmon Calculator and gaining valuable data that will help inform the next generation of scientific tools.
A Solar PathfinderTM (left) measures the amount of sun hitting the stream in a given location at a given time on a given day. A densiometer (right) measures the canopy cover over a stream. Both instruments are used to determine the solar impact on a stream.
moDEl iNpUTSDistribution & abundance of aquatic & riparian native & nonnative vegetation
Stream width & depth
Substrate characteristics
Flow & depth characteristics
Aquatic features such as log jams, pools, riffles, glides, alcoves, gravel bars & cascades
Floodplain connectivity
Barriers to fish movement
Land use
Floodplain slope, width & soil type
Amount of large wood
Historical frequency & duration of flooding
Shade-a-latorQuantifying avoided solar load through riparian restoration
Riparian shade, provided by streamside trees, blocks the sun’s rays from hitting the surface of the water, reducing the amount of energy entering the river. In effect, this shade prevents the water from heating up. Anadromous fish, such as salmon and steelhead, are extremely sensitive to water temperature. Healthy riparian buffers help ensure healthy fish habitat.
Using pre-project data (see sidebar for model inputs), Shade-a-lator calculates the current amount of solar radiation hitting the surface area of a stream. Once vegetation is planted, Shade-a-lator models the amount of solar radiation hitting the stream based on the new vegetation’s maturity. The difference represents that project’s uplift in terms of solar radiation blocked or avoided by streamside shade. Shade-a-lator expresses this uplift in energy units of kilocalories per day.
Shade-a-lator is a module of Heat Source, a stream assessment tool used by Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ). It was developed in 1996 as a Master’s Thesis at Oregon State University in the Departments of Bioresource Engineering and Civil Engineering. ODEQ currently maintains the Heat Source methodology and computer programming.
Shade-a-lator has been in use and improving for more than a decade. With The Freshwater Trust’s projects, its refinement will continue.
moDEl iNpUTS Upstream & downstream boundaries of the stream reach
Aspect ratio to the sun
Wetted width of the stream
Bank slope
Extent of existing riparian trees & plants
Modeling time period, including the time of year the model is run & the number of days the model is run
Surrounding topography
Large instream wood structures help develop pools and create cool water refugia for rearing wild fish.
Measured in weighted linear feet (WLF) of functional habitat for aquatic speciesUpliFT for SalmoN haBiTaT
ExamplE: hoW iT WoRKS
1,000 feet stream reach
100 WLF (10%) of functional habitat
1,000 feet stream reach
400 WLF (40%) of functional habitat
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Uplift gained through Restoration
Salmon habitat Restored
Units of measure = Weighted linear feet (WLF) Restoration actions
Before (baseline) 100 • Construct instream engineered log jams
• Plant streamside vegetation• Reconnect floodplains• Increase pools & riffles
after (post-project) 400
Uplift 300
Uplift = Change in weighted linear feet of salmon habitat ( Wlf)
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Uplift gained through Restoration
Solar load avoided
Units of measure = kilocalories per day (kcal/day)
Restoration actions
Before (baseline) 10,000,000 • Plant streamside vegetation
after (post-project) 4,500,000
Uplift 5,500,000
Uplift = Change in kilocalories ( kcal) of avoided solar load
Solar Load Blocked Solar Load
ExamplE: hoW iT WoRKSMeasured in kilocalories per day (kcal/day), which is a measurement of energyUpliFT for aVoiDED SolaR loaD
Projections based
on tree maturity
BEFoRE Restoration
aFTER Restoration
Tool DEVElopERSCounting on the Environment
Natural Resources Conservation Service
Oregon Department of Transportation
Parametrix, Inc.
Willamette Partnership
6 — The Freshwater Trust Uplift Report 2012 The Freshwater Trust Uplift Report 2012 — 7
Rotational grazing is a best management practice that can reduce nutrient and sediment load to a stream.
FresHwaters illustrated
CalCUlaTiNg RUNoFF SURFaCE RUNoFF =
Rd = daily rainfall
s = retention parameter
The retention parameter (s) is variable and is dependent on a number of site-specific physical characteristics, including: soil type, land use, management practices, slope and soil water content.
( Rd – 0.2 s ) 2
Rd + 0.8 s
Water Temperature Transaction Tool (W3T)Quantifying decreased water temperature through streamflow restoration
ncreasing flow can buffer water temperature and increase velocity through a stream reach. This can limit the water’s exposure to the local temperature to keep the water from warming. Additional temperature benefits can be achieved if the increased flow is cooler than water in the existing stream reach.
The Water Temperature Transaction Tool (W3T) uses river and landscape characteristics to estimate hourly solar radiation and overall heat loss or gain from the water. W3T also incorporates tributary inputs and meteorological information. From these inputs, W3T calculates temperature changes in a river reach.
W3T is based on a steady flow approach requiring baseline data (see sidebar for model inputs); W3T models water temperature based on energy transfer to and from the water across the air-water
interface and bed-water interface. It also accounts for transport of heat energy in the downstream direction.
Water temperature reduction from increased flow can be determined by comparing baseline conditions with modeled conditions after flow has been restored. The difference in water temperature represents the temperature uplift from restoring flow to that reach.
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation contracted with Watercourse Engineering to develop the W3T calculator.
Nutrient Tracking Tool (NTT) Quantifying reduced nitrogen, phosphorus and sediments from riparian improvements and agricultural practices
major water quality concern across the country is the abundance of nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus in our freshwater systems. Too much nitrogen and phosphorus promotes
excessive plant and algae growth, choking out other aquatic species.
Large sediment loads that carry these nutrients can also harm aquatic systems. They can settle into streambeds and fill in the spaces between the rocks and gravel — spaces that are essential for salmonid spawning. Sediment-filled streambeds also cut streams off from groundwater, a valuable source of cold water essential to creating refugia for many fish species.
Nationwide, farming and ranching operations represent large inputs of nitrogen and phosphorus. The Freshwater Trust is working to measure the benefit of conservation actions that limit these inputs while maintaining productive agricultural lands.
The Nutrient Tracking Tool (NTT) is a sophisticated modeling tool that allows the user to create a detailed scenario of on-field agricultural practices (see sidebar for model inputs). NTT models the agricultural practices and then estimates the annual nutrient and sediment loads that occur as a result of these actions. NTT can model a wide assortment of conservation actions — from riparian restoration actions to changed practices on farms.
NTT calculates uplift in terms of nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment load reductions by comparing baseline conditions of a field to modeled conditions after restoration. The difference represents the uplift from conservation actions.
The Nutrient Tracking Tool was designed and developed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service, the USDA Agricultural Research Service and Texas Institute for Applied Environmental Research.
Uplift gained through Restoration
Water Temperature Decreased (Daily max)
Units of measure = cfs / oC Restoration actions
Before (baseline) 1.0 20 oC • Introduce cooler water• Increase stream velocity• Deepen channelafter (post-project) 1.5 18 oC
Uplift 0.5 2 oC
Uplift = Change in temperature ( oC) through flow, measured in cubic feet per second (cfs)
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1.5 CFS(cubic feet per second)
1,000 feet stream reach
+ 0.5 cfs
18o C (stream temperature)
1.0 CFS(cubic feet per second)
1,000 feet stream reach
20o C (stream temperature)
Measured in degrees Celsius.UpliFT for TEmpERaTURE through FloW
A river’s length, width and depth are important inputs entered into the Water Temperature Transaction Tool.
moDEl iNpUTS River length, width & depth
Stream bed roughness
Topographical & vegetation features: surrounding zones of vegetation that provide shade & inhibit solar radiation
Inflow water temperatures
Flow volumes
Atmospheric heat exchange, air-water interface & bed-water interface
Tributary inputs
River velocity
Cross sectional area
moDEl iNpUTS Crop type & livestock type
Crop rotations
Fertilizer application rates
Irrigation practices
Livestock access to streams
Pesticide application rates
Tillage practices
Field size & slope
Geographic location
Local weather data
Soil type
Soil phosphorus concentration
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Tool DEVElopERSNational Fish & Wildlife Foundation
Watercourse Engineering
Tool DEVElopERSUnited States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service
USDA Agricultural Research Service
Texas Institute for Applied Environmental Research
Vegetation filters runo�
Runo� drains into stream
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Uplift gained through Restoration
Nutrient & Sediment Reduction
Units of measure = pounds per yearRestoration actions
Phosphorus Nitrogen Sediments
Before (baseline) 10.0 100.0 2,000.0 • Plant streamside vegetation
• Implement cover crops, livestock exclusion fencing, etc.
after (post-project) 5.0 25.0 100.0
Uplift 5.0 75.0 1,900.0
Uplift = Change in pounds per year ( pounds/year)
ExamplE: hoW iT WoRKSMeasured in pounds per year of nutrients and sediments reduced through restorationUpliFT for NUTRiENTS & SEDimENTS
8 — The Freshwater Trust Uplift Report 2012 The Freshwater Trust Uplift Report 2012 — 9
Riparian vegetation plantings5
4 Large wood structure
Existing Channel (Before Restoration)
Restored Channel (Historic)
Flow
Existing channel centerline
Project channel centerline
1Channel construction Channel plug
DESigN plaN KEY
3 Pool/pool-glide enhancement
2 Floodplain connectivity
Construct large wood structures: In undisturbed systems, dead wood naturally accumulates in rivers and streams, adding to habitat complexity. During high flow periods, water carves
around and beneath these pieces of wood, creating deep pools where water stays cool. Structures are constructed where they would be expected to occur under natural conditions and are designed to be self-sustaining.
Restore native riparian vegetation: Native vegetation is planted along the banks of the creek, providing channel stability, shade for the river, food for insects and fish, and materials for beavers,
birds and other animals to build shelter. While beavers are present in the system, their numbers and influence on the river and floodplain have been greatly reduced. It is anticipated that this project and its restored habitat conditions will support a larger beaver population and perennial dam complexes.
To restore Rudio Creek holistically, The Freshwater Trust also worked with private landowners upstream and downstream of its on-the-ground project site to address instream flow issues. An upstream water leasing agreement and a change to a downstream point of diversion restored 2.0 cubic feet per second (1.3 million gallons per day) of streamflow to Rudio Creek, increasing water quality, lowering temperature in Rudio Creek and contributing cold water to the North Fork John Day.
4
Historic channel realignment (top and bottom left) reverses the effects of straightening and channelizing the stream.
Establishing cross section locations (right) helps assess existing channel conditions.
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Case Study: Rudio Creekn ecologically significant tributary of the North Fork John Day River, Rudio Creek provides
important habitat for federally-listed summer steelhead and spring Chinook. During the early and mid-1900s, a portion of Rudio Creek that runs through a ranch was straightened and channelized, draining wet meadow floodplain habitat to create livestock pasture. This
channelization, coupled with agricultural development of the floodplain throughout the mid-1900s, led to the loss of riparian vegetation and beaver dam complexes. This resulted in a faster flowing stream system with reduced habitat diversity and reduced cold-water storage capabilities.
The Freshwater Trust has restored Rudio Creek to mimic historic conditions to the greatest extent possible. The illustration below details how habitat restoration actions were implemented on a
section of the Rudio Creek project.
Reconstruct historic channel: Reactivation of flow to the historic channel provides habitat diversity and floodplain connectivity
and reverses the effects of straightening and channelizing the stream. Restoring the stream to near-historic conditions increases its length and offers greater potential habitat complexity. Creating bends and wood structures allows for varying water velocities and for different sizes of gravel and cobble — important for native fish — to be naturally sorted and deposited.
increase floodplain connectivity: Reconnecting the stream to its floodplain allows water to spill over and facilitate the growth and
diversity of streamside vegetation. A connected floodplain also reduces the stream’s speed during a flood event, preventing banks from eroding and creating opportunities for secondary side channels to form.
increase pool/pool-glide habitat: Pools provide slow water habitat, spawning sized gravels and shelter for both adults and juvenile fish.
Collecting thorough baseline data allows scientists to more precisely design a restoration project.
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Uplift from 2012 project Salmon habitat Restored
Solar load avoided
Water Temperature Decreased (Daily max)
phosphorus Reduced
NitrogenReduced
SedimentsReduced
Units of measure Weighted
linear feet (WLF)Kilocalories
per day (kcals)Degrees Celsius (oC)
Pounds per year
Pounds per year
Pounds per year
Rudio Creek
Before (baseline) 4,641 50,061,190 26.5 4.6 26.7 111.3
after (post-project) 6,419 8,534,474 25.5 0.1 9.4 107.6
Uplift 1,777 41,526,716 1.0 4.5 17.2 3.7
Restoration actions 3,250 feet of historic channel reconnected 6,588 feet of channel constructed and floodplain reconnected 70 pool-glide habitat complexes created
70 large wood structures built 13,000 native shrubs, hardwoods and plugs planted
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The Freshwater Trust Uplift Report 2012 — 11
Uplift from 2012 projects
Salmon habitat Restored
Solar load avoided
Water Temperature Decreased (Daily max)
phosphorus Reduced
NitrogenReduced
SedimentsReduced
Tool used Salmon
CalculatorShade-a-lator
Water Temperature Transaction Tool
(W3T)Nutrient Tracking Tool (NTT)
Units of measure Weighted
linear feet (WLF)Kilocalories
per day (kcals)Degrees Celsius
(oC)Pounds per year Pounds per year Pounds per year
little Butte Creek
Before (baseline) — 64,677,131 — 1.0 66.0 1,649.0
after (post-project) — 50,875,236 — 0.0 1.0 86.0
Uplift — 13,801,895 — 1.0 65.0 1,563.0
Restoration actions 6,120 native shrubs, hardwoods and plugs were planted
Salmon River Side Channel 3a
Before (baseline) 297 — — — — —
after (post-project) 331 — — — — —
Uplift 35 — — — — —
Restoration actions 654 feet side channel habitat restored; 1 large wood habitat structure at inlet
Salmon River Side Channel 4
Before (baseline) 0 — — — — —
after (post-project) 430 — — — — —
Uplift 430 — — — — —
Restoration actions 670 feet side channel habitat restored; 1 large wood habitat structure; 50 pieces large wood placed in side channel
Salmon River Side Channel 5
Before (baseline) 0 — — — — —
after (post-project) 2,606 — — — — —
Uplift 2,606 — — — — —
Restoration actions 250 pieces large wood placed in side channel; 2 large wood habitat structures;3,760 feet side channel habitat restored
Salmon River Side Channel 18
Before (baseline) 40 — — — — —
after (post-project) 2,012 — — — — —
Uplift 1,972 — — — — —
Restoration actions 2,685 feet side channel habitat restored; 2 culverts replaced; 40 pieces large wood placed in side channel
Salmon River Side Channel
23a
Before (baseline) 456 — — — — —
after (post-project) 806 — — — — —
Uplift 350 — — — — —
Restoration actions 1,148 feet side channel habitat restored; 1 large wood habitat structure at inlet
Rudio Creek
Before (baseline) 4,641 50,061,190 26.5 4.6 26.7 111.3
after (post-project) 6,419 8,534,474 25.5 0.1 9.4 107.6
Uplift 1,777 41,526,716 1.0 *4.5 *17.2 *3.7
Restoration actions 3,250 feet of historic channel reconnected 6,588 feet of channel constructed and floodplain reconnected 70 pool-glide habitat complexes created
Rogue River
Before (baseline) — 44,250,538 — 0.0 1.8 16.5
after (post-project) — 19,156,327 — 0.0 1.4 3.9
Uplift — **25,094,211 — **0.0 **0.4 **12.6
Restoration actions 2,450 native shrubs, hardwoods and plugs were planted
Total Uplift for 2012 projects (for which uplift calculation is possible)
7,170 WlF (restored
salmon habitat)
80,422,822 kcals (avoided
solar load)
1.0 oC (reduced max daily
water temperature)
5.5 pounds (reduced
phosphorus)
82.6 pounds (reduced nitrogen)
1,579.3 pounds(reduced
sediments)
70 large wood structures built 13,000 native shrubs, hardwoods and plugs planted
Habitat Restoration Projects
Flow Restoration Projects
aCKNoWlEDgEmENTS
The Freshwater Trust would like to thank the following partners who developed the tools & calculators to measure the ecological uplift in this report.
Map of 2012 Projects
* Soil data are not available for the project area in Grant County, therefore, a nearby proxy was used to calculate the uplift, making them rough estimates, not exact numbers. The uplift is a result of the removal of grazing livestock from a single field in the project area. The modeled area is 2.3 acres.
** These numbers are from the Phase 1 planting of Rogue River. Additional planting will occur in the spring which will change the estimated uplift. The uplift is a result of planting riparian vegetation. The modeled area is 1.3 acres.
10 — The Freshwater Trust Uplift Report 2012
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NoTES
Counting on the Environment
Environmental Research
National Fish & Wildlife Foundation
Natural Resources Conservation Service
Oregon Department of Environmental Quality
Oregon Department of Transportation
Oregon State University
Parametrix, Inc.
Texas Institute for Applied Environmental Research
United States Department of Agriculture
Watercourse Engineering
Willamette Partnership
In addition to quantified project work detailed in this Uplift Report, The Freshwater Trust also completed major habitat restoration work on Still Creek, a tributary of the Salmon River, and protected 13.65 billion gallons of water per day instream across the state.
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