1 4.9 WATER RESOURCES
2
3
4 4.9.1 Surface Water Resources
5
6 The six-state study area encompasses nine major hydrologic regions, as defined by the 7 USGS (2008). Surface water resources of the affected environment include lakes and rivers, as 8 well as numerous floodplains, ephemeral streams (i.e., streams that carry water only briefly in
9direct response to precipitation), and wetlands. Stream discharge in the six-state study area is
10affected by precipitation (which varies with season) and the regional topography. Seasonally,
11spring snowmelts cause high streamflows during the spring months. High streamflows also occur
12during summer thunderstorms. Many streams rely on groundwater discharge for their flow. A
13decrease in natural streamflow may occur as a result of the consumptive use of surface water
14and/or groundwater in a basin, such as for irrigation and the public drinking water supply. Many
15rivers in the six-state study area are regulated by dams and other flow control structures, so
16stream discharge is also controlled by release schedules from reservoirs. Surface water quality
17varies by stream segment and is related to the volume of streamflow, the local geology and soils,
18and human activities (e.g., mining, wastewater discharges, agriculture).
19 |
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20 |
Data provided in the Draft Solar PEIS remain valid, with the following updates: |
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• Table 4.9-2 has been updated (see below). |
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• Section 4.9.1.4.1 is being updated with the following information about the |
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Colorado River. |
26 |
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27In accordance with the Law of the River, the USGS developed a method for identifying
28groundwater wells outside the Colorado River’s floodplain, where groundwater is replenished by
29Colorado River water. This method is known as the Accounting Surface, and it establishes a
30surface of static groundwater elevations below which water is accounted for as Colorado River
31water and above which water is accounted for as local tributary replenished water (Wilson and
32Owen-Joyce 1994; Wiele et al. 2008). Groundwater below the Accounting Surface is subject to
33water management by the Law of the River, which is administered by the U.S. Bureau of
34Reclamation (Wilson and Owen-Joyce 1994), and water above the Accounting Surface is subject
35to water management by state and local entities.
36
37
38 4.9.2 Groundwater Resources
39
40Fourteen major aquifer systems occur in the six-state study area (USGS 2003).
41Groundwater occurs primarily in basin-filled sediments, volcanic rocks, and carbonate bedrock.
42The most widely distributed systems are the basin-fill aquifers of the Basin and Range Region
43in Nevada, southeastern California, and western Utah, and the aquifers within the Colorado
44Plateau that occupy western Colorado, eastern Utah, northeastern Arizona, and northwestern
45New Mexico. Other major aquifer systems include the Central Valley aquifer system in
Final Solar PEIS |
4-6 |
July 2012 |
PEIS Solar Final
1TABLE 4.9-2 Designation Classification and Administrative Authority for Wild and Scenic Rivers in the Six-State Study Area
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Designation |
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Classification and Length (mi)b |
Total |
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Wild and |
Administrative |
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Designated |
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State |
Scenic River |
Authoritya |
Wild |
Scenic Recreational |
Milesb |
Designated Location and Lengthb |
7-4
Arizona |
Verde |
USFS |
22.2 |
18.3 |
– c |
40.5 |
The northern boundary of the Scenic River Area from the section line |
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between Sections 26 and 27, the Gila-Salt River meridian, to the |
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southern boundary, the Mazatzal Wilderness. The northern boundary |
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of the Wild River Area from the boundary of the Mazatzal |
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Wilderness to the southern boundary at the confluence of Red Creek |
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with the Verde River. |
California |
Amargosa |
BLM |
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From the northern boundary of Section 7, Township 21 North, |
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Range 7 East to 100 ft upstream of the Tecopa Hot Springs Road |
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crossing. From 100 ft downstream of the Tecopa Hot Springs Road |
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crossing to 100 ft upstream of the Old Spanish Trail Highway |
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crossing near Tecopa. From the northern boundary of Section 16, |
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Township 20 North, Range 7 East to 100 ft upstream of the Dumont |
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Dunes Access Road crossing in Section 32, Township 19 North, |
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Range 7 East. From 100 ft downstream of the Dumont Dunes Access |
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Road for the next 1.4 mi. |
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American |
State of California |
– |
– |
23.0 |
23.0 |
From the confluence with the Sacramento River to the Nimbus Dam. |
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(Lower) |
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American |
USFS |
26.3 |
– |
– |
26.3 |
From a point 0.3 mi above Health Springs downstream to a point |
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(North Fork) |
BLM |
12.0 |
– |
– |
12.0 |
1,000 ft upstream of Colfax-Iona Hill Bridge. |
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Bautista |
USFS |
– |
– |
9.8 |
9.8 |
From the San Bernardino National Forest boundary in Section 36, |
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Creek |
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Township 6 South, Range 2 East to the San Bernardino National |
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Forest boundary in Section 2, Township 6 South, Range 1 East. |
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Big Sur |
USFS |
19.5 |
– |
– |
19.5 |
From the confluence of the South and North Forks downstream to the |
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boundary of the Ventana Wilderness. The South Fork and the North |
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Fork from their headwaters to their confluence. |
2012 July
2
PEIS Solar Final
8-4
2012 July
TABLE 4.9-2 (Cont.)
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Designation |
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Classification and Length (mi)b |
Total |
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Wild and |
Administrative |
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Designated |
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State |
Scenic River |
Authoritya |
Wild |
Scenic |
Recreational |
Milesb |
Designated Location and Lengthb |
California |
Black Butte |
USFS |
17.5 |
3.5 |
– |
21.0 |
The segment from the Mendocino County line to its confluence with |
(Cont.) |
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the Middle Eel River. Cold Creek from the Mendocino County line to |
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its confluence with the Black Butte River. |
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Cottonwood |
USFS |
17.4 |
– |
4.1 |
21.5 |
From its headwaters at the spring in Section 27, Township 4 South, |
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Creek |
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Range 34 East to the northern boundary of Section 5, Township 4 |
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South, Range 34 East. |
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Eel |
State of California |
36.0 |
22.5 |
250.5 |
309.0 |
From the mouth of the river to 100 yd below Van Ardsdale Dam. The |
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USFS |
35.0 |
– |
– |
35.0 |
Middle Fork from its confluence with the main stem to the southern |
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BLM |
21.0 |
4.5 |
6.5 |
32.0 |
boundary of the Yolla Bolly Wilderness Area. The South Fork from |
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Round Valley |
5.0 |
1.0 |
16.0 |
22.0 |
its confluence with the main stem to the Section Four Creek |
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Reservation |
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confluence. The North Fork from its confluence with the main stem |
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to Old Gilman Ranch. The Van Duzen River from its confluence with |
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the Eel River to Dinsmure Bridge. |
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Feather |
USFS |
32.9 |
9.7 |
35.0 |
77.6 |
The entire Middle Fork downstream from the confluence of its |
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tributary streams 0.6 mi south of Beckwourth, California. |
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Fuller Mill |
USFS |
– |
2.6 |
0.9 |
3.5 |
From the source of Fuller Mill Creek in the San Jacinto Wilderness to |
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Creek |
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its confluence with the North Fork San Jacinto River. |
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Kern |
USFS |
96.1 |
20.9 |
7.0 |
124.0 |
The North Fork from the Tulare-Kern County line to its headwaters |
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NPS |
27.0 |
– |
– |
27.0 |
in Sequoia National Park. The South Fork from its headwaters in the |
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Inyo National Forest to the southern boundary of the Domelands |
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Wilderness in the Sequoia National Forest. |
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Kings |
USFS |
16.5 |
– |
9.0 |
25.5 |
From the confluence of the Middle Fork and the South Fork to the |
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NPS |
49.0 |
– |
6.5 |
55.5 |
point at elevation 1,595 ft above mean sea level. The Middle Fork |
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from its headwaters at Lake Helen to its confluence with the main |
stem. The South Fork from its headwaters at Lake 11599 to its confluence with the main stem.
PEIS Solar Final
9-4
2012 July
TABLE 4.9-2 (Cont.)
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Designation |
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Classification and Length (mi)b |
Total |
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Wild and |
Administrative |
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Designated |
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State |
Scenic River |
Authoritya |
Wild |
Scenic |
Recreational |
Milesb |
Designated Location and Lengthb |
California |
Klamath |
State of California |
– |
3.0 |
41.0 |
44.0 |
From the mouth to 3,600 ft below Iron Gate Dam. The Salmon River |
(Cont.) |
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USFS |
12.0 |
21.0 |
177.5 |
210.5 |
from its confluence with the Klamath to the confluence of the North |
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BLM |
– |
– |
1.5 |
1.5 |
and South Forks of the Salmon River. The North Fork of the Salmon |
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Hoopa Valley |
– |
– |
29.0 |
29.0 |
River from the Salmon River confluence to the southern boundary |
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Reservation |
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of the Marble Mountain Wilderness Area. The South Fork of the |
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NPS |
– |
– |
1.0 |
1.0 |
Salmon River from the Salmon River confluence to the Cecilville |
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Bridge. The Scott River from its confluence with the Klamath to its |
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confluence with Schackleford Creek. All of Wooley Creek. |
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Merced |
USFS |
15.0 |
2.0 |
12.5 |
29.5 |
From its source (including Red Peak Fork, Merced Peak Fork, Triple |
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NPS |
53.0 |
14.0 |
14.0 |
81.0 |
Peak Fork, and Lyle Fork) in Yosemite National Park to a point |
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BLM |
3.0 |
– |
9.0 |
12.0 |
300 ft upstream of the confluence with Bear Creek. The South Fork |
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from its source in Yosemite National Park to the confluence with the |
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main stem. |
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Owens |
USFS |
6.3 |
6.6 |
6.2 |
19.1 |
Deadman Creek from the two-forked source east of San Joaquin Peak |
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to 100 ft upstream of Big Springs. The upper Owens River from |
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100 ft upstream of Big Springs to the private property boundary in |
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Section 19, Township 2 South, Range 28 East. Glass Creek from its |
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two-forked source to its confluence with Deadman Creek. |
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Palm |
USFS |
8.1 |
– |
– |
8.1 |
From the southern boundary of Section 6, Township 7 South, |
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Canyon |
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Range 5 East to the San Bernardino National Forest boundary in |
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Creek |
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Section 1, Township 6 South, Range 4 East. |
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Piru Creek |
USFS |
4.3 |
– |
3.0 |
7.3 |
From 0.5 mi downstream of Pyramid Dam at the first bridge crossing |
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to the boundary between Los Angeles and Ventura Counties. |
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San Jacinto |
USFS |
7.2 |
2.3 |
0.7 |
10.2 |
From the source of the North Fork San Jacinto River at Deer Springs |
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(North Fork) |
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in Mt. San Jacinto State Park to the northern boundary of Section 17, |
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Township 5 South, Range 2 East. |
PEIS Solar Final
10-4
2012 July
TABLE 4.9-2 (Cont.)
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Designation |
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Classification and Length (mi)b |
Total |
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Wild and |
Administrative |
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Designated |
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State |
Scenic River |
Authoritya |
Wild |
Scenic |
Recreational |
Milesb |
Designated Location and Lengthb |
California |
Sespe Creek |
USFS |
27.5 |
4.0 |
– |
31.5 |
The main stem from its confluence with Rock Creek and Howard |
(Cont.) |
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Creek downstream to where it leaves Section 26, Township 5 North, |
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Range 20 West. |
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Sisquoc |
USFS |
33.0 |
– |
– |
33.0 |
From its origin downstream to the Los Padres National Forest |
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boundary. |
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Smith |
State of California |
– |
0.5 |
28.5 |
29.0 |
The segment from the confluence of the Middle Fork Smith River |
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USFS |
78.0 |
30.5 |
187.9 |
296.4 |
and the North Fork Smith River to its mouth at the Pacific Ocean. |
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The Middle Fork from its headwaters to its confluence with the North |
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Fork Smith River, including Myrtle Creek, Shelly Creek, Kelly |
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Creek, Packsaddle Creek, the East Fork of Patrick Creek, the West |
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Fork of Patrick Creek, Little Jones Creek, Griffin Creek, Knopki |
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Creek, Monkey Creek, Patrick Creek, and Hardscrabble Creek. The |
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Siskiyou from its headwaters to its confluence with the Middle Fork, |
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including the South Siskyou Fork of the Smith River. The South Fork |
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from its headwaters to its confluence with the main stem, including |
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Williams Creek, Eightmile Creek, Harrington Creek, Prescott Fork, |
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Quartz Creek, Jones Creek, Hurdy Gurdy Creek, Gordon Creek, |
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Coon Creek, Craigs Creek, Goose Creek, the East Fork of Goose |
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Creek, Buch Creek, Muzzleloader Creek, Canthook Creek, Rock |
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Creek, and Blackhawk Creek. The North Fork from the California– |
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Oregon border to its confluence with the Middle Fork of the Smith |
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River, including Diamond Creek, Bear Creek, Still Creek, the North |
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Fork of Diamond Creek, High Plateau Creek, Stony Creek, and |
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Peridotite Creek. |
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Trinity |
State of California |
2.0 |
11.0 |
24.0 |
37.0 |
From the confluence with the Klamath River to 100 yd below |
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USFS |
42.0 |
22.0 |
71.0 |
135.0 |
Lewiston Dam. The North Fork from the Trinity River confluence to |
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BLM |
– |
– |
17.0 |
17.0 |
the southern boundary of the Salmon–Trinity Primitive Area. The |
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Hoopa Valley |
– |
6.0 |
8.0 |
14.0 |
South Fork from the Trinity River confluence to the California State |
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Reservation |
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Highway 36 bridge crossing. The New River from the Trinity River |
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confluence to the Salmon–Trinity Primitive Area. |
PEIS Solar Final
11-4
2012 July
1
TABLE 4.9-2 (Cont.)
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Designation |
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Classification and Length (mi)b |
Total |
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Wild and |
Administrative |
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Designated |
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State |
Scenic River |
Authoritya |
Wild |
Scenic |
Recreational |
Milesb |
Designated Location and Lengthb |
California |
Tuolomne |
USFS |
7.0 |
6.0 |
13.0 |
26.0 |
The main stem from its source to the Don Pedro Reservoir. |
(Cont.) |
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NPS |
37.0 |
17.0 |
– |
54.0 |
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BLM |
3.0 |
– |
– |
3.0 |
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Colorado |
Cache La |
USFS |
18.0 |
– |
46.0 |
64.0 |
From Poudre Lake downstream to where the river intersects the |
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Poudre |
NPS |
12.0 |
– |
– |
12.0 |
easterly north-south line of the west half of the southwest quarter of |
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Section 1, Township 8 North, Range 71 West of the sixth principal |
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meridian. The South Fork from its source to Section 1, Township 7 |
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North, Range 73 West of the sixth principal meridian, from its |
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intersection with the easterly section line of Section 30 of the sixth |
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principal meridian to the confluence with the main stem. |
Nevada |
No WSR |
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New Mexico |
Jemez |
USFS |
4.0 |
5.0 |
2.0 |
11.0 |
From the Santa Fe National Forest boundary to its confluence with |
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(East Fork) |
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the Rio San Antonio. |
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Pecos |
USFS |
13.5 |
– |
7.0 |
20.5 |
From its headwaters to the town of Terrerro. |
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Rio Chama |
USFS and BLM |
19.8 |
4.9 |
– |
24.7 |
From El Vado Ranch launch site (immediately south of El Vado |
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Dam) downstream for 24.7 mi. |
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Rio Grande |
USFS and BLM |
53.2 |
– |
2.5 |
55.7 |
The segment extending from the Colorado state line downstream |
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approximately 68 mi to the west section line of Section 15, |
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Township 23 North, Range 10 East. The lower 4 mi of the Red River. |
Utah |
Virgin River |
NPS |
TBD |
TBD |
TBD |
165.5 |
List of 36 tributaries provided at http://www.rivers.gov/rivers/ |
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and |
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rivers/virgin.php.. |
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Tributaries |
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Footnotes on next page.
PEIS Solar Final
1
12-4
2012 July
TABLE 4.9-1 (Cont.)
aBLM = Bureau of Land Management; USFS = U.S. Forest Service; NPS = National Park Service.
bTo convert mi to km, multiply by 1.609; to convert ft to m, multiply by 0.3048; to convert yd to m, multiply by 0.9144.
cA dash indicates zero mileage.
Sources: Interagency Wild & Scenic Rivers Council (2012); NPS (2006).