United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Corvallis Environmental
Research Laboratory
Corvallis, Oregon 97330
ESTIMATING STREAMFLOW
CHARACTERISTICS AT
SPAWNING SITES
IN OREGON
CERL--051
February 1980
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EPA ERL-Corvallis Library
00002181
950K80O01
ESTIMATING STREAMFLOW
CHARACTERISTICS AT
SPAWNING SITES
IN OREGON
CERL—051
February 1980
An Analysis of the Hydrology
of Sixteen Ungaged Test Sites,
Established to Evaluate the
Effects of Land Use on
Spawning Gravels in
Small Oregon Coastal
Streams
By
John F. Orsborn
Consulting Engineer
Project for the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Corvallis Environmental Research Laboratory
Corvallis, Oregon 97330
M. Shirazi, Contract Officer
'J S Es scfcs^ f^
^•••"lli:; .Crw. ,
to.
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ABSTRACT
During the summer of 1978 numerous measurements of stream gravel composi-
tion and streamflow were made by EPA personnel in small Oregon streams which
drain the coastal ranges. The measurements were made at sixteen (16) spawning
sites on thirteen (13) streams to establish a monitoring procedure to determine
the effects of natural flooding and the effects of road building and logging
y
practices on the spawning habitats of salmonoids. These natural and man-caused
activities influence the composition of the spawning gravels and the fine sedi-
ment content of those gravels.
The EPA measurements consisted of detailed channel cross-sections, longi-
tudinal profiles, flow velocities and stream bed .materials. From these data
the average stream flows at the times of the measurements could be determined,
but little could be determined about the flow regime of the sites.
The methods used in this study were to develop correlations between various
characteristic flows at U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) gaging stations in the
North and Middle Coast Basins of Oregon and their drainage basin characteristics.
Then, by measuring the basin characteristics above the EPA gravel test sites,
and using the gaging station correlations, the characteristic flows at the six-
teen (16) test sites would be determined. The primary objectives of this study
were to provide a first estimate of the flow regime of the thirteen streams at
the EPA sites, and to provide a hydrologic framework within which planning of
the monitoring program could be undertaken without expending much additional
time, effort and finances on traditional stream-gaging programs.
AUTHORITY
This report was prepared under order number B0687NNEX dated March 21, 1979,
between EPA Corvallis, Oregon Environmental Research Laboratory and the con-
sultant.
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TABLES OF CONTENTS
Topic Page
ABSTRACT and AUTHORITY i
TABLE OF CONTENTS ii
LIST OF FIGURES iii
LIST OF TABLES vi
SUMMARY OF ESTIMATED CHARACTERISTIC FLOWS AT EPA
GRAVEL TEST SITES 1
DATA SOURCES 3
EPA Data 3
USGS Data 5
US Weather Service Data 11
Oregon State Water Resources Board Data 11
DESCRIPTION OF THE EPA SITES 12
DATA ANALYSIS AND UNGAGED FLOW ESTIMATION 36
Characteristic Flows at USGS Gaging Stations 36
Basin Characteristics Above the Gaging Stations 38
Basin Characteristics of the EPA Sites 42
Low Flows 42
Average Annual Flows 49
Flood Flows 57
Duration Curves 63
OTHER ASPECTS OF THE STUDY 72
Channel and Flow Characteristics 72
Flood and Storm Characteristics 73
Anticipated Changes in Hydrologic Conditions 82
RECOMMENDATIONS 83
APPENDIX I. REFERENCES 86
APPENDIX II,, CAGING STATION CORRELATIONS 89
ii
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LIST OF FIGURES
Figure No.
OSWRB Map No. 1,6
OSWRB Map No0 18.6
Figo 1.
Fig. 2.
fig. 3.
I
Fig. 4.
Fig. 5.
Fig. 6.
Figo 7.
Fig. 8.
Fig. 9.
Location Map of EPA Site No. 1 on Beaver
Creek, Oregon
Location Map of EPA Sites No. 2 and 3, and
USGS Gage 143036 on the Nestucca River, Oregon
Location Map for EPA Sites Nos. 4, 6A, 6B, 9A
and 9B, and USGS Low Flow Station and OSGC Fish
Life Stations on Indian Creek and USGS Regular
Gaging Station on Lake Creek, Oregon
Location on EPA Site No0 5, North Prong Creek and
Nearby Sweet Creek USGS Low Flow Station and OSGC
Fish Life Station in Oregon
Location Map of EPA Sites Nos. 7 and 10 and USGS
Gaging Stations, Oregon
Location Map of EPA Sites No. 8, Canal Creek and
Site No. 11, West Creek Just South of the Alsea
River, Oregon
Location Map of EPA Sites Nos. 12 and 13, Rock
Creek and Big Creek, Respectively, Including
USGS Regular Station on Big Creek, Crest-Stage
Station on Sam Creek, Oregon
Total Stream Length and Average Annual Flow
Related to Drainage Basin Area for USGS Gaging
Stations on Oregon Coastal Streams
Total Stream Length Related to Drainage Area at 16 EPA
Spawning Gravel Test Sites on Small Oregon Coastal
Streams
Fig. 10. Two-Year and Twenty-Year, 7-Day Average Low Flow
Related to First-Order Stream Length, Basin Relief
and Basin Area for USGS Regular Gaging Stations—
Oregon Coastal Streams
Fig. 11. Two-Year and Twenty-Year, 7-Day Average Low Flows at USGS
Oregon Coastal Miscellaneous Low Flow Stations Related
to Stream Length and Basin Relief
Fig. 12. 7-Day Characteristic Low Flows Related to Total Stream
Length and Basin Relief for USGS Miscellaneous Low Flow
and Regular Gaging Stations on Oregon Coastal Streams
Fig. 13. Two-Year and Twenty-Year, 7-Day Average Low Flows,
Q7L2 and Q720, Related to Combined Low Flow and Basin
Characteristics
Page
Back Cover
Back Cover
14
16
19
21
25
27
34
40
44
45
46
47
50
iii
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LIST OF FIGURES (Continued)
Fig. 14. Seven-Day Average Low Flow Recurrence Interval Graphs
for USGS Regular Gaging Stations—Oregon Coastal 51
Streams
Fig. 15 o Seven-Day Average Low Flow Recurrence Interval Graphs
for EPA Sites Numbers 1 through 7 52
Fig. 16. Seven-Day Average Low Flow Recurrence Interval Graphs
for EPA Sites Numbers 8 through 13 53
Fig. 17o Average Annual Flow Related to Basin Area and Relief
for USGS Gaging Stations in Oregon Coastal Drainage
Basins 54
Fig. 18„ Average Annual Flow Related to Average Annual Pre-
cipitation and Drainage Area for North- and Mid-
Coast USGS Gaging Stations for Oregon Coastal Streams 55
Fig. 19. Two-Year and Fifty-Year Peak Floods at Regular USGS
Gaging Stations Related to Average Annual Flows 58
Fig. 20. Relationship Between Average Low, Annual and Flood
Flows—Oregon Coast Basins at USGS Regular Gaging
Stations 59
Figo 21o Flood Recurrence Interval Graphs for USGS Regular
Gaging Stations in the Study Area 60
Fig. 22. Flood Recurrence Interval Graphs for USGS Crest-
Stage Gages on Small Watersheds in the Study Area 61
Fig. 23. Two-Year and Fifty-Year Peak Flood Flows Related to
Average Annual Precipitation Volume and Basin Poten-
tial Energy for Oregon Coastal Streams 62
Fig. 24. Estimated Annual Peak Flood Recurrence Interval
Graphs for EPA Sites Numbers 1-7 65
Figo 25. Estimated Annual Peak Flood Recurrence Interval
Graphs for EPA Sites Numbers 8-13 66
Fig. 26. Regular and Dimensionless Duration Curves for Four
USGS Gaging Stations—Oregon Coastal Streams 69
Figo 27. Range and Seasonal Distribution of Flows for Needle
Branch and Deer Creek (From Ref. 4) 75
Fig. 28. Relationship Between Three- day Seven-Day Average
High Flows Resulting from the Same Storm at Oregon
Coastal Stream Gaging Stations 81
Fig. 29. Correlation of Oregon State Game Commission Fish Life
Flow—Station Flows in 1971 with Same Day Flows at
USGS Gage 143036, Nestucca River Near Beaver, Oregon 91
Fig. 30. Correlation of Miscellaneous Flow Measurements at
Oregon State Game Commission Fish Life Flow Stations
and USGS Low Flow Station with USGS Gaging Station
14307645, North Fork Siuslaw River Near Minerva,
Oregon 92
iv
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LIST OF FIGURES (Continued)
Fig. 31o Correlation of Daily Flow in Sweet Creek at USGS
Miscellaneous and Oregon Game Commission Fish Life
Flow Stations with USGS Gaging Station 14307620,
Siuslaw River near Mapleton 93
Fig. 32. Correlation of Indian Creek Flows at Miscellaneous
Gaging Sites with USGS Gage on Lake Creek near
Deadwood, Oregon 94
Figo 33. Correlations of Flows Between Oregon State Game
Commission Fish Life Flow Stations in 1971 and
USGS Gage on Five Rivers near Fisher, Oregon 95
34o Correlation of Short-Term USGS Gaging Stations with
Long-Term Gage 3065 on Alsea River, Oregon
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LIST OF TABLES
Table No, Page
Table !„ Summary of Estimated Flows at EPA Spawning .
Gravel Test Sites in Oregon 2
Table 2. Stream Flows at Closest USGS Gages on Days EPA
Site Flows Were Measured 4
Table 3. Regular USGS Gaging Stations—Oregon Coastal Streams 6
Table 4. USGS Crest Stage Gages for Floods in Small Oregon
Coastal Streams 8
Table 5. Selected USGS Miscellaneous Low Flow Gaging Station
Locations and Basin Characteristics 9
Table 6. Oregon State Game Commission Fish Life Flow Stations 10
Table 7. Index to EPA Site Summary Tables and Location Maps 12
EPA STREAMFLOW ANALYSIS AT SPAWNING GRAVEL TEST SITES
OREGON COASTAL STREAMS
Table 8. Site No. 1, Beaver Creek 13
Table 9. Site No. 2, Three Rivers 15
Table 10. Site No0 3, Farmer Creek 17
Table 11„ Site No. 4, Green Creek 18
Table 12. Site No. 5, North Prong Creek 20
Table 13. Site No. 6A, North Fork Indian Creek 22
Table 14. Site No. 6B, North Fork Indian Creek 23
Table 15. Site No. 7, Savage Creek (Grant Creek) 24
Table 16. Site No0 8A, Canal Creek 26
Table 17. Site No. 8B, Canal Creek 28
Table 18. Site No. 9A, Green River 29
Table 19„ Site No. 9B, Green River 30
Table 20, Site No. 10, Cape Horn Creek (Gopher Creek) 31
Table 21. Site No. 11, West Creek 32
Table 22,, Site No. 12, Rock Creek 33
Table 23. Site No. 13, Big Creek 35
Table 24. USGS Oregon Coastal Gaging Station Characteristic Flows 37
Table 25. Basin Characteristics for Regular USGS Gaging Stations in
the North- and Mid-Coast Basins of Oregon 39
Table 26. Basin Characteristics for EPA Spawning Gravel Sampling Sites
in the Siuslaw National Forest—Oregon Coastal Basins 43
Table 27. Long Term Annual Flow for Alsea River near Tidewater, Oregon
(14-3065), Area = 334 square miles 56
VI
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LIST OF TABLES (Continued)
Table 27A0 Flood Flows and Basin Parameters in Oregon Coastal Streams
for Ungaged Flood Prediction in Fig» 23
Table 28. Dimensionless Duration Curve Data for Four USGS Gaging
Stations—Oregon Coastal Streams
Table 29. Data Points for Duration Curves for EPA Sites on Oregon
Coastal Streams
Table 30. Stream Gaging and Precipitation Stations Used in Flood
and Storm Characteristics Analysis
Table 310 Selected Period Precipitation for Water Year 1975 at
Three Oregon Coast Range Stations
Table 320 Cumulative Three- and Seven-Day Flood Flows at Selected
Gaging Stations in Water Year 1975 Corresponding to Periods
of Heavy Precipitation
Table 33. Three-Day High-Flow Runoff for Flynn Creek, Needle Branch
and Deer Creek (from Ref0 4)
Table 34„ USGS Gaging Station Cross-Correlations of Daily Flows,
Oregon Coastal Streams
64
68
71
76
77
78
81
90
vii
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SUMMARY OF ESTIMATED CHARACTERISTIC FLOWS AT EPA GRAVEL TEST SITES
The locations of the EPA gravel test sites, hereinafter referred to as
the "EPA sites", are shown In a series of maps on pages 14-34» These location
maps were drawn from 1:62,500 (15 min) scale USGS topographic maps. The USGS
maps on which each. EPA site and its watershed are located are listed on the site
summary tables between pages 13-35. An index to these EPA site maps and sum-
mary tables is given in Table 7 on page 12.
The EPA sites, their locations and their characteristic flows are summar-
ized in Table 1. The characteristic flows are defined as:
Q7L2: the 7-day average low flow with a 2-year recurrence interval;
Q7L20: the 7-day average low flow with a 20-year recurrence interval;
QAA: the a.verage annual daily flow;
VQAA: the expected variation in the average annual flow based on
records at USGS gaging stations;
QF2P: the peak flood flow with a 2-year recurrence interval; and
QF50P: the peak flood flow with a 50-year recurrence interval.
The two low flows (Q7L2 and Q7L20) are used to define the low flow recur-
rence interval graph and the two flood flows (QF2P and QF50P) define the flood
recurrence interval graph at the ungaged sites. These flows, when combined
with the average annual flow and the characteristic shapes of duration curves
at gaging stations in the hydrologic province, are used to generate the dura-
tion curves of the streams at the ungaged EPA sites.
The data sources, methods of analyses and other study results are pre-
sented in the following sections. References with commentary are in Appendix I
and the various cross correlations developed for miscellaneous and long-term
gaging stations are presented as supplemental information in Appendix II.
For the 16 EPA sites the estimated results are presented in detail on the
following pages:
Low flow recurrence interval graphs—^i&So 15 and 16 on pages 52 and 53.
Flood flow recurrence interval graphs—Figs. 24 and 25 on pages 65 and 66.
The values of the duration curve flows are in Table 29 on page 71.
An index to EPA site summary tables and location maps is given in Table 7
on page 12.
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Table 1. Summary of Estimated Flows at EPA
in Oregon (All flows are in cubic
Spawning Gravel Test Sites
feet per second)
Qi tf>
„ Site Name
No.
1 Beaver Creek
2 Three Rivers
3 Farmer Creek
4 Green Creek
5 N. Prong Creek
6A N.F. Indian Creeka
6B N.F. Indian Creekb
7 Savage Creek
8A Canal Creeka
8B Canal Creek
o
9 A Green River
9B Green River
10 Cape Horn Creek
11 West Creek
12 Rock Creek
13 Big Creek
(Gage 3069)
Site Location
Nlte, Sec. 15
T3S, R9W
SW%, Sec. 26,
T4S, R9W
NE%, Sec. 3
T4S, R10W
NEk, Sec. 5
T17S, R9W
NE%, Sec. 1
T19S, R11W
NE%, Sec. 2
T16S, R10W
SE%, Sec. 11
T16S, R10W
mh, Sec. 13
T12S, R9W
S%, Sec. 17
T14S, R10W
SE%, Sec. 8
T14S, R10W
NEJ$SE%, Sec. 24
T15S, R10W
&$, Sec. 19
T15S, R9W
Wt, Sec. 20
T12S, R9W
NWk, Sec. 8
T14S, R10W
SEJ$, Sec. 10
T16S, R12W
NW^, Sec. 19
T16S, R11W
Q7L2
Q7L20
3.3
2.3
2.0
1.4
0.70
0.50
0.45
0.25
0.90
0.60
1.10
0.65
1.80
1.15
3.7
2.4
0.40
0.30
0.50
0.35
1.10
0.75
2.25
1.50
0.85
0.60
0.70
0.50
3.0
2.0
6.0
4.0
QAA
VQAA
52
±33
22
±14
15
±9
8
±5
7
±4
20
±13
40
±26
60
±39
13
±8
16
±10
20
±13
37
±24
9
±6
8
±5
40
±26
96
±62
QF2P
QF50P
1050
2860
540
1570
270
860
125
420
180
585
280
860
500
1470
1005
2740
180
590
230
730
330
1010
590
1710
190
615
180
600
690
1970
1280
3580
allpper site; ^Lower site
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DATA SOURCES
EPA Data
The EPA office in Corvallis provided these data regarding the sixteen EPA
sites:
1. field notes giving channel cross-sections, profiles, velocities
and streambed material size composition;
2. a U.S. Forest Service (USFS) Siuslaw National Forest map showing
the locations of the EPA sites; and
3. a table showing the area, forest practices and ownership of the
watersheds above the sites.
In this report the following analyses were made of the EPA data:
1. stream flows were calculated from the cross-section and velocity
data where adequate;
2. the mean channel slope along the thalweg profile was estimated;
3. channel cross-sections were plotted for those sites where a bank-
full flow could be determined for channels with flood plains;
4. the sizes of the watersheds above the EPA sites were compared
with those measured from the USGS topographic maps; and
5. the EPA office performed size distribution (mechanical) analyses
of the bed material.
After the data analyses and map measurements were made the results were
used as follows:
1. the single streamflow measurements were correlated with the average
daily flows measured on the same days at nearby USGS gaging stations
(see Table 2); these flows are to be used later to check ungaged
flow estimates at the EPA sites);
2. the mean channel slope was used to estimate the bankfull flow con-
ditions at several selected sites assuming that bankfull flows are .
approximately equal to the 2-year frequency floods;
3. for the selected streams with definite bankfull conditions the top
width, flow area and mean depth were determined for use in estimat-
ing the bankfull flows;
4. the basin characteristics (stream lengths, relief and drainage
area) of the EPA site watersheds were measured from the USGS maps;
and
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Table 2. Stream Flows at Closest USGS Gages on Days EPA
Site Flows Were Measured
Date
(1973)
July 25
July 27
Aug. 21
July 20
July 18
July 11
Aug. 24
Aug. 8
June 15
Aug. 22
Aug. 29
June 29
July 7
July 13
Aug. 1
Aug. 3
Sept. 5
EPA Site No.- Flow
Name Measured
(cfs)
1- Beaver Cr.
2-Three Rivers
3 -Farmer Cr.
4 -Green Cr.
5 -N. Prong Cr.
6A-N.F. Indian Cr.
6B-N.F. Indian Cr.
7 -Savage Cr.
8A-Canal Cr.
SB-Canal Cr.
9A-Green R.
9B-Green R.
10 -Cape Horn Cr.
11-West Cr.
12 -Rock Cr.
13-Big Cr.
13-Big Cr.
11.8
4.4E
5.9
1.8
l.OE
9.4
20.2
6.2E
3.6E
2.2
5.8E
8.9
3.9
2.7E
8.5
5.6*
8.4*
USGS
No.
(14-)
3036
3036
3036
307580
307645
307580
307580
3065
3065
3065
3065
3065
3065
3065
3069
3069
3069
Gage
River
Name
Nestucca R.
Nestucca R.
Nestucca R.
Lake Cr.
N.F. Siuslaw R.
Lake Cr.
Lake Cr.
Alsea R.
Alsea R.
Alsea R.
Alsea R.
Alsea R.
Alsea R.
Alsea R.
Big Cr.
Big Cr.
Big Cr.
Flow
Gaged**
(cfs)
132
143
198
70
44
84
100
150
476
333
141
272
233
200
9.9
9.5
14.0
.E = Estimate; *Both values 60% of average daily flow at Gage 3069.
**1978 USGS data obtained by personal communication; not published yet;
average daily flow at gages for dates on which flows were measured
at EPA sites.
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5. the mean equivalent diameter of the streambed material (D50) was
determined by the EPA office and used to estimate the mean velocity
profiles at the selected sites for providing another estimate of
the bankfull discharge.
There are some limitations on the EPA data which affected the results of
this report including the following:
1. the very low velocities and wide channels at some sites did not
lend themselves to accurate flow determinations and are noted as
"estimates";
2. although detailed sketches were given for the EPA sites in the
field notes, definite bankfull conditions could be determined at
only a few sites; and
3. this limitation did not adversely affect the primary determina-
tions of the characteristic flows at the EPA sites, only the
verifying estimates of the 2-year floods.
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Data
The Portland regional office of the USGS provided:
1. access to files of statistical analyses on low flow and flood
flow frequency data for gaging stations in the study area (12); and
2. a preliminary copy of a report updating flood frequency analyses
in the study area (5); and
3. the annual water supply reports published by the USGS for the
State of Oregon were used (12).
The USGS streamflow files and reports were used to:
1. determine some of the characteristic flows and duration curves at
gaging stations in the study area (12);
2. update and broaden the application of the peak flood frequency
analysis with crest-stage gage data for small watersheds and
longer periods of record at regular gaging stations (5); and
3. determine flood hydrograph characteristics, average annual flows
and their variability, miscellaneous low flow measurements on
smaller watersheds, and gage locations.
The following limitations applied to the USGS streamflow data:
1. most of the low flow and 1-, 3- and 7-day flood frequency analyses
had been run on data only through 1968;
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Table 3. Regular USGS Gaging Stations--Oregon Coastal Streams
Station No,
14-3015a'b
-3029
-3036a
-3055a'b
-306la
-3064a
-3065a>c
-3069a
-3076206
-3076456
-8075806
*Currently
o
Stations
Name
Wilson River
near Tillamook
Nestucca River
near Fairdale
Nestucca River
near Beaver
Siletz River
at Siletz
N.F. Alsea River
at Alsea
Five Rivers
near Fisher
Alsea River
near Tidewater
Big Creek near
Roosevelt Beach
Siuslaw River
near Mapleton
N.F. Siuslaw River
near Minerva
Lake Creek
near Deadwood
in operation.
used in the analysis of
Location
SW% SE%, Sec. 8, T1S, R8W
SW% NW%, Sec. 15, T3S, R6W
SE% NE%, Sec. 36, T3S, R10W
NW% SVik, Sec. 11, T10S, R10W
SE%, Sec. 1, T14S, R8W
W%, Sec. 19, T14S, R9W
NW^ NW%, Sec. 6, T14S, R9W
SEk SE%, Sec. 13, T16S, R12W
SW% NW%, Sec. 27, T17S, R10W
NW% SW%, Sec. 34, T17S, R11W
NW% NW%, Sec. 21, T17S, R9W
characteristic flows and drainage
Records
Since*
1938
1960
1965
1924
1957
1967
1939
1972
1967 .
1967
1967
basin
characteristics.
These two stations tend to generate larger floods than others in the
study area.
CUsed as the long-term base station for correlations with other stations
and data extrapolations.
eStations begun in 1967 but extrapolated by cross correlation with station
3065.
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2. most of the newer gaging stations have been in operation for ten
years or less, too short a period to analyze with any confidence;
and
3. most of the regular gaging stations are on streams which
drain larger watersheds of 100 square miles or more.
The list of available regular USGS gaging stations, their locations and
periods of record are given in Table 3. Of the only three long-term stations
in the study area, the Wilson and Siletz Rivers in the north tend to generate
larger flows than do the Alsea and Suisiaw*Rivers which bracket the geographic
center of the EPA sites.
Additional stream-gaging data which were utilized in this analysis included
data from:
1. selected USGS crest-stage gages for smaller Oregon coastal streams
as listed in Table 4 (data from reference 5);
2. selected USGS miscellaneous low flow gaging sites and stations
for smaller streams located closer to the EPA sites than the
regular gaging station as shown in Table 5; and
3. Oregon State Game Commission (OSGC) fish life stations where
miscellaneous measurements were made in 1970-71 for the purpose
of establishing instream flow needs for fisheries (see Table 6).
These flows were cross-correlated with regular USGS gaging
station records on the same days and then used to check the
predicted flows at EPA sites in the vicinity of the OSGC stations.
Another USGS data source was the 1:62500 scale topographic map series
covering the entire study area. The maps were used to measure the drainage
basin characteristics of perennial stream lengths, drainage area and relief
for the watersheds above the USGS gaging stations and for the watersheds above
the EPA sites.
The characteristic flows at the regular USGS gaging stations were corre-
lated against certain combinations of their basin characteristics. Then, to
estimate the characteristic flows of the streams at the ungaged EPA sites, the
basin characteristics of the EPA watersheds were inserted into the correlations.
Details of all the methods of analysis are discussed in later sections of this
report.
*Short-term station.
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Table 4. USGS Crest Stage Gages for Floods in Small Oregon Coastal Streams
oo
Station
14-303700
14-306700
14-306830
14-307610
Name Record Area
Alder Brook (Salmon) 1954-77 1.97
SEh, Sec. 25
T.6 S., R.10 W.
Needle Br. (Drift Cr.) 1958-72 0.32
SW%, Sec. 24
T.12 S., R.10 W.
Lyndon Cr. (Alsea) 1965-77 0.90
SEk, Sec. 11
T.13 S., R.ll W.
Siuslaw Riv. Trib. 1957-77 0.42
Discharge for Selected Flood
2-yr 5-yr 10-yr 25-yr
212
30
55
25
253 277 306
39 45 51
88 112 144
37 46 57
Frequencies
50-yr 100-yr
327
56
170
66
347
61
197
75
NW%, Sec. 27
T.17 S., R.10 W.
Data from Refer. (5).
H
CT
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Table 5 . Selected USGS Miscellaneous Low Flow Gaging Station Locations and Basin Characteristics
Station Name
and Location
Deer Creek
(Trib. to
Horse Cr.)
NW%, Sec. 11
T.12 S., R.10
Drift Creek
(Trib. to
Alsea R.)
NE%, Sec. 24
T.12 S., R.10
Indian Creek
(Trib. to
Siuslaw R.)
NE%, Sec. 11
T.17 S., R.10
Sweet Creek
(Trib. to
Siuslaw R.)
NE%, Sec. 28
T.18 S., R.10
Condon Creek
(Trib. to N.F.
Siuslaw R.)
NE%, Sec. 11
T.17 S., R.ll
*Miscellaneous
Average 1st Order
Annual Stream
USGS Station Drainage Precipitation Length
No. and Maps Area P LSI
(sq mi) (in./yr) (mi)
14306810 1.17 88 1.1
Toledo
W.
* 20.5 95 13.7
Toledo
Tidewater
W.
14307600 37.0 98 47.3
Mapleton
W.
14307630 19.8 90 27.5
Goodwin
Peak
W.
* 9.9 -- 10
Heceta Head
Mapleton
W. . .
low flow sites are not numbered unless they are converted
Total
Stream n, .. Basin
^. Elevations „ , . ,.
Length Relief
LST Upper Gage H
(mi) (ft) (ft) (mi)
2.2 950 600 0.066
24.0 1500 450 0.218
79.0 1250 300 0.180
39.0 1250 40 0.230
15.4 50 1200 0.218
to a regular, long-term,
continuous record station.
-------
Table 6. Oregon State Game Commission Fish Life Flow Stations
Name
E.F. Beaver Cr.
Alder Cr.
Moon Cr.
Little Nestucca R.
Neskowin Cr.
N.F. Yachats R,
School Fork
Green River
Tenmile Cr.
Big Cr.
Cape Cr.
Indian Cr.
Sweet Cr.
Location
Above Bear Cr.
NE% NW%, Sec. 18,
At mouth
N1& Sec. 25,
At mouth
NWVSHftj, Sec. 29,
Below Louie Cr.
mk Sec. 28,
Below Prospect Cr.
NE^ SE%, Sec. 6,
Below Fish Cr.
SW% Sec. 26,
At mouth
NE% mk, Sec. 1,
At mouth
SEk Sec. 8,
River Mile 1.0
NE% NW%, Sec. 35,
River Mile 1.0
NE% NEk, Sec. 23,
River Mile 1.0
SE% Sec. 34,
Below Velvet Cr. •
NWJ« Sec. 17,
Below Cedar Cr.
NVtk Sec. 28,
T3S, R9W'
T3S, R9W
T3S, R8W
T5S, R9W
T6S, R10W
T14S, R11W
T15S, R11W
T15S, R9W
T15S, R12W
T16S, R12W
T16S, R12W
T17S, R9W
T18S, R10W
Basin
Nestucca
Nestucca
Nestucca
Pacific
Pacific
Yachats
Yachats
Five Rivers
Pacific
Pacific
Pacific
Siuslaw
Siuslaw
Data for these stations are given in references 8 and 13.
10
-------
U.S. Weather Service Data (NOAA)
The Weather Service provided the information on average annual precipi-
tation in the form of an isohyetal map of the State of Oregon. Portions of
this chart were later extrapolated to a copy of Map No. 18.6 of the Mid-Coast
Basin (OSWRB). Average annual precipitation was used to develop correlations
with average annual flows and drainage areas at the regular USGS gaging
stations.
Oregon State Water Resources Board (OSWRB) DATA
The OSWRB provided the study area maps (numbers 1.6 and 18.6) and an
isohyetal map of the North Coast Basin which contains EPA Sites Nos. 1, 2 and 3.
The isohyetal maps were used to estimate the average annual precipitation
on the watersheds above the regular USGS gaging stations and the EPA sites.
The average annual precipitation, when multiplied by the drainage area, gives
the average annual volume of precipitation falling on the watershed. This is
the only "input" component used in this analysis of the flow regimes of thir-
teen ungaged, small, Oregon, salmon spawning streams.
11
-------
DESCRIPTION OF THE EPA SITES
The summary of basin characteristics, EPA field data (channel character-
istics), reference gaging stations and location maps for each of the EPA sites
are given in Tables 8 through 23 and Figures 1 through 7. The index of the
EPA site summary tables and location maps is given in Table 7.
Table 7. Index to EPA Site Summary Tables and Location Maps
EPA SITE
No . Name
1
2
3
4
5
6A
6B
7
8A
8B
9A
9B
10
11
12
13
Beaver Creek
Three Rivers
Farmer Creek
Green Creek
N. Prong Creek
N.F. Indian Creek
N.F. Indian Creek
Savage Creek
Canal Creek
Canal Creek
Green River
Green River
Cape Horn Creek
West Creek
Rock Creek
Big Creek
SUMMARY LOCATION MAP
Table No. Page Figure No. Page
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
13
15
17
18
20
22
23
24
26
28
29
30
31
32
33
35
1
2
2
3
4
3
3
5
6
6
3
3
5
6
7
7
14
16
16
19
21
19
19
25
27
27
19
19
25
27
34
34
Under "Basin Characteristics" each term is defined and was measured from
a 1:62500 scale USGS topographic map. The channel characteristics were derived
from the EPA site data. If only the long-term USGS gaging station is listed
this means that this station was used to determine all the flow characteristics.
Characteristic flows are summarized at the bottom of each table.
12
-------
Table 8
EPA STREAMFLOW ANALYSIS
AT SPAWNING GRAVEL TEST SITES
OREGON COASTAL STREAMS
Site Name BEAVER CREEK
Location NWk Sec. 15 , T. 3 S.,
Tributary to: NpSnir<-fl Riv^r
Basin Characteristics
Total Stream Length (LST) :
First Order Stream Length (LSI):
Basin Drainage Area (A) :
Average Annual Precipitation.' (P) :
Basin Relief (H) :
Upper Elevation:
Outlet Elevation:
R. 9 W.
•
f
10.
4.
9.
105
0.
1800
440
(USGS 62,500 scale maps
Tillamook, Elaine
Nestucpa
(Coastal
7
3
57
26
Basin)
mi
mi
sq mi
in./yr
mi
ft
ft
Channel Characteristics (Date of Measurements: 7/ 28/78 )
EPA Cross-Sectional Data:
Complete x ; Incomplete ; D50 = 5.2 in.; Slope 0.0061
EPA Velocity Data:
Complete x ; Incomplete ; Analyzed x ; FLOW 11.8 cfs
Bank Full Conditions:
Top Width 7Q ft; Mean Depth 4.2 ft
Reference USGS Gaging Stations
Long Term: No. 143036__; Name Nestucca River
Crest-Stage: No. ; Name
Low Flow: ; Name
Reference Oregon State Game Commission Fish Life Flow Measuring Sites
P.P. Reaver Creek ; Moon Creek ;
Notes: RPA Drainage Area 9.50 sq mi
I 1.001) FLOWS Ain-uA/-r A MM,, A, I-OW FLOWS
AVLRACiE ANNUAL
2-YK 50-YR FLOW 2-YR 20-YR
1050 (cfs) 2860 52 (cfs) 3.5 (cfs) 2.3
L: Estimated Value
13
JFOrsborn
5/79 (792)
-------
0 0.5 1.0
SCALE, MILES
28
33
_27
~34
T2S, R9W
OSGC FISH
LIFE STATION
Fig. 1. Location Map of EPA Site
No. 1 on Beaver Creek,
Oregon
•-J
CD
-------
Table 9
EPA STREAMFLOW ANALYSIS
AT SPAWNING GRAVEL TEST SITES
OREGON COASTAL STREAMS
Site No. 7 Site Name THREE RIVERS
Location SWg Sec._26_, T._4_S., R._9_W. (USGS 62,500 scale maps)
Hebo.Grand Ronde
Tributary to: Nestucca River ; Nestucca
(Coastal Basin)
Basin Characteristics
Total Stream Length (LST) : 6.4 mi
First Order Stream Length (LSI): 4.5 mi
Basin Drainage Area (A) : 4.71 sq mi
Average Annual Precipitation :(P) : 95 in./yr
Basin Relief (H) : 0.27 (0.265) mi
Upper Elevation: 2400 ft
Outlet Elevation: 1000 ft
Channel Characteristics (Date of Measurements: 7 / 27 / 78 )
EPA Cross-Sectional Data:
Complete ; Incomplete x ; D50 = 4.50 in.; Slope 0.0560
EPA Velocity Data:
Complete ; Incomplete x^ > Analyzed x ii FLOW 4.4E cfs
Bank Full Conditions:
Top Width _28E_ft; Mean Depth MA ft
Reference USGS Gaging Stations
Long Term: No. 145056 ; Name Nestucca River
Crest-Stage: No. ; Name
Low Flow: ; Name
Reference Oregon State Game Commission Fish Life Flow Measuring Sites
; Moon Creek ; Neskowin Creek
Notes: EPA Drainage Area 1.0 sq mi. No flood plain.
2: Only 2 velocity measurements in 27-ft width, one in slack water.
FLOOD FLOWS ivronrc AMMIIAI LOW FLOWS
AVERAGE ANNUAL
2-YR 50-YR FLOW 2-YR 20-YR
540 (cfs) 1570 22 (cfs) 2.0 (cfs) 1.4
E: Estimated Value
15
JFOrsborn
5/79 (792)
-------
Q 0.5 1.0
SCALE, MILES
T4S, R9W
Location Map of EPA Sites No. 2 and 3,
and USGS Gage 143036 on the Nestucca
River, Oregon
n>
N)
-------
Table 10
EPA STREAMFLOW ANALYSIS
AT SPAWNING GRAVEL TEST SITES
OREGON COASTAL STREAMS
Site No. 3 Site Name FARMER CREEK
Location NE^i Sec._5_, T._4_S., R._10W. (USGS 62,500 scale maps)
Hebo. Tillamook
Tributary to: Nestucca River J Nestucca
(Coastal Basin)
Basin Characteristics
Total Stream Length (LST): 5.2 mi
First Order Stream Length (LSI): 2.9 mi
Basin Drainage Area (A) : 2.96 sq mi
Average Annual Precipitation(P): 102 in./yr
Basin Relief (H): 0.12 (0.117) mi
Upper Elevation: 960 ft
Outlet Elevation: 540 ft
Channel Characteristics (Date of Measurements: 8 / 21/ 78)
EPA Cross-Sectional Data:
Complete x ; Incomplete ; D50 = 5.8 in.; Slope *
EPA Velocity Data:
Complete ; Incomplete x ; Analyzed x ; FLOW 5.9 cfs
Bank Full Conditions:
Top Width 51 ft; Mean Depth 1.5 ft
Reference USGS Gaging Stations
Long Term: No. 145056 ; Name Nestucca River '
Crest-Stage: No. ; Name_
Low Flow: ; Name
Reference Oregon State Game Commission Fish Life Flow Measuring Sites
Moon Creek • ; • ;
Notes: EPA Drainage Area 5.46 sq mi. *Profile not available.
FLOOD FLOWS A,;cDArc AMMIIAI LOW
AVERAGE ANNUAL
2-YR 50-YR FLOW 2-YR 20-YR
270 (cfs) 860 15 (cfs) 0.70 (cfs) 0.50
E: Estimated Value ]7
JFOrsborn
5/79 (792)
-------
Table 11
EPA STREAMFLOW ANALYSIS
AT SPAWNING GRAVEL TEST SITES
OREGON COASTAL STREAMS
Site No. 4 Site Name GREEN CREEK
Location NE% Sec._5_, T.J7S., R._9_W. (USGS 62,500 scale maps)
Mapleton
Tributary to: Siuslaw River ; Siuslaw
(Coastal Basin)
Basin Characteristics
Total Stream Length (LST): 2.5 mi
First Order Stream Length (LSI): 1.7 mi
Basin Drainage Area (A) : 1.3 sq mi
Average Annual Precipitation (P): 105 in./yr
Basin Relief (H): 0.095 mi
Upper Elevation: 1000 ft
Outlet Elevation: 500 ft
Channel Characteristics (Date of Measurements: 7 / 20 / 78 )
EPA Cross-Sectional Data:
Complete x ; Incomplete ; D50 = 2.8 jn.; Slope 0.027
EPA Velocity Data:
Complete x ; Incomplete ; Analyzed x ; FLOW 1.8 cfs
Bank Full Conditions:
Top Width 25 ft; Mean Depth 1.5 ft
Reference USGS Gaging Stations
Long Term: No. 14507580 ; Name Lake Creek
Crest-Stage: No. ; Name
Low Flow: 14307600 ; Name Indian Creek
Reference Oregon State Game Commission Fish Life Flow Measuring Sites
Indian Creek ; ;
Notes: EPA Drainage Area 1.75 sq mi.
FLOOD FLOWS AI/UDA™ AMMIIAI LOW PLOWS
AVERAGE ANNUAL
2-YR 50-YR FLOW 2-YR 20-YR
125 (cfs) 420 8 (cfs) 0.45 (cfs) 0.25
E: Estimated Value 18
JFOrsborn
5/79 (792)
-------
Figure 3
NORTH FORK
INDIAN CREEK
OSGC
FISH
LIFE
STATION
T16S, R10W
N
0 0.5 1.0
SCALE, MILES
16
10
15
T17S, R10W
Fig. 3.
Location Map for EPA Sites Nos. 4, 6A, 6B, 9A
and 9B, and USGS Low Flow Station and OSGC Fish
Life Stations on Indian Creek and USGS Regular
Gaging Station on Lake Creek, Oregon
19
-------
Table 12
EPA STREAMFLOW ANALYSIS
AT SPAWNING GRAVEL TEST SITES
OREGON COASTAL STREAMS
Site No. 5 Site Name NORTH PRONG CREEK
Location NKs Sec. 1 , T. 19 S., R. 11 W. (USGS 62,500 scale maps)
Goodwin Peak
tributary to: Maple Creek ; Siltcops River
(Coastal Basin)
Basin Characteristics
Total Stream Length (LST): 3.6 mi
First Order Stream Length (LSI): 2.5 mi
Basin Drainage Area (A): 1.65 sq mi
Average Annual Precipitation.(P): 88 in./yr
Basin Relief (H): 0.19 mi
Upper Elevation: 1100 ft
Outlet Elevation: 100 ft
Channel Characteristics (Date of Measurements: 7 / 18/ 78)
EPA Cross-Sectional Data:
Complete ; Incomplete x ; D50 = 2.00 in.; Slope 0.050
EPA Velocity Data:
Complete ; Incomplete x ; Analyzed E ; FLOW l.OE cfs
Bank Full Conditions:
Top Width 41 ft; Mean Depth 5.2 ft
Reference USGS Gaging Stations
Long Term: No. 14507645 ; Name North Fork Siuslaw River
Crest-Stage: No. ; Name
Low Flow: 14307650 ; Name Sweet Creek
Reference Oregon State Game Commission Fish Life Flow Measuring Sites
Sweet Creek I , °>
Notes: EPA Drainage Area 1.65 sq mi.
FLOOD FLOWS ANNUAL LOW FLOWS
2-YR 50-YR FLOW 2-YR 20-YR
180 (cfs) 585 7 (cfs) 0.90 (cfs) 0.60
E: Estimated Value 20
JFOrsborn
5/79 (792)
-------
OSGC
FISH
LIFE
STATION
0 0.5 1.0
SCALE, MILES
c
o
Fig. 4. Location Map of EPA Site No. 5, North Prong Creek, and Nearby Sweet Creek
USGS Low Flow Station and OSGC Fish Life Station in Oregon
-------
Table 13
EPA STREAMFLOW ANALYSIS
AT SPAWNING GRAVEL TEST SITES
OREGON COASTAL STREAMS
Site No. 6A Site Name NORTH FORK INDIAN CREEK
Location NBa Sec-_JL» T._16_S., R.JLOJW. (USGS 62,500 scale maps)
Mapleton
Tributary to: Indian Creek ; Siuslaw
(Coastal Basin)
Basin Characteristics
Total Stream Length (LST) : 6.1 mi
First Order Stream Length (LSI): 5.7 mi
Basin Drainage Area (A): 5.18 sq mi
Average Annual Precipitation(P): 105 in./yr
Basin Relief (H): 0.10 mi
Upper Elevation: 1QQQ ft
Outlet Elevation: 475 ft
Channel Characteristics (Date of Measurements: 7/ 11 / 78 )
EPA Cross-Sectional Data:
Complete x ; Incomplete ; D50 = 2.5 in.; Slope 0.0117
EPA Velocity Data:
Complete x ; Incomplete ; Analyzed x ; FLOW 9.4 cfs
Bank Full Conditions:
Top Width 40 ft; Mean Depth 2.0 ft
Reference USGS Gaging Stations
Long Term: No.14307580 ? Name Lake Creek
Crest-Stage: No. ; Name
Low Flow: 14507600 ; Name Indian Creek
Reference Oregon State Game Commission Fish Life Flow Measuring Sites
Indian Creek ; ;
Notes: EPA Drainage Area 4.05 sq mi.
FLOOD FLOWS AVCDAPC AMMIIAI LOW PLOWS
AVERAGE ANNUAL
2-YR 50-YR FLOW 2-YR 20-YR
280 (cfs) 860 20 (cfs) 1.10 (cfs) 0.65
E: Estimated Value
JFOrsborn
5/79 (792)
-------
Table 14
EPA STREAMFLOW ANALYSIS
AT SPAWNING GRAVEL TEST SITES
OREGON COASTAL STREAMS
Site No. 6B Site Name NORTH FORK INDIAN CREEK
Location SE% Sec._ll, T.JL6S., R.JJO_W. (USGS 62,500 scale maps)
Mapleton
Tributary to: Indian Creek ; Siuslaw •
(Coastal Basin)
Basin Characteristics
Total Stream Length (LST) : 10.5 mi
First Order Stream Length (LSI): 8^8 mi
Basin Drainage Area (A): 6.41 sq mi
Average Annual Precipitation(P): 105 in./yr
Basin Relief (H): 0.11 mi
Upper Elevation: 1000 ft
Outlet Elevation: 450 ft
Channel Characteristics (Date of Measurements: 8/ 24/ 78)
EPA Cross-Sectional Data:
Complete x '> Incomplete ; D50 = 0.86 in.; Slope ~
EPA Velocity Data:
Complete x ; Incomplete ; Analyzed ^__; FLOW 20.2 cfs
Bank Full Conditions:
Top Width 47 ft; Mean Depth 2.6 ft
Reference USGS Gaging Stations
Long Term: No. 14507580 ; Name Lake Creek
Crest-Stage: No._ ; Name_
Low Flow: 14507600 ; Name Indian Creek
Reference Oregon State Game Commission Fish Life Flow Measuring Sites
Indian Creek : :
Notes:
FLOOD FLOWS AI/BOA™ AUMIIAI LOW PLOWS
AVERAGE ANNUAL
2-YR 50-YR FLOW 2-YR 20-YR
500 (cfs) 1470 40 (cfs) 1.80 (cfs) 1.15
11: Listimated Value
^ -J
JFOrsborn
5/79 (792)
-------
EPA STREAMFLOW ANALYSIS
AT SPAWNING GRAVEL TEST SITES
OREGON COASTAL STREAMS
Site No. 7 Site Name SAVAGE CREEK (GRANT CREEK)
Location Wk _ Sec._13_, T.K_S., R._9_W. (USGS 62,500 scale maps)
Alsea, friary's Peak,
Tidewater, Toledo
Tributary to: Drift Creek _ ; _ Alsea
Basin Characteristics
Total Stream Length (LST) :
First Order Stream Length (LSI):
Basin Drainage Area (A) :
Average Annual Precipitation (P) :
Basin Relief (H) :
Upper Elevation:
Outlet Elevation:
8.4
6.2
9.49
100
0.26
1650
300
(Coastal Basin)
mi
mi
sq mi
in./yr
mi
ft
ft
Channel Characteristics (Date of Measurements: 8 / _ 8/ 78)
EPA Cross-Sectional Data:
Complete _ ; Incomplete x > D50 = 2.8 in . ; Slope Q.Q1Q
EPA Velocity Data:
Complete _ ; Incomplete x ; Analyzed x ; FLOW 6.2E cfs
Bank Full Conditions:
Top Width " ft; Mean Depth " ft
Reference USGS Gaging Stations
Long Term: No. 14506800 ; Name Flynn Cr.; 14506810 Deer Cr.
Crest-Stage: No. 145067 ; Name Needle Branch*
Low Flow: 143067 ; Name Needle Branch*
Reference Oregon State Game Commission Fish Life Flow Measuring Sites
; None ;
Notes; EPA Drainage Area 9.6 sq mi. Banks not shown in field notes. Location
of. Needle. Branch on Map No. 18.6 incorrect; runs south into Meadow Cr.; see Ref.
anr
FTP. R cm npYT
FLOOD FLOWS AVCDAPC AMMIIAI LOW PLOWS
AVERAGE ANNUAL
2-YR 50-YR FLOW 2-YR 20-YR
1005 (cfs) 2740 60 (cfs) 5.7 (cfs) 2.4
E: listimated Value 24
JFOrsborn
5/79 (792)
-------
143066
Low Flow
Gage
0 0.5 1.0
SCALE, MILES
-i
n>
Fig. 5 . Location Map of EPA Sites
Nos. 7 and 10 and USGS
Gaging Stations, Oregon
-------
! Table 16
EPA STREAMFLOW ANALYSIS
AT SPAWNING GRAVEL TEST SITES
OREGON COASTAL STREAMS
Site No. 8A Site Name CANAL CREEK
Location Sh Sec. 17 , T. 14S., R. 10W. (USGS 62,500 scale maps)
Tidewater
Tributary to: Alsia River ; Alsea
(Coastal Basin)
Basin Characteristics
Total Stream Length (LST): 2.6 mi
First Order Stream Length (LSI): 1.5 mi
Basin Drainage Area (A) : 2.56 sq mi
Average Annual Precipitation (P): 95 in./yr
Basin Relief (H) : 0.076 mi
Upper Elevation: 650 ft
Outlet Elevation: 250 ft
Channel Characteristics (Date of Measurements: 6/ 15 / 78 )
EPA Cross-Sectional Data:
Complete ; Incomplete x ; D50 = 4.1 in.; Slope --
EPA Velocity Data: ;
Complete ; Incomplete x ; Analyzed ; FLOW 5.6E cfs
Bank Full Conditions:
Top Width - ft; Mean Depth ft
Reference USGS Gaging Stations
Long Term: No. 143064 ? Name pive Rivers; 14306S Alsea River
Crest-Stage: No. 14506840 ; Name Ivndon Creek
Low Flow: - ; Name
Reference Oregon State Game Commission Fish Life Flow Measuring Sites
North Fork Yachats River;- School Fork ;
Notes: EPA Drainage Area 5.16 sq mi.
FLOOD FLOWS AVCDAPC AMMI.AI LOW FLOWS
AVERAGE ANNUAL
2-YR 50-YR FLOW 2-YR 20-YR
180 (cfs) 590 13 (cfs) Q.40 (cfs) p.30
1!: listimtitod Value ~,
ZD
JFOrsborn
5/79 (792)
-------
N
0 0.5 1.0
SCALE, MILES
T14S, R10W
10
14
11
13
Fig. 6 .
Location Map for EPA Site No.
Canal Creek and Site No. 11,
West Creek Just South of the
Alsea River, Oregon
-------
i Table 17
EPA STREAMFLOW ANALYSIS
AT SPAWNING GRAVEL TEST SITES
OREGON COASTAL STREAMS
Site No. 8B Site Name CANAL CREEK
Location SE% Sec. J3 , T.14 S., R.1Q W. (USGS 62,500 scale maps)
Tidewater
Tributary to: Alsea River ; Alsea
(Coastal Basin)
Basin Characteristics
Total Stream Length (LSI): 5.5 mi
First Order Stream Length (LSI): IJi mi
Basin Drainage Area (A) : 5.01 sq mi
Average Annual Precipitation (P) : 95 in./yr
Basin Relief (H) : 0.085 mi
Upper Elevation: 650 ft
Outlet Elevation: 200 ft
Channel Characteristics (Date of Measurements: 8 / 22/ 78)
EPA Cross-Sectional Data:
Complete x ; Incomplete ; D50 = 5.1 in.; Slope ~ '
EPA Velocity Data:
Complete x > Incomplete ; Analyzed x ; FLOW 2.2 cfs
Bank Full Conditions:
Top Width 52 ft; Mean Depth 5 ft '
Reference USGS Gaging Stations
Long Term: No. 145064 ; Name Five Rivers: 145065. Alsea River
Crest-Stage: No. 14506850 ; Name Lvndon Creek
Low Flow: ; Name
Reference Oregon State Game Commission Fish Life Flow Measuring Sites
North Fork Yachats River ; School Fork ;
Notes:
FLOOD FLOWS AyERAGE LOW FLOWS
2-YR 50-YR FLOW 2-YR 20-YR
230 (cfs) 730 16 (cfs) 0.50 (cfs) 0.55
E: Estimated Value
JFOrsborn
5/79 (792)
-------
Table 18
EPA STREAMFLOW ANALYSIS
AT SPAWNING GRAVEL TEST SITES
OREGON COASTAL STREAMS
Site No. 9A Site Name GREEN RIVER
Location NE^SE% Sec._24_, T._15_S., R._10_W. (USGS 62,500 scale maps)
Tidewater. Mapleton
Tributary to: Five Rivers J Alsea
(Coastal Basin)
Basin Characteristics
Total Stream Length (LST) : 6.4 mi
First Order Stream Length (LSI): 3.9 mi
Basin Drainage Area (A) : 3.44 sq mi
Average Annual Precipitation (P): 105 in./yr
Basin Relief (H): 0.15 mi
Upper Elevation: 1050 ft
Outlet Elevation: 350 ft
Channel Characteristics (Date of Measurements: 8 / 29 / 78 ) :
EPA Cross-Sectional Data:
Complete x ; Incomplete ; D50 = 2.8 in.; Slope (Var.)
EPA Velocity Data: (0.0094^0257
Complete ; Incomplete x ; Analyzed ; FLOW 5.8E cfs
Bank Full Conditions:
Top Width 49 ft; Mean Depth 5.5 ft
Reference USGS Gaging Stations
Long Term: No. 143Q64 ; Name Five Rivers
Crest-Stage: No. ; Name
Low Flow: ; Name
Reference Oregon State Game Commission Fish Life Flow Measuring Sites
North Fork Yachats River ; School Fork ;
Notes : Not enough velocity measurements to be accurate; Irregular cross section.
FLOOD FLOWS AVERAGE LOW FLOWS
2-YR 50-YR FLOW 2-YR 20-YR
330 (cfs) 1010 20 (cfs) 1.10 (cfs) Q. 75
li: list limited Vuluo
JFOrsborn
S/79 (792)
-------
Table 19
EPA STREAMFLOW ANALYSIS
AT SPAWNING GRAVEL TEST SITES
OREGON COASTAL STREAMS
Site No. 9B Site Name GREEN RIVER
Location §^ Sec._19_, T._15_S., R._9_W. (USGS 62,500 scale maps)
Tidewater. Mapleton
Tributary to: Five Rivers ; Alsea
(Coastal Basin)
Basin Characteristics
Total Stream Length (LST): 15.10 mi
First Order Stream Length (LSI): 7.6 mi
Basin Drainage Area (A) : 6.60 sq mi
Average Annual Precipitation; (P): 105 in./yr
Basin Relief (H) : 0.14 mi
Upper Elevation: 1050 ft
Outlet Elevation: 500 ft
Channel Characteristics (Date of Measurements: 6/ 29/ 7g..)
EPA Cross-Sectional Data:
Complete ; Incomplete x » °50 = 1.6 i" • > Slope Q.QQ67
EPA Velocity Data:
Complete x ? Incomplete ; Analyzed x '» FLOW g.9 cfs
Bank Full Conditions:
Top Width ft; Mean Depth ft
Reference USGS Gaging Stations
Long Term: No. 145064 ; Name Five Rivers
Crest-Stage: No. ; Name
Low Flow: ; Name
Reference Oregon State Game Commission Fish Life Flow Measuring Sites
North Fork Yachats River; School Fork ;
Notes:
FLOOD FLOWS AVERAGE ANNUAL LOW FLOWS
2-YR 50-YR FLOW 2-YR 20-YR
590 (cfs) I71Q 37 (cfs) 2.25 (cfs) 1.50
I!: listimatcd Vuluo 30
JFOrsborn
5/79 (792)
-------
El'A STRKAMKLOW .ANALYSIS
AT SPAWNING GRAVEL TEST SITES
OREGON COASTAL STREAMS
Table 20
•Site No. 10 Site Name CAPE HORN
Location W^ Sec. 20, T.12
Tributary to: Drift Creek
Basin Characteristics
" Total Stream Length (LST) :
First Order Stream Length (LSI):
Basin Drainage Area (A) :
Average Annual Precipitation (P) :
Basin Relief (H) :
Upper Elevation:
Outlet Elevation:
CREEK
(GOPHER, .CREEK)
S., R. 9 W. (USGS 62,500 scale maps)
f
2
2
1
95
0
1500
500
Toledo
Alsea
(Coastal Basin)
.4 mi
.4 mi
.63 sq mi
in./yr
.19 mi
ft
ft
Channel Characteristics (Date of Measurements: 7 / 7 I 78)
EPA Cross-Sectional Data:
:e x ; Incomplete ; D50 = 2.9 in •; Slope 0.015
EPA^elocity Data:
Complete x '» Incomplete ; Analyzed x » FLOW 3.9 cfs
Bank Full Conditions:'
Top Width 27 ft? Mean Depth 2.2 ft
Reference USGS Gaging Stations
Long Term: No. 145068 ', Name Flvnn Creek: 14506810. Deer Creek
Crest-Stage: No. 145067 ; Name Needle Branch
Low Flow:
; Name Same as long term
Reference Oregon State Game Commission Fish Life Flow Measuring Sites
Notes:
FLOOD FLOWS
2-YR 50-YR
190 (cfs) 615
AVERAGE ANNUAL
FLOW
9 (cfs)
LOW FLOWS
2-YR 20-YR
0.85 (cfs) 0.60
E: Estimated Value
I S Environmental l?7O«cjr«OQ
*r'v"U»o Environmoiitoi RC^JC
,:OO S W
31
JFOrsborn
5/79 (792)
-------
Table 21
EPA STREAMFLOW ANALYSIS
AT SPAWNING GRAVEL TEST SITES
OREGON COASTAL STREAMS
Site No. 11 Site Name WEST CREEK
Location Wk Sec._8_, T.JU_S., R.^LO_W. (USGS 62,500 scale maps)
Tidewater
Tributary to; Canal Creek ; Alsea
(Coastal Basin)
Basin Characteristics
Total Stream Length (LST): 3^2 mi
First Order Stream Length (LSI): 1.6 mi
Basin Drainage Area (A): 1.57 sq mi
Average Annual Precipitation ;'(P): pj> in./yr
Basin Relief (H) : 0.19 mi
Upper Elevation: 1250 ft
Outlet Elevation: 250 ft
Channel Characteristics (Date of Measurements: 7 /15 /78 )
EPA Cross-Sectional Data:
Complete x ; Incomplete ; D50 = 5.6 in.; Slope 0.022
EPA Velocity Data:
Complete ; Incomplete x ; Analyzed ; FLOW 2.7E cfs
Bank Full Conditions:
Top Width 25 ft; Mean Depth -- ft
Reference USGS Gaging Stations
Long Term: No. 145Q64 ; Name Five Rivers: 143065, Alsea River
• Crest-Stage: No. 14306830 ; Name Lyndon Creek
Low Flow: ; Name
Reference Oregon State Game Commission Fish Life Flow Measuring Sites
North Fork Yachats River; School Fork ;
Notes: EPA Drainage Area 1.81 sq mi.
FLOOD FLOWS AVERAGE ANNUAL LOW FLOWS
2-YR 50-YR FLOW 2-YR 20-YR
180 (cfs) 600 8 (cfs) Q.7Q (cfs) p.50
!•: listimuted Value
32
JFOrsborn
5/79 (792)
-------
Table 22
EPA STREAMFLOW ANALYSIS
AT SPAWNING GRAVEL TEST SITES
OREGON COASTAL STREAMS
Site No. 12 Site Name ROCK CREEK
Location SE% Sec. 10 , T. 16 S.,
Tributary to:
Basin Characteristics
Total Stream Length (LST) :
First Order Stream Length (LSI):
Basin Drainage Area (A) :
Average Annual Precipitation ; (P) :
Basin Relief (H) :
Upper Elevation:
Outlet Elevation:
R.12
>
6.
3.
6.
96
0.
1700
180
W. (USGS 62,500 scale maps
Heceta Head
Pacific Coast
(Coastal Basin)
5 mi
5 mi
03 sq mi
in . /yr
29 mi
ft
ft
Channel Characteristics (Date of Measurements: 8/1 /78 )
EPA Cross-Sectional Data:
Complete x » Incomplete ; D50 = 3.0 in.; Slope Q.Q167
EPA Velocity Data: (Mong Bank)
Complete x ? Incomplete ; Analyzed x » FLOW 8.5 cfs
Bank Full Conditions:
Top Width -- ft; Mean Depth -- ft
Reference USGS Gaging Stations
Long Term: No. 143069 ; Name Bie Creek
Crest-Stage: No. ; Name
Low Flow: ; Name
Reference Oregon State Game Commission Fish Life Flow Measuring Sites
Big Creek ; Cape Creek ; Tenmile Creek
Notes: EPA Drainage Area 6.08 sq mi; No definite bankfull conditions.
FLOOD FLOWS AwnoAr-n AKIMIIAI LOW PLOWS
AVERAGE ANNUAL
2-YR 50-YR FLOW 2-YR 20-YR
690 (cfs) 1970 40 (cfs) 5.0 (cfs) 2.0
C: Estimated Value
JFOrsborn
5/79 (792)
-------
R12W, R11W
\
14307640
Sam Creek
Crest-Stage
Station
not used
0 0.5 1.0
SCALE, MILES
Fig. 7
Location Map for EPA Sites No. 12 and 13, Rock Creek and Big Creek,
Respectively, Including USGS Regular Station on Big Creek, Crest-Stage
Station on Sam Creek, Oregon
1
CD
•~J
-------
Table 23
EPA STREAMFLOW ANALYSIS
AT SPAWNING GRAVEL TEST SITES
OREGON COASTAL STREAMS
Site No. 13 Site Name RTK CREEK
Location N^ Sec. 19 , T.jjj_S., R.JJ W. (USGS 62,500 scale maps)
Hecta Head, Mapleton
Tributary to: ; Pacific Coast
(Coastal Basin)
Basin Characteristics
Total Stream Length (LST): 17.7 mi
First Order Stream Length (LSI): 12.6 mi
Basin Drainage Area (A): 12.0 sq mi
Average Annual Precipitation:(P) : 102 in./yr
Basin Relief (H) : 0.24 mi
Upper Elevation: 1500 ft
Outlet Elevation: 240 ft
Channel Characteristics (Date of Measurements: ^8 / 3 / 78 ) 2\9/15/78)
EPA Cross-Sectional Data:
Complete x ; Incomplete ; D50 = 1)4.6 in.; Slope*)0.0068
EPA Velocity Data: D50 = 2)5.5 in. ; Slope2)0.0078
Complete x ; Incomplete ; Analyzed x ; FLOW l)g.6 cfs
Bank Full Conditions: 2^8.4 cfs
Top Width -- ft; Mean Depth "" ft
Reference USGS Gaging Stations
Long Term: No. 143069 ; Name Big
Crest-Stage: No. ; Name
Low Flow: ; Name
Reference Oregon State Game Commission Fish Life Flow Measuring Sites
Notes: EPA Drainage Area 12.60 sq mi.; separate measurements made on 2 days.
FLOOD FLOWS AVERAGE ANNUAL LOW FLOWS
2-YR 50-YR FLOW 2-YR ' 20-YR
1280 (cfs) 3580 96 (cfs) 6.0 (cfs) 4.0
0: Estimated Value 35
JFOrsborn
5/79 (792)
-------
DATA ANALYSIS AND UNGAGED FLOW ESTIMATION
In this section the correlations between the characteristic flows at the
:USGS regular and miscellaneous gaging stations, and their drainage basin charac-
teristics will be developed. A comparison will be made between the basin
characteristics above the USGS gaging stations and those of the basins above
the EPA sites. Then the characteristic low, average and flood flows at the EPA
ungaged sites will be estimated, and low flow and flood flow frequency curves
will be developed. Also, the variability in the average annual flow will be
estimated, and the data for a family of maximum, average, and minimum duration
curves will be generated.
Characteristic Flows at USGS Gaging Stations
As was noted in Table 3 (page 6) there are only three long-term regular
gaging stations in the study area. Most of the other USGS gaging stations have
been started within the last ten years. Therefore, as shown in Table 24, only
seven stations were selected to develop the regional (hydrologic province) corre-
lation between basin and streamflow characteristics.
!
Because of its location and longest period of record, station 3065 on
the Alsea River near Tidewater was selected as the base station. Some of the
records at other stations (such as for Big Creek - 3069) were extended from
correlations with the flows at Gage 3065. These correlations are in Appendix II.
Referring to Table 24, another limitation on stream flow data is the degree
of regulation and diversion of the flows above the gaging stations. Fortunately,
most of the stations have minor degrees of regulation and diversion. The
amounts of regulation and diversion are not quantified by the USGS (12). If
natural flows are to be estimated at ungaged sites, the flows at the gaging
stations should be as natural as possible.
The average annual flow at each gaging station is based on the longest
available record (12). The average maximum variability in the regional average
annual flow for all stations is about ±65%. This variability will be discussed
further in the section on average annual flows.
The low flows were derived from the USGS computer files based primarily on
data taken until 1967. To extend the analysis to include data through 1977,
the frequency analyses were rerun on the base station (Alsea River - 3065) and
then the original values of the characteristic flows at the other gages were
36
-------
Table 24. USGS Oregon Coastal Gaging Station Characteristic Flows
River
Wilson
SW%SE%, Sec. 8
T.I S., R.8 W.
Nestucca nr Beaver
SE%NE%, Sec. 36
T.3 S., R.10 W.
Siletz at Siletz
NmjSW%, Sec. 11
T.10 S., R.10 W.
N.F. Alsea at Alsea
SEk, Sec. 1
T.14 S., R.8 W.
Five Rivers nr
Fisher, W%, Sec. 19
T.14 S., R.9 W.
Alsea nr Tidewater
NW%NW%, Sec. 6
T.14 S., R.9 W.
Big Cr. nr Roosevelt
SE%SE%, Sec. 13
T.16 S., R.12 W.
USGS
Gage
No.
14-
3015
d
3036
d
3055
r,d
3061
D
3064
-
3065
D
3069
-
Basin on
USGS Map
1:62500
scale
Blaine
Enright
Timber
Tillamook
Hebo
Blaine
Grand Ronde
Sheridan
Fairdale
Toledo
Euchre
Mary Peak
Valsetz
Alsea
Monroe
Mary Peak
Mapleton
Tidewater
Blachly
Alsea
Monroe
Blachly
Alsea
Tidewater
Mary Peak
Heceta Head
Average
Annual
Flow, QAA
(cfs)
1215
1110
1578
310
602
1571
96
7 -Day Avg.
2-Yr Low
Flow, Q7L2
(cfs)
73.0
79.0
79.7
16.0
30.0
80.0
6.0 „
7 -Day Avg. 2-Yr Peak
20-Yr Low Flood, F
Flow, Q7L20 QF2P
(cfs) (cfs)
53 17400
58 14500
57.5 20900
11.4 5120
20,0 8680
56.0 20600
4_.0 1280
50-Yr Peak
Flood
QF50P
(cfs)
33200
32600
37300
12400
19200
41000
3580
..
d = small diversions above station, D = large diversions, r = minor regulation.
-------
checked by cross-correlation against the base station.
The flood flows in Table 24 (except for Big Creek) were taken directly
from the recent USGS report on floods in western Oregon (5).
1
Basin Characteristics Above the Gaging Stations \/
The basic and derived linear basin characteristics and the average annual
precipitation on the basins above the seven (7) USGS gaging stations are sum-
marized in Table 25. The linear characteristics were measured on 1:62500 scale
USGS topographic maps.
In Table 25 the various terms are defined as follows where there is not a
standard procedure of determination. In Cols. 3, 4, and 8 stream length is the
length of the perennial streams noted by solid blue lines on the maps. These
are used because of the ease and consistency of determination, and because per-
ennial stream length is used to predict low flows. Drainage density (DP - Col.
8) is really the perennial stream density in this context. It should be noted
that in the area east of the center of Range 9 West the streams
are shown as intermittent. Personal communication with U.S. Forest Service
personnel indicates that this interpretation is due to heavy logging debris and
that the streams are perennial to the same elevation as those to the west.
Basin relief (H - Col. 7) is the difference in elevation between the
highest, continuous contour in the basin and the USGS gage (or the EPA site).
Relief represents the potential energy in the basin which causes flow out of
the basin. Basin' length (LB - Col. 9) is measured from the basin outlet along
its major axis to the topographic divide. Basin width (WB - Col. 10) is the
equivalent rectangular width of the basin found by dividing drainage area (A)
by the basin length (LB). The aspect ratio (LB/WB - Col. 11) is a measure of
the concentration time for analyzing flood flows. Although basin length, width
and aspect ratio were determined as part of "basin characteristics", they were
found to give poorer correlations for gaged flood flows than other factors, and
therefore aspect ratio was not used for predicting flood flows at the EPA sites.
' The various combinations of terms in Cols. 12-16 are correlated with the
gaged characteristic flows in the following sections to generate the equations
needed to predict the ungaged characteristic flows at the EPA sites.
A basic geomorphic function relates total stream length (LST) to drainage
area (A) and this is shown for the USGS gaging stations in Fig. 8. In addition
38
-------
r
Table 25. Basin Characteristics for Regular USGS Gaging Stations in the North- and Mid-Coast Basins of Oregon
ol. (1) C) (3) (-',.) (5) (G) (7) C) (9) (ID) (11) (12) (13) (14) (15) (16) (17)
A 1st Order Total Upper Gage Basin Drainage Basin Basin Aspect «vg. Ann.
River and Drainaoe Stream Stream Elev. Elev. Relief Density Length Width Ratio . - n rn . c r- Pracip.
DSGTGage No. Area" Length Length H DD LB KB LB/UB (AH)0'50 A(H)U-^ LS1-M LSl(H)0-5 LST{H)°-J° P
(sqnri) LSI (mi) LSI (mi) (ft) (ft) (mi) (mi'l) (mi) (mi) (mi)1-50 (mi)2-s (mi)2 (nri)'-5^ (mi)1-50 (in./yr)
Wilson River 161 118.4 188.7 70 2400 0.44 1.17 18.0 8.9 2.02 8.42 107 52.2 78.2 125.2 107.3
14-3015
Nestucca River 180 154.5 258.6 45 2200 0.41 1.44 22.0 8.2 2.68 8.59 115 63.4 99.5 165.6 93.0
near 3eaver
14-3036
ui
^ Siletz River 202 180.7 231.8 TOO 2750 0.50 1.40 21.5 9.4 2.29 10.05 142 SO.4 128.0 199.2 125.4
at Siletz
14-3055
N.F. Alsea R. 63 45.4 75.0 270 1500 0.23 1.19 7.2 8.8 0:82 3.81 30 10.5 21.8 36.0 99. ]
at Alsea
14-3061
Five Rivers 114 81.0 152.6 130 1250 0.21 1.34 8.2 13.9 0.59 4.89 52 17.0 37.1 69.9 101.4
near Fisher
14-30C4
Alsea River 334 231.2 410.0 50 1500 0.27 1.23 19.0 17.6 1.08 9.50 174 62.5 120.4 213.0 97.0
near Tidewater
14-3065
Big Creek 11.9 14.1 18.4 140 970 0.21 1.55 4.9 2.4 2.43 1.58 6 3.0 6.5 8.4 102.4
14-3069
-------
o>
to
Cfl
CD
>
o
.0
C7>
C
-s
CU
(O
CD
o>
o
40
-------
there is a series of relationships between average annual flows and drainage
areas.
LST = 1.4 (A) (1)
The coefficient 1.4 (drainage or stream density, DD) varies between 1.0 and 1.6
for the basins upstream of the USGS gages.
QAA = 7.5(A) Big Creek, Siletz, and Wilson R. (2)
QAA = 6.0(A) Five Rivers, Nestucca R. (3)
QAA = A.7(A) N.F. Alsea, Alsea R. (4)
The streams represented by Eq. 2 are those
with the highest average annual precipitation (Table 25). The Wilson and Siletz
River Basins are 15-20 times larger than Big Creek and lie in a northeasterly
direction. Big Creek, with its USGS gaging station located near EPA site 13,
is typical of the shorter, steeper streams which receive high average annual
precipitation in the near-coast range and drain directly into the ocean.
The Nestucca River gage is located near EPA sites 1, 2, and 3
and the Five Rivers gage between EPA sites 6, 8, 9, and 11 in the Mid-Coast
Drainage Basin. The average annual flows in these vicinities are
represented by Eq. 3 which has a lower coefficient than Eq. 2.
The Alsea River basin is represented by Eq. 4 and these watersheds tend
to have less average runoff per square mile. There is an obvious decreasing
trend in the coefficients in Eqs. 2, 3, and 4 from north to south except for
Big Creek. But the interior gaging stations do show this decreasing trend and in
gages in the Suislaw Basin farther to the south the coefficient decreases to 3.7.
The stations in the Suislaw Basin have short periods of record so they were not
used to develop the flow prediction correlations.
The coefficients in Eqs. 2, 3, and 4 are related to average annual preci-
pitation and the equations can be combined into the one shown in the lower
right corrier of Fig. 8.
QAA = 0.00126(P)1>8(A). (5)
41
-------
More discussion of average annual flow is presented in a later section
The discussion of Eqs. 2-4 and Fig. 8 was presented here to provide a general
overview of how the hydrologic conditions vary over the portions of the North-
and Mid-Coast basins which are in the EPA study area.
Basin Chracteristics of the EPA Sites
The basin characteristics, average annual precipitation, and major basins
of the EPA sites are summarized in Table 26. When the stream length is plotted
against drainage area (Fig. 9), it is seen that the average value is about,
LST = 1,5 (A) (5)
with the coefficient (DD) varying between 1.0 and 2.0. The higher stream density
for these smaller basins, as compared with the larger USGS basins (1.0-1.6) is
to be expected because drainage density tends to decrease as area increases in
a basin.
. A general guideline which can be derived from the analysis of stream density
is that basins with higher densities tend to have higher floods and lower low
flows when compared with other basins of similar area and precipitation.
Conversely, low stream density indicates a tendency towards lower floods and
higher low flows. There is no readily obvious factor which can be used to
explain the consistency in the three distinctive relationships shown in Fig. 9.
Low Flows
The best sets of basin parameters for correlation with the characteristic
low flows (Q7L2 and Q7L20) at the USGS gaging stations were found to be lengths
of first-order streams, total length of streams, and basin relief as shown in
Figs. 10, 11, and 12. In Fig. 10,
and
Q7L2 = 0.85(LS1)(H)0'50 (6)
Q7L20 = 0.60(LS1)(H)°'5°. (7)
Also,
Q7L20 = 0.18(A) (8)
42
-------
Table 26. Basin Characteristics for EPA Spawning Gravel Sampling Sites in the Siuslaw National Forest-
Oregon Coastal Basins
Station
Name
Beaver Cr.
Three Riv.
Farmer Cr.
Green Cr.
N. Prong Cr.
N.F. Indian
N.F. Indian
Savage Cr.
Canal Cr.
Canal Cr.
Green R.
Green R.
Cape Horn Cr.
West Cr.
Rock Cr.
Big Cr.
Station
Number
T
J.
2
3
4
5
6A
6B
7
8A
8B
9A
9B
10
11
12
13
Drainage Average Annual
Area Precipitation
A P
(sq mi) (in./yr)
9.57
4.71
2.96
1.30
1.65
3.18
6.41
9.49
2.36
3.01
3.44
6.60
1.63
1.57
6.03
12.0
105
95
102
105
88
105
105
100
95
95
105
105
95
95
96
102
Total Stream 1st Order
Length Stream Site
1ST Length Elev.
(mi) (mi) (ft)
i n -7
i. V • /
6.4
3.2
2.3
3.6
6.1
10.5
8.4
2.6
3.3
6.4
13.1
2.4
3.2
6.5
17.7
4.3
4.5
2.9
1.7
2.3
3.7
8.8
6.2
1.5
1.5
3.9
7.6
2.4
1.6
3.5
12.6
440
1000
340
. 500
100
475
450
300
250
200
350
300
500
250
180
240
Head-
water
Elev.
(ft)
1800
2400
960
1000
1100
1000
1000
1650
650
650
1050
1050
1500
1250
1700
1500
Basin
Relief
H
(mi)
3.26
0.27
0.12
0.09
0.19
0.10
0.10
0.26
0.08
0.09
0.13
0.14
0.19
0.19
0.29
0.24
Ma j or
Basin
Nestucca
Nestucca
Nestucca
Siuslaw
Maple
Siuslaw
Siuslaw
Drift Cr.
Alsea R.
Alsea R.
Alsea R.
Alsea
Alsea
Drift Cr.
Alsea
Canal Cr.
Alsea
Coast
Coast
-------
co
40.0
20.0
10.0
8.0
• 6.0
4.0
CT)
I 2.0
O)
•p
CO
- 1.0
(O
o 0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0.1
1 I T-|
Interior Sites
LST=1.8(A)
I I I I |
LST=1.4(A)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
East Beaver Creek
Three Rivers
Farmer Creek
Green Creek
North Prong Creek
Indian River
Savage Creek
E.F. Canal Creek
Green River
Cape Horn (Gopher) Creek
West Creek
Rock Creek
Big Creek
I
I I
I
0.1
'Fig. 9
0.2 0.4 0.6 1.0 2.0 4.0 6.0 10.0
Drainage Area, A (sq mi)
20.0 40.0
Total Stream Length Related to Drainage Area at 16 EPA Spawning
Gravel Test Sites on Small Oregon Coastal Streams
44
-------
in
O
o
0)
en
fO
i.
01
o
i o
r-x c\J
i- cr
ro
O) T3
>- C
I >O
4-> CM
C —I
O) P-~
-o
fO
i.
eo
Ol
>-
I
O
200
100
80
60
r 40
20
10
8
6
= 0.85(LS1)(H)°-50
= 0.60(LS1)(H)0-50
O3064 O 3064
FIVE RIVERS
O 3061
N.F.ALSEA
'3069 BIG CREEK
Q7L20 = 0.18(A)
Drainage Area (sq mi)
J I
7
6 8 10 20 -40 60 80 100 200 400
(First-Order Stream Length) x (Relief)0'50
(LS1)(H)°-50, (mi1-50)
Fig.10. Two-Year and Twenty-Year, 7-Day Average Low Flow
Related to First-Order Stream Length, Basin Relief
and Basin Area for USGS Regular Gaging Stations--
Oregon Coastal Streams
-------
20.0
10.0
8.0
£ 6.0
o
° &. n
CM H.U
_J
cr
•o
c
c^ 2.0
_j
ex
CO
I 1.0
0.8
« 0.6
CD
(0
I 0.4
ro
r^
0.2
0.1
I
I I
I
I
0.1 0.2 0.4 0.6 1.0 2.0 4.0 6.0 10.0
Total Stream Length Times Relief, (LST)(H), (sq mi)
Fig.11. Two-Year and Twenty-Year, 7-Day Average Low Flows at USGS
Oregon Coastal Miscellaneous Low Flow Stations Related to
Stream Length and Basin Relief
46
-------
CO
M-
O
O
CM
o-
r--
cr
i/i
o
o
O)
en
ra
s-
-------
for some of the gages. The 7-day average 20-year low flow tends to' correlate •
well with drainage area in some hydrologic provices where the basin ground-
water supply is provided quite uniformly during extended dry periods. In
Fig. 10 the correlation of Q7L20 with drainage area is strong for the Alsea
River Basin of which Five Rivers is a part.
A few of the USGS miscellaneous low flow stations (Fig. 11 and Table 5)
showed a strong correlation between low flows, total stream length, and basin;
relief such that
and
Q7L2 = 1.7(LST-H)°<9° (9)
Q7L20 = 1.2(LST-H)°'9°. (10)
Condon and Indian Creeks show a relationship of
Q7L20 = 0.40(A) (11)
but Deer Creek was logged during the period of record and probably changed its
low flow to drainage area relationship. The coefficient of 0.40 in Eq. 11 is
larger than 0.18 in Eq. 8 as would be expected for the smaller headwater streams
at higher elevations.
In Fig. 12, the correlations from Fig. 11 have been plotted for the mis-
cellaneous low flow stations with those for the large basins with USGS gaging
stations. The results show
and
Q7L2 = 1.3(LST-H)°-9° (12)
Q7L20 = 0.9(LST-H)°-9°. (13)
Obviously the coefficients in these equations and Eqs. 10 and 11 show that the
smaller watersheds tend to generate more low flow. This is confirmed in Fig.
\2_ for Big Creek (Gage No. 3069) with an area of only 11.9 square miles,
because it lies on the graphs for the smaller miscellaneous low flow measuring
sites from Fig. 11.
The correlations of gaged low flows and basin characteristics shown in Figs.
10-12 are used to make the first estimates of Q7L2 and Q7L20. Then these flows
48 , ;
-------
are combined with other terms as shown in Fig. 13 to solve for the slope of the
low flow recurrence interval (RI) graph. The log-log, low flow RI. graph nomen-
clature is shown in the upper left corner of Fig. 13. The log-log plot is used
so that the equation of the line may be determined. The slope of this graph
(p) is a measure of the low flow stability from year to year at- a -site. The
low flow recurrence Interval graphs for the regular USGS gaging stations are
shown in Fig. 14 and the low flow values and slopes of the graphs are listed
below the figure. The RI graph slopes vary between 0.12 and 0.18, while the
slopes for the miscellaneous low flow station graph (not shown) vary between
0.14 and 0.21. Values of (p) in the range of 0.10-0.20 are typical for forested,
mountainous basins.
After the slope of the low flow recurrence interval, graph is estimated for
an ungaged site, it is checked against those for the gages as shown in Fig. 14.
The predicted low flow RI graphs for the EPA sites are presented in Figs.
15_ (Sites 1-7) and Fig. 16 (Sites 8-13). The plotted values are from Table 1.
If the 7-day average low flow for a longer RI than 20 years is desired for any
EPA site, the log-log graph should be transferred to a piece of log-Pearson III
paper using five, of six points between 2 and 20 years. Then the points can be
fitted with a smooth curve and the RI graph can be extrapolated beyond 20 years.
The log-log graph does not hold beyond 20 years.
Average Annual Flows
As was shown earlier in Fig. 8, average annual flow can be correlated with
drainage area (A) in basins receiving similar amounts of precipitation. Average
annual flow can be correlated with a number of other factors including basin
relief (H - Fig. 17) and average annual precipitation (P - Fig. 18). Most of
the correlation strength is dependent on drainage area (A), but the use of
average annual precipitation in Fig. 18 allows a differentiation of subregions
within the North- and Mid-Coast Basins. The similar decrease in coefficient
from north to souch dial was noLed earlier in \?1 g. 8 (liqs. 2-4) Is evident again
in Fig. 18.
A quick method for determining the variation in average annual flow and
its extremes is to prepare a table like Table 27 for the gaging station in the
study area with the longest and least modified records. Using this table, the
wetness or dryness of any shorter period of record at another gaging station can
be quickly ascertained. Also, the variability in the average annual flow about
49
-------
200
o
o 100
CM
f-
o-
•a
c
ea
CM
in
1
0)
C7>
(O
0)
-------
100
80
60
40
O
I—
o-
O
O)
CT)
nj
0>
(O
o
i
20
10
3064 _
3061
3069 -
CD-
r-.
o-
(Log-Log Graph)
I ill
or
I
2 4 6 8 10 20
Recurrence Interval (Years)
40
Gage
3036
3055
3065
3015
3064
3061
3069
River
Nestucca
Siletz
Alsea
Wilson
Five Rivers
N.F. Alsea
Big Creek
LEGEND
Q7L1P
87.0
90.0
92.0
80.0
34.0
17.8
6.8
Q7L2
79.0
80.0
80.0
73.0
30.0
16.0
6.0
Q7L20
58.0
58.0
56.0
53.0
20.0
11.4
4.0
Slope p
0.14
0.12
0.17
0.14
0.18
0.15
0.18
Fig.14. Seven-Day Average Low Flow Recurrence Interval
Graphs for USGS Regular Gaging Stations--
Oregon Coastal Streams
51
-------
4.0!
CO
>w
o
o-
2.0
I i.o I
0) :
% 0.8
M ;
^ 0.6
•a •
| 0.4
a) i
0.2
0.1
4 6 8 10
Recurrence Interval (Years)
Fig. 15. Seven-day Average Low Flow Recurrence Interval
Graphs for EPA Sites Numbers 1 through 7.
52
-------
10.0
8.0
6.0
4.0
CO
U-l
o
o*
2.0
o
S3
M 1.0
0.4
m
CO
0.2
0.1
2 4 6 8 10
Recurrence Interval (Years)
20
Fig. 16. Seven-day Average Low Flow Recurrence Interval
Graphs for EPA Sites Numbers 8 through 13.
53
-------
4000
2000
CO
4-
O
1000
800
600
400
c
-------
4000
2000
in
-£ 1000
$ 800
0 600
n
I 400
(O
3
tO
S_
O)
200
TOO
80
60
40
20
Interior and Northern Basins:
QAA=0.065(P-A)
USGS GAGING STATION NOS.
Coastal and High
Altitude Basins:
QAA=0.078(P-A)
Alsea River Basin:
QAA=0.050(P-A)
'3069 (COAST)
EPA SITE NO. 13
,O 3029 HEAD WATER
NESTUCCA R.
i i I I
200 400 600 1000 4000 10000 40000
Precipitation x Drainage Area, (P-A), (sq mi-in./yr)
Fig. 18. Average Annual Flow Related to Average Annual Precipi-
tation and Drainage Area for North- and Mid-Coast USGS
Gaging Stations for Oregon Coastal Streams.
The highest line in Fig. 18 shows the equation QAA =
0.078(P'A). But, this is a physical impossibility
because one (1.0) square-mile-inch of precipitation
can generate a maximum of only 0.0737 cfs, even if
there is 100% runoff of all annual precipitation.
Therefore, both stations 3029 and 3069 should probably
be on the middle line with the equation QAA = 0.065(P-A),
55
-------
Table 27. Long Term Annual Flow for Alsea River near Tidewater, Oregon
(14-3065), Area = 334 square miles
Year
1950
51
52
53
54
1955
56
57
58
59
1960
61
62
63
64
1965
66
67
68
69
1970
71
72
73
74
1975
76
77
78
Annual
Daily
Flow
(cfs)
1745
2094
1842
1821
2022
1430
2384
1226
1542
1495
1368
1838
1279
1427
1408
1065
1449
1377
1332
1807
1505
1892
2080
925
2541*
1450
1454
431*
--
5 -Year
Average
Flow
(cfs)
1884
1878
1755
1721
1615
1603
1494
1504
1481
1464
1403
1325
1345
1326
1406
1494
1582
1723
1641
1788
1777
10-Year
Average
Flow
(cfs)
1750
1712
1686
1643
1583
1581
1449
1471
1486
1465
1497
1510
1516
1596
1546
1649
1697
Ratio of
Annual
to Mean
1.13
1.36
1.20
1.11
1.31
0.93
1.55
0.80
1.00
0.97
0.89
1.19
0.84
0.93
0.91
0.69
0.94
0.89
0.86
1.17
0.98
1.23
1.35
0.60
1.65
0.94
0.94
0.28
--
5 -Year
Ratio
to Mean
1.22
1.18
1.22
1.14
1.12
1.05
1.04
0.97
0.98
0.96
0.95
0.91
0.86
0.87
0.86
0.91
0.97
1.03
1.12
1.07
1.16
1.15
10-Year
Ratio
to Mean
1.14
1.11
1.09
1.07
1.03
1.03
0.94
0.96
0.96
0.95
0.97
0.98
0.98
1.04
1.00
1.08
1.10
Average = 1540 cfs (1950-77); Long-Term Average = 1535 cfs, 1939-77.
*Highest and lowest years of record.
56
-------
the long-term mean can be easily selected from the table. The highest and
lowest values of average annual flow during the period 1950-1977 occurred in
1974 (2541 cfs) and 1977 (431 cfs), respectively. These values show deviations
of 65 and 72 percent, respectively, from the mean annual flow of 1540 cfs
during the same period.
After checking the average annual flows and their variations at other
gaging stations during 1974 and 1977, it was determined that a maximum average
variation in annual flow can be expected to about ±65%. This value was used
to estimate the variability in QAA at the EPA sites in Table 1.
i
Flood Flows
A difficulty arises in predicting flood flows because the periods of record
are usually not long enough to predict floods of longer recurrence intervals.
Therefore, in order to obtain the best estimate of QF50P, several correlations
were developed.
The relationships between floods and average annual flows for the regular
USGS gaging stations are shown in Fig. 19. The 2-year flood relationship is
much more stable than for 50-year floods. The relationship between low, aver-
age, and flood flows, developed in an earlier study, is shown in Fig. 20. The
relationship for 50-year floods was very scattered and is not shown in Fig.
^0 (10). The flood frequency (recurrence interval, RI) graphs for the USGS
regular and crest-stage gaging stations are plotted in Figs. 21 and 22, respec-
tively.
One of the strongest correlations for predicting flood flows is shown in
Fig. 23 where
QF2P = 5.25(P-A-v/H)°'85 (14)
and
QF50P = 25.00(P-A-v1l)0'76. (15)
Similar equations were developed using just drainage area and basin relief,
but the introduction of average annual precipitation reduced the variability.
QF2P = 275(A-/H)°'85 (16)
QF50P = 930(A-v1T)0'76 (17)
57
-------
•o
O)
fO
13
I
OJ
Q.
S-
(O
O)
u_
03
d)
O
1 xlO9
8
6
Q.
O
LO
•— cr
o
o
1 xlO8
8
6
o.
OJ
1 XlO7
\ i i i 7
QF50P = 245(QM)°-69 /Q>
3015
3036 -
3064
QF2P = 40(QAA)
0.85
200 400 600 1000 2000
Average Annual Flow, QAA (cfs)
Fig. 19. Two-Year and Fifty-Year Peak
Floods at Regular USGS Gaging
Stations Related to Average
Annual Flows
58
-------
«J
OJ
1
cr
2
0
u_
0
-------
U
O
O
-o
O
o
-------
350
200
o
o
o
100
80
60
40
S 20
Q-
<:
10
8
6
USGS CREST-STAGE STATIONS
(Log-Pearson III Scales)
- 303122
I I
LEGEND
Gage No. Stream
303700 Alder Brook
306830 Lyndon Creek
306700 Needle Branch
307610 Si us!aw Tributary
I I I I I
4 5 6 8 10 25
Recurrence Interval (Years)
50
100
Fig. 22.
Flood Recurrence Interval Graphs for USGS Crest-Stage
Gages on Small Watersheds in the Study Area
61
-------
to
CO
>4-l
a
to
g
o
o
a)
cu
P-.
M
a)
a)
td
a)
i
H
40000
20000
10000
•-!- i-4-4-
6000; --
4000;--
2000 I-
1000
—4 - 1
TTiT
_UJ
;.:.. , ',4--.-j—!~-i4-j-:H r—
. _j :_J .!._,.;. j J j 1 .j !^.jj_i L-..
r * r i i • ! '
-v^i U-14-j
.-4- ^~J—i—-L.
•H-4 fr^
-i±ri-'
;{—r-f ~T~7-fT~r 1 "
—(T_..
:r:T:i
QF50P = 25.00(P.A-v^I)
0.76
a-M QF2P
0.85
rrr!-
23. Two-Year and Fifty-Year
Peak Flood Flows Related
to Average Annual Preci- -
pitation Volume and ~
Basin Potential Energy
for Oregon Coastal
Streams.
i i--
"~T"Trn ^r
-| - \-1- -!
j... __]_^....il.j_ij.U:..-,
6 8 10
20
40 60 100
200
400
-t
4.
1000
_'.— —; i
2000 4000
10000 20000
2.50,
Average Annual Volume of Precipitation (P'A) and Basin Potential Energy (/H); (mi.) (in/yr)
-------
The data and calculated values which went into Fig. 23 are given in Table
27A.
The 50-year floods for the crest-stage gages are based on only 12 to 23
years of record (Table 4). The consistency of the two year floods for both the
regular, large USGS gaging station and the USGS crest-stage gages is good except
for station 307610 on a small unnamed tributary to the Suislaw River.
Although Eq. 15 (upper graph in Fig. 23) may appear to predict 50-year
flood values which are high according to crest-stages values, it is probably
more accurate than the 50-year values based on 20-years of record. If one
assumes that the 50-year flood peak is correct at crest stage station 306830, and
draws the 50-year graph in Fig. 23 through this point, then Eq. 14 become:
0 R9
QF50P = 16.1(P-A-*^H) . (18)
If Eq. 18 is used instead of Eq. 15 (upper line in Fig. 23) then the
largest reduction in the predicted QF50P value would be for EPA site 4 and
would be about a 20 percent reduction.
The predicted values of QF2P and QF50P for the EPA sites are given in
Table 1. The flood RI graphs for the EPA sites are in Figs. 24 and 25.
Duration Curves
The generation of an average duration curve for a site on an ungaged
stream can be accomplished as follows:
1. Determine the duration curve characteristics of several gaged sites
in the vicinity by:
a. finding the percent of time that the average annual flow is .
"equalled or exceeded" (EOE);
b. finding the percent of time the 7-day average 2-year low flow
(Q7L2) is EOE;
c. assuming the average annual daily flood flow (QF2D)* is EOE
zero percent of the time;
d. determining the ratios of QF2D/QAA and QAA/Q7L2 for preparing
dimensionless duration curves and to check the homogeneity of
the hydrology in the region; and
*Maximum annual civerage daily flows are used in duration curve analyses, not
QF2P.
63
-------
Table 27A. Flood Flows and Basin Parameters in Oregon Coastal Streams for
Ungaged Flood Prediction in Fig. 23.
USGS Gaging
Name
Wilson R.
Nestucca R.
Siletz R.
N0F. Alsea
Five Rivers
Alsea R.
Big Creek
Alder Br.
Needle Br.
Lyndon Cr.
Suislaw R.
Trib.
Stations
Number
14-3015
-3036
-3055
-3061
-3064
-3065
-3069
-3037
-3067
-306830
-307610
Aver.
Annual
Precip.
(in/yr)
107.3
98.0
125.4
99.1
101.4
97.0
102.4
95.0
100.0
85oO
88.0
Drain- Basin Combined
age Relief Parameters
H P-A/H
(mi) (mi)2'5in/yr
161.0
180 = 0
202 00
63oO
114.0
334.0
11.9
1.97
0.32
0.90
0.42
0.44
0.41
0.50
0.23
0.21
0.27
0.21
0.182
0,053
0.054
0.133
11481
11270
17550
2970
5273
16878
614
80
7.4
17.7
13.5
Peak
QF2P
(cfs)
17400
14500
20900
5120
8680
20600
1280
212
30
55
25
Floods
QF50P
(cfs)
33200
32600
37300
12400
19200
4100
3580
327
56
170
66
64
-------
05
U-i
O
q
£
O
O
CO
0)
CO
3
c
4000
2000
1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5
Z 2.5 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 15 20 30 4050 - 100 2OO
Recurrence Interval (Years) Log-Pearson (-III)
Fig. 24. Estimated Annual Peak Flood Recurrence Interval Graphs for EPA Sites Numbers 1-7.
-------
ON
en
M-l
o
O
O
cd
0)
4000
2000
1000
800
600
400
200
100
80
60
40 i'l ''I
12
9B
1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5
Z 2.5 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 15 20 30 4O 50 IOO 2OO
Recurrence Interval (Years) Log-Pearson (III)
Fig. 25. Estimated Annual Peak Flood Recurrence Interval Graphs for EPA Sites Nos. 8-13.
-------
e. plotting the duration curves for each station and their dimension-
less curves.
2. Estimate the same characteristic flows for the ungaged site.
3. Plot the ungaged average duration curve for the ungaged site.
To generate the maximum and minimum duration curves at an ungaged site,
1. determine the maximum annual daily flow (flood) frequency curves at
several gaged sites;
2. determine the low flow frequency curves for the same gages;
3. determine the variability in average annual flows at the gages;
i
4. plot daily flood frequency values of 1.10, 2, and 50 years RI on
the duration curve graph at zero percent of the time;
5. plot the 7-day average low flow frequency values for 1*, 2, and 20
years RI at 90, 94, and 100 percent of the time (the percent of time
they are equalled or exceeded at the gages);
6. plot the variability in the average annual flow above and below.the
average; and
7. connect the three maximum and three minimum plotting points to form
the maximum arid minimum estimated duration curves for the ungaged
site, following the shape of the gaging station duration curve as a
guide.
This procedure has been followed for four gaging stations in the Suislaw
study area and for the EPA sites. The duration curve information for the four
gaged sites was obtained from the USGS files. The data had been analyzed
only through 1967, but were of sufficient length to be considered representa-
tive of the long-term duration curve. The duration curve characteristics for
the gages are summarized in Table 28 and plotted in Fig. 26. Note that the
duration curve used daily average flow values. Therefore, QF1.1P, QF2P, and
QF50P for the ungaged sites must be converted to daily values by the equation,
QFD = 1.20(QFP)°'95 (19)
where QFD is the maximum daily average flow of any RI.
This equation was developed in an earlier study of Oregon flood data and
applies to flood flows of any recurrence interval. (10) Rather than plot 48 duration
*The 1-year value is from the log-log RI plot; use 1.10 RI flow value for log-
Pearson III RI plot.
67
-------
Table 28. Dimensionless Duration Curve Data for Four
USGS Gaging Stations--Oregon Coastal Streams
r»n« 2-Yr- Dally
Ga&e Flood
Name No. QF2D (cfs)
Wilson River 14-3015 12800
near Tillamook
Nestucca River -3036 10800
near Beaver
Siletz River -3055 15250
at Siletz
N.F. Alsea River -3061 4010
at Alsea
Alsea River -3065 15050
near Tidewater
Avg. Flow
QAA (cfs)
(% time ^)
1215
(30)
1110
(*)
1578
(30)
286
(300E)
1535
(30)
QF2D Low Flow Q7L2
QAA Q7L2 (cfs) QAA
(% time >)
10.5
9.7
9.7
14.0
(13.4)
9.8
73
(95)
79
(*)
80
(96)
16
(94)
80
(94)
0.060
0.070
0.051
0.056
0.052
% of time for duration curve not currently available.
E = Estimated average annual flow based on extension of 20 years of record
at gage 3061.
68
-------
C.V
in
8
6
4
1 QF2P/QAA
QF2D/QAA
JL Average 9.8
• \
\
Average 13.5
LEGEND
D 3015 Wilson River
O 3055 Siletz River
A 3061 N.F. Alsea River
•
£U
10
8.00
6.00
4.00
X 3065 Alsea River
20000
QAA/QAA
1.00
DIMENSIONLESS
DURATION
CURVE
2.00
1.00
0.80
0.60
0.40
0.20
0.10
0.08
0.06
O
_J.
3
n>
ro
to
o
-h
0.04
ro
JO
10
20 40 60 80
Percent of Time Flow Was Equalled for Exceeded
IOC
Fig. 26. Regular and Dimensionless Duration Curves for Four USGS
Gaging Stations--Oregon Coastal Streams
69
-------
curves, some of which would be overlapping, all the predicted values for the
duration curves are summarized in Table 29.
70
-------
Table 29. Data Points for Duration Curves for EPA Sites on Oregon Coastal Streams
Site
No.
1
2
3
4
5
6A
6B
7
8A
.88
9A
9B
10
11
12
13
Site Name
Beaver Cr.
Three Riv.
Farmer Cr.
Green Cr.
N. Prong Cr.
N.F. Indian
N.F. Indian
Savage Cr.
Canal Cr.
Canal Cr.
Green R.
Green R.
Cape Horn Cr.
West Cr.
Rock Cr.
Big Cr.
FLOOD FLOWS
1.10*
440
250
120
50
75
130
210
450
75
95
160
260
75
80
305
530
2*
890
475
250
100
165
255
440
855
165
210
295
515
175
165 -:
595
1075
50*
2305
1305
740
375
510
735
1225
2215
515
630
860
1415
535
525
1620
2855
AVERAGE FLOWS
Min**
19
8
6
3
3
7
14
21
5
6
7
13
3
5
14
34
Aver
52
22
15
8
7
20
40
60
13
16
20
37
9
8
40
96
Max**
85
22
24
13
11
33
66
99
21
26
33
61
15
13
66
158
3
2
0
0
1
1
2
4
0
0
1
2
0
0
3
6
LOW FLOWS
1*
.70
.30
.77
.54
.00
.30
.05
.20
.44
.56
.20
.50
.94
.78
.40
.80
2*
3.30
2.00
0.70
0.45
0.90
1.10
1.80
3.70
0.40
0.50
1.10
2.25
0.85
0.70
3.00
6.00
20*
2.30
1.40
0.50
0.25
0.60
0.65
1.15
2.40
0.30
0.35
0.75
1.50
0.60
0.50
2.00
4.00
*Recurrence interval in years;
**±65% of average, (QAA); >^
1-year is based on log-log RI graph
of the time
-------
OTHER ASPECTS OF THE STUDY
The following aspects of this study have been completed in the previous
sections:
1. Analysis of stream channel cross-sectional and flow data collected
by EPA at the study sites;
2. Low flow frequency curves;
3. Flood flow frequency curves;
i
4. Average annual flows and their variability; and
5. Maximum, average, and minimum duration curves.
In addition the following areas of investigation were to be undertaken,
because of either their relationships to the EPA field data or due to their
relationships to planning future investigations and monitoring of the spawning
gravel study sites:
1. An analysis of channel and flow characteristics with adequate cross-
sectional data;
2. Flood hydrograph and storm characteristics; and
3. An analysis of anticipated changes in hydrologic conditions.
These last three aspects of the study are discussed in the next sections of the
report.
Channel and Flow Characteristics
The relationships between water surface width (W), mean depth (D), mean
velocity (V), and discharge (Q) at a site can be described in terms of the
continuity equation at various stages of flow by
W = a(Q)b (20)
D = c(Q)d (21)
V = e(Q)f. (22)
Because of the continuity equation in which any discharge
Q = AV (23)
72
-------
tincl A = WD, then
Q = axcxe(WDV)b+d+f (24)
where axcxe = 1, and (b+d+f) = 1.
If channel cross-sections are measured at ungaged locations on streams,
such as the EPA study sites, and if the flow conditions have been measured at
a "low" flow, then one point on each of the graphical, log-log expressions of
Eqs. 20, 21, and 22 has been defined. If another flow, such as the bankfull
discharge (QBF) can be equated to the average flood peak (QF2P), then based on
the channel cross-sectional data a second point on each of the graphical log-log
expressions in the three equations for W, D, and V as a function of Q has been
defined. The relationship can be verified if an intermediate flow, such as
QAA, is inserted into the equations and accurately predicts W, D, and V.
Because the original EPA channel cross-section and flow data were not
gathered with this; purpose in mind, the determination of the bankfull eleva-
tion has had to be assumed.
Several trial solutions were made at various EPA sites, but nothing was
conclusive. A detailed analysis of this type should probably be part of a
more intensive study of channel morphology. This would require some additional
field data, and the measurement of some channel characteristics in more stable
sections at the EPA sites and away from man-made influences such as rock out-
crops and roads.
The major benefit of this type of channel and flow characteristic analysis
is that the results can be applied to the. correlation of channel spawning areas
and other habitat measures without doing additional measurements on site at
several other discharges, thus saving considerable resources.
Floods and Storm Characteristics
From September through May the EPA sites experience precipitation events
which can cause rises in the average daily flow on the order of six to ten times
the average annual flow. (The average annual maximum daily flow is about ten
times the average daily flow as noted in the section on duration curves.) The
Reneral level of daily flow tends to rise, as shown in Fig. 27, to a higher
winter level and the winter peak flows are superimposed on this base. Almost
73
-------
without exception the larger high flows and the annual peak floods tend to
occur between December and March when heavy rainfall occurs on already saturated
land and enters swollen streams.
Annual streamflow records for nine regular USGS gaging stations, and four
crest-stage gages were examined to determine hydrograph characteristics for
water years 1974, 1975, and 1977. These water years were selected because
1974 had the highest average annual flow of record, 1977 the lowest, and 1975
was near average. Also, 1974 and 1975 had numerous high flow periods, whereas
very few high flows occurred in 1977 (12). Daily precipitation records at
three stations were tabulated for water year 1975 for comparison with the
high flows during that year. Other reports were examined for additional infor-
mation (4)(5)(7)(10). The stations used and the precipitation records are
summarized in Tables 30 and 31. Samples of three-day and seven-day average
high flows (Q3H and Q7H) are summarized for three gaging stations in Table 32.
Station 3015 (Wilson River), 3065 (Alsea River), and 3069 (Big Creek) repre-
sent the northern, middle, and southern parts of the Suislaw study area. Table
33 shows an example of high flow characteristics in the Alsea study area (4).
General observations about storm characteristics and attendant high flows
are as follows:
1. Storms of shorter duration and less total precipitation occur in
September, October, April, May, and in the summer, with resulting
high flows which are considerably smaller than winter high flows
(Table 31);
2. High-stage flows, which can cause maximum annual peak flows, occur
predominantly between December and February (Fig. 27) :
3. On numerous occasions during the period from October through May,
the discharge will rise and fall in a few days or a week (Fig. 27);
4. The general tendency is for the receding limb of high flow hydrograph
to rise again before it reaches the previous low between October and
mid-February after which the "trough" discharges tend to recede (Fig.
27);
' 5. The average 3-day and 7-day high flows in any sequence of events
involving a maximum daily flow (Q3H and Q7H) are related to each
other by the equation
Q3H = 1.20CQ7H) (25)
74
-------
Maximum daily discharge
Minimum daily discharge-^
0.01
OCT. NOV. DEC. JAN. FEB. MAR. APR. MAY JUNE JULY AUG. .SEPT.
NEEDLE BRANCH MAXIMUM-MINIMUM HYDROGRAPH 1959-1965
Maximum daily discharge
Minimum daily discharge-*
OCT. NOV. DEC. JAN. FEB. MAR. APR. MAY JUNE JULY AUG. SEPT.
DEER CREEK MAXIMUM-MINIMUM HYDROGRAPH 1959-1965
Fig. 27. Range and seasonal distribution of flows for Needle Branch and
Deer Creek (from Ref. 4).
75
-------
Table 30. Stream Gaging and Precipitation Stations Used in Flood and Storm
Characteristics Analysis
USGS Gaging Stations
No. (14-)
USWB Precipitation Stations
Designation/Location
Regular Stations
3015 Wilson River
3036 Nestucca River
3061 N.F. Alsea River
3064 Five Rivers
3065a Alsea River
3069b Big Creek
307580 Lake Creek
307620 Suislaw River
307645 N.F. Suislaw River
Tilamook HE - Just north and east of
EPA sites 1-3; T1S,
R8W.
Valzetz - Headwaters of the Siletz
River; T8S, R8W.
Drain 10NNW - Just south of the study
area in the northern
headwaters of the Umpqua
River; T21S; R8W.
Crest-Stage Stations
3037 Alder Brook
306830 Lyndon Creek
307610 Suislaw Tributary
307648 Condon Creek
Long-term reference station.
bAt EPA Site 13.
r*
Same crest-stage stations as used in developing flood prediction equations.
76
-------
Q 100
Maximum daily discharge
Minimum daily discharge-^
OCT. NOV. DEC. JAN. FEB. MAR. APR. MAY JUNE JULY AUG. SEPT.
NEEDLE BRANCH MAXIMUM-MINIMUM HYDROGRAPH 1959-1965
Maximum daily discharge
Minimum daily discharge
OCT. NOV. DEC. JAN. FEB. MAR. APR. MAY JUNE JUCr AUG. SEPT.
DEER CREEK MAXIMUM-MINIMUM HYDROGRAPH 1959-1965
Fig. 27. Range and seasonal distribution of flows for Needle Branch and
Deer Creek (from Ref. 4).
75
-------
Table 30. Stream Gaging and Precipitation Stations Used in Flood and Storm
Characteristics Analysis
USGS Gaging Stations
No. (14-)
USWB Precipitation Stations
Designation/Location
Regular Stations
3015 Wilson River
3036 Nestucca River
3061 N.F. Alsea River
306A Five Rivers
30653 Alsea River
3069b Big Creek
307580 Lake Creek
307620 Suislaw River
307645 N.F. Suislaw River
Tilamook HE - Just north and east of
EPA sites 1-3; T1S,
R8W.
Valzetz - Headwaters of the Siletz
River; T8S, R8W.
Drain 10NNW -
Just south of the study
area in the northern
headwaters of the Umpqua
River; T21S; R8W.
Crest-Stage Stations
3037 Alder Brook
306830 Lyndon Creek
307610 Suislaw Tributary
307648 Condon Creek
Long-term reference station.
bAt EPA Site 13.
Q
Same crest-stage stations as used in developing flood prediction equations.
76
-------
Table 31. Selected Period Precipitation for Water Year 1975 at Three Oregon
Coast Range Stations
Dates of
Precip. Periods
WY 1975
Cumulative Precipitation for Period
Tillamook Valsetz Drain
(1974)
10/1 - 10/31
10/27 - 10/31
0.90
1.60
1.06
11/17 - 11/27*
11.51
14.60
4.66
12/8 - 12/22
21.70
6.59
(1975)
1/1-1/10
1/11 - 1/19
1/22 - 1/26
2/1 - 2/20
2/25 - 2/28
3/1 - 3/9
3/13 - 3/24
4/1 - 4/4
4/18 - 4/28
11.13
7.95
6.44
13.44
1.90
2.77
10.00
1.65
3.21
14.50
9.20
7.40
18.90
2.50
3.50
13.70
2.30
5.40
6.93
1.90
8.53
1.10
1.46
7.98
0.95
2.62
5/2 - 5/5
3.69
4.40
1.52**
Further precipitation events not associated with large stream flows.
*Tillamook to 11/25/74
**to 5/8/75
77
-------
Table 32. Average Three- and Seven-Day High Flows at Selected Gaging
Stations in Water Year 1975 Corresponding to Periods of Heavy
Precipitation
Dates of Runoff
(Precipitation Gage)
Average Daily Flows (cfs) at
Sta 3015 Sta 3065 Sta 3069
3-Day 7-Day 3-Day 7-Day 3-Day 7-Day
(Tillamook) (Valsetz) (Drain)
3-Days (1974) 7_Days
11/23
12/20
1/5 -
1/13
2/12
3/18
4/2 -
4/25
*Days
- 11/25*;11/20 - 11/26
- 12/22; 12/17 - 12/23
1/7; 1/4 - 1/10 (1975)
- 1/15; 1/12 - 1/18
- 2/14; 2/11 - 2/17
- 3/20; 3/17 - 3/23
4/4; 4/1 - 4/7
- 4/27; 4/24 - 4/30
are within one-day maximum
4240
6917
5310
10473
7597
3827
1080
3213
4560
4520
7046
4681
2947
994
1223 1051
variation in
1700
4273
8400
7640
6417
1630
2060
all instances
1408
3577
7061
5546
6154
1581
1680
; example:
283
508
489
422
330
328
99
178
Sta
218
378
394
317
232
302
92
144
3065,
11/22 - 11/24.
78
-------
Table 33. Three-Day High-Flow Runoff for Flynn Creek, Needle Branch, and
Deer Creek (From Ref. 4).
Water
year
1959
1960
1961
1962 . ....
1'JGU. ... .
1964
1965
Period
of
high flow
Nov. 19-21
Jan. 8-10
11-13
27-29
Feb. G-8
0-11
15-17
Nov. 23-25
Feb. 10-12
13-15
Mar. 13-15
Nov. 22-24
Dec. 111-21
Mar. 25-27
Nov. 25 -27
I'Yl). 2-4
Mar. 30-Apr. 1
Jan. 6-8
19-21
24-26
Mar. 11-13
Nov. 30-Dec. 2
Dec. 22-24
25-27
Jan. 27-29
JluMOfT,
Flynn
Creek
3.58
4.86
3.19
3.8C
3.3!)
'1.48
2.1.1)
5.82
0.06
5.01
3.48
2.07
•1.82
3.07
5.24
2.111
2.77
3.34
4.91
4.48
2.53
4.24
9.11
4.77
11.11
in inches
Needle
Branch
4.19
5.36
3.39
4.41
3.07
4.75
1.8G
0.29
6.27
4.59
3.31
3.87
5.23
3.11
5.G2
2.07
2.80
3.84
5.21
4.41
3.07
4.53
9.50
4.42
11.71
Deer
Creek
3.94
4.70
2.92
4.1G
3.5G
4.32
2.03
5.69
5.97
4.93
3.94
2.9G
4.1)1)
3.56
5.02
2.04
2.26
3.27
4.74
4.70
2.45
4.35
8.68
4.80
11.82
Mean 4.50 4.70 4.50
79
-------
as shown in Fig. 28.
6. Some trial solutions were made of the 3-day and 7-day high flow volumes
as a function of precipitation for the streamflow and precipitation
stations in Table 30. The results depend on the general nature and
uniformity of storms, but between November and March the following
relationships hold.
Q3HV = 1300 to 1800[PS] (26)
and
Q7HV = 2700 to 4000[PS] (27)
where Q3HV and Q7HV are the summation of average daily high flow
volumes for 3- and 7-day periods (cfs - days) associated with the
accumulated inches of precipitation in the storm (PS) period causing
the high flows (inch - days) from a station in the region. The
results under this section would be applicable only to the larger
basins, but these relations could be developed for smaller USGS sta-
tions and then applied to the EPA sites later during verification.
7. Three regular USGS gaging stations have had recurrence interval ana-
lyses run on their average flow volumes of 3-day and 7-day high flows.
These three data points for each average high flow (Q3H and Q7H) are
for the yearly maximum peak hydrographs, but they do not have enough
spread to define a definite relationship. If one refers to Fig. 23 (page 62)
it appears that the relationship between these average cumulative
high flows and (P-A-v^f) are similar to those for annual peak flows
of the same recurrence interval, such that
Q3H2 = ll.O(P-A-v^F)0'70 (28)
and
Q3H50 = 65.0(P-A-v^H)°'6°, (29)
where all terms are as previously defined. These equations could be
used to estimate the 3-day high flow volumes for 2- and 50-year recur-
rence intervals at the EPA sites, and then the 7-day high flow volumes
could be estimated using the equation from item 5, Q3H = 1.2(Q7H)
80
-------
10000
8000
6000
4000
2000
CO
<4-l
o
sc
PI
o-
x:
60
O)
60
n)
Q
0)
CD
1000
800
600
400
200
100
Symbol Gage No.
• 14-3015
A -3065
• -3069
River
Wilson R.
Alsea R.
Big Creek
10
10
100 200 400 600 1000 2000 4000 10000
Seven-Day Average High Flow from Same Storm, Q7H (cfs)
Fig. 28. Relationship Between Three- and Seven-Day Average High
Flows Resulting from the Same Storms at Oregon Coastal
Stream Gaging Stations.
81
-------
which works regardless of the particular recurrence interval.
To verify this approach to average high flows over 3 and 7 days,
the USGS could be requested to update the computer runs for the gaging
stations in Table 30.
Anticipated Changes in Hydrologic Conditions
Voluminous amounts of literature have been written on the problems asso-
ciated with the effects of logging in Oregon on streams and benthic conditions.
A sample of this literature is cited in Appendix I - REFERENCES, and each entry
includes some summary comments about the reference as it pertains to the par-
ticular EPA investigation on spawning gravel sites (1), (2), (3), (6), (7), (9),
and (11).
Depending on the degree and type of logging-associated activity which is
undertaken, and the geomorphic characteristics of the watershed(s) being
affected, these general hydrologic changes can be anticipated assuming no
significant departure from previous long-term precipitation conditions. There
will be variability in the severity of these effects depending on the time
when the land use activity was undertaken and the time of the related hydrologic
event.
1. Rpadbuilding associated with logging will cause a greater potential
sediment hazard for spawning gravels than will logging;
2. If clearcutting is allowed along streambanks, summer temperatures will
increase until bank brush returns and D.O. will drop both in the stream
and intra-gravel;
3. If high flows do not occur soon enough following the deposition of
sediments in the spawning gravels, vegetation may establish islands
on bars and deny spawning areas until the watershed is healed and
large floods occur;
4. Average monthly flows will increase following logging due to the
decrease in evapo-transpiration and low flows may be increased enough
to alter the correlations developed between EPA sites and USGS gaging
stations in this study;
5. The flood hydrograph at the EPA sites will have a steeper rising limb
and peak floods will be higher following logging than under existing
conditions;
6. Semi-permanent to permanent channel changes may take place at the
82
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EPA sites as a result of floods, debris load and increased sediment
load above existing conditions.
A reference is included in the envelope on the back cover which describes
the effects of forest density (debris) and stream channel geometry. The arti-
cle is included in its entirety as Enclosure 1 as an input to future project
planning on environmental impact assessments at the EPA sites. Depending on
the amount of logging on these smaller watersheds, severe and long-term channel
geometry changes could be the most significant impact.
RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Miscellaneous flow measurements should be made at a sample of the EPA
sites in each geographic region to test the predicted flows.
2. The flow measurements taken in 1978 were taken on days when the flow was
greater than the 7-day average, 2-year low flow (Q7L2); therefore some
measurements should be taken at several sites during extended dry periods.
3. These miscellaneous measurements should be cross-correlated with the same
day average flows (preferably against the flow at the same time) at USGS
gages.
4. The USGS should be contacted about early access to their strip chart or
telemetry data so that diurnal variations in flow, and the flow(s) at the
time of the EPA site measurement can be determined at the gage(s).
5. Crest-stage gages should be installed at a sample of several EPA sites to
obtain some flood data for verification of predicted values.
6. The crest-stage gage flows will have to be correlated against either other
USGS crest-stage gages or regular gages.to estimate the recurrence inter-
val of the recorded peak flow; this must then be compared with the predicted
flood RI graph for that EPA site.
83
-------
7. A plan and handbook should be developed to establish procedures, timing,
measurements, and applications for verification and utilization of the
flows estimated in this study for the EPA sites.
80 Methods for defining and predicting flood hydrograph characteristics at
the EPA sites should be explored and related to potential sediment load
at a sample of sites so that land use impacts on the spawning gravels can
be estimated.
9. A matrix of possible land-uses and effects on the gravel s;ites should be
developed from the literature including data availability and analytical
procedures.
10. A comparison should be made between the geomorphic drainage basin characteristics
of the EPA sites and those under investigation by the U.S. Forest Service
in the Suislaw National Forest; the results would be used to predict the
impacts of land uses on the EPA basins and to design and guide the future
monitoring programs at the EPA sites.
11. An investigation and assessment, including a photographic record (both
overhead and ground-level) should be made of the stream characteristics
at the EPA sites; this will provide the basis for evaluating morphological
changes in channel conditions related to more than just the problems associated
with accumulation of sediment in the spawning gravels.
84
-------
APPENDICES
APPENDIX !„ REFERENCES
APPENDIX II. GAGING STATION CORRELATIONS
85
-------
APPENDIX I. REFERENCES
1. ALSEA WATERSHED STUDY-"Ef£ects of Logging on the Aquatic Resources of
Three Headwater Streams of the Alsea River, Oregon," Dept. of Fish and
Wildlife, Corvallis, Oregon. Federal aid to Fish Restoration, Project
AFS-58, Final Report in three parts.
- Moring, John R. and Richard L. Lantz, "Part I—Biological Studies,"
October, 1975.
- Moring, John R., "Part II--Changes in Environmental Conditions"
- Moring, John R., "Part Ill—Discussion and Recommendations"
(RESULTS OF THE 15-YEAR LOGGING STUDY, 1959-73, SHOWED SUMMER TEMPER-
ATURES INCREASED UNTIL BANK BRUSH RETURNED, DISSOLVED OXYGEN CONTENT
DROPPED, INTRA-GRAVEL D.O. DROPPED, MEAN MONTHLY STREAMFLOW INCREASED
27 PERCENT, AND SUSPENDED SEDIMENT INCREASED BY 205 PERCENT.)
2. Brown, George W. and James T. Krygier, "Clear-Cut Logging and Sediment
Production in the Oregon Coastal Range," Water Resources Research,
Vol. 7, No. 5, October, 1971.
(SUMMARY REPORT AND DESCRIPTION OF THE ALSEA WATERSHED STUDY (Deer Creek,
Flynn Creek and Needle Branch) NORTH OF DRIFT CREEK. INFORMATION ON
SEDIMENT YIELDS CAUSED BY ROAD CONSTRUCTION AND VARIOUS OTHER LOGGING
PRACTICES.)
3. Forestry, School of and School of Engineering, "Studies of the Effects
of Watershed Practices on Streams," Oregon State University, EPA Grant
No. 13010 EGA, February, 1971.
(SUMMARIZES STATE OF THE ART FOR: 1) EFFECTS OF CLEARCUTTING ON STREAM
TEMPERATURE; 2. PREDICTING EFFECTS ON PART 1; 3. HEAT LOSS FROM A
THERMALLY LOADED STREAM; 4. HEAT FLOW IN STREAM BEDS; 5. CLEARCUT LOG-
GING AND SEDIMENT PRODUCTION IN THE OREGON COAST RANGE; AND 6. EVALUATION
OF BED LOAD AND TOTAL SEDIMENT YIELD PROCESSES ON SMALL MOUNTAIN STREAMS.)
86
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4. Harris, D. D. and R. C. Williams, "Streamflow, Sediment-Transport, and
Water-Temperature Characteristics of Three Small Watersheds in the Alsea
River Basin, Oregon," U.S. Geological Survey, Circular 642, 1971.
(BASIC HYDROLOGIC DATA ON DEER CREEK, FLYNN CREEK AND NEEDLE BRANCH
1959-65, CONDUCTED ON THE USGS AS PART OF THE COOPERATIVE ALSEA WATER-
SHED STUDY.)
5. Harris, D. D., Larry L. Hubbard and Lawrence E. Hubbard, "Magnitude and
Frequency of Floods in Western Oregon," U.S. Geological Survey Open-
File Report 79-553, Prepared in Cooperation with the Oregon Dept. of
Transp. Hgwy. Div., 1979.
(RESULTS OF NEWEST REGRESSION ANALYSIS TO DETERMINE FLOODS IN WESTERN
OREGON, USING BASIN CHARACTERISTICS OF DRAINAGE AREA, PERCENT OF LAKES
AND PONDS, PERCENT FOREST COVER AND THE 24-HR., 2-YEAR PRECIPITATION
INTENSITY; AVERAGE STANDARD ERROR IS 34 PERCENT.)
6. Ketcheson, Gary and Henry A. Froehlich, "Hydrologic Factors and Environ-
mental Impacts of Mass Soil Movements in the Oregon Coast Range," Dept.
of Forest Engr., WRRI, Oregon .St. Univ., OWRT Agreement No. 14-34-001-
7078, Project Completion Report, Sept., 1977.
(STUDY CENTERED AROUND AREA NORTH OF SIUSLAW RIVER AND N.F. SMITH RIVER;
GOOD REFERENCE LIST AND DISCUSSION OF SEDIMENT SOURCES.)
7. Lantz, Richard L., "Guidelines for Stream Protection in Logging Operations,"
Research Division, Oregon State Game Comm., August, 1971.
(REPORT ON THE RESULTS OF THE ALSEA WATERSHED LOGGING STUDY ON DEER CREEK,
FLYNN CREEK AND NEEDLE BRANCH.)
8. Lauman, Jim, Allan K. Smith and Kenneth E. Thompson, "Supplement to the
Fish and Wildlife Resources of the North Coast Basin, Oregon, and Their
Water Requirements, April, 1968," Oregon State Game Commission, Federal
Aid to Fish Restoration, Completion Report, Fisheries Stream Flow Require-
ments, Project 69409, Job No. 14, Portland, Oregon, Jan., 1972.
(STREAM FLOW DATA FOR 1970-71 ON ALDER CREEK, EAST FORK BEAVER CREEK, MOON
CREEK, LITTLE NESTUCCA RIVER AND NESKOWIN CREEK.)
87
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9. Moring, John R. and Richard L. Lantz, "Immediate Effects of Logging on
the Fresh-Water Environment of Salmonoids," Oregon Wildlife Commission,
Anadromous Fish Project Job Final Report, Proj. No. AFS-58, Job. No. 1, .
June 30, 1974.
(INTENSIVE STUDY AND DETAILED REPORT ON 12 COASTAL STUDY STREAMS ALL
DIFFERENT THAN THOSE ANALYZED IN THIS REPORT. COMPARED WITH THE THREE
STREAMS IN THE ALSEA RIVER WATERSHED: SEE RECOMMENDATIONS AND SUMMARY
PAGES 78-84: EXTENSIVE LITERATURE.)
10. Orsborn, John F. et al., "Relationships of Low, Average and Flood Flows
for Streams in the Pacific Northwest," Dept. of Civil and Environmental
Engineering, Washington State University, OWRT Project A-074-WASH Comple-
• tion Report, June 30, 1975.
(PROVIDES RELATIONS BETWEEN LOW, AVERAGE AND FLOOD FLOWS IN OREGON
COASTAL STREAMS; ALSO FOR THE REST OF OREGON, IDAHO AND WASHINGTON)
11. Paustian, Steven J. and Robert L. Beschta, "The Sediment Regime of an
Oregon Coastal Stream," Water Resources Bulletin, AWRA, Feb., 1979. :
(DISCUSSION OF OAK CREEK SEDIMENT STUDIES, CHANNEL CHANGES, AND CUMULA-
TIVE STORM AND SEDIMENT MASS CURVES.)
12. U.S. Geological Survey, "Gaging Station Data Computer Analysis Files
for Oregon," Portland, Oregon, and Annual Water Data for Oregon.
13. Smith, Allan K. and Jim E. Lauman, "Fish and Wildlife Resources of the
Middle Coast Basin, Oregon, and Their Water Requirements (Revised),"
Oregon State Game Commission, Federal Aid to Fish Restoration, Completion
Report, Fisheries Stream Flow Requirements, Project F-69-R-8, Job. No. 15,
Portland, Oregon, March, 1972.
(STREAMFLOW DATA FOR 1970-71 ON GREEN RIVER, N.F. YACHATS RIVER, SCHOOL
FORK, TENMILE CREEK, BIG CREEK, CAPE CREEK, SWEET CREEK AND INDIAN CREEK.)
88
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APPENDIX II„ GAGING STATION CORRELATIONS
Because there were only three USGS regular gaging stations in the study
area which had reasonably long-term records, numerous correlations were made
to extrapolate short-term records and provide more information on floods, average
annual flows and low flows. USGS gage 143065 for the Alsea River near Tidewater
was used as the base station. As shown in Table 34 all the other regular USGS
gaging stations have been correlated against 3065 for average daily flows.
Some correlations show unique characteristics such as the NUF. Suislaw River
(14307645) where the correlation changes as a function of the amount of flow.
The correlations given in Figs. 29-33 are for Oregon State Game Commission
(OSGC) Fish Life Flow Stations and selected USGS gaging stations (8)(13). The
OSGC stations were selected because most of them have smaller drainage basins
closer in size to those of EPA sites, and they are closer to the EPA sites
in many cases than the USGS gages. By knowing the characteristic flows at
the USGS gaging stations, they were estimated for the OSGC stations and then
compared with the predicted characteristic flows for the EPA sites. These
correlations will be useful during verification and monitoring of the flows
at the EPA sites„
The correlations shown in Fig0 34 were used to extrapolate the short-
term data for the three gaging stations in the Suislaw Basin (307580, 307620,
and 307645)„ They have been in operation for only eleven years and statistical
analyses of their low and high flows have not been completed by the USGS. These
gaging stations were used for predicting and verifying the flow estimates at
the EPA sites.
89
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Table 34 . USGS Gaging Station Cross-Correlations
of Daily Flows, Oregon Coastal Streams
Name No. Drainage Area
(sq mi)
Wilson River 14-3015 161
near Tillamook
Nestucca River -3036 180
near
N.F.
Beaver
Alsea River -3061 63
Q(3015)
Q(3036)
Q(3061)
Equation
= 0.84Q(3065)
n Q4
= 1.40Q(3015)
= 0.20Q(3065)
at Alsea
Five
near
Rivers -3064 114
Fisher
Alsea River -3065 334
near
Big
near
Tidewater
Creek -3069 12
Roosevelt
Q(3064)
(Unity)
QC3069)
Beach
Lake
Creek -307580 174
Q(3069)
= 0.38Q(3065)
25
= 0.026Q(3065)
1
Max
= 0.23Q(3065)
25
Q(307580) = 0.20QC3065)1
.25
0.85
.10
Suislaw River -307620
near Mapleton
N.F. Suislaw River -307645
near Minerva
588
41
Q(307620) = 0.82Q(3065)
1.07
QA1(307645) = 0.22QA1(3065)
1.00
QL1(307645) = 0.022QL1(3065)
1.50
QF1 (307645) = 0.0023QF1(3065)
.1.50
90
-------
to
4-
O
2000
~ 1000
g 800
= 600
•2 400
(8
4J
OO
O)
CJ
(O
to
O
200
100
80
60
NORTH COAST GAME
COMMISSION STATIONS
(Near EPA Sites 1,2 & 3)
- E.F. BEAVER CR.
LITTLE
NESTUCCA R.
MOON CR_.
NESKOWIN_R.
ALDER CR.
Locations of Stations-
D Shown on North Coast
Drainage Basin Map 1.6
i . i I
^00 200 400 600 1000
Flows at USGS Gage No. 143036 (cfs)
Fig. 29. Correlation of Oregon State Game
Commission Fish Life Flow—Station
Flows in 1971 With Same Day Flows
at USGS Gage 143036, Nestucca River
Near Beaver, Oregon
91
-------
600
i/>
u
00
3 200
0)
C7>
(O
03
S 100
13 80
T3
* 60
in
c
o
oo
OJ
o
CJ3
fO
0
40
20
10
8
6
4
2
I ill i
MID-COAST GAME COMMISSION STATIONS
(Near EPA Sites 5, 12 & 13)
Q(Tenmile Cr.)= 0.70Q(307645)
O _|
D
Q(BigCr.)= 0.
D '
// O' \ Q(Condon) = 0.384Q(307645)°'91 -
Q(CapeCr.) = 0.40Q(307645)
Locations of Stations
Shown on Mid-Coast
Drainage Basin Map 18.6
1
LEGEND
Symbol Stream
D Ten Mile Creek
• Big Creek
A Cape Creek
O Condon Creek
USGS Low Flow
Gage 14307648
10
Fig. 30.
20 40 60 80 100 200 400 600 1000
Flow on the Same Day at USGS Gage 14307645 (cfs)
2000
Correlation of Miscellaneous Flow Measurements at Oregon State Game
Commission Fish Life Flow Stations and USGS Low Flow Station with
USGS Gaging Station 14307645, North Fork Siuslaw River Near Minerva,
Oregon
92
-------
^~-
o
o
n
VO
0
ro
^
01
fO
CD
_^,
O)
o>
S-
o
OJ
-------
4000
2000
£ 1000
£> 800
O)
0)
1
600
400
c
03
•r~
•o
" 200
100
O)
i-
J2 80
fu
60
40
20
10
-i i r—r-| i i r-r
MID-COAST BASIN
Indian Creek Miscellaneous Gage
Locations Near EPA Sites 4, 6A & 6B
Oregon State Game Commission Station
Q(Ind.Cr.) = 1.72Q(14307580)°'82
USGS Miscellaneous Low Flow
Station No. 143076
Q(143076) = 1.24Q(307580)°-81
Upstream of Game Commission Station
10 20 40 60 100 200 400 600 1000 2000 4000
Flow at USGS Gage 14307580, Lake Creek Near Deadwood
Fig. 32. Correlation of Indian Creek Flows at Miscellaneous Gaging
Sites with USGS Gage on Lake Creek Near Deadwood, Oregon
10000
94
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MID-COAST BASIN OREGON GAME COMMISSION FISH
LIFE STATIONS NEAR'EPA SITES 8A, 8B,'9A, 9B & 11
to
<4-
O
i.
O)
(O
O
re
IUU
.80
60
40
tj,
,20
V
v
10
8
6
4
2
1
... 1 . ' A/1 I '
A-'N.F. Yachats River A A
- : /
O Green River /
/ &.
O School Fork . . >< A
&.' S ~
A' ^
X x°
-A / -
S O/
O
X n
X° oXD/
/ DxD
X*
, 1 , 1 ,x \ , , 1 i . .
1 UUU
800
600
""' ""
400
200
100
80
60
40
20
10
20 40\60 100 200 400 • 600 1000 2000
Flow at USGS Gage 143064, Five Rivers (cfs)
CD
-5
O>
O>
n>
-s
Q)
Q.
CO
O
=r
o
o
o
-h
in
4000
Fig. 33. Correlations of Flows- Between Oregon State Game
Commission Fish Life Flow Stations in 1971 and
USGS Gage on Five. Rivers Near Fisher, Oregon
95
-------
10000
8000
6000
i 4000
2000
Uf)
•*
UD
f^
-o
c
re
o
CM
10
o
oo
o
CO
LO
r*.
o
CO
(0
o
(0
(U
re
o
1000
800
600
400
200
100
80
60
40
20
10
II I
LEGEND
Symbol Gage No.
1 I
River
D
A
o
307620 Siuslaw R. nr Mapleton
307580 Lake Creek
307645
FOR GAGE 307645:
N.F. Siuslaw R. nr
Minerva
QF1 = Avg. 1-day flood flow
QA1 = Avg. 1-day flow
QL1 = Avg. 1-day low flow
Ql (307620) = 0.82QK3065)
1.07
QF1(307645)= 0.0023QF1(3065)1-50
QA1(307645)= 0.22QA1(3065)
01(307580) = 0.202QK3065)
Three Stages of Flow for
N.F. Siuslaw R. at Minerva
QL1(307645)= 0.022QL1(3065)l-50
(to 40 cfs)
l i »
±
±
J L
40 60 80 100 200 400 600 1000 2000 4000 6000 10000
Daily Streamflow at Gage 3065, Alsea River near Tidewater (cfs)
Fig- 34- Correlation of Short-Term USGS Gaging Stations with Long-Term
Gage 3065 on Alsea River, Oregon
96
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REVISIONS AND ERRATA IN REPORT
"Estimating Streamflow Characteristics at Spawning Sites in Oregon"
by John F. Orsborn, EPA-B0687NNEX/Shirazi
July 31, 1979
Page
ii Add p. 89 on last line.
iii Fig. 2, Mape to Map '"
1 First paragraph revised to read:
The locations of the EPA gravel test sites, hereinafter referred
to as the "EPA sites", are shown in a series of maps on pages 14-34.
These location maps were drawn from 1:62,500 (15 min) scale USGS
topographic maps. The USGS maps on which each EPA site and its water-
shed are located are listed on the site summary tables between pages
13-35. An index to these EPA site maps and summary tables is given
in Table 7 on page 12.
Add note to bottom of page:
An index to EPA site summary tables and location maps is given in
Table 7 on page 12.
6 Delete portion of footnote "locations shown on Maps 1.6 and 18.6".
10 Delete asterisk (*) from heading "Location" and accompany footnote.
17 Change value under "Low Flows, 20-Yr" at bottom on page from 0.60 to
0.50.
19 Change OSCG to OSGC in figure caption.
37 Clarify footnote to read: d = small diversions above station, D =
large diversion, r = minor regulation.
38 Delete phrase "(see Map 18.6)" in middle of second paragraph under
subtitle "Basin Characteristics;
Change "Bol." to "Col." in middle of third paragraph.
41 Under Eq. (4), delete portion of following sentence, "Referring to
the Maps 1.6 and 18.6", capitalize the "T" of "The streams...",
and change "and" to "are" in same sentence to read "Eq. 2 are those..."
In second paragraph, delete phrases "(Map 1.6)" and "(Map 18.6)" at
beginning and in the middle.
-------
Vigc Change
55 Add note under figure caption:
The highest line in Fig. 18 shows the equation QAA = 0.078(P«A).
But, this is a physical impossibility because one (1.0) square-mile-
inch of precipitation can generate a maximum of only 0.0737 cfs, even
if there is 100% runoff of all annual precipitation. Therefore, both
Stations 3029 and 3069 should probably be on the middle line with the
equation QAA = 0.065(P-A).
59 Change "Cubes" to "Cubed" in horizontal axis title.
63 Change "27" to "27A" in second line of page.
Change "Q7LZ" to "Q7L2" in bottom paragraph, Ib and Id.
67 In lower middle of page, change "was" to "were" to read, "...but were
of sufficient length..."
In last line of page before the footnote, add "(10)" following the
end of the sentence, ..."recurrence interval. (10) Rather than..."
73 In last line of page, change "flow" to "flows" to read "...winter
peak flows..."
78 Change title of Table 32 to read "Average Three- and Seven-Day..."
instead of "Cumulative Three- and Seven-Day..."
81 Change "Storm" to "Storms" in middle line of figure caption to
read "...the Same Storms..."
V
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