WORKING PAPER NO. 26
COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN PROJECT
For Water Supply and Water Quality Management
COQUILLE RIVER BASIN
Water Supply and Water Quality Control Reconnaissance Studies
Date; July 1962 DISTRIBUTION
Prepared by WEE. EK & JEB Project Staff_
Reviewed by Cooperating Agencies_
Approved by General
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION AND WELFARE
Public Health Service
Region IX
Division of Water Supply and Pollution Control
570 Pittock Block
Portland 5, Oregon
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This working paper contains preliminary data and information
primarily intended for internal use by the Columbia River
Basin Project staff and cooperating agencies. The material
presented in this paper has not been fully evaluated and
should not be considered as final.
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COQUILLS RIVER BASIN
Water Supply and Water Quality Control Reconnaissance Studies
INTRODUCTION
This is submitted in accordance with our agreement to supply
the Portland District, Corps of Engineers, with preliminary data
relative to municipal and industrial water supply and stream
quality control considerations associated x*ith reconnaissance
studies being conducted by that agency in the Coquille River
Basin.
The areas and stream reaches of primary concern lie along and
downstream from river mile 30 of the South Fork Coquille River
and along the main stem Coquille River from the confluence of
the North Fork to the mouth at the Pacific Ocean. Included in
the study, also, because of certain relationships with the
Coquille River Basin, is an adjoining portion of the coastal
region of the Coos River Basin lying to the north.
Studies involve urban developments in Coos County, Oregon with
centers at Powers (pop. 1500); Myrtle Point (pop. 2900); Coquille
(pop. 5000); Bandon (pop. 3900); and Coos Bay Urban Area (pop.
23,000). All of these areas utilize surface waters for water
supply either impounded or as naturally flowing with the exception
that a portion of the industrial supply in the Coos Bay region
is taken from a newly developed ground supply located in the
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Coastal sand dunes area. All areas use downstream or adjacent
waters for the disposal of municipal and industrial wastes.
PRESENT WATER SUPPLY
It is estimated that at the present time, about 2,200 acre-feet
of water (excluding uses for logging operations) are used
annually for major municipal and industrial (M&I) supply purposes
in the Coquille River Basin and that about 11,000 acre-feet are
used for these purposes annually in the Coos Bay area. Essentially
all of this water with the exception of about 1700 acre-feet
taken from the dunes supply is obtained from surface sources of
which about 400 acre-feet are taken annually from the South Fork
Coquille River and Bingham Creek Watershed (Powers), 600 acre-
feet from the North Fork (Myrtle Point), 700 acre-feet from the
main stem Coquille River and Rink Creek Watershed (Coquille),
500 acre-feet from Ferry Creek and Springs (Bandon) and 9,300
acre-feet from Pony Creek Watershed and miscellaneous sources
(Coos Bay, North Bend, Uastside, Englewood, Empire, Bunker Hill
and Charleston area).
Seasonal M&I water use estimates indicate that approximately 50
percent of the annual demand in the Coquille Basin occurs during
the months of June through September and that with full exercise
of water rights for logging (3,800 acre-feet annually), a total
of 2,400 acre-feet of water would be used during this period.
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From a review of water rights for M&I purposes, it appears that
applications and certificates totaling more than 50,000 acre-
feet annually are in existence in the Coquiile River Basin. In
the absence of analyses of priorities or apportionments of possible
shortages among these and rights for other purposes, it is
estimated that on a June-September use basis, rights at Powers
are essentially fully exercised; at Myrtle Point about 60 percent
exercised; and at Coquiile and Bandon about 10-15 percent
exercised.
From an examination of stream gaging records and estimates of
minimum natural yields in the M&I use areas of the Coquiile
Basin, it appears that ample water is available in all localities
to satisfy the full exercise of M&I and logging rights.
M&I water use in the Coos Bay area during the maximum use months
of June through September is estimated to be about 3,700 acre-
feet (excluding water taken from the dunes supply for industrial
purposes) or about 30 percent of that assigned to the area by
right applications and M&I water use certificates. A comprehensive
study, however, would be required in this area as well as in
several areas in the Coquiile Basin to determine more exactly
to what extent waters assigned by the various rights could be
feasibly developed for future use. Such factors as development
costs, dependable yields, quality, and ownership< may be
significantly limiting in this regard.
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FUTURE WATER SUPPLY
The major water supplies in Coos County as previously enumerated
serve approximately 36,500 persons, 1,050 commercial establish-
ments and about 80 industries varying in kind from bottling com-
panies to pulp mills. According to economic base studies and
growth forecasts prepared by this office (study report attached)
for Coos County, the urban populations will have increased to
about 61,000 by the year 1980 and to 121,000 by the year 2010.
The major source of growth is expected to be attributable to a
severe increase in the conversion of waste wood materials to
pulp and paper. It is also expected, due to such factors as
deep water port facilities, water supply and waste disposal
factors, railroad facilities and location relative to large
timber holdings of Georgia Pacific and Weyerhaeuser Corporations
that the expansion of manufacturing will occur around the Coos
Bay area. Production of pulp and paper in the order of 1,000
tons per day by the year 1980 and 2,000 tons per day by the
year 2000 is believed possible. (Present production in the
area is about 200 tons per day.)
Economic expansion in the Coquille River Basin is expected to be
at a slower rate than in the Coos Bay area; however, some spill-
over of economic growth front Coos Bay is likely to benefit
Coquille River Basin development.
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In addition to the anticipated expansion in pulp and paper
manufacturing, the timber resource is expected to support
additional production of lumber and wood products. Not only
the timber in Coos County, but also that in the northern part
of Curry County is likely to be processed in cities in the
Coquille or Coos River Basins. Other factors which may provide
some future growth and further diversification of the economy
include tourist-oriented activities along the coast and in the
national forests; and minerals, among which are titanium-bearing
sands.
It is estimated that by the years 1980 and 2010, respectively,
61,300 and 121,300 persons will be served by major water supply
systems in the Coquille and Coos Bay region. Inasmuch as national
trends indicate year by year increases in per capita demands for
M&I water, it is expected that the average annual per capita
demands exclusive of that for pulp and paper manufacturing in
the Coquille and Coos Bay region will range according to area
between 125 and 215 gallons per capita per day (gpcd) by the
year 1980 and between 185 and 285 gpcd by the year 2010. Assuming
that pulp and paper manufacture would be accomplished by the Kraft
(sulfate) process, it is estimated (based on a typical pulp and
paper plant located in a water-short area) that 53,000 gallons of
water would be required per ton of pulp produced.
Total annual water supply requirements by the years 1980 and 2010
for the Coquille and Coos Bay region based on the projected
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populations, per capita demands and the pulp and paper production
anticipated are estimated to be about 71,500 acre-feet and 152,000
acre-feet for these years, respectively. The tabulation to follow
shows a breakdown of these requirements by areas within the study
region.
Coos Bay and Coquille River Basins
M&I Water Supply Requirements
Location
Powers
Myrtle Point
Coquille
Bandon
Coos Bay Area
Pulp & Paper
Totals
Powers
Myrtle Point
Coquille
Bandon
Coos Bay Area
Pulp & Paper
Totals
Powers
Myrtle Point
Coquille
Bandon
Coos Bay Area
Pulp & Paper
Population
Served
1,500
2,900
5,000
3,900
23,200
m
36,500
2,000
4,100
7,400
4,900
42,900
61,300
2,600
5,300
13,100
5,900
94,400
•
1960
Avg.
eocd
173
174
120
103
134
m
1980
212
213
146
126
163
-
2010
284
285
196
185
220
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Avg.
MGD
0.26
1.25
0.60
0.40
3.1
6.6
12.21
0.42
0.87
1.08
0.62
7.0
52.5
62.49
0.74
1.51
2.56
1.10
20.8
105.0
Ann. Avg.
Ac.-ft.
13,145
480
990
1,230
710
8,000
60.000
71,410
850
1,720
2,900
1,260
24,800
120.000
Totals
121,300
131.71
151,530
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Assuming that full exercise of existing water right applications
and certificates is permitted, it appears, with the exception of
the community of Powers, that M&I water would be available to
meet future demands in the Coquille River Basin including satis-
faction of demands during maximum use periods.
At Coos Bay, however, future demands associated mainly with pulp
and paper manufacturing will exceed water available both by
rights and dependable yields. Sources available to the area are
the sand dunes supply located north of Coos Bay (yield - 30 MGD)
and possible development of storage on the North Fork Coquille
River, South Fork Coos River and West Fork of the Millicoma
River. A thorough engineering study would be required to
determine the relative feasibilities of developing these or
other possible sources in the area as well as to establish
suitable plant sites for water service, waste disposal and
various other operational contingencies.
WATER QUALITY
It is estimated that about 32,000 population equivalents (P.E.'s)
of unstable organic materials are produced per day by the popula-
tions and industries located along the South Fork and upper main
stem of the Coquille River and that over 270,000 P.E.'s per day
are produced in the Coos Bay region.
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Municipal waste treatment works in these regions consist mainly of
primary treatment. Logging and pulping wastes enter the receiving
waters of these areas essentially untreated.
Inasmuch as the Coquille River and tributaries are important fish-
ing and recreational streams, maintenance of sufficient dissolved
oxygen (D.O.) levels at all times and in all sections of these
streams is highly essential. It is estimated from an examination
of minimum stream discharge data on the South Fork and main stem
Coquille Rivers that present waste loadings can be received and
assimilated throughout these reaches without incurring serious
depletions in the D.O. resource. For example, sampling data
collected by the Oregon State Sanitary Authority in 1960 and 1961
show that D.O. levels in the South Fork 0.6 miles north of Powers
rarely fell below 10 parts per million (ppm); and that below Myrtle
Point on only two occasions but of 13 samplings from August 1960
to October 1961 did the level drop to 6.5 ppm (5-6 ppm of D.O.
is generally considered adequate for fish and other aquatic life).
Whereas it is apparent that partial waste treatment accomplishes
satisfactory control of stream quality at the present time and
inasmuch as higher levels of conventional treatment are available
to keep pace with the future increases in wastes expected, augmen-
tation of low flows for maintenance of stream quality in the
Coquille River does not at this time appear warranted.
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DISCUSSION
The availability of substantial raw materials together with water
and power development potentials in Coquille and Coos River Basin
areas is expected to greatly influence an expansion of industrial
activity in this region. As expansion is expected to center
mainly around the manufacture of pulp and paper* large volumes
of water and waste would be involved.
As previously indicated, economic advantages would appear to
favor the Coos Bay area as the location of future pulp and paper
production. In addition, plant sites located in this area rather
than at interior basin locations would offer opportunities for ocean
disposal of wastes, thereby eliminating possible interference with
fresh water uses and/or users. For example, to be compatible with
fisheries and recreational uses of the Coquille River, pulp and
paper production by the sulfate pulping process in the Myrtle
Point area with complete biological treatment of wastes would be
limited to less than 100 tons per day. Greater rates of production
could be permitted, however, in event that stream flow regulation
for quality maintenance were specifically provided.
In view of the probability that pulp and paper production will
take place in the Coos Bay area, it is apparent that water
source development either in lieu of or as supplements to sources
presently in existence will be required. Because of the large
demands expected and the need for dependability of supply, it is
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believed that source development would, by necessity, consist of
upper watershed storage with conduit transmission to respective
plant sites.
Of equal importance to the physical, hydrologic, and economic
considerations associated with storage development are considera-
tions of relative water quality, Such determinations would be
involved in the establishment of storage, for example, on the West
Fork Millicoma River, South Fork Coos River or North Fork
Coquille River, or at possible Federal multiple-purpose project
reservoir sites. Water treatment expenditures, for example,
may outweigh cost differences involved in transporting waters
greater distances.
The data, forecasts, and statements herein presented are based
on limited data and on a very cursory examination of elements
involved in the study area. Although the material is believed
sufficient for reconnaissance purposes, a complete evaluation
of water supply and quality control benefits associated with
proposed Federal water resource development in the Coquille and
Coos River areas would require thorough comprehensive study.
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