Meeting Minutes – TWG Meeting February 24, 2004
IDWR Office – Boise, ID

In Attendance –

 Linda Davis, IDWR
Sandra Thiel, IDWR
Genna Ashley, IDWR
Al Rea, USGS
Leigh Bailey, Payette National Forest
Ervin Cowley, BLM
T.J. Clifford, Boise National Forest
Dick Jones, Clearwater National Forest
Gene Dana, USGS

Via Phone Conference –

No Phone Attendees

The meeting began at approximately 10:00 a.m., MST

NEWS TO REPORT

Al Rea stated that the DOI money has been substantially cut back and Idaho is unsure of how much funding they will receive to complete work on the State NED 1/3” data. 

Gene Dana spoke of the NHD progress for the following hucs: 

In support of the NHD in Idaho, we in the Boise Idaho State Liaison office, have identified 13 Hydrologic Units (HUCs) that need to be finished.  When completed these 13 HUCs/Sub-basins would provide complete coverage over the State of Idaho, and would be a layer to The National Map to be archived at Univ. of Idaho.  The Forest Service representative in Corvallis, OR has identified an additional 2 HUCs in the Hells Canyon area that were previously thought to have been allocated to RMMC in Denver.  (See the Hi-Resolution NHD Status Map of 10/31/03), they are listed and colored as “planned for future work.” (see below).  Another HUC 17060305 is undetermined as of Nov 2003. This brings the total number of HUCs to 16.   By Mar 2004, 3 HUCs completed, 3 under contract, 1 in NHDArc status, 9 HUCs left.

17010216, 17010308, 17010307

The Rathdrum Prairie Project lacks these 3 HUCs.  This is part of a “Spokane Valley – Rathdrum Prairie Hydrologic Study – Proposed Project Scope” by Idaho Dept. of Water Resources, Washington Dept. of Ecology, and the USGS, Water Resources Dept., July 2003.  We have DLGs.  CFF data for two 24k quads from the Colville Natl. Forest were downloaded 27 Oct 2003. On 22 Oct, FS clearance was granted. All quads are available.

17010307 – Lower Spokane, WA, It is a Natl Park Service priority #162 (Lake Roosevelt Natl Rec Area) see 21 Oct 2003 status map, NHD to do. 17010308, Little Spokane is in NHDinArc status as of Mar 2004.

17060103  This HUC is on the border of Idaho, Washington & Oregon. There are Wallowa-Whitman NF lands & Umatilla NF lands; we are seeking 12 CFF quads. Lower Snake-Asotin,  is a Natl Park Service priority #188 (Nez Perce Hist Park) see 21 Oct 2003 status map. Mar 2004, waiting for delivery of Forest data.

17050201, 17060101 These 2 HUCs are on the OR/ID border in the Hells Canyon area.  They were previously thought to have been allocated to RMMC in Denver (Part of an original 51 HUC contract to RMMC from the Oregon forests). Region 6, NF data manager is providing NW Hydro Framework data in late OCT for these 2 HUCs, and as of 28 Oct, FS is contracting these two out. Jan 2004, notified that contractor has both of them.

17050102, 17050103, 17050104, 17050105, 17050106, 17050107, 17050108  These 7 HUCs are located in SW Idaho in Owyhee County and all have a border with either OR and/or NV.  All of these HUCs have BLM lands on them.  The Nevada portion of these HUCs (4) need 24k quad TVH creation (41) as there are no existing Hydro coverages.

17050102 & 17050104 have Humboldt NF lands.  17050106 also has forest lands and we have talked to the Forest Service representative about obtaining data.  17050102 is part of the 7 Subbasins that the Forest Service is completing in FY2004 for the Humbolt-Toiyabe NF. Jan 2004, contractor has it.

17050115  This HUC is located near Payette, ID, and is a priority to the Idaho Dept. of Water Resources. It has been identified as a learning priority to the Idaho State Liaison office. All DLG quads are available. Sent to MCMC for NHDArc creation in Feb 2004, which was completed in March 2004.

16020309  This HUC is in the Curlew Valley, bordering Utah.  Utah has committed funding to collect this one and is asking for additional funds (@ 4K) from Idaho to do that portion as well. At this point, Nov 2003, we lack 1K. It is a Natl Park Service priority #145 (Golden Spike Natl Hist Site) see 21 Oct 2003 status map NHD started 30 Aug 2003. Notified Jan 2004 of its completion.

17060305  This HUC was previously coded as distributable but now is uncoded. Status call of  6 November 2003 stated that the discrepancy would be researched. S Fork Clearwater, It is a Natl Park Service priority #188 (Nez Perce Natl Hist Park) see 21 Oct 2003 status map,

NHD done 16 Oct 2002. Dec 2003, completion confirmed by call.

All of these HUCs have support and interest from various agencies including the Boise Idaho State USGS Liaison office. The Idaho State Dept. of Water Resources, BLM Idaho State Office, Idaho Dept. of Water Quality, US Bureau of Reclamation, and Idaho Dept. of  Fish & Game, USGS Water Resources Division, and various irrigation companies have all expressed interest in acquiring this HUC data.

In summary, 8 HUCs/Sub-basins are projected being complete in the near future FY2004. It is hoped that funding and work for all of the remaining HUCs will be secured.

Idaho NHD Report by Gene Dana
Idaho State USGS Liaison office
Boise, ID

Al Rea talked about the project USGS is involved with in cooperation with DEQ.  This project is an extension of the StreamStats project, and will be classifying low-flow streams as either perennial or intermittent, using regression equations and the 7Q2 – 7Q10.  The purpose of this study is to create low flow statistics and to determine intermittent streams based on DEQ’s definitions which is less than .1 cfs for 7Q2, using an interactive algorithm that will test the headwaters and the lower end, and if finding greater than .1 cfs for upper end, but not the lower end, the points will be tested along the stream to find where the stream becomes intermittent.

In order to complete this study, the hydro will be “burned in” with the 10meter 1/3” DEM data.  They will need to have 24k NHD data for the entire state and this data will be processed by 8-digit hucs, so the 8-digit huc boundaries will need to be completed to match the 24k ridgelines.  Steve Garcia with the USGS may have some time to work on these boundaries.   This project will concentrate on natural flow only; the canals and ditches will be ignored.  Al Rea asked if there were any 4th field boundaries that had been completed.  Linda Davis stated that the Panhandle National Forest had done some very good work with their boundaries.  Genna Ashley stated that some work had been done on the Lower Boise 4th field boundary, and she would look into other hucs that had boundaries that were either complete or close to complete for 24k linework.  Al Rea stated that they would be working on 17050111, 17050112, 17050113 and 17050114 for the pilot project.

HUC REVIEW

Palouse 17060108 – The group reviewed this huc.  It was decided to break the 5th field Upper Palouse River at Deep Creek.  The Palouse River-Gnat Creek 6th field outlet should be moved to the confluence.  The name Palouse River-Mile 114 was changed to Palouse River-Dry Creek.  Palouse River-Brush Creek name should be changed to Palouse River-Dry Creek.  The group could not immediately find a hydro name for Palouse River-Colfax (the town).  It was suggested that the name Colfax should be changed to reflect any named hydro in the area.  IDWR will check all available sources and try to find a named feature within this huc, possibly contact Oregon/Washington for a name, and get back to Dick Jones with something.  Dufield Creek should be Palouse River-Dufield Creek.  The 6th field confluences within the Union Flat Creek 5th should be snapped to each confluence.  Also, we need to check with the OR/WA folks and see if they have any named hydro for these 6th fields.  The outlet that meets the Snake River needs to be cleaned up.  Genna Ashley will make the changes on the Idaho side and send this linework to OR/WA and let them know of the Idaho changes and any additional suggested changes on the Washington side to the OR/WA data stewards.  Genna Ashley will send Dick Jones and Sue White the graphic file we worked on during the meeting with suggested changes. 

Payette 17050122 – The group reviewed this huc.  The large 5th field huc at the southern portion of the watershed was looked at in detail.  It was determined that Black Creek can’t be delineated, and a justification should be written to keep this 6th field large.  There was a change to re-delineate another 6th within this watershed to the confluence of Big Willow Creek.  The Upper Squaw Creek 6th will be grouped with the Lower Squaw Creek 6th and become part of the Upper Squaw Creek 5th field huc.  Genna Ashley will make these changes and send a copy to T.J. Clifford at the Boise National Forest. This huc should be ready for a final review during the next TWG meeting in March. 

Salmon Falls 17040213 – The group reviewed this huc.  The Devil Creek 5th will become a pure huc.  Leigh Bailey and Erv Cowley worked to name and number the 5th and 6th fields within this watershed.  Erv Cowley will work on the changes identified for this huc and bring it back for a continuing review, probably in April for the National TWG meeting.

Big Wood 17040219 – There will be some naming and numbering changes for this huc, and there was some discussion about the southern area of this huc.  It was decided to bring this huc to the April meeting with the national folks to get some input and direction.  This huc will be again reviewed in April, during the national meeting.

Palisades 17040104 – Some of the composite names will be hyphenated.  Sandra is finishing up the 1:24k work, snapping the linework to the confluences of the NHD.  After the name and numbering changes, and 24k linework is completed, this huc will be considered draft-approved.

Central Bear 16010102 – Linda Davis went over the draft 5th and 6th field delineations for this huc.  Utah has already delineated the southern portion of this huc, and Idaho will keep that linework.  The group liked the draft 5th and 6th field concept lines Linda has proposed, and she will work on these and bring this huc back for a continuing review.

Yaak and Upper Kootenai (Montana) – The group reviewed the Montana linework for this huc.  After a review of the linework, the Idaho TWG did not see any reason to change any of the delineations Montana has proposed, and Idaho will consider the Yaak and Upper Kootenai huc draft approved.  

MISCELLANEOUS DISCUSSION

The proposed format of the April meeting with the National Watershed Team was discussed.  It was decided to have the meeting in two days, with the first day being the Technical Working Group meeting so that the National people can get a general idea about how the Idaho process works, and give the Idaho people an opportunity to bring their most difficult hucs for expert assistance.  The second day would be geared toward the National effort, with an emphasis on Idaho processes and procedures.  The tentative date for this is Thursday and Friday, April 22-23.  Al Rea will check the availability of the USGS conference room facility that can hold 50-75 people.

It was decided to schedule the Teton, Salmon Falls, and Big Wood River hucs for the April review, because these hucs each have very unique and difficult areas to delineate, and pose interesting issues and questions.

ACTION ITEMS:

Linda Davis will call Cindy Clark regarding the status of the Curlew Valley 24k NHD data, and find out when it will be officially available.

Genna Ashley will check and see which hucs have boundaries that are 24k or close to 24k that can be used for Al Rea’s stream project. 

IDWR will check all available sources and try to find a named feature for the Palouse River Colfax 6th field huc, and possibly contact Oregon/Washington for a name, and get back to Dick Jones with something. 

IDWR will check with the OR/WA folks and see if they have any named hydro for the 6th field hucs within the Union Flat Creek area.   

Genna Ashley will make the changes on the Idaho side of the Palouse huc, and send this linework to OR/WA and let them know of the Idaho changes and any additional suggested changes on the Washington side to the OR/WA data stewards.  Genna will also send Dick Jones and Sue White the graphic file we worked on during the meeting with suggested changes. 

Genna Ashley will make the changes on the Payette huc and send a copy to T.J. Clifford at the Boise National Forest. This huc should be ready for a final review during the next TWG meeting in March. 

Erv Cowley will work on the changes identified for the Salmon Falls huc and bring it back for a continuing review, probably in April for the National TWG meeting.

Erv Cowley will continue to work on the Big Wood huc and bring it to the April meeting to get input and direction from the national folks. 

Linda Davis will continue to refine the concept work that she has done on the Central Bear huc and bring it back for a continuing review.

Al Rea will check the availability of the USGS conference room facility that can hold 50-75 people for the April 22-23 Idaho National Watershed Meeting.

NEXT SCHEDULED TWG MEETING (S):

Regular Monthly TWG Meeting - Monday, March 29th, at 9:00 a.m. (note the earlier time) in the IDWR Upstairs Conference Room.  For directions and/or NetMeeting connections, please contact Genna Ashley-Poulson at (208) 327-7958, genna.ashley@idwr.idaho.gov

National meeting for Idaho – Tentatively set for Thursday and Friday, April 22-23.  Time and place will be determined soon. 

***Subject to change before meeting***

The meeting concluded at approximately 4:15 p.m.