Project Updates: Drift Creek Downstream Conditions

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May 11, 2015/ 4 Comments / in Project Details, Project Updates / by

The proposed Drift Creek reservoir will store water from November 1 through April 30 of each year; according to the order issued by the Oregon Water Resources Department. During the balance of the year, all flows incoming to the reservoir must be passed through downstream in Drift Creek. This would require streamflows to be at or above the current condition flows through the spring and summer.

Source: PRWC

Source: PRWC

With the current flows on Drift Creek, temperatures get quite high during summer months; at times exceeding what fish can tolerate. With the reservoir, the coldest water is stored in the deepest part of the reservoir. That cold water would be passed through all spring and summer and is anticipated to benefit stream temperature conditions. This cooler water and resulting cooler stream temperatures downstream will provide better habitat for fish and other aquatic resources; especially during the warmest summer months.

The proposed project plans to provide other fish and biological benefits to the Drift Creek watershed. The East Valley Water District team is currently performing biological and habitat studies on Drift Creek to measure current conditions, identify features that could benefit the watershed, and model the potential conditions downstream of the proposed reservoir.

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