Rueger Springs Monitoring Limitations

Spring water is collected in a “French drain” complex. Spring water is collected in a “French drain” complex. Perforated collection pipes drain into a 36-inch culvert. Perforated collection pipes drain into a 36-inch culvert. Culvert transfers water to hatchery. Culvert transfers water to hatchery. Spring discharge is measured in the culvert prior to entering the hatchery. Spring discharge is measured in the culvert prior to entering the hatchery.

Prior to 1983, spring water was impounded behind an earthen dam. Water was transmitted via gravity overflow. Measuring point prior to 1983 is unknown.

Two problems with calibrating to spring discharge at Rueger Springs 1. Spring Capture 2. Discharge Measurement

Capturing Spring Water Springs emanate from American Falls Lake Beds, with the most probable source being fractures in the underlying volcanics (Stearns et al., 1938). Springs emanate from American Falls Lake Beds, with the most probable source being fractures in the underlying volcanics (Stearns et al., 1938). Results in a spring discharge area, not a discrete spring location. Results in a spring discharge area, not a discrete spring location.

Note the distribution of vegetation. Note the distribution of vegetation.

Capturing Spring Water During excavation to install a new flow meter, a de-watering pipe was “discovered.” During excavation to install a new flow meter, a de-watering pipe was “discovered.” This pipe is assumed to discharge to the settling pond. This pipe is assumed to discharge to the settling pond.

An unknown amount of spring water is not captured, and is not measured. An unknown amount of spring water is not captured, and is not measured. Direct discharge of ground water. Direct discharge of ground water. De-watering pipe. De-watering pipe. Abandoned raceway. Abandoned raceway. Flows appear to be seasonal. Flows appear to be seasonal.

Measuring Spring Discharge Measuring device performance may be problematic. Measuring device performance may be problematic. The previous impeller meter was observed in various states of malfunction including nitrogen build-up and moss growth. The previous impeller meter was observed in various states of malfunction including nitrogen build-up and moss growth. New meter installed in 2009 may not be functioning. New meter installed in 2009 may not be functioning. The measuring point location may be problematic. The measuring point location may be problematic. A single access port necessitates the use of measuring devices that employ several assumptions (friction loss, average velocity, full pipe flow) - none of which are known. A single access port necessitates the use of measuring devices that employ several assumptions (friction loss, average velocity, full pipe flow) - none of which are known.

Conclusions All spring water is not captured. All spring water is not captured. Inability to capture all spring water may obscure seasonal discharge variation at the measuring point. Inability to capture all spring water may obscure seasonal discharge variation at the measuring point. Meter performance may not be suitable for calibration data. Meter performance may not be suitable for calibration data. Measuring point location may not allow for better data collection. Measuring point location may not allow for better data collection.