1. Klamath ADR Hydrology Report
Flow Estimation in the Wood River Basin
Consumptive Use Summary and Flow
Statistics in three un-gauged sub-basins
above Klamath Lake.
Accretions Investigation in the Middle
Williamson

2. Flow Estimation in the Wood River Basin

3. Study Motivation
To estimate an historical record at the mouth of the Wood River.
Enables comparison of derived flows to instream claims at the mouth.
Allows for estimation of zero demand flows.
Enables derivation of probabilities associated with low flow (drought) conditions.

4. Location

5. Area Description
Inflows to the area are dominated by spring fed streams to the east, with snowmelt runoff driven streams to the north and west.
There are a limited number of discharge records.
The area has a complicated system of un-gauged diversions and return flows in the valley.
A substantial number of acres are below the lake levels and are sub-irrigated.

6. Area Description
Instream claims exist on the Wood River and Crooked Creek.

7. Major Streams in Wood River Valley

8. Major Streams with Diversions in the Wood River Valley

9. Irrigated and Sub-Irrigated Acreage in Wood River Valley

10. Study Approach
Study is limited to area supplied water by Wood River and its tributaries (including Crooked Creek).
Diversion system co-mingles water from different sources.
West side tributaries (Sevenmile, Fourmile, etc.) do not have instream claims on them.

11. Study Approach Mass balance approach is used to estimate flows
inflows - net consumptive use = outflows

12. Study Area Control Volume

13. Mass Balance Equation
Inflows - Change in Soil Moisture + Precip - ET = Outflows

14. Mass Balance Schematic
Annie
Creek
Sun Creek
Wood R. Springs
Fort Creek
Crooked Creek
Evapotranspiration
Outlet
(Wood R + Crooked Cr)
Net Outflows to
7-mile canal, K. Lake, etc.
Precipitation
Change in
Soil Moisture

15. Results
Results are for the combined flows of the Wood River and Crooked Creek.
Estimated monthly flows were produced from
Following graphs compare estimated flows to available discharge data near the mouth.

21. Conclusion
Estimated flows appear to be reasonable compared to available gage data.
Estimated flows were therefore used in the frequency analysis for the Wood River.

22. Assumptions
Irrigation during spring months exceeds demand and the excess water is stored in the soil matrix. This stored moisture is utilized during summer months, thus reducing summer diversion requirements.
There is no carry over of soil moisture storage from year to year.
Diversions above net consumptive requirements will return to either Wood River or to Klamath Lake. (100% return flows)
Irrigation efficiency is 65 %.

23. Assumptions
80 % of precipitation is available to meet crop use requirements.
80% of winter precipitation is stored in soil matrix and is available to meet crop use requirements.

24. Consumptive Use Summary and Frequency Analysis in
Three Un-gauged Sub-Basin above Klamath Lake
Generated at three un-gauged sub-basins
above Klamath Lake

26. Consumptive Use Summary
Table of consumptive requirements, estimated monthly flows, instream claim, zero demand flow, and paper demand for three regional basins without gauges (above Klamath Lake).

27. How to read the table
Average Flow: This is the average estimated historical flow, near or at the lower end of the sub-basin.
Instream Claim: Tribal claim, adjusted to OWRD’s estimate of natural flow minus consumptive use as of 1979.
Net Consumptive Requirement: Estimate of the required water needed to satisfy claimed/permitted demand in the sub-basin.

28. How to read the table
Paper Demand: The theoretical amount that the claimed/permitted irrigation could take.

29. Example: Upper Williamson above Cholo Ditch

30. Example: Williamson Delta

31. Flow Statistics
Generated at three un-gauge sites from estimates of monthly mean flows.
A statistical distribution fitted to the estimated flows generates probabilities.

32. Monthly Mean Flows for Wood R. and Crooked Cr. at 10% probability.

33. Monthly Mean Flows for Wood R. and Crooked Cr. at 50% probability.

34. Monthly Mean Flows for Williamson Mouth at 10% probability.

35. Summary
Flow statistics are available for three of the un-gauged sub-basins above Klamath Lake at the 10% probability.
Flow statistics can be produced for any probability or duration.

36. Middle Williamson River Accretions Investigation Between Sheep Creek and Klamath Marsh

37. Study Motivation
To investigate groundwater and surfacewater gains in a reach of the upper Williamson River.

38. Location

39. Area Description
Reach is delineated by the Williamson gauge below Sheep Creek and Cholo canal above Klamath Marsh.
Flows are heavily dependent on groundwater.
Most tributaries are ephemeral.
Roughly 7000 acres of irrigated lands according to claims and permit database.

40. Study Area

41. Approach Measure all surface inflows into the reach.
Sum of tributary inflows equals the surface accretions into the reach.
Measure outflow from the reach at the Williamson above Cholo canal.
Difference between surface inflows and outflow equals groundwater accretions.

42. Surface Inflow Results

43. Surface Inflow Results

44. Surface Outflows

45. Groundwater Accretions

46. Discussion
Does winter groundwater accretions represent typical summer groundwater accretions?
Both seasons groundwater accretions are derived from baseflows due to limited amounts of precipitation available to support streamflow.
Depends on the aquifer characteristic feeding the groundwater system.
Aquifer transmissivity and storage capacity. (spring creek example)
Well logs show a water bearing zone of sand, gravel, pumice, conglomerate, and basalt approximately 100 to 200 feet thick.
Based on this limited data, the winter and summer baseflows should be similar.

47. Discussion
Does the limited data from the accretions study represent average baseflow conditions for the winter.
Baseflows during the measurement were slightly elevated by warm trend and accompanying snowmelt in February.

49. Conclusion
Limited data demonstrates that groundwater accretions make up a significant portion of the gains into the reach during winter.
Groundwater accretions were probably somewhat elevated from warm trend in February.
Groundwater probably contributes significant flows to the reach during the irrigation season.
Surface flows from tributaries are not a conclusive indicator of accretions in this particular reach.

50. Recommendations
Install a continuous gage at the reach bottom (above Cholo ditch).
Take monthly miscellaneous measurements on the tributaries and diversion canals.
Perform pump tests to define aquifer characteristics.
Repeat the study during the summer, autumn and fall.