Section 2 – Surface Water

Introduction

This section of the watershed assessment publication is focused on surface water quantity and quality as well as outlining the appropriated and riparian rights to water that is available for usage within and outside the Upper San Joaquin River Basin and the Millerton area watershed. It is not the intent of this assessment to provide any suggestion of what is the appropriate usage of surface water.  The only purpose is to provide information of what is the current status of water quality and quantity as a way to better understanding the general condition of the watershed. 

Water Quantity and Use

In Stream Water Rights

In stream water rights above the Friant operation are primarily limited to the generation of hydroelectricity.  Storage facilities and stream diversions have been permitted and are regulated through the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).  Some parcels that were patented (recorded as legal parcels) prior to 1914 may have riparian rights under the State of California.[1]  The extent in which these riparian rights are exercised is unknown.  Under state law, the storage and containment of surface run-off is legal under limited circumstances.  The affect of temporary storage through small holding ponds is not known.

Consumptive Water Use

Consumption or usage of surface water can be analyzed as what is used for urban, agricultural and environmental use under the California Water Plan (CWP) – Bulletin 160.  The current CWP is commonly known as Bulletin 160-98, and was published by the Department of Water Resources in 1998.  The CWP is required to be updated every five years.  Under the Plan, the Upper San Joaquin River Basin is identified as East Side Uplands PSA-05 (Planning Sub-Area).  A further division for PSA-05 is identified within the CWP as DAU-203 (Detailed Analysis Unit) for the upper San Joaquin River only.  The current California Water Plan Update for 2003 has added watershed management as one of 22 resource assets and as a strategy tool.

Under the CWP, demand for surface water supplies falls under three categories:

Within these three usage areas, demand is divided into the following:

Figure 18 – Map of San Joaquin River Region Planning Sub-Areas (PSA)[2]

In the case of the Upper San Joaquin River as Planning Sub-Area 05 (Eastside Uplands) with Friant Dam being the demarcation to the San Joaquin River as a part of PSA-06 or Valley East Side – the California Water Plan estimates the following water demand:

Table 5 – Upper San Joaquin River Detailed Analysis Unit 203 (above Friant Dam) – Applied, ETAW, Depletion & Net Water Demand in Acre Feet – Water Years 1998, 2000 and 2001[3]

As can be seen from this table, currently it is estimated that there is a net surface water demand of 1,072 acre feet above Friant Dam within the watershed study area that encompasses both eastern Madera and Fresno counties.  Therefore, well less than 0.1 percent (1/10 of 1 percent) of the 1.86 million acre feet of average annual surface run-off of the Upper San Joaquin River is “consumed” for urban, agricultural or environmental purposes.

Below Friant Dam, most of the surface run-off is appropriated by the US Bureau of Reclamation and delivered to 28 irrigation and water districts in the eastern San Joaquin Valley pursuant to water service contracts.  There are five cities that have contracts to use the water for domestic purposes.  Water is classified under contract as Class 1, Class 2 and “215”.  Class 1 is the first 800,000 acre feet of water allocated for “firm” or reliable delivery.  Class 2 is a variable allotment of 1,400,000 acre feet – that can be delivered only after all Class 1 needs have been addressed.  Class 2 is usually described as a percentage of the full allotment – i.e. 10 percent or 140,000 acre feet.  These two classes equates to 2,200,000 acre feet total contract amount.  “215” water is water that is un-storable and is contracted for delivery on a temporary (one year) basis.  The following lists those contractors that contract for water from the Friant Unit of the CVP and what their contract amounts of water delivery are.  On average, the annual runoff total is approximately 1,861,000 acre feet.  Therefore, the long term contract amount of 2.2 million acre feet per annum exceeds the average annual flow by 339,000 acre feet or 18 percent.

Table 6 – Listing of Contract Specifics for the Friant Water Users Authority[4]

Non-consumptive Water Use

Non-consumptive use is where water may be applied but not necessarily depleted.  In the case of the Upper San Joaquin River Basin and the Millerton area watershed, most if not all water falls to the ground as rain or snow and then flows in streams as surface run-off.  Some level of percolation into the fractured rock as ground water occurs as well.  However, based on the definition of “Net Water Use” and “Depletion” under the California Water Plan – there is not a significant amount of water that is consumed for agricultural, Urban or environmental purposes above Friant Dam.  Most water remains in the drainage and is used primarily for hydroelectric operations.

Hydroelectric Operations, Storage and Diversions

As noted earlier, there are nine storage facilities on the Upper San Joaquin River including Millerton Lake.  The other eight reservoirs are dedicated towards hydroelectric operations – but, also provide flood control and recreational benefits.  The following table indicates their storage capacity.  There is a sophisticated diversion system that takes advantage of the varied elevations of water courses along with man-made storage systems such reservoirs, penstocks and tunnels.  However, these diversions remain within the upper drainage – even though the natural hydrology of the river has been altered as a result.

Table 7 – Hydroelectric Operations, Storage and Electrical Production[5]

Surface Water Levels and Flows (Seasonal)

Historic seasonal flows have not been reconstructed for the major watersheds.  There is an active gauge for the Cottonwood Creek watershed that could be utilized.  Since the Cottonwood is an intermittent stream, the flow regime would coincide with localized storm events within its drainage.  This would be the same for the Big Sandy Creek watershed as well.  The Finegold watershed flow regime would be very similar with the other two – however, it may have extended flow duration beyond a storm event during the wet season – and the uppermost portion may have some flow remaining beyond the wet season.

Historically, the San Joaquin River’s natural flow regime was based upon the seasonality of rainfall, snow pack accumulation within the upper basin – and the subsequent snow melt as an extended run-off from the higher elevations east of the Millerton watershed.  This contributes to its perennial flow within the lower watershed.  However, due to hydroelectric needs and flood control requirements, the historic and natural flow regime has been altered.

Water Quality Data

Introduction

This section addresses the general surface water quality as known through historic and existing in-stream collections and established protocols.  Water quality attributes or constituents are based on standards established by the US Environmental Protection Agency, and the California Department of Health Services’ Drinking Water Program as authorized under Title 22, California Code of Regulations, Division 4 – Environmental Health, Chapter 15 – Domestic Water Quality and Monitoring.  Surface water quality data was provided by a number of local, state and federal agencies.  These included the California Department of Water Resources, Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board, Fresno County Department of Environmental Health, Madera County Department of Environmental Health, US Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) and Fresno County Water Works District 18 (Town of Friant). 

There is one known active test site above Friant dam, (Ramp 3, Millerton State Recreational Area).  This is operated by the USBR.[6]  One active test site is immediately below Friant dam.  This is the closest point in which raw surface water is tested prior to treatment for domestic usage, (Fresno County Water Works District 18, Town of Friant).  Other known downstream surface water testing occurs outside the study area at Lost Lake, Fresno County (USBR) and on Mile 31of the Friant-Kern Canal by the Friant Water Users Authority.

Figure 19 – Active Surface Water Quality monitoring in the Millerton Watershed

Historically, there were a number surface water monitoring sites that had been established where testing was performed above Friant Dam by the Department of Water Resources (DWR) in particular.  According to DWR these activities declined over the years primarily due to funding reductions.[7]  These have been classified as inactive water quality monitoring sites.  There were 12 sites identified in which 135 tests for constituencies were conducted over a 23 year period.

Figure 20 – Inactive surface water quality monitoring locations in the Millerton Watershed

Today, the only known active water quality monitoring is being performed by the Bureau of Reclamation (two sites: Site 1 – Millerton SRA and Site 3 – Lost Lake) and by Fresno County Water Works 18 (Site 2 – Town of Friant).  Specific constituents that are being analyzed at Ramp 3 have been variants of the fuel additive MTBE (Methyl-tert-butyl ether).  The testing typically occurs during peak usage of Millerton Lake for boating activities on holiday weekends.[8]  Test reports indicate that the Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) may have exceeded California Drinking Water Standards for MTBE at the specific site.

Raw water testing is performed on an annual basis by the Friant County Water Works 18, (Site 2 – Friant).  The most recent information obtained is from tests conducted in May, 2002.  This report includes Inorganic Chemicals, Volatile Organic Chemicals (VOCs), Non-Volatile Synthetic Organic Chemicals (SOCs) and Secondary MCLs.  In this case, no testing was performed for MTBE.[9]

Lost Lake (Site 3) testing as performed by the Bureau of Reclamation is located downstream from Friant County Water Works 18 source of raw water for domestic purposes.  The USBR has provided semi-monthly test data from 1996 thru 2000.

Table 8 – Table of inactive surface water quality monitoring locations in the Millerton Watershed

As noted earlier, The Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB)is the agency responsible for overseeing “Point Source” waste water discharges on a permitted basis – as well as other potential contributing sources such as leaking above/below ground storage tanks that could affect water quality.  Site locations were provided by the CVRWQCB regarding Point Source monitoring occurring within or adjoining the watershed study area.  However, these were not reviewed by the assessment team at this time.  Sites identified include the following:

· Auberry Mill

· Auberry Commercial Area

· Auberry Elementary School

· Sierra High School, Tollhouse

· Big Sandy Mobile Home Park, Auberry

· Ararat Mobile Home Park, Auberry

· Mary Lou Mobile Home Park, Auberry

· New Auberry

· Wish I Ah Care Center, Auberry

· Sky Harbor, Millerton Lake  

Finally, the collection of surface water quality data did not include monitoring information or research conducted specifically for determining conditions for aquatic species and habitat conditions such as through the utilization of a Macroinvertebrate Identification Guide and other established protocols. It has been conveyed that some level of study with standard assessment protocols had been led by California State University, Fresno faculty and students on the Finegold watershed within the last year.  However, as of this publication’s printing, this data is unavailable.[10]

Attributes or Constituent Standards

Domestic Water Quality

Within the watershed study area attributes or constituent standards, their applicability and level of monitoring are varied.  For drinking water quality the analysis of constituents cover a significant array of organic and inorganic substances.  Each listed constituent is analyzed to determine its Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) as regulated by the US EPA and California Department of Health Services.[11]

Impaired Water Body – (303d)

An impaired water body receives its designation under the 1972 US Clean Water Act, Section 303(d).  Sections of the lower San Joaquin River below Friant Dam at Mendota Pool and further downstream are classified as impaired.  The Upper San Joaquin above Friant is not listed as impaired.  Determination of a water body’s impairment is an extensive scientific process.  More information on the Section 303(d) listing process can be found at the State Water Resources Control Board’s and United States Environmental Protection Agency’s websites.  Currently the State Water Resources Control Board has adopted Basin Plan Objectives and monitoring along the lower San Joaquin River – while the upper San Joaquin has had only periodic monitoring due to budget constraints.[12]

Other Sources of Water Quality Impairment

It is noted here briefly that the Millerton area watershed has a significant amount of hazardous sources that can impair water quality, contribute to erosion or create other problems within the watershed.  These are the vehicles and other items that are left in disrepair.  Over time, vehicles, containers or old storage tanks can become “ticking time bombs” that leak fuel, lubricants, paints or solvents and other chemicals.  Tires, plastic bottles and plastic bags are fairly commonplace within the watershed as well.
 

Summary of Findings

1.      Hydroelectric operations within the watershed are the primary in-stream rights for surface water usage.  There may be other riparian rights that are exercised within the Millerton watershed – however their extent is unknown. 

2.      According to the California Water Plan, Bulletin 160, within the watershed there is essentially no significant use of surface water for urban, agricultural or environmental purposes above the Friant Operations at Millerton Lake.  Net Water Demand above the Friant Operation is approximately 1,072 acre feet per year. 

3.      Water delivery contracts for irrigation and water districts for urban and agricultural needs total 2.2 million acre feet per year.  This exceeds the average annual surface run-off of 1,861,000 acre feet by 339,000 acre feet or 18%.

4.      Hydroelectric facilities, diversions and operations within and outside of the Millerton watershed have altered the historic flow regime. 

5.      Active, frequent and continuous surface water quality monitoring for general conditions and for drinking purpose above the Friant operation is very limited.  Historically, water quality monitoring was much more extensive. 

6.      Natural source contamination – or from non-point/point sources above Friant Dam is not readily measured or known. 

7.      It has not been determined to what extent there is an active surface water monitoring program within the Millerton area watershed – and/or whether there is a level of impairment as classified under the US Clean Water Act – Section 303(d).

Conclusions 

1.      There is more contracted demand for surface water than there is water available on an annual basis – which is currently exceeded by 18%.

2.      Demand for water within the Millerton watershed is almost exclusively fulfilled from non-surface water sources – i.e. from groundwater within the watershed. 

3.      Due to down-stream allocations and commitments for surface water, fulfilling water needs within the watershed will become more difficult as these internal demands increase – and groundwater resources become exacerbated.

4.      Surface water monitoring activities have diminished to a level in which it may be indeterminable as to what non-point/point sources are potentially impairing the watershed above Friant Dam. 

5.      Hazardous materials from debris such as cars, holding tanks with lubricants, fuels, solvents and other chemicals are throughout the watershed – and are a potential source of significant contamination to surface and groundwater resources.