San Francisco Bay Area Network (SFAN) Streamflow Monitoring Protocol: Volume 1: Narrative and Appendixes - Version 2.92

Fong, Darren; Press, David; Koenen, Marcus; DeBlasi, Michael

This protocol narrative and standard operating procedures provide the basis for monitoring including the selection of sampling locations, detailed field methodology, methods for data analysis, reporting requirements, program budgets, and personnel qualifications. Specific SOPs describe in greater detail field procedures for establishing and operating streamgages, discharge measurement procedures, data management, quality assurance project plan, training and resources, and streamgage station descriptions. Many of the SOPs follow standardized protocols for streamflow monitoring that have been adopted by the United States Geological Survey. Many of their technical reports and memoranda are considered supplementary materials that are required for this monitoring plan. The specific monitoring objectives are to: 1. Monitor the variability and long-term trends in streamflow using fixed, continuous, water stage recording stations by producing annual mean daily and monthly discharge estimates for core streamflow monitoring stations in GOGA, PRES, PINN, and PORE. 2. Monitor the frequency, magnitude and duration of peak flow events at fixed, surface water level monitoring stations by producing peak and daily summaries of stage height and discharge for core streamflow monitoring stations in GOGA, PORE and PINN. 3. Monitor the timing, frequency, magnitude and duration of unnatural or extreme low water/low flow events in stream reaches known to support threatened and endangered aquatic species in the dry season in GOGA, PORE, and PINN watersheds. The SFAN Streamflow Monitoring Program includes six core streamgages: Redwood Creek(GOGA); Bear Creek (PINN); Olema Creek (PORE); Lobos Creek (Presidio of San Francisco); Lagunitas Creek at Samuel P Taylor State Park (GOGA/PORE); and Lagunitas Creek at Point Reyes Station (GOGA/PORE). I&M program monitoring efforts are focused at three of these core streamgages including Redwood Creek, Bear Creek and Olema Creek. The USGS operates and maintains the two core streamgages on Lagunitas Creek. Data from Lobos Creek is collected by the Presidio Trust but is managed by the I&M program. Data are collected year-round at streamgages. The primary sampling parameters at core stations include water surface levels or stage height at the streamgages and individual measurements of stream discharge (cubic feet per second [cfs]). Discharge is computed at recording streamgages based upon stage-discharge relationships. Collected supplementary parameters include level data, water temperature, and rainfall. Annual reports will provide standardized summary information including: daily values table for the water year, hydrograph of daily mean discharge and precipitation values, rating curves,station analysis, and photographs. Long-term monitoring reports will include similar information as the annual reports with the addition of flow-duration and flood frequency calculations. The long-term reports will also include recurrence interval analyses for rainfall events of standard durations (1-hour, 6-hour, and 24-hour). They will also include assessment of trends in streamflow distribution from the annual minimum (daily mean Qo) to the annual maximum(daily mean Qmax). The annual I&M budget for the streamflow monitoring program is approximately $15,000. This funding contributes to the network‘s water quality technician who collects and manages the data.Park contributions towards this effort includes staff support and direct PORE funding to support a 1/3 share of USGS operations of the Lagunitas Creek at Point Reyes Station gage. Quality control and reporting responsibilities are provided by the GOGA aquatic ecologist.

San Francisco Bay Area Network (SFAN) Streamflow Monitoring Protocol: Volume 1: Narrative and Appendixes - Version 2.92

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