WATER TEMPERATURES OF THE NIAGARA RIVER AND ITS U.S. TRIBUTARIES

WATER TEMPERATURES OF THE NIAGARA RIVER AND ITS U.S. TRIBUTARIES

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Prepared for: New York Power Authority

Prepared by: URS Corporation

August 2005

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This study was conducted to: 1) determine if water level fluctuations in the Niagara River affect water temperatures in the Niagara River, U.S. tributaries of the Niagara River, and Lewiston Reservoir, and, if so, 2) describe the nature and extent of the temperature effects and their potential influence on the behavior and survival of fish.

The study area extended from the head of the Niagara River to its mouth and was divided into six zones based on physical habitat characteristics (water depth, water velocity, substrate, presence of vegetation) that influence the distribution of fish species:

· Zone 1 - Buckhorn Marsh and tributaries of the Niagara River

· Zone 2 - Deeper portions of the upper Niagara River (the channel)

· Zone 3 - Shallower portions of the upper Niagara River (shoals)

· Zone 4 - The lower Niagara River between Niagara Falls and the tailrace of the Niagara Power Project (the gorge)

· Zone 5 - The lower Niagara River downstream of the tailrace of the Niagara Power Project

· Zone 6 - Lewiston Reservoir

The first objective was addressed by comparing portions of the six zones that were influenced by water level changes in the Niagara River with appropriate reference conditions to determine if there were differences in maximum and minimum water temperatures that occur daily and seasonally, the periodicity of temperature changes, and hourly rate of change in water temperature. The second objective was addressed by describing the temperatures in zones affected by water level changes in the Niagara River and assessing the potential for those temperature changes to affect the behavior and survival of fish from 18 species considered representative of their communities, listed as threatened or endangered species, or known to be the target of important recreational fisheries.

Water level and water temperature data were collected from temporary gauges during 2002 and 2003. During 2002:

· Water temperature was recorded every 15-minutes from April to November 2002 at 21 sites in the upper and lower Niagara River, Woods Creek, Buckhorn Marsh, Burnt Ship Creek, Big Sixmile Creek, Gun Creek, Spicer Creek, and around Strawberry Island;

· Water level was recorded every 15-minutes from March to November 2002 at 10 temporary gauge locations in the upper and lower Niagara River, Woods Creek, Buckhorn Marsh, and Burnt Ship Creek;

· Water level was recorded at eight permanent water level gauges in the upper and lower Niagara River and Lewiston Reservoir.

During 2003, water temperature data were collected from February or March, to November in:

· Burnt Ship Creek, Buckhorn Marsh, Woods Creek, Gun Creek, Spicer Creek, Big Sixmile Creek, Tonawanda Creek, Ellicott Creek, Cayuga Creek, Gill Creek, Fish Creek, Lewiston Reservoir;

· The channel of the upper Niagara River upstream of the mouth of Spicer Creek, downstream of the mouth of Woods Creek, just upstream of the Niagara Power Project intakes, and near the Peace Bridge;

· The lower Niagara River upstream of the Niagara Power Project tailrace, in the tailrace, just downstream of the tailrace, at the Lewiston Landing, Artpark, Joseph Davis State Park, and the Youngstown Yacht Club.

Water level was recorded hourly during 2003 from February or March, to November in:

· Burnt Ship Creek, Buckhorn Marsh, Woods Creek, Gun Creek, Spicer Creek, Big Sixmile Creek, Tonawanda Creek, Ellicott Creek, Cayuga Creek;

· The lower Niagara River upstream of the Niagara Power Project tailrace, Artpark, Lewiston Landing, Joseph Davis State Park, and near the Youngstown Yacht Club.

Data from permanent water level gauges in the upper Niagara River and Lewiston Reservoir were also collected in 2003 as in 2002. Water level data from Lewiston Reservoir, Material Dock, Slater’s Point, NYPA Intake, Tonawanda Island, Huntley, Black Creek, Frenchman’s Creek, Fort Erie, and Port Weller (Lake Ontario) were used in this analysis. Temporary water level gauge data were plotted in relation to permanent gauge data in the upper Niagara River, Lake Ontario or Lewiston Reservoir, as appropriate.

Hourly air temperature, relative humidity, barometric pressure, solar radiation, precipitation, and wind direction and speed data were collected at two local, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather stations (Niagara Falls International Airport and Buffalo Niagara International Airport) from March 2002 to November 2002 and from February 2003 to November 2003.

Water level fluctuations did not affect the normal range in seasonal and diurnal temperatures and did not affect the hourly rate of temperature change anywhere in Zones 2, 4, 5, and 6. However, water level fluctuations did cause more rapid changes in water temperature at several gauges in Zones 1 and 3. Zone 1 water temperature changes ranging from –6.5 to +2.3 ºC/hour occurred at 16 of 39 gauges, mostly in the lower reaches of tributaries near the confluence with the Niagara River. In Zone 3, water temperature changes ranging from -4.1 to +4.4 ºC/hour occurred at two of seven locations, both at or immediately downstream of tributary mouths. The areal extent of the hourly temperature changes was not evaluated.

The potential for water temperature changes of the magnitude that occurred during 2002 and 2003 to affect the behavior and survival of fishes in the study area appears relatively small. They are adapted to the range of daily and seasonal water temperatures that occur in the study area. The rate of change in water temperature at all locations was not large enough to potentially reduce survival rates because of cold shock or heat shock or to potentially cause avoidance behavior in most species and life stages. More frequent water temperature changes may displace fish in limited portions of the study area but the potential is considered relatively small.

ABBREVIATIONS

Agencies

FERC Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

IJC International Joint Commission

INBC International Niagara Board of Control

NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

USFWS United States Fish and Wildlife Service

Units of Measure

D°C_AT hourly change in air temperature in degrees Centigrade (positive or negative)

D°C_WT hourly change in water temperature in degrees Centigrade (positive or negative)

DT change in temperature

DWL hourly change in water level in feet (positive or negative)

C Celsius, Centigrade