1991 North Platte Hydrology Study

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Examples of habitat characteristics for some threatened and endangered species are: a. W . ug- cr„aaaoaatjng habitat is described by the unobstructed water area in the river channel, the width of water in the channel, and the distribution of depths across the channel. Whooping crane feeding habitat in the wet meadows is presently under study, and parameters that describe the habitats are not complete. b. Tern and plover nesting habitat are described by the height of a nest above the river stage, the distance to river bank, the amount of open, unvegetated sand surrounding the nesting area, the size of nesting sandbar area, the vegetation cover, and distance to feeding source. Terns feed on small fish in the river. The fish habitat is described by river channel hydraulic parameters, i.e., water depth, velocity, and wet channel area. Fishery parameters also include channel substrate and cover, and water quality. c. Bad. esvfs&agGe on fish in the river channel during the winter when open water is available. The habitat parameters for the forage fish are the same as described for the forage fish used by the terns. Open water for fishing during the winter months has not been investigated as to the habitat para- meter involved in describing this habitat. The habitat characteristics for threatened and endangered species have been used to develop needs and habitat management goal for each species habitat as it relates to flow and type of land management. The developed n are being examined in the Platte River Management Jroifit S Vtocess. Additional analyses that describe habitat needs on the Platte River are presently being researched or need to be researched. Some of this work is scheduled to be continued or started under this study. The Service has provided a list of threatened and endangered species in the Platte River Basin and a,44stNbfftt_� impertarit "fish and wildlife specie 0- �#et`use the habitat resources of the basin. The habitat.needs for other fish and wildlife resources will be discussed, and impacts of endangered species operational alternatives on other fish and wildlife resources will be displayed in each operational alternative. These species and their habitat needs were considered in determining the work tasks required for this evaluation. Work tasks to be accomplished are displayed in Table 3 for the monthly time period between fiscal years 1990 and 1995. 4. Evaluation of Proiect Operational Effects on Species Habitat The effects of project operations on species and their associated habitat will be evaluated upon development of the necessary evaluation methodology. The major evaluation methodologies are the hydrologic operation models, sediment transport analysis, and the habitat require- 18