Flows and Recretion: A guide to studies for river professionals

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10- 5 _ - •~ d r Intensive studies are needed when recreation opportunities are flow- dependent and affected by project operations. Above: Boating on Oregon's Upper Klamath River is dramactically affected by a power - peaking regime that can fluctuate from 350 and 2800 cfs in one day. A controlled flow study examined flows between 700 and 1,700 cfs (shown here) to more precisely specify flow ranges for different opportunities if peaking operations were constrained. Desk -Top Options (Generally Level 1) "Desktop analysis" options are useful for developing information about existing or potential recreation opportunities, facilities, physical characteristics of the river, and recreation- relevant hydrology. In some cases, desktop methods may help develop rough estimates of flow ranges for different opportunities. The three options are: • Literature reviews • Hydrology summary • Structured interviews While these could be done as Level I efforts that are part of a first -stage consultation package or pre - application document (PAD), they may also be employed more intensively as part of Level 2 efforts. Under new ILP rules, resource agencies and FERC discourage significant analysis of existing information without a studyplan (particularly if the PAD is being developed without extensive agency or stakeholder input), with the standard being `existing, relevant, and reasonably available information." Flows and Recreation: 9 A Guide for River Professionals