Water Quality Data Visualization, Climate Adaptation, & Groundwater Sustainability Planning
Client
Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians
Project Categories
Tags
developer_modeApp DevelopmentmonitoringData Analysis & VisualizationProtecting Water Quality
The Big Valley Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians has been collecting environmental data in Clear Lake for years along with a full spectrum of collaborators, community members, and agencies actively engaged in the basin. To harness the potential power of this rich collection of data, the Big Valley Tribe hired FlowWest in 2016 to develop a web-based application for Clear Lake water quality data. The dashboard has been used by stakeholders and ecosystem managers in the basin. The application organizes and presents the large volume of complex environmental data and is a key reference for much of the collaborative ecosystem management in the Clear Lake Basin. FlowWest reviewed and integrated existing data, developed the application, integrated the application onto Big Valley’s website, and completed documentation to support ongoing updates and maintenance.
Planning for the Future
Building off the water quality data project, FlowWest has conducted climate adaptation planning with Big Valley Rancheria to restore habitat in Adobe Creek for the Clear Lake hitch, a culturally significant for the Pomo and threatened species endemic to Clear Lake. The hitch migrates from Clear Lake into the tributaries every year to spawn, but low flow conditions in the creeks has led to stranding and fish kills. In order to develop habitat restoration recommendations, a solid understanding of groundwater and surface water interactions in the Adobe Creek is needed. FlowWest is conducted hydrologic and groundwater analyses, as well as hydraulic modeling, to identify flows that provide adequate habitat for hitch in Adobe Creek.
Flows for Hitch
FlowWest is also evaluating flow scenarios that support hitch habitat while balancing water use and shifting water availability due to climate change. The analysis will be used to evaluate the effects of Highland Springs and Adobe reservoir management. FlowWest provided technical review and input for the Big Valley Groundwater Sustainability Plan for the Big Valley Tribe that was developed by Lake County. FlowWest worked with the developers of the GSP to enhance the understanding of Big Valley groundwater and surface water resources. The FlowWest team made recommendations based on the study findings for reservoir management actions that will benefit fish habitat and enhance downstream floodplain inundation. A robust and naturally sustainable hitch population will allow Tribal members to re-establish part of their heritage.
