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Home My WebLink AboutSonoma County Water Agency 2016-10-01COU No. 1617-167 For accessibility assistance with this document, please contact the Sonoma County Water Agency Technical Writing Section at (707) 547-1900, Fax at (707) 544-6123, or TDD through the California Relay Service (by dialing 711). rv: s:\techw\agreements\1617-072.docx version: 3/20/2017 11:50:00 AM TW 16/17-072 Cooperative Agreement to Provide Funding and Support for Hydrologic Characterization, and a Coupled Watershed and Groundwater Flow Model of the Russian River Watershed This agreement ("Agreement") is by and between Sonoma County Water Agency, a body corporate and politic of the State of California ("Water Agency') and City of Ukiah, County of Mendocino, Mendocino County Russian River Flood Control and Water Conservation Improvement District, and Upper Russian River Water Agency, (collectively referred to as "Participants"). The Effective Date of this Agreement is the date the Agreement is last signed by the parties to the Agreement, unless otherwise specified in Article 9.1 (Term of Agreement). RECITALS A. The Water Agency operates two reservoirs in the Russian River Watershed, Lake Mendocino and Lake Sonoma, by collecting and releasing water stored in these reservoirs to supplement the Russian River's natural flows. These releases are necessary to maintain the minimum instream flow requirements in the Water Agency's water right permits, meet the demands for diversions into the Water Agency's water transmission system, and meet the needs of other Russian River water users in Mendocino and Sonoma counties. B. The Water Agency's transmission system provides water to several municipal water suppliers in Sonoma and Marin counties, which deliver water to their customers for residential, governmental, commercial, and industrial purposes. C. Residents, farmers, businesses, water districts, tribes, and municipalities in Mendocino County rely on surface water and groundwater resources within the Russian River Watershed as the primary source of water supply for drinking water, agricultural irrigation, and industrial and commercial uses. D. The recently enacted Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) requires the formation of Groundwater Sustainability Agencies and development of Groundwater Sustainability Plans within two groundwater basins located in the Russian River Watershed: the Santa Rosa Plain Groundwater Subbasin and the Ukiah Valley Groundwater Basin. Additional groundwater basins or subbasins within the Russian River Watershed could also be subject to SGMA requirements when the California Department of Water Resources re - prioritizes basins in 2017. E. SGMA also requires an improved understanding of water resource conditions through the development of modeling tools capable of simulating surface water and groundwater interaction. F. The Water Agency and Participants wish to develop an updated assessment of surface water and groundwater conditions and a modeling platform to facilitate the integrated management of water resources and assist in complying with SGMA requirements. Cooperative Agreement to Provide Funding and Support for Hydrologic Characterization, and a Coupled Watershed and Groundwater Flow Model of the Russian River Watershed 1 G. The Water Agency, the United States Geological Survey (USGS), and the California State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) have proposed a study to evaluate the groundwater resources of the Russian River Watershed. The objective of the study is to develop an updated assessment of the hydrogeology, geochemistry, and geology of the Russian River Watershed based on an analysis of new and available field data and develop a coupled watershed/groundwater-flow model that will facilitate improved management of the region's water resources. H. The base cost of the overall study is estimated to be approximately $1,633,700 over four years. USGS is contributing a total of $254,700 in federal matching funds for the study over the four-year study period. The State Water Board has agreed to contribute $689,500 towards the study under a separate agreement between the State Water Board and USGS. The balance of $689,500 would be paid through the Water Agency's share of $489,500 and Participants' share of $200,000. Total costs are shown in Exhibit A. I. This Cooperative Agreement between the Water Agency and Participants provides for the Participants share of $200,000 to be allocated to "Total Local Funds" as shown in Exhibit A. It also establishes a working relationship among the Participants' technical staffs, together with tools and protocols that will be necessary for the success of the study, as well as any future surface water and groundwater management strategies. J. Water Agency and USGS contributions are provided for in a related agreement between USGS and Water Agency. In consideration of the foregoing recitals and the mutual covenants contained herein, the parties hereto agree as follows: AGREEMENT 1. RECITALS 1.1. The above recitals are true and correct. 2. LIST OF EXHIBITS 2.1. The following exhibits are attached hereto and incorporated herein: Exhibit A: Cost Allocation b. Exhibit B: Study Description c. Exhibit C: Draft Joint Funding Agreement with USGS 2.2. In case of any conflict between the terms of the Agreement and the exhibits, the terms of these documents control and prevail in the following order: 1) Agreement, 2) Exhibit A, 3) Exhibit B, and 4) Exhibit C. 3. COMMUNICATION /DESIGNATED REPRESENTATIVES 3.1. The persons designated below shall, upon execution of this Agreement, have authority to grant discretionary approvals identified in this Agreement. Except Cooperative Agreement to Provide Funding and Support for Hydrologic Characterization, and a Coupled Watershed and Groundwater Flow Model of the Russian River Watershed 2 as otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement, any notice, submittal, or communication required or permitted to be served on a party, may be served by personal delivery to the person or the office of the person identified below. Service may also be made by mail, by placing first-class postage, and addressed as indicated below, and depositing in the United States mail to: Water Agency Project Manager: Marcus Trotta 404 Aviation Boulevard Santa Rosa, CA 95403-9019 Phone: 707-547-1978 Email: Marcus.Trotta@scwa.ca.gov City of Ukiah County of Mendocino Contact: Sean White Contact: Sarah Dukett 300 Seminary Avenue 501 Low Gap Road Ukiah, CA 95482 Ukiah, CA 95482 Phone: 707-467-5712 Phone: 707-463-4441 Email: swhite@citvofukiah.com Email: duketts@co.mendocino.ca.us Mendocino County Russian River Flood Upper Russian River Water Agency Control and Water Conservation Improvement District Contact: Tamara Alaniz Contact: Bill Koehler 151 Laws Avenue, Suite D PO Box 399 Ukiah, CA 95482 Redwood Valley, CA 95470 Phone: 707-462-5278 Phone: 707-485-0679 Email: rrfc@pacific.net Email: gmrvcwd@pacific.net 4. COST SHARING The estimated total cost to complete the four-year groundwater study as outlined in this Agreement is $1,633,700. Participants and Water Agency shall share in the $689,500 Total Local Funds of the study as listed in Exhibit A. 5. WATER AGENCY'S RESPONSIBILITIES 5.1. Prepare and negotiate a proposed agreement with USGS to provide funding to support the groundwater study in generally the form attached as Exhibit C. Water Agency will keep Participants reasonably informed during the negotiations and consult prior to committing to any terms of agreements or amendments thereto potentially affecting the Participants. 5.2. Act as liaison with USGS, compile existing data sources, and provide technical review, project management, and project coordination. This responsibility Cooperative Agreement to Provide Funding and Support for Hydrologic Characterization, and a Coupled Watershed and Groundwater Flow Model of the Russian River Watershed 3 includes coordinating any necessary technical review meetings and providing status updates to Participants at such meetings and as needed. 5.3. Coordinate with Participants and assist with data acquisition. 5.4. Distribute draft copies of reports received from USGS to Participants, notifying Participants of any USGS requirement regarding confidentiality, and distribute final copies of reports received from USGS to Participants, including electronic data files related to GIS and hydrologic modeling. 5.5. Distribute final reports to the public during the term of the study. 5.6. If requested, assist Participants' staffs in making any presentations to Participants' governing boards or other public forums regarding the study. 5.7. Maintain complete and accurate records of all transactions in compliance with generally accepted accounting principles for enterprise accounting as promulgated by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Governmental Accounting Standards Board. Maintain complete project files with all correspondence, including letters and meeting notes. Such records shall be available to all parties at all reasonable times for inspection and analysis. 5.8. Invoice Participants for Participants' share of the study cost as described in Paragraph 6.1, below, and in Exhibit A of this Agreement as follows: a. FY 16/17: Upon execution of the agreement with USGS. b. FY 17/18: Approximately July 1, 2017. c. FY 18/19: Approximately July 1, 2018. d. FY 19/20: Approximately July 1, 2019. 6. PARTICIPANTS' RESPONSIBILITIES 6.1. Within 60 calendar days of receipt of each Water Agency invoice as described in Paragraph 5.8 above, Participants shall deposit with Water Agency their shares of the study cost as described in Exhibit A of this Agreement. 6.2. Participants shall provide technical review and comment on draft work products and study results during the course of the study and shall attend technical review meetings to the extent practicable. Participants shall maintain the confidentiality of any draft USGS reports to the extent Water Agency notifies them that such confidentiality is requested by the USGS, subject to Participants' obligations under the California Public Records Act. Participants shall make available to Water Agency and USGS all technical data in its possession relevant to the study. 6.3. Participants shall have the right to review and approve any changes in scope or funding for the study that could potentially affect the Participants including an increased financial commitment. Cooperative Agreement to Provide Funding and Support for Hydrologic Characterization, and a Coupled Watershed and Groundwater Flow Model of the Russian River Watershed 4 6.4. Participants shall cooperate with Water Agency efforts to obtain additional funding for related studies. 7. TERMINATION 7.1. Any party may terminate its participation in this Agreement by giving 180 calendar days advance written notice to the other parties of its intent to terminate its participation in this Agreement. Termination shall not relieve the terminating party of its obligation to pay costs and expenses related to the agreement between Water Agency and USGS or otherwise allocated prior to the effective date of the termination. Water Agency's right to terminate may be exercised by Water Agency's General Manager. 8. INDEMNIFICATION 8.1. Except as provided in Paragraph 8.2 below, each party shall indemnify, defend, protect, hold harmless, and release the other, their officers, agents, and employees, from and against any and all claims, losses, proceedings, damages, causes of action, liability, costs, or expense (including attorneys' fees and witness costs) arising from or in connection with, or caused by any negligent act or omission or willful misconduct of such indemnifying party or its agents, employees, contractors, subcontractors, or invitees. This indemnification obligation shall not be limited in any way by any limitation on the amount or type of damages or compensation payable to or for the indemnifying party or its agents, employees, contractors, subcontractors, or invitees under workers' compensation acts, disability benefit acts, or other employee benefit acts. 8.2. In addition, the parties acknowledge that pursuant to Article 5 of this Agreement, Water Agency will enter into and administer an agreement with USGS on behalf of the parties to this Agreement. The parties agree to coordinate on defense of any claims against the Water Agency that arise out of Water Agency's performance under said Article 5. If any such claim is made against Water Agency, the parties shall meet and discuss that defense and appropriate assignment of the costs thereof and of any settlement or judgment taking into account and consistent with the mutual indemnification provision in Paragraph 8.1. 9. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS 9.1. Term of Agreement: The term of this Agreement shall be from October 1, 2016 ("Effective Date") to October 31, 2020, unless terminated earlier in accordance with the provisions of Article 7 (Termination). 9.2. Authority to Amend Agreement: Changes to the Agreement may be authorized only by written amendment, signed by all parties to this Agreement. Changes to lengthen time schedules or make minor modifications to the scope of work, which do not increase the amount paid under the Agreement, may be executed Cooperative Agreement to Provide Funding and Support for Hydrologic Characterization, and a Coupled Watershed and Groundwater Flow Model of the Russian River Watershed 5 by the Water Agency's General Manager in a form approved by County Counsel and by Participants Designated Representatives. 9.3. No Waiver of Breach: The waiver by Water Agency of any breach of any term or promise contained in this Agreement shall not be deemed to be a waiver of such term or promise or any subsequent breach of the same or any other term or promise contained in this Agreement. 9.4. Making of Agreement: Participants and Water Agency acknowledge that they have each contributed to the making of this Agreement and that, in the event of a dispute over the Agreement's interpretation; the language of the Agreement will not be construed against one party in favor of another. Participants and Water Agency acknowledge that they have each had an adequate opportunity to consult with counsel in the negotiation and preparation of this Agreement. 9.5. Construction: To the fullest extent allowed by law, the provisions of this Agreement shall be construed and given effect in a manner that avoids any violation of statute, ordinance, regulation, or law. The parties covenant and agree that in the event that any provision of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void, or unenforceable, the remainder of the provisions hereof shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired, or invalidated thereby. 9.6. No Third -Party Beneficiaries: Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed to create and the parties do not intend to create any rights in third parties. 9.7. Applicable Law and Forum: This Agreement shall be construed and interpreted according to the substantive law of California excluding the law of conflicts. Any action to enforce the terms of this Agreement or for the breach thereof shall be brought and tried in the County of Sonoma. 9.8. Captions: The captions in this Agreement are solely for convenience of reference. They are not a part of this Agreement and shall have no effect on its construction or interpretation. 9.9. Merger: This writing is intended both as the final expression of the Agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the included terms and as a complete and exclusive statement of the terms of the Agreement, pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure section 1856. . Each Party acknowledges that, in entering into this Agreement, it has not relied on any representation or undertaking, whether oral or in writing, other than those which are expressly set forth in this Agreement. No modification of this Agreement shall be effective unless and until such modification is evidenced by a writing signed by both parties. Cooperative Agreement to Provide Funding and Support for Hydrologic Characterization, and a Coupled Watershed and Groundwater Flow Model of the Russian River Watershed 6 9.10. Survival of Terms: All express representations, waivers, indemnifications, and limitations of liability included in this Agreement will survive its completion or termination for any reason. 9.11. Time of Essence: Time is and shall be of the essence of this Agreement and every provision hereof. 9.12. Entire Agreement: This Agreement is the entire Agreement between the parties. 10. COUNTERPART SIGNATURES 10.1. This Agreement may be executed in counterpart and each of these executed counterparts shall have the same force and effect as an original instrument and as if all of the parties to the aggregate counterparts had signed the same instrument. Cooperative Agreement to Provide Funding and Support for Hydrologic Characterization, and a Coupled Watershed and Groundwater Flow Model of the Russian River Watershed 7 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date last signed by the panes to the Agreement. Sono oun Water Agency TW / 072 as Vo funds: By: W r Agency Divisi er - Ad inistrative Services Approved as to form: By: U Cory O'Don II, Deputy County Counsel By; <1 clsl /' Grant Dav s Water Ag ncy General Manager Date: Cooperative Agreement to Provide Funding and Support for Hydrologic Characterization, and a Coupled Watershed and Groundwater Flow Model of the Russian River Watershed 8 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date last signed by the parties to the Agreement. City of Ukiah By. <117 �i.c�C. Sc+++'1 C2 ♦�t..t3W� U' C a 7 1iYtrr ctrJW(l r4 Mendocino County Russian River Flood Control and Water Conservation Improvement District By= .12'&9j -a Obmwn Tamara Alaniz, General Ma a er Upper Russian River Water Agency B try C oza ,Board Wesident Cooperative Agreement to Provide Funding and Support for Hydrologic Characterization, and a Coupled Watershed and Groundwater Flow Model of the Russian River Watershed 8 iEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date last ?s to the Agreement. County of ocirr� By: Title: C� Date: MAY 0 2 2017 Cooperative Agreement to Provide Funding and Support for Hydrologic Characterization, and a Coupled Watershed and Groundwater Flow Model of the Russian River Watershed 8 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written. DEPA ENT F L IEW: IZIX I DEP MENT H D DATIf Budgeted: ®Yes ❑ No Budget Unit: 0326 Line Item: 862189 Grant: ❑ Yes ® No Grant No.:N/A COUNTY OF MENDOCINO By:'�'A A6�' ?-kU— JO MCCOWEN, Chair BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MAY 0 2 2017 ATTEST: CARMEL J. ANGELO, Clerk 9) said Board By:�- Deputy MAY 0 2 2017 1 hereby certify that according to the provisions of Government Code Section 25103, delivery of this document has been made. CONTRACTOR/COMPANY NAME By: NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR: Sonoma County Water Agency 404 Aviation Boulevard Santa Rosa, CA 95403 By signing above, signatory warrants and represents that he/she executed this Agreement in his/her authorized capacity and that by his/her signature on this Agreement, he/she or the entity upon behalf of which he/she acted, executed this Agreement COUNTY COUNSEL REVIEW: APPROVED AS TO FORM: KATHARINE L. ELLIOTT, County Counsel By: /Ig, / Deputy CARMEL J. AN L , Clerk of said Board By: Deputy MAY 0 2 2m7 r"rrT-o-s-�OT7 INSURANCE REVI!E!� RISK MANAG By: ALAN D. FLORA, Risk EXECUTIVE OFFICE REVIEW: APPROVA OOe By: CARMEL J. ANGEL'O, Chie Executive Officer FISCAL REVIEW: By: Deputy CEO/Fiscal Signatory Authority: $0-25,000 Department; $25,001- 50,000 Purchasing Agent; $50,001+ Board of Supervisors Exception to Bid Process Required/Completed ❑ Exhibit A Russian River Watershed Study Cost Allocation Required Cost Allocation for Years 1 through 4 Mendocino County Russian River Flood Control and Water Total Local Conservation Upper Russian Funds (Water Study Water City of County of Improvement River Water Agency + State Water Year Agency Ukiah Mendocino District Agency Participants) Board USGS TOTALS FY 16/17 $160,250 $8,500 $25,000 $10,000 $8,000 $360,250 $210,250 $57,500 $628,000 FY 17/18 $164,800 $8,500 $25,000 $8,000 $8,000 $164,800 $239,800 $76,300 $480,900 FY 18/19 $98,100 $8,500 $25,000 $8,000 $8,000 $98,100 $148,100 $72,800 $319,000 FY 19/20 $66,350 $8,500 $25,000 $8,000 $8,000 $66,350 $91,350 $48,100 $205,800 Cooperative Agreement to Provide Funding and Support for Hydrologic Characterization, and a Coupled Watershed and Groundwater Flow Model of the Russian River Watershed A-1 Total Cash Funding $489,500 $34,000 $100,000 $34,000 �$32,00�0$689,500 $689,500$254,700$1,633,700 Cooperative Agreement to Provide Funding and Support for Hydrologic Characterization, and a Coupled Watershed and Groundwater Flow Model of the Russian River Watershed A-1 Exhibit B Description Cooperative Agreement to Provide Funding and Support for Hydrologic Characterization, and a Coupled Watershed and Groundwater Flow Model of the Russian River Watershed g-1 �.`Iil /i► /\.,•1 Title: Hydrologic Characterization and a Coupled Watershed and Groundwater -Flow Model of the Russian River Watershed, California Cooperating agency: Sonoma County Water Agency (SCWA) and California State Water Resources Control Board (State Board) Period of project: 2016-2019 Geographic Scope: Potter Valley, Ukiah Valley, Sanel Valley, Alexander and Cloverdale areas of Alexander Valley, Healdsburg area of Santa Rosa Valley, Santa Rosa Valley, and Lower Russian River Valley as defined by California Department of Water Resources in Bulletin 118. Problem Most basins in the Russian River watershed (RRW) currently rely on a combination of Russian River water and groundwater to meet demand. The primary uses of water in the RRW include agricultural irrigation, municipal supplies, rural domestic uses that are outside of municipal system (i.e., private wells and municipal water companies) and commercial uses (e.g., wineries). Current and future challenges to managing RRW water resources include: available flows for fisheries, extreme events due to climate change, flood impacts, increasing water -supply demands, decreasing water availability, and streamflow and groundwater storage depletion. Objectives: The primary objectives of this project are to: 1) refine the understanding of the RRW hydrologic system based on an analysis of new and available field data; and 2) develop a coupled watershed/groundwater-flow model for the RRW that will facilitate improved management of the region's water resources. Relevance and Benefits: This study will assist SCWA, the State Board, and other stakeholders to better understand the potential impacts of increasing groundwater demand on water levels and in developing strategies for efficient surface-water/groundwater management. The USGS will address significant issues of stream -aquifer interaction and develop new, transferable tools for analyzing multi -basin water management. The study addresses the priority water -resource issue "A Water Census of the United States: Quantifying, Forecasting, and Securing Freshwater for America's Future" identified in "Facing tomorrow's challenges—U.S. Geological Survey science in the decade 2007- 2017." Approach: Specific tasks will be: 1) interpret available data, collect new data, and characterize the geohydrology of RRW — including refining hydrologic budgets and conceptual models of the hydrologic system; 2) development and application of a coupled watershed and groundwater -flow model; and 3) describe the results of the study in a USGS report. Anticipated products: A USGS Scientific Investigations Report will describe the updated geohydrologic characterization of the RRW and the development, calibration, and application of the coupled surface-water/groundwater-flow model. 12/15/2016 Hydrologic Characterization and a Coupled Watershed and Groundwater -Flow Model of the Russian River Watershed, California PROBLEM The Russian River Watershed (RRW; fig. 1) is a diverse region of 1,500 square miles of urban, agricultural and forested lands in northern Sonoma County and southern Mendocino County, California. The Russian River is prone to droughts and floods (highest recurrent flood damages in California). This flashiness is due in large part to the prevalence of atmospheric rivers for the region, which comprise, on average, nearly 50 percent of precipitation. This highly variable hydrology presents significant challenges for flood, water supply and environmental water managers. The recently enacted California Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) identifies two of the basins (Santa Rosa Plain and Ukiah Valley) within the RRW as medium -priority basins; therefore, groundwater -sustainability agencies will need to be formed in each basin by June 30, 2017 and groundwater sustainability plans will need to be developed by January 2022. In addition, other basins within the RRW could be reprioritized into high/medium priority once the California State Department of Water Resources conducts basin reprioritization in winter 2017. This work will help support those management efforts. Most basins in the RRW currently rely on a combination of Russian River water and groundwater to meet demand. The primary uses of water in the RRW include agricultural irrigation, municipal supplies, rural domestic uses that are outside of municipal systems (i.e., private wells and mutual water companies) and commercial uses (e.g., wineries and 2 12/15/2016 recreation). Current and future challenges to managing RRW water resources include: available flows for fisheries, extreme events due to climate change, flood impacts, increasing water -supply demands, decreasing water availability, and streamflow and groundwater -storage depletion. SCOPE This proposal describes a cooperative project that will study and report on the water resources in the RRW (fig. 1). The Sonoma County Water Agency (SCWA) and California State Water -Resources Control Board (Water Board), in cooperation with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), will be responsible for different portions of this study. OBJECTIVES The primary objectives of this project are to: 1) refine the understanding of the RRW hydrologic system based on an analysis of new and available field data; and 2) develop a coupled watershed/groundwater-flow model for the RRW that will facilitate improved management of the region's water resources. Specific elements in objective 1 are to: quantify present-day hydrologic conditions, including a hydrologic budget and distributed recharge estimates; quantify changes in groundwater levels and streamflow that have occurred during the past few decades and relate these changes to water -resources development, changes in land use, and environmentally -based management [e.g., the Biological Opinion (National Marine Fisheries Service, 2008) and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission license for the Potter Valley Project (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 2004)]; quantify groundwater and surface -water interchange; characterize the geochemistry of the RRW; 3 12/15/2016 improve the definition of the hydrostratigraphy and the groundwater -flow system; and evaluate the potential changes to streamflow in the Russian River and its tributaries associated with future projections of groundwater pumping and climate change. Specific elements in objective 2 are to develop a numerical model that: 1) simulates past and present surface -water and groundwater conditions, including reservoir releases and stream diversions (addressed by including consideration of: A) water rights into the reservoir and river operations model, MODSIM, and B) riparian evapotranspiration into GSFLOW); 2) quantifies spatially and temporally distributed groundwater and surface - water exchanges; 3) can be efficiently coupled to output from global circulation models (GCMs) to assess the impacts of potential climate change on future hydrologic conditions (Huntington and Niswonger, 2012); and 4) can be readily applied to evaluate potential impacts from land- and water -use changes on future hydrology. Development of the coupled watershed/groundwater-flow model for RRW will be documented in a USGS report and the model will be available to SCWA, the Water Board, other interested parties and the public to test and analyze various potential future water -management scenarios. RELEVANCE AND BENEFITS Groundwater is a critical resource, which is closely connected with surface -water resources in the RRW and is expected to be an important component of water supply in the future. Municipal, commercial, rural -residential and agricultural users consumptively use both surface water and groundwater in the RRW. Studies in this cooperative project 4 12/15/2016 will provide much of the hydrologic information needed by SCWA, the Water Board, and other RRW stakeholders to better understand the potential impacts of climate variability and change, and associated changes in groundwater use on groundwater levels, stream discharge, stream -aquifer interaction, and water quality. The project also will provide the information and models needed by SCWA, the Water Board, and others for improved decision making regarding the RRW's surface- and groundwater resources. Development of an integrated hydrologic and reservoir/river operations model for the RRW will allow for better management of all water resources in the watershed. The proposed study addresses the USGS science strategy direction "A Water Census of the United States: Quantifying, Forecasting, and Securing Freshwater for America's Future" (U.S. Geological Survey, 2007). Specifically, the study addresses freshwater availability, documents water -storage capabilities of the aquifer system, and refines and develops surface-water/groundwater models to help better understand the aquifer system. GENERAL HYDROLOGIC DESCRIPTION OF THE RUSSIAN RIVER WATERSHED The drainage area of the Russian River is in the northern part of the California Coast Ranges section of the Pacific Border province (Fenneman, 1931). The northern Coast Ranges trend northwestward, parallel to the major structural features of the region. The mountain range that lies west of the Russian River valley and extends to the coast is commonly called the Mendocino Range, or the Mendocino Highlands. The highland area east of the lower and middle Russian River valley areas is known as the Mayacmas 12/15/2016 Mountains (fig. 1). The altitude of the highlands ranges from about 2,000 to 6,000 ft. The highest point in the Coast Ranges, at an altitude of 6,381 ft, is on Mount Sanhedrin, about 15 mi northeast of Willits. The altitude of the divide on the west side of the Russian River ranges from 1,400 to 3,000 ft; and on the east side, from 3,000 to 4,000 ft. The altitude of the mountains bordering the Russian River increases slightly from south to north. The proposed study area is drained by the Russian River (fig. 1), a principal river in the northern coastal area of California between San Francisco and Eureka. The Russian River begins about 16 mi north of Ukiah and flows southward for about 90 mi through alluvium -filled valleys and mountain gorges to Rio Dell. There the river turns abruptly westward, crosses the Coast Ranges, and flows to the Pacific Ocean at Jenner, California. The entire river is about 110 mi long, but the drainage basin through which it flows is about 85 mi long. The valley of the Russian River ranges in width from 12 to 32 mi and the watershed has an area of about 1,485 square mi. There are 12 USGS-operated stream gages on the Russian River. Lake Sonoma and Lake Mendocino (which receive water from the Potter Valley Project) are reservoirs that supply water to the Russian River. The supplied reservoir water is important for Chinook salmon and steelhead trout fisheries and for water supply. Lake Sonoma supplies water during the fall and winter to sustain Chinook salmon and steelhead trout habitat. Lake Mendocino is an important source of water for cities and agriculture within the upper Russian River basin above the confluence of Dry Creek. Both reservoirs are important for municipal, industrial, rural, and recreational uses. 12/15/2016 A comprehensive hydrologic characterization or modeling study of the RRW has not been reported. Cardwell (1965) described the geohydrology of selected subbasins within the RRW (Potter Valley, Ukiah Valley, Sanel Valley, Alexander and Cloverdale areas of Alexander Valley, Healdsburg area of Santa Rosa Valley, and Lower Russian River Valley). In addition to the aforementioned subbasins, Cardwell (195 8) and Nishikawa (2013) described a seventh subbasin, the Santa Rosa Valley. Metzger and others (2006) updated the description of the geohydrology and geochemistry of the Alexander Valley. The California Department of Water Resources (2003) has also described the seven RRW groundwater subbasins. As described by Cardwell (1965), the rocks in the Russian River valley may be divided into three general groups on the basis of age and water -bearing properties. These groups are, from oldest to youngest, 1) consolidated rocks of Jurassic and Cretaceous age, 2) deformed poorly consolidated or unconsolidated continental, volcanic, and marine rocks of Cenozoic (Pliocene and Pleistocene) age, and 3) under -formed and unconsolidated alluvial deposits of Quaternary age, comprising the terrace deposits of Pleistocene age, dissected alluvium of Pleistocene and Recent age, and alluvium of Recent age. The oldest rocks in the area are those of the Franciscan and Knoxville Formations of Jurassic and Cretaceous age. These formations constitute the bedrock in most of the northern Coast Ranges. The Franciscan and Knoxville Formations in the vicinity of Healdsburg and Alexander Valley are overlain by a thick unnamed conglomerate of Late Cretaceous (?) age. Wells tapping the conglomerate in the upland area between the fd 12/15/2016 northwestern parts of Dry Creek and Alexander Valleys supply adequate water for domestic use. In the middle Russian River valley area (Healdsburg area and Alexander Valley), the Sonoma Volcanics of Pliocene age, the marine Wilson Grove (formally called the Merced) Formation of Pliocene and Pleistocene (?) age, and the continental Glen Ellen Formation of Pliocene (?) and Pleistocene age crop out discontinuously. Although these formations are of limited areal extent, they are important sources of groundwater locally. In the upper Russian River valley (Potter Valley, Ukiah Valley, and Sanel Valley), continental deposits considered to be equivalent to the Glen Ellen Formation crop out along the margins of the present alluvial valleys. These deposits are an important source of water for domestic and stock supplies. Alluvium includes most of the unconsolidated deposits of Recent age that underlie and form the present alluvial plains in the Russian River valley. The alluvium is the principal source of groundwater in all the valley areas. The stream -channel deposits are differentiated from the alluvium in areas where these deposits are spatially extensive. APPROACH In order to better understand surface -water and groundwater issues in RRW, the USGS is proposing to characterize the integrated hydrologic system of the RRW. This study will include the effects of variability in climate, geology, biota, and human activities (including regulatory effects) on water availability and surface -water flow in the RRW. 12/15/2016 The characterization of the RRW will require the development of a Geographic Information System (GIS) database, data compilation, data collection, and the development of a coupled hydrologic and reservoir/river operations model. Specifically, the USGS-developed integrated Groundwater Surface -water Flow model (GSFLOW; Markstrom and others, 2008) and the reservoir and river operations model MODSIM (Labadie and others, 2000) will be used. GSFLOW allows for an improved numerical representation of dynamic surface- water/groundwater interactions (Markstrom and others, 2008). This model has been successfully applied in the Santa Rosa Plain groundwater study (Woolfenden and Nishikawa, 2014) and several other watersheds across the world (e.g., see list provided at: http://water.usgs.gov/ogw—/gsflow/). flown. In addition, a recent study reviewed available surface-water/groundwater models for application to modeling the Alexander Valley and found that GSFLOW was one of two preferred models (Kennedy/Jenks Consultants, 2015). During these recent studies, tools have been developed that allow much faster and more streamlined development of GSFLOW models and the analyses of their results. This proposed study will take advantage of these tools. Development of a useful tool to understand and analyze the integrated hydrologic system (GSFLOW model) is aided by broad information about climate, hydrogeology, vegetation, land use, water management, and other system variables that affect the flow and storage of water within the RRW. For this project, there are both data collection and modeling tasks needed to characterize and analyze the system. The data 0 12/15/2016 collection/analysis and modeling activities will be conducted in parallel such that each can inform the other. Task 1: Stakeholder Outreach An important component of this project is outreach to the various stakeholders in the RRW, including local agencies, communities, water managers, and agricultural entities. In order to help solicit information and data that will benefit the project, it is important that this stakeholder input be received early in the process. This outreach will be conducted to receive broad stakeholder input regarding the identification of important water -resources issues in the RRW. It will also be used to help gather data and insights into the hydrologic system and how it is utilized and managed. Although groundwater is managed locally on an informal basis, there are two agencies that manage the Russian River: the SCWA (water supply) and the Army Corps of Engineers (flood protection). Local stakeholders will provide important insight to improve understanding the Russian River system in addition to the challenges in using and managing water resources in the watershed. Stakeholder meetings and information dissemination will occur throughout the life of the project so that all parties are kept up to date on study findings. Of primary importance for this task is gathering stakeholder input as early in the project as possible. This will facilitate the process of data compilation that will eventually benefit the development of the model. In addition, a positive start to stakeholder outreach may result in broader "buy -in" from RRW water users regarding making data available to the study or allowing the USGS to collect data from their properties. 10 12/15/2016 The Russian River Independent Science Review Panel (RRISRP) was established by a group of local water suppliers, and agricultural and watershed organizations in an effort to "establish a sound scientific basis for future water supply and watershed management decision making in the Russian River." The possibility of the RRISRP acting as the project's independent technical review committee will be explored. In addition, the RRISRP is scheduled to publish a conceptual model report by May 2016. The geographic scope of this report is the upper river above Dry Creek and will focus on tributaries, specifically surface-water/groundwater interactions and possible impacts to riparian ecosystems. This study will consider the RRISRP conceptual model when developing the GSFLOW model. The committee may also provide guidance regarding model development (e.g., assumptions, model construction, etc.) and defining future water -use, water -availability and management scenarios for simulation by the model. Task 2: Data Collection and Analysis In order to better understand the integrated hydrologic system and improve the model's ability to simulate key hydrologic processes, a number of data collection activities, syntheses, and analyses will be undertaken. Specifically this task will involve three parts: a. Data compilation and development of an integrated GIS database b. Data collection c. Data interpretation and geohydrologic characterization 11 12/15/2016 These steps are important for accurate evaluation of surface-water/groundwater interaction, reliability of the surface-water/groundwater system given present-day and future water -use forecasts, and future climate -change impacts. Task 2a: Data compilation and development of an inteLrated GIS database The first part of task 2 will involve data compilation and development of information necessary for model input files—a GIS will be the primary means of organizing data for archiving, searching, interrelating, and displaying hydrologic and related information. Data compilation will include compiling maps of climate, surficial geology, vegetation, land use, well locations, stream networks and reservoir information, and digitizing of drillers' logs. Drillers' logs and geophysical data will be used to define and map alluvial thickness, regionally extensive aquifers (coarse-grained material) and aquitards (fine- grained material), depth to bedrock, and other general hydrogeologic features. Although data may be sparse, groundwater -level data, aquifer -test data, and streamflow records will be compiled to help develop an understanding of the hydrogeology and the flow system, and for use as observations/prior-information for model calibration. Data used to estimate annual groundwater discharge will also be compiled. These data include: pumping, land -use, vegetation type, and vegetation density. For example, data from previous studies analyzing vineyards and riparian evapotranspiration will be compiled and used. Pumping data will be evaluated to determine the areal distribution and quantity of pumpage for each of the developed aquifers. The only known pumping data is from municipal sources. Agricultural pumpage will be estimated based on 12 12/15/2016 stakeholder input, land -use data, irrigation -system efficiency, reference evapotranspiration, and crop -coefficients to determine the consumptive use of water. The vegetation data will be used to estimate evapotranspiration associated with riparian vegetation along the Russian River and its tributaries. The USGS will work collaboratively with SCWA, the Water Board, and other local stakeholders to develop the GIS database of the RRW. The USGS will work with SCWA to convert an existing HEC-ResSim operations model (Klipsch and Hurst, 2007) developed by SCWA into MODSIM for simulating reservoir and river operations, which will be coupled to GSFLOW. SCWA staff will review the MODSIM model and provide quality control to confirm that the MODSIM results agree with the existing databases that have been developed for the RRW by SCWA, other local stakeholders, and the USGS. Additional sources of data include the California Department of Water Resources (D WR), California Department of Public Health, Mendocino County, the California Nevada River Forecast Center, and the Sonoma County Department of Health Services. The GIS will form the basis for all tasks, including the identification of data gaps and the determination of needs for new data collection. All GIS metadata will be documented according to USGS guidelines (http:// ig opus sg gov/egis/metadataD. Task 2b: Data collection This task involves collection and analysis of new data, with a focus on water -quality sampling of the RRW. These efforts will be designed on the basis of the preliminary model results and error evaluations. Data -collection campaigns for the RRW characterization will be designed according to the need to further refine understanding of 13 12/15/2016 the hydrologic conceptualization of the system. Where possible and practical, preliminary model simulations will help guide the collection and characterization. Specific tasks will include refining hydrologic budgets and updating conceptual models of the groundwater - flow system based on the new data and the results of ongoing USGS geologic studies in the basin. Water -quality samples will be collected from selected wells, springs, and streams. These activities will require significant landowner and stakeholder participation. Initially, existing wells will be used and selected based on compiled data in the GIS and in consultation with SCWA and stakeholder technical staff. Sampling will focus on delineating the source and age of groundwater in the main water -bearing zones (aquifers) and characterizing the current water quality. The sampling will build on recent water - quality data collected as part of the USGS Groundwater Ambient Monitoring and Assessment (GAMA) program (Kulongoski and others, 2006; 2010; Mathany and others, 2011). For this study, water -quality analysis will include basic inorganic constituents and nutrients. The stable isotopes of oxygen and hydrogen will be used to provide information on sources of recharge, and tritium/helium and/or carbon-14 analyses will be used to provide information on groundwater age and travel time. Specific analyses of constituents of particular concern, such as arsenic, iron, manganese, and nitrate also will be conducted. Specifically, 5-10 wells per groundwater subbasin will be sampled per year for the first two years of the project. All wells will be analyzed at the USGS National Water Quality 14 12/15/2016 Laboratory (NWQL) for major and minor ions; basic nutrients; and trace metals. The stable isotopes of oxygen and hydrogen will be analyzed at the Reston Stable Isotope Laboratory. Selected wells will be analyzed for tritium/helium and/or carbon-14 age - dating analyses. Sampling locations will be chosen based on a review of existing water - quality data. All water -level and water -quality data will be entered into the USGS NWIS (National Water Information System) database. Approximately 10 percent of the number of environmental samples collected will be added as quality -control samples. These samples will include field blanks and sequential replicates, and will be targeted for selected groups of constituents as needed. All data collection and documentation of metadata will be done according to USGS guidelines with the aid of the California Water Science Center Data Program. Task 2c: Data Interpretation and Geohydrolo2ic Characterization The geohydrologic characterizations of the RRW, based on previous USGS and DWR studies, will be analyzed and updated based on new interpretations and data collected for this study. This will involve reassessing the hydrostratigraphy and geometry of the water - bearing units, quantifying the distribution and quantity of recharge and discharge (including pumpage), and evaluation of geochemical characteristics of the basin. The main goals are to develop an updated representation of the hydrostratigraphy and geologic structures of the basin; obtain improved estimates of the hydraulic properties of the water -bearing deposits; quantify the groundwater budget; evaluate the dynamics of 15 12/15/2016 surface-water/groundwater interaction; characterize the general geochemical characteristics and the sources and ages of groundwater; and identify geochemical and hydrogeologic data gaps. As part of this study, USGS geologists in Denver, CO, working closely with project personnel from this study, will develop a geologic framework model of the major water - bearing units in the RRW. The overall goal of the framework modeling is to define the three-dimensional geology; this will be accomplished through areal geologic mapping, geophysical surveys, and various topical studies (including geochronology, sediment transport patterns, and fault histories). Researchers will use these data along with newly collected geochemical data to reassess the hydrostratigraphy, structures, and geometry of the major water -bearing units of the groundwater basin. Digital geometries of major water -bearing units (aquifers) will be created as part of this task. This framework model will provide the starting point for our reassessment of the geohydrology of the area and will be the foundation used to develop the GSFLOW model. Parameterization of the GSFLOW model will incorporate all available information regarding land use and vegetation, topography, geologic and soils maps, groundwater - level records, stable isotopes, and synoptic and continuous flow measurements made at various locations along the river. GSFLOW will be used to simulate evapotranspiration within riparian areas on the basis of soil moisture, water -table altitude, vegetation types and densities, and satellite data such as Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). MODSIM will be used to estimate surface -water diversion amounts on the basis of 16 12/15/2016 priority, supply, and demand. For parcels that receive surface water and use groundwater, it will be assumed that surface water will be used first, and any residual water demand will be met by groundwater. Wells that have been geographically located and wells with locations inferred on the basis of known water use will be activated within the model automatically to supplement surface -water shortfalls. Surface -water and groundwater demands will be estimated on a seasonal basis using land -use maps, industrial and municipal requirements, and crop water requirements for agricultural areas. In addition, SCWA is currently working with the USGS to enhance and develop climate scenarios based on the BCM (Flint and Flint, 2007a; Flint and Flint, 2007b; Flint and Flint, 2011; Flint and others, 2011; Flint and Flint, 2012; Flint and others, 2012; Flint and others, in prep). As much as possible, this study will build on, utilize, and/or do comparisons with this work. In particular, an examination of the differences in, and uncertainty of, the BCM -derived estimates and those developed as part of this study will be undertaken. There will be a particular focus on collecting information on the changing dynamics of stream/aquifer interaction along the Russian River as groundwater pumpage has increased since groundwater was first extracted in the RRW. Gaging -station records will be analyzed to determine: 1) seasonal periods with flow consisting primarily of groundwater discharge, and 2) seasonal depletion of streamflow caused by groundwater pumping and evapotranspiration of riparian vegetation along the Russian River. Stream gage records, synoptic seepage runs, and previous analyses by SCWA, will provide 17 12/15/2016 historic and current information to define gaining and losing reaches of the stream. Specific plans for seepage runs will be made after historic data are reviewed and field reconnaissance completed. However, in general, two seepage runs are planned: one in the fall and the second in the spring. In addition to data gaps indicated by the preliminary GSFLOW model, gaps in the geochemical and hydrogeologic data also will be identified using the available data compiled in Task 2b and the new data collected in this task. These gaps may include identifying wells where depth -dependent water -quality data are needed or locations where multiple -piezometer monitoring sites are needed. If available, these additional data will help refine the three-dimensional characterization of the RRW. Task 3: Development of a GSFLOW model The goal of this task is to develop a GSFLOW model of the RRW (fig. 1). This will be accomplished in two steps: step 1 will be to develop an preliminary, transient GSFLOW model that is capable of doing scoping runs and to identify data gaps, and step 2 will be to develop a final, refined and fully calibrated transient model capable of investigating the complex surface-water/groundwater interactions in the RRW. Woolfenden and Nishikawa (2014) describe the results of a GSFLOW model of the Santa Rosa Plain watershed (called the Santa Rosa Plain Hydrologic Model or SRPHM). Due to its regional nature, it is anticipated that the horizontal and vertical discretization of the RRW model will be much coarser than the SRPHM (1,000 ft by 1,000 ft). The Santa Rosa Plain watershed will not be simulated explicitly; where the SRPHM borders the Healdsburg 18 12/15/2016 area of Santa Rosa Valley will be treated as a boundary condition in the preliminary and final RRW models. GSFLOW model boundaries will follow the RRW topographic divides throughout the basin and will be treated as no -flow boundaries, with the exception of the Santa Rosa Plain watershed, where the boundary will follow a buffered area adjacent to the river. The preliminary, transient model will be coarse in its representation of geology, land use, and water use and will rely on easily accessible data. The simulation horizon will be the period of record of the most complete pumpage dataset. The model will be calibrated and evaluated according to sub -watershed budgets, average groundwater levels from available data, and correspondence between climate variability and streamflow variability. Model errors will be evaluated to identify sensitive parameters affecting the solution and regions in the model that require further refinement in parameterization and(or) data to constrain the solution. In this manner, the model will be used to focus data mining and data collection and in-depth characterization of the hydrologic system in areas where the model unsatisfactorily simulates historical hydrologic conditions. Utilizing the integrated GIS database from Task 2a, all the required input files for the GSFLOW model will be developed. The automated calibration software PEST (Doherty, 20 10) will then be used to refine initial hydraulic parameters and to explore heterogeneities in hydraulic properties within hydrogeologic units required to improve simulations results relative to observation data. Calibration with PEST will include using pilot points and regularization. Pilot points are arbitrary points in space that facilitate 19 12/15/2016 estimation of spatially -distributed hydraulic properties of an aquifer; for example, hydraulic conductivity. Because cell -by -cell estimation of aquifer properties is not possible, pilot points offer a compromise between strict piecewise-constant zonal (i.e., `zonation') approaches and under -determined cell -by -cell estimation of spatially - distributed aquifer properties. Regularization helps not only to stabilize the numerical aspects of the inverse problem, also it allows the modeler to impart expert knowledge (commonly referred to as "soft" knowledge) in to the parameter estimation problem. Calibration will combine the geohydrologic characterization from task 2C and within - geologic unit characterization through the pilot point and regularization methods provided by PEST. The GSFLOW model will be developed in three phases. The first phase will consist of the development, calibration, and application of the Precipitation Runoff Modeling System (FRMS) component of the model. The PRMS model will be calibrated to measured stream -discharge data. This work will be closely integrated with existing BCM modeling work in the watershed and the GIS database developed for task 2A. The second phase will consist of the development, calibration, and application of the groundwater -flow model (MODFLOW) component of the GSFLOW model. Specifically, steady-state and transient versions of the MODFLOW model will be developed. The models will be calibrated to measured groundwater -level, stream -discharge, and geochemistry data (e.g., age -dating or stable -isotope data). It should be noted that groundwater flow through fracture apertures (fracture -flow) in the Franciscan Formation, 20 12/15/2016 which dominates much of the watershed area, will not be simulated explicitly, but rather approximated as flow through an equivalent porous media. The use of the equivalent - porous -media approach is suitable at the scale of this model; however, it may not be appropriate at local scales where fracture flow is predominant. The focus of the model will be to accurately simulate the interactions of surface water and groundwater that predominantly occur in the alluvial portion of the system. The third phase consists of combining the MODFLOW and PRMS models into the coupled GSFLOW model. This phase will include additional calibration of the integrated model using combined transient surface -water and groundwater targets. Typically, when MODFLOW and PRMS models are calibrated separately, and are then combined for GSFLOW simulations, modest additional calibration is required to account for changes in surface and groundwater exchanges in the integrated model. Task 4: Coupling GSFLOW with MODSIM A reservoir management and river operations model will be developed using the MODSIM software on the basis of the existing HEC ResSim model developed by SCWA. To the extent possible, historical measurements of reservoir releases and river diversions will be specified in the GSFLOW model. However, historical measurements of water use are not completely available. For this case, MODSIM will be used to simulate historical river diversions that are unknown and can be estimated on the basis of water -right priorities, simulated water supply, and water demand. For example, MODSIM is effective for estimating reservoir releases and river diversions during water - 21 12/15/2016 supply shortfalls, when the distribution of available water is complicated by priority and shortfalls are supplemented by groundwater wells. MODSIM can calculate water allocation constrained by management objectives, such as minimum instream flows for fish passage. Additionally, MODSIM will be used for simulating water distribution for future hydrologic conditions and for basin management scenarios. The combined GSFLOW-MODSIM model provides comprehensive simulation of hydrologic processes to estimate water supply that is coupled with operations/planning impacts for representing water use and distribution by humans. The tool provides detailed transient analysis of water -use forecasts, climate -change impacts, and other water -management issues of interest to the broader stakeholder community. Following completion of fmal transient integrated GSFLOW-MODSIM model, future hydrologic and water -use conditions will be simulated for the next century relying on CMIPS projections of future climate change conditions (Stocker and others, 2013). SCWA, in cooperation with the USGS, has developed multiple downscaled climate futures (240 m spatial resolution, 1 day time steps) for the next century using the CMIP5 projections. These climate data sets will be used to simulate hydrologic and water -supply forecasts in the RRW using six different climate projections for the next century. In addition to incorporating climate forecasts that represent climate change scenarios, changes in land use and water demand will be incorporated into the future hydrologic simulations using the integrated GSFLOW-MODSIM model. 22 12/15/2016 Deliverables The USGS will provide quarterly updates to the Water Board, SCWA, and local stakeholders via telephone or WebEx. In addition, USGS personnel will meet in person with the Water Board, SCWA, and local stakeholders on at least an annual basis. A USGS Scientific Investigations Report characterizing the hydrology of the RRW and summarizing results of the GSFLOW model of the RRW will be completed for colleague review by the first quarter of FFY19, and it should be approved for publication by the end of the fourth quarter of FFY19. The characterization of the RRW will be based on the hydrogeologic and geochemical analyses. The GSFLOW model will be documented by describing the conceptual model, model development, model calibration (including any relevant tables and figures), model results (including any relevant groundwater and surface -water hydrographs and hydrologic budget information), and water -use scenarios. The report will include an integrated assessment of the response of surface- and groundwater resources to changes in water demands and climatic influences. The model will be developed to help water managers and interested stakeholder better manage their watershed system demands by providing water -use scenarios and estimating the effects of water -use decisions both numerically and graphically. Uncertainty analyses generally will be incorporated into these model runs, particularly with regard to the impact of pumping, given the sparseness of available data. An agreed-upon set of scenarios will be developed based on input solicited from participating water managers and interested stakeholders. One of these scenarios will evaluate the impact of climate change on water supply 23 12/15/2016 reliability. All pre- and post processors will be made available to SCWA, state, and stakeholders. All models developed for this study will be archived according to the new Policy and Guidelines for Archival of Surface -Water, Groundwater, and Water—Quality Model Applications (http://water.usg_s. gov/admin/memo/GW/gw20l 5.02.pdfhttp://water.usg_s. gov/admin/mem o/GW/gw2015.02.pdfl: OFFICE OF GROUNDWATER TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM 2015.02 OFFICE OF SURFACE WATER TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM 2015.01 OFFICE OF WATER QUALITY TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM 2015.01. In addition to the formal reports, progress reports, and frequent meetings, a website will be developed to facilitate communication and coordination with SCWA and other relevant stakeholders. The USGS will provide technical assistance to the State Board and SCWA with the model during the life of the project; however, formal training in the use of the model is beyond the scope of this study. It is expected that this assistance will increase during the final six months of the project when the model is completed and the report is going through the review process. CM'11141111111�! A project timeline is shown in Table 1. More details on some of the tasks are below: 1) By the end of the second quarter of Federal Fiscal Year 2017 (FFY17), the preliminary, transient GSFLOW model of the RRW will be completed. This initial, 24 12/15/2016 transient model will provide water -resource managers with an overview of the integrated hydrologic system. As this model is developed, it will help guide the data -collection efforts. In addition, stakeholder and RRICRP input will guide the data -collection and model -building efforts. 2) By the end of the second quarter of FFY18, the final, transient GSFLOW model of the RRW will be completed. The transient model will incorporate climate variability and other dynamic changes in the system. In addition, it will be compared with newly collected geologic, geophysical, and geochemical data and updated accordingly. 3) By the end of FFY18, The MODSIM model will be completed and coupled to GSFLOW to incorporate transient reservoir outflow to the Russian River. This model will allow the cooperators to review the components and parts of the model and determine what additional stresses or forecasting runs will be necessary. 4) All data compilation and collection tasks will be completed by the end of FFY17. 5) All geochemical and geohydrologic analyses will be completed by the end of FFY18. 6) During the life of the project, the USGS will provide technical assistance to the State Board and SCWA on the use of the model. 25 12/15/2016 7) At the end of the project (end of 4 years), the site characterization and model report will be published along with the archive and release of the model. The report, model, and all documentation will all be publicly available and online. F Task 1. Stakeholder Outreach Task 2a: Data compilation/GIS Task 2b: Data collection Task 2c: Geohydrologic Characterization Modeling Tasks. Task 3: GSFLOW model Initial, transient GSFLOW Model Final, transient GSFLOW Model Task 4: Coupling GSFLOW with MODSIM Couple GSFLOW w/ MODSIM Model Scenarios and Forecasting Transient Model complete for review 12/15/2016 27 FFY16 FFY17 FFY18 FFY19 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 x x x x x x x x x x x X x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x X x x x x x 27 Deliverables Quarterly Updates Website Technical Assistance Report Manuscript Review Editorial review Final Review Publish Report 12/15/2016 Table 1. Work plan by federal fiscal year, quarter, and task. ►: 12/15/2016 BUDGET SCWA, the Water Board, and USGS will share the costs of the project. The availability of federal matching funds (FMFs) for this project is uncertain at this point. Depending on availability, the FMFs from earlier FFYs may need to be adjusted and/or postponed into later FFYs. Possible USGS and SCWA/Water Board funding by FFY is presented below. FFY16 FFY17 FFY18 FFY19 Total USGS $57,500 $76,300 $72,800 $48,100 $254,700 Cooperators $420,500 $479,600 $296,200 $182,700 $1,379,000 TOTAL $478,000 $555,900 $369,000 $230,800 $1,633,700 Table 2. Possible cooperator and USGS federal matching funds by federal fiscal year. Personnel The project will employ a GS -13 hydrologist, a GS -12 hydrologist, a GS -11 geochemist/geologist, a GS -9 physical scientist, a GS -9 information specialist, 3 GS -9 hydrologic technicians, and a GS -7 GIS specialist. The years and percentages of full time for each employee are presented in table 3. Federal fiscal year (October 1 — September 30 FFY16 FFY17 FFY18 FFY19 GS -13 hydrologist 10% 10% 10% 10% GS -12 hydrologist 25% 25% 63% 29% GS -11 geochemist/geologist 23% 38% 25% 17% GS -9 physical scientist 16% 16% GS -9 information spec. 8% 8% 8% 8% GS -9 hydro techs (total) 11% GS -7 GIS specialist 21% 21% 14% 14% Table 3. Personnel used by federal fiscal year with percentages of full time for each employee. 29 12/15/2016 REFERENCES California Department of Water Resources, 2003, California's groundwater: Bulletin 118 -update 2003, 246 p. Cardwell, G.T., 1958, Geology and ground water in the Santa Rosa and Petaluma areas, Sonoma County, California: U.S. Geological Survey Water Supply Paper 1427, 273 p., 5 pl. Cardwell, G.T., 1965, Geology and ground water in Russian River valley areas and in Round, Laytonville, and Little Lake Valleys Sonoma and Mendocino Counties, California: U.S. Geological Water Supply Paper 1548, 154 p., 7 pl. Doherty, John, 2010, PEST User Manual, PEST: Model -Independent Parameter Estimation. User Manual 5th Edition. Watermark Numerical Computing. Fenneman, N.M., 1931, Physiography of western United States: New York, McGraw-Hill Book Co., 493 p. Flint, L.E., Flint, A.L., and Stern, M.A., in prep, Spatially downscaled Locally Constructed Analogs (LOCA) future climate for California, U.S. Geological Survey Data Release (pending). Flint, L.E. and Flint, A.L., 2012, Downscaling climate change scenarios for ecologic applications, Ecological Processes, 1:1. Flint, L.E., Flint, A.L., Stolp, B.J., and Danskin, W.R., 2012, A basin -scale approach for assessing water resources in a semiarid environment: San Diego region, California and Mexico, Hydrology and Earth System Sciences, 16, 1-17. Flint, A.L., Flint, L.E., and Masbruch, M.D., 2011, Input ,calibration, uncertainty, and limitations of the Basin Characterization Model: Appendix 3 of Conceptual Model of the great Basin Carbonate and Alluvial Aquifer System (eds. V.M. Heilweil and L.E. Brooks), U.S. Geological Survey Scientific investigations Report 2010-5193. Flint, A.L, and Flint, L.E., 2007a, Application of the Basin Characterization Model to estimate in-place recharge and runoff potential in the Basin and Range carbonate - rock aquifer system, White Pine County, Nevada, and adjacent areas in Nevada and Utah: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2007-5099, 19 p. http://pubs.water.usgs.gov/sir20075099. Flint, L.E., and Flint, A.L., 2007b, Regional analysis of groundwater recharge, in Stonestrom, D.A., Constantz, Jim, Ferre, T.P.A., and Leake, S.A., eds., Groundwater recharge in the and and semiarid southwestern United States: U.S. 30 12/15/2016 Geological Survey Professional Paper 1703-B, p. 29-60, http://pubs.usgs.gov/pp/pp 1703/b/. Huntington, J.L., and Niswonger, R.G., 2012, Role of surface -water and groundwater interactions on projected summertime streamflow in snow dominated regions: An integrated modeling approach, Water Resources Research, v. 48, no. 11. Kennedy/Jenks Consultants, 2015, FINAL Coupled SurfaceWater/GroundwaterModeling Scoping Study for Alexander Valley: San Francisco, Calif., variably paged. Klipsch, J.D., and Hurst, M.B., 2007, HEC-ResSim Reservoir System Simulation User's Manual Version 3.0. USACE, Davis, CA, 512 p. Kulongoski, J.T., Belitz, Kenneth, and Dawson, B.J., 2006, Ground -water quality data in the North San Francisco Bay hydrologic provinces, California, 2004: Results from the California Ground -Water Ambient Monitoring and Assessment (GAMA) Program: U.S. Geological Survey Data Series Report 167, 100 p. Kulongoski, J.T., Belitz, Kenneth, Landon, M.K., and Farrar, C.D., 2010, Status and understanding of groundwater quality in the North San Francisco Bay groundwater basins, 2004: California GAMA Priority Basin Project: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2010-5089, 88 p. Labadie, J.W., Baldo, M.L., and Larson, R., 2000, MODSIM: decision support system for river basin management: Documentation and user manual. Dept. of Civil Eng., Colo. State Univ., Ft. Collins, CO., 68 p. Markstrom, S.L., Niswonger, R.G., Regan, R.S., Prudic, D.E., and Barlow, P.M., 2008, GSFLOW—Coupled groundwater and surface -water flow model based on the integration of the Precipitation -Runoff Modeling System (PRMS) and the Modular Ground -Water Flow Model (MODFLOW-2005): U.S. Geological Survey Techniques and Methods 6-131, 240 p. Mathany, T.M., Dawson, B.J., Shelton, J.L., and Belitz, Kenneth, 2011, Groundwater - quality data in the northern Coast Ranges study unit, 2009: Results from the California GAMA Program: U.S. Geological Survey Data -Series 609, 92 p. Metzger, L.F., Farrar, C.D., Koczot, K.M., and Reichard, E.G., 2006, Geohydrology and Water Chemistry of the Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2006-5115, 83 p. Nishikawa, Tracy, ed., 2013, Hydrogeologic and geochemical characterization of the Santa Rosa Plain watershed, Sonoma County, California, U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2013-5118, 178 p. 31 12/15/2016 Stocker, T.F., Qin, Dahe, Plattner, Gian-Kasper, Tignor, M.M.B., Allen, S.K., Boschung, Judith, Nauels, Alexander, Xia, Yu, Bex, Vincent, and Midgley, P.M., eds., 2013, Climate Change 2013: The Physical Science Basis, Cambridge University Press, New York, 1,535 p. U.S. Geological Survey, 2007, Facing tomorrow's challenges—U.S. Geological Survey science in the decade 2007-2017: U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1309, x + 70 p- Woolfenden, L.R., and Nishikawa, Tracy, eds., 2014, Simulation of groundwater and surface -water resources of the Santa Rosa Plain watershed, Sonoma County, California: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2014-5052, 258 p., http://d`x.doLorg/10.31331sir20145052 32 39° 0' 38 30' 3K 0' 123°30' 123°0' 122'30' \Ukiah fendo�in Mendolcrno Co ,A v c A t,e'" � Yallev�� S — _ Lake Co Cloverdale N P I Santa Rosa Plain \ wateTshed.bonndar�' Lake Sonoma N f a %C10 Healdsburg yllra a 12/15/2016 .O —11� r n c - F 4� EXPLANATION LJ Majorcityortown %.Area Plain tl P I Sai-- Pablo • �1 il' '� I P ontra osta �Co v Base from U.S. Geological Survey digital data, 1:1,000,000, 0 25 50 Miles downloaded 2003 State Plane Projection, Fpzone 402 Shaded relief base from 1:250,000 scale Digital Elevation Model: sun illumination from northwest at 30 degrees above horizon 0 25 50 Kilometers Figure 1. Boundaries of the Russian River watershed, Santa Rosa Plain watershed, Alexander Valley, Sonoma Valley, and Petaluma Valley, Sonoma County, CA. 33 Job Hazard Analysis For New Projects • Check the numbered box(s) for all significant safety concerns this project should address. Significant safety concerns are commonly those that require training, purchase of safety equipment, or specialized preparation to address potentially hazardous conditions. • Identify any unlisted safety concerns at bottom of the page. • Provide details on the back of this page. Proposal Number: 2016-02 Project Title (Short) Russian River Evaluation Project Chief or Proposal Author Tracy Nishikawa F-' I Safety Concerns 13 Wading, bridge, boat, or cableway measurements or sampling F-2.1 Working on ice covered rivers or lakes Measuring or sampling during floods Well drilling; borehole logging 5. Electrical hazards in the work area Construction 7. Working in remote areas, communication, office call in procedures F-8.41 Ergonomics, carpal tunnel syndrome 9. 1f Field Vehicles appropriate for task?- Safety screens, equipment restraints. 10. FAR terrain vehicles, snowmobiles F-11.1 Helicopter or fixed wing aircraft usage F-12.1 Site access 13. Hypothermia or heat stroke 14. Hantavirus, Lyme Disease, Histoplasmosis, Pfiesteria, Others? 15. Contaminated water with sanitary, biological, or chemical concerns 16. Immunizations 17.11 Laboratory or mobile laboratory. Chemical hygiene plan. F-18.1 Hazardous waste disposal -19.1 Hazardous waste site operations 20. Confined space 21. Radioactivity 22. Respiratory protection F2-31 Scuba Diving 24. Electrofishing 25. For each numbered box checked on the previous page, briefly: A. Describe the safety concern as it relates to this project. Box B. Describe how this safety concern will be addressed. Include training, safety no. equipment and other actions that will be required. C. Estimate costs. 1 1. Wading, bridge, boat, or cableway measurements or sampling: PFDs: Personal Floatation Devices (PFDs) will be provided to field personnel and must be worn when working in, over, or near a water body. Any exceptions, which are extremely rare, must be approved by the employee's supervisor, the CAWSC Safety Coordinator, and the CAWSC Director. Inflatable PFDs will be orally inflated at least twice per year to ensure these devices remain inflated for at least 24 hours. PFDs that fail this check will be immediately removed from service, quarantined, and destroyed. Hydrostatic inflatable PFDs will be auto -inflated and re -armed every four years or as indicated by the inflation device's expiration date. Wafer inflatable PFDs will be auto -inflated and re -armed annually or as indicated by the inflation device's expiration date. Results of all checks will be sent to the CAWSC Safety Coordinator. 5 5. Electrical hazards in the work area: All personnel will be informed of the DOI Learn course titled, "Safety: Electrical Safety Design" and encouraged to complete this course if they are not familiar with electrical hazards. No additional costs are expected. 7 7. Working in remote areas, communication, office call in procedures: Some parts of the study area may be remote. Center call-in procedures apply. Site-specific call in procedures for CAWSC facilities are located HERE 8 8. Ergonomics, carpal tunnel syndrome: Ergonomic assessments of employee workstations are available upon request to the safety coordinator. The CAWSC has developed an SOP for procuring approved ergonomic equipment. Employees should contact Stephen Schmitt, safety coordinator, for additional information. 9 9. Field vehicles appropriate for task? — safety screens, equipment restraints: The California Water Science Center uses vehicles for data collection activities, supply runs, and travel to and from meetings and conferences. Vehicle Safety Maintenance and Inspection: Vehicle maintenance resides with the person primarily responsible for upkeep of that vehicle. This person is to complete the USGS Vehicle Safety Inspection Checklist annually and file locally (i.e. in the location where the vehicle is stored). The checklist form can be accessed from the Center's Safety webpage. Cargo Barriers: Vehicles shall contain appropriate safety barriers to protect occupants from otential caro projectiles. This pertains to vehicles in which the passenger and cargo compartments are not separate. Note: any modification to GSA vehicles (G -vehicles) must first be approved by GSA Fleet Service. Contact the CAWSC Vehicle Coordinator for information. Training: All employees who use any vehicles, including personal vehicles, while working for the USGS will complete an approved driver safety training course every three years. This requirement can be satisfied by successfully completing the 4 -hour DOI Learn training compliance module titled "NSC Defensive Driving II". Alternatively employees can take the following free online course, hgp://www.das.ca.gov/orim/Pro--rams/DDTOnlineTraininia.aspx. The Certificate of Completion should be filed at the employee's duty station and a copy should be sent to the CAWSC Safety Coordinator. Supplemental driver safety training is available to employees who may be driving utility trucks. 13 13. Hypothermia or heat stroke: Heat stress, from exertion or hot environments, places workers at risk for illnesses such as heat stroke, heat exhaustion, or heat cramps. Symptoms include rapid pulse, heavy sweating, fatigue, dizziness, nausea, irritability, and muscle cramps. First Aid includes stopping work activities, moving to cool, shaded area, removing excess clothes, applying cool water to body, increasing fluid intake (water or Sports drink), seeking medical attention (if symptoms are severe or do not improve). Prevention includes monitoring the physical condition of yourself and coworkers, wearing light-colored, loose -fitting, breathable clothing (like cotton, not synthetics), scheduling heavy work for coolest parts of day, frequent breaks in shaded areas, and frequent water intake. Field personnel will be provided with First Aid training, adequate water, Sports drinks, shade, sunscreen (for body and lips), and shade (umbrella or canopy cover). 14 14. Hantavirus, Lyme Disease, Histoplasmosis, Pfiesteria, Others?: Hantavirus infection is a rare but serious illness. Typical symptoms are flu-like and include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, muscle aches, diarrhea, abdominal pain and shortness of breath. These symptoms can occur any time between three days to six weeks (usually occurring around 14 days) after exposure. The usual host of this virus is the deer mouse, although other rodent species have been shown to be infected. The virus spreads by inhalation of air contaminated with rodent saliva, urine, and feces or if this matter is introduced to the body via eye rubbing or through broken skin. NEVER REMOVE DROPPINGS BY SWEEPING OR VACUUMING. Instead, wear respirator mask rated N-100 (see Safety Coordinator for CAWSC Respirator SOPS) and wear plastic or rubber gloves, ventilate area for at least 30 minutes, dampen carcass and droppings with bleach disinfectant (100 mL bleach to 900 mL water), damp mop contaminated area, thoroughly wash hands, face, and clothes after cleaning. 15 15. Contaminated water with sanitary, biological, or chemical concerns: Surface water in some areas may have low to moderate levels of contamination from sewage or agricultural runoff. Although concentrations are likely to be not Discussed job hazard analysis (JHA) with District so high as to pose an immediate danger to workers on-site, USGS activities will conform to site access and hygiene requirements at those sites. Field personnel will be advised of the contamination risk and will be provided onsite with protective equipment and supplies (e.g. impermeable gloves, splash resistant safety glasses, clean water supply, and antibacterial soap). Field personnel will be informed that they are entitled to no -cost Hepatitis -A, Hepatitis -B, and Tetanus vaccinations. Appropriate dust masks will be supplied if needed. 16 16. Immunizations: Field personnel will be informed that they are entitled to no -cost Hepatitis -A, Hepatitis -B, and Tetanus vaccinations. 17 17. Laboratory or mobile laboratory - Chemical hygiene plan: Employees will complete Laboratory Safety and Hazardous Communications training including a lab walk-thru with Megan McWayne (Placer Hall Lab Safety Officer) or Mike Land (San Diego San Diego Safety Officer). Alternatively, employees may take these courses using DOI Learn. Employees will take Lab Safety and Hazardous Communications Refresher Training every three years. This training will be provided by either of the two Lab Safety Officers (Megan McWayne or Mike Land). Employees will read and sign the CAWSC Chemical Hygiene Plan (contact Megan McWayne or Mike Land). Employees will be provided with appropriate safety equipment including splash - resistant safety glasses, gloves, and lab coat. Insulated gloves, mitts, or towels will be used to handle dry ice safely. 20 20. Confined space: CAWSC SOPs for work involving "non -permit" confined space are located at, SAFETY PLANS & PROCEDURES 22 22. Respiratory protection: USGS employees who need to use a respirator to perform their work safely need to undergo a no -cost (to the employee) medical examination, training, and a fit test. Respiration SOPs are currently in the review process for the CAWSC. Please contact Stephen Schmitt, safety coordinator, for details. Discussed job hazard analysis (JHA) with District Exhibit C Draft Joint Funding Agreement with USGS Cooperative Agreement to Provide Funding and Support for Hydrologic Characterization, and a Coupled Watershed and Groundwater Flow Model of the Russian River Watershed C-1 Collateral Duty Safety Officer Yes -4— No and/or copy of JHA given to Collateral Duty Safety Officer Yes No District Chief Date Regional Program Officer Date 91366 - New Form Form 9-1366 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR (April 2015) GEOLOGICAL .SURVEY JOINT FUNDING AGREEMENT FOR WATER RESOURCES INVESTIGATIONS Page 1 of 2 Customer #: 6000000828 Agreement #: 17WSCA600082810 Project #: TIN #: 94-60000539 Fixed Cost Agreement YES THIS AGREEMENT is entered into as of the, 13 day of September, 2016 by the U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, party of the first part, and the SONOMA COUNTY WATER AGENCY, party of the second part. 1' The parties hereto agree thatsubject to availability of appropriations and In accordance with their respective authorities there shall be maintained in cooperation between the Sonoma County Water Agency and the USGS to study the Hydrologic Characterization and a Coupled Watershed and Groundwater -Flow Model of the Russian River Watershed herein called the program. The USGS legal authority is 43 USC 36C; 43 USC 50; and 43 USC 50b. 2. The following amounts shall be contributed to coverall of the cost of the necessary field and analytical work directly related to this program. 2(b) includes In -Kind Services in the amount of $0.00 (a) by the party of the first part during the period Amount Date to Date $127,309.00 10/01/2016 10/31/2020 (b) by the party of the second part during the period Amount Date to Date $689,500.00 10/01/2016 10/31/2020 USGS DUNS is 1761-38857. The amounts in both 2(a) and 2(b) above are for the Federal Fiscal Year 2017 (FFY17) only. Total USGS funding for this agreement is $127,309. Total SCWA funding for this agreement is $689,500.00. Total cost of this agreement is $816,809.00 (c) Contributions are provided by the party of the first part through other USGS regional or national programs, in the amount of: $0.00 Description of the USGS regional/national program: No additional contributions (d) Additional or reduced amounts by each party during the above period or succeeding periods as may be determined by mutual agreement and set forth. In an exchange of letters between the parties. (e) The performance period may be changed by mutual agreement and set forth in an exchange of letters between the parties. 3. The costs of this program may be paid by either party in conformity with the laws and regulations respectively governing each party. 4. The field and analytical work pertaining to this program shall be under the direction of or subject to periodic review by an authorized representative of the party of the first part. 5. The areas to be included in the program shall be determined by mutual agreement between the parties hereto or their authorized representatives. The methods employed in the field and office shall be those adopted by the party of the first part to insure the required standards of accuracy subject to modification by mutual agreement. 6. During the course of this program, all field and analytical work of either party pertaining to this program shall be open to the inspection of the other party, and if the work is not being carried on in a mutually satisfactory manner, either party may terminate this agreement upon 60 days written notice to the other party. https://webfonns.usgs.gov/_layouts/Print.FormServer.aspx 8/17/2016 9-1366 (Continuation) Customer q: 6000000828 Agreement it: 17WSCA600082810 7. The original records resulting from this program will be deposited in the office of origin of those records. Upon request, copies of the original records will be provided to the office of the other party. 8. The maps, records, or reports resulting from this program shall be made available to the public as promptly as possible. The maps, records, or reports normally will be published by the party of the first part. However, the party of the second part reserves the right to publish the results of this program and, if already published by the party of the first part shall, upon request, be furnished by the party of the first part, at costs, impressions suitable for purposes of reproduction similar to that for which the original copy was prepared. The maps, records, or reports published by either party shall contain a statement of the cooperative relations between the parties. 9. USGS will issue billings utilizing Department of the Interior Bill for Collection (form DI -1040). Billing documents are to be rendered quarterly. Payments of bills are due within 60 days afterthe billing date. If not paid by the due date, interest will be charged at the current Treasury rate for each 3D day period, or portion thereof, that the payment is delayed beyond the due date. (31 USC 3717; Comptroller General File B-212222, August 23, 1983). U.S. Geological Survey SONOMA COUNTY WATER AGENCY United States Department of the Interior USGS Point of Contact Customer Point of Contact Name: Irene A. Rios, Budget Analyst Name: Donald Seymour Address: 4165 Spruance Rd, Ste. 200 Address: 404 Aviation Boulevard San Diego, CA 92101 Santa Rosa, CA 95403 Telephone: (619) 225-6156 Telephone: (707) 547-1930 Email: iarios@usgs.gov Email: Sinnatures and Date Signature: Date: Signature: ✓—,� -- �cr ,l x'16.110 (NSI Name: Eric Reichard J/ Name: Gr t Davis Date: Title: Director, USGS California Water Science Center Title: Water As 'cv Gener Imanaeer as to Appro�vedj gas to form:: l'� A BW Deputy Surity Counsel