Project Need
Need For Project:
Pelican Lake has been subject to several factors over the past two decades that have lead to its decline as a fishery. In influx of common carp from the draining of a upstream reservoir and the continued sediment deposition from the Bullock Canal have lead to severe turbidity issues. Pelican once use to be a very productive, clear lake capable of growing very large bluegill and highly prized largemouth bass. These fish are site oriented and and suffer when water quality is low and turbidity is high.
This Engineering and Design phase is critical to completing the next phases of the project. It is also critical to match a funding timeline with DEQ, EPA and other potential funding sources which become available in calendar year 2019.
Objectives:
1) Utilizing already completed concept designs and topographical data gathered during the 404 permitting phase, move forward with a 90-100% design of selected structures.
2) Complete engineering and designs for the following structures:
- Sediment catchment basin located above Pelican Lake on 4Star Ranch
- Realignment of the feeder canal into Pelican Lake and creation of a biofilter utilizing already existing wetlands and bulrush as a sediment "drop out area"
- Dredging of sediment deposits to regain conservation pool volumes and creation of a dyke as a second sediment trap location on the system. This structure will likely need a water control structure design and clean out area design. We will also design this to be angler friendly and fish habitat enhancing.
- And finalize the rip-rap protection structure located to the east of the current canal that produces heavy sediment loads as wind and wave action hit the shoreline.
Project Location/Timing Justification (Why Here? Why Now?):
If we are not able to secure funding for this portion of the project we risk loosing a huge chunk of funding from DEQ, EPA and other possible sources in 2019. We also continue to see impacts to this valuable fishery and subsequently it will take us longer to get it back up and going in the future. The required watershed management plan is being produced right now and will be ready by the desired final date.
Relation To Management Plan:
Directly related to the Pelican Lake Management Plan with goal # 1, Objective 2 Improve water quality and reduce sediment issues within Pelican Lake.
Fire / Fuels:
N/A although we would like to see regular burning of bulrush in select locations to improve both access and improve habitat.
Water Quality/Quantity:
This project will directly impact both water quantity and quality. UDWR will gain back some of its valuable conservation pool that has been lost to sedimentation on the north end of the reservoir. This project also aims to improve water quality in both turbidity and DEQ impaired status (Pelican Lake's designated uses include infrequent contact reaction, warm water fishery and agriculture. UDWQ has sampled Pelican Lake since 1975. It was listed on the 303(d) list in 2004 for failing to protect its warm water fishery use due to elevated levels of pH that exceed a value of 9 standard units.
Compliance:
ACOE 404 permit compliance- anticipated completion date is Spring of 2017
-Endangered plants surveys complete
- Wetland deleniation complete
- Arch surveys complete
- BOR and BLM clearances (in progress)
Methods:
Work with selected engineer to complete a development of options cost to benefit ratio and complete the engineering and design of the above listed structures.
Work with DFCM and State Purchasing as needed to move this project forward.
Monitoring:
Monitoring will come in future phases after each portion of the project is completed and will follow the Pelican Lake Management Plan.
Partners:
Potential partners are still being assessed but several have been identified and include: NRCS, BLM, BOR, Ouray Park Irrigation Company, Uintah County and DEQ
Future Management:
Each structure will need its own management and maintence plan to keep it functioning into the future. I will ask that with each structure design we receive a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) manual as created by the engineering firm.
Sustainable Uses of Natural Resources:
N/A on this side of the lake although improvement will still aim to keep cattle away from the structures to reduce potential impacts.