Publication Summary

From June through October 2004, the Department of Ecology conducted a streamflow assessment on the Naches River and Rattlesnake Creek, a mid-basin tributary to the Naches River. Continuous water-surface elevation (stage height) recorders and staff gages were installed at three sites for this study, and five to six discharge measurements were taken at each site. Discharge rating curves were developed for each site by relating several stage height values to corresponding discharge measurements. A continuous discharge record was developed at each site by applying these rating curves over the range of stage height encountered. Potential error of streamflow data collected from these three monitoring sites ranged from ±13% to ±20%.

From June through October 2004, the Department of Ecology (Ecology) conducted a streamflow assessment on the Naches River and Rattlesnake Creek, a mid-basin tributary to the Naches River.

The assessment was conducted in support of a temperature Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) study developed by Ecology′s Environmental Assessment Program. The purpose of the TMDL study was to (1) characterize the water temperature in the Naches River basin, and (2) establish load and wasteload allocations for the heat sources to meet Washington State water quality standards for surface water temperature.

Continuous stage height recorders and staff gages were installed at three sites for this study, and five to six discharge measurements were taken at each site. Discharge rating curves were developed for each site by relating several stage height values to corresponding discharge measurements. A continuous discharge record was developed at each site by applying these rating curves over the range of stage height encountered.

Potential error of streamflow data collected from these three monitoring sites ranged from ±13% to ±20%.