Kootenai River Habitat Restoration Project Bathymetric Surveys near Bonners Ferry, ID, Water Years 2012-2021

In 2009, the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho released and implemented the Kootenai River Habitat Restoration Master Plan. This plan aimed to restore, enhance, and maintain the Kootenai River habitat and landscape to support and sustain habitat conditions for aquatic species and animal populations. In support of these restoration efforts, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho, conducted high-resolution multibeam echosounder bathymetric surveys as a baseline bathymetric monitoring survey on the Kootenai River near Bonners Ferry, Idaho. Three channel patterns or reaches exist in the study area-braided, meander, and a transitional zone connecting the braided and meander reaches. Bathymetric data were collected to: (1) survey unmapped portions of the Kootenai River; (2) re-survey portions of the Kootenai River to quantify changes in the channel; and (3) monitoring aggradation and degradation of the channel bed at specific cross-sections within the braided reach and transitional zone. The bathymetric data will be used to update and verify flow models, calibrate and verify sediment transport modeling efforts, and aid in the biological assessment in support of the Kootenai River Habitat Restoration Master Plan. The data for each study reach were produced in LAZ format supported by most geospatial software.

Baseline Bathymetry
Baseline bathymetry data provide the initial high-resolution reach-scale multibeam bathymetric surveys on the Kootenai River starting in 2009. Baseline bathymetry data were collected in the Kootenai River extending from River Mile 161 (confluence with the Moyie River) downstream to River Mile 105 (International Boundary at Porthill, ID) and describe pre-treatment conditions used for habitat restoration project planning, design, and implementation. These bathymetry data generally include complete coverage for the braided, straight and meander reaches.

Cross-Section Bathymetry
Cross-section bathymetry data were collected to monitor aggradation and degradation of the channel bed to support on-going river restoration efforts in the braided reach. The data describe pre- and post-freshet bathymetric conditions when funding and flow conditions allowed. The cross-section surveys include the full width of the water surface except for extreme shallow areas along banks. For the bridge surveys, the channel bed in the vicinity of the two Straight Reach bridges (US Hwy95 and Union Pacific RR) were surveyed and include the area beneath the bridge deck as well as a buffer zone greater or = 100 ft upstream and downstream of each structure.

Supplemental Bathymetry
Supplemental bathymetry data generally provide updated bathymetry in areas previously covered by the baseline bathymetry. These bathymetry data generally include coverage for various subreaches within the braided, straight and meander reaches and describe Kootenai River Habitat Restoration project pre- and post-treatment bathymetric conditions. The supplemental bathymetry data were collected in the Kootenai River extending from River Mile 161 (confluence with the Moyie River) downstream to River Mile 105 (International Boundary at Porthill, ID).