Section Heading 

Simulations of Hydraulic Characteristics for an Upstream 

Extension of the White Sturgeon Habitat of the Kootenai 

River near Bonners Ferry, Idaho—A Supplement to 

Scientific Investigations Report 2005-5110

Scientific Investigations Report 2006–5019

Prepared in cooperation with the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey

Simulations of Hydraulic Characteristics 

for an Upstream Extension of the White 

Sturgeon Spawning Habitat of the Kootenai 

River, Idaho—A Supplement to Scientific 

Investigations Report 2005-5110

By Charles Berenbrock

Prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Scientific Investigations Report 2006-5019

U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey
U.S. Department of the Interior

Gale A. Norton, Secretary

U.S. Geological Survey

P. Patrick Leahy, Acting Director

U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia: 2006

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Suggested citation:

Berenbrock, Charles, 2006, Simulations of hydraulic characteristics for an upstream extension of the white sturgeon 

habitat of the Kootenai River near Bonners Ferry, Idaho—A supplement to Scientific Investigations Report 2005-

5110: US Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2006-5019, 17 p.
iii

Contents

Abstract ................................................................................................... 1

Introduction................................................................................................ 1

Model Development and Calibration .................................................................. 4

Simulations of Hydraulic Characteristics for an Upstream Extension of the White Sturgeon 

Spawning Habitat of the Kootenai River ......................................................... 4

Task 1 Simulations ................................................................................. 6

Task 2 Simulations ................................................................................. 16

Summary ................................................................................................... 18

References Cited.......................................................................................... 18

Figures

Figure 1. Map showing location of the study reach and Kootenai River drainage basin, 

Idaho, Montana, and British Columbia, Canada ....................................... 2

Figure 2. Map showing location of meander, braided, and canyon reaches and river 

kilometers in the Kootenai River drainage basin in Idaho .............................. 3

Figure 3. Graphs showing simulated water-surface elevations for five objective river 

discharges in the upstream extension of the white sturgeon habitat of the 

Kootenai River, Idaho........................................................................ 7

Figure 4. Graphs showing simulated flow depths for five objective river discharges in the 

upstream extension of the white sturgeon habitat of the Kootenai River, Idaho ... 10

Figure 5. Graphs showing simulated flow velocities for five objective river discharges 

in the upstream extension of the white sturgeon habitat of the Kootenai River, 

Idaho .......................................................................................... 13

Figure 6. Graph showing simulated water-surface elevations for objective river 

discharges in the braided reach of the upstream extension of the white 

sturgeon habitat of the Kootenai River, Idaho .......................................... 16

Figure 7. Graph showing simulated flow depths for objective river discharges in the 

braided reach of the upstream extension of the white sturgeon habitat of the 

Kootenai River, Idaho........................................................................ 17

Figure 8. Graph showing simulated flow velocities for objective river discharges in the 

braided reach of the upstream extension of the white sturgeon habitat of the 

Kootenai River, Idaho........................................................................ 17
iv

Tables

Table 1. Objective discharges, percentiles, and water-surface elevations used as 

boundary conditions in the model for task 1 simulations in an upstream 

extension of the White Sturgeon habitat of the Kootenai River near 

Bonners Ferry, Idaho........................................................................ 5

Table 2. Objective discharges and median water-surface elevations used as boundary 

conditions in the model for task 2 simulations in an upstream extension of the 

White Sturgeon habitat of the Kootenai River near Bonners Ferry, Idaho............ 5

Conversion Factors and Datums

Conversion Factors

Inch Pound to SI

Multiply By To obtain

cubic foot per second (ft3/s) 0.02832 cubic meter per second

SI to Inch Pound

Multiply By To obtain

kilometer (km) 0.6214 mile

meter (m) 3.281 foot

Datums

Vertical coordinate information is referenced to the North American Vertical Datum of 1988 

(NAVD 88).

Horizontal coordinate information is referenced to the North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83).
Abstract

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) developed a onedimensional (1-D) hydraulic-flow model of the Kootenai 

River in Idaho to aid in evaluating hydraulic characteristics 

in the reach. The modeled reach extends from Leonia to 

Porthill, Idaho, a distance of 105.6 kilometers. Concerned 

with enhancing spawning conditions of the white sturgeon 

in the Kootenai River, biologists need the ability to evaluate 

hydraulic effects of changes in river discharge and watersurface elevations in Kootenay Lake especially in the braided 

and canyon reaches. The extension of the white sturgeon 

spawning habitat reach into the upstream braided and (or) 

canyon reaches is under consideration because streambed 

material (gravels and cobbles) of the braided and canyon 

reaches are suitable for white sturgeon spawning. Whereas, 

streambed materials (medium to fine sand) of the meander 

reach are unsuitable for spawning.

A previous developed model of the study area was used 

to simulate steady conditions associated with various river 

discharges and water-surface elevations in Kootenay Lake. 

Modeled river discharges ranged from 6,000 to 75,000 cubic 

feet per second, and modeled water-surface elevations in 

Kootenay Lake ranged from 531.32 to 537.09 meters.

Introduction

A one-dimensional (1-D) hydraulic-flow model of a 

105.6 km reach of the Kootenai River in Idaho was developed 

by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to aid in evaluating 

hydraulic characteristics in the reach (Berenbrock, 2005). The 

primary focus of the model was to determine the location of 

the transition between backwater and free-flowing water in the 

Kootenai River because many biologists believe that hydraulic 

changes at the transition affect the location where sturgeon 

choose to spawn. The modeled reach starts at Leonia (river 

kilometer [RKM] 276.5) near the Montana/Idaho border and 

ends at Porthill (RKM 169.9) near the International Border 

(fig. 1). The modeled reach also encompasses the white 

sturgeon spawning habitat reach (RKM 246.7 to RKM 224.9) 

that has been designated as a critical habitat. The model 

has proven to be a useful tool to simulate hydraulic changes 

especially in determining the location of backwater extent.

Concerned with enhancing spawning conditions of 

the white sturgeon in the Kootenai River, the U.S. Fish and 

Wildlife (USFWS) is deciding how far to extend the critical 

habitat reach upstream into the braided and (or) canyon 

reaches. The braided reach extends from U.S. Highway 95 

Bridge (RKM 245.8) at Bonners Ferry to RKM 256.6 (near 

Crossport). The canyon reach extends from RKM 256.6 to 

Libby Dam (RKM 354) (fig. 2). The streambed in the braided 

and canyon reaches is composed primarily of gravel and 

cobbles and is suitable for white sturgeon spawning. Whereas, 

the meander reach (downstream of Bonners Ferry) of the 

Kootenai River is composed primarily of medium to fine 

sand, which is unsuitable for spawning. In September 2005, 

the USGS, in cooperation with the USFWS, used the 1-D 

hydraulic model to aid the USFWS in deciding how best to 

extend the length of channel designated as the critical habitat 

reach. These additional simulations are needed to determine if 

hydraulic characteristics of the braided and canyon reaches are 

reasonable for white sturgeon spawning.

The purpose of this report is to document simulations that 

were not included in Berenbrock (2005) and that are needed 

to determine if hydraulic characteristics of the braided and 

canyon reaches are reasonable for white sturgeon spawning. 

Simulations of Hydraulic Characteristics for an Upstream 

Extension of the White Sturgeon Spawning Habitat of the

Kootenai River, Idaho— A Supplement to Scientific 

Investigations Report 2005–5110

By Charles Berenbrock
Creek Lake

Kootenay

River

Moyie River

River

Yaak

River Kootenai

River

Kootenay

Lake

Koocanusa

River Mary St.

Fisher

West

Arm

Kootenay

Lake

Columbia

River

Columbia

Lake

River

Tobacco

Slocan

Lake

River

Slocan

River

Libby

Dam

Lake

Creek

Dam

Kootenai

Falls

Dam

Moyie

Dam

Corra

Lynn

Dam

Bonners

Ferry

Shorty

 Island

Troy

Libby

Creston

Porthill

Nelson

Castlegar

Moyie Springs

Crossport

Queens

Bay

Proctor

Bonnington

Falls

Grohman

Narrows

Copeland

Kimberley

Cranbrook

00 40 20 60 KILOMETERS

20 40 MILES

Base from U.S. Geological Surveydigital data, 1:100,000, 1980Albers Equal-Area projectionStandard parallels 43° 30', 47° 30',and -114° 00', 41° 45'No false easting or false northing

117° 116° 115°

118°

49°

50°

BRITISH

COLUMBIA

IDAHO

MONTANA

CANADA

UNITED STATES

PURCELL MOUNTAINS

SELKIRK

MOUNTAINS

CABINET

MOUNTAINS

R O C K Y

M O U N T A I N S

S A L I S H

M O U N T A I N S

08NH064

12305000

EXPLA

N

ATION

STUDY REACHGAGING STATION AND NO. 08NH064

CANADA

UNITED STATES

Kootenai River

Drainage Basin

12322000

Leonia

Idaho

Montana

Figure 1. Location of the study reach and Kootenai River drainage basin, Idaho, Montana, and British Columbia, Canada.

   Simulations of Hydraulic Characteristics for an Upstream Extension of the White Sturgeon Spawning Habitat, Idaho
Id Koot_fig02

0

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 MILES

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 KILOMETERS

Moyie River

2

95

95

95

2

2

1

 48°

55'

 48°

50'

 48°

45'

 48°

40'

 48°

35'

 49° 116°30’ 116°25’ 116°20’ 116°15’ 116°10’ 116°05’

Kootenai

River Ambush

Rock

Mission

Hill

Porthill

Copeland

Bonners

Ferry

Moyie

Springs

Leonia

Crossport

M O N T A N A

I D A H O

220

225 226

230

235

240

245 250

 255 260

265

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 274

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S E L K I R K R A N G E

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266 267

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275

276

Shorty

Island

Klockmann Ranch

12314000

Tribal Hatchery

12310100

Bonners Ferry

12309500

Porthill

12322000

Leonia

12305000

EXPLANATION

CANYON REACH

KOOTENAI FLATS

 FLOOD PLAIN

BRAIDED REACH

MEANDER REACH

SPAWNING REACH

STREAMFLOW-GAGING

 STATION

RIVER KILOMETER 218

Figure 2. Location of meander, braided, and canyon reaches and river kilometers in the Kootenai River drainage basin in Idaho.

Introduction 
Hydraulic characteristics in the braided and canyon reaches 

are of primary focus in these simulations. Two tasks comprise 

these simulations. Task 1 consists of simulating combinations 

of five river discharges (6, 000; 20,000; 40,000; 60,000; and 

75,000 ft3/s) and three water-surface elevations (low, median, 

and high) in Kootenay Lake. Task 2 consists of simulating 

nine river discharges (6,000; 10,000; 20,000; 30,000; 40,000; 

50,000; 60,000; 70,000; and 75,000 ft3/s) and only the 

median water-surface elevations in Kootenay Lake. For river 

discharges of 40,000 ft3/s and less, water-surface elevations in 

Kootenay Lake were based on data from the Libby Dam era 

(1973 to 2003). For river discharges greater than 40,000 ft3/s, 

lake elevations were based on data from the pre-Libby Dam 

era (1940 to 1972). A complete description of the study reach 

and the 1-D model that was calibrated is contained in a report 

by Berenbrock (2005). 

River kilometers identified in this report were based on 

interpolating between the river miles designators that were 

established by the Columbia Basin Inter-Agency Committee 

(1965). The river mile designators are usually shown on USGS 

7.5-minute (1:24,000 scaled) maps, and they were also shown 

on maps in previous USGS investigations of the Kootenai 

River (Barton and others, 2004; Berenbrock, 2005, Berenbrock 

and Bennett, 2005). Please note that other river kilometers 

designators that have been established by other agencies and 

(or) identities such as the Idaho Department of Fish and Game 

may not agree with the locations of river kilometers used in 

this report.

Model Development and Calibration

The HEC-RAS computer model (Brunner, 2002a and 

2002b; and Warner and others, 2002) was used to construct 

a surface-water, hydraulic-flow model of the Kootenai 

River. HEC-RAS is a computer program that simulates 

1-D, gradually varied, steady flow in open channels with 

fixed boundaries. The HEC-RAS model uses the standard 

step method (Chow, 1959, p. 265) to determine changes in 

water-surface elevations from one cross section to the next 

by balancing total energy head at the sections. This 1-D 

model assumes that energy is uniform in a cross section. This 

assumption is not valid at locations where flow is not parallel 

to the main channel or where vertical velocities are significant. 

The model also assumes that flow is unobstructed within the 

channel and free of debris. The modeled reach extends from 

Leonia to Porthill (fig. 1), a distance of 105.6 km.

A total of 164 cross sections were used in HEC-RAS: 

131-field-surveyed, 8 Triangulated Irregular Network (TIN) 

generated, 2 bridges, and 23 interpolated. The field-surveyed 

cross sections by Barton and others (2004) were used to define 

channel geometry characteristics. The eight TIN-generated 

cross sections were developed for the Shorty Island side 

channel, and the two bridge cross sections were generated 

from bridge design plans. Distances between cross sections 

ranged from about 180 m in the valley flat near Deep Creek 

and Shorty Island to as much as 2.4 km in other areas. Cross 

sections in the white sturgeon spawning habitat reach are 

about 300 m apart. 

The model was calibrated to surface-water elevation at 

specific discharges at five gaging stations in the study reach. 

Nine calibration points were identified where discharge 

and water-surface elevation remained steady throughout the 

study reach for at least several days. Calibrated water-surface 

elevations ranged from about 531.3 to about 536.2 m, and 

discharge used in calibration ranged from 5,000 to 47,500 

ft3/s. Model calibration was considered acceptable because 

differences between measured and simulated water-surface 

elevations was ±0.031 m or less. Measured and simulated 

average velocities also were compared at selected cross 

sections. These comparisons were acceptable because 

differences between measured and simulated average 

velocities were 0.076 m/s or less.

Simulations of Hydraulic 

Characteristics for an Upstream 

Extension of the White Sturgeon 

Spawning Habitat of the Kootenai 

River

The hydraulic-flow model of the Kootenai River 

developed by Berenbrock (2005) primarily was used to 

determine the location of the transition between backwater and 

free-flowing water. The white sturgeon spawning habitat reach 

also was the main reach of focus in that study as cross sections 

were spaced closer than in the braided and canyon reaches and 

in other areas.

Paired data comprised of discharge in the study reach 

and water level or elevation in Kootenay Lake at Queens 

Bay gaging station (08NH064), available since the early 

1930s, were used for boundary (upstream and downstream) 

conditions in the model. Discharge in the study reach is 

specified at the upstream boundary (Leonia gaging station 

[12305000]), and water-surface elevation is specified at the 

downstream boundary (Porthill gaging station [12322000]). 

Discharges of 40,000 ft3/s and less were used to represent 

discharges in the river since the construction of Libby Dam 

(1973 to 2003), and discharges greater than 40,000 ft3/s were 

used to represent discharges prior to the construction of Libby 

Dam (1940 to 1972). Water-surface elevations were based on 

current and historic elevations in Kootenay Lake at Queens 

Bay.

Water-surface elevations, flow depths, and flow 

velocities in the modeled reach are needed to determine if 

hydraulic characteristics of the braided and canyon reaches 

are reasonable for white sturgeon spawning. At cross sections, 

a single value for each hydraulic characteristic (water-

 Simulations of Hydraulic Characteristics for an Upstream Extension of the White Sturgeon Spawning Habitat, Idaho
surface elevation, flow depth, and flow velocity, and such) 

was computed by the model. For example, model-simulated 

velocity represents average velocity at a cross section. Because 

the model is one dimensional, the maximum velocity or other 

velocities in a cross section cannot be determined.

In task 1, a total of 15 simulations were run using 

combinations of five discharges and three water-surface 

elevations. The five objective discharges were 6,000, 20,000, 

40,000, 60,000, and 75,000 ft3/s and were used to represent 

low to high discharges in the river. Three water-surface 

elevations in Kootenay Lake were used to represent low, 

median, and high elevations at Queens Bay. The low, median, 

and high lake elevations were determined by calculating 

the spread in lake elevations near the objective discharge. 

The spread is the difference between the highest measured 

elevation minus the lowest measured elevation. All paired 

values (measured discharge in the study reach and measured 

water-surface elevation at Queens Bay) within ±1,000 ft3/s of 

each objective discharge were used to determine the spread in 

lake elevation at the objective discharges. Low lake elevation 

was set to the 15th percentile and high elevation to the 85th 

percentile. The 50th percentile is known as the median. 

The 15th percentile, for example, is a value which exceeds 

15 percent of the spread in lake elevations and is exceeded by 

85 percent of the spread. The 85th percentile is a value which 

exceeds 85 percent of the spread in lake elevations and is 

exceeded by 15 percent of the spread. Water-surface elevations 

at Queens Bay for each objective discharge and percentile are 

shown in table 1.

The water-surface elevation at Porthill was determined 

using a regression equation that relates water-surface 

elevations at Queens Bay and Porthill (Berenbrock, 2005, 

fig. 7A). These objective discharges in the study reach and 

water-surface elevations at Porthill (table 1) were then used as 

boundary conditions in the model for the task 1 simulations.

In task 2, nine simulations were run using nine objective 

discharges and corresponding median water-surface elevations 

at Queens Bay gaging station. The nine objective discharges 

are 6,000, 10,000, 20,000, 30,000, 40,000, 50,000, 60,000, 

70,000, and 75,000 ft3/s. The median or 50th percentile watersurface elevations were determined by taking the median of 

the spread in lake elevations near each objective discharge. All 

paired values (discharge in the study reach and water-surface 

elevation at Queens Bay) within ±1,000 ft3/s of each objective 

discharge were used to determine the spread in elevation at 

the objective discharges. Median water-surface elevations at 

Queens Bay for each objective discharge are shown in table 2.

Water-surface elevations at Porthill were then determined 

from the regression equation in Berenbrock (2005, fig. 7A). 

These objective discharges in the study reach and watersurface elevations at Porthill (table 2) were then used as 

boundary conditions in the model for task 2 simulations.

Objective 

discharge

(cubic feet

per second)

Percentile

Lake

level

category

Water-surface elevations

(meters)

Queens Bay Porthill

6,000 15th Low 531.32 531.60

6,000 50th Median 532.09 532.47

6,000 85th High 532.85 533.34

20,000 15th Low 531.75 532.09

20,000 50th Median 532.81 533.30

20,000 85th High 533.88 534.51

40,000 15th Low 533.47 532.22

40,000 50th Median 533.74 534.35

40,000 85th High 535.40 536.24

60,000 15th Low 536.25 537.20

60,000 50th Median 534.86 535.62

60,000 85th High 533.47 534.04

75,000 15th Low 534.59 535.32

75,000 50th Median 535.84 536.74

75,000 85th High 537.09 538.16

Table 1. Objective discharges, percentiles, and water-surface elevations 

used as boundary conditions in the model for task 1 simulations in an 

upstream extension of the White Sturgeon habitat of the Kootenai River 

near Bonners Ferry, Idaho.

[Porthill water-surface elevations are based on regression equation 

that relates water-surface elevations between Queens Bay and Porthill 

(Berenbrock, 2005, fig. 7A)]

Objective 

discharge 

(cubic foot 

per second)

Median water-surface 

elevations (meter)

Queens Bay Porthill

6,000 532.09 532.47

10,000 532.51 532.95

20,000 532.81 533.30

30,000 533.18 533.71

40,000 533.74 534.35

50,000 534.35 535.04

60,000 534.86 535.62

70,000 535.49 536.34

75,000 535.84 536.74

Table 2. Objective discharges and median watersurface elevations used as boundary conditions 

in the model for task 2 simulations in an upstream 

extension of the White Sturgeon habitat of the 

Kootenai River near Bonners Ferry, Idaho.

[Porthill water-surface elevations are based 

on regression equation that relates water-surface 

elevations between Queens Bay and Porthill 

(Berenbrock, 2005, fig. 7A)]

Simulations of Hydraulic Characteristics for an Upstream Extension of the White Sturgeon Spawning Habitat    
Task 1 Simulations

The objective discharges and water-surface elevations 

in table 1 were used in task 1 simulations. Simulated watersurface elevations, flow depths, and flow velocities are shown 

in figures 3, 4, and 5. The 15th, 50th, and 85th percentile 

curves of water-surface elevation, flow depth, and flow 

velocity converge in the braided or canyon reach downstream 

of the confluence with the Moyie River. At the point where 

these curves converge, the effects of backwater cease. 

Upstream of the convergence point, velocities and depths are 

not affected by Kootenay Lake elevations. The 15th, 50th, and 

85th percentile curves of water-surface elevation (fig. 3) show 

that the influence of backwater on the reach moves upstream 

with higher Kootenay Lake elevations. As river discharge 

increases, the influence of backwater moves downstream.

Flow depths in the meander reach usually are greater 

than flow depths in the braided and canyon reaches for all 

discharges. The large flow depths near RKM 244, as shown in 

figure 4, are caused by the deep hole in and around Ambush 

Rock.

Flow velocities in the canyon and braided reaches usually 

are greater than flow velocities in the meander reach. At a 

discharge of 6,000 ft3/s, flow velocities in the canyon and 

braided reaches on average were four times greater than flow 

velocities in the meander reach (fig. 5A); at 75,000 ft3/s, flow 

velocities were 2.5 times greater in the canyon and braided 

reaches than in the meander reach (fig. 5E). The low-flow 

velocities in cross sections near RKM 244, as shown in 

figure 5, are caused by a deep hole in the river in and around 

Ambush Rock. The streambed portion of cross sections that 

traverse this area should be artificially modified to only 

include the active flow area. The hole is about 15 m deep at 

RKM 244.2 and about 12 m deep at RKM 244.4 and is about 

1 km long, which is less than 1 percent of the modeled reach 

length. The model assumes that the area of water from the 

surface to the streambed will be conveyed downstream. This 

area usually is known as the active flow area and is used in 

calculations in the model. However, not all water in the hole 

will be actively conveyed downstream because it is ponded 

and velocities are nearly zero. The ponded water in the hole is 

not considered part of the active flow area. 

 Simulations of Hydraulic Characteristics for an Upstream Extension of the White Sturgeon Spawning Habitat, Idaho
Figure 3. Simulated water-surface elevations for five objective river discharges in the upstream extension of the white sturgeon 

habitat of the Kootenai River, Idaho. 

ID3081KootPaper_fig3AB

531

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W

ATER-SURFACE ELEV

ATION, IN METERS

Low (15th percentile)

Median (50th percentile)

High (85th percentile)

Simulated water-surface elevation when

Kootenay Lake elevation at Queens Bay is:

A. Objective river discharge, 6,000 ft3/s

533

534

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536

537

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540

541

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225 227 229 231 233 235 237 239 241 243 245 247 249 251 253 255 257 259 261 263 265 267 269 271 273 275 277

RIVER KILOMETER

B. Objective river discharge, 20,000 ft3/s

Objective discharges, percentiles and 

 associated water-surface elevations 

 used as boundary conditions are 

 shown in table 1

Meander reach

Meander reach

Braided reach Canyon reach

Braided reach Canyon reach

Simulations of Hydraulic Characteristics for an Upstream Extension of the White Sturgeon Spawning Habitat 
 Simulations of Hydraulic Characteristics for an Upstream Extension of the White Sturgeon Spawning Habitat, Idaho

ID3081KootPaper_fig3CD

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W

ATER-SURFACE ELEV

ATION, IN

METERS

Low (15th percentile)

Median (50th percentile)

High (85th percentile)

Simulated water-surface elevation when

Kootenay Lake elevation at Queens Bay is:

C. Objective river discharge, 40,000 ft3/s

537

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225 227 229 231 233 235 237 239 241 243 245 247 249 251 253 255 257 259 261 263 265 267 269 271 273 275 277

RIVER KILOMETER

D. Objective river discharge, 60,000 ft3/s

Objective discharges, percentiles, and 

 associated water-surface elevations used

 as boundary conditoins are shown in table 1

Meander reach Braided reach Canyon reach

Meander reach Braided reach Canyon reach

Figure 3.—Continued. 
ID3081KootPaper_fig03E

538

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225 227 229 231 233 235 237 239 241 243 245 247 249 251 253 255 257 259 261 263 265 267 269 271 273 275 277

RIVER KILOMETER

W

ATER-SURFACE ELEV

ATION, IN METERS

Low (15th percentile)

Median (50th percentile)

High (85th percentile)

Simulated water-surface elevation when

Kootenay Lake elevation at Queens Bay is:

E. Objective river discharge, 75,000 ft3/s

Objective discharges, percentiles, and 

 associated water-surface elevations 

 used as boundary conditions are 

 shown in table 1

Meander reach Braided reach Canyon reach

Figure 3.—Continued. 

Simulations of Hydraulic Characteristics for an Upstream Extension of the White Sturgeon Spawning Habitat 
ID3081KootPaper_fig4AB

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VERAGE FLOW DEPTH, IN METERS

Low (15th percentile)

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High (85th percentile)

Simulated flow depth when Kootenay Lake

A. Objective river discharge, 6,000 ft elevation at Queens Bay is: 3/s

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

225 227 229 231 233 235 237 239 241 243 245 247 249 251 253 255 257 259 261 263 265 267 269 271 273 275 277

RIVER KILOMETER

B. Objective river discharge, 20,000 ft3/s

Objective discharges, percentiles, and associated 

 water-surface elevations used as boundary 

 conditions are shown in table 1

Meander reach Braided reach Canyon reach

Meander reach Braided reach Canyon reach

Figure 4. Simulated flow depths for five objective river discharges in the upstream extension of the white sturgeon habitat of the 

Kootenai River, Idaho. 

10 Simulations of Hydraulic Characteristics for an Upstream Extension of the White Sturgeon Spawning Habitat, Idaho
ID3081KootPaper_fig4CD

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

A

VERAGE FLOW DEPTH, IN METERS

Low (15th percentile)

Median (50th percentile)

High (85th percentile)

Simulated flow depth when Kootenay Lake

elevation at Queens Bay is:

C. Objective river discharge, 40,000 ft3/s

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

225 227 229 231 233 235 237 239 241 243 245 247 249 251 253 255 257 259 261 263 265 267 269 271 273 275 277

RIVER KILOMETER

D. Objective river discharge, 60,000 ft3/s

Objective discharges, percentiles, and associated water-surface 

 elevations used as boundary conditions are shown in table 1

Meander reach Braided reach Canyon reach

Meander reach Braided reach Canyon reach

Figure 4.—Continued. 

Simulations of Hydraulic Characteristics for an Upstream Extension of the White Sturgeon Spawning Habitat  11
ID3081_fig04E

Meander reach Braided reach Canyon reach

Low (15th percentile)

Median (50th percentile)

High (85th percentile)

Simulated flow depth when Kootenay Lake

elevation at Queens Bay is:

Objective discharges, percentiles, and associated water-surface 

 elevations used as boundary conditions are shown in table 1

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

225 227 229 231 233 235 237 239 241 243 245 247 249 251 253 255 257 259 261 263 265 267 269 271 273 275 277

RIVER KILOMETER

A

VERAGE FLOW DEPTH, IN METERS

E. Objective river discharge, 75,000 ft3/s

Figure 4.—Continued. 

12 Simulations of Hydraulic Characteristics for an Upstream Extension of the White Sturgeon Spawning Habitat, Idaho
ID3081KootPaper_fig5AB

A

VERAGE FLOW

VELOCITY, IN METERS PER SECOND

Low (15th percentile)

Median (50th percentile)

High (85th percentile)

Simulated flow velocities when Kootenay Lake

elevation at Queens Bay is:

A. Objective river discharge, 6,000 ft3/s

0.3

0.5

0.8

1.0

1.3

1.5

1.8

2.0

0.3

0.5

0.8

1.0

1.3

1.5

1.8

2.0

225 227 229 231 233 235 237 239 241 243 245 247 249 251 253 255 257 259 261 263 265 267 269 271 273 275 277

RIVER KILOMETER

B. Objective river discharge, 20,000 ft3/s

0.0

0.0

Objective discharges, percentiles, and 

 associated water-surface elevations 

 used as boundary conditions are shown 

 in table 1

Meander reach Braided reach Canyon reach

Meander reach Braided reach Canyon reach

Figure 5. Simulated flow velocities for five objective river discharges in the upstream extension of the white sturgeon habitat of the 

Kootenai River, Idaho. 

Simulations of Hydraulic Characteristics for an Upstream Extension of the White Sturgeon Spawning Habitat  13
ID3081KootPaper_fig5CD

0.3

0.5

0.8

1.0

1.3

1.5

1.8

2.0

2.3

2.5

A

VERAGE FLOW

VELOCITY, IN METERS PER SECOND

Low (15th percentile)

Median (50th percentile)

High (85th percentile)

Simulated flow velocities when Kootenay Lake

elevation at Queens Bay is:

C. Objective river discharge, 40,000 ft3/s

0.0

0.3

0.5

0.8

1.0

1.3

1.5

1.8

2.0

2.3

2.5

2.8

3.0

225 227 229 231 233 235 237 239 241 243 245 247 249 251 253 255 257 259 261 263 265 267 269 271 273 275 277

RIVER KILOMETER

D. Objective river discharge, 60,000 ft3/s

0.0

Objective discharges, percentiles, and 

 associated water-surface elevations used as 

 boundary conditions are shown in table 1

Meander reach Braided reach Canyon reach

Meander reach Braided reach Canyon reach

Figure 5.—Continued. 

14  Simulations of Hydraulic Characteristics for an Upstream Extension of the White Sturgeon Spawning Habitat, Idaho
ID3081KootPaper_fig5E

A

VERAGE FLOW

VELOCITY, IN METERS PER SECOND

Low (15th percentile)

Median (50th percentile)

High (85th percentile)

Simulated flow velocities when Kootenay Lake

elevation at Queens Bay is:

E. Objective river discharge, 75,000 ft3/s

0.0

0.3

0.5

0.8

1.0

1.3

1.5

1.8

2.0

2.3

2.5

2.8

3.0

225 227 229 231 233 235 237 239 241 243 245 247 249 251 253 255 257 259 261 263 265 267 269 271 273 275 277

RIVER KILOMETER

Objective discharges, percentiles, and 

 associated water-surface elevations used 

 as boundary conditions are shown in table 1

Meander reach Braided reach Canyon reach

Figure 5.—Continued. 

Simulations of Hydraulic Characteristics for an Upstream Extension of the White Sturgeon Spawning Habitat  15
Task 2 Simulations

For task 2, nine objective discharges and associated 

median water-surface elevations at Queens Bay gaging station 

(table 2) were used for these simulations. Simulated watersurface elevations, flow depths, and flow velocities are shown 

in figures 6, 7, and 8. Only a portion of the results were 

shown, from RKM 260 near the confluence with the Moyie 

River to RKM 244 near Ambush Rock. The curves in these 

figures show that as river discharge increases, water-surface 

elevation, flow depth, and flow velocities increases. The large 

flow depths near RKM 244 (fig. 7) are caused by a deep hole 

in and around Ambush Rock. As previously mentioned, cross 

sections in this reach could be artificially modified to only 

include the active flow area. The low-flow depths at cross 

section 155.855 (near RKM 251) (fig. 7) are caused from a 

sudden widening of the channel at the section. The width of 

the river can be greater than 300 m at high discharges. At 

discharges less than 10,000 ft3/s, river width narrows at this 

cross section to less than 60 m exposing a gravel bar on the 

left side of the channel. Average flow depths in the braided 

reach can be greater at low discharges than at median to high 

discharges (fig. 7). The channel near RKM 260 (canyon reach) 

deepens and causes flow depths to increase.

Flow velocities in the braided reach are greater than 

velocities in the canyon and meandering reaches (fig. 8). Flow 

velocities usually are lowest in the meandering reach except 

for the braided reach between RKM 249.5 and RKM 248 

(fig. 8). In this reach, flow velocities were much lower than in 

surrounding reaches. The reason for this is that cross section 

154.972 (near RKM 249.4) is not perpendicular to flow but is 

skewed to flow. A skewed cross section is wider than an actual 

cross section, and produces a flow area that is greater than 

actual, which results in a lower modeled flow velocity at the 

cross section. The modeled flow areas of two cross sections 

immediately downstream from cross section 154.972 (near 

RKM 249.4) probably also were greater than actual resulting 

in lower flow velocities because these cross sections were 

interpolated from the skewed cross section 154.972 (near 

RKM 249.4). Improvements to the model in this reach could 

be made by replacing these cross sections with cross sections 

that are generated from the recently collected bathymetry data 

(Barton and others, 2005) and LIDAR data (Richard Duncan, 

GeoEngineers, written commun., 2005).

Figure 6. Simulated water-surface elevations for objective river discharges in the braided reach of the upstream extension of the 

white sturgeon habitat of the Kootenai River, Idaho. 

532

533

534

535

536

537

538

539

540

541

542

543

544

545

546

244 246 248 250 252 254 256 258 260

RIVER KILOMETER

EXPLANATION

W

ATER-SURFACE ELEV

ATION, IN METERS

Meander Braided reach Canyon reach

reach

30,000 60,000

10,000 40,000 70,000

20,000 50,000 75,000

6,000

Simulated water-surface elevations when objective river

discharge, in cubic feet per second, is:

Objective discharges and associated median water-surface

 elevations used as boundary conditions are shown in

 table 2

16  Simulations of Hydraulic Characteristics for an Upstream Extension of the White Sturgeon Spawning Habitat, Idaho
Figure 7. Simulated flow depths for objective river discharges in the braided reach of the upstream extension of the white sturgeon 

habitat of the Kootenai River, Idaho. 

ID3081KootPaper_fig7

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

244 246 248 250 252 254 256 258 260

RIVER KILOMETER

A

VERAGE FLOW DEPTH, IN METERS

30,000 60,000

10,000 40,000 70,000

20,000 50,000 75,000

6,000

Simulated flow depths when objective river discharge,

in cubic feet per second, is:

Objective discharges and associated median water-surface

 elevations used as boundary conditions are shown in

 table 2

Meander Braided reach Canyon reach

reach

0.0

0.3

0.5

0.8

1.0

1.3

1.5

1.8

2.0

2.3

2.5

2.8

3.0

244 246 248 250 252 254 256 258 260

RIVER KILOMETER

A

VERAGE FLOW

VELOCITY, IN METERS PER SECOND

30,000 60,000

10,000 40,000 70,000

20,000 50,000 75,000

6,000

Simulated flow velocities when objective river discharge,

in cubic feet per second, is:

Objective discharges and associated median 

 water-surface elevations used as 

 boundary conditions are shown in table 2

Meander Braided reach Canyon reach

reach

Figure 8. Simulated flow velocities for objective river discharges in the braided reach of the upstream extension of the white 

sturgeon habitat of the Kootenai River, Idaho.

Simulations of Hydraulic Characteristics for an Upstream Extension of the White Sturgeon Spawning Habitat  17
Summary

A one-dimensional hydraulic-flow model of a 105.6 

kilometer reach of the Kootenai River in Idaho was developed 

to aid in evaluating hydraulic characteristics in the reach. 

Concerned with enhancing spawning conditions of the white 

sturgeon in the Kootenai River, biologists need the ability 

to evaluate hydraulic effects of changes in river discharge 

and water-surface elevations in Kootenay Lake, especially in 

the braided and canyon reaches. The extension of the white 

sturgeon spawning habitat reach into the braided and (or) 

canyon reaches is under consideration because streambed 

materials (gravels and cobbles) of these reaches are suitable 

for white sturgeon spawning. Whereas, the meander reach is 

composed primarily of sand, which is unsuitable for spawning.

A previously developed one-dimensional hydraulic 

model of the study area was used to simulate water-surface 

elevations, flow depths, and flow velocities that are needed 

for possible extension of the white sturgeon spawning habitat 

reach into the braided and (or) canyon reaches. The model 

was used to simulate steady conditions associated with various 

river discharges and water-surface elevations in Kootenay 

Lake. River discharges ranged from 6,000 to 75,000 cubic feet 

per second, and water-surface elevations in Kootenay Lake 

ranged from 531.32 to 537.09 meters. 

Simulations showed that as river discharge increases, 

water-surface elevations, flow depths, and flow velocities 

increases. Generally, flow depths in the meander reach are 

greater than flow depths in the braided and canyon reaches, 

and flow velocities in the braided reach are greater than flow 

velocities in the canyon and meander reaches. Flow velocities 

usually are lowest in the meander reach.

References Cited

Barton, G.J., McDonald, R.R., Nelson, J.M., and Dinehart, 

R.L., 2005, Simulation of flow and sediment mobility using 

a multidimensional flow model for the white sturgeon 

critical-habitat reach, Kootenai River near Bonners Ferry, 

Idaho: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations 

Report 2005-5230, 54 p.

Barton, G.J., Moran, E.H., and Berenbrock, Charles, 2004, 

Surveying cross sections of the Kootenai River between 

Libby Dam, Montana, and Kootenay Lake, British 

Columbia, Canada: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File 

Report 2004-1045, 35 p. 

Berenbrock, Charles, 2005, Simulation of hydraulic 

characteristics in the white sturgeon spawning habitat of the 

Kootenai River near Bonners Ferry, Idaho: U.S. Geological 

Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2005-5110, 30 p.

Berenbrock, Charles, and Bennett, J.P., 2005, Simulation of 

flow and sediment transport in the white sturgeon spawning 

habitat of the Kootenai River near Bonners Ferry, Idaho: 

U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 

2005-5173, 72 p.

Brunner, G.W., 2002a, HEC-RAS, River analysis system 

hydraulic reference manual: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 

Hydrologic Engineering Center, CPD-69, November 2002, 

Version 3.1, 350 p.

Brunner, G.W., 2002b, HEC-RAS, River analysis system 

user’s manual: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Hydrologic 

Engineering Center, CPD-68, November 2002, Version 3.1, 

420 p.

Chow, V.T., 1959, Open-channel hydraulics: New York, 

McGraw-Hill, 680 p.

Columbia Basin Inter-Agency Committee, 1965, River 

mile index, Kootenai River United States, Kootenay 

River Canada: Columbia Basin Inter-Agency Committee, 

Hydrology Subcommittee, November, 49 p.

Warner, J.C., Brunner, G.W., Wolfe, B.C., and Piper, S.S., 

2002, HEC-RAS, River Analysis System Application 

Guide: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Hydrologic 

Engineering Center, CPD-70, November 2002, Version 3.1, 

344 p.

18  Simulations of Hydraulic Characteristics for an Upstream Extension of the White Sturgeon Spawning Habitat, Idaho
Manuscript approved for publication, January 13, 2006

Prepared by the U.S. Geological Survey, 

Publishing Service Center, Tacoma, Washington

USGS Publishing staff

Bill Gibbs

Linda Rogers

Sharon Wahlstrom

For more information concerning the research in this report, contact the 

Director, Idaho Water Science Center

U.S. Geological Survey

230 Collins Road 

Boise, Idaho 83702

http://id.water.usgs.gov
SIR 2006–5019 Berenbrock Simulations of Hydraulic Characteristics for an Upstream Extension of the White Sturgeon Habitat of the 

Kootenai River near Bonners Ferry, Idaho—A Supplement to Scientific Investigations Report 2005-5110