Bald eagles and osprey would probably continue to use the pool area for 

 feeding, although it is probable that impoundment will reduce fish density 

 (Graham 1978b). Inundation of China Rapids would reduce the winter carrying 

 capacity of the river for dippers, which use the rapids for feeding in winter. 



Mitigation of possible waterfowl production losses could be accomplished 

 by providing suitable brood-rearing habitat along the restored shoreline. 

 Present levels of waterfowl production are relatively low in the pool area, 

 and it is unlikely the project would have a significant effect on production 

 (with the exception of the harlequin duck, as discussed elsewhere). 



Changes in Microclimate 



It is possible that the presence of the reservoir would alter the micro- 

 climate of the Kootenai River canyon. In a study in western Washington, 

 Taber and Raedeke (1976) found that the presence of reservoirs created 

 a "warm bowl" effect, raising the temperature in the vicinity of the reservoir 

 and increasing the rate of snowmelt adjacent to the reservoir. This effect, 

 if it does occur in the project area, is not likely to significantly affect 

 wildlife populations. Impoundment of the river could result in ice formation, 

 but the extent o-f ice-over is not known. 



Downstream Dewatering 



NLI's proposal calls for reduction of flows over Kootenai Falls to 21 cms 

 (750 cifs) roughly 98-100 percent of the time (NLI 197&:H-1; Figure 16). Most 

 of this flow would be diverted to trickle over the Falls, essentially dewatering 

 the north channel of the river. Much of the area below "che Falls which is now 

 under water at lowest discharges would be exposed, and high discharges would 

 flush the area very infrequently. The almost constant flow of 21 cms (750 cfs) 

 over the Falls and through the canyon would contrast dramatically with the present 

 flow regime, which is much higher and which is characterized by wide daily and 

 seasonal variation (Figure 12). 



The most significant impact of this dewatering would be elimination of 

 feeding areas for harlequin ducks. Harlequins presently use the fast water 

 at the head of the Falls as a preferred feeding site, presumably feeding on 

 dipteran larvae. Ti^is area is presently characterized by sw'ft, laminar flow, 

 and the change to a meager, turbulent flow would alter the suitability of the 

 area for feeding. The harlequin duckis a "K-selected" species, having highly 

 specialized habitat requirements, a high suseptibility to changes in flow 

 regimes, and a strong dependence on aquatic insects of fast-flowing waters as 

 a food source (Kuchel 1976). A change in flow regime of the Falls and the 

 gorge downstream, coupled with a change in insect production, would be highly 

 detrimental to this population. 



Feeding habitat -- and winter carrying capacity -- for dippers would be 

 reduced as well, although dippers would probably continue to use the Falls 

 to some extent. Harlequins, goldeneyes and dippers were seen between the 

 rails and future outlet area, both feeding and loafing. The canyon offers 

 protection from disturbance and evidently a good food resource. This will be 

 changed by the drastic reduction in water coming over the Falls. Dewatering 

 could also affect the bighorn sheep wh-"ch can reach the river easily below 



97 



