Abstracts from the proceedings of the 2003 YKFP/CWU Yakima Basin Aquatic Science and Management Conference, March 25 and 26.


Title:

Yakima Bull Trout Redd Counts and Radio Telemetry Study

 

Author:

Eric Anderson, Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife

Phone 509-457-9301

Email anderea@dfw.wa.gov

 

Summary of Presentation:

This presentation will be an overview of our current knowledge of bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) spawning populations as well as the plan to begin radio telemetry studies in the basin.  A considerable amount of uncertainty still exists about the distribution, abundance, genetic structure, and habitat use of bull trout populations in the fluvial system.  This lack of information constrains effective management and contributes to regulatory uncertainty.  In-order to increase our knowledge of fluvial and resident bull trout populations, a radio telemetry study will be initiated in the early summer of 2003.  The study will evaluate the migratory patterns of adult and sub-adult bull trout and will identify habitat preferences.  We propose to evaluate connectivity, locate spawning and wintering areas, identify migratory patterns and identify micro-habitat preferences using radio telemetry, snorkel surveys, and archival temperature tags.  This effort will address information needs identified by Washington State Forest and Fish regulatory working groups, the USFWS biological opinions and sub-basin plans in the Columbia River basin, Washington State watershed plans, and the ESA bull trout recovery plan.  Results of this work will be presented as guidance to fisheries population and habitat managers to aid in protecting bull trout and their habitat.


Title:

Characterization of Geomorphology and Hyporheic Conditions of Spring Chinook Salmon Spawning Habitat within the Yakima River Basin

 

Authors:

A. Brooke Asbury [1] , Carey A. Gazis [2] , Lisa L. Ely [3] , and Paul W. James [4]

 

Summary of Presentation:

A better understanding of the critical features of salmon spawning habitat is needed in order to advance salmon restoration efforts in the Pacific Northwest. Our objective is to characterize the fluvial geomorphology and hyporheic conditions of spring chinook spawning habitat in the Yakima River Basin in order to assist decision-makers in evaluating future management strategies. To identify important physical features of spawning habitat, comparisons were made between spawning reaches and non-spawning reaches on two Yakima River tributaries: the American River and Little Naches River. Permeability, vertical head gradient, and water chemistry were measured from 3 transects of piezometers installed along each reach. Substrate samples were collected from each transect and analyzed at CWU. Channel geometry, large woody debris, and pool and riffle data were obtained from existing sources.

 

Preliminary analyses of piezometer data indicate that substrate permeability is significantly higher in the Little Naches spawning reach than the non-spawning reach, while vertical head gradients show no systematic trends between spawning and non-spawning reaches. Electrical conductivity was significantly higher in hyporheic water of the American spawning reach, which may represent a stronger groundwater influence within this reach. Substrate porosity was generally higher in spawning reaches, and mean grain size was smaller. Spawning reaches were also characterized by greater width-to-depth ratios than non-spawning reaches.


Title:

Kelt Reconditioning:  A research project to determine potential use of steelhead kelts for enhancing wild steelhead populations

Author:

Joe Blodgett, Fisheries Biologist, Fisheries Resource Management Program, Yakama Nation

(509) 865-6262 ext 6706

jblodgett@yakama.com

Summary of Presentation:

Populations of wild steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) have declined dramatically from historical levels in the Yakima Basin to a current level of  listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).  Causes of the declines are numerous and well known and regional plans recognize the need to protect and enhance weak upriver steelhead populations while maintaining the genetic integrity of those stocks (NPPC 1995).

Enhancing the species’ natural iteroparity (i.e. its ability to spawn more than once in its life) may strengthen wild steelhead populations.   Repeat spawners compose only 1.6% of the Yakima River wild run (from data in Hockersmith et al. 1995).  Under present conditions, very few (< 5% overall) summer steelhead in the Columbia River – especially in the upper basin – appear capable of exhibiting iteroparity in the impounded, post-development.  Based on the empirical iteroparity estimates, these fish should theoretically have significantly greater likelihood of exhibiting iteroparity if they are collected for “reconditioning” in captivity, relative to their ability to exhibit iteroparity in the current impounded, post-development Columbia Basin.

 

Reconditioning is collecting the steelhead after they have successfully spawned and rearing them in a hatchery setting allowing them time to rebuild the energy reserves needed for proper gondal development and iteroparous spawning.

     

Approximately 40 % of the returning adult steelhead are collected at the Chandler Juvenile Facility in Prosser with over 90% of those female.  The kelts are examined for condition and life stage (pre or post spawn).  If the fish meets the established criteria it is it is transferred to Prosser Hatchery adjacent to the collection facility for initial meristic work up.  Length and weights are recorded along with PIT tag information of each fish.  Fish are treated for parasites and injected with antibiotics then placed in rearing tanks.

 

A variety of diets and feeding methods have been tested to determine the best method for survival, regeneration of gametes and fish growth. Preliminary results from the project indicated that significant progress is made during each year of the project due to facility improvements and fish culture techniques. 

 

Various release strategies are being evaluated using PIT tags and Radio tag information.  Two groups are short term reconditioned and transported below Bonneville Dam, one group is full term reconditioned and released below McNary Dam and a final group is full term reconditioned and released in the Yakima River.  Data is currently being collected on each release group to determine each effectiveness.

 

Overall kelt survival rates in captivity more than doubled from 18% (2000) to 39% (2001).  The 2002 project had a 34% survival rate for the long term reconditioning and a 70% rate for the short term.  Radio tag studies and PIT tag detections will continue to be evaluated for release strategies.


Title: 

Conservation by Design—Protecting Freshwater Biodiversity

 

Author:

Betsy Bloomfield, The Nature Conservancy

(509) 962-1333

bbloomfield@tnc.org

 

Summary of Presentation:

To achieve our mission, The Nature Conservancy seeks to “conserve” the diversity of life on earth.  Operationally, we interpret the term “conserve” as meaning to reduce or eliminate threats to targets identified through ecoregional planning, and to maintain or improve the ecological integrity of those species, communities, or ecological systems that are the focus of our conservation efforts.  Conservation by Design is the Conservancy’s global strategic plan for achieving the mission.  It is implemented through the use of rigorous assessment techniques that yield ecoregional portfolios of conservation areas, which in turn set the conservation agenda for taking leveraged conservation action.  The Nature Conservancy measures the success of its conservation work in two ways: (1) by determining the overall biodiversity health of a conservation area by rating the ecological integrity of selected biodiversity conservation targets, and (2) by then assessing how well we have abated the “critical threats” to biodiversity at all ecoregional portfolio sites (conservation areas).

 

Early portfolio designs were modeled largely on terrestrial conservation target goals.  Freshwater and marine conservation actions were poorly represented in the Conservancy’s collective agenda. The Freshwater Initiative was launched by the Conservancy in 1998, and much more recently, the Marine Initiative was started, both aimed at classifying and integrating freshwater and marine systems into the evolving ecoregional and site planning methodology.  The Conservancy’s recognition of the central role played by Pacific salmon both ecologically and institutionally across ecoregions has lately challenged us to examine our role in recovery efforts.


Title:

The Effect of Flow Alteration on the Naches River Oncorhynchus mykiss.

 

Authors:

Mark Bowen (USBR-Denver) and Steve Croci(USFWS-Yakima).

 

Summary of Presentation:

The US Bureau of Reclamation recently purchased a water right in the Naches River, WA. The USBR will use this water to maintain discharges in the “Wapatox reach” at approximately 300 cfs greater than discharges observed in recent years. In this presentation we will describe our research design including the population estimate techniques to be used, Multispectral Imaging (MIS) techniques, and the Geographical Information System to be constructed. In addition to the research design presentation, we will show some baseline data that was collected in 12/02. These data on Oncorhynchus mykiss densities are for the treatment (Wapatox) reach and the reference (immediately downstream of the Wapatox reach). We will show that the density of O. mykiss in the treatment reach is lower than the density in the reference reach. In addition, the densities of O. mykiss were highest in slow habitats with more cover. Finally, invertebrate dry mass obtained in dusk drift samples was much higher in secondary channels compared to mainstem habitats.


Title:

The Influence of Reclamation Dam Operations on the Hyporheic Zone and Spring Chinook Egg Success.

 

Authors:

Mark Bowen USBR-Denver), Mark Nelson(USBR-Denver), Scott Kline(USBR-Yakima), and Walter Larrick(USBR-Yakima).

 

Summary of Presentation:

The US Bureau of Reclamation operates 5 dams in the Yakima River(WA, USA) watershed. Downstream of two of these dams (Keechelus and Cle Elum) we have investigated the influence of dam discharge on the hyporheic environment. In this presentation, we will report the results of this work. First we will discuss the relationship between surface discharge and hyporheic flow. We found that when discharge increased the hyporheic flow became more upwelling in spring chinook redds. In a different year, we found that when discharge decreased the hyporheic flow became less upwelling in spring chinook redds. Second, we intend to discuss the results of experiments we are currently conducting. In these experiments, we are investigating the influence on hyporheic flow on egg survival. We have installed egg plates (loaded with 32 spring chinook eggs) adjacent to 10 spring chinook redds and we have installed egg plates in another 10 locations that are not adjacent to the redds. We will discuss the physical and biological properties of these locations and the resulting egg survival in each.


Title: 

Summary of Fish Health Data for BY 2000 – 2001 for Cle Elum and Acclimation Sites; and Additional Data from Out Migration at Roza Dam – Wild vs. Hatchery 

Authors:

Ray Brunson*, J. Chris Patterson, Joy Evered, Sonia Mumford U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Olympia Fish Health Center, 3704 Griffin Lane, #101, Olympia Washington, 98501-2192Phone:  360-753-9046

e-mail:  ray_brunson@r1.fws.gov

Summary of Presentation:

A review of diagnostic and monitoring activities performed by the Olympia Fish Health Center (OFHC) will be presented.  During juvenile rearing at the Cle Elum Enhancement and Research Facility (CERF) in calendar year 2001 and 2002, no significant differences were noted in diagnostic exams between ponds.  Commonly found external parasites were noted, and one case of probable degraded fish food due to manufacture/delivery problems and handling was identified and corrected.

 

The investigators have consistently tested spawning adults for reportable pathogens and especially focused on Renibacterium salmoninarum levels of the various populations using Enzyme-linked Immunoassay (ELISA) and a risk assessment developed by OFHC.  This qualitative risk assessment is used to determine relative risk of adult females transferring the pathogen (and Bacterial Kidney Disease) to resultant progeny.  Further testing is done on yearlings prior to release of smolts at the acclimation sites.  Results from BY 2000 indicate that there are differences in pathogen levels between OCT and SNIT treatments indicated by ELISA-BKD data.  Cause of such correlation may be speculative, but empirical data does show differences between ponds. 

 

In addition, an opportunity arose to sample and test out migrants at Roza Dam in April of 2002 (BY 2000).  The 2 samples of wild smolts and one sample of hatchery smolts were examined utilizing protocols and funding for the National Wild Fish Health Survey which are almost identical to those used at the CERSF.  Wild and hatchery results are compared and contrasted from these exams.  OFHC has committed with the consent of the Yakama Nation staff to continue this collaborative effort and include this data into the research efforts in the Yakima Basin to further understanding of pathogenesis, survival, and ecological interactions of selected populations of fish and their respective pathogens. 

 

* Presenter        


Title:

Monitoring Domestication in the Yakima Spring Chinook Supplementation Program

 

Authors:

Craig Busack, Washington Department of  Fish & Wildlife, Olympia

Steve Schroder, Washington Department of  Fish & Wildlife, Olympia

Curt Knudsen, Oncorh Consulting, Olympia

 

360-902-2765, busaccsb@dfw.wa.gov

 

Summary of Presentation:

Using hatcheries in a conservation/restoration role for wild salmon populations poses a risk of the population under culture becoming more adapted to a life cycle that includes hatchery rearing and less adapted to a purely wild existence.  This process is called domestication.  The concern is that a supplemented population could eventually become unable to sustain itself without a hatchery.   Although there are good theoretical reasons to expect domestication to be a problem, and a considerable body of empirical evidence exists showing  that domestication occurs, too little information is out there to predict the magnitude or permanence of domestication for any suite of culture conditions.  In particular, there are no empirical data at all on the level of domestication that results from a program like the Yakima spring chinook supplementation program, which includes measures designed to reduce domestication such as thorough mixing of the natural and hatchery components of the population.

 

We have designed and begun to implement an extremely ambitious and comprehensive monitoring program to evaluate domestication in the Yakima spring chinook program.  The program is designed to answer two questions: 1) how much domestication is occurring in the supplemented Yakima population?; and 2) how much domestication is occurring in the supplemented Yakima population relative to what would be occurring in a traditional hatchery program (where there are no risk containment measures)?.  The first question will be answered by comparing the supplemented Upper Yakima spring chinook population with a wild control line. The control line will be the neighboring unsupplemented Naches spring chinook population.  The second question will be answered by comparing the supplemented Upper Yakima population to a hatchery control line derived from the first generation of Upper Yakima hatchery returns. This will be closed line maintained by matings in the hatchery only; no fish from this line will be allowed to spawn in the wild.  Several traits will be monitored, encompassing all life stages. 

 

Experimental power will be quite high, even for comparisons involving the Naches population, where concern about impacts to the population will limit the number of fish to be examined.   A concern yet to be completely resolved is the extent to which precocial males from the hatchery control line may interbreed with the supplementation line and thus bias detection of domestication. 


Title:

Yakima River Floodplain Mining Study: Fish Assemblage Report

 

Authors:

Jim Cummins, John Easterbrooks and Jonathan Kohr, Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), Yakima Washington

Phone numbers: Jim Cummins – 457-9316; cummijlc@dfw.wa.gov

 

Summary of Presentation:

The Yakima River Floodplain Mining Study is a cooperative multi-agency study.  WDFW and Yakama Nation (YN) conducted the fish assemblage part of this multifaceted study.

 

Fish populations were sampled between May and November 2002 at 10 floodplain mining study sites in the Yakima Basin. Ponds were sampled with a boat-mounted electroshocker, gill nets, and fyke nets following a standard WDFW protocol.  River reaches adjacent to each pond were sampled by backpack electrofishing, drift boat electrofishing and snorkeling. We were unable to sample river reaches below and above each pond with identical sample techniques because of variable water depths, flow (water velocity) and turbidity.

 

We estimated species composition at each study site and compared species composition between sites and between the ponds and the river.  We sampled 18,617 fish representing 24 species or genera.  Fifty-three percent (9,862) were sampled in ponds and 47 percent in the Yakima River (8,755), including side channels and sloughs. Two exotic species, pumpkinseed sunfish (21%) and yellow perch (15%), followed by native sucker (10%), chinook salmon (8%), and mountain whitefish (8 %) were sampled most frequently based on all pond and river samples.

 

The results of our fish assemblage work and studies conducted by the Floodplain Mining Study participants will help managers determine which ponds should be connected to the river or protected from natural avulsion to protect/enhance native salmonid populations.  Study results also provide insight into how to best design and implement breeching projects to increase the probability of successfully creating high quality river habitat.


Title:

Lower Yakima River Predation Indexing: Northern Pikeminnow

 

Author:

Melinda J. Davis

Fisheries Resource Management Program

Yakama Nation

mdavis@yakama.com

(509) 865-6262 ext.6610

 

Summary of Presentation:

We conducted population estimates for northern pikeminnow Ptychocheilus oregonensis using mark recapture methodology during April, May and June in three sections of the Yakima River above Prosser Dam.  However, we were only able to obtain valid population estimates for the Toppenish site (Rkm 145.6-153.4) and Granger site (Rkm 130-134.1).  The abundance of northern pikeminnow >200 mm fork length/km in the Toppenish and Granger Section ranged from 97 to 291 fish/km and 280-394 fish/km respectively, from April to June.  Most recaptured northern pikeminnow were recaptured in the same section that they were originally tagged, suggesting limited northern pikeminnow movement during the period of this study.  The diagnostic bones analysis from the stomach samples of northern pikeminnow are still being processed.  Therefore, salmonid consumption estimates could not be conducted at this time.  We relied on the presence of either coded wire or PIT tag to identify hatchery origin spring chinook and coho salmon.  Yearling salmon remains that were not accompanied with a coded wire or PIT tag were identified as unmarked yearling salmonids, and were likely a combination of hatchery and wild origin spring chinook and coho, since estimated fork length at time of ingestion, diagnostic bones, or presence of a coded wire or PIT tag were reliable methods of determining species or hatchery/wild origin.  Development of a northern pikeminnow predation index in future years should continue to utilize weekly salmonid consumption estimates since this portion of the predation index is likely more viable throughout the outmigration period than predator abundance.  Additional sites for 2003 will be “explored” and designated throughout the upper stratum to better represent consumption, as well as, understand life history of the northern pikeminnow.


Title:

Homing and Spawning Site Selection of Hatchery and Wild Spring Chinook

 

Authors:

Andrew Dittman1, 3, Donald Larsen 1, Mary Moser 1, and Darran May 2 

  1. Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, Seattle, WA
  2. School of Aquatic and Fisheries Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
  3. Phone number: 206-860-3392; e-mail: andy.dittman@noaa.gov. 

Summary of Presentation:

A number of conservation and supplementation hatchery programs, including the YKFP hatchery, are utilizing satellite acclimation facilities to “seed” or repopulate underutilized rivers or streams. The effectiveness of offsite releases from satellite facilities for ensuring successful imprinting, minimizing straying and contributing to salmon recovery has not been demonstrated. The overall goal of our project is to describe the spatial and temporal patterns of homing and spawning by wild and hatchery-reared spring chinook salmon released from acclimation facilities as part of the YKFP supplementation program. In collaboration with Yakama Nation biologists, we conducted a comprehensive carcass and redd survey of the entire upper Yakima sub-basin in Fall 2002; sampling and mapping the location of over 2100 carcasses and mapping over 2800 redds. Overall, hatchery-reared and wild fish had similar distributions within the watershed with most spawning occurring above the Cle Elum hatchery. However, the percentage of hatchery and wild fish in the Cle Elum and Teanaway Rivers differed considerably. Preliminary data indicated that hatchery fish released from the three acclimation facilities had distinct spawner distributions. Approximately 50% of fish from the Jack Creek release group were recovered in the Teanaway River suggesting a tendency to home to the release site. Similarly, most fish released from the upriver Easton acclimation site were recovered in the upper watershed while fish released from the Clark Flat site tended to be lower. Interestingly, however, a large percentage of fish released from the Jack Creek and Clark Flat facility were recovered upstream from the confluence of the Cle Elum River.


Title:

Protocols to Measure and Assess Select Geomorphic and Habitat Correlates for the YKFP EDT Model

 

Author:

Douglas J. Eitemiller M.S.

Anthony Gabriel Ph.D.

Paul Blanton M.S. Candidate

 

Summary of Presentation:

The goal of this work is to develop a suite of protocols used to measure and assess select geomorphic and habitat correlates for the Yakima Klickitat Fisheries Project (YKFP) Ecosystem Diagnosis and Treatment (EDT) model. The level two correlates examined include the following: gradient, habitat type composition, minimum and maximum channel width, natural and anthropogenic confinement, riparian function, and measurements of woody debris.

 

All of the methods described were developed or chosen for their level of precision relative to assessment scale and the expenditure of both time and money required to implement them. This is a key point, since the range of index values associated with each of the level two correlates within EDT does not necessitate absolute precision.  EDT reaches were classified using Montgomery and Buffington’s (1992) stream classification system.  Other correlates were assessed using a combination of aerial photo interpretation and field measurements. We also compared the correlate measurements resulting from random, systematic and stratified sampling strategies.  The protocols we have developed will serve to expedite the EDT process wherever it is implemented. 


Title:

Comparisons of Growth, Dominance and Precocity between Offspring of First Generation Hatchery and Wild Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)

Author:

Marlene Haas FarrellDepartment of Biological Sciences,Central Washington University425/434-0019      marlene.marathon@centurytel.net

Summary of Presentation:

As a result of domestication selection hatchery fish are consistently distinct from their wild counterparts.  Studies have shown that hatchery fish display unique physiological and behavioral traits that, through introgression, can be detrimental to the evolved adaptations of wild stocks.  Most studies compare the fitness of hatchery and wild fish after several generations of production.  This study is unique in that I compared sequential growth measurements of offspring from crossings of first generation hatchery, wild and hatchery x wild chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), controlling for environment as they were all reared at the Cle Elum Supplementation and Research Facility.  I also examined differences in dominance based upon dyadic feeding experiments.  I found that juveniles from first generation hatchery and hatchery x wild crossings maintained higher growth rates than juveniles from wild crossings.  From the dominance experiments I found that size-matched wild juveniles were significantly more dominant than hatchery juveniles.

Precocity in chinook salmon is defined as early sexual maturation and a forgoing of more lengthy development in an attempt to spawn in one’s first or second year.  This study examined the effects of food abundance, social status and genetics on precocity.  The genetic component comprised a comparison of juveniles from the different parental crossings.  Relationships between the factors of high growth rate and dominance with precocity were also expected.  However, a complete absence of precocity was found for low and high food levels, the three parental crosses and dominant and subordinate categories of fish.


Title:

Overview of Fisheries Research in the Yakima Fisheries Project

 

Authors:

David Fast1*, Joe Blodgett1, Bill Bosch1, Ray Brunson2, Craig Busack3, Andy Dittman4, Joel Hubble1, Mark Johnston1, Curt Knudsen5, Don Larsen4, Steve Schroder3, Todd Pearsons3, Doug Neeley6, Bruce Watson7, 1*Yakama Nation, YKFP Nelson Springs Research Office, 771 Pence Road, Yakima, WA, 98902, 509-945-1206, Fast@Yakama.com. 2 U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 3 Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife,4 NOAA Fisheries, 5Oncorh Consulting, 6IntSTATS Consulting, 7Mobrand Biometrics

 

Summary of Presentation:

The Yakima/Klickitat Fisheries Program (YKFP) has designed a supplementation program to enhance the Spring Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) in the Yakima Basin.  The purpose of the YKFP is to test the assumption that new artificial production can be used to increase harvest and natural production while maintaining the long-term genetic fitness of the fish population being supplemented and keeping adverse genetic and ecological interactions with non-target species or stocks within acceptable limits. 

 

Monitoring efforts are directed at evaluation of the performance of supplementation fish in each of the following categories, and comparison with the performance of naturally reared fish.

 

1.    The post-release survival of supplementation fish (both outmigrating smolts and returning adults).

2.    The homing and reproductive success of supplemented populations.

3.    The long-term fitness of supplemented populations.

4.    The inter-and intra-specific interactions (including competition, predation and genetic effects) between supplemented and unsupplemented populations.

 

Research programs for reintroduction of Coho salmon, supplementation of Fall Chinook salmon, and reconditioning of ESA listed Steelhead kelts are also being conducted in the Yakima system.  Other research programs are monitoring the status of the Bull Trout, another ESA listed species that occurs in the Yakima watershed.

 

Habitat enhancement programs have also been implemented as part of the YKFP, and monitoring procedures are being developed to evaluate their success.


Title:

Outmigration Survival of Supplemented and Wild Spring Chinook Smolts

 

Authors:

David Fast1*, Charles Strom1, Mark Johnston1, David Lind1, Curt Knudsen2, Doug Neeley3, Bill Bosch1

1*Yakama Nation, YKFP Nelson Springs Research Office, 771 Pence Road, Yakima, WA, 98902, 509-945-1206, Fast@Yakama.com.

2 Oncorh Consulting

3 IntSTATS Consulting

 

Summary of Presentation:

The Yakima/Klickitat Fisheries Program (YKFP) has designed a supplementation program to enhance the Spring Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) in the Yakima Basin.  The purpose of the YKFP is to test the assumption that new artificial production can be used to increase harvest and natural production.  The first step in the sequence of evaluating this hypothesis is to determine if we can increase the survival of juveniles reared in the hatchery environment over that of fish reared in the wild, and maintain that survival advantage through the smolt outmigration period?

This paper describes the experimental design for monitoring the survival of outmigrating smolts from the new Semi-Natural Treatment (SNT) rearing techniques against the Optimum Conventional Treatments (OCT) of existing successful hatcheries in the Pacific Northwest.  We also compare the survival of the supplementation smolts with that of outmigrating wild smolts.  Survival is measured from release in the Yakima River to detection of PIT tags at McNary Dam on the Columbia River.

There were no significant differences in release-to-McNary survivals between the SNT and OCT fish in any of the brood years from 1997 through 1999 (P > 0.2).  The release-to-McNary-Dam survival of brood-year 2000 (2002-outmigrant) smolts reared under the semi-natural treatment (SNT) was significantly less (P = 0.045) than that of smolts reared under the optimal conventional treatment (OCT).  The SNT’s pre-release survival was also significantly less than the OCT’s (P = 0.001).  For all nine pairs of raceways the survival from the SNT raceways to McNary was less than that of the OCT raceways, and for eight of the nine pairs, the level of Bacterial Kidney Disease (BKD) in the SNT raceways was higher than in the OCT raceways.  Analysis of this new information is currently underway.

In the comparison of wild and hatchery smolt outmigration survival there was a significant difference only in outmigration-year 2000 (P = 0.001) with the wild survival index exceeding that of the hatchery. Thus the supplemented smolts are surviving at a rate comparable to that of the wild smolts from release to McNary dam.


Title:

Reestablish Safe Access Into Tributaries of the Yakima Subbasin

BPA Project #98-034: A Summary of Projects and Issues

 

Author:

Henry Fraser, Yakama Nation Fisheries

Phone: 509-963-1159 

Email:  henry.fraser@cwu.edu

 

Summary of Presentation:

The Safe Access project has concentrated on screening and passage issues in Kittitas Valley tributaries, including Wilson, Naneum, Manastash and Reecer Creeks, and on Tucker Creek near Easton, Washington.  Construction projects in lower Wilson, Naneum and Tucker Creeks that were slated for FY ’02 were delayed for numerous reasons. Those projects were re-scheduled to occur during FY ’03; however, reprioritization of assumed carry-forward funding has precluded the possibility of construction during FY ‘03 and perhaps during FY ’04.

 

In addition to proposed construction projects, pre-feasibility planning efforts in lower Manastash Creek and Reecer Creek have been initiated.  A Manastash Creek Water Conservation Study was completed by Montgomery Watson Harza, resulting in six alternatives that address screening, passage and water conservation.  Numerous meetings with irrigators, state agencies and interest groups have also occurred.  The Reecer Creek Passage Improvement Feasibility Study is near completion.

 

This presentation will address several of the proposed construction projects and reasons for delays in implementation.  It should be noted that all construction projects have permitting completed, contracts or Task Orders in place, contractors selected and landowner agreements completed or under legal review.  The planning efforts undertaken in Manastash and Reecer Creeks will be discussed in general terms.

 

It is the author’s understanding that future funding of construction projects will be implemented through accrual-based contracting.  In other words, spend it or lose it on a fiscal year basis. How one might squeeze engineering, design, permitting, easements, landowner agreements, contracting and water rights issues into such a time frame is the challenge that lies ahead.


Title:

Activities of the Surface Water Management Division of Yakima County Public Works

 

Author:

Joel Freudenthal

Fish and Wildlife Biologist

Yakima County Public Works

Ph. 509-574-2322

Joel.Freudenthal@co.yakima.wa.us

 

Summary of Presentation:

The Surface Water Management Division has 3 main areas of responsibility:

 

1)    Implementation of the Yakima Countywide Flood Control Zone District

2)    Stormwater Management Planning for the Urbanized area of Yakima County

3)    Yakima County’s response to the Endangered Species Act, and participation in other watershed-based processes and activities.

 

 

The Flood Control Zone District (FCZD) is a taxing district which is County-wide, and was formed after the 1996 flood severely strained the resources of County and City governments due to the magnitude of damage and the high cost of response.  The FCZD is primarily engaged in preparation of Comprehensive Flood Hazard Management Plans (CFHMPs) , and “demonstration projects”.    We are currently amending the Upper Yakima CFHMP, near completion of the Naches CFHMP, and will soon start the Ahtanum/Wide Hollow CFHMP.   Demonstration projects include the McCormick Levee project this year, and will also include several other projects over the next couple of years at Donald-Wapato, Ahtanum Creek, and West Valley Park.

 

Stormwater Planning includes planning in Yakima, Union Gap, a portion of Moxee, and adjacent County lands.  We are currently applying for an NPDES permit for stormwater in this area, and will likely form a utility to handle stormwater in this area.

 

We are participating in a number of watershed programs including the 2496 Lead Entity,  the 2514 Watershed Plan, and is administering the local government portions of Subbasin Planning and Salmon Recovery Planning with the Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Yakama Nation.


Title:

Smallmouth Bass Predation on Salmonids

 

Authors:

Anthony L. Fritts, Todd N. Pearsons, and Christopher L. Johnson

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

(509) 925-4467, frittalf@dfw.wa.gov

 

Summary of Presentation:

We estimated the number of salmonids that smallmouth bass ate during the spring of 2002 in the Yakima River.  Predator surveys were conducted every other week from mid March to mid April and then weekly through June 15 in two sections of the lower Yakima River.  Abundance was estimated using a relationship between catch per unit effort and population estimates, which were calculated using maximum likelihood estimators of mark and recapture data.  Diet was determined by lavaging smallmouth bass and identifying fish in the lab by examining diagnostic bones.  Daily consumption was calculated by estimating the average number of salmonids that a bass ate per day and extrapolating that number to the number of bass in the lower 68 kilometers of the Yakima River.  Daily consumption was then added to yield consumption during the spring.  Abundance of bass >149 mm increased during the spring from a low of about 2,900 in March to a high of 33,967 on June 3 and then declined to 24,840 on June 15.  The increase in abundance was primarily due to immigration of fish from the Columbia River.  Daily consumption of salmonids was relatively low until late April and peaked in late May.  Smallmouth bass ate an estimated 159,798 salmonids from March 22 to June 10.  Only 2,570 of these were estimated to be spring chinook.  The remainder was mostly fall chinook salmon.  The weekly abundance estimates were similar to the estimates during 1999 and 2000.  Average water temperature and percent of smallmouth bass consuming salmonids was also similar to 1999 and 2000.  Our estimates of consumption of salmonids by smallmouth bass have been similar during all years of our study and during various flow and temperature regimes.  We will not continue this study in 2003.


Title:

Development of a Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity

For Tributaries and Mainstem Rivers in the

Yakima River Basin Upstream of Union Gap

 

Authors:

Nick Gayeski, Washington Trout

425-788-1167;

 nick@washingtontrout.org

And

Kris Rein, University of Washington

krise@u.washington.edu

 

Summary of Presentation:

Over the past three years we have collected samples of aquatic benthic invertebrates from a total of 93 tributary and mainstem sites in the Yakima Basin upstream of Union Gap in order to develop a set of metrics that will depict with reasonable accuracy the biotic integrity of tributary and mainstem river sites at the reach scale. Correlated with landscape condition and landuse characteristics such a set of metrics (an Index of Biotic Integrity) can serve both to assess landuse impacts and to monitoring the effectiveness of actions intended to improve stream and river health.

 

To date we have confirmed that 10 metrics developed for the Puget Sound Lowlands respond as expected to tributary stream reach condition in the Yakima Basin. Mainstem  river sites (Yakima, Naches, Tieton, and Cle Elum) also respond broadly as expected, but site scores display less range than tributaries sites, prompting us to consider additional and/or different metrics to see if discrimination of mainstem site condition may be improved. We are at present undecided whether it will turn out to be best to have one set of metrics or to have two separate metrics, one for tributaries and one for mainstems.

 

In the year remaining for completing the project, we will focus sampling on a small subset of mainstem and tributary sites to enhance replication and will devote the majority of our time to analyzing recent GIS landuse data to increase our understanding of the landscape conditions to which the metrics may be responding.


Title:     

Assessment of An In-Situ, Infrared Fish Counting Device

 

Author :    Steve Hiebert, U.S Bureau of Reclamation, Fisheries Application Research Group, Denver CO.(303) 445-2206,  Shiebert@do.usbr.gov

 

Summary of Presentation:

Quantifying fish is important to the operations of most USBR facilities and the data needs include: assessing the use and effectiveness of fish by-pass facilities; estimating entrainment at canals and dams; and providing fish movement, counts and sizes to fishery managers at multiple points along migration routes. Knowledge of numbers, size, species of fish and migration times is essential to managing the fishery and operations of projects.

 

Technology to count fish, trigger a camera, and software for analysis have been developed and consists of arrays of infrared photo diodes and detectors assembled into a submersed, site-specific dimension ‘tunnel’ that counts and determines size and direction of fish passing though the array.  This project objective is to determine the  accuracy and reliability of this type in-situ fish counter,  and use this counter to quantify fish using a ladder at Easton Dam, Washington and incorporate it into bull trout projects.

 

The counter has successfully operated at Easton Dam Fish Ladder in 2001 and 2002 with software upgrades installed by the manufacturer via phone modem connection.  Data shows thousands of fish pass through the counter (upstream and downstream) in a year.  These high numbers of fish are primarily smaller size fish that continually pass back and forth through the counter and do not represent true populations.  Larger size fish passing the counter are primarily salmon and they have a distinct pattern of high passage between 6AM and 6PM between May and October.  Data from a remote weir site counter on Deep Creek  indicated that bull trout pass through the counter during the dark.  Size estimates are taken using body depth profile measurements and factors for accurate estimates need to be developed further.


Title:     

Entrainment of Fish at Rimrock Reservoir

Authors :  Steve Hiebert, US Bureau of Reclamation,  Fisheries Application Research Group, Denver CO(303) 445-2206,  Shiebert@do.usbr.gov

Walter Larrick,US Bureau of Reclamation, Upper Columbia Area Office, Yakima , WA.(509) 575-5848 Ext.209, Wlarrick@pn.usbr.gov

Juddson Sechrist and Eric BestUS Bureau of Reclamation,  Fisheries Application Research Group, Denver CO.(303) 445-2179, Jsechrist@do.usbr.gov,  Ebest@do.usbr.gov 

Summary of Presentation:

Rimrock Reservoir operates on a ‘flip-flop’ water delivery schedule that is known to entrain various species of fish, primarily kokanee salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka).  There is also evidence that suggest a small number of the threatened bull trout ( Salvelinus confluentus ) may be entrained from the reservoir during large water delivery operations.

 

This project quantifies fish entrainment at Rimrock Reservoir, below Tieton Dam from August 31 to October 16, 2002, and measure fish distribution and abundance near the intake tower of the reservoir with hydroacoustic surveys.  Entrainment was estimated using paired fyke type nets fished in 24 hour standardized effort periods.  Of  the 5057 fish collected in the nets, (n =  4923) 97.35 % were kokanee salmon.  Nine bull trout (.17 %) were collected.  Seven fish species were collected during the sample period, with suckers and sculpins pooled to respective species. Efficiency tests are presented for the nets, with overall entrainment of kokanee estimated at 88,445 (range: 536300 - 36732) and bull trout entrainment estimated at 145 (range: 900 - 60). The majority of kokanee were captured in the late evening or early morning (2100 hrs - 0700 hrs) during the beginning of the high discharge period.  Diel differences in distribution and abundance were observed near the intake tower.  Both flow (cfs) and forebay elevation (ft) were statistically significant factors for kokanee entrainment ( r2 = 30.9 %, P = < 0.01, Df =1,36 for flow and r2= 14.2 %, P = 0.05, Df = 1, 36 for forbay elevation) but only flow showed a moderately strong contribution relationship based on a .55 correlation coefficient (.37 fo forebay elevation).  Comparisons with the 2001 entrainment data, using a standardized catch per unit of effort, were performed with similar trends observed.

 

Entrainment reduction techniques are discussed and include both positive and behavioral techniques.  Computerized flow dynamic models have indicated the highest water velocities are at the base of the intake tower.  Bimodal fish size distribution, similar to netting results, was observed with hydroacoustic fish surveys analyzing fish in the bottom 10 meters of the reservoir near the inlet tower.  Recommendations for 2003 entrainment netting are discussed and that will allow continuity of data analysis between years.


Title:

Yakima Basin EDT Current/Historic Diagnosis

 

Authors:

Joel Hubble; Yakama Nation; Nelson Springs Research, 771 Pence Road, Yakima, WA, 98902, (509) 966-5291, hubble@yakama.com

 

Bruce Watson, Mobrand Biometrics Inc., P.O. Box 724, 9920 SW Bank Road, Vashon, WA 98070, (206) 463.5003, bwatson@mobrand.com

                   

Summary of Presentation:                   

The Yakima Basin EDT (Ecosystem Diagnosis and Treatment) diagnostic reports for spring and fall chinook, steelhead and coho were completed in March 2003.  This represents the first complete EDT model run for steelhead, fall chinook and coho, and the second iteration for spring chinook.  Diagnostic results will focus primarily on steelhead and coho at the 2003 YKFP Project Annual Review.  Steelhead population results will be presented for each subbasin- Satus, Toppenish, Naches and upper Yakima.  Coho population results will focus on the Naches and upper Yakima subbasins.  Results will focus on population performance values (current vs historic conditions), high priority preservation and restoration reaches, and a highlight of key limiting factors.  The baseline population performance values will be presented for Yakima spring and fall chinook.

 

Steelhead

For the Satus population the EDT model predicted a spawner escapement (on the spawning grounds and adjusted for the resident/anadromous equilibrium) of 747 adults for current conditions and 13,671 adults for historic conditions. Smolt-to-adult survival was 1.5% for current conditions compared to 8.0% for historic conditions.  The adult returns per spawner were 2.2 versus 21.1 for current and historic conditions, respectively.  The number one and two preservation reaches within the Yakima Basin for Satus steelhead was Satus-1 (Mouth-Mule Dry Creek) and Satus-4 (Logy Creek-Bull Creek).  The number one and two restoration reaches were Logy Creek and Satus-2 (Mule Dry Creek-Dry Creek).  Egg incubation was the key life stage effecting the Satus population productivity and abundance, which was a result of poor channel stability, sediment load and temperature.  Predation upon smolts in the Yakima mainstem to a lesser degree impacted productivity and abundance.

 

For the Toppenish population the EDT model predicted a spawner escapement (on the spawning grounds and adjusted for the resident/anadromous equilibrium) of 250 adults for current conditions and 10,124 adults for historic conditions.  For current conditions the smolt-to-adult survival was 1.5% for upper Toppenish (above WIP canal) and 1.6% for lower Toppenish (below WIP canal, includes Simcoe subbasin) compared to 8.0% for historic conditions in both upper and lower Toppenish.  The adult returns per spawner ranged from 0 (in Marion Drain) to 2.1 (upper Toppenish) for current conditions and 16.3 for historic conditions in both upper and lower Toppenish.  Within the Yakima Basin the top two preservation reaches were the Yakima River:  Satus Creek-Toppenish Creek and Toppenish-11 (SF Toppenish Creek-Panther Creek), and for restoration they were the Yakima River: Prosser Dam-Satus Creek and Simcoe-6 (Wahtum Creek-Forks).  The key attributes effecting productivity and abundance were channel stability, sediment load, temperature and predation (on smolts) in the mainstem Yakima River.

 

For the Naches population the EDT model predicted a total spawner escapement (on the spawning grounds and adjusted for the resident/anadromous equilibrium) of 684 adults for current conditions.  Spawner escapement was distributed as follows- American R.:  90, Bumping R.:  19, Little Naches R.:  204, Naches R. (mainstem):  189, Rattlesnake subbasin: 105 and the Tieton R.:  77.  For historic conditions the spawner escapement was distributed as follows- American R.:  2908, Bumping R.:  3058, Little Naches R.:  6438, Naches R. (mainstem):  20514, Rattlesnake subbasin: 2183 and the Tieton R.:  10271.  For current conditions smolt-to-adult survival ranged from 1.5% to 2.5% (Bumping River, mouth-dam), while for historic conditions values ranged from 6.9% to 12.1% (Nile subbasin).  The adult returns per spawner ranged from 0 to 2.6 (American R.) for current conditions and 18.0 to 27.0 (Naches River: mouth-Tieton River) for historic.  The top two preservation reaches were in the Yakima River: Prosser Dam-Satus Creek and the Yakima River: Satus Creek-Toppenish Creek.  The two reaches with the highest restoration potential were the Naches River: Cowiche Creek-Tieton River and the Naches River: Nile Creek-Little Naches River.  The primary attributes limiting productivity and abundance were channel stability, sediment load and water temperature, which affected predominantly egg incubation.  In the mainstem Yakima River smolt predation was also a contributing factor impacting productivity and abundance.

 

For the upper Yakima population the EDT model predicted a spawner escapement (on the spawning grounds and adjusted for the resident/anadromous equilibrium) of 140 adults for current conditions and 36,722 adults for historic conditions. For current conditions the smolt-to-adult survival ranged from 1.8% (upper Yakima tributaries) to 1.9% (Yakima mainstem above Roza Dam) compared to a range of 7.0% (upper Yakima tributaries) to 9.1% (Yakima mainstem above Roza Dam) for historic conditions depending on the subbasin.  The adult returns per spawner ranged from 0 to 1.6 (Yakima mainstem above Roza Dam) for current conditions and 13.3 (Ahtanum/Wide Hollow subbasins) to 19.3 (Yakima mainstem above Roza Dam) for historic conditions depending on the subbasin.  Within the Yakima Basin the number one and two preservation reaches were the Yakima River: Satus Creek-Toppenish Creek and the Yakima River: Prosser Dam-Satus Creek.  The top two restoration reaches were the Manastash subbasin and the Wilson subbasin.  The primary attributes limiting productivity and abundance were channel stability, sediment load and temperature, which affected predominantly, egg incubation.  In the mainstem Yakima River smolt predation was also a contributing factor impacting productivity and abundance.

 

Coho

 

For the Naches population the EDT model predicted a spawner escapement (on the spawning grounds) of 97 adults for current conditions and 47,857 adults for historic conditions.  Smolt-to-adult survival ranged from 1.2 to 1.7% depending on the subbasin for current conditions, and from 7.0% to 7.4% for historic conditions.  The adult returns per spawner ranged from 0 to 1.3 depending on the subbasin for current conditions and from 11.1 to 23.9 for historic conditions.  The top two preservation reaches within the Yakima basin were the Naches River: Cowiche Creek-Tieton River and the Yakima River: Ahtanum Creek-Naches River.  The number one and two restoration reaches were the Naches River: Cowiche Creek-Tieton River and the Naches River: Nile Creek-Little Naches River.  The primary attribute limiting productivity and abundance in the Yakima River mainstem was predation upon coho smolts.  Within the Naches subbasin sediment load, key habitat quality and habitat diversity were the main attributes negatively affecting coho abundance and productivity.    

 

For the upper Yakima population the EDT model predicted a total spawner escapement (on the spawning grounds) of 486 adults for current conditions and 88,945 spawners for historic conditions.  For current conditions smolt-to-adult survival ranged from 1.5% to 1.8%, while for historic conditions values ranged from 6.3% to 6.9% depending on the subbasin.  The adult returns per spawner ranged from 0 to 1.6 for current conditions and 13.2 to 20.3 for historic depending on the subbasin.  The top two preservation reaches within the Yakima basin were the Yakima River: Easton Dam-Keechelus Dam and the Yakima River: Cle Elum River-Easton Dam.  The top two restoration reaches within the Yakima Basin were the Wilson Creek subbasin and the Teanaway River: below the Forks.

 

In the mainstem Yakima River predation on smolts was the main limiting attribute affecting coho productivity and abundance.  In the Ahtanum subbasin key attributes were channel stability, sediment load, key habitat quality, which most impacted the egg incubation and over wintering life stages.  In the Wilson subbasin key limiting factors were sediment load and channel stability, which affected most significantly the incubation and 0-age active rearing life stages.  For the Manastash and Taneum subbasins flow, sediment load, habitat diversity and channel stability were the key limiting attributes.  Coho productivity and abundance in the Teanaway subbasin was most affected by poor habitat diversity, key habitat quality, water temperature, flow and channel stability.

 

Spring Chinook

 

For the upper Yakima population the EDT model predicted a spring chinook spawner escapement (on the spawning grounds) of 2739 adults for current conditions and 107,467 spawners for historic conditions.  Depending on the subbasin for current conditions the smolt-to-adult survival ranged from 3.4% to 3.6% compared to a range of 9.9% to 11.0% for historic conditions.  The adult returns per spawner ranged from 0 to 3.5 for current conditions and 22.0 to 35.0 for historic. 

 

For the Naches population the EDT model predicted a spring chinook spawner escapement (on the spawning grounds) of 1283 adults for current conditions and 60,141 spawners for historic conditions.  Depending on the subbasin for current conditions the smolt-to-adult survival ranged from 2.7% to 3.8% compared to a range of 7.9% to 10.1% for historic conditions.  The adult returns per spawner ranged from 0 to 4.5 for current conditions and 32.2 to 48.4 for historic. 

 

 

Fall Chinook

 

A summary of the baseline population performance values were not available at the time of this writing, but will be made available at the PAR on March 25-26, 2003.


Title:

Yakima Basin Steelhead Status Report

 

Authors:

Joel Hubble; Yakama Nation; Nelson Springs Research, 771 Pence Road, Yakima, WA, 98902, (509) 966-5291, hubble@yakama.com

 

Shannon Adams, Yakama Nation, Toppenish Fisheries Resource Management, P.O. Box 151, Toppenish, WA 98948, (509) 865-6262, Shannon@yakama.com

 

Dave Lind, Yakama Nation, Nelson Springs Research, 771 Pence Road, Yakima, WA, 98902, (509) 965-6270, lind@yakama.com

 

Tom McCoy, Yakama Nation, Toppenish Fisheries Resource Management, P.O. Box 151, Toppenish, WA 98948, (509) 865-6262, tmccoy@yakama.com

 

Scott Prevatte, Yakama Nation, Toppenish Fisheries Resource Management, P.O. Box 151, Toppenish, WA 98948, (509) 865-6262, prevatte@yakama.com

 

Brandon Rogers, Yakama Nation, Toppenish Fisheries Resource Management, P.O. Box 151, Toppenish, WA 98948, (509) 865-6262, brandonr@yakama.com

 

Summary of Presentation:                   

Yakima Basin steelhead adult counts have been conducted at Prosser Dam beginning with the 1983-84 run, while counts at Roza Dam commenced with the 1991-92 run.  This task is part of the ongoing monitoring and evaluation program under the Yakima/Klickitat Fisheries Project (YKFP). 

 

There are three primary projects related to steelhead currently being conducted in the Yakima Basin that are funded by BPA, but are not directly under the guise of the YKFP.  The Yakima Watershed Restoration-Satus Creek (project #199603501) was initiated in 1996.  The stated purpose of this project is to “improve fish habitat in the Satus Creek watershed (Yakama Indian Reservation) by ameliorating the major land-use impacts.”  Associated with the habitat restoration activities are two important steelhead monitoring tasks.  These are operation of a smolt trap near the mouth of Satus Creek since 1997 and continued annual redd surveys, which date back to the early 1980’s.

 

The second project is the Upper Toppenish Creek Watershed Analysis (project #199803300), which began in 1998.  The objective of this project is to, “analyze the key hydrologic features of the upper Toppenish Creek watershed which have a spatially disproportionate influence on runoff processes. Determine those areas with high storage capacity and implement restoration plans.”  In addition to the hydrological information being gathered for this project, complete annual redd surveys of the entire Toppenish/Simcoe subbasins are conducted, as well as, the monitoring of steelhead parr and smolt outmigration since 2000.

 

The final project is the Ahtanum Creek Watershed Assessment (project 199901300) that was initiated in 1999.  The stated purpose of the project is to, “map irrigated lands & water delivery stems, measure water discharge & temperature.  Determine efficiency of irrigation water conveyance and use. Gather data on stream channel condition, riparian function and salmonid populations in the Ahtanum Creek watershed.”  Information is being collected on steelhead through project monitoring and evaluation activities, which consist of operating a rotary trap in lower Ahtanum Creek, as well as, conducting redd surveys in portions of the subbasin.

 

A brief status of these activities and results will be presented at the 2003 YKFP PAR.


Title:

Yakima Dams Fish Passage Assessment

 

Author:

R Dennis Hudson

Bureau of Reclamation

(208) 378-5250

rhudson@pn.usbr.gov

 

Summary of Presentation:

There are no fish passage facilities at any of the Bureau of Reclamation storage dams in the Yakima Project.  In response to stated concerns of basin interests, and to meet the requirements of the Keechelus Safety of Dams HPA, Reclamation began a preliminary assessment of fish passage at all the storage dams in the spring of 2002.  Reclamation is seeking funding for detailed feasibility studies of fish passage at the dams.

 

A team was organized to assess passage concepts and tributary habitat conditions upstream of the storage reservoirs.  During this assessment process, we determined that there are a range of options and opportunities for providing fish passage at the five reservoirs.  Some combinations of passage options and associated biological benefits would be more feasible than others.

 

Costs vary widely among options, especially for downstream passage of juvenile fish.  In general, fish passage at each of these dams is complicated by large fluctuations of reservoir water surface elevations.  All five reservoirs have some tributary habitat that would be available if passage were provided; however, the amount and quality of the habitat varies considerably.  Some options would provide only limited windows of time for passage.

 

From our initial assessment, it appears to be technically feasible to provide both upstream and downstream passage facilities at all of the dams.  Passage at some sites would be much more expensive in relation to available habitat than at other sites.  The effectiveness of potential fish movement through these facilities is unknown and remains to be determined.


Title:

Spawning Migrations of Adfluvial Bull Trout in Bumping Lake and Keechelus Lake

 

Author:

Paul W. James

Department of Biological Sciences

Central Washington University

509-963-1895

jamesp@cwu.edu

 

Summary of Presentation:

Spawning migrations of adfluvial bull trout were studied in Bumping Lake and Keechelus Lake during late summer and fall 2002.  Adults were captured during post-spawning migrations in weir-type traps set in the lower reaches of spawning streams.  Adults from Bumping Lake spawned in Deep Creek with a total of 85 adult bull trout being captured, measured and released from September 3-17, 2002.  The Deep Creek spawners in 2002 had an average length of 494 mm which was 43 mm smaller than the average size of Deep Creek spawners in 1997-2000.  Adults from Keechelus Lake spawned in Gold Creek and were captured from October 16 through November 18, 2002.  About 15-20 adults were trapped in one pool in lower Gold Creek from mid-September through mid-November due to passage problems near Gold Creek Pond.  Eight of these adults were captured and averaged 628 mm which was similar to the average size of adults captured in Gold Creek in 2000.


Title:

Survival of Supplemented and Wild Spring Chinook Adults returning to the Yakima Basin

 

Authors:

Mark Johnston 1*, David Fast1, Charles Strom1, David Lind1, Curt Knudsen2, Doug Neeley3, Bill Bosch1

1*Yakama Nation, YKFP Nelson Springs Research Office, 771 Pence Road,  Yakima, WA, 98902, 509-945-1206, Fast@Yakama.com.

2 Oncorh Consulting

3 IntSTATS Consulting

 

Summary of Presentation:                   

The Yakima/Klickitat Fisheries Program (YKFP) has designed a supplementation program to enhance the Spring Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) in the Yakima Basin.  This paper describes evaluation of the survival of returning adults reared and released under the new Semi-Natural Treatment (SNT) against returning adults reared under the Optimum Conventional Treatment (OCT). For the 1997 brood based on combined Age-3, Age 4, and Age 5 returns (return years 2000, 2001, and 2002, respectively), there were no significant differences (P = 0.339) between the OCT and SNT survival from juvenile tagging to adult passage at Roza Dam on the Upper Yakima River.  For the 1998 brood there were no significant differences between the SNT and OCT survival at the Clark Flats and Easton release sites (P = 0.431 and P = 0.207, respectively) based on combined Age-3 and Age-4 returns (return-years 2001 and 2002, respectively); however, SNT’s survival was significantly less than that of OCT’s at the Jack Creek Site (P = 0.029).  The 1998 brood-year results should be regarded as tentative because age-5 adults are not included. 

We also compare the overall survival of the supplementation adults with that of returning naturally produced adults.  Survival is measured from adult brood stock salmon monitored at Roza dam (wild adults released to spawn in upper Yakima River against adults taken to Cle Elum hatchery for brood stock) to detection of their progeny returning as adults at Roza Dam. 

Survival has been considerably higher for first generation hatchery (35 returning adults for every adult taken into the hatchery) than for the wild fish (5 returning adults for every adult released to spawn in the wild).  Total adult escapement to the upper Yakima was 91% and 87% higher during 2001 and 2002 respectively, than would have occurred without the  supplementation program. Fisheries have been initiated and enhanced as a result of this program with 2,606 and 2,580 fish caught by tribal fishers and 2,024 and 528 fish caught by sport anglers, during 2001 and 2002 respectively.


Title:

Steelhead habitat use in the upper Yakima River Basin

 

Author:

Cathy Karp, US Bureau of Reclamation, 303-445-2226, ckarp@do.usbr.gov; Mark Johnston, Yakama Nation, 509-945-1133

 

Summary of Presentation:

Yakima River steelhead were recently listed as threatened under the middle Columbia ESU. These fish enter the river in the spring/early summer and spawn in winter/early spring in the Yakima River. Largest spawning runs are in Satus and Toppenish Creeks although spawning also has been noted in the Naches and upper Yakima River. Roza Dam was completed in the late 1930's/ early 40's but fish passage only occurred when the pool was full. The Roza Power Plant was added in 1958 and fish passage then became possible all year. It is believed that steelhead use above Roza Dam was impacted the 17 years prior to 1958. We are using radiotelemetry to evaluate habitat use and spawning above Roza Dam by tracking fish that are intercepted at the Roza fish trap. Remote telemetry stations are in place at Roza Dam, Town Ditch, Taneum Creek, Teanaway River, Cle Elum Hatchery, and Easton Dam due to the cooperation of University of Idaho, United States Geological Survey, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, and the United States Bureau of Reclamation. To date, 30 adult wild steelhead have been gastrically impanted with a 6-month radiotransmitter and released into the Roza pool. These fish are tracked every few days and the remote stations downloaded weekly.


Title:

Hyporheic Characteristics of Chinook Salmon Redds: Investigating Spawning Habitat Advantages

 

Author:

Scott Kline

U.S. Bureau of Reclamation / Central Washington University

509-575-5848 x277

skline@pn.usbr.gov

 

Summary of Presentation:

It is well documented that chinook salmon locate their natal streams by their keen sense of smell.  The source of the smell is likely a complex soup of characteristics related to the geology, flora, and fauna of the stream in which they were born.  The smell of a river that leads the salmon to their particular spawning areas is the same on a scale measured in kilometers.  However, once the spawning adults reach their natal stream, spawning sites are selected that are chosen in a nonrandom fashion on a scale measured in meters.  What are female salmon using to locate spawning habitat on this small scale?  Substrate size, water velocity, and water depth influence the female’s ability to build a redd, but these characteristics alone often do not explain the nonrandom distribution of redds found.  This study investigates characteristics of the hyporheic zone that may provide an ideal habitat for incubating salmon embryos and a selective advantage for embryos to be buried in specific locations chosen by the adult female.  Hyporheic characteristics including vertical head gradient, dissolved oxygen, temperature, specific conductivity, and permeability were measured in spawning and nonspawning areas of the Cle Elum River.  Survival to hatching, weight, and length of planted embryos were measured in spawning and nonspawning areas to determine if there is evidence of a selective advantage for embryos incubating in spawning locations.


Title:

Spawner and Redd Characteristics of Wild- and Hatchery-Origin Upper Yakima River Spring Chinook

 

 

Authors:

Curtis Knudsen, Oncorh Consulting, Olympia, WA 98501

Brenda Ben–James, Cascade Aquatics, Ellensburg, WA 98926

Steve Schroder, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Olympia, WA 98501

Todd Pearsons, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Ellensberg, WA 98926

 

knudsen@thurston.com, 360-357-3382

 

Summary of Presentation:

In 2002, we compared the reproductive behavior and redd characteristics of naturally spawning upper Yakima River hatchery and wild females.  We compared utilization of spawning habitat, water depth, velocity and substrate characteristics; spatial and temporal spawning distribution; time to construct and guard redds; and redd size parameters.  Redds were sampled by snorkeling 3 to 4 days per week.  Sampling covered the peak of spawning between September 9 and October 2 and individual redds were identified with a female of known origin (presence or absence of an adipose fin).  During each observation female size was estimated visually and the status of each redd and behavioral stage of females were noted.  After spawning was completed, a suite of size, depth, velocity and substrate parameters were collected from each known origin redd.

 

A total of 76 hatchery- and 43 wild-origin females and associated redds were identified.  Naturally spawning hatchery females were significantly smaller (p=0.01) than wild females by 1.7 cm on average, demonstrating a similar body size difference to that observed in Roza Adult Monitoring Facility and carcass recovery samples.  In our preliminary analyses of redd parameter data there were no significant differences (p>0.45) in either redd size dimensions, depths or water velocities between hatchery- and wild-origin females.  We have not yet completed analyses comparing behavioral data, temporal distribution of spawning, and gravel characteristics.


Title:

Demographic Traits of Wild- and Hatchery-Origin Yakima River Basin Spring Chinook

 

Authors:

Curtis Knudsen, Oncorh Consulting, Olympia, WA

Steven Schroder, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Olympia, WA

Jason Rau, Yakama Nation, Cle Elum, WA

Charlie Strom, Yakama Nation, Cle Elum, WA

Mike Hammlin, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Cle Elum, WA

Paul Huffman, Yakama Nation, Toppenish, WA

 

knudsen@thurston.com, 360-357-3382

 

Summary of Presentation:

We compared spawn timing, size-at-age, age composition, and sex ratio of the three native Yakima River Basin spring chinook populations in 2001 and 2002.  American River fish spawn earliest, are the largest at a given age, are older on average, and have the highest proportion of males.  Upper Yakima River fish spawn latest, are smaller at age, have younger mean age, and the highest proportion of females.  Naches basin fish, excluding American River, are intermediate in each of these traits. These differences are likely local adaptations in response to differing selection pressures related to migration rigor, gravel scouring during egg incubation, and water temperatures during both adult holding/spawning and egg incubation.

 

Within the upper Yakima River, we compared size-at-age, age composition, migration and spawn timing, fecundity, egg size and reproductive effort of hatchery- and wild-origin fish from 2001 and 2002; the first two years of hatchery adult returns.  In both years, age-3 and age-4 hatchery fish were significantly smaller than wild fish of the same age: approximately 3 cm in age-3’s and 2 cm in age-4’s.  Three- and four-year old hatchery fish weighed 0.3 and 0.4 kg less than wild fish, respectively.  Hatchery age-5 fish, returning in 2002 for the first time, were also significantly smaller than wild age-5 fish by 4 cm and 1.1 kg.  Because of the body size difference, hatchery females were also less fecund.  In 2002, but not 2001, hatchery fish also had significantly smaller eggs, exhibited later passage at RAMF (5 days) and earlier spawn timing (7 days) than wild fish.  Within hatchery OCT and SNT Treatment groups in 2001 and 2002, there was no significant difference in body weight, length or run timing at RAMF for ages 2 through 5. 


Title:     

Physiology and Precocialism of Hatchery Spring Chinook Salmon

 

Authors:   

Donald A. Larsen, Brian R. Beckman, Kathleen A. Cooper, Paul Parkins, Nick G. Hodges, Jon T. Dickey, Brad Gadberry, and Walton W. Dickhoff

NMFS, 2725 Montlake Blvd. E., Seattle, WA, 98112, 206-860-3462, don.larsen@noaa.gov.

 

Summary of Presentation:

Over the past five years we have conducted research to characterize the physiology and development of wild and hatchery-reared spring chinook salmon in the Yakima River Basin. These studies have revealed that approximately 35-50% of the hatchery-reared males from this program undergo precocious maturation at 1+ years of age.  While this is a natural life-history strategy the hatchery environment may be potentiating this developmental pathway beyond natural levels resulting in loss of anadromous adults, skewing of sex ratios, and negative genetic and ecological impacts on wild populations.  Our current project has three central objectives: 1) Continue monitoring the maturation rate of the Cle Elum hatchery population. 2) Obtain an estimate of the rate of precocious male maturation in the wild Yakima spring chinook population and 3) Conduct a growth rate modulation study at the Cle Elum Facility to control the precocious male maturation rate.  Results to date indicate that the Cle Elum hatchery fish continue to show male maturation rates in excess of 40%.  Examination of 600 wild fish collected in mid-winter at Roza dam indicates male maturation rates of approximately 11%.  The growth rate modulation experiment has successfully produced fish with four growth trajectories based on summer/autumn growth patterns with the following size and “preliminary maturity rates” as of Feb-Mar, 2003: High/High (20 g, 44%), High/Low (14 g, 37%), Low/High (12 g, 22%), Low/Low (11g, 29%) for comparison to Cle Elum Production fish (19 g, 40%) and wild fish captured near Cle Elum (8.3 g, 4%). These data suggests that male precocity can be modulated through growth manipulation and that the current production fish are being grown near a maximum rate for their water temperature (> 2X wild fish).  Future experiments may be required to establish a rearing regime that produces fish large enough for tagging, but with slow enough growth to further reduce precocity levels to that of their wild cohorts.  Conducted in cooperation with the YN, Oncorh Consulting, WDFW, and the USFWS.  (BPA contract #’s 1992-022 and 2002032).


Title:

Evaluation of energy expenditure in adult salmonids migrating upstream in the Columbia River basin: an assessment based on sequential proximate analysis

 

Authors:

Matthew G. Mesa and Cynthia D. Magie

U.S. Geological Survey

Western Fisheries Research Center

Columbia River Research Laboratory

5501A Cook-Underwood Road

Cook, WA  98605

509-538-2299, ext. 246; matt_mesa@usgs.gov

 

Summary of Presentation:

The Pacific Northwest is currently in the midst of an unprecedented decline of many stocks of anadromous salmonids.  One factor potentially limiting salmonid production in the Columbia River basin is an excessive use of energy by adults migrating upstream, yet this notion has received little attention.  In 2002, we continued research to document the energy expenditure of upstream migrating adult salmonids in the Columbia and Snake rivers.  In the past, this research used electromyogram (EMG) radio telemetry to assess the physiology, energetics, and behavior of fish in the wild.  For this work, we assessed the energetics associated with migration, reproductive development, and spawning by conducting a sequential proximate analysis of Yakima River spring chinook salmon as they migrated upstream to their spawning tributary.  To provide a baseline energy density estimate for this spring chinook salmon population, we sampled 50 fish at Bonneville Dam that had a PIT tag indicating they originated from the Yakima River.  We also sampled fish at Roza Dam on the Yakima River and fish from the spawning grounds that either did or did not successfully spawn.  From each fish, we collected a large blood sample and removed (1) the entire gonad, (2) the remaining viscera, and (3) a sample of muscle from just below the anterior portion of the dorsal fin for proximate analysis (i.e., percent fat, protein, ash, and water).  In addition, small aliquots of samples (ca. 1 mg) were used for analysis of stable isotope ratios (*13C and *15N) to explore this technique as a means to obtain nutritional information on fish without sacrificing them.  Although data are still being analyzed, we will present information on: (1) the energy reserves of fish at Bonneville and Roza Dams; (2)the energy reserves of fish from the spawning grounds that either did or did not spawn successfully; and (3) the efficacy of stable isotope data to predict the nutritional status of fish.  Collectively, our results should provide an assessment of the influence of different migration histories on whole-body and tissue specific energy content and the potential for different migration histories (e.g., fish that fallback and delay often compared with those that do not) to leave fish with insufficient energy reserves to successfully reproduce.


Title: 

The Effects of Seasonal Stream De-watering on Bull Trout (Salvelinus confluentus) at Kachess River in Relation to Historical Land Use.

 

Author & Affiliation: 

William R. Meyer,  Washington State Fish and Wildlife

Contact Information:  (509) 933-2491   E-mail:  MeyerWRM@DFW.WA.GOV     WDFW  201 N. Pearl Street,  Ellensburg, WA 98926

 

Summary of Presentation:

 

De-watering occurs during summer in many headwater streams of the Yakima River Basin in central Washington, where chronically low populations of the threatened bull trout, Salvelinus confluentus, occur.  The influence of historical land management practices on de-watering, and the resulting effect of de-watering on the survival, densities and movement of bull trout, was investigated in the summer and fall of 2000.  Kachess River is a headwater stream, which persistently de-waters near where it flows into Kachess Reservoir.  Historical evidence suggests this stream has switched to an alternate stable state over the past 50-100 years due to mining, logging and road building.  Reservoir drawdown appeared to have no direct effect on de-watering the stream.  Juvenile bull trout may have shifted their out-migration from summer to fall, because of the summer de-watering.  Adult migration at Kachess River seems to have become locally adapted to de-watering into late fall, and as a result this population is the latest known spawning population in the Yakima Basin.  Bull trout populations in these seasonally de-watered and degraded systems seem to be at carrying capacity and recovery to greater numbers likely depends upon some form of watershed restoration.


Title:

Genetic Relation of Coho Salmon and Steelhead in the Yakima River to other Columbia Basin Populations

 

Authors:

S. Narum1*, C. Cegelski2, A. Talbot1, M. Powell2

 

1Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission

2 University of Idaho

 

*email: nars@critfc.org, phone: 208-837-9096

 

Summary of Presentation:

Coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) once persisted throughout much of the Columbia River Basin, including the Yakima River.  However habitat destruction, over-harvest, and poor ocean conditions have resulted in the decline or extirpation of many populations. By the early 1980's, all coho runs were extirpated from the Yakima River. Recent re-introduction efforts have included the Yakima and Wenatchee sub-basins where an early Type S stock has been released. This contrasts the late Type N stock released in other parts of Washington and Oregon. The focus of this project was to describe the genetic diversity of each type for future monitoring of populations. Seven polymorphic microsatellite loci were used to describe and genetically differentiate these stocks.  Steelhead in the Yakima River are part of the Mid Columbia ESU and are considered threatened by NMFS.  We have compared genetic diversity of steelhead (O. mykiss) in the Yakima Basin to other steelhead populations in the Columbia River basin based on six microsatellite loci.  Broad scale population structure of salmonid populations in the Columbia Basin is necessary to evaluate ESU designations and understand gene flow between subbasins.


Title:

Yakima Side Channels -  Habitat Protection Efforts

Yakima Subbasin

Yakima-Klickitat Fisheries Project

 

Authors:

Scott R. Nicolai [5] and Mark Teske [6]

 

Summary of Presentation:

In 2002, YKFP habitat efforts in the Yakima Subbasin have focused on protection and restoration of some of the most productive mainstem habitats.  Properties that have been permanently protected in the last year include Scatter Creek Phase II, and Lower Naches Phase II.  These areas were acquired through a cooperative arrangement with Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.  Planning for the Hanson Ponds floodplain restoration project continues to mature, with the project scheduled for implementation this fall. 

 

Scatter Creek Phase II is 310 acres, and was purchased in June 2002.  This phase substantially increased habitat benefits gained in phase I, with a total of 417 acres now protected.  Individual parcels are contiguous, they connect with 300 acres of public land at the upstream end, and abut the phase I properties at the downstream end.  The YKFP main supplementation facility lies adjacent to the phase I property.  Some of the property is a five-minute drive from Interstate 90, and 85 miles from downtown Seattle.  Thus, development pressure was high.  Habitat features include a mosaic of large wetland complexes and active side channels, interspersed with pine terraces. 

 

In September 2002, 52 acres were purchased in the lower Naches.  This property is the first of four properties to be acquired under this phase.  All of the properties are contiguous; the other three properties will be purchased in the next few weeks.  All the properties were inundated during the 1996 flood, though much of the property is not designated as jurisdictional (100-year) floodplain.  In total, 110 acres will be protected I this phase. 

 

Hanson Ponds has gone through extensive planning and coordination during this time frame.  This property is less than 300 yards upstream of the Dixon property, which was protected by the Yakima Side Channels project in 2000.  Hanson Ponds includes 125 acres, with 8500 feet of shoreline along the Yakima mainstem.  A collaborative restoration plan has been developed with the town of Cle Elum, including restoring flow through an armored levee, allowing Hanson Ponds to become a side-channel rearing area.  A road will be abandoned, and a parking area developed for walk-in access.  Large woody debris will be placed in the created side channel, and native riparian vegetation will be planted on the abandoned road and portions of the levee surface.  Funding for restoration actions will be provided by the Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund, which is administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.  


Title:

Yakima River Coho Re-Introduction Feasibility Study

 

Author:

Todd Newsome

Yakama Nation Fish Biologist

(509) 945-5729, Tnews@Yakama.com

 

Summary of Presentation:

Smolts were released in 2002 on May 6, 2002 and May 28, 2002.  Approximately 694,000 coho smolts were released from three acclimation sites.  Two acclimation sites were located on the Naches River, Stiles and Lost Creek, and one on the Upper Yakima River in Easton.  Approximately, 20,000 coho were pit tagged to monitor survival.  Groups of tagged fish were divided into their appropriate acclimation site and released early (May 6, 2002) and late (May 28,2002).  The early and late release treatments were implemented to find the most appropriate time to release the coho in the Yakima and Naches Basins. 

 

The Yakima-brood (in-basin) smolts released in the Naches River on May 6, 2002, had a lower survival index to McNary Dam than those released later on May 28, 2002, 25% and 60% respectively (Neeley, 2002).  The Willard (out-basin) smolts released in the Naches and Upper Yakima showed very little survival differences, 20% and 24% respectively (Neely, 2002).  Yakima-brood coho smolts survived significantly higher at 60% than that of the Willard-brood coho smolts, which survived at 27%.

 

In 2002-2003 the Yakima River Coho escapement was greatly reduced.  The escapement above Prosser Dam was 818 coho, 541 of which were adults.  Of the 818 coho passing Prosser Dam, approximately 68% were of wild origin.   Adult coho were found spawning from Toppenish to Roza Dam in the main stem Yakima River.  The Upper Yakima River coho escapement was only 5 adults and 1 jack.  There were approximately 12 redds counted in the Naches River up to Wapatox Dam (RM 17).  Only 15% of the possible redds were found, the majority were found in Ahtanum Creek and Buckskin Creek (Nelson Springs).


Title:

Yakima River Fall Chinook Supplementation Study

 

Author:

Todd Newsome

Yakama Nation Fish Biologist

(509) 945-5729, TNews@Yakama.com

 

Summary of Presentation:

In 2002, the Yakama Nation released approximately 143,079 in-basin fall chinook and an additional 1.7 million from the Little White Salmon National Fish Hatchery.  There were two experimental treatment groups included in these releases.  The Yakima Basin brood fall chinook were reared in two separate treatment groups, thermally accelerated, and ambient river water (conventional).  Approximately, 82,985 were accelerated and 62,094 were reared on ambient river water.  In addition, approximately 4,000 Marion Drain stock juvenile fall chinook were released into Marion Drain on April 1st and 2nd.  The two treatment groups, accelerated and conventional were released on April 16, and May 17 respectively. 

 

Statistical analysis on survival to McNary found no significant differences between accelerated and conventional treatments, 22% and 23% respectively (Neeley 2002).  Marion Drain juvenile fall Chinook survival was 30%.  In 2001, there were no significant differences; although in 2000, conventionally reared juvenile fall chinook survival exceeded that of both accelerated and conventional releases. 

 

Adult returns in 2002 were estimated to be 7,093 below Prosser Dam and 6,129 above Prosser Dam.  The total escapement to the Yakima River mouth was approximately 13,222.  Thermally accelerated and conventionally reared adult fall chinook contributed to the spawning population.  Approximately, 435 thermally accelerated adults and 52 conventional adults contributed to the lower Yakima River (below Prosser Dam) escapement.   The contributions above Prosser Dam were considerably less, accelerated adults were estimated at 145 and conventional adults were estimated at 14.  These numbers reflect the location of Prosser Hatchery and the releases. 

 

Redd surveys were preformed from October 1, 2002 through December 1, 2002.  A total of 374 redds were located.  The vast majority of redds were located from Toppenish to Mabton, however, redds were found through Union Gap and into the Naches River.


Title:

Yakima River Kelt Re-conditioning Project - Radio Tracking

Author:

Todd Newsome

Yakima Nation Fisheries

(509) 945-5729, Tnews@Yakam.com

 

Summary of Presentation:

Radio telemetry is used to evaluate the success of the reconditioning project.  The Kelts were tracked using a variety of methods including mobile tracking, fixed sites and aerial surveys.  The fixed sites were located at Prosser Dam (RM 47.1), Slagg Ranch (RM 66), Sunnyside Dam (RM103.8), Roza Dam (RM 127.9), Naches River (Cowiche Dam RM 3.6), Toppenish Creek (RM 44.2) and Simcoe Creek (RM 8.1).  There were a total of 9 flights done from March through May.  These flights proved to be essential in locating fish and investigating the disappearance of Kelts.  Flights were done in all the basins and prioritized by fish movement.  Mobile tracking was done by road and by raft.  Mobile tracking allowed for actual pinpoint location and the eventual observation of Kelts building redds and spawning

 

During the 2001-2002 seasons, a total of 197 (35%) Kelts survived reconditioning.  Of the 197 surviving Kelts, 108 re-matured and were released.   The remaining 88 Kelts were held longer, but the vast majority never matured.  Sixty-one of the 108 were radio tagged and released. Each tag was inserted using the gastric insert technique.  The first release of 55 radio tagged Kelts occurred on November 15, 2001.  The second release of 5 radio tagged Kelts was on January 18, 2002.  One additional Kelt was radio tagged and released on January 29, 2002.  All fish were released at Mabton (RM 59.8). 

 

Of the 61 radio tagged Kelts, 28 (46%)were detected in 9 tributaries of the Yakima River.   Satus Creek had the highest count of Kelts, 17 (28%), followed by the Naches River, 6 (10%) and Toppenish Creek with 5 (8%).  The Kelt tracked the furthest, was located at RM 2.1 in Rattlesnake Creek, a tributary of the Naches River. This particular fish remained in the same stretch of river for 3 weeks before the signal was lost. In addition to Rattlesnake Creek, a radio tagged Kelt was tracked into the Tieton River.  This fish was observed jumping out of the water numerous times and eventually regurgitated the tag.  One radio tagged Kelt was detected passing Roza Dam (RM 127.9).  This Kelt was identified passing through the Roza Dam collection facility on April 11, 2002. 


Title:

Spring Chinook Interactions Indices

 

Authors:

Todd N. Pearsons, Brenda Ben James, Christopher L. Johnson, Anthony L. Fritts, and Gabriel M. Temple

 

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

201 N. Pearl Street

Ellensburg, WA  98926

(509) 925-4467, pearstnp@dfw.wa.gov

 

Summary of Presentation:

Competition for food and space is one of many factors that can limit the production of spring Chinook salmon.  We investigated intra- and inter-specific competition for food and space using indices.  An index of prey availability was calculated by dividing the observed dry weight of stomach contents by the maximum estimated weight for a particular length of fish.  Average stomach fullness for wild spring chinook during the day has been relatively low since 1998, which suggests low food availability.  Competition for food with wild spring chinook salmon is indexed by multiplying a per capita competition index by a population consumption index.  Mountain whitefish have consistently had the highest population food competition index.  An index of space competition was calculated by multiplying a spatial overlap index by an index of competitor abundance.  The index was highest for spring chinook salmon (intraspecific competition) between 1994 and 2002 with the exception of 1996.  Another index of intraspecific competition for space was estimated using microhabitat data.  Microhabitats of spring chinook salmon were identified by snorkelers and then subsequently measured.  We estimated the proportion of microhabitat measurements that exceeded the normal range and compared that value to annual abundance.  Contrary to our initial hypothesis, total depths, focal depths, and focal velocities exceeding the normal range were negatively related to abundance.  Negative correlations between abundance of mountain whitefish and spring chinook salmon, and spring Chinook salmon size, survival, or condition suggest that inter- and intra-specific competition is having detectable population level effects.


Title:

Precocial Salmon on the Spawning Grounds

 

Authors:

Todd N. Pearsons, Brenda Ben James, and Christopher L. Johnson

 

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

201 N. Pearl Street

Ellensburg, WA  98926

(509) 925-4467, pearstnp@dfw.wa.gov

 

Summary of Presentation:

Some spring Chinook salmon complete their entire life in freshwater.  We refer to these fish as precocials.  We examined the hypothesis that the Cle Elum Supplementation and Research Hatchery alters the assemblage of spring chinook salmon that precocially mature in freshwater.  We snorkeled and counted the number of precocials on the spawning grounds. The release of hatchery fish in the spring affected the abundance and age structure of precocials observed on redds the following fall.  The hatchery only produced age 1+ precocials but the natural composition of precocials was generally higher for age 0+ than for age 1+.  In the spawning areas, we observed more hatchery precocials per female taken for hatchery broodstock than naturally produced 1+ precocials per female spawner in the wild between 1999 and 2002.  During 1999 and 2001, hatchery precocials per female taken for hatchery broodstock were higher than naturally produced age 0+ and 1+ precocials combined.  We estimated relatively high numbers of precocials, during the spawning season, in areas where spawning is infrequent.


Title:

Restoring Nutrients to Streams Using Recycled Salmon Carcass Analogs

 

Authors:

Todd N. Pearsons, Christopher L. Johnson, Michael R. Schmuck, Timothy D. Webster, Dennis D. Roley, and Robert E. Bilby

 

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

201 N. Pearl Street

Ellensburg, WA  98926

(509) 925-4467, pearstnp@dfw.wa.gov

 

Summary of Presentation:

The benefits that marine derived nutrients from adult salmon carcasses provide to juvenile salmonids are increasingly being recognized.  Current estimates suggest that only 6-7% of marine-derived nitrogen and phosphorous that were historically available to salmonids in the Pacific Northwest are currently available.  Food limitation may be a major constraint limiting the restoration of salmonids.  A variety of methods have been proposed to offset this nutrient deficit including: allowing greater salmon spawning escapement, stocking hatchery salmon carcasses, and stocking inorganic nutrients.  Unfortunately, each of these methods has some ecological or socio-economic shortcoming.  We intend to overcome many of these shortcomings by making and evaluating a pathogen free product that simulates a salmon carcass (analog).

 

Abundant sources of marine derived nutrients are available such as fish offal from commercial fishing and salmon carcasses from hatcheries.  However, a method for recycling these nutrients into a pathogen free analog that degrades at a similar rate as a natural salmon carcass has never been developed.  We endeavored to 1) develop a salmon carcass analog that will increase the food available to salmonids, 2) determine the pathways that salmonids use to acquire food from analogs, and 3) determine the benefits to salmonids and the potential for application to salmonid restoration.  We used a before-after-control-impact-paired design in six tributaries of the upper Yakima basin to determine the utility of stocking carcass analogs.

 

Our preliminary results suggest that the introduction of carcass analogs into food-limited sreams can be used to restore food pathways previously provided by anadromous salmon.  The analogs probably reproduced both of the major food pathways that salmon carcasses produce: direct consumption and food chain enhancement.  Trout and salmon fed directly on the carcass analogs during the late summer and presumably benefited from the increased invertebrate biomass later in the year.  Future reports will analyze whether any benefits are statistically detectable.   The risk of using carcass analogs also appears to be low.  Pathogens appear to be killed in the manufacturing process of the analogs.  In addition, preliminary results suggest that fish exposed to the analogs did not have higher incidences of pathogens.  The water quality was also not degraded by the analog additions with the exception of a temporary surface film.  Finally, our anecdotal observations, suggested that there was not an increase in the number of predators during the first year of analog distribution.  In summary, the risks of analog placement appear to be low but the benefits appear to be high.


Title:     

Yakima Tributary Access & Habitat Program

Authors:   

Carol A. Ready, M.S., Kittitas County Water Purveyors carol.ready@kcwp.org  509-925-6158

Dana Postlewait, P.E., MWH Americas, Inc., Dana.E.Postlewait@us.mwhglobal.com 425-881-1100           

 

Summary of Presentation:

The Yakima Tributary Access and Habitat Program began as a glimmer in the eye of two Kittitas agriculture support organizations and has grown to 6 participating entities with more than $2 million in funding. The YTAHP has engineering designs for ten fisheries enhancement projects, upgraded numerous pump screens on Yakima County diversions, and installed a siphon to carry irrigation water under Cooke Creek in Kittitas County. In addition, five projects are under consideration for $1 million in state Salmon Recovery Funding Board grants. This presentation will track the development of the YTAHP and provide an overview of the Cooke Creek Siphon project.

 

The YTAHP core team consists of the South Central Washington Resource Conservation and Development Council, Kittitas County Water Purveyors, Kittitas County Conservation District, North Yakima Conservation District, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and Ahtanum Irrigation District. In addition, the US Bureau of Reclamation and Yakama Nation helped develop the program goals and objectives.

 

To date, the YTAHP projects and activities include: Ellensburg Water Company/Cooke Creek siphon; seven upgraded pump screens and one gravity diversion converted to screened pump diversion on Ahtanum Creek; topographic surveys of City of Yakima Fruitvale diversion and Taylor Ditch; stream assessments of barriers and habitat (so far on Cowiche Creek, Wenas Creek, Coleman Creek and Dry Creek); and purchase of fish screens, pipe, weir rock, headgates and other goods and materials for use on future projects. In addition, these activities are leveraging other funding sources to maximize benefits.


Title:

Comparing the Reproductive Success of Hatchery- and Wild-Origin Spring Chinook

 

Authors:

Steve Schroder, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Olympia, Wa

Curtis Knudsen, Oncorh Consulting, Olympia, Wa

Todd Pearsons, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Ellensburg, Wa

Bruce Watson, Yakama Nation, Toppenish, Wa

Jason Rau, Yakama Nation, Cle Elum Supplementation Research Facility, Cle Elum, Wa

Sewell Young, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Olympia, Wa

Mike Hamlin, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Cle Elum, Wa

 

Email Address of Presenter: schrosls@wdf.wa.gov  (360) 902-2751

 

Summary of Presentation:

Previous studies have shown that exposure to hatchery environments often reduces the reproductive competence of salmonids when they spawn under natural conditions. Most of the spring chinook produced by the Yakima Spring Chinook Supplementation Project are destined to reproduce under natural conditions. Consequently, a key concern is whether the reproductive competence of the fish produced by the project has been impaired.

 

In 2000, an observation stream was built to provide a setting where the reproductive success of hatchery- and wild-origin spring chinook could be compared. Comparisons began in 2001 when the first 4-yr-old hatchery fish returned to the Yakima River.  Behavioral, morphological, and physiological measurements were made on the fish before, during, and after spawning. These data showed that: 1) males tended to live longer than females, 2) wild females tended to be more competent in depositing their eggs, 3) in one out of four possible cases, wild males depleted their testes to a greater extent than hatchery males, and 4) gonad depletion in hatchery and wild males was largely independent of body size.

 

Fry originating from the fish placed into the observation stream were captured and counted.  Moreover, DNA was analyzed from a sub-sample of these fish to estimate the number of offspring produced by each adult fish. The pedigree analyses showed that males that were aggressive and dominated opponents produced large numbers of offspring. These analyses also showed that precocial males, jacks and subdominate males were able to produce offspring by using alternative reproductive tactics. Furthermore, reproductive success in males was found to be more variable than in females. Pedigree analyses on the fry produced from the 2001 adults are almost complete. These data will be used to access the capacity of hatchery and wild fish to produce offspring in a quasi-natural environment.


Title: 

Development of an Index to Bird Predation of Juvenile Salmonids within the Yakima River, Annual Report 2002

 

Authors:

Ann E. Stephenson and Walter Major III (presenting, in that order); James M. Grassley, Kristen Ryding, Christian E. Grue, Todd Pearsons,

 

 

Authors Affiliations:

Ann E. Stephenson, Yakima/Klickitat Fisheries Project, Yakama Nation Fisheries

Walter Major III, Washington Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, University of Washington, School of Aquatic and fishery Sciences

 

 

Presenters E-mail addresses and phone numbers:

Walter Major III, wmajor@u.washington.edu, (206) 685-4195

Ann E. Stephenson, anns@yakama.com  (509) 966-4975, (509) 945-1073

 

Summary of presentation: 

Avian predation of fish is suspected to contribute to the loss of migrating juvenile salmonids in the Yakima River Basin, constraining natural and artificial production.  In 1997, the Yakima/Klickitat Fisheries Project (YKFP) assessed the feasibility of developing an index to avian predation of juvenile salmonids.  The research that followed confirmed that Ring-billed Gulls and Common Mergansers were the primary avian predators impacting migrating smolt populations (Phinney et al. 1998).

 

In 1999, the Washington Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit (WACFWRU) continued the development of the index, using monitoring methods modified from Phinney et al. (1998).  The monitoring of impacts to juvenile salmon along river reaches and at areas of high predator/prey concentrations, hotspots, has continued each year, with YKFP Yakama Nation joining the WACFWRU in 2002.

 

In 2002, piscivorous birds were again counted at hotspots and along river reaches.  Consumption by gulls at hotspots was based on direct observations of foraging success and modeled abundance. Consumption by all other piscivorous birds was estimated using published dietary requirements and modeled abundance.  Seasonal patterns of avian piscivore abundance were identified, diurnal patterns of gull abundance at hotspots were identified, and predation indices were calculated for hotspots and river reaches.

 

Primary avian predators in 2002 were again gulls, both California and Ring-billed, at hotspots, and Common Mergansers on the river reaches.  Estimated consumption by gulls at both hotspots combined in the spring was 279,482 fish.  Consumption by Common Mergansers ranged from 5676 kg of fish in the spring in the upper river to 319 kg of fish in the summer in the Canyon.


Title:

Non-target Taxa Monitoring

 

Authors:

Gabriel M. Temple and Todd N. Pearsons

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

(509) 925-4467 ext. 3, templgmt@dfw.wa.gov

 

Summary of Presentation:

Release of large numbers of hatchery origin salmon has the potential to negatively impact other taxa (non-target taxa, NTT).  To determine changes in NTT status that could be related to hatchery smolt releases, we compared the abundance, size structure, and distribution of 16 non-target taxa before and 4 years after annual spring releases of about 1 million yearling smolts (coho and chinook) in the Yakima River.  We compared any observed changes in status to predetermined containment objectives that were judged to reflect acceptable levels of impact.  We utilized detection strategies that would balance our ability to detect changes and the chances of falsely associating a change with supplementation. With the exception of cutthroat trout and steelhead size, all of the changes we observed were within the containment objectives established for the project. Our analysis suggests that the depressed sizes of cutthroat trout and steelhead are not related to supplementation activities.  For instance, tributary cutthroat trout and spring chinook salmon exhibited minimal overlap in distribution and had limited opportunity for interactions.   In contrast, high overlap occurred between rainbow trout (an analog for steelhead) and spring chinook salmon in the upper Yakima River.  However, we could not detect any differences in the sizes of rainbow trout between areas of high and low target taxa abundance.  The interactions of NTT monitored with a predation index, including fall chinook salmon, Pacific lamprey, leopard dace, and sandroller, will no longer be evaluated.


Title:

Status of ESA Recovery Plan for Bull Trout

Author:

Jeff A. Thomas, USFWS (509) 575-5848

jthomas@pn.usbr.gov

 

Summary of Presentation:

Following nearly three years of collaboration, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) released its draft recovery plan in November, 2002 for three distinct population segments of bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) in the coterminous United States. A recovery plan is a blueprint for the recovery of a threatened or endangered species which describes a process to remove the threats to the long-term survival and reverse the decline of a listed species. Of the 24 chapters in the plan, each specific to a recovery unit (RU), one is for the Middle Columbia River and is specific to the Yakima River Basin. A team assembled to develop the recovery plan for this RU identified the following four objectives for recovering bull trout: 1)  Maintain current distribution and restore distribution of bull trout in previously occupied areas; 2) Maintain stable or increasing trends in the abundance of adult bull trout; 3) Restore and maintain suitable habitat conditions for all bull trout life history stages and strategies; and 4) Conserve genetic diversity and provide opportunity for genetic exchange. Recovery criteria, developed to assess whether actions are resulting in the recovery of bull trout, were: 1) Bull trout are distributed among 16 local populations; 2) Estimated abundance of adult bull trout among all local populations is between 2,550 and 3,050 individuals; 3) Adult bull trout exhibit a stable or increasing trend for at least two generations at or above the recovered abundance level; and 4) Specific barriers to bull trout migration have been addressed. The USFWS estimates that 15-25 years, and possibly longer, will be necessary to recover bull trout in the Middle Columbia River RU at an estimated cost of $35 million.


Title:

Upper Cle Elum Bull Trout Surveys

 

Authors:   

Jeff A. Thomas, USFWS(509) 575-5848

jthomas@pn.usbr.gov

Contributing Author: Steve Mallas, USFWS 

 

Summary of Presentation:

Of the nine recognized bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) stocks in the Yakima Basin, the Cle Elum/Waptus Lake stock remains the only one whose status is listed as unknown. During the summer of 2002 the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service began a two-year study to examine bull trout presence, habitat use, and spawning activity in the upper Cle Elum River drainage. Presence was investigated utilizing night snorkeling and adhering to the AFS protocol described in Peterson et al (2002). Bull trout presence was confirmed in the upper Cle Elum but they exist in small numbers. Surveyors observed a total of 26 fish, almost all juveniles, in 34 person-days of effort covering nine kilometers of stream. Redd surveys were conducted using the standard method utilized by the WDFW since 1984 on most of the bull trout spawning streams in the Yakima Basin. Two reaches of the mainstem upper Cle Elum River totaling 5.3 km in length were extensively surveyed. Surveys were also conducted in four small tributaries. No definite bull trout redds were found during these surveys although nine large redds of unknown origin were observed in the 1.3 km mainstem reach located just below Hyas Lake. The study will continue in the Cooper and Waptus River watersheds in 2003.


Title:

Pathogen Screening Of Naturally Produced Yakima River Spring Chinook Smolts

 

Author:

Joan B. Thomas

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, 600 Capitol Way No, Olympia, WA 98501

360-902-2667, thomajbt@dfw.wa.gov

 

Summary of Presentation:

In 1999, the Cle Elum Hatchery began releasing spring chinook smolts into the upper Yakima River to increase natural production.  Part of the evaluation of this program is to monitor whether introduction of hatchery produced smolts would impact the prevalence of specific pathogens in the naturally produced spring chinook smolts.  Increases in prevalence of any of these pathogens could negatively impact the survival of these fish.  In 1998, 2000, 2001 and 2002 naturally produced smolts were collected at the Chandler smolt collection facility on the lower Yakima River for monitoring.  Samples were taken from mid to late out migration, with a target of 200 fish each year.  The pathogens monitored were infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus, infectious pancreatic necrosis virus, viral hemorrhagic septicemia,  Flavobacterium psychrophilum, Flavobacterium columnare, Aeromonas salmonicida, Yersinia ruckeri, Edwardsiella ictaluri, Renibacterium salmoninarum and Myxobolus cerebralis.  In addition, the fish were tested for Ceratomyxa shasta spores in 2000 and 2001.  None of the viral or parasitic pathogens have been detected.  In some years low levels of the bacterial pathogens, F. psychrophilum and F. columnare, have been detected in the naturally produced smolts.  R. salmoninarum, the causative agent of Bacterial Kidney disease, is detected each year, but levels have remained generally low, with no clinical signs of disease.   Fluctuations in pathogen prevalence between years has been minimal and, to date, these changes are attributed to normal variation in the population. 


Title:

The Geography of Ecological Alteration

 

Author:

Morris L. Uebelacker

Department of Geography and Land Studies

Central Washington University

morris@cwu.edu

 

Summary of Presentation:

Knowing the details of human interactions with the physical processes that create and maintain biotic diversity is required in almost every management action regarding anadromous fish.  Furthermore, it is essential that a detailed model of the historic habitat conditions for the Yakima River basin forms a key part of the template from which measurements of change in habitat diversity are made.  Significant progress towards understanding historic habitat conditions for the major alluvial floodplains in the basin has begun but comparable mapping and data has not been assembled for other essential landscape components that enable informed modeling, maintenance, and restoration efforts.  Examples include: canyon reaches, glacial valley reaches, glacial lakes and associated reaches, the mainstream meander belt, and historic conditions in tributary streams; all critical elements in the preservation, recovery, and maintenance of the basin’s ecological integrity.


Title:

Subbasin, Salmon Recovery, and Other Planning Efforts in the Yakima Basin

 

Author:

Richard Visser – Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

(509) 457-9308   visserhv@dfw.wa.gov

 

Summary of Presentation:

Two planning efforts are currently being organized in the Yakima Basin.  These efforts are BPA’s Subbasin Planning and the State’s Salmon Recovery Planning (SRP).  The Yakima Subbasin Fish and Wildlife Planning Board has developed an organizational structure and has requested funding to conduct both planning efforts.  In general many tasks for Subbasin Planning and the SRP overlap and both will utilize existing information and tools (e.g. LFA, EDT, etc.).  Subbasin planning consists of three components: biological assessment, inventory of existing recovery programs and activities, and a management plan.  The primary difference between the plans will be evident in products developed within the management components of each plan.  The Subbasin Plan will describe “types” of management actions with priority that should be implemented to achieve stated goals.  The SRP will go beyond the Subbasin Plan by prescribing management actions that will include: who will implement prescribed actions, the cost of these actions, funding sources for implementation, and incorporate enforcement and public education needs.  Subbasin and Salmon Recovery Planning will provide needed guidance for salmon recovery in the basin but will not eliminate planning needs for action and site specific programs such as the Yakima Klickitat Fisheries Project (hatchery supplementation, research, and habitat protection), Yakima Tributary Access and Habitat Program (tributary passage and screening), and the Yakima Habitat Improvement Program (acquisition within the Urban Growth Area of the City of Yakima).  On the contrary, Subbasin and SRP planning will attempt to assimilate specific program planning efforts (resistance is futile).


Title:

Redd Surveys in the Lower Yakima River

 

Author:

Rick Watson

 

Summary of Presentation:

In 2002, the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW) continued the fall chinook carcass and redd survey initiated in 1998 on the lower Yakima River to estimate escapement.   This season we were assisted by the Yakama Nation(YN).  They supplied one of the vehicles and one technician.  This season’s survey would not have been completed without YN’s assistance.

 

Project staff collected data used to determine the age and sex distribution of the natural and hatchery supplementation spawning population of fall chinook on the lower 74 kilometers of the Yakima River.  The lower Yakima River was broken into five strata, with the upper four strata being floated each week.  The lowest strata was sampled twice during the season. 

 

Staff collected fork length, sex, and scales from every fish except in the upper most section where carcasses were so numerous that only one in four carcasses were sampled. Staff recorded the number of redds, and live and dead fish to furnish alternative methods to estimate the spawning population.  By applying an area under the curve model, using redd counts, we estimated 5039 fall chinook spawned in the lower Yakima River.

 

Spawner escapement in the lower Yakima River was up by 389.7% from the Year 2001 escapement of 1293.  This number is enhanced by the increase in harvest of fall chinook in the sport fishery from 942 chinook adults in the year 2001 to 2,300 in the year 2002.  Much of the increase in sport harvest may be attributable to the loss of spawning habitat between Benton City and Horn Rapids Dam.  There were more than 300 redds in this area in the year 2000 while only 17 redds were found in the same area in the year 2001 and 106 redds in 2002.  We believe that this shift out of this area was due to low water and heavy vegetation.  We believe that the fish that would have spawned below Benton City proceeded to the tailrace area of Prosser Dam were they were susceptible to sport fishing pressure. 

 

The combination of sport harvest and spawning escapement brings the total number of fall chinook accounted for in the lower Yakima River to  > 7,300 fish.  When the Prosser Dam escapement is added the total 2002 Yakima River fall chinook return is > 13,500.


Title:

DNA technology for stock and parentage classification

 

Author:

Sewall F. Young, Genetics Lab, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

 

youngsfy@dfw.wa.gov

360-902-2773

 

Summary of Presentation:

Microsatellites are abundant in salmonid genomes, relatively easy to assay, and many are highly polymorphic so they provide access to lots of discrete trait data.  When data from multiple microsatellite loci are combined, we have enough discriminating power to identify individuals, to assign parentage, to classify individuals to their stocks of origin, to estimate the stock proportions in population mixtures, and to study population structure.  WDFW used a microsatellite-based parentage analysis method to estimate the reproductive output of hatchery and wild origin chinook salmon released into the Cle Elum experimental spawning channel.   WDFW used a mixture analysis method developed in-house to simultaneously classify individual chinook smolts captured at the Chandler trap to their stocks of origin and to estimate the relative abundance of the component populations passing the trap during the sampling period.   Simulations suggest that we achieve high accuracy and precision in those classifications. The US Bureau of Reclamation recently purchased a water right in the Naches River, WA. The USBR will use this water to maintain discharges in the “Wapatox reach” at approximately 300 cfs greater than discharges observed in recent years. In this presentation we will describe our research design including the population estimate techniques to be used, Multispectral Imaging (MIS) techniques, and the Geographical Information System to be constructed. In addition to the research design presentation, we will show some baseline data that was collected in 12/02. These data on Oncorhynchus mykiss densities are for the treatment (Wapatox) reach and the reference (immediately downstream of the Wapatox reach). We will show that the density of O. mykiss in the treatment reach is lower than the density in the reference reach. In addition, the densities of O. mykiss were highest in slow habitats with more cover. Finally, invertebrate dry mass obtained in dusk drift samples was much higher in secondary channels compared to mainstem habitats. The US Bureau of Reclamation operates 5 dams in the Yakima River(WA, USA) watershed. Downstream of two of these dams (Keechelus and Cle Elum) we have investigated the influence of dam discharge on the hyporheic environment. In this presentation, we will report the results of this work. First we will discuss the relationship between surface discharge and hyporheic flow. We found that when discharge increased the hyporheic flow became more upwelling in spring chinook redds. In a different year, we found that when discharge decreased the hyporheic flow became less upwelling in spring chinook redds. Second, we intend to discuss the results of experiments we are currently conducting. In these experiments, we are investigating the influence on hyporheic flow on egg survival. We have installed egg plates (loaded with 32 spring chinook eggs) adjacent to 10 spring chinook redds and we have installed egg plates in another 10 locations that are not adjacent to the redds. We will discuss the physical and biological properties of these locations and the resulting egg survival in each.

 



Central Washington University, Department of Geological Sciences, 400 E. 8th Avenue – MS 7418, Ellensburg, WA 98926

[1] Phone (509) 899-2810; E-mail AsburyA@cwu.edu

[2] Phone (509) 963-2820; E-mail gazisc@cwu.edu

[3] Phone (509) 963-2177; E-mail ely@cwu.edu

[4] Phone (509) 963-1895; E-mail jamesp@cwu.edu

[5] Habitat Coordinator, Yakama Nation YKFP, 201 North Pearl Street, Ellensburg, WA  98926 (509) 962-6142. 

[6] Habitat Biologist, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, 201 North Pearl Street, Ellensburg, WA   98926 (509) 962-3421