Removal of Condit Dam Todd Olson, Director, Compliance, Phone: (503) 813-6657 Email: todd.olson@pacificorp.com ABSTRACT: Throughout 2012 PacifiCorp’s contractors worked efficiently and safely to remove Condit dam per approved permits and management plans. Unique site conditions were overcome and by September 14, 2012, all remnants of the dam had been removed from the White Salmon River. Concurrent with dam demolition, work crews aggressively managed the former reservoir area in consideration of slope stability, public safety, and vegetation restoration. Additional actions included stabilization of the west abutment of Northwestern Lake Bridge, construction of a new boater take-out at Northwestern Park, wood stave flowline and surge tank demolition, and safety/security measures at the Condit powerhouse. With the hydro-seeding of grass and shrubs and recent planting of over 14,000 trees, the former project area has undergone a major transformation. This presentation will summarize the post-breach actions taken by PacifiCorp, future monitoring and general lessons learned from this unique project.
Overview of 2012 Fall Chinook Salmon Redd and Escapement Rod Engle Abstract - In 2012, one year post-breaching of Condit Dam, high counts of 194 LCR fall Chinook salmon redds and 257 bright fall Chinook salmon redds were recorded during individual spawning ground surveys for both stocks in the White Salmon River. Redds of both Chinook salmon stocks were documented both upstream and downstream of the former Condit Dam site. Natural origin composition of carcasses based on presence of an adipose fin was 93% for 118 total LCR fall Chinook salmon and 71% for 97 for bright fall Chinook salmon observed carcasses. Total escapement of LCR fall Chinook salmon in 2012 was 755 adults and 1,061 for bright fall Chinook salmon. Due to agency travel restriction under the federal budget sequester, Ron Engle was unable to attend the Klickitat/White Salmon – Columbia Gorge Conference. He graciously provided us with this overview presentation.
Recovery of Dewatered Upland Habitat Following Dam Removal Martin Lafrenz Removal of the 15-meter tall Marmot Dam from the Sandy River, OR provides an opportunity to evaluate the effects of reservoirs on upland soils and to assess how these soils and the abandoned reservoir sediments are responding to dewatering. A ripening index (n-value), a measure of soil development that is derived from soil moisture, organic matter percentage, and texture, is used to assess the dynamic changes in these soils. Following the construction of the dam in 1908, the reservoir filled rapidly with sand followed by accumulations of silt and clay near the upstream study site while aggradation continued in an upstream direction. The mantel of sand and silt buried a young soil that had formed on a stream terrace composed of lahar material from the 1790s Old Maid eruptive period on Mt. Hood. Three years following dam removal, the dewatered soil ripened to the depth of the buried soil (the n-value was less than 0.7). Compared with the downstream control soils these sediments have higher organic matter content and a finer texture. The buried soils below the sediment mantle have not ripened as the organic matter content is quite low and saturated from continued subsurface drainage following the removal of the dam. In fact, this continued drainage is mobilizing the oxidizing organic matter that was buried in the surface mantle leading to the ubiquitous eutrophic springs that are seeping from this former terrace. At this time it is unclear when this system will reach an equilibrium condition between carbon and nitrogen levels in the dewatered upland soils and how these soil dynamics will influence the successional pathways of vegetation in this newly created, nutrient rich, sub-aerial environment.
Education Undammed: The White Salmon River Experiential Learning Project Jeanette Burkhardt ABSTRACT:
The Importance of Juvenile Shad in the Fall Diets of Smallmouth Bass and Walleye in the Middle Columbia River American shad Alosa sapidissima in the middle Columbia River—a high energy food available in the summer and fall—may be contributing to the increased growth and enhanced condition of nonnative piscivores. To test this hypothesis we quantified the late summer and fall diets of smallmouth bass Micropterus dolomieu and walleye Sander vitreus in the three lowermost reservoirs on the Columbia River (Bonneville, The Dalles, and John Day). We then evaluated these diets relative to changes in the mean mass, condition factor, and liver somatic index of fish over time. Here, we will discuss the possible connections between predator diet and condition and the possible consequences of improved condition to subsequent predation on salmonids or reproductive performance. Our results should be useful for future discussions regarding predation and shad management in the Columbia River.
The Genetic Basis for the Propensity to Migrate in a Ben Hecht Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission ABSTRACT: Little is known of the underlying genetic basis of migration in any species despite the tremendous ecological benefits these species provide to their communities, and their rapid global decline. Using next generation sequencing of restriction-site associated DNA (RAD) tags we genotype thousands of SNPs in two wild populations of migratory steelhead and resident rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) from the Pacific Northwest of the United States. One population maintains a connection to the sea, whereas the other population has been sequestered from its access to the ocean for more than fifty years. Here we perform a genome-wide association study to identify several genetic regions and hundreds of RAD SNP markers associated with the propensity to migrate in both the free marine access, and sequestered wild trout populations. Our results corroborate results found in quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis and provide new evidence for additional loci associated with this complex life history. Additionally we determine that despite sequestration the landlocked population continues to harbor genetic variation associated with a migratory life history. Furthermore we demonstrate the tremendous utility of genotyping by next generation sequencing and how these RAD-tag SNP data can be readily compared between studies within this species.
Klickitat River Adult Salmon and Steelhead Monitoring Updates For spring Chinook, mark-recapture estimates from 2007-2012 give an average of about 3300 hatchery-origin fish (ranging from 1000-5800) and 530 natural-origin fish (ranging from 400-675). Estimates for 2012 are about 3600 hatchery fish (with a 95% confidence interval of 3000-4300) and about 580 natural-origin fish (95% CI of 490-690). These include adults and jacks; jacks represented about 21% of the population at Lyle Falls in 2012. Redd counts have increased in the last two years and no longer show a significant downward trend (for 1996-2012 data) as had been shown in past years; however, high numbers of hatchery fish on natural spawning grounds are likely playing at large role in this trend. Evidence from spawner survey carcass counts and preliminary radio telemetry results point to the significant presence of hatchery spawners in the wild. Overall the wild spring Chinook population is still exhibiting low numbers relative to likely historic runs and is still quite depressed. For steelhead, mark-recapture estimates from most of the last 8 years yield an average total wild steelhead (summer and winter) run of about 1610 fish (ranging from about 1100 to 2430 fish); for hatchery steelhead the recent years’ average is about 2930 fish (ranging from about 1830 to 5170 fish). The 2012 wild summer steelhead run was estimated to be about 990 fish (95% CI of 535 to 2144); the 2012 hatchery summer steelhead run estimate was about 2620 fish (95% CI of 1400 to 5770). Recent genetic analysis indicates a high percentage of out-of-subbasin steelhead in the lower Klickitat (approximately 25% of wild fish and 30% of hatchery fish). Also, preliminary results from the video monitoring facility recently installed at Castile Falls (RM 64 on the Klickitat) indicates a total steelhead passage from late June through early September 2012 of 36 fish, with 11 wild spring Chinook observed during the same period. This monitoring will provide important information regarding future management options in the upper Klickitat River.
Using Passive Integrated Transponder Technology to Characterize and Monitor Oncorhynchus mykiss Populations in White Creek (Klickitat River, WA) The White Creek PIT tag study is ongoing work initiated in June 2009 to characterize and monitor Onchorhynchus mykiss populations in the White Creek sub-basin. To quantify and monitor salmonid life history strategies and movement patterns (e.g. juvenile steelhead out-migrant and adult steelhead emigration timing), a PIT tag interrogation array was installed in lower White Creek near the confluence with the Klickitat River. Twenty-five tagging sites were selected to capture the physical heterogeneity present throughout the known anadromous-bearing portion of the watershed. Single-pass electrofishing surveys are annually conducted to PIT tag fish and to compare O. mykiss relative abundance estimates among sites.
Reintroduction and recolonization of Spring Chinook salmon and Pacific Lamprey in the Hood River Basin Ryan Gerstenberger Spring Chinook (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) in the Hood River basin were functionally extinct by the mid 1960’s. In 1991 a deliberate reintroduction project was initiated by the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs along with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife as part of the BPA funded Hood River Production Program (HRPP). The HRPP reintroduction project is comprised of a comprehensive suite of components; hatchery production, monitoring and evaluation, and habitat conservation and restoration. From the beginning of the project the HRPP has utilized novel and progressive fish culture and release strategies such as remote acclimation sites, and semi-natural rearing strategies to attempt to maximize success in the wild of the reintroduced stock. Over the last 20 years a naturally reproducing population of spring Chinook has been successfully established. Wild adult escapement and juvenile production have displayed positive trends over the course of the project. As the HRPP moves forward with the spring Chinook reintroduction in the Hood River we are applying lessons learned from 20 years of monitoring and experience to refine fish management and hatchery rearing and release strategies to further develop a spring Chinook stock naturalized to the Hood River with progressively increasing fitness and abundance. Following the removal of Powerdale Dam in 2010 Pacific lamprey (Lampetra tridentata) have access to previously blocked habitat in the Hood River basin. Monitoring by the CTWS off-reservation lamprey crew has confirmed natural colonization and reproduction upstream of the former dam site and continues to increase knowledge of the population and recolonization trends of Pacific lamprey in Fifteen Mile Creek and Hood River systems.
Adult Pacific Lamprey Passage at Mainstem Columbia and Snake River Dams: Sean C. Tackley 503-808-4751 Pacific lamprey Entosphenus tridentatus abundance in the Columbia River Basin has declined dramatically in recent decades. Physical impediments, including the Federal Columbia River Power System (FCRPS) hydroelectric dams on the Lower Columbia and Snake Rivers, present complex physical obstacles for upstream migrating adult Pacific lamprey. Although the eight mainstem Columbia and Snake River dams operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) are all equipped with fish ladders for upstream migrants, these structures were originally designed to attract and pass anadromous salmonids (Oncorhynchus spp.). In response to Pacific lamprey declines and in collaboration with regional tribal, state, and federal agencies, the Corps began studying lamprey passage behavior and developing lamprey passage features for the FCRPS dams in the late 1990s. This presentation will include a broad overview of past and recent efforts to improve adult lamprey passage at the FCRPS dams and will outline future actions.
Artificial Propagation of Pacific lamprey: Lessons Learned and Path Forward Ralph Lampman1*, Patrick Luke1, Bob Rose1, Joe Blodget2, Mary Moser3 1Pacific Lamprey Program, Yakama Nation FRMP, P.O. Box 151, Toppenish, WA, 98948 3Northwest Fisheries Science Center, NOAA Fisheries, 2725 Montalke Boulevard East, Seattle, Washington, 98112 Because Pacific lamprey in the upper Columbia and Snake River watersheds are at alarmingly low numbers, lamprey culture has been explored more recently as a tool to evaluate serious threats and to potentially supplement wild populations. We experimented with the artificial propagation of Pacific lamprey from adult holding to larval rearing stages. Over a 10-week period between April 13 and June 19, 2012, 40 adults were propagated successfully primarily at Marion Drain (Toppenish, WA) and Prosser (Prosser, WA) hatcheries. Some of the individuals spawned repeatedly, resulting in a total of 55 propagation events. We discovered that the success of the propagation (namely fertilization and subsequent hatching) depended chiefly on four variables: 1) quality of gametes (sexual maturation level, being neither too immature nor too ripe); 2) seasonality (eggs developed differently depending on whether it was early or late in the season); 3) water quality (water with high silt content made it difficult to keep high survival rates); and finally 4) incubation methods. We tried a comprehensive list of lamprey incubation methods from past studies worldwide in addition to some of our own designs and were able to compare and contrast the success rates of these various incubation methods specifically for Pacific lamprey. Propagation methods remained fairly consistent throughout the spawning season (dry spawning using hand-stripping method) with slight modifications in gametes and water mixing procedures, yet survival rates did not vary as much compared to that observed with changes in incubation methods. Suitable substrate material (sand, mud, detritus, filter media, straw) and feeds (active dry yeast, brewer’s yeast, hatchfry encapsulon, spirulina, etc.) for burrowing larvae was investigated, and some preliminary conclusions are included in this presentation. Larvae rearing is ongoing at Prosser Hatchery and more work will be conducted on this life stage in 2013.
Automating Stream Inventory Data Entry Michael Babcock, Data Analyst The Rapid Aquatic Habitat Assessment Protocol (RAHAP) was designed by Yakama Klickitat Fisheries Project (YKFP) Biologists to provide quantitative information on stream habitat. This protocol quantifies reaches, habitat units, spawning patches and bedrock features, while enumerating individual wood pieces and jams. These habitat surveys are followed by one or more electro-fishing surveys to address fish distribution in relation to the habitat features. A photographic record is taken of many features and GPS waypoints are recorded for all features quantified. This ambitious effort requires the tracking of ten separate data sheets containing 268 columns with various numbers of rows, ranging from one into the thousands. Entity relationship diagramming, identified a physical data model of 35 tables to store this data.
Fish Distribution and Population Dynamics in Rock Creek, Washington. 2Yakama Nation Fisheries - Goldendale Field Office Abstract:
An overview and update from the local salmon habitat recovery hub: John Foltz Abstract: In 1999 the Klickitat Lead Entity Organization was established pursuant to chapter 77.85 of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) for a geographic area that includes the Klickitat River basin (WRIA 30), White Salmon River basin (WRIA 29B), and Rock-Glade Watershed Resource Inventory Area (WRIA 31) as well as the Columbia River mainstem from the confluence with the White Salmon to the Yakima River. Consisting of a committee of local citizens, a committee of local technical experts, and an administrative body and staff, the organization’s primary function is to provide a citizen-based evaluation and prioritization of salmon habitat restoration and protection projects that are proposed for grant funding through Washington State’s Salmon Recovery Funding Board (SRFB) program. The Lead Entity provides an infrastructure to guide investments, assists in combining local science and social values to identify salmon recovery projects, and aids in prioritizing projects to maximize the public’s investment. To date the SRFB has awarded a total of $7.88 million in grant funds, with project sponsors contributing more than $2.4 million in value, to fund 45 projects in the Klickitat Lead Entity area. This presentation provides a brief overview of recently funded SRFB projects and some highlights and photos of those projects.
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