June 14 – 15, 2006
R Dennis Hudson
Bureau of Reclamation
(208) 378-5250
Reclamation is leading a cooperative
investigation with the Yakama Nation, state and Federal agencies,
and others, to study
the feasibility of providing fish passage at the five large storage dams of the
Yakima Project. These dams
-- Bumping Lake, Kachess, Keechelus, Cle Elum, and Tieton -- were never
equipped with fish passage facilities.
Four of the five reservoirs were originally natural lakes and
historically supported Native American fisheries for sockeye salmon and other anadromous
and resident fish.
Implementation of passage
features at the dams has the potential to increase populations of upper basin
steelhead, coho salmon, and Chinook salmon; restore life history and genetic
diversity of salmon; reintroduce sockeye salmon to the watershed; and reconnect
isolated populations of bull trout.
In fiscal year 2004, following completion of
a preliminary Assessment Report in 2003,
Reclamation began detailed studies to evaluate the feasibility of providing
passage at the dams. Current feasibility
grade investigations are focusing on the
engineering, operational,
and biological parameters
needed to provide fish passage at Cle Elum and
Reclamation completed construction of temporary downstream passage features at Cle Elum Dam in the spring of 2005. These interim passage features will test the ability of juvenile salmon to find and volitionally move out of the reservoir. PIT-tagged fish will be monitored as they exit the reservoir, migrate downstream, and return as adults. Results of these interim passage experiments over a period of 5 to 8 years will be used as one indicator of the feasibility of reintroducing anadromous fish species above the dam and reservoir.
FY 2006 feasibility activities include:
· Development of fishery benefits associated with passage at dams
· Completion of limnology reports
· Revision and completion of coho and sockeye salmon production potential models
·
Preparation of feasibility level
designs and cost estimates for permanent passage facilities at Cle Elum and
· Continuation of experiments at Cle Elum Dam interim passage facilities.