Bull Trout Surveys 2006: North Fork Teanaway Upper Yakima River

North Fork Teanaway

• Night snorkel surveys: Aug 21-24; Sept 4, 2006.
• The purpose was to survey suitable tributaries for presence/absence and to collect additional genetic samples.
• This is an identified “local population” in the draft Mid-Columbia Draft Recovery Plan.

History of Teanaway

• Splash dams
• Irrigation diversions
• Timber harvest
• High road density

Past Bull Trout Sightings

• WDFW redd surveys: 1996 (2); 2005 (2)
• Reiss thesis work 2001: Night snorkel surveys for genetic samples (11)
• Yakima Species Interaction Study (YSIS) sampling 1998-2006

YSIS Night Snorkel Data

Methods

• Selected night snorkel reaches, based on known habitat availability.

Snorkel Site Locations

DeRoux Creek

Stafford Creek

Beverly Creek

North Fork Teanaway

Results

• 7.8 km snorkeled
• No bull trout seen Aug 21-24. Five were observed Sept 4 by USFWS crew
• Other species seen: Rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, spring Chinook, sculpin, long-nosed dace, tailed frog tadpoles, river otter, and crayfish.

2006 Redd Surveys

Redd Surveys

• Two passes completed (Johnson Creek to barrier and DeRoux Creek)
• 2 bull trout redds observed

Discussion

• Downward trend in the number of bull trout in this system.
• There is a remnant population.
• These fish are genetically distinct

Theories on why…

• Fishing regulations
• Land use in Teanaway system
• Road densities
• Passage, stream temperatures, flow
• Brook trout? Not likely
• Upper Yakima is fragmented

Theories on why…

Upper Yakima Bull Trout Sightings

• Yakama Nation found a juvenile bull trout near Easton acclimation site (1989)
• 2000 snorkel/redd survey from quarry to Keechelus dam (2 redds, 4 adult bull trout)
• Redd surveys: 2001 (1); 2002 (0); 2003 (1).
• Yakama Nation found a dead adult bull trout below Crystal Springs (~2002).

Upper Yakima Sightings Contd.

• 2 adult bull trout on redd near Cabin Creek (Mayo, Oct 2003)
• 2 adult bull trout in Keechelus outlet works (2004)
• This is identified as a “local population” in recovery plan – many questions!

Slide 20

2006 Redd Surveys

• Redd surveys from Cabin Creek to powerline x-ing. Spot snorkel in places.

2006 Snorkel Surveys

• Night snorkel surveys: Crystal Springs (.5 mile up), Keechelus dam (.5 m down).
• Also snorkeled below and above Lake Easton.

Snorkel Results

• RESULTS: 3 bull trout, 1 possible hybrid, 1 hybrid (bull x brook). Many brook trout observed.

Discussion

• Need for continued surveys to determine extent of population.
• Genetic sampling could tell us if these bull trout are entrained from reservoirs. Related to Teanaway bull trout?

Acknowledgements

• NFT Snorkelers: Judy De La Vergne , Jeff Krupka, David Morgan, Jeff Thomas, Scott Wiley, Dave Fast, William Meyer and Yuki Reiss
• Upper Yakima snorkelers: Judy De La Vergne, David Morgan, William Meyer, Scott Kline.
• Thank you to USFWS, BOR, YN and USFS for great teamwork! Thanks to YSIS for Index data.