Search

Search Results

• 151. [Article] Lower Snake River Compensation Plan; Oregon Summer Steelhead Evaluation Studies - 2010 Annual Progress Report

  Abstract -- The objectives of this report are to document fish culture practices, describe adult returns, and assess progress toward meeting LSRCP goals for Grande Ronde and Imnaha steelhead (Oncorhynchus ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Lower Snake River Compensation Plan; Oregon Summer Steelhead Evaluation Studies - 2010 Annual Progress Report Abstract -- The objectives of this report are to document fish culture practices, describe adult returns, and assess progress toward meeting LSRCP goals for Grande Ronde and Imnaha steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss). We report on juvenile steelhead rearing and release activities for the 2009 brood year (BY) released in 2010. Included are collection, spawning, and adult characteristics for the 2010 returns, returns from experimental releases, supplementation in Little Sheep Creek, and success toward achieving compensation goals. In general, the data in this report were derived from hatchery inventories and standard databases (e.g., Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission Regional Mark Information System (RMIS), ODFW mark recovery) or through standard measuring techniques. As such, specific protocols are usually not described. In cases where expansions of data or unique methodologies were used, protocols are described in more detail. Additional descriptions of protocols can be found in our work statements (Carmichael et al. 2009, Carmichael et al. 2010). Coded-wire tag (CWT) data collected from 2010 adult returns were used to evaluate smolt-to-adult survival rates in experimental rearing and release groups. In 2010, experimental treatments from which fish returned included an unclipped blank-wire tagged release, off-station direct-stream releases, and progeny from early returning (fall-collected) broodstock release strategies. In 2010, experimental fish were released at Wallowa Hatchery to continue evaluation of progeny from early returning (fall-collected) broodstock vs. production broodstock. Methods for the fall broodstock experiment are described in Warren et al. (2011). Analysis of specific survival studies will be completed and published in separate reports once all brood years have returned and CWT data are complete for each experiment. In addition, much of the data that we discuss in this report will be used in separate and specific evaluations of ongoing supplementation programs for steelhead in the Imnaha River basin. Lower Snake River Compensation Plan (LSRCP) ODFW- Eastern Oregon Fish Research (EOFR) Title: Lower Snake River Compensation Plan; Oregon Summer Steelhead Evaluation Studies - 2010 Annual Progress Report Abstract -- The objectives of this report are to document fish culture practices, describe adult returns, and assess progress toward meeting LSRCP goals for Grande Ronde and Imnaha steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss). We report on juvenile steelhead rearing and release activities for the 2009 brood year (BY) released in 2010. Included are collection, spawning, and adult characteristics for the 2010 returns, returns from experimental releases, supplementation in Little Sheep Creek, and success toward achieving compensation goals. In general, the data in this report were derived from hatchery inventories and standard databases (e.g., Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission Regional Mark Information System (RMIS), ODFW mark recovery) or through standard measuring techniques. As such, specific protocols are usually not described. In cases where expansions of data or unique methodologies were used, protocols are described in more detail. Additional descriptions of protocols can be found in our work statements (Carmichael et al. 2009, Carmichael et al. 2010). Coded-wire tag (CWT) data collected from 2010 adult returns were used to evaluate smolt-to-adult survival rates in experimental rearing and release groups. In 2010, experimental treatments from which fish returned included an unclipped blank-wire tagged release, off-station direct-stream releases, and progeny from early returning (fall-collected) broodstock release strategies. In 2010, experimental fish were released at Wallowa Hatchery to continue evaluation of progeny from early returning (fall-collected) broodstock vs. production broodstock. Methods for the fall broodstock experiment are described in Warren et al. (2011). Analysis of specific survival studies will be completed and published in separate reports once all brood years have returned and CWT data are complete for each experiment. In addition, much of the data that we discuss in this report will be used in separate and specific evaluations of ongoing supplementation programs for steelhead in the Imnaha River basin. Lower Snake River Compensation Plan (LSRCP) ODFW- Eastern Oregon Fish Research (EOFR) Close

• 152. [Article] Lower Snake River Compensation Plan; Oregon Summer Steelhead Evaluation Studies - 2011 Annual Progress Report

  Abstract -- The objectives of this report are to document fish culture practices, describe adult returns, and assess progress toward meeting LSRCP goals for Grande Ronde and Imnaha steelhead (Oncorhynchus ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Lower Snake River Compensation Plan; Oregon Summer Steelhead Evaluation Studies - 2011 Annual Progress Report Abstract -- The objectives of this report are to document fish culture practices, describe adult returns, and assess progress toward meeting LSRCP goals for Grande Ronde and Imnaha steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss). We report on juvenile steelhead rearing and release activities for the 2010 brood year (BY) released in 2011. Included are collection, spawning, and adult characteristics for the 2011 returns, returns from experimental releases, supplementation in Little Sheep Creek, and success toward achieving compensation goals. In general, the data in this report were derived from hatchery inventories and standard databases (e.g., Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission Regional Mark Information System (RMIS), ODFW mark recovery) or through standard measuring techniques. As such, specific protocols are usually not described. In cases where expansions of data or unique methodologies were used, protocols are described in more detail. Additional descriptions of protocols can be found in our work statements (Carmichael et al. 2009, Carmichael et al. 2010). Coded-wire tag (CWT) data collected from 2011 adult returns were used to evaluate smolt-to-adult survival rates in experimental rearing and release groups. In 2011, experimental treatments from which fish returned included unmarked releases, off-station direct-stream releases, and progeny from early returning (fall-collected) broodstock release strategies. In 2011, experimental fish were released at Wallowa Hatchery to continue evaluation of progeny from early returning (fall-collected) broodstock vs. production broodstock. Methods for the fall broodstock experiment are described in Warren et al. (2011). Analysis of specific survival studies will be completed and published in separate reports once all brood years have returned and CWT data are complete for each experiment. In addition, much of the data that we discuss in this report will be used in separate and specific evaluations of ongoing supplementation programs for steelhead in the Imnaha River basin. Lower Snake River Compensation Plan (LSRCP) ODFW- Eastern Oregon Fish Research (EOFR) Title: Lower Snake River Compensation Plan; Oregon Summer Steelhead Evaluation Studies - 2011 Annual Progress Report Abstract -- The objectives of this report are to document fish culture practices, describe adult returns, and assess progress toward meeting LSRCP goals for Grande Ronde and Imnaha steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss). We report on juvenile steelhead rearing and release activities for the 2010 brood year (BY) released in 2011. Included are collection, spawning, and adult characteristics for the 2011 returns, returns from experimental releases, supplementation in Little Sheep Creek, and success toward achieving compensation goals. In general, the data in this report were derived from hatchery inventories and standard databases (e.g., Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission Regional Mark Information System (RMIS), ODFW mark recovery) or through standard measuring techniques. As such, specific protocols are usually not described. In cases where expansions of data or unique methodologies were used, protocols are described in more detail. Additional descriptions of protocols can be found in our work statements (Carmichael et al. 2009, Carmichael et al. 2010). Coded-wire tag (CWT) data collected from 2011 adult returns were used to evaluate smolt-to-adult survival rates in experimental rearing and release groups. In 2011, experimental treatments from which fish returned included unmarked releases, off-station direct-stream releases, and progeny from early returning (fall-collected) broodstock release strategies. In 2011, experimental fish were released at Wallowa Hatchery to continue evaluation of progeny from early returning (fall-collected) broodstock vs. production broodstock. Methods for the fall broodstock experiment are described in Warren et al. (2011). Analysis of specific survival studies will be completed and published in separate reports once all brood years have returned and CWT data are complete for each experiment. In addition, much of the data that we discuss in this report will be used in separate and specific evaluations of ongoing supplementation programs for steelhead in the Imnaha River basin. Lower Snake River Compensation Plan (LSRCP) ODFW- Eastern Oregon Fish Research (EOFR) Close

• 153. [Article] Grande Ronde Basin Spring Chinook Salmon Captive Broodstock Program 1995-2002 project status report

  Abstract -- The Grande Ronde Basin once supported large runs of chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha and estimated peak escapements in excess of 10,000 occurred as recently as the late 1950’s (U.S. ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Grande Ronde Basin Spring Chinook Salmon Captive Broodstock Program 1995-2002 project status report Abstract -- The Grande Ronde Basin once supported large runs of chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha and estimated peak escapements in excess of 10,000 occurred as recently as the late 1950’s (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 1975). Natural escapement declines in the Grande Ronde Basin have been severe and parallel those of other Snake River populations. Reduced productivity has primarily been attributed to increased mortality associated with downstream and upstream migration past eight dams and reservoirs in the Snake and Columbia rivers. Reduced spawner numbers, combined with human manipulation of previously important spawning and rearing habitat in the Grande Ronde Basin, have resulted in decreased spawning distribution and population fragmentation of chinook salmon in the Grande Ronde Basin (Figure 1; Table 1). Escapement of spring/summer chinook salmon in the Snake River basin included 1,799 adults in 1995, less than half of the previous record low of 3,913 adults in 1994. Catherine Creek, Grande Ronde River and Lostine River were historically three of the most productive populations in the Grande Ronde Basin (Carmichael and Boyce 1986). However, productivity of these populations has been poor for recent brood years. Escapement (based on total redd counts) in Catherine Creek and Grande Ronde and Lostine rivers dropped to alarmingly low levels in 1994 and 1995. A total of 11, 3 and 16 redds were observed in 1994 in Catherine Creek, upper Grande Ronde River and Lostine River, respectively, and 14, 6 and 11 redds were observed in those same streams in 1995. In contrast, the maximum number of redds observed in the past was 505 in Catherine Creek (1971), 304 in the Grande Ronde River (1968) and 261 in 1956 in the Lostine River (Tranquilli et al 2003). Redd counts for index count areas (a standardized portion of the total stream) have also decreased dramatically for most Grande Ronde Basin streams from 1964 - 2002, dropping to as low as 37 redds in the 119.5 km in the index survey areas in 1995 from as high as 1,205 redds in the same area in 1969 (Table 1). All streams reached low points (0-6 redds in the index areas) in the 1990's, except those in which no redds were found for several years and surveys were discontinued, such as Spring, Sheep and Indian creeks which had a total of 109 redds in 1969. Lower Snake River Compensation Plan (LSRCP) ODFW- Eastern Oregon Fish Research (EOFR) Title: Grande Ronde Basin Spring Chinook Salmon Captive Broodstock Program 1995-2002 project status report Abstract -- The Grande Ronde Basin once supported large runs of chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha and estimated peak escapements in excess of 10,000 occurred as recently as the late 1950’s (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 1975). Natural escapement declines in the Grande Ronde Basin have been severe and parallel those of other Snake River populations. Reduced productivity has primarily been attributed to increased mortality associated with downstream and upstream migration past eight dams and reservoirs in the Snake and Columbia rivers. Reduced spawner numbers, combined with human manipulation of previously important spawning and rearing habitat in the Grande Ronde Basin, have resulted in decreased spawning distribution and population fragmentation of chinook salmon in the Grande Ronde Basin (Figure 1; Table 1). Escapement of spring/summer chinook salmon in the Snake River basin included 1,799 adults in 1995, less than half of the previous record low of 3,913 adults in 1994. Catherine Creek, Grande Ronde River and Lostine River were historically three of the most productive populations in the Grande Ronde Basin (Carmichael and Boyce 1986). However, productivity of these populations has been poor for recent brood years. Escapement (based on total redd counts) in Catherine Creek and Grande Ronde and Lostine rivers dropped to alarmingly low levels in 1994 and 1995. A total of 11, 3 and 16 redds were observed in 1994 in Catherine Creek, upper Grande Ronde River and Lostine River, respectively, and 14, 6 and 11 redds were observed in those same streams in 1995. In contrast, the maximum number of redds observed in the past was 505 in Catherine Creek (1971), 304 in the Grande Ronde River (1968) and 261 in 1956 in the Lostine River (Tranquilli et al 2003). Redd counts for index count areas (a standardized portion of the total stream) have also decreased dramatically for most Grande Ronde Basin streams from 1964 - 2002, dropping to as low as 37 redds in the 119.5 km in the index survey areas in 1995 from as high as 1,205 redds in the same area in 1969 (Table 1). All streams reached low points (0-6 redds in the index areas) in the 1990's, except those in which no redds were found for several years and surveys were discontinued, such as Spring, Sheep and Indian creeks which had a total of 109 redds in 1969. Lower Snake River Compensation Plan (LSRCP) ODFW- Eastern Oregon Fish Research (EOFR) Close

• 154. [Article] 2011 Warner Sucker Investigations (Honey Creek) Progress Reports 2011

  Abstract -- The Warner sucker (Catostomus warnerensis) is endemic to the Warner Valley, an endorheic subbasin of the Great Basin in southeastern Oregon and northwestern Nevada. Historically, this species ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: 2011 Warner Sucker Investigations (Honey Creek) Progress Reports 2011 Abstract -- The Warner sucker (Catostomus warnerensis) is endemic to the Warner Valley, an endorheic subbasin of the Great Basin in southeastern Oregon and northwestern Nevada. Historically, this species was abundant and its range included three permanent lakes (Hart, Crump, and Pelican), several ephemeral lakes, a network of sloughs and diversion canals, and three major tributary drainages (Honey, Deep, and Twentymile Creeks) (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1985). Warner sucker abundance and distribution has declined over the past century and it was federally listed as threatened in 1985 due to habitat fragmentation and threats posed by the proliferation of piscivorous non-native game fishes (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1985). The Warner sucker inhabits the lakes and low gradient stream reaches of the Warner Valley. The Warner sucker metapopulation is comprised of both lake and stream life history morphs. The lake suckers are lacustrine adfluvial or potamodromous fish that normally spawn in the streams. However, upstream migration may be blocked by low stream flows during low water years or by irrigation diversion dams. When this happens, spawning may occur in nearshore areas of the lakes (White et al. 1990). Large lake-dwelling populations of introduced fishes likely reduce recruitment by preying on young suckers (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1998). The stream suckers inhabit and spawn in Honey, Deep, and Twentymile Creeks. The Recovery Plan for the Threatened and Rare Native Fishes of the Warner Basin and Alkali Subbasin (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1998) sets recovery criteria for delisting the species. These criteria require that: 1) a self-sustaining metapopulation is distributed throughout the Twentymile, Honey, and Deep Creek (below the falls) drainages, and in Pelican, Crump, and Hart Lakes, 2) passage is restored within and among the Twentymile, Honey, and Deep Creek (below the falls) drainages so that the individual populations of Warner suckers can function as a metapopulation, and 3) no threats exist that would likely threaten the survival of the species over a significant portion of its range. To inform progress towards the first criteria, our objectives in 2011 were: 1) obtain a population estimate for suckers in the Honey Creek drainage and describe their current distribution and 2) describe the association between the distribution of suckers and habitat variables in Honey Creek. In addition, we obtained a population estimate of suckers at the Summer Lake Wildlife Management Area (WMA), where a self-sustaining population became established after a fish salvage from Hart Lake in 1991 when the lakes desiccated. Title: 2011 Warner Sucker Investigations (Honey Creek) Progress Reports 2011 Abstract -- The Warner sucker (Catostomus warnerensis) is endemic to the Warner Valley, an endorheic subbasin of the Great Basin in southeastern Oregon and northwestern Nevada. Historically, this species was abundant and its range included three permanent lakes (Hart, Crump, and Pelican), several ephemeral lakes, a network of sloughs and diversion canals, and three major tributary drainages (Honey, Deep, and Twentymile Creeks) (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1985). Warner sucker abundance and distribution has declined over the past century and it was federally listed as threatened in 1985 due to habitat fragmentation and threats posed by the proliferation of piscivorous non-native game fishes (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1985). The Warner sucker inhabits the lakes and low gradient stream reaches of the Warner Valley. The Warner sucker metapopulation is comprised of both lake and stream life history morphs. The lake suckers are lacustrine adfluvial or potamodromous fish that normally spawn in the streams. However, upstream migration may be blocked by low stream flows during low water years or by irrigation diversion dams. When this happens, spawning may occur in nearshore areas of the lakes (White et al. 1990). Large lake-dwelling populations of introduced fishes likely reduce recruitment by preying on young suckers (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1998). The stream suckers inhabit and spawn in Honey, Deep, and Twentymile Creeks. The Recovery Plan for the Threatened and Rare Native Fishes of the Warner Basin and Alkali Subbasin (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1998) sets recovery criteria for delisting the species. These criteria require that: 1) a self-sustaining metapopulation is distributed throughout the Twentymile, Honey, and Deep Creek (below the falls) drainages, and in Pelican, Crump, and Hart Lakes, 2) passage is restored within and among the Twentymile, Honey, and Deep Creek (below the falls) drainages so that the individual populations of Warner suckers can function as a metapopulation, and 3) no threats exist that would likely threaten the survival of the species over a significant portion of its range. To inform progress towards the first criteria, our objectives in 2011 were: 1) obtain a population estimate for suckers in the Honey Creek drainage and describe their current distribution and 2) describe the association between the distribution of suckers and habitat variables in Honey Creek. In addition, we obtained a population estimate of suckers at the Summer Lake Wildlife Management Area (WMA), where a self-sustaining population became established after a fish salvage from Hart Lake in 1991 when the lakes desiccated. Close

• 155. [Article] Warner Sucker Investigations (2009)

  Abstract -- The Warner sucker (Catostomus warnerensis) is endemic to the Warner Valley, an endorheic subbasin of the Great Basin in southeastern Oregon and northwestern Nevada. Historically, this species ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Warner Sucker Investigations (2009) Abstract -- The Warner sucker (Catostomus warnerensis) is endemic to the Warner Valley, an endorheic subbasin of the Great Basin in southeastern Oregon and northwestern Nevada. Historically, this species was abundant and its range included three permanent lakes (Hart, Crump, and Pelican), several ephemeral lakes, a network of sloughs and diversion canals, and three major tributary drainages (Honey, Deep, and Twentymile Creeks) (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1985). Warner sucker abundance and distribution has declined over the past century and it was federally listed as threatened in 1985 due to habitat fragmentation and threats posed by the proliferation of piscivorous non-native game fishes (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1985). The Warner sucker inhabits the lakes and low gradient stream reaches of the Warner Valley. The Warner sucker metapopulation is comprised of both lake and stream life history morphs. The lake suckers are lacustrine adfluvial or potamodromous fish that normally spawn in the streams. However, upstream migration may be blocked by low stream flows during low water years or by irrigation diversion dams. When this happens, spawning may occur in nearshore areas of the lakes (White et al. 1990). Large lake-dwelling populations of introduced fishes likely reduce recruitment by preying on young suckers (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1998). The stream suckers inhabit and spawn in Honey, Deep, and Twentymile Creeks. The Recovery Plan for the Threatened and Rare Native Fishes of the Warner Basin and Alkali Subbasin (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1998) sets recovery criteria for delisting the species. These criteria require that: 1) a self-sustaining metapopulation is distributed throughout the Twentymile, Honey, and Deep Creek (below the falls) drainages, and in Pelican, Crump, and Hart Lakes, 2) passage is restored within and among the Twentymile, Honey, and Deep Creek (below the falls) drainages so that the individual populations of Warner suckers can function as a metapopulation, and 3) no threats exist that would likely threaten the survival of the species over a significant portion of its range. Objectives of our 2009 investigations included: 1) obtain a mark-recapture population estimate for suckers in the Twentymile Creek drainage and describe their current distribution, 2) describe associations between the distribution of suckers and habitat variables in Twentymile Creek, 3) evaluate a non-lethal ageing technique, 4) track radiotagged lake suckers (tagged in 2008) in Hart and Crump Lakes to assess spring movement patterns, 5) track spring spawning movements of lake suckers across a PIT-tag antenna installed at the mouth of Honey Creek, 6) test the feasibility of trapping larval suckers near the mouth of Honey Creek using larval drift nets and light traps to describe the relative abundance and timing of larval sucker movements, and 7) obtain a mark-recapture population estimate of suckers at the Summer Lake Wildlife Management Area (WMA), where a self-sustaining population became established after a fish salvage from Hart Lake during the 1991 drought. Title: Warner Sucker Investigations (2009) Abstract -- The Warner sucker (Catostomus warnerensis) is endemic to the Warner Valley, an endorheic subbasin of the Great Basin in southeastern Oregon and northwestern Nevada. Historically, this species was abundant and its range included three permanent lakes (Hart, Crump, and Pelican), several ephemeral lakes, a network of sloughs and diversion canals, and three major tributary drainages (Honey, Deep, and Twentymile Creeks) (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1985). Warner sucker abundance and distribution has declined over the past century and it was federally listed as threatened in 1985 due to habitat fragmentation and threats posed by the proliferation of piscivorous non-native game fishes (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1985). The Warner sucker inhabits the lakes and low gradient stream reaches of the Warner Valley. The Warner sucker metapopulation is comprised of both lake and stream life history morphs. The lake suckers are lacustrine adfluvial or potamodromous fish that normally spawn in the streams. However, upstream migration may be blocked by low stream flows during low water years or by irrigation diversion dams. When this happens, spawning may occur in nearshore areas of the lakes (White et al. 1990). Large lake-dwelling populations of introduced fishes likely reduce recruitment by preying on young suckers (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1998). The stream suckers inhabit and spawn in Honey, Deep, and Twentymile Creeks. The Recovery Plan for the Threatened and Rare Native Fishes of the Warner Basin and Alkali Subbasin (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1998) sets recovery criteria for delisting the species. These criteria require that: 1) a self-sustaining metapopulation is distributed throughout the Twentymile, Honey, and Deep Creek (below the falls) drainages, and in Pelican, Crump, and Hart Lakes, 2) passage is restored within and among the Twentymile, Honey, and Deep Creek (below the falls) drainages so that the individual populations of Warner suckers can function as a metapopulation, and 3) no threats exist that would likely threaten the survival of the species over a significant portion of its range. Objectives of our 2009 investigations included: 1) obtain a mark-recapture population estimate for suckers in the Twentymile Creek drainage and describe their current distribution, 2) describe associations between the distribution of suckers and habitat variables in Twentymile Creek, 3) evaluate a non-lethal ageing technique, 4) track radiotagged lake suckers (tagged in 2008) in Hart and Crump Lakes to assess spring movement patterns, 5) track spring spawning movements of lake suckers across a PIT-tag antenna installed at the mouth of Honey Creek, 6) test the feasibility of trapping larval suckers near the mouth of Honey Creek using larval drift nets and light traps to describe the relative abundance and timing of larval sucker movements, and 7) obtain a mark-recapture population estimate of suckers at the Summer Lake Wildlife Management Area (WMA), where a self-sustaining population became established after a fish salvage from Hart Lake during the 1991 drought. Close

• 156. [Article] Spring Chinook in the Willamette and Sandy Basins, Progress Reports 2006-2007

  Abstract -- The Willamette and Sandy rivers support intense recreational fisheries for spring Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha). Fisheries in these basins rely primarily on annual hatchery releases ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Spring Chinook in the Willamette and Sandy Basins, Progress Reports 2006-2007 Abstract -- The Willamette and Sandy rivers support intense recreational fisheries for spring Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha). Fisheries in these basins rely primarily on annual hatchery releases of 5–8 million juveniles. Hatchery programs exist in the McKenzie, Middle Fork Willamette, North and South Santiam, Clackamas, and Sandy rivers mainly as mitigation for dams that blocked natural production areas. Some natural spawning occurs in most of the major basins and a few smaller tributaries upstream of Willamette Falls. The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission adopted the Native Fish Conservation Policy (ODFW 2003a) and the Hatchery Management Policy (ODFW 2003b) in part to reduce adverse impacts of hatchery programs on wild native stocks. The Native Fish Conservation Policy recognizes that naturally produced native fish are the foundation for long-term sustainability of native species and hatchery programs, and the fisheries they support. Possible risks of artificial propagation programs have been well documented. Hazards include disease transfer, competition for food and spawning sites, increased predation, increased incidental mortality from harvest, loss of genetic variability, genetic drift, and domestication (Steward and Bjornn 1990; Hard et al. 1992; Cuenco et al. 1993; Busack and Currens 1995; NRC 1996; and Waples 1999). Hatcheries can also play a positive role for wild salmonids by bolstering populations, especially those on the verge of extirpation, by providing a genetic reserve as well as providing opportunities for nutrient enrichment of streams (Steward and Bjornn 1990; Cuenco et al. 1993). In the past, hatchery programs and fish passage issues were the focus of spring Chinook salmon management in the Willamette and Sandy basins. Limited information was collected on the genetic structure among basin populations, on abundance and distribution of natural spawning, on rearing and migrating of juvenile salmon, or on strategies for reducing risks that large hatchery programs pose for wild salmon populations. This study is being implemented to gather this information. A schematic of the study plan is shown in APPENDIX A. We conducted work in the main-stem Willamette River above Willamette Falls, and in the Middle Fork Willamette, McKenzie, North Santiam, South Santiam, Clackamas, and Sandy rivers in 2006 and 2007. Basin descriptions and background information on management and fish runs can be found in subbasin plans developed by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW 1988, ODFW 1992a, ODFW 1992b, and ODFW 1996). Task headings below cross reference the study plan outlined in APPENDIX A. This report covers tasks that were worked on in late 2005 through early fall 2007. Title: Spring Chinook in the Willamette and Sandy Basins, Progress Reports 2006-2007 Abstract -- The Willamette and Sandy rivers support intense recreational fisheries for spring Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha). Fisheries in these basins rely primarily on annual hatchery releases of 5–8 million juveniles. Hatchery programs exist in the McKenzie, Middle Fork Willamette, North and South Santiam, Clackamas, and Sandy rivers mainly as mitigation for dams that blocked natural production areas. Some natural spawning occurs in most of the major basins and a few smaller tributaries upstream of Willamette Falls. The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission adopted the Native Fish Conservation Policy (ODFW 2003a) and the Hatchery Management Policy (ODFW 2003b) in part to reduce adverse impacts of hatchery programs on wild native stocks. The Native Fish Conservation Policy recognizes that naturally produced native fish are the foundation for long-term sustainability of native species and hatchery programs, and the fisheries they support. Possible risks of artificial propagation programs have been well documented. Hazards include disease transfer, competition for food and spawning sites, increased predation, increased incidental mortality from harvest, loss of genetic variability, genetic drift, and domestication (Steward and Bjornn 1990; Hard et al. 1992; Cuenco et al. 1993; Busack and Currens 1995; NRC 1996; and Waples 1999). Hatcheries can also play a positive role for wild salmonids by bolstering populations, especially those on the verge of extirpation, by providing a genetic reserve as well as providing opportunities for nutrient enrichment of streams (Steward and Bjornn 1990; Cuenco et al. 1993). In the past, hatchery programs and fish passage issues were the focus of spring Chinook salmon management in the Willamette and Sandy basins. Limited information was collected on the genetic structure among basin populations, on abundance and distribution of natural spawning, on rearing and migrating of juvenile salmon, or on strategies for reducing risks that large hatchery programs pose for wild salmon populations. This study is being implemented to gather this information. A schematic of the study plan is shown in APPENDIX A. We conducted work in the main-stem Willamette River above Willamette Falls, and in the Middle Fork Willamette, McKenzie, North Santiam, South Santiam, Clackamas, and Sandy rivers in 2006 and 2007. Basin descriptions and background information on management and fish runs can be found in subbasin plans developed by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW 1988, ODFW 1992a, ODFW 1992b, and ODFW 1996). Task headings below cross reference the study plan outlined in APPENDIX A. This report covers tasks that were worked on in late 2005 through early fall 2007. Close

• 157. [Article] 2007 Oregon Chub Investigations Progress Reports 2007

  Abstract -- Oregon chub Oregonichthys crameri, small minnows endemic to the Willamette Valley, were federally listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act in 1993. Factors implicated in the decline ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: 2007 Oregon Chub Investigations Progress Reports 2007 Abstract -- Oregon chub Oregonichthys crameri, small minnows endemic to the Willamette Valley, were federally listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act in 1993. Factors implicated in the decline of this species include changes in flow regimes and habitat characteristics resulting from the construction of flood control dams, revetments, channelization, diking, and the drainage of wetlands. The Oregon chub is further threatened by predation and competition by non-native species such as largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides, crappies Pomoxis sp., sunfishes Lepomis sp., bullheads Ameiurus sp., and western mosquitofish Gambusia affinis. We continued surveys initiated in 1991 in the Willamette River drainage to quantify the abundance of known Oregon chub populations, search for unknown populations, evaluate potential introduction sites, and monitor introduced populations as part of the implementation of the Oregon Chub Recovery Plan. We sampled a total of 70 sites in 2007. New populations of Oregon chub were discovered at Green Island in the lower McKenzie River and in the Muddy Creek drainage (Linn County). We confirmed the continued existence of Oregon chub at 34 locations. These included 23 naturally occurring and 11 introduced populations. We did not find Oregon chub at nine locations where they were collected on at least one occasion between 1991-2006. Nonnative fish were collected at most of these locations. We obtained abundance estimates of 18 naturally occurring populations and 11 introduced populations of Oregon chub located in the Middle Fork Willamette, Santiam, McKenzie, and Mid-Willamette drainages (Table 1). We introduced additional Oregon chub into the South Stayton Pond in the Santiam drainage and into Cheadle and Display Ponds in the Mid-Willamette drainage. The Oregon Chub Recovery Plan (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1998) set recovery criteria for downlisting the species to “threatened” and for delisting the species. The criteria for downlisting the species are: 1) establish and manage 10 populations of at least 500 adult fish, 2) all of these populations must exhibit a stable or increasing trend for five years, and 3) at least three populations meeting criterion 1 and 2 must be located in each of the three recovery areas (Middle Fork Willamette River, Santiam River, and Mid-Willamette River tributaries). In 2007, there were 20 populations totaling 500 or more individuals (Table 1). Fifteen of these populations also met the second criteria. Of the 15 populations meeting criteria 1 and 2, eight were located in the Middle Fork Willamette drainage, four were located in the Mid-Willamette drainage, and three were located in the Santiam drainage. In 2007, we met the downlisting criteria. Findings to date indicate that Oregon chub remain at risk due to the loss of suitable habitat and the continued threats posed by the proliferation of non-native fishes, illegal water withdrawals, accelerated sedimentation, and potential chemical spills or careless pesticide applications. Their status has improved in recent years, resulting primarily from successful introductions and the discovery of previously undocumented populations. Title: 2007 Oregon Chub Investigations Progress Reports 2007 Abstract -- Oregon chub Oregonichthys crameri, small minnows endemic to the Willamette Valley, were federally listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act in 1993. Factors implicated in the decline of this species include changes in flow regimes and habitat characteristics resulting from the construction of flood control dams, revetments, channelization, diking, and the drainage of wetlands. The Oregon chub is further threatened by predation and competition by non-native species such as largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides, crappies Pomoxis sp., sunfishes Lepomis sp., bullheads Ameiurus sp., and western mosquitofish Gambusia affinis. We continued surveys initiated in 1991 in the Willamette River drainage to quantify the abundance of known Oregon chub populations, search for unknown populations, evaluate potential introduction sites, and monitor introduced populations as part of the implementation of the Oregon Chub Recovery Plan. We sampled a total of 70 sites in 2007. New populations of Oregon chub were discovered at Green Island in the lower McKenzie River and in the Muddy Creek drainage (Linn County). We confirmed the continued existence of Oregon chub at 34 locations. These included 23 naturally occurring and 11 introduced populations. We did not find Oregon chub at nine locations where they were collected on at least one occasion between 1991-2006. Nonnative fish were collected at most of these locations. We obtained abundance estimates of 18 naturally occurring populations and 11 introduced populations of Oregon chub located in the Middle Fork Willamette, Santiam, McKenzie, and Mid-Willamette drainages (Table 1). We introduced additional Oregon chub into the South Stayton Pond in the Santiam drainage and into Cheadle and Display Ponds in the Mid-Willamette drainage. The Oregon Chub Recovery Plan (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1998) set recovery criteria for downlisting the species to “threatened” and for delisting the species. The criteria for downlisting the species are: 1) establish and manage 10 populations of at least 500 adult fish, 2) all of these populations must exhibit a stable or increasing trend for five years, and 3) at least three populations meeting criterion 1 and 2 must be located in each of the three recovery areas (Middle Fork Willamette River, Santiam River, and Mid-Willamette River tributaries). In 2007, there were 20 populations totaling 500 or more individuals (Table 1). Fifteen of these populations also met the second criteria. Of the 15 populations meeting criteria 1 and 2, eight were located in the Middle Fork Willamette drainage, four were located in the Mid-Willamette drainage, and three were located in the Santiam drainage. In 2007, we met the downlisting criteria. Findings to date indicate that Oregon chub remain at risk due to the loss of suitable habitat and the continued threats posed by the proliferation of non-native fishes, illegal water withdrawals, accelerated sedimentation, and potential chemical spills or careless pesticide applications. Their status has improved in recent years, resulting primarily from successful introductions and the discovery of previously undocumented populations. Close

• 158. [Article] 2006 OPRD- Oregon Chub Population Monitoring on Oregon State Park Lands Progress Reports 2006

  Abstract -- Oregon chub Oregonichthys crameri, small minnows endemic to the Willamette River drainage of western Oregon (Markle et al. 1991), were federally listed as endangered under the Endangered Species ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: 2006 OPRD- Oregon Chub Population Monitoring on Oregon State Park Lands Progress Reports 2006 Abstract -- Oregon chub Oregonichthys crameri, small minnows endemic to the Willamette River drainage of western Oregon (Markle et al. 1991), were federally listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act in 1993 (Markle and Pearsons 1990; Rhew 1993). This species was formerly distributed throughout the Willamette River Valley (Snyder 1908) in off-channel habitats such as beaver ponds, oxbows, backwater sloughs, and flooded marshes. These habitats usually have little or no water flow, have silty and organic substrate, and have an abundance of aquatic vegetation and cover for hiding and spawning. In the last 100 years, off-channel habitats have disappeared because of changes in seasonal flows and habitat characteristics resulting from the construction of flood control dams, revetments, channelization, diking, and the drainage of wetlands for bottomland agriculture. This loss of habitat combined with the introduction of non-native species to the Willamette Valley resulted in a restricted distribution and sharp decline in Oregon chub abundance. The Oregon chub is further threatened by predation and competition by non-native species such as largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides, crappies Pomoxis sp., sunfishes Lepomis sp., bullheads Ameiurus sp., and western mosquitofish Gambusia affinis. To evaluate abundance and distribution of Oregon chub populations, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife has conducted surveys since 1991. Information collected also included the presence of non-native and native species, the characteristics of Oregon chub habitats, the characteristics of potential introduction sites, evaluation of Oregon chub introductions, and life history characteristics (Scheerer 2002, Scheerer and McDonald 2003, Scheerer et al. 2006). The Oregon Chub Recovery Plan (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1998) set recovery criteria for downlisting the species to “threatened” and for delisting the species. The criteria for downlisting the species are: 1) establish and manage 10 populations of at least 500 adult fish, 2) all of these populations must exhibit a stable or increasing trend for five years, and 3) at least three populations meeting criterion 1 and 2 must be located in each of the three recovery areas (Middle Fork Willamette River, Santiam River, and Mid-Willamette River tributaries). In 2006, there were 18 populations totaling 500 or more individuals. Thirteen of these populations met the above criteria. Eight were located in the Middle Fork Willamette drainage, three were located in the Mid-Willamette drainage, and two were located in the Santiam drainage (Scheerer et al. 2006). The status of this species has improved substantially over the past decade and with the addition of a single Santiam population, the downlisting criteria will be met (Scheerer et al. 2006). Title: 2006 OPRD- Oregon Chub Population Monitoring on Oregon State Park Lands Progress Reports 2006 Abstract -- Oregon chub Oregonichthys crameri, small minnows endemic to the Willamette River drainage of western Oregon (Markle et al. 1991), were federally listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act in 1993 (Markle and Pearsons 1990; Rhew 1993). This species was formerly distributed throughout the Willamette River Valley (Snyder 1908) in off-channel habitats such as beaver ponds, oxbows, backwater sloughs, and flooded marshes. These habitats usually have little or no water flow, have silty and organic substrate, and have an abundance of aquatic vegetation and cover for hiding and spawning. In the last 100 years, off-channel habitats have disappeared because of changes in seasonal flows and habitat characteristics resulting from the construction of flood control dams, revetments, channelization, diking, and the drainage of wetlands for bottomland agriculture. This loss of habitat combined with the introduction of non-native species to the Willamette Valley resulted in a restricted distribution and sharp decline in Oregon chub abundance. The Oregon chub is further threatened by predation and competition by non-native species such as largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides, crappies Pomoxis sp., sunfishes Lepomis sp., bullheads Ameiurus sp., and western mosquitofish Gambusia affinis. To evaluate abundance and distribution of Oregon chub populations, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife has conducted surveys since 1991. Information collected also included the presence of non-native and native species, the characteristics of Oregon chub habitats, the characteristics of potential introduction sites, evaluation of Oregon chub introductions, and life history characteristics (Scheerer 2002, Scheerer and McDonald 2003, Scheerer et al. 2006). The Oregon Chub Recovery Plan (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1998) set recovery criteria for downlisting the species to “threatened” and for delisting the species. The criteria for downlisting the species are: 1) establish and manage 10 populations of at least 500 adult fish, 2) all of these populations must exhibit a stable or increasing trend for five years, and 3) at least three populations meeting criterion 1 and 2 must be located in each of the three recovery areas (Middle Fork Willamette River, Santiam River, and Mid-Willamette River tributaries). In 2006, there were 18 populations totaling 500 or more individuals. Thirteen of these populations met the above criteria. Eight were located in the Middle Fork Willamette drainage, three were located in the Mid-Willamette drainage, and two were located in the Santiam drainage (Scheerer et al. 2006). The status of this species has improved substantially over the past decade and with the addition of a single Santiam population, the downlisting criteria will be met (Scheerer et al. 2006). Close

• 159. [Article] Yachats River Basin Fish Management Plan 1997

  Abstract -- The Yachats River Basin is one in a series of similar watersheds in the Oregon coastal mountain range extending from the Nehalem to the Coquille. Rivers and streams in these watersheds generally ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Yachats River Basin Fish Management Plan 1997 Abstract -- The Yachats River Basin is one in a series of similar watersheds in the Oregon coastal mountain range extending from the Nehalem to the Coquille. Rivers and streams in these watersheds generally occur in a forest dominated landscape, have moderate gradients, and medium to large estuaries. There are few dams that substantially affect anadromous fish runs. Water withdrawals impact only a small portion of the total miles of stream habitat. Water quality and temperatures are suitable for salmonids for the entire year in most areas. Rainfall throughout the area is heavy, resulting in a high density of streams relative to watershed area. The Yachats River system has about 69 contiguous miles of stream suitable for salmonids. Some of these stream reaches are highly productive. The Yachats River Basin has traditionally been managed for production of wild salmonids. Few hatchery fish have been released in the Yachats River Basin historically and none has been released in the past several decades. All salmonid species in the Yachats River Basin are at depressed levels with the exception of resident cutthroat trout. The depressed status of Yachats River Basin fish stocks has resulted from human induced factors including habitat degradation, excessive harvest, and hatchery influence (from adjacent streams) in combination with natural events such as droughts, floods and El Nino ocean conditions. As human induced factors are controlled and corrected, it is expected that fish abundance will increase substantially, but it is not possible to accurately forecast the shape recovery will take. In addition to the confounding effects of natural environmental variation, the recovery of individual fish species due to reduction in human impacts can only be loosely surmised. For this reason, this management plan will treat specific management targets for individual species as secondary to recovery of the entire basin and assemblage of fish species. Title: Yachats River Basin Fish Management Plan 1997 Abstract -- The Yachats River Basin is one in a series of similar watersheds in the Oregon coastal mountain range extending from the Nehalem to the Coquille. Rivers and streams in these watersheds generally occur in a forest dominated landscape, have moderate gradients, and medium to large estuaries. There are few dams that substantially affect anadromous fish runs. Water withdrawals impact only a small portion of the total miles of stream habitat. Water quality and temperatures are suitable for salmonids for the entire year in most areas. Rainfall throughout the area is heavy, resulting in a high density of streams relative to watershed area. The Yachats River system has about 69 contiguous miles of stream suitable for salmonids. Some of these stream reaches are highly productive. The Yachats River Basin has traditionally been managed for production of wild salmonids. Few hatchery fish have been released in the Yachats River Basin historically and none has been released in the past several decades. All salmonid species in the Yachats River Basin are at depressed levels with the exception of resident cutthroat trout. The depressed status of Yachats River Basin fish stocks has resulted from human induced factors including habitat degradation, excessive harvest, and hatchery influence (from adjacent streams) in combination with natural events such as droughts, floods and El Nino ocean conditions. As human induced factors are controlled and corrected, it is expected that fish abundance will increase substantially, but it is not possible to accurately forecast the shape recovery will take. In addition to the confounding effects of natural environmental variation, the recovery of individual fish species due to reduction in human impacts can only be loosely surmised. For this reason, this management plan will treat specific management targets for individual species as secondary to recovery of the entire basin and assemblage of fish species. Close

• 160. [Article] Abundance, Productivity, and Life History of Fifteenmile Creek Steelhead; Annual Report 2016

  Abstract -- The Fifteenmile Creek watershed in North Central Oregon hosts a native population of steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) that is without influence of previous hatchery augmentation. The Fifteenmile ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Abundance, Productivity, and Life History of Fifteenmile Creek Steelhead; Annual Report 2016 Abstract -- The Fifteenmile Creek watershed in North Central Oregon hosts a native population of steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) that is without influence of previous hatchery augmentation. The Fifteenmile Creek steelhead are a subpopulation within the Distinct Population Segment (DPS) of the Middle Columbia River steelhead and was listed as ‘threatened’ by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) first on March 25, 1999 and relisted as a DPS on January 5, 2006. Subsequently, a conservation and recovery management plan was developed for the Middle Columbia River steelhead DPS within Oregon state borders. The goal of the plan is to recover Middle Columbia River steelhead to a level that would allow the removal of threatened status, in addition to providing a long-term goal to recover the population sufficiently to provide sustainable fisheries and other ecological, cultural, social and economic benefits for future generations. The DPS-level recovery plan sets specific recovery goals for the areas within the DPS, which designates Fifteenmile Creek explicitly. The Fifteenmile Creek steelhead population is considered the most inland winter race of steelhead in the Columbia River Basin, as designated by NOAA fisheries. However review of this designation may be necessary at the next Federal Columbia River Power System (FCRPS) Biological Opinion (BiOp) status-review because the run-timing of adult steelhead passing Bonneville Dam has been inconsistent with known winter-run steelhead in the area. The population was identified as “must have viable” status by the Interior Columbia Technical Recovery Team (ICTRT), and reaching viable status is essential for achieving DPS delisting. The ICTRT, Recovery Plan, and the Federal Columbia River Power System (FCRPS-BiOp) have all identified this population as high priority for improving precision and accuracy of abundance, productivity, diversity, and spatial structure information. Title: Abundance, Productivity, and Life History of Fifteenmile Creek Steelhead; Annual Report 2016 Abstract -- The Fifteenmile Creek watershed in North Central Oregon hosts a native population of steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) that is without influence of previous hatchery augmentation. The Fifteenmile Creek steelhead are a subpopulation within the Distinct Population Segment (DPS) of the Middle Columbia River steelhead and was listed as ‘threatened’ by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) first on March 25, 1999 and relisted as a DPS on January 5, 2006. Subsequently, a conservation and recovery management plan was developed for the Middle Columbia River steelhead DPS within Oregon state borders. The goal of the plan is to recover Middle Columbia River steelhead to a level that would allow the removal of threatened status, in addition to providing a long-term goal to recover the population sufficiently to provide sustainable fisheries and other ecological, cultural, social and economic benefits for future generations. The DPS-level recovery plan sets specific recovery goals for the areas within the DPS, which designates Fifteenmile Creek explicitly. The Fifteenmile Creek steelhead population is considered the most inland winter race of steelhead in the Columbia River Basin, as designated by NOAA fisheries. However review of this designation may be necessary at the next Federal Columbia River Power System (FCRPS) Biological Opinion (BiOp) status-review because the run-timing of adult steelhead passing Bonneville Dam has been inconsistent with known winter-run steelhead in the area. The population was identified as “must have viable” status by the Interior Columbia Technical Recovery Team (ICTRT), and reaching viable status is essential for achieving DPS delisting. The ICTRT, Recovery Plan, and the Federal Columbia River Power System (FCRPS-BiOp) have all identified this population as high priority for improving precision and accuracy of abundance, productivity, diversity, and spatial structure information. Close