BPA Fish and Wildlife FY 1997 Proposal
Section 1. Administrative
Section 2. Narrative
Section 3. Budget
see CBFWA and BPA funding recommendations
Section 1. Administrative
Title of project
Development and Installation of a Video Fish Counting Station in the Klickitat River Basin
BPA project number 5506400
Business name of agency, institution or organization requesting funding
CRITFC, Yakama Indian Nation
Sponsor type CRITFC
Proposal contact person or principal investigator
| Name | Doug Hatch, Lyn Hatcher | |
| Mailing address | 729 NE Oregon, Suite 200
Portland, OR 97232 or P.O. Box 151 Topenish, WA 98948 | |
| Phone | 503/731-1263 |
BPA technical contact , EWN
Biological opinion ID
NWPPC Program number 4.3C.1
Short description
Provide the data necessary for detailed stock assessment of specific tributaries to the Klickitat River through videos using time-lapse video recording equipment at temporary weirs. Asses specimen length, presence of tags or marks, and stage of maturation.
Project start year 1997 End year
Start of operation and/or maintenance 0
Project development phase Implementation
Section 2. Narrative
Related projects
Yakima - Klickitat Production Program
Prosser Dam Escapement Estimation Project
Project history
Biological results achieved
Annual reports and technical papers
Management implications
Specific measureable objectives
The specific measurable objective of this project is the development of technology that will enable fishery managers to precisely, accurately, and relatively inexpensively estimate salmon escapement from natural and artificial origins. This technology will directly benefit stocks from the Klickitat Basin as well as serve stocks from other basins from this project's innovative approach.
Testable hypothesis
Time-lapse videography incorporated in a temporary weir on a tributary of the Klickitat River can be used to estimate salmon escapement.
Video-based escapement estimates will be more accurate and less expensive than methods now being used.
Underlying assumptions or critical constraints
Extreme water conditions (30 year flood event during fish passage period) may limit project success.
Methods
A temporary picket fence type weir will be located in a suitable location on a tributary to the Klickitat River. The fence will guide migrating fish through a funnel shaped opening into a count slot. A video camera will be operated within the count slot and record passing fish. Fish will have free access to move downstream through the count slot as well as upstream. The count slot width will be similar in size to those located at mainstem dams. The counting station will be removed after the fish migration period is complete.
Videotapes of fish passage will be reviewed and fish enumerated. Comparisons will be made between these escapement estimates and those made from redd counts. A cost comparison of the two methods will also be made.
A videotape editing system, that we have previously developed, will be modified to operate in digital format. This system will be used to reduce the effort required to evaluate recorded videotape records. The precision of this system will be compared with counts from source tapes. A cost analysis for this system will also be made.
Brief schedule of activities
Site selection
hydrologic study
obtain permits if necessary
management consideration for stocks of interest
Procurement
video equipment
weir components
count chamber fabrication
Installation
weir construction
video chamber
video equipment storage unit construction
System operation
24 hour time-lapse recording throughout passage period
Data analysis
tape evaluation (ID and count specimens, record other data)
archive images
Tape editing system
redesign system to digital format
Biological need
The current methods used to estimate salmon escapement are not as accurate as management requires. Previous studies have shown that direct count methods are much more accurate and reliable. In addition, they are quite expensive to obtain.
Video-based fish counting studies have been shown to be very effective methods for estimating escapement. These methods are used extensively in other basins, but have not been fully utilized in the Columbia Basin.
Critical uncertainties
None
Summary of expected outcome
A highly accurate salmon escapement estimation system will be developed and deployed in a critically important production area of the Columbia Basin. Major cost savings will be achieved. This system and it's operation will have no negative impacts on the fish stocks or the stream. This system will be used as a model for monitoring throughout the Columbia Basin. The digital editing system will be an integral part of the operation of this fish counting system.
Dependencies/opportunities for cooperation
Risks
Monitoring activity
Escapement estimates derived from alternative methods will be compared with direct video-based counts.
Section 3. Budget
Data shown are the total of expense and capital obligations by fiscal year. Obligations for any given year may not equal actual expenditures or accruals within the year, due to carryover, pre-funding, capitalization and difference between operating year and BPA fiscal year.| Historic costs | FY 1996 budget data* | Current and future funding needs |
| (none) | New project - no FY96 data available | 1997: 250,000 1998: 80,000 1999: 85,000 2000: 90,000 2001: 95,000 |
* For most projects, Authorized is the amount recommended by CBFWA and the Council. Planned is amount currently allocated. Contracted is the amount obligated to date of printout.
Funding recommendations
CBFWA funding review group Bonneville Dam - Priest Rapids Dam
Recommendation Tier 2 - fund when funds available
Recommended funding level $250,000