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
Evaluation of Adult Salmon and Steelhead Migration Past Dams and Through Reservoirs in the Lower Columbia River and Into Tributaries

BPA project number   9204101

Business name of agency, institution or organization requesting funding
COE

Sponsor type   WA-Federal Agency

Proposal contact person or principal investigator

BPA technical contact   Bill Maslen, EWI 503/230-5549

Biological opinion ID   Conservation Recommendation #2

NWPPC Program number   

Short description
The project goals are to assess the success of adult salmon and steelhead passage at the four dams and reservoirs in the lower Columbia River and into the tributaries, to evaluate specific flow and spill conditions on adult fish migration, and to evaluate the various measures under taken to improve adult fish passage in the lower Columbia River.

Project start year   1995    End year   2000

Start of operation and/or maintenance   1996

Project development phase   Implementation

Section 2. Narrative

Related projects

Project history
The BPA and COE are cost sharing throughout this five year program. Costs incurred in 1995 for program planning were approximately $255,000. Efforts included finalization of the study design; the determination, purchase, and installation of necessary equipment; and preliminary trapping and tag implantation evaluations. Physiological evaluations of adult lamprey tagging procedures were also conducted. In 1996, BPA and COE contributions totaled $350,000, and approximately $1,000,000 respectively. Program implementation, data collection, and analysis began in 1996.

Biological results achieved

Annual reports and technical papers
Technical reports defining the activities and results of 1995 efforts (in particular the tagging and trapping procedures for adult salmon and lamprey, and status report of computer generated data analysis activities) will be provided in April, 1996. Annual reports for 1996, 1997, 1999, and 2000 will also be prepared.

Management implications
These studies enable a more complete understanding of 1) the use of fishway entrances and passage through fishways, 2) the effects of spill and powerhouse discharge patterns on the entry of fish into fishways and on passage rates, 3) the effect of the new Bonneville navigation lock on fish passage at the dam and movement into the hatchery, 4) the rate of fallback over the dams with various flow conditions, and 5) the distribution, migration rates, and survival of fish after they are tagged and released at Bonneville Dam. This information will enhance operation of the Federal Columbia River Power System.

Specific measureable objectives
1) Determine the proportion of fish passing Bonneville Dam that ultimately pass the upstream dams, enter tributaries, enter hatcheries, are taken in fisheries, and are "losses" between dams. 2) Assess the time for fish to pass each dam and migrate through the reservoirs between dams. 3) Evaluate entrance use and passage through the fishways. 4) Evaluate the effects of various spill volumes and patterns on fish passage at selected dams. 5) Evaluate the effects of the Bonneville navigation lock on passage past the dam or into the hatchery. 6) Assessing fallback at each dam.

Testable hypothesis
The null hypothesis associated with each measurable objective are all testable as described in the study proposal.

Underlying assumptions or critical constraints
Consecutive year evaluations will better enable relevant conclusions for 'typical' species behavior pertaining to each measurable objective over a range of flow, operational, and environmental conditions. No relevant underlying assumptions, or critical constraints should impact this study.

Methods
Tracking fish outfitted with radio transmitters will be the primary method of data collection. Fixed-site receivers will be installed at the mouths of major tributaries, in the tailraces and forebays of dams, and in the entrances and exits to fishways. Fish will be captured at the Bonneville Dam north ladder collection facility, outfitted with transmitters and tags, released downstream from Bonneville Dam, and then monitored as they migrate upstream through the drainages. Approximately 45 receivers (SRX, SRX-S, SRX-DSP, SRX-DSP-S) will be required to monitor the selected locations, and mobil tracking will be conducted along the mainstem rivers between the dams and in the tributaries. Fish handling, tagging, and transporting procedures will be similar to those used successfully in recent years for the lower Snake River adult passage study (Bjornn et al. 1992; 1994). Statistical analysis requires that 700 summer chinook, 700 steelhead (or fall chinook), and 100 lamprey be tagged and monitored throughout the study area.

Brief schedule of activities
1997 tasks will continue the evaluations undertaken in 1996. 1998 will be used to analyze field data collected in 1996 and 1997, and prepare for continuing pertinent evaluations (based on 96/97 data) in 1999 and 2000.

Biological need
This project will provide critical information to ensure that passage conditions at dams are adequate for safe and timely passage of adult fishes. It will also identify potential interdam losses of adults, and factors that may contribute to such.

Critical uncertainties

Summary of expected outcome
Results of this data should provide needed information to the operation of fish facilities and dams relative to adult passage.

Dependencies/opportunities for cooperation

Risks

Monitoring activity

Section 3. Budget

* 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   Mainstem

Recommendation    Tier 1 - fund

Recommended funding level   $350,000

BPA 1997 authorized budget (approved start-of-year budget)   $200,000