Survival Estimates for the Passage of Juvenile Salmonids Through Snake and Columbia River Dams and Reservoirs proposal 199302900

FY07-09 proposal 199302900

Section 1. Administrative

Proposal title	Survival Estimates for the Passage of Juvenile Salmonids Through Snake and Columbia River Dams and Reservoirs
Proposal ID	199302900
Organization	Northwest Fisheries Science Center
Short description	Provide precise measurements of survival of juvenile salmon as they migrate through dams and reservoirs in the Snake and Columbia Rivers and relate to adult returns.
Information transfer	Information is provided orally to several groups each year including briefings to NPCC and NMFS Implementation Team, and at AFS and other professional meetings. Annual reports that summarize each year's research are provided to BPA and posted on their web page. Findings are periodically published in peer-reviewed journals.
Proposal contact person or principal investigator

Contacts

Contact	Organization	Email
Form submitter
William Muir	National Marine Fisheries Service	[email protected]
All assigned contacts
William Muir	National Marine Fisheries Service	[email protected]
William Muir	National Marine Fisheries Service	[email protected]
Tom Ruehle	National Marine Fisheries Service	[email protected]
John G. Williams	NOAA Fisheries	[email protected]

Section 2. Locations

Province / subbasin: Mainstem/Systemwide / Systemwide

Latitude	Longitude	Waterbody	Description
			From trap sites and hatcheries on headwaters of the Snake and Columbia Rivers above mainstem dams to below Bonneville Dam on the Columbia River.

Section 3. Focal species

primary: All Anadromous Salmonids

Section 4. Past accomplishments

Year	Accomplishments
2005	Published a NOAA Technical Memorandum "Effects of the Federal Columbia River Hydropower System on Salmonid Populations".
2004	Provided BPA annual report estimating survival through individual reaches and the entire hydropower system.
2003	Provided BPA annual report estimating survival through individual reaches and the entire hydropower system.
2002	Published 3 journal papers on juvenile migration and flow/survival and 1 on juvenile size vs adult returns. Provided BPA annual report estimating survival through individual reaches and the entire hydropower system.
2001	Published three journal articles summarizing survival studies to date. Provided BPA annual report estimating survival through individual reaches and the entire hydropower system.
2000	Provided BPA annual report estimating survival through individual reaches and the entire hydropower system.
1999	Began estimating survival through John Day Dam reach for Hanford Reach subyearling fall chinook salmon. Provided BPA annual report estimating survival through individual reaches and the entire hydropower system.
1998	Published two papers in peer-reviewed journals on statistical techniques used to estimate reach survival. Provided BPA annual report estimating survival through individual reaches and the entire hydropower system.
1997	Extended survival estimates through the entire hydropower system. Provided BPA annual report estimating survival through individual reaches and the entire hydropower system.
1996	Completed flow/survival analysis for spring migrants using modern survival data. Provided BPA annual report estimating survival through individual reaches.
1995	Extended survival estimates through McNary Dam reach and added estimates for hatchery subyearling fall chinook salmon. Provided BPA annual report estimating survival through individual reaches.
1994	Extended survival estimates through Lower Monumental Dam reach and added estimates for juvenile steelhead. Provided BPA annual report estimating survival through individual reaches.
1993	Demonstrated ability to estimate survival through Lower Granite and Little Goose Dam reaches and routes of passage at both dams. Provided BPA annual report estimating survival through individual reaches.

Section 5. Relationships to other projects

Funding source	Related ID	Related title	Relationship
BPA	199105100	M&E Statistical Support For Li	Our study provides many of the PIT-tagged fish used in their analysis.
BPA	198331900	New Marking & Monitoring Tech	We continue to rely on this project to provide the innovations needed to conduct multiple-recapture survival studies in the Snake and Columbia Rivers in a variety of habitats. We provide feedback to the project on the performance of their innovations.
BPA	199602000	Pit Tagging Spring/Summer Chin	We utilize fish PIT-tagged from this study to estimate survival from hatcheries through the Snake River, to evaluate SARs based on juvenile migration history, and to help develop estimates of D.
BPA	198910700	Statistical Support For Salmon	Our study provides many of the PIT-tagged fish used in their analysis.
BPA	199008000	Columbia Basin Pit-Tag Informa	We, like all other PIT tag users in the basin, rely on this project to maintain the PIT tag database.
Other: USACE	2RL4SPTP00	Detection of PIT tags on piscivorous bird colonies in the Columbia River Basin	We use the data generated from this study on recovery of PIT tags on bird colonies and relate to reach survival estimates. We also contribute many of the PIT tags later found on the colonies in their surveys.
Other: USACE	BPS-00-11	Sampling PIT-tagged juvenile salmonids migrating in the Columbia River estuary	The USACE provides 1/2 the funding for this element in our proposal through a cost sharing agreement with BPA.

Section 6. Biological objectives

Biological objectives	Full description	Associated subbasin plan	Strategy
Estimates survival	Provide estimates of survival (with standard errors) for juvenile salmonids (both hatchery and wild) migrating through the Snake and lower Columbia Rivers including estimates of survival from hatcheries and trap sites.	None	[Strategy left blank]
Evaluate adult returns of PIT-tagged fish	Evaluate survival to adult return (SAR) of PIT-tagged fish with different passage histories and sources as juveniles from previous years.	None	[Strategy left blank]
Operate PIT tag trawl	Operate the PIT tag trawl in the Columbia River estuary during the spring and summer smolt migrations.	None	[Strategy left blank]
Test model assumptions	Evaluate the effects of fish health on detection probability and travel time of yearling Chinook salmon.	None	[Strategy left blank]

Section 7. Work elements (coming back to this)

Work element name	Work element title	Description	Start date	End date	Est budget
Produce Environmental Compliance Documentation	Obtain necessary federal (ESA) and state fish handling permits as required.	Obtain necessary federal (ESA) and state fish handling permits and submit reports of past activities as required.	1/1/2007	12/31/2009	$17,232
Biological objectives Estimates survival Operate PIT tag trawl			Metrics
Manage and Administer Projects	Prepare SOW, and Budget, and Attend Meetings.	Prepare SOW and budget each year 90 days before contract expires. Attend required meetings associated with project management. May be required to attend BPA, Council, or CBFWA conferences and workshops.	1/1/2007	12/31/2009	$133,651
Biological objectives Estimates survival Evaluate adult returns of PIT-tagged fish Operate PIT tag trawl Test model assumptions			Metrics
Produce/Submit Scientific Findings Report	Produce Annual Report	Produce and provide an annual report to BPA COTR summarizing results of research each year.	8/1/2007	12/31/2009	$542,453
Biological objectives Estimates survival Evaluate adult returns of PIT-tagged fish Operate PIT tag trawl Test model assumptions			Metrics
Produce/Submit Scientific Findings Report	Produce Status Reports	Produce and provide quarterly status reports to BPA COTR regarding significant issues regarding project implementation.	1/1/2007	12/31/2009	$25,515
Biological objectives Estimates survival Evaluate adult returns of PIT-tagged fish Operate PIT tag trawl Test model assumptions			Metrics
Analyze/Interpret Data	Analyze and interpret PIT tag data collected by the PIT tag trawl.	Analyze and interpret PIT tag data collected by the PIT tag trawl.	7/1/2007	10/1/2009	$214,972
Biological objectives Operate PIT tag trawl			Metrics Focal Area: Systemwide Primary R, M, and E Type: Status and Trend Monitoring
Analyze/Interpret Data	Estimate detection probability and travel time for each group.	Estimate detection probability using the Single Release Model and travel time for each group as far downstream as possible and compare their performance.	7/1/2007	10/1/2009	$453,590
Biological objectives Test model assumptions			Metrics Focal Area: Hydrosystem Primary R, M, and E Type: Action Effectiveness Research
Analyze/Interpret Data	Estimate survival for juvenile salmonids from trap sites and hatcheries to the first dam they encounter, through successive reaches, and the entire hydropower system each year.	Estimate survival (with standard errors) for juvenile salmonids from trap sites and hatcheries to the first dam they encounter, through successive reaches, and the entire hydropower system each year using the Single Release Model.	7/1/2007	10/1/2009	$543,071
Biological objectives Estimates survival			Metrics Focal Area: Hydrosystem Primary R, M, and E Type: Status and Trend Monitoring
Analyze/Interpret Data	Evaluate survival to adult return of PIT-tagged fish with different passage histories and sources as juveniles from previous years.	Evaluate survival to adult return of PIT-tagged fish with different passage histories (i.e., fish detected at one or numerous dams, transported, never detected at a dam) and sources as juveniles (different hatcheries, traps, streams, tag sites) from previous years.	1/1/2007	12/31/2009	$453,590
Biological objectives Evaluate adult returns of PIT-tagged fish			Metrics Focal Area: Hydrosystem Primary R, M, and E Type: Status and Trend Monitoring
Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data	Operate the PIT tag trawl	Operate the PIT tag trawl during the spring and summer migrations to detect PIT tags from juvenile salmonids as they enter the Columbia River estuary.	4/1/2007	8/31/2009	$1,914,503
Biological objectives Operate PIT tag trawl			Metrics Focal Area: Systemwide Primary R, M, and E Type: Status and Trend Monitoring
Mark/Tag Animals	PIT tag juvenile salmonids and release from a Snake River Basin hatchery.	PIT tag juvenile salmonids and release from a Snake River Basin hatchery to evaluate the effects of fish health on detection probability and travel time.	3/1/2007	4/15/2009	$347,541
Biological objectives Test model assumptions			Metrics Focal Area: Hydrosystem Primary R, M, and E Type: Action Effectiveness Research
Mark/Tag Animals	PIT tag juvenile salmonids at Lower Granite Dam for survival estimation.	PIT tag juvenile wild spring/summer Chinook salmon (up to 20,000), wild steelhead (up to 20,000), and hatchery steelhead (up to 20,000) at Lower Granite Dam each year.	4/1/2007	6/30/2009	$506,645
Biological objectives Estimates survival			Metrics Focal Area: Hydrosystem Primary R, M, and E Type: Status and Trend Monitoring
Submit/Acquire Data	Download juvenile and adult PIT tag detection data from PTAGIS as needed.	Download juvenile and adult PIT tag detection data from PTAGIS for juvenile salmonid survival estimation, travel time estimation, and adult return (SAR) estimation.	1/1/2007	12/31/2009	$16,459
Biological objectives Evaluate adult returns of PIT-tagged fish			Metrics
Submit/Acquire Data	Submit and acquire PIT tag data on fish we tag at Lower Granite Dam and by others at hatcheries, traps, and other sites within the basin.	Upload PIT tag data to PTAGIS from fish we tag at Lower Granite Dam. Download PIT tag data from PTAGIS on fish tagged and released at Lower Granite Dam (by us), and from trap sites, hatcheries, and other locations within the Snake and Columbia River Basins.	4/1/2007	10/31/2009	$16,459
Biological objectives Estimates survival			Metrics
Submit/Acquire Data	Upload PIT tag data to PTAGIS.	Upload PIT tag data from the two groups tagged at a Snake River Basin hatchery to PTAGIS.	3/1/2007	4/30/2009	$16,459
Biological objectives Test model assumptions			Metrics
Submit/Acquire Data	Upload PIT tag data to PTAGIS.	Upload PIT tag data collected by the PIT tag trawl daily to PTAGIS.	4/1/2007	8/31/2009	$16,459
Biological objectives Operate PIT tag trawl			Metrics

Section 8. Budgets

Itemized estimated budget

Item	Note	FY07	FY08	FY09
Personnel	[blank]	$542,500	$558,775	$575,538
Fringe Benefits	[blank]	$143,763	$148,075	$152,518
Supplies	[blank]	$42,850	$44,136	$45,460
Travel	[blank]	$31,500	$32,445	$33,418
Overhead	[blank]	$360,763	$371,585	$382,733
Other	Contract, Utilities, PIT Tags	$567,000	$584,010	$601,530
Totals		$1,688,376	$1,739,026	$1,791,197

Total estimated FY 2007-2009 budgets

Total itemized budget:	$5,218,599
Total work element budget:	$5,218,599

Cost sharing

Funding source/org	Item or service provided	FY 07 est value ($)	FY 08 est value ($)	FY 09 est value ($)	Cash or in-kind?	Status
USACE	Pair trawl cost-share	$740,100	$740,100	$740,100	Cash	Confirmed
Totals		$740,100	$740,100	$740,100

Section 9. Project future

FY 2010 estimated budget: $1,844,933
FY 2011 estimated budget: $1,844,933

Comments: 3.0% increase each year for salary grade level increases and inflation.

Future O&M costs: As a regional RM&E program develops over the next several years, the numbers of fish released and release locations in this study may change to suit that effort. This may require additional funds.

Termination date: Unknown
Comments: Estimates of reach and system survival will be needed for the foreseeable future as long as structural and operational changes are made within the hydropower system to gauge success, and are required for BIOP check ins.

Final deliverables:

Section 10. Narrative and other documents

Reviews and recommendations

FY07 budget	FY08 budget	FY09 budget	Total budget	Type	Category	Recommendation
NPCC FINAL FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS (Oct 23, 2006) [full Council recs]
$1,688,376	$1,739,026	$1,791,197	$5,218,599	Expense	Basinwide	Fund
NPCC DRAFT FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS (Sep 15, 2006) [full Council recs]
$1,688,376	$1,739,026	$1,791,197	$0		Basinwide

ISRP PRELIMINARY REVIEW (Jun 2, 2006)

Recommendation: Fundable

NPCC comments: The size and complexity of the project warrant periodic special review. The region is again advised to think about the future of this research and monitoring effort, which is a cornerstone of salmon evaluations in the mainstem of the lower Snake and Columbia rivers. This is a very well prepared proposal that rates high marks for all ISRP review criteria. The ISRP's positive comments on the FY 2000 and FY2003 proposals remain germane. The excellent publication record continues. New for the project since the last review is the evaluation of adult returns of PIT-tagged fish to further understand relationships among adult survival, juvenile survival, travel time, migration timing, and other factors, such as numbers of bypasses or passage routes that juveniles encountered during their downstream migration. This is a natural and worthwhile evolution of project objectives and will continue to keep this project a cornerstone of salmon survival evaluations in the mainstem.

ISRP FINAL REVIEW (Aug 31, 2006)

Recommendation: Fundable