Development of Methods to Estimate Spawning Escapement of Spring Chinook in the John Day, Grande Ronde and Imnaha River Basins of Northeast Oregon; 1989 Summary Report

Identification Information

Citation

Originator: Douglas E. Olson, Department of Natural Resources

Publish Date: February 16, 1990

Online Link: None

BPA Project #:

Contact Information

Agency: Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife

Name: Cedric Cooney

Job Position: Natural Resources Data and Systems Manager

Telephone: 503-947-6094

E-Mail Address: cedric.x.cooney@odfw.oregon.gov

Description

Abstract: The Confederated Tribes of the umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR), in conjunction with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) , and Nez Perce Tribe (NPT), conducted comprehensive spawning ground surveys for spring chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) in the John Day, Grande Ronde, and Imnaha River basins in 1989. These surveys represent the fourth year of the US/Canada Pacific Salmon Treaty Monitoring Program implemented in 1986 by tribal, state and federal fishery agencies. The Pacific Salmon Treaty directs fishery management entities to conserve and rebuild chinook salmon stocks originating from the Columbia River Basin by appropriate ocean and in-river harvest controls. In order to monitor the success of the Pacific Salmon Treaty, annual spawner escapement of chinook salmon "indicator" stocks must be determined. The spring chinook salmon stocks of the John Day, Grande Ronde, and Imnaha River basins have been identified as potential indicator stocks for monitoring. These drainages were selected because of the unique wild salmon chinook stock in John Day River and wild stock component of spring chinook runs in the Grande Ronde and Imnaha Rivers. In addition, base line data have been established because ODFW has conducted spring chinook salmon spawning ground surveys in these basins since 1960. The comprehensive and multiple index surveys completed in 1989 were developed to collect information which could provide an estimate of spawner escapement and be comparable to historic redd survey data. In addition to spawning ground surveys, a new method was implemented to estimate spawning escapement. In 1989, snorkel and foot surveys were conducted in the Middle Fork John Day River to enumerate spring chinook salmon holding prior to spawning. The Middle Fork of John Day River was selected as the study site because 1) the holding and spawning area is only 30 miles long (the entire 30 miles could be sampled within one week) 2) the 30 mile section has good access by road and 3) the 30 mile section is generally narrow and shallow. Snorkeling and foot surveys were chosen as the method because 1) there are no weirs on the John Day River to count fish 2) snorkeling is a low-impact method and 3) other studies have shown snorkeling to be both time and cost effective with good success for estimating fish population size (Northcote and Wilkie (1963); Zubik and Frayley (1988)).

Purpose:

Time Period of Content: 1989

Geographic Extent: John Day, Grande Ronde, Imnaha River

Status: Draft

Use Constraints:

Format: PDF File

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Data Information

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Attributes Description: Field attribute information is available in the attached file(s).

Is a physical copy maintained for reference at Headquarters? Yes