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MetaData for Abundance, Life History, and Distribution of Bull Trout in the Hood River Basin: A Summary of Findings from 2006 to 2009 Information Reports 2010-01
Abundance, Life History, and Distribution of Bull Trout in the Hood River Basin: A Summary of Findings from 2006 to 2009 Information Reports 2010-01
Identification Information
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Citation
- Originator: Starcevich, S.J and S.E. Jacobs
- Publish Date: April 2010
- Online Link:
None
- BPA Project #:
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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
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Description
- Abstract: Bull trout have been adversely affected by many land, water, and fisheries management activities
throughout the range of the species. Degraded and fragmented habitat and negative interactions
with nonnative fishes have led to a decline in bull trout distribution and abundance, several local
extirpations, and a federal listing in 1998 as a threatened species under the Endangered Species
Act (USFWS 2002). Distribution and abundance of bull trout also have declined in Oregon, and
most management units in the state are considered to be threatened by conservation risks
(ODFW 2005). One of these at-risk management units exists in the Hood River basin (ODFW
2005).
Bull trout in Hood River basin currently are thought to exist as two independent reproductive
units (USFWS 2002), known as local populations (Rieman and McIntyre 1995). The Clear
Branch local population was isolated from the rest of the basin by the construction of Clear
Branch Dam in 1968. This dam provides limited downstream fish passage during periods of spill
and no voluntary upstream passage. Bull trout in this population inhabit Laurance Lake reservoir
and the tributaries Pinnacle Creek and upper Clear Branch, which flow into the reservoir. The
Hood River local population is distributed in the mainstem Hood River, Middle Fork Hood River
(Middle Fork), and a few Middle Fork tributaries. Fluvial migrants from Hood River basin also
forage and winter in the Columbia River (Pribyl et al. 1996, Buchanan et al. 1997). Bull trout
have been observed in the East and West Fork basins of the Hood River, but these sightings have
been rare. Presently, there is little evidence to suggest local populations exist in these tributary
basins (USFWS 2002, Reagan and Olsen 2008).
The status of both local populations is extremely precarious. Threats that put the Clear Branch
population at risk of extirpation include low abundance, negative interactions with illegally
introduced smallmouth bass, isolation from upstream migration and immigration, and diminished
spawning and rearing habitat (USFW 1998). The Hood River population also appears to be
small and is affected by passage barriers, unscreened irrigation diversions, impaired water
quality, and periodic debris flows during glacial outbursts (USFWS 1998). As mandated by their
federally designated threatened status, recovery plans were drafted by the US Fish and Wildlife
Service (USFWS) for each distinct population segment, including for Hood River bull trout in
2002. This draft plan listed four goals for recovery in this basin: 1) establish at least one more
local population in addition to the two existing populations, 2) increase the estimated adult
population in the basin to at least 500 individuals, 3) achieve a stable or increasing trend at the
population recovery level for at least two generations (=10 years), and 4) improve habitat
connectivity by addressing problems with passage and screening at diversions and seasonal water
quality barriers (USFWS 2002). The recovery plan also sets out research and monitoring needs
critical to the recovery of these populations. Needed are accurate adult abundance estimates; a
standardized monitoring program; more life history information for each local population,
including how Hood River bull trout use of the Columbia River and the effects of potential
passage obstructions on movement; and more information on the threat posed to the Clear
Branch population by the illegal introduction of smallmouth bass in Lake Laurance reservoir.
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), with the help of the USDA Forest
Service (USFS), initiated a four-year study in 2006 seeking to address these needs by
synthesizing available data and conducting further studies to improve our understanding of the
abundance, life history, and potential limiting factors of bull trout in the Hood River recovery
unit. This report describes our findings, summarizes previous studies in the context of new
information, and recommends a standardized monitoring protocol and future research. Our
specific study objectives were as follows:
1. Assess adult abundance of the Clear Branch local population and develop a monitoring
protocol to track abundance trends that is statistically reliable, cost-effective, and that
minimizes potential adverse effects on this small isolated population.
2. Describe the juvenile and adult life history patterns of the Clear Branch local population.
3. Assess the potential impact of smallmouth bass on bull trout in Laurance Lake reservoir.
4. Determine current distribution of bull trout reproduction and early rearing in potential
bull trout streams in the Hood River basin.
5. Describe the migratory life history of Hood River bull trout and assess the potential
impacts of Coe Diversion and two new falls on the Middle Fork Hood River (scoured by
the November 2006 glacial outburst) on bull trout migrations.
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- Purpose:
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- Time Period of Content:
- Geographic Extent: Hood River Basin
- Status: Final
- Use Constraints:
- Format: PDF File
Data Quality Information
- Lineage-Source:
Data Information
- No data information was supplied.
Entity and Attribute Information
- Attributes Description: Field attribute information is available in the attached file(s).
Is a physical copy maintained for reference at Headquarters?
Yes
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2010-01.pdf
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