Willamette Biological Opinion Chinook Steelhead Outmigration 2013 Annual Report

Identification Information

Citation

Originator: ODFW

Publish Date: August 2014

Online Link: None

BPA Project #:

Contact Information

Agency: Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife

Name: Jeremy Romer

Job Position: Assistant Project Leader

Telephone: 541-757-4113

E-Mail Address: jeremy.d.romer@odfw.oregon.gov

Description

Abstract: The goal of this project was to provide research and monitoring data that can be used to evaluate options for development of downstream passage for juvenile salmonids Oncorhynchus spp. at upper Willamette reservoirs. We present data from screw trap operations above and below USACE project dams during 2013. Traps upstream of reservoirs were located on the North Santiam River above Detroit Reservoir, the South Santiam River above Foster Reservoir, the South Fork McKenzie River above Cougar Reservoir, and the Middle Fork Willamette River above Lookout Point Reservoir. Traps were also located below Detroit, Foster, Cougar, and Lookout Point dams.

Purpose: Spring Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha and winter steelhead O. mykiss in their respective upper Willamette River Evolutionarily Significant Units (ESUs) are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (NMFS 1999a; NMFS 1999b). As a result, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) must evaluate any action taken or funded by a federal agency to assess whether the actions are likely to jeopardize threatened and endangered species, or result in the destruction or impairment of critical habitat. The 2008 Willamette Project Biological Opinion (BiOp; NMFS 2008) outlined the impacts of the Willamette Valley Project (WVP) on Upper Willamette River (UWR) Chinook salmon and winter steelhead. The WVP includes 13 dams and associated reservoirs managed jointly by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Bonneville Power Administration, and Bureau of Reclamation, collectively known as the Action Agencies. The Biological Opinion detailed specific actions, termed Reasonable and Prudent Alternative (RPA) measures that would “…allow for survival of the species with an adequate potential for recovery, and avoid destruction or modification of critical habitat”. A number of RPA measures in the Willamette Project BiOp are associated with downstream fish passage through project reservoirs and dams. These include RPA measures 4.2 (winter steelhead passage), 4.7 (adult fish release sites above dams), 4.8 (interim downstream fish passage through reservoirs and dams), 4.9 (head-of-reservoir juvenile collection prototype), 4.10 (downstream juvenile fish passage through reservoirs), 4.12 (long-term fish passage solutions). Currently, numerous passage designs and operational discharge modifications are under consideration to improve downstream passage and survival of juvenile migrants. Improving passage requires a basic understanding of the size, timing, and abundance of juvenile salmonids that enter and exit the reservoirs.

Time Period of Content:

Geographic Extent: North Santiam, South Santiam, South Fork McKenzie, and Middle Fork Willamette Rivers

Status: Final

Use Constraints:

Format: PDF

Data Quality Information

Lineage-Source: Task Order Number: W9127N-10-2-0008-0019 Work Completed for Compliance with the 2008 Willamette Project Biological Opinion, USACE funding: 2013

Data Information

No data information was supplied.

Entity and Attribute Information

Attributes Description: Field attribute information is available in the database table field descriptions.

Is a physical copy maintained for reference at Headquarters? Unknown