Willamette Biological Opinion Chinook Steelhead Outmigration 2015 Annual Report

Identification Information

Citation

Originator: ODFW

Publish Date: June 2016

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 information regarding fish species composition, abundance, timing and size of fish entering and exiting Willamette Valley Project (WVP) reservoirs that can be used to evaluate options for developing downstream passage for juvenile salmonids Oncorhynchus spp. at upper Willamette River reservoirs. We present data from screw trap operations above and below USACE project dams during 2015. Traps upstream of reservoirs were located on the North Santiam and Breitenbush rivers above Detroit Reservoir, the South Santiam River above Foster Reservoir, the South Fork McKenzie River above Cougar Reservoir, the Middle Fork Willamette River above Hills Creek Reservoir (MFW-HC), and the North Fork Middle Fork Willamette River (NFMF) above Lookout Point Reservoir. Traps below dams were located below Big Cliff, Foster, and Cougar dams. We also report results from traps operated by USACE personnel located below Lookout Point and Fall Creek 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 U. S. Endangered Species Act (NMFS 1999a; NMFS 1999b). As a result, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) must evaluate whether any action taken or funded by a federal agency is likely to jeopardize these 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 BiOp 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 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 downstream 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: Breitenbush, North Santiam, South Santiam, South Fork McKenzie, Fall Creek, North Fork Middle Fork and Middle Fork Willamette Rivers

Status: Final

Use Constraints:

Format: PDF

Data Quality Information

Lineage-Source: Task Order Number: W9127N-10-2-0008-0035 Work Completed for Compliance with the 2008 Willamette Project Biological Opinion, USACE funding: 2015

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