Willamette Biological Opinion Hatchery Research 2009 Annual Report

Identification Information

Citation

Originator: ODFW

Publish Date: June 2010

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: This report fulfills a requirement under Task Order NWPPM-09-FH-05, covering activities of July 2009–May 2010 that were implemented by ODFW on behalf of the Corps to assist with meeting the requirements of the reasonable and prudent alternatives (RPAs) and measures prescribed in the Willamette Project Biological Opinion (BiOp) of July 2008 (NOAA 2008). The Corps provided funding to continue ongoing monitoring activities and initiate long-term planning. Primary tasks by species included: Spring Chinook salmon Task 1.1: Determine abundance, distribution, and percent hatchery-origin fish on spawning grounds downstream of federal dams. Task 1.2: Monitor clipped & unclipped fish passing Leaburg and Upper Bennett dams. Task 2.1: Collection, spawn timing, and hatchery/wild composition for broodstock management. Task 2.2: Determine survival of outplanted fish (upstream of federal dams) and abundance of spawners.

Purpose: The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has listed spring Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and winter steelhead (O. mykiss) in the upper Willamette River Evolutionarily Significant Unit (ESU) as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (NMFS 1999a; NMFS 1999b). As a result, any actions taken or funded by a federal agency must be evaluated to assess whether they are likely to jeopardize threatened and endangered species, or result in the destruction or impairment of critical habitat. Several hatcheries produce and release hatchery salmonids in the upper Willamette Basin (Figure 1), which may impact wild populations of listed species. All are operated by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) and are funded (50–100%) by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps). Potential risks of artificial propagation programs have been widely debated (e.g. Kostow and Zhou 2006, Levin and Williams 2002). Risks include disease transfer, competition for food and spawning sites, increased predation, increased incidental mortality from harvest, loss of genetic variability, genetic drift, and domestication (Steward and Bjornn 1990; Hard et al. 1992; Cuenco et al. 1993; Busack and Currens 1995, and Waples 1999). Hatcheries can also bolster the abundance of wild salmonid ESUs, (a critical consideration for those on the verge of extirpation) by providing a genetic reserve, as well as provide opportunities for nutrient enrichment of streams (Steward and Bjornn 1990; Cuenco et al. 1993). The objective of this project is to conduct baseline monitoring of returning adult fish and evaluate the potential effects of hatchery programs on naturally spawning populations of spring Chinook salmon and winter steelhead in the upper Willamette River Basin.

Time Period of Content:

Geographic Extent: North Santiam, South Santiam, 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: NWPPM-09-FH-05 Work Completed for Compliance with the 2008 Willamette Project Biological Opinion, USACE funding: 2009

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