Escapement and Productivity of Spring Chinook and Summer Steelhead in the John Day River Basin - Annual Report 2004

Identification Information

Citation

Originator: Schultz, T. L., W. H. Wilson, J. R. Ruzycki, R. W. Carmichael, J. Schricker, D. P. Bondurant

Publish Date: 2006

Online Link: https://www.cbfish.org/Document.mvc/Viewer/00005840-4

BPA Project #: 1998-016-00

Contact Information

Agency: Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife

Name: Ian Tattam

Job Position: Project Leader

Telephone: 541-962-3027

E-Mail Address: Ian.A.Tattam@odfw.oregon.gov

Description

Abstract: The John Day River subbasin supports one of the last remaining intact wild populations of spring Chinook salmon and summer steelhead in the Columbia River Basin. These populations, however, remain depressed relative to historic levels. Between the completion of the life history and natural escapement study in 1984 and the start of this project in 1998, spring Chinook spawning surveys did not provide adequate information to assess age structure, progeny-to-parent production values, smolt-to-adult survival (SAR), or natural spawning escapement. Further, only very limited information is available for steelhead life history, escapement, and productivity measures in the John Day subbasin. Numerous habitat protection and rehabilitation projects to improve salmonid freshwater production and survival have also been implemented in the basin and are in need of effectiveness monitoring. While our monitoring efforts outlined here will not specifically measure the effectiveness of any particular project, they will provide much needed background information for developing context for project-specific effectiveness monitoring efforts. To meet the data needs as index stocks, to assess the long-term effectiveness of habitat projects, and to differentiate freshwater and ocean survival, sufficient annual estimates of spawner escapement, age structure, SAR, egg-to-smolt survival, smolt-per-redd ratio, and freshwater habitat use are essential. We have begun to meet this need through spawning ground surveys initiated for spring Chinook salmon in 1998 and smolt PIT-tagging efforts initiated in 1999. Additional sampling and analyses to meet these goals include an estimate of smolt abundance and SAR rates, and an updated measure of the freshwater distribution of critical life stages. ODFW, Eastern Oregon Fish Research (EOFR)

Purpose: 1. Estimate number and distribution of spring Chinook salmon redds and spawners in the John Day River subbasin. 2. Estimate smolt-to-adult (SAR) and out-migrant abundance for spring Chinook and summer steelhead and life history characteristics of steelhead. 3. Measure distribution of adult Chinook holding habitat in the John Day River subbasin.

Time Period of Content: December 2003 - November 2004

Geographic Extent: John Day River Basin including the mainstem and Middle, North and South Forks of the John Day River.

Status: Final

Use Constraints:

Format: pdf

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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? Unknown