Oregon Chapter AFS Annual Meeting 2011 Abstracts Author Meeting: ORAFS11 Eric Andersen South Santiam Watershed Council [email protected] Presenting Paper Student:False Co-Authors Title Effectiveness Monitoring in the North Santiam, South Santiam and Calapooia River Watersheds Abstract The Willamette River Basin has experienced extensive anthropomorphic change in recent decades. As a result of this change the quality and quantity of in-stream habitat for ESA listed salmonids has been degraded. In light of this situation, the North Santiam, South Santiam and Calapooia River Watershed Councils (Councils) have voluntarily formed a unique regional team that has been accepted into the Meyer Memorial Trust Model Watershed Program. The Model Watershed Program is a 10 year strategy designed to expedite the efficacy and pace of community based restoration. Effectiveness monitoring of restoration efforts is an integral component of the strategy. The Councils restoration activities currently focus on in-stream large wood placement, riparian planting and riparian fencing. We are monitoring the success of restoration activities through a series of testable hypotheses using established protocols to provide repeatable, quantifiable data for analysis. The timing and frequency of parameter measurements are determined by the type of restoration actions undertaken. During summer of 2010, pre-project baseline data collection occurred at 11 treatment and control stream reaches within six subbasins. Reach lengths varied from 350m to 1000m. Data was collected on water temperature, riparian condition, percent canopy coverage, thalweg profile, wetted width, substrate composition, embeddedness, invasive species and macroinvertebrates from planned restoration sites. Summary data from year one of the ten year monitoring program is presented and discussed, in addition to the future direction of the project. Bend, OR Feb 22-25, 2011 Page 1 of 159 Oregon Chapter AFS Annual Meeting 2011 Abstracts Author Meeting: ORAFS11 Greg Apke ODFW (Fish Passage Statewide Program [email protected] Leader) Presenting Paper Student:False Co-Authors Title Mainstem Rogue River Dam Removal Projects - An Oregon Success Story Abstract The mighty Rogue River, one of the original eight rivers named in the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968, traverses over 215 miles and encompasses 5,200 square miles of drainage area in Southwestern Oregon, has been tamed over the past century through myriad flood control and irrigation diversion structures. Native migratory fish including chinook and coho salmon and steelhead trout have returned home from the Pacific Ocean for hundreds of generations to seek their natal snow-melt waters of the Crater Lake basin. This summer 2010, marks a significant milestone in Oregon’s history. Through countless hours of planning and designing, one of the last and mighty full-channel spanning dam structures will be removed and the mainstem river will be one step closer to its historical free flowing run-of-the river condition. This presentation will set the stage, provide a historical context, and tell a compelling story about the major dam removal projects on the Rogue River. Bend, OR Feb 22-25, 2011 Page 2 of 159 Oregon Chapter AFS Annual Meeting 2011 Abstracts Author Meeting: ORAFS11 Greg Apke ODFW (Statewide Fish Passage Program [email protected] Leader) Presenting Paper Student:False Co-Authors Title Fish Friendly Tide Gates; Do They Exist? Abstract Native migratory fish encounter may artificial obstructions as they complete their life-cycle. Returning adults as well as downstream migrants often encounter tide gate structures. Tide gates can negatively affect native migratory fish by preventing their migration as well as impacting the quality, quantity and connectivity of their estuarine and freshwater tidal habitats. Limited research and hydraulic flow characteristic data exists for tide gate structures. A detailed more thorough understanding of flow characteristics of these flow limiting structures is an important first step in the development of fish passage design criteria for tide gates. Tide gate design criteria improvements are an essential step forward as ODFW plans to develop new administrative rules for tide gate structures. Tide gates that maximize fish passage will have profound effects on native migratory fish and should result in more fish to be utilized from a conservation and restoration perspective as well as both recreationally and commercially throughout Oregon. This presentation will provide an overview of tide gate function as it directly relates to fish passage. Come and share a glimpse into the tide gate and fish passage world as seen through the eyes of Greg Apke, ODFW’s Statewide Fish Passage Program Coordinator. Bend, OR Feb 22-25, 2011 Page 3 of 159 Oregon Chapter AFS Annual Meeting 2011 Abstracts Author Meeting: ORAFS11 Adrienne Averett Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife [email protected] Presenting Paper Student:False Co-Authors Title Implementing Oregon’s Middle Columbia Steelhead Recovery Plan Abstract In February 2010, the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission approved the Conservation and Recovery Plan for Oregon Steelhead Populations in the Middle Columbia River Steelhead Distinct Population Segment (Oregon Mid-C Recovery Plan). The Oregon Mid- C Recovery Plan serves as a recovery “roadmap” for ten Middle Columbia River steelhead populations that occupy Oregon tributaries to the Columbia River. These steelhead populations spawn and rear in the Fifteenmile Creek, Deschutes, John Day, Umatilla and Walla Walla river basins and are part of the Mid-C steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) Distinct Population Segment (DPS) which is listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The plan specifies two desired status recovery goals: (1) removal of the Mid-C steelhead DPS from the threatened and endangered species list and (2) upon achieving ESA recovery, the State of Oregon aims to rebuild Oregon’s Mid-C steelhead populations to levels that will provide for sustainable fisheries and other ecological, cultural and social benefits. Coordinated implementation which includes tracking, monitoring, reporting, and adaptive management feedback is necessary to achieve these recovery goals. This presentation will provide background on the Oregon Mid-C Recovery Plan, highlight priority recovery actions in the Deschutes Basin, and summarize the current status of and next steps in the implementation process. Bend, OR Feb 22-25, 2011 Page 4 of 159 Oregon Chapter AFS Annual Meeting 2011 Abstracts Author Meeting: ORAFS11 Nathan Banet University of Portland [email protected] Presenting Poster Student:True Co-Authors Steven Kolmes University of Portland Ron Wasowski University of Portland David Alexander University of Portland Title Temperature Threshold Monitoring of Salmonid Habitat in Four Clear-Water Upper Tribuaries of the Sandy River Abstract Four clear-water streams—Clear Fork, Lost Creek, Camp Creek, and Still Creek—in the Sandy River Basin were monitored for temperature in a four-year analysis to examine potential anchor habitat for Pacific Salmon. Temperatures were recorded using micro –T temperature loggers at 15 locations, representative of all streams, during 22 July - 5 September 2006, 2 July - 4 September 2007, 20 June - 7 September 2008, and 23 June - 9 September 2009. Temperature was predicted to be one of the most important factors for identifying productive anchor habitat and a limiting factor in the productivity of summer, salmonid runs. The more downstream micro–T location on each stream typically exhibited higher temperature recordings. The State of Oregon Seven-Day Average Maximum (7-DAM) critical temperature value of 13°C was used as a reference for the biological limit governing suitable salmonid spawning and egg incubation conditions. The maximum 7-DAM temperatures for Clear Fork, Lost Creek, Camp Creek, and Still Creek occurred at different times for each summer—the third week in July 2006, the second week in July 2007, the third week of August 2008, and the fifth week of July 2009. These periods of thermal stress had the greatest effect of inhibiting specific life stages of current salmonid populations in the headwater habitats of the Sandy River Basin. Bend, OR Feb 22-25, 2011 Page 5 of 159 Oregon Chapter AFS Annual Meeting 2011 Abstracts Author Meeting: ORAFS11 Nathan Banet University of Portland [email protected] Presenting Poster Student:True Co-Authors Steven Kolmes University of Portland Ron Wasowski University of Portland David Alexander University of Portland Title Monitoring Enterococcus and Escherichia coli (E. coli) Concentrations in a Bacteriological Water Quality Analysis of Salmonid Habi Abstract Four clear-water streams—Clear Fork, Lost Creek, Camp Creek, and Still Creek—and the Zigzag River in the Sandy River Basin were monitored for Enterococcus and Escherichia coli (E. coli) concentrations to examine water quality in potential salmonid habitat. Sixteen sites were selected to provide a uniform representation of water quality for each stream and one site on the Zigzag River during a 9 week period from July - September 2007, an 11 week period from June - September 2008, and an 11 week period from June - September 2009. E. coli was monitored in 2009 only, as an additional measure to examine water quality. Bacterial contamination varied for each summer and was unique for each stream environment. This study analyzed a progression of five-week mean counts for each bacterium. Five-week mean Enterococcus counts generally increased throughout each summer while five-week mean E. coli counts in 2009 were more variable. Enterococcus counts exceeded the federal five-week standard of 33 CFU per 100 mL on several occasions for each year. The federal five-week standard of 126 CFU per 100 mL for E. coli was not exceeded in the 2009 sample period. The presence of Enterococcus or E. coli in water samples indicates fecal contamination and the possible presence of enteric pathogens. Extensive human activity near streams such as Camp Creek correlated with the highest bacteria counts. Steadily increasing concentrations of Enterococcus and E. coli over each sampling period was indicative of significant and persistent sources of fecal contamination. Bend, OR Feb 22-25, 2011 Page 6 of 159 Oregon Chapter AFS Annual Meeting 2011 Abstracts Author Meeting: ORAFS11 Nathan Banet University of Portland [email protected] Presenting Paper Student:True Co-Authors Steven Kolmes University of Portland Ron Wasowski University of Portland David Alexander University of Portland Title Bacteriological Water Quality and Temperature Monitoring of Salmonid Habitat in Clear-water Streams near Mount Hood, Oregon Abstract Four clear-water streams—Clear Fork, Lost Creek, Camp Creek, and Still Creek—in the Sandy River Basin were monitored for temperature and bacterial concentrations in a multi-year analysis to examine anchor habitat for Pacific Salmon. Temperatures were recorded using micro –T temperature loggers at 15 locations, representative of all streams, during 22 July - 5 September 2006, 2 July - 4 September 2007, 20 June - 7 September 2008, and 23 June - 9 September 2009. The State of Oregon Seven-Day Average Maximum (7DAM) critical temperature value of 13°C was used as a reference for the biological limit governing suitable salmonid spawning and egg incubation conditions. The maximum 7DAM temperatures for Clear Fork, Lost Creek, Camp Creek, and Still Creek occurred at different times for each summer. Periods of thermal stress had the greatest effect of inhibiting specific life stages of current salmonid populations. Bacteria concentrations of Enterococcus were measured at 16 sites to provide a uniform representation of water quality for each, clear-water stream and the Zigzag River. Samples were collected during a 9 week period from July - September 2007, an 11 week period from June - September 2008, and an 11 week period from June - September 2009. Bacterial contamination varied for each summer and was unique for each stream environment. Enterococcus counts exceeded the federal five-week standard of 33 CFU per 100 mL on several occasions for each year. Extensive human activity near streams such as Camp Creek correlated with the highest bacteria counts. Steadily increasing concentrations of Enterococcus over each sampling period was indicative of significant and persistent sources of fecal contamination. Bend, OR Feb 22-25, 2011 Page 7 of 159 Oregon Chapter AFS Annual Meeting 2011 Abstracts Author Meeting: ORAFS11 Brian L. Bangs Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife [email protected] Presenting Paper Student:False Co-Authors Paul D. Scheerer Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Steve E. Jacobs ODFW Title Effects of US Army Corps of Engineers Willamette Projects Operations on Oregon Chub and Other Floodplain Fishes Abstract Oregon chub (Oregonichthys crameri), small minnows endemic to the Willamette Valley, were federally listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act in 1993. In 2010, the species’ status was upgraded to threatened, with the primary remaining threat being nonnative fishes, which were found to be widespread in off-channel habitats preferred by Oregon chub. In 2009, we initiated a floodplain monitoring study, as part of the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Willamette Valley Biological Opinion, with the objective of identifying those conditions (flow levels, temperature regimes, habitat modifications) that may allow Oregon chub to thrive, and co-exist with non-native fishes, in connected habitats. In this multi-year study, we will assess the impacts of altered flow and temperature regimes, floodplain restoration, and reconnection of off-channel habitats on habitat availability and fish assemblages downstream of Dexter Dam on the Middle Fork Willamette River. Our approach includes mapping the bathymetry and hydrologic points of connection, monitoring water levels and temperatures, and sampling fish assemblages at each location. We calculate water volume, area, and vegetated areas at these habitats, and describe the relationship between water levels, temperatures, and hydrologic connection with mainstem river flows (regulated and unregulated). We will compare these physical data with the changes in the abundance of Oregon chub and community structure over time. Our talk will discuss details of our study plan, results from our first full year of monitoring, and provide examples of the application of our methods. Bend, OR Feb 22-25, 2011 Page 8 of 159 Oregon Chapter AFS Annual Meeting 2011 Abstracts Author Meeting: ORAFS11 Caren Barcelo Department of Fisheries and Wildlife [email protected] Presenting Paper Student:True Co-Authors Andres Domingo Dirección Nacional de Recursos Acuáticos Philip Miller Centro de Investigación y Conservación Marina (CICMAR) Leonardo Ortega Dirección Nacional de Recursos Acuáticos Bruno Giffoni Projecto TAMAR, Fundação Pró Tamar Gilberto Sales Projecto TAMAR, Fundação Pró Tamar Lianne McNaughton Joint Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research, University of Hawaii Title MOVEMENTS OF JUVENILE LOGGERHEAD TURTLES IN THE SOUTHWESTERN ATLANTIC Abstract In the Southwestern Atlantic (SWA), juvenile and sub-adult loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) are very abundant and frequently captured by pelagic longline fisheries. Due to this, there is a need to improve our understanding of their behavior and habitat use in this region. Between July 2006 and March 2010, a total of 27 satellite transmitters were successfully deployed at sea on juvenile and sub-adult loggerheads (mean CCL: 61.8?6.9 cm, range: 49-83 cm) captured as bycatch in the Uruguayan and Brazilian pelagic longline fisheries. The aims of this study are to characterize the broad-scale behavioral patterns, inter-seasonal variability and general high use areas of these tracked turtles. The mean turtle tracking duration was 259?159 days, during which time turtles moved between latitudes of 25 to 45?S and longitudes 35 to 54?W. The areas of highest use for all the tracked turtles were located over the continental shelf and slope within the Uruguayan and Brazilian EEZs, as well as oceanic international waters off the continental slope of southern Brazil. Maximum dive depth recorded varied by turtle between 100 and 300m depths, and two turtles demonstrated dives to depths close to the bottom within the 200m isobath. The overall mean SST encountered by tracked turtles was 19.8±2.3?C (range: 10.21?C-28.4?C) and turtles showed an affinity for mesotrophic/eutrophic chlorophyll a values (mean: 0.458?1.012 mg m-3). Latitudinal movements varied by season and sea surface temperature, however no difference by season were observed with bathymetry or Chl a concentrations. We also present preliminary results from a first-passage time analysis preformed on these data to determine whether turtles exhibit distinct scales of movement, and whether those scales of different movement behaviors are associated with mesoscale environmental features. Bend, OR Feb 22-25, 2011 Page 9 of 159 Oregon Chapter AFS Annual Meeting 2011 Abstracts Author Meeting: ORAFS11 James Bartlett Portland General Electric [email protected] Presenting Paper Student:False Co-Authors Title Round Butte Dam Selective Water Withdrawal Fish Passage Facility, Juvenile Collection, and Downstream Transportation Evaluatio Studies, 2010 Abstract Portland General Electric and the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon have been operating the new Selective Water Withdrawal (SWW) and associated Fish Transfer Facility (FTF) for approximately one year. The water intake structure screens approximately 6,000 cfs of surface water to exclude fish from the power house flow while directing the fish to the capture facilities. The fish passage facilities are designed to capture fish according to size, biologically sample, recycle, and transport resident species and downstream migrating salmon and steelhead. The Fish Facility, Juvenile Collection, Downstream Transportation, and Release evaluation studies focused on analyzing data collected on fish capture and passage performance for naturally reared smolts and juvenile and adult resident fish captured and processed at the collection facilities. The studies also evaluated the performance of the fish collection and sampling facilities relative to the 93% safe passage standard established for naturally reared salmonids during the first five years of operation. The safe passage standard applies to fish survival from the time they are captured at the SWW to the time they are released into the lower Deschutes River below the project. Chinook smolt survival was 98.2%, Steelhead smolt 98.5%, and sockeye smolt was 97.7%. Test fish and sample sizes varied from only a few fish to observe behavior in relation to facility components such as the fish separators, to larger groups of test fish to identify facility induced injury or mortality that may be associated with a particular component, or a series of components within a various system. Because of the difficulty in isolating injury to individual components, the tests were completed separately for the capture and separation facilities, and for the holding and processing, and transport facilities. The fish passage facilities component and segment testing objectives and results will be further discussed during the presentation. Bend, OR Feb 22-25, 2011 Page 10 of 159