Investigate Re-establishing Anadromous Fish Populations Above Man-made Barriers Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Willamette Basin
Barriers in the Willamette Basin Detroit Dam - North SantiamFoster Dam - South Santiam Cougar Dam - McKenzieDexter Dam - MF Willamette
Dam Impacts on Anadromous Fish n Santiam: loss of production above Detroit Dam (71%) n MF Willamette: 80% habitat blocked n McKenzie: loss of productive habitat above Cougar Dam (25 miles)
Project Goal n Investigate, experimentally stock, monitor, and evaluate the re- establishment of spring chinook and winter steelhead above man-made dams in the Willamette Basin without current fish passage or with passage that impedes fish production.
Project Objectives n Quantify habitat –Select sites n Plan priorities n Coordinate –Agencies –Permitting + NEPA n Trap and Haul –Adults –Juveniles (hatchery)
Project Objectives n Monitor recruitment –snorkel surveys –spawning surveys n Migrant trapping –screw traps n Estimates –survival –passage –abundance
Anticipated Results n Restore listed stocks above barriers n Enhance overall natural production n Link populations n Provide forage for Bull Trout n Enhance fisheries n Obtain survival information at dams n Provide nutrient enrichment
Rationale and Significance to Regional Programs n Willamette Hatchery BiOp n Willamette Basin Operational Plan (The Oregon Plan) n NMFS BiOp n ODFW - OAR , WFMP n Subbasin Summary
Project Relationships
Willamette Basin Reservoirs - Current Chinook Releases n McKenzie Basin Cougar (J+A) n North Santiam Detroit (J+A) Big Cliff (J+A) n South Santiam Foster (A) n MF Willamette Fall Creek (J+A) Dexter (J+A) Lookout Point (J+A) Hills Creek (J+A)
Hatchery Adult Releases Foster Reservoir (South Santiam) No current monitoring of juvenile migrants
Detroit Reservoir and Dam (North Santiam) n Juveniles released in summer 2000 n Adults released in fall 2000 n Snorkel Surveys Breitenbush River:Breitenbush River: 97 fish/mile 97 fish/mile North Santiam River:North Santiam River: 466 fish/mile 466 fish/mile Screw Trap Results Substantial number of naturally-produced smolts exited the reservoir 2001
Cougar Dam (McKenzie River) Migrant Monitoring ( ) n Adult releases from n Juvenile passage during winter drawdown n Turbine mortality – % n Regulating outlet mortality –32.3%
Potential Release Sites n South Santiam –Green Peter n Coast Fork Willamette –Dorena –Cottage Grove n McKenzie –Blue River Green Peter
Conclusions Re-establish Anadromous Fish Above Man-made Barriers n High fish management priority to restore natural production above dams n Long term solution n Success possible in short term n Rectify fish passage problems at dams n Need commitment of agencies, financial resources, and time