BPA Fish and Wildlife FY 1997 Proposal

Section 1. Administrative
Section 2. Narrative
Section 3. Budget

see CBFWA and BPA funding recommendations

Section 1. Administrative

Title of project
Adult Anadromous Fish Passage Improvement at Irrigation Diversion Dams on the Walla Walla River

BPA project number   9601200

Business name of agency, institution or organization requesting funding
CTUIR

Sponsor type   OR-Tribe

Proposal contact person or principal investigator

BPA technical contact   , EWN

Biological opinion ID   

NWPPC Program number   3.1D.1, 7.10, 7.10A.3

Short description
The goal of this project is to provide for safe adult passage at several irrigation diversion dams in order to enhance summer steelhead and restore spring chinook runs in the Walla Walla River Basin.

Project start year   1996    End year   1998

Start of operation and/or maintenance   1999

Project development phase   Planning, Implementation

Section 2. Narrative

Related projects
9990069 - Juvenile Screens and Smolt Traps in Walla Walla Basin
9990070 - Walla Walla Basin Anadromous Fish Habitat Enhancement
8805302 - Northeast Oregon Hatchery - Walla Walla Component

Project history
The native summer steelhead run in the Walla Walla River is currently in a severely depressed state and spring chinook are extinct due largely to inadequate conditions (poor screens, low flows, etc.) for downstream migration The NE Oregon Hatchery project developed hatchery facility plans for enhancement of summer steelhead and reestablishment of spring chinook in the upper Walla Walla and Touchet Rivers. Implementation of the hatchery program will depend on improved adult passage conditions at irrigation dams in order for fish to access headwater spawning locations.

In 1996, under separate funding, the COE began design work for a new fish ladder at Nursery Bridge Dam and dam removal at Marie Dorian Dam.

Biological results achieved
Only some design work completed at this time. Results expected upon completion of projects is improved upstream fish passage to natural production areas.

Annual reports and technical papers
No project reports completed at this time.

Management implications
Improved juvenile fish passage will compliment other projects (adult fish passage, habitat enhancement, artificial production) necessary for restoration of anadromous fisheries in the Walla Walla Basin.

Specific measureable objectives
Partial barriers currently exist (total barriers at low flows) at the diversion dams listed above. Measurable results will be improved adult fish passage to natural production areas.

Testable hypothesis

Underlying assumptions or critical constraints

Methods
Objectives:
1) Conduct facility engineering and design.
2) Upgrade or construct new ladders or remove irrigation diversion dam which will provide adequate passage for adult salmon and steelhead.
3) Evaluate fish passage effectiveness by monitoring adult upstream migration.

Brief schedule of activities
1996 -Engineering and designs by COE on Nursery Bridge and Marie Dorian dams
-Designs initiated by BPA funds for Hofer, Maiden, and Burlingame Dams
1997 -Construction of Nursery Bridge and Marie Dorian projects
-Complete engineering & designs for all other projects and initiate construction
1998 -Construction of Hofer, Maiden, and Burlingame projects
1999 -Begin evaluation of adult fish passage effectiveness at new projects
2000 -Continue passage evaluation and recommend passage facility improvements as necessary

Biological need
Without project, native summer steelhead would continue to be impacted and spring chinook restoration would likely be precluded. See "Project History" above for more information on biological need.

Critical uncertainties
A critically impacted life history stage currently effecting the survival of native summer steelhead and restoration of spring chinook downstream migration of smolts. This and other projects (listed above) addressing additional life history stages will be necessary for implementation of a comprehensive Walla Walla Basin fish restoration program.

Summary of expected outcome
Biologists believe that inadequate ladders at irrigation diversion in the Walla Walla Basin can impede adult steelhead passage at a rate of up to 50% during moderate to low flow periods.

Similar or worse problems are expected for spring chinook if ladders are not renovated or replaced. The contribution of the laddering projects by themselves will not provide for the total fish restoration goals (5,000 CHS and 11,000 STS) but when combined with other ongoing projects in the comprehensive Walla Walla Basin fisheries restoration program, attaining these goals is possible.

Dependencies/opportunities for cooperation
This project represents a unique opportunity for multi-entity cooperation and cost sharing. The COE has already begun design work on a new Nursery Bridge Dam ladder and planning for Marie Dorian Dam removal. The COE intends to complete these activities in 1996 and fund 75% of implementation costs in 1997 as long as there is a commitment for the other 25% cost share. As mentioned above, this project is dependent upon implementation of other projects which would constitute a comprehensive Walla Walla Basin fish restoration program.

Risks

Monitoring activity
Fish passage monitoring and evaluation is proposed to begin in 1999 after all projects have been completed. Radio tagging of adults in the lower river and tracking of upstream migration through all projects (similar to Umatilla River fish passage evaluation project) will be the proposed means to evaluate fish passage effectiveness of completed projects.

Section 3. Budget

* For most projects, Authorized is the amount recommended by CBFWA and the Council. Planned is amount currently allocated. Contracted is the amount obligated to date of printout.

Funding recommendations

CBFWA funding review group   Bonneville Dam - Priest Rapids Dam

Recommendation    Tier 1 - fund

Recommended funding level   $350,000

BPA 1997 authorized budget (approved start-of-year budget)   $350,000