FY07-09 proposal 200701800

Jump to Reviews and Recommendations

Section 1. Administrative

Proposal titleStock Assessment for salmon, steelhead, and other fish species in Lower Crab Creek, Washington
Proposal ID200701800
OrganizationWashington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW)
Short descriptionThe overall objectives of this project are to identify the origin and abundance of Lower Crab Creek salmonids; to identify the habitats they use in the stream, and to characterize changes in the environmental conditions they face.
Information transferAnnual reports will be completed every year at the end of the contract period to present results and inform BPA of project status. Annual reports will also present data, analysis and recommendations should they be required. Annual Reports will be available on line or by request.
Proposal contact person or principal investigator
Contacts
ContactOrganizationEmail
Form submitter
Dave Burgess Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife burgedsb@dfw.wa.gov
All assigned contacts
Dave Burgess Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife burgedsb@dfw.wa.gov
Matt Polacek Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife polacmcp@dfw.wa.gov
Katrina Simmons WDFW simmokes@dwf.wa.gov

Section 2. Locations

Province / subbasin: Columbia Plateau / Crab

LatitudeLongitudeWaterbodyDescription
Lower Crab Creek Enter project or location description here

Section 3. Focal species

primary: All Anadromous Salmonids
secondary: All Resident Fish

Section 4. Past accomplishments

YearAccomplishments

Section 5. Relationships to other projects

Funding sourceRelated IDRelated titleRelationship
BPA 200202500 Tributary Access & Habitat The proposed Lower Crab Creek project is also related to the proposed Steelhead Spawning Ground Surveys of Small Tributaries of the Upper Middle Mainstem Columbia River. The Crab Creek Project is also related to the proposed Mid-Columbia Trophic Dynamics project (#200703600), which will investigate rates of predation on native salmonids, some of which may be emigrating from LCC. All projects mentioned address data gaps in the Crab Creek and Upper Middle Mainstem Subbasin Plans.

Section 6. Biological objectives

Biological objectivesFull descriptionAssociated subbasin planStrategy
Determine the origin of salmonids within Within this biological objective there are four project objectives that include: 1. Quantify anadromous fish utilization of Lower Crab Creek 2. Qualify and quantify abiotic parameters that may impact native fish production 3. Tissue and calcified structure analysis 4. Reporting, data sharing, and administrative duties Work elements within each of these objectives will allow us to reach our biological objective of the first phase. Additional phases or biological objectives include Phase 2: Document the numbe of salmonids that recruit to the Columbia River Phase 3: Quantify interactions between non-native and native fishes Phase 4: Implement management actions to meet the project goal of increasing natural production and genetic diversity of anadromous salmonids within the Lower Crab Creek. Phase 2-4 are in out years. Crab Hypo 1, Objective 1 and 2: Fill data gaps- Determine genetic origin of Chinook salmon and steelhead
Qualify and quantify abiotic parameters Qualify and quantify instream habitat. Collect water quality data. Data relative to spawning and utilization of salmonids within LCC. Crab Hypo. 2, Obj. 1. Assess spawning habitat in mainstem Crab Creek and Red Rock Coulee
Quantify anadromous fish utilization Conduct spawning surveys, capture adult salmonids entering the LCC and collect pertinent data relative to orign and anadromy. Crab Hypo. 1, Obj. 1&2: Fill data gap-Determine genetic origin of chiook salmon and steelhead.
Reporting, data sharing Annual reports will be completed every year at the end of the contract period to present results and inform BPA of project status. Annual reports will also present data, analysis and recommendations should they be required. Frequent reporting to BPA regarding project status. Crab Mng. strat. Fill data gaps before specific management strategies can be adopted.
Tissue and calcified structure analysis Analysis of calcified structures to determine origin and anadromy of salmonids in LCC Crab Hypo.1, Obj. 1&2. Fill data gap-Determine genetic origin of chinook salmon and steelhead.

Section 7. Work elements (coming back to this)

Work element nameWork element titleDescriptionStart dateEnd dateEst budget
Produce Environmental Compliance Documentation Obtain necessary federal and state permits to conduct sampling Due to the sensitive species we will be working with on this project it will be necessary to obtain necessary permits from NOAA and WDFW. Further consultation with these agencies may be required in order to reduce risks associated with the project. However, the risks do not outweigh the option of not addressing the issues within Lower Crab Creek. 10/1/2006 9/30/2009 $10,000
Biological objectives
Reporting, data sharing
Metrics
Manage and Administer Projects Additional administrative duties This task will include the day-to-day operations associated with project personnel, agency policy, purchases, additional inter- and intra-agency exercises and budget monitoring. 10/1/2006 9/30/2009 $30,000
Biological objectives
Metrics
Manage and Administer Projects Pisces reporting Report quarterly to BPA 10/1/2006 9/30/2009 $10,000
Biological objectives
Reporting, data sharing
Metrics
Manage and Administer Projects Quarterly reporting Report quarterly to BPA 10/1/2006 9/30/2009 $40,000
Biological objectives
Reporting, data sharing
Metrics
Outreach and Education Stakeholder presentations As a state agency receiving federal monies it is our obligation to only inform WDFW and BPA of our results but also to provide results to the many concerned stakeholders that have personal and professional interests in our project. Consequently, some time will be spent presenting our information in public forums. Such presentations will include the data and results contained in our annual reports. 10/1/2006 9/30/2009 $5,000
Biological objectives
Reporting, data sharing
Metrics
* # of general public reached: Number will vary. 1 annual presentation a year
Produce/Submit Scientific Findings Report Annual Reports Annual reports will be completed every year at the end of the contract period to present results and inform BPA of project status. Annual reports will also present data, analysis and recommendations should they be required. 10/1/2006 9/30/2009 $100,000
Biological objectives
Reporting, data sharing
Metrics
Analyze/Interpret Data Age determination Collected structures will be sent to the WDFW aging lab where they will be read and ages determined. 10/1/2006 9/30/2009 $94,000
Biological objectives
Tissue and calcified structure analysis
Metrics
Primary R, M, and E Type: Uncertainties Research
Analyze/Interpret Data Analysis to determine anadromy Because the WDFW has the ability to perform SF-ICP-MS analysis we will send otoliths collected from LCC O.mykiss carcasses to the WDFW lab to be aged and analyzed for trace elements common in saltwater to determine anadromy (Steve Schroder, WDFW Research Scientist, Personal Communication 2006). 10/1/2006 9/30/2009 $94,000
Biological objectives
Tissue and calcified structure analysis
Metrics
Primary R, M, and E Type: Uncertainties Research
Analyze/Interpret Data Genetic analysis of salmonids The collection of tissue for DNA analysis is an on-going effort conducted in various locations throughout the Middle and Upper Columbia River (Baldwin 2006). These efforts will be augmented by efforts here. Data from all efforts will compliment and be compared with Grant Co. PUD investigations (Dresser et al 2003). To ensure accuracy and comparable results a standardized analysis protocol will be used at the WDFW genetics lab for all samples collected throughout the basin. Consequently, collected samples from the LCC will be frozen and sent to Olympia for analysis. 10/1/2006 9/30/2009 $94,000
Biological objectives
Tissue and calcified structure analysis
Metrics
Primary R, M, and E Type: Uncertainties Research
Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data Catalog in stream habitat In-stream habitat assessments will be conducted following Dolloff et al (1993) to quantify suitable available spawning habitat and what is being utilized by spawning salmonids. Habitat data collections will include evaluating hydraulic components such as localize temperature and velocity as well as tangible components such as substrate size and abundance, overhead vegetative cover, bank classification and Rosgen type. Aerial photos will also be collected and analyzed following protocol in Burgess et al (2006). This data combined with on the ground collections will allow use to catalog the entire habitat with the LCC and locate possible fish passage barriers and potential locations for future habitat improvements. 10/1/2006 9/30/2009 $90,000
Biological objectives
Qualify and quantify abiotic parameters
Metrics
Primary R, M, and E Type: Uncertainties Research
Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data Collect pertinent tissue samples and otoliths Recent developments in nonlethal small tissue sampling techniques suggest no deleterious impacts to live fishes while still producing accurate analysis (Tyus et al 1999; Van Doornik 1999). Consequently, tissue samples (fin clips) will be collected from live fish during trapping efforts (Work Element Title 1.1) and from carcasses during spawning surveys (Work Element Title 1.2). 10/1/2006 9/30/2009 $5,000
Biological objectives
Quantify anadromous fish utilization
Metrics
Primary R, M, and E Type: Uncertainties Research
Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data Monitor and evaluate crucial water quality parameters Collect pertinent water quality data relative to salmonid utilization. 10/1/2006 9/30/2009 $50,000
Biological objectives
Qualify and quantify abiotic parameters
Metrics
Primary R, M, and E Type: Status and Trend Monitoring
Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data Spawning surveys In conjunction with efforts in Red Rock Coulee by the USFWS, USBOR, and Grant Co., PUD (KWA 2004) we will conduct redd enumerations in the fall for Chinook salmon and in the spring for steelhead. 10/1/2006 9/30/2009 $60,000
Biological objectives
Quantify anadromous fish utilization
Metrics
Primary R, M, and E Type: Uncertainties Research
Install Fish Monitoring Equipment Salmonid capture Based on logistical and environmental parameters we may deploy several variations of in-stream traps such as panel and picket wiers, (Wolf 1951), modified fyke nets (downstream trapping only) and fish wheels (Gordon et al 1998) in Lower Crab Creek (LCC). We will enumerate fish entering LCC and also collect tissue samples for later DNA stock identification analysis (Work Element Title 3.1, 3.2). 10/1/2006 9/30/2009 $100,000
Biological objectives
Quantify anadromous fish utilization
Metrics

Section 8. Budgets

Itemized estimated budget
ItemNoteFY07FY08FY09
Personnel [blank] $121,000 $121,000 $121,000
Fringe Benefits [blank] $38,000 $38,000 $38,000
Supplies [blank] $20,000 $15,000 $15,000
Travel [blank] $20,000 $20,000 $15,000
Overhead [blank] $60,000 $55,000 $55,000
Other [blank] $10,000 $10,000 $10,000
Totals $269,000 $259,000 $254,000
Total estimated FY 2007-2009 budgets
Total itemized budget: $782,000
Total work element budget: $782,000
Cost sharing
Funding source/orgItem or service providedFY 07 est value ($)FY 08 est value ($)FY 09 est value ($)Cash or in-kind?Status
USFWS Redd surveys $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 In-Kind Under Review
Totals $10,000 $10,000 $10,000

Section 9. Project future

FY 2010 estimated budget: $0
FY 2011 estimated budget: $0
Comments: Out year funding and project direction will rely on data and analysis from phase 1.

Future O&M costs: Work Element Titles within this phase will be conducted from FY 07 to FY 10 at which time analysis may indicate a need to scale back Work Element Titles as Phase 2 is implemented. Implementation of future phases will depend on phase 1 results. Work Element Titles within the objectives of phases 2, 3 and 4 will require elaboration and may be altered as results from phase one become available. Monitoring and evaluation will be conducted throughout the duration of the project to gauge success once measurable objectives are developed.

Termination date:
Comments:

Final deliverables:

Section 10. Narrative and other documents


Reviews and recommendations

FY07 budget FY08 budget FY09 budget Total budget Type Category Recommendation
NPCC FINAL FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS (Oct 23, 2006) [full Council recs]
$0 $0 $0 $0 Expense ProvinceExpense Do Not Fund
NPCC DRAFT FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS (Sep 15, 2006) [full Council recs]
$0 $0 $0 $0 ProvinceExpense
Comments: No subbasin plan

ISRP PRELIMINARY REVIEW (Jun 2, 2006)

Recommendation: Fundable (Qualified)

NPCC comments: This is a fundable project and will provide valuable information for an area of the Columbia Basin that receives relatively little attention. The project participants should address some of the methodological issues raised below prior to implementing the study. These issues should be easy to rectify. Technical and scientific background: The title is a bit misleading, in the sense that "other fish species" will not be investigated as part of this proposal but deferred to subsequent years. This project's goal is really to determine if steelhead and fall Chinook in lower Crab Creek constitute legitimate spawning populations, or are simply collections of strays from other sources. The question seems worthwhile as the environmental conditions of the Columbia Plateau differ from those of the North Cascades, and if the salmon and steelhead in Crab Creek are truly native stocks then they may possess local adaptations that contribute to the viability of the evolutionary significant unit (ESU) as a whole. Overall, the technical background section does an adequate job of defining the problem. Rationale and significance to subbasin plans and regional programs: This proposal references the Crab Creek subbasin plan and the relevant parts of the Council's Fish and Wildlife Program. The Federal Columbia River Power System Biological Opinion (FCRPS BiOp) is not mentioned. The lack of knowledge about fish populations and habitat in Crab Creek was one of the key deficiencies identified in the subbasin plan. This project would begin to provide solid information on the origin and abundance of anadromous fishes using the basin. The habitat and water quality information should provide some indication of the productive potential of Crab Creek for salmon and steelhead and help identify potential restoration projects. Relationships to other projects: The proposal describes its relationships to four other Crab Creek projects funded by BPA, as well as other agency and PUD efforts, in general terms. This project will also provide data to a regional monitoring effort, CSMEP. There appears to be good coordination with other genetic characterization efforts in the Columbia-Cascade province. Objectives: The objectives are clearly stated and address a key information need identified in the subbasin plan. The four phases are framed out in a logical progression. This proposal only applies to the objectives listed under Phase 1; work under the other phases will come later. But the description of all four phases provides valuable context. A map of lower Crab Creek would have helped, especially when discussing sample locations. Tasks (work elements) and methods: Most of the methods are appropriate. However, there are several instances where the methodology to be used is unclear, or some problems are likely to be encountered. The collection of turbidity and flow information periodically at selected locations (spawning sites) is likely to yield information of doubtful value. Turbidity and flow can change rapidly and biological responses are often related to transient episodes of high discharge or sediment transport. It would be very unlikely to sample these episodic events with periodic sampling. Installation of a continuous flow station, perhaps at the fish trap location, would provide a good flow record. A turbidity sensor, possibly coupled with a pump sampler, located at this flow station would provide a complete record of turbidity/sediment concentration. These continuous data could be used in conjunction with periodic samples collected at spawning sites to develop an understanding of the spatial distribution of these attributes and better evaluate how the fish are responding to these parameters. It may be possible to distinguish anadromous vs. resident rainbow trout without stable isotope sampling. Easily observable features, such as color, shape, and size, may enable this determination for adult fish. This approach likely will not work to distinguish juvenile resident and anadromous rainbow trout in lower Crab Creek as both will contain marine-derived nutrients from decomposing carcasses as the result of food web effects and isotopic differences will become progressively muted as the fish grow. Stable isotopes may work well to distinguish between anadromous and resident adult fish. If stable isotope samples are used for determination of anadromy, samples from both known anadromous and known resident fish need to be sampled to provide a basis for evaluating isotope values from unknown fish. Perhaps samples from steelhead collected at a nearby dam could be used to represent anadromous isotope values. Resident fish selected as references should be of the same species and approximately the same size as the fish being sampled to determine life history type. Therefore, determining appropriate resident reference fish may be a problem. Also the sponsors should be careful that resident fish selected to represent resident isotopic values are not utilizing lakes. Fishes from lakes may have a different isotopic signature than those resident fishes rearing in flowing water. How these reference fishes will be selected should be discussed in the proposal. Work element 2.2 proposes to identify spawning locations by assessing hyporheic flows with piezometers. Networks of piezometers are effective means of mapping hyporheic patterns, but they are very labor intensive to install and maintain. There is not enough detail presented on this aspect of the study to determine how these instruments will be deployed or maintained. It may be more cost effective to locate cool hyporheic inputs using Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) technology, which was used effectively in the John Day River subbasin to identify hyporheic influences. FLIR is also a good method of locating cool water pockets, which may be very important in lower Crab Creek. The possibility of using a fishwheel to sample migrating adults is mentioned, but the proposal states that 100% of the flow will be sampled. Is this possible with a fishwheel? Or will there be a combination fence and fishwheel setup? Monitoring and evaluation: This is essentially an M&E proposal, as no restoration actions will be evaluated. Data collection and analysis are adequately described. Facilities, equipment, and personnel: Facilities, equipment and personnel are well qualified for this project. Information transfer: Annual reports and WDFW website status reports will be produced. Unfortunately, there were no plans for peer-reviewed publication. If the steelhead and Chinook spawners turn out to be local populations, it would make a good publication. No details about data archiving or public access were given. Benefits to focal and non-focal species: More information on the status of the anadromous fishes on Crab Creek will provide a definite benefit. If determinations can be made as to origins of the focal species in this system, protection and management benefits to these species could be long-term. There is little discussion of non-focal species other than the component of the study that will examine predation rates on salmon and trout by introduced predatory fishes in the system. However, the predation evaluation is a component of out-year funding and not covered by the current proposal. Regardless, gathering information about the anadromous fishes in this system is not likely to adversely impact other species, unless the fish trap hinders their migrations in some way.


ISRP FINAL REVIEW (Aug 31, 2006)

Recommendation: Fundable (Qualified)

NPCC comments: This is a fundable project and will provide valuable information for an area of the Columbia Basin that receives relatively little attention. The project participants should address some of the methodological issues raised below prior to implementing the study. These issues should be easy to rectify. Technical and scientific background: The title is a bit misleading, in the sense that "other fish species" will not be investigated as part of this proposal but deferred to subsequent years. This project's goal is really to determine if steelhead and fall Chinook in lower Crab Creek constitute legitimate spawning populations, or are simply collections of strays from other sources. The question seems worthwhile as the environmental conditions of the Columbia Plateau differ from those of the North Cascades, and if the salmon and steelhead in Crab Creek are truly native stocks then they may possess local adaptations that contribute to the viability of the evolutionary significant unit (ESU) as a whole. Overall, the technical background section does an adequate job of defining the problem. Rationale and significance to subbasin plans and regional programs: This proposal references the Crab Creek subbasin plan and the relevant parts of the Council's Fish and Wildlife Program. The Federal Columbia River Power System Biological Opinion (FCRPS BiOp) is not mentioned. The lack of knowledge about fish populations and habitat in Crab Creek was one of the key deficiencies identified in the subbasin plan. This project would begin to provide solid information on the origin and abundance of anadromous fishes using the basin. The habitat and water quality information should provide some indication of the productive potential of Crab Creek for salmon and steelhead and help identify potential restoration projects. Relationships to other projects: The proposal describes its relationships to four other Crab Creek projects funded by BPA, as well as other agency and PUD efforts, in general terms. This project will also provide data to a regional monitoring effort, CSMEP. There appears to be good coordination with other genetic characterization efforts in the Columbia-Cascade province. Objectives: The objectives are clearly stated and address a key information need identified in the subbasin plan. The four phases are framed out in a logical progression. This proposal only applies to the objectives listed under Phase 1; work under the other phases will come later. But the description of all four phases provides valuable context. A map of lower Crab Creek would have helped, especially when discussing sample locations. Tasks (work elements) and methods: Most of the methods are appropriate. However, there are several instances where the methodology to be used is unclear, or some problems are likely to be encountered. The collection of turbidity and flow information periodically at selected locations (spawning sites) is likely to yield information of doubtful value. Turbidity and flow can change rapidly and biological responses are often related to transient episodes of high discharge or sediment transport. It would be very unlikely to sample these episodic events with periodic sampling. Installation of a continuous flow station, perhaps at the fish trap location, would provide a good flow record. A turbidity sensor, possibly coupled with a pump sampler, located at this flow station would provide a complete record of turbidity/sediment concentration. These continuous data could be used in conjunction with periodic samples collected at spawning sites to develop an understanding of the spatial distribution of these attributes and better evaluate how the fish are responding to these parameters. It may be possible to distinguish anadromous vs. resident rainbow trout without stable isotope sampling. Easily observable features, such as color, shape, and size, may enable this determination for adult fish. This approach likely will not work to distinguish juvenile resident and anadromous rainbow trout in lower Crab Creek as both will contain marine-derived nutrients from decomposing carcasses as the result of food web effects and isotopic differences will become progressively muted as the fish grow. Stable isotopes may work well to distinguish between anadromous and resident adult fish. If stable isotope samples are used for determination of anadromy, samples from both known anadromous and known resident fish need to be sampled to provide a basis for evaluating isotope values from unknown fish. Perhaps samples from steelhead collected at a nearby dam could be used to represent anadromous isotope values. Resident fish selected as references should be of the same species and approximately the same size as the fish being sampled to determine life history type. Therefore, determining appropriate resident reference fish may be a problem. Also the sponsors should be careful that resident fish selected to represent resident isotopic values are not utilizing lakes. Fishes from lakes may have a different isotopic signature than those resident fishes rearing in flowing water. How these reference fishes will be selected should be discussed in the proposal. Work element 2.2 proposes to identify spawning locations by assessing hyporheic flows with piezometers. Networks of piezometers are effective means of mapping hyporheic patterns, but they are very labor intensive to install and maintain. There is not enough detail presented on this aspect of the study to determine how these instruments will be deployed or maintained. It may be more cost effective to locate cool hyporheic inputs using Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) technology, which was used effectively in the John Day River subbasin to identify hyporheic influences. FLIR is also a good method of locating cool water pockets, which may be very important in lower Crab Creek. The possibility of using a fishwheel to sample migrating adults is mentioned, but the proposal states that 100% of the flow will be sampled. Is this possible with a fishwheel? Or will there be a combination fence and fishwheel setup? Monitoring and evaluation: This is essentially an M&E proposal, as no restoration actions will be evaluated. Data collection and analysis are adequately described. Facilities, equipment, and personnel: Facilities, equipment and personnel are well qualified for this project. Information transfer: Annual reports and WDFW website status reports will be produced. Unfortunately, there were no plans for peer-reviewed publication. If the steelhead and Chinook spawners turn out to be local populations, it would make a good publication. No details about data archiving or public access were given. Benefits to focal and non-focal species: More information on the status of the anadromous fishes on Crab Creek will provide a definite benefit. If determinations can be made as to origins of the focal species in this system, protection and management benefits to these species could be long-term. There is little discussion of non-focal species other than the component of the study that will examine predation rates on salmon and trout by introduced predatory fishes in the system. However, the predation evaluation is a component of out-year funding and not covered by the current proposal. Regardless, gathering information about the anadromous fishes in this system is not likely to adversely impact other species, unless the fish trap hinders their migrations in some way.