FY07-09 proposal 200711100
Jump to Reviews and Recommendations
Section 1. Administrative
| Proposal title | Assess impacts of flow augmentation on bull trout in the North Fork and Lower Clearwater Rivers |
| Proposal ID | 200711100 |
| Organization | Idaho Department of Fish & Game |
| Short description | Determine the downriver effects of cold water releases from Dworshak Dam on bull trout populations inhabiting the North Fork Clearwater River tailrace and lower mainstem Clearwater River. |
| Information transfer | Annual and final reports, presentations and regional and national meetings |
| Proposal contact person or principal investigator | |
Contacts
| Contact | Organization | |
|---|---|---|
| Form submitter | ||
| Danielle Schiff | Idaho Fish and Game | dschiff@idfg.idaho.gov |
| All assigned contacts | ||
| Conan Chiu | Idaho Department of Fish and Game | cchiu@idfg.idaho.gov |
| Danielle Schiff | Idaho Fish and Game | dschiff@idfg.idaho.gov |
| Ed Schriever | Idaho Fish and Game | edschriever@idfg.idaho.gov |
Section 2. Locations
Province / subbasin: Mountain Snake / Clearwater
| Latitude | Longitude | Waterbody | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clearwater River | North Fork Clearwater River and Lower Clearwater River |
Section 3. Focal species
primary: Bull TroutSection 4. Past accomplishments
| Year | Accomplishments |
|---|
Section 5. Relationships to other projects
| Funding source | Related ID | Related title | Relationship |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other: Army Corps of Engineers | DACW68-96-D-003 | Bull trout investigations in the North Fork Clearwater River | Investigated bull trout life history characteristics, distribution and use of Dworshak Reservoir. This project was conducted from 2001 - 2005. |
Section 6. Biological objectives
| Biological objectives | Full description | Associated subbasin plan | Strategy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Develop an increased understanding of the thermal | Dworshak Dam operations are used to benefit salmonid outmigrants by increasing flows and decreasing temperatures in the Snake River corridor. Due to the relatively small size of the Clearwater River in relation to the Snake River, localized effects of these operations may be detrimental to native species using the lower North Fork Clearwater and Clearwater Rivers. Flow fluctuation, substantial reductions in temperature, and alterations of natural temperature regimes all impact residnet fish in the lower North Fork Clearwater and Clearwater Rivers. | Clearwater | 1.Conduct thorogh, up-to-date review of relevant literature and data from pre- and post Dworshak Dam periods to ascertain impacts to various species. Relate changes in temperatures due to dam operations to life history characteristics of benthos, fish,... |
| Increase native resident populations of bull trout | Long-term persistence and abundance of native resident fish species within the Clearwater subbasin is threatened by genetic introgression, loss of fluvial population components, genetic interchange, population connectivity, and habitat quality and quantity. Native resident populations of westslope cutthroat and bull trout in the Clearwater are limited by temperature, sediment, watershed disturbance, population connectivity, and passage issues. Additional efforts are needed to ensure a proactive approach to preventing further losses of or declines in resident fish stocks or stock components (e.g. fluvial) within the subbasin, particularly in areas where anadromous fish runs have been lost. | Clearwater | 1. Refine knowledge of limiting factors and restoration oppurtunities--conduct subbasin-wide assessment of native resident fish populations to delineate areas of probable impacts and opportunities for restoration or enhancement. |
| Maintain Dworshak Reservoir as bull trout habitat | Current research has document bull trout utilizing Dworshak Reservoir throughout the year. Research conducted in 2003 documented bull trout being entrained through Dworshak Dam. It is uncertain the total number of bull trout entrained annually. It is uncertain how the dam or its operation could be modified to reduce or eliminate bull trout entrainment. | Clearwater | 2.Estimate annual popn. size of bull trout migrating to and from Dworshak Res.... 3.Collect data to determine which operations are important limiting factors... 4.Identify and prioritize changes in facilities or opeations to reduce impacts. |
Section 7. Work elements (coming back to this)
| Work element name | Work element title | Description | Start date | End date | Est budget |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Produce Environmental Compliance Documentation | Produce project environmental compliance documents. | Preparation, assembling and reporting of Section 10 permits and environment compliance documents as needed for BPA's Environmental Compliance Group to determine environmental compliance status. | 3/1/2007 | 12/31/2009 | $5,600 |
|
Biological objectives Develop an increased understanding of the thermal Increase native resident populations of bull trout Maintain Dworshak Reservoir as bull trout habitat |
Metrics |
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| Coordination | Regional coordination of previously collected genetic sampls | Coordination efforts with other regional fish and wildlife agencies, including the Fish and Wildlife Service, Forest Service, Nez Perce Tribe, and Burea of Land Management | 3/1/2007 | 12/31/2009 | $14,960 |
|
Biological objectives |
Metrics |
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| Manage and Administer Projects | Manage and administer all aspects of the project | Covers work to manage on the ground efforts associated wit hte project. Also covers administrative work in support of on the ground efforts and in support of BPA's programmatic requirements such as financial reporting and development of a SOW package. This will include budget, spending plan, and property inventory. | 3/1/2007 | 12/31/2009 | $11,195 |
|
Biological objectives Develop an increased understanding of the thermal Increase native resident populations of bull trout Maintain Dworshak Reservoir as bull trout habitat |
Metrics |
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| Produce Annual Report | Produce project annual reports. | Complete annual reports of findings summarizing all data collected and analyzed during the duration of the project. | 10/1/2007 | 12/31/2009 | $55,974 |
|
Biological objectives Develop an increased understanding of the thermal Increase native resident populations of bull trout Maintain Dworshak Reservoir as bull trout habitat |
Metrics |
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| Produce Pisces Status Report | Produce Pisces status reports. | Complete quarterly Pisces reports summarizing all data collected and analyzed. | 3/1/2007 | 12/31/2009 | $5,600 |
|
Biological objectives Develop an increased understanding of the thermal Increase native resident populations of bull trout Maintain Dworshak Reservoir as bull trout habitat |
Metrics |
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| Analyze/Interpret Data | Bull trout distribution below Dworshak Dam | Completion of data analysis from previously collected data. Includes completion of radio tracking analysis and life history information | 11/1/2007 | 11/1/2009 | $36,060 |
|
Biological objectives Develop an increased understanding of the thermal Increase native resident populations of bull trout Maintain Dworshak Reservoir as bull trout habitat |
Metrics Primary R, M, and E Type: Radio tracking analysis Primary R, M, and E Type: Correlations between flow, temperature, location |
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| Analyze/Interpret Data | Bull trout spawning success | Document if fish actively attempt to or successfully construct redds and spawn in the mainstem Clearwater River. | 8/1/2007 | 11/1/2009 | $18,031 |
|
Biological objectives Develop an increased understanding of the thermal Increase native resident populations of bull trout |
Metrics Primary R, M, and E Type: Monitor fry emergence Secondary R, M, and E Type: Document courtship and spawning behavior |
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| Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data | Bull trout assignment testing | All tasks associated with completing bull trout assignment testing. | 6/1/2007 | 12/31/2009 | $111,947 |
|
Biological objectives Develop an increased understanding of the thermal Increase native resident populations of bull trout |
Metrics Primary R, M, and E Type: Collect 30 samples from 45 locations Primary R, M, and E Type: Complete assignment testing on 450 samples ea. yr. Secondary R, M, and E Type: Complete DNA Extraction Secondary R, M, and E Type: Microsatellite PCR amplication and allele scoring Primary R, M, and E Type: Collect bull trout tissue samples at Lower Granite |
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| Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data | Bull trout distribution below Dworshak Dam | Collection of bull trout below Dwoshak Dam downstream to the confluence of the Snake River. | 4/1/2007 | 9/1/2009 | $93,414 |
|
Biological objectives Develop an increased understanding of the thermal Increase native resident populations of bull trout Maintain Dworshak Reservoir as bull trout habitat |
Metrics Primary R, M, and E Type: Collect 150 bull trout below Dworshak Dam |
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| Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data | Bull trout spawning success below Dworshak Dam and in the Lower Clearwater River | Intensive monitoring of radio-tagged bull trout during their spawning period to document spawning. | 8/1/2007 | 11/1/2009 | $18,533 |
|
Biological objectives Develop an increased understanding of the thermal Increase native resident populations of bull trout |
Metrics Primary R, M, and E Type: Weekly completion of redd surveys Primary R, M, and E Type: Collection of temperature and flow data Secondary R, M, and E Type: Collect bull trout tissue samples at Lower Granite |
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| Create/Manage/Maintain Database | Bull trout distribution below Dworshak Dam | Input and retrieval of PIT tag information into PTAGIS database | 6/1/2007 | 11/1/2009 | $20,507 |
|
Biological objectives Develop an increased understanding of the thermal Increase native resident populations of bull trout |
Metrics |
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| Develop RM&E Methods and Designs | Assignment testing development | Conduct preliminary analysis to determine if assignment testing will properly identify which drainage each bull trout originated from. | 6/1/2007 | 9/1/2009 | $27,987 |
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Biological objectives Develop an increased understanding of the thermal Increase native resident populations of bull trout |
Metrics |
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| Mark/Tag Animals | Bull trout distribution below Dworshak Dam | Collect and radio-tag bull trout below Dworshak Dam and Clearwater River to the Snake River. Monitor radio-tagged animals for duration of study. | 6/1/2007 | 10/1/2009 | $139,935 |
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Biological objectives Develop an increased understanding of the thermal Increase native resident populations of bull trout |
Metrics Primary R, M, and E Type: Implant 50 radio-transmitters per year Primary R, M, and E Type: Bi-weekly tracking of radio-tagged fish. Secondary R, M, and E Type: Install and maintain fixed radio receiving sites |
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Section 8. Budgets
Itemized estimated budget
| Item | Note | FY07 | FY08 | FY09 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Personnel | Sr. Fishery Research Biologist | $20,000 | $20,000 | $21,000 |
| Fringe Benefits | FTE & Temporary Employee Benefits | $26,924 | $26,924 | $27,337 |
| Other | Personnel Temporary | $28,574 | $28,573 | $28,573 |
| Travel | Vehicle and boat rental, monitoring flights, and food supplies | $30,659 | $30,146 | $30,179 |
| Supplies | Genetic and electrofishing equipment, and misc. office supplies | $6,200 | $5,000 | $3,100 |
| Other | Genetic Analysis | $20,250 | $20,250 | $20,250 |
| Overhead | Administrative Overhead | $27,887 | $28,796 | $28,696 |
| Capital Equipment | Radio transmitters, electrofisher, PIT tags | $27,775 | $26,575 | $26,075 |
| Totals | $188,269 | $186,264 | $185,210 | |
Total estimated FY 2007-2009 budgets
| Total itemized budget: | $559,743 |
| Total work element budget: | $559,743 |
Cost sharing
| Funding source/org | Item or service provided | FY 07 est value ($) | FY 08 est value ($) | FY 09 est value ($) | Cash or in-kind? | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Totals | $0 | $0 | $0 | |||
Section 9. Project future
|
FY 2010 estimated budget: $46,000 FY 2011 estimated budget: $46,000 |
Comments: Completion of Annual Report |
Future O&M costs:
Termination date: June 1, 2010
Comments: Final 6 months of funding in 2010 would be to complete final report of findings and provide recommendations
Final deliverables: Final report of findinds and recommendations.
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 | ||
ISRP PRELIMINARY REVIEW (Jun 2, 2006)
Recommendation: Not fundable
NPCC comments: The ISRP rates this project NOT FUNDABLE. This recommendation resulted primarily, because the project objectives do not adequately address the problems identified in the technical and scientific background section of the proposal. Several aspects of this proposal raise questions: What difference does it make where the entrained bull trout originated above Dworshak Dam? The problem identified is that there is entrainment. Shouldn't the primary focus be upon reducing or eliminating entrainment, regardless of the origin of the fish? The background and rationale sections indicate that this project will address the potential problem of temperature effects (from cold water releases from Dworshak Dam) on bull trout, but the proposal does not include this as a stated objective. The use of strobe lights has not been effective in guiding fish away from turbine intakes (see Whitney et al., 1997). The proposal refers to measurements of water depth occupied by bull trout in the reservoir but makes no mention of their depth distribution at the intakes. Wouldn't the most effective use of effort in this project be to get information on their depth distribution at the intakes? The proposal suggests that the outlet structure can be set to draw water from a wide range of depths. Thus, the only piece of information missing is bull trout depth at the structure. The proposal gives the impression that Dworshak is operated primarily for the benefit of fish, which of course is not accurate. Information should be provided showing that Dworshak is primarily a hydroelectric power dam (400,000 KW). During the months of March and April, when entrainment appears to be a problem, the dam is most likely operated strictly for power production. Flow augmentation for temperature control in the Snake River occurs later in the season, when fall Chinook are emigrating out of the river. It is misleading to assign responsibility for any effects on bull trout to the flow augmentation strategy, unless more information can be provided.
ISRP FINAL REVIEW (Aug 31, 2006)
Recommendation: Not fundable
NPCC comments: The ISRP rates this project Not Fundable. This recommendation resulted primarily, because the project objectives do not adequately address the problems identified in the technical and scientific background section of the proposal. Several aspects of this proposal raise questions: What difference does it make where the entrained bull trout originated above Dworshak Dam? The problem identified is that there is entrainment. Shouldn't the primary focus be upon reducing or eliminating entrainment, regardless of the origin of the fish? The background and rationale sections indicate that this project will address the potential problem of temperature effects (from cold water releases from Dworshak Dam) on bull trout, but the proposal does not include this as a stated objective. The use of strobe lights has not been effective in guiding fish away from turbine intakes (see Whitney et al., 1997). The proposal refers to measurements of water depth occupied by bull trout in the reservoir but makes no mention of their depth distribution at the intakes. Wouldn't the most effective use of effort in this project be to get information on their depth distribution at the intakes? The proposal suggests that the outlet structure can be set to draw water from a wide range of depths. Thus, the only piece of information missing is bull trout depth at the structure. The proposal gives the impression that Dworshak is operated primarily for the benefit of fish, which of course is not accurate. Information should be provided showing that Dworshak is primarily a hydroelectric power dam (400,000 KW). During the months of March and April, when entrainment appears to be a problem, the dam is most likely operated strictly for power production. Flow augmentation for temperature control in the Snake River occurs later in the season, when fall Chinook are emigrating out of the river. It is misleading to assign responsibility for any effects on bull trout to the flow augmentation strategy, unless more information can be provided.