BPA Fish and Wildlife FY 1998 Proposal
Section 1. Summary
Section 2. Goals
Section 3. Background
Section 4. Purpose and methods
Section 5. Planned activities
Section 6. Outcomes, monitoring and evaluation
Section 7. Relationships
Section 8. Costs and FTE
see CBFWA and BPA funding recommendations
Section 1. Summary
Title of project
Dworshak Dam Impacts Assessment
BPA project number 8709900
Short description
Optimize the resident fishery of the reservoir which is severely limited by entrainment losses. Limit loses to keep kokanee densities at 30 -50 adult fish/ha. Explore ways to avoid losses using selective water withdrawal and behavioral avoidance devices. Develop reservoir resident fish loss assessments due to the operation of Dworshak Dam.
Business name of agency, institution or organization requesting funding
Idaho Department of Fish and Game
Proposal contact person or principal investigator
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Sub-contractors |
Section 2. Goals
General
Supports a healthy Columbia basin; maintains biological diversity; increases run sizes or populations; provides needed habitat protection; adaptive management (research or M&E)
Target stock | Life stage | Mgmt code (see below) |
Early spawning kokanee | All | N, RSH |
Affected stock | Benefit or detriment |
Rainbow trout | Beneficial |
Cutthroat trout | Beneficial |
Section 3. Background
Stream area affected
Stream name North Fork Clearwater River
Stream miles affected 54
Hydro project Dworshak Dam
Land ownership public
Acres affected 16,000
Habitat types Reservoir
History
An entire run of B strain steelhead and chinook were lost with the construction of Dworshak Dam in 1973. In 1987 to 1991 project identified entrainment losses as driving kokanee populations and destabilizing kokanee fishery. In 1991 to 1994 project reviewed options for the reservoir under the SOR. In 1993 and 1994 we used selective withdrawal to minimize kokanee losses in low water years. In 1995 selective withdrawal and changes in discharge timing were utilized and achieved record high numbers of kokanee in a normal water year. In 1996, winter flooding flushed most (>95%) of the kokanee out of the reservoir and the fishery nearly disappeared. This year the project will begin testing strobe lights to see if kokanee can be scared away from the turbine intakes. In the future, project results will be used to develop biological and integrated rule curves. The project will also be instrumental in developing resident fish losses assessments.
Biological results achieved
From 1981 to 1992 Dworshak kokanee abundance varied between 5 and 30 adult kokanee/ha. Utilizing selective withdrawal and changes in discharge timing resulted in record high numbers of kokanee; 70 kokanee/ha in 1994 and 80 kokanee/ha in 1995. Kokanee fishery increased markedly to a total harvest of 150,000 to 200,000 fish annually. In 1996 we documented the loss of over 1 million kokanee through the dam, which devastated the fishery. We learned when and how these entrainment events occur. This finding directed our study to its current course.
Project reports and papers
Annual progress reports were published by BPA since 1987.
Adaptive management implications
Last year we learned that utilizing selective water withdrawal was not sufficient to prevent kokanee entrainment losses during winter floods. We therefore changed the direction of the project from fine tuning selective withdrawal to testing behavioral avoidance devices. Our objective is the same, but we learned we need to try an additional new approach. If entrainment losses can be minimized at Dworshak, it would have far reaching implications to how systems such as Lake Roosevelt and Libby Reservoir could be managed. Drawdowns for flood control, salmon flows, and power production could all be done with less of an impact on resident fisheries. This may allow more flexibility in a projects biological rule curves.
Section 4. Purpose and methods
Specific measureable objectives
To reduce the entrainment losses of kokanee so that densities of 30-50 adult kokanee/ha can be maintained in the reservoir on an annual basis .
To optimize the kokanee fishery in the reservoir; provide catch rates of 0.7 fish/hr with a mean size of 12".
To design rule curves for dam operation which include methods to minimize entrainment losses.
To maintain reservoir productivity at its current level while utilizing selective water withdrawal to avoid kokanee losses.
Critical uncertainties
How to prevent massive entrainment losses of year classes of kokanee.
Biological need
Kokanee are potentially the best fish at providing a fishery in highly fluctuating reservoirs. Their one big weakness is that they are highly entrainable through dam structures. If this weakness could be solved, fisheries of over 200,000 fish in the harvest could be maintained on Dworshak Reservoir and other reservoirs in the Columbia drainage.
Hypothesis to be tested
The alternative hypothesis is that selective water withdrawal can be utilized to minimize kokanee entrainment losses and significantly increase kokanee densities in the reservoir. The null hypothesis is that kokanee will not be protected by the use of selective water withdrawal. The second alternative hypothesis is that strobe lights can be used to direct kokanee away from a given area. The null hypothesis is that strobe lights will have no effect on kokanee distribution.
Alternative approaches
An alternate approach was to use sound to scare kokanee away from the dam. Tom Carlson, Battelle, conducted a literature review on sound and fish. Based on his results, it did not appear that sound was lilely to work.
Justification for planning
na
Methods
a. Depth distribution of kokanee in front of the dam will continue to be monitored during the day and at night using split-beam hydroacoustics. Recommendations will be made to the Army Corps on where to selectively withdraw water to avoid the depths utilized by kokanee. Population in the entire reservoir will be monitored for significant changes by Hauser type mid-water trawling. Trawling is conducted by a stratified random design. Normal statistics will be applied to determine significant changes in population estimates.
b. A group of four large strobe lights will be lowered from a boat into the densest part of the kokanee layer during the night. Hydroacoustic surveys will be conducted to measure kokanee density in the vicinity of the lights while they are flashing, and while they are shut off. Pilot studies will be conducted to determine sample sizes and appropriate statistical proceedures.
Section 5. Planned activities
Phase Planning | Start 7/1987 | End 10/87 | Subcontractor |
Initial project planning set up a study design to monitor entrainment losses, test avoidance devices, monitoring the fishery, and examining reservoir productivity. | |||
Phase Implementation | Start 1993 | End 1993 | Subcontractor yes |
Project planning reviewed. RASP planning methodology applied to project. | |||
Phase O&M | Start 1/1994 | End 12/96 | Subcontractor no |
Test use of selective water discharge to determine if kokanee losses could be minimized. | |||
Phase O&M | Start 1/1997 | End 10/1999 | Subcontractor no |
Test behavioral avoidance devices on kokanee and determine if suitable for installation on Dworshak Dam. |
Constraints or factors that may cause schedule or budget changes
None known
Section 6. Outcomes, monitoring and evaluation
SUMMARY OF EXPECTED OUTCOMES
Expected performance of target population or quality change in land area affected
The following items will be achieved: A quality resident fishery for anglers will be provided. Harvests will exceed 200,000 kokanee /year. Knowledge of how kokanee losses through dams can be avoided. Knowledge of the distribution of kokanee in a reservoir and near dam structures. How to maintain resident fisheries in spite of withdrawals of water for anadromous fish. An improved kokanee population will provide forage for bull trout, large cutthroat trout, and smallmouth bass.
Present utilization and convservation potential of target population or area
The present utilization potential of kokanee is very high. They have demonstrated that they can provide exceptional fisheries even when the reservoir is drawn down 80 feet during the year. However, in years when entrainment losses are high, the fishery may drop to > 20% of its previous level.
Assumed historic status of utilization and conservation potential
Creel surveys were conducted in 1989, 1990, and 1991. They documented the harvest of kokanee.
Long term expected utilization and conservation potential for target population or habitat
In the long term, we hope to establish kokanee as a major fishery, and have enough surplus to the population to sustain predation by other species of fish. This will help to replace the lost angling due to construction of Dworshak Dam.
Contribution toward long-term goal
If successful, the project will help to keep kokanee in the reservoir, thereby increasing their abundance.
Indirect biological or environmental changes
With higher kokanee densities other non-target predators will have more feed. Also, kokanee carcasses will fertilized small tributaries as they spawn and die by the hundreds of thousands.
Physical products
We have shown that kokanee abundance can be increased from a few hundred thousand fish to about 1.3 million fish.
Environmental attributes affected by the project
Changing selector gate settings in the winter and early spring may cause discharged water to change temperature by a minor amount. Close consultation with Dworshak National Fish Hatchery (located below the dam) is needed before any changes can be made.
Changes assumed or expected for affected environmental attributes
Changes due to this project will be minor: possibly a 1 to 2 degree temperature change in discharge water for one to two months each year.
Measure of attribute changes
na
Assessment of effects on project outcomes of critical uncertainty
The critical uncertainties are designed into the experimental tests within the project. Once testing is completed, the effect of the uncertainties will be known.
Information products
Project provides annual progress reports, quarterly reports, and papers that are presented at American Fisheries Society and International Kokanee Workshop meetings.
Coordination outcomes
Results of the project will be coordinated with the US Army Corps of Engineers, the Nez Perce Tribe, BPA, and other kokanee researchers in the region.
MONITORING APPROACH
This project can be monitored by the knowledge that we have gained. Do we now know the depth distribution of kokanee near the dam? Do we know what time of year is critical for entrainment losses? Do we know if strobe lights can be used to keep fish away from Dworshak Dam? Do we know how the dam's selector gates can be used to minimize kokanee losses?
Provisions to monitor population status or habitat quality
We monitor the kokanee population annually by trawling and hydroacoustic surveys to density, abundance, and year class strength. Population estimates are accurate within +/-25%.
Data analysis and evaluation
Data from trawling is analyzed using normal statistics for a stratified random sampling design. Strobe light testing will be analyzed by analysis of variance.
Information feed back to management decisions
State fishery managers are briefed on project results as they occur. Annual project review meetings are also held.
Critical uncertainties affecting project's outcomes
The critical uncertainties will be resolved by conducting the specified tests within the project.
Evaluation
For this year: Winter depth distribution of kokanee near Dworshak Dam will be determined and a selector gate recommendation made. Population estimates of kokanee in the reservoir will be made and related to flow through the dam. Strobe lights will be tested and the kokanee reaction determined.
Incorporating new information regarding uncertainties
Project study designs are reviewed and modified if needed each fall.
Increasing public awareness of F&W activities
We submit news releases several times each year. We give presentations to local chambers of commerce. We have numerous contacts with anglers on the reservoir.
Section 7. Relationships
Related BPA project | Relationship |
8740700 Project is related to one developed by the Nez Perce Tribe. Addresses item 10.3C.4 in the Council's program. | The Tribe is conducting separate studies on the reservoir to develop integrated rule curves. |
Opportunities for cooperation
The project has been done with the cooperation of the Nez Perce Tribe.
Section 8. Costs and FTE
1997 Planned $167,300
Future funding needs | Past obligations (incl. 1997 if done) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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FY97 overhead percent 24%
How does percentage apply to direct costs
Applies to the sum of personnel and operating costs. (Overhead does not apply to capitol outlay items.)
Subcontractor FTE 0
Supplemental resident fish evaluation factors
Specific measurable objectives have been developed for this reservoir and project. They have been incorporated into Idaho Fish and Game's 5-year management plans. Dworshak Reservoir is drawn-down about 80 feet each fall to provide water for anadromous fish flows. Our project has demonstrated that this can be accomplished without impacting the reservoir's kokanee population. Biological rule curves for kokanee are being developed which incorporate the needed anadromous draw downs. The project therefore has some very direct benefits to anadromous fish. This reservoir is the largest resident fishery in the Clearwater Drainage of Idaho. About 80% of the fishing effort is for kokanee. To this Region it is a very important fishery.