FY07-09 proposal 200700300
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Section 1. Administrative
| Proposal title | Dworshak Dam Resident Fish Mitigation |
| Proposal ID | 200700300 |
| Organization | Idaho Department of Fish & Game |
| Short description | Improve resident fisheries as mitigation for losses and continuing impacts from construction and operation of Dworshak Dam by reducing entrainment, increasing kokanee size and abundance, and enhancing reservoir productivity. |
| Information transfer | Project results will be shared at the International Kokanee Workshop, AFS state, regional, and national meetings and may be utilized in developing fish deterrent strategies on other hydropower dams in the region and elsewhere. Project information will also be shared through the IDFG webpage, meetings with USACE (resident fish meetings), CBFWA Resident Fish Committee meetings, and results will be published in peer reviewed journals and special publications. |
| Proposal contact person or principal investigator | |
Contacts
| Contact | Organization | |
|---|---|---|
| Form submitter | ||
| Eric Stark | Idaho Department of Fish & Game | estark@idfg.idaho.gov |
| All assigned contacts | ||
| Melo Maiolie | Idaho Department of Fish & Game | mmaiolie@adelphia.net |
| Eric Stark | Idaho Department of Fish & Game | estark@idfg.idaho.gov |
| Eric Stark | Idaho Department of Fish & Game | estark@idfg.idaho.gov |
Section 2. Locations
Province / subbasin: Mountain Snake / Clearwater
| Latitude | Longitude | Waterbody | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Fork Clearwater River | Dworshak Reservoir and North Fork Clearwater River watershed. |
Section 3. Focal species
primary: Kokaneesecondary: Smallmouth Bass
secondary: Westslope Cutthroat
secondary: Bull Trout
secondary: Rainbow Trout
Section 4. Past accomplishments
| Year | Accomplishments |
|---|
Section 5. Relationships to other projects
| Funding source | Related ID | Related title | Relationship |
|---|---|---|---|
| BPA | 199501100 | Chief Joseph Kokanee Enhanceme | The Confederated Colville Tribes’ (CCT) Chief Joseph Kokanee Enhancement Project is conducting similar research on Grand Coulee Dam, under the BPA funded project (# 199501100). Their research is focused on assessing and reducing kokanee entrainment, monitoring kokanee abundance, and testing the effectiveness of underwater strobe lights at reducing fish entrainment. This project was based on the success of our project, and is also trying to prevent kokanee entrainment by using strobe lights. Both of our projects present findings annually at International Kokanee Workshop meetings, and share our expertise and findings on a regular basis. |
| Other: USACE - Walla Walla District | DACW68-96-D-003 | North Fork Clearwater River Bull Trout Investigations | IDFG, Region 2 – Fish Management is currently investigating bull trout in Dworshak Reservoir; the Little North Fork Clearwater and North Fork Clearwater Rivers (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers study code DACW68-96-D-003). Their project objectives include: determining bull trout temporal and spatial distributions within Dworshak Reservoir Project Area by non-intrusive methods and evaluating the effects of project operation on the distribution of bull trout and their prey. They will continue to conduct sampling and tagging of bull trout, monitoring for potential entrainment of acoustic and radio tagged fish, and their distribution and movement in the forebay of the reservoir. We hope to use their findings to direct research towards preventing potential entrainment of bull trout, likely starting with direct effectiveness testing of strobe lights as a method of deterrence. |
| Other: USACE - Walla Walla District | [no entry] | Dworshak Reservoir Nutrient Enhancement Project | The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Walla Walla District has recently started a project on Dworshak Reservoir to investigate the effectiveness of nutrient additions to increase reservoir productivity and enhance kokanee size and abundance. In 2005, the Walla Walla District contracted Dr. John Stockner (Eco-Logic Ltd.) to evaluate the state of the reservoir and based upon available data develop a prescription for a 5-year nutrient enhancement experiment on Dworshak Reservoir (Stockner and Brandt 2005). This recently completed synopsis and plan is now the guiding document for both proposed nutrient loading rates and methods and the monitoring of the effectiveness of the enhancement. USACE Dworshak Project personnel will be purchasing the needed fertilizer and equipment and performing the nutrient applications. However, through this proposal IDFG is seeking funding to perform the limnological monitoring and evaluation of the effectiveness of the project at increasing reservoir productivity and increasing fish size and abundance. Therefore, we will work cooperatively with both Dr. Stockner and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to assess the effectiveness of the nutrient enhancement experiment on the reservoir. Our project staff will seek Dr. Stockner’s expertise in limnological monitoring and will make appropriate changes in sampling methods as needs arise. |
Section 6. Biological objectives
| Biological objectives | Full description | Associated subbasin plan | Strategy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Maintain kokanee densities by less entrainment. | Maintain an annual kokanee population of 30 to 50 adult kokanee/ha with a mean annual survival rate greater than 50% for all age classes by reducing entrainment losses. | Clearwater | The Subbasin Plan problem 5, objective 1 - strategy 2 specifies the installation of strobe lights. Section 4.3.1 Resident Fish – Dworshak General – Proposal 3 also defines research to minimize fish entrainment through Dworshak Dam. |
| 2. Increase kokanee size and abundance | Increase adult kokanee mean size by 50 mm and abundance by 20% by the 3rd year of the project. | Clearwater | The Subbasin Plan defines research to investigate the effects of loss or lack of nutrients due to federal hydropower-related loss of anadromous salmonids, and evaluate nutrient enhancement alternatives (section 4.3.1 Aquatics: I. General, Proposal 1). |
| 3. Enhance reservoir productivity | Enhance productivity of Dworshak Reservoir by increasing August and September mean epilimnetic CHL concentration (µg/L) by 25%, phytoplankton volume (mm3/m3) by 75%, zooplankton biomass (mg AFDW/m3) by 175%, and mean kokanee fry weight (g) by 50%. | Clearwater | The Clearwater Subbasin Plan defines research to investigate effects of loss or lack of nutrients due to declines in anadromous salmonids, and coordinate and evaluate nutrient enhancement alternatives (section 4.3.1 Aquatics: I. General, Proposal 1). |
Section 7. Work elements (coming back to this)
| Work element name | Work element title | Description | Start date | End date | Est budget |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Produce Design and/or Specifications | Write plan for permanent installation of underwater strobe lights on Dworshak Dam turbine intakes and reservoir outlets. | Write a request for bids to qualified engineering consulting firms to develop a final plan for installation of strobe lights at Dworshak Dam. Design plan will be complete with engineering plans, material and labor cost estimates, etc... | 3/1/2007 | 9/30/2007 | $100,000 |
|
Biological objectives 1. Maintain kokanee densities by less entrainment. |
Metrics |
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| Install Fish Passage Structure | Install strobe lights on Dworshak Dam. | This project will implement the strobe light installation plan described in work element 1a. above by purchasing and installing underwater strobe lights on Dworshak Dam in front of turbine intakes and reservoir outlets. Funding for this portion of the project will be sought through the BPA Capitalization Budget in FY 08. The Northwest Power Act in Sec. 4(h) (10) (b) states that budgets for the construction of capital facilities with an estimated life greater than 15 years and an estimated cost of at least $1,000,000 shall be funded in the same manner and in accordance with the same procedures as major transmission facilities under the Federal Columbia River Transmission System Act. | 10/1/2007 | 6/30/2008 | $1,052,000 |
|
Biological objectives 1. Maintain kokanee densities by less entrainment. |
Metrics |
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| Produce Inventory or Assessment | Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of underwater strobe lights at reducing fish entrainment, and continually use results to further reduce entrainment rates, and system operation and maintenance costs. | Conduct fish entrainment sampling under a variety of dam operating conditions throughout the water year by means of stationary hydroacoustic surveys in front of turbine intakes and reservoir outlets. Use findings to guide adaptive management of the strobe system to further reduce entrainment rates and system O&M costs. | 3/1/2007 | 2/28/2010 | $220,800 |
|
Biological objectives 1. Maintain kokanee densities by less entrainment. |
Metrics Focal Area: Hydrosystem |
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| Produce Inventory or Assessment | Monitor and evaluate effectiveness of the USACE’s Dworshak Reservoir nutrient enhancement project on increasing kokanee abundance, density, and growth. | Conduct an annual reservoir-wide hydroacoustic survey to estimate abundance and density of kokanee in Dworshak Reservoir. Monitor kokanee growth per age class via spring, summer, and fall trawl sampling throughout the reservoir. Seine mature adult female kokanee to determine the relationship between total length and fecundity. | 3/1/2007 | 10/1/2009 | $237,179 |
|
Biological objectives 2. Increase kokanee size and abundance |
Metrics Primary R, M, and E Type: Action Effectiveness Research |
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| Enhance Nutrients Instream | Monitor and evaluate effectiveness of the USACE’s Dworshak Reservoir nutrient enhancement project on increasing reservoir productivity. | Measure physical/chemical water quality parameters, primary production, bacteria and pico-cyanobacteria, phytoplankton, and zooplankton throughout Dworshak Reservoir. | 3/1/2007 | 11/15/2009 | $262,261 |
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Biological objectives 3. Enhance reservoir productivity |
Metrics Primary R, M, and E Type: Action Effectiveness Research |
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| Manage and Administer Projects | Prepare annual statement of work (SOW) | Prepare annual fiscal year statement of work (SOW) and submit no less than 90 days before end of current performance period. | 12/1/2006 | 12/30/2008 | $12,500 |
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Biological objectives 1. Maintain kokanee densities by less entrainment. 2. Increase kokanee size and abundance 3. Enhance reservoir productivity |
Metrics |
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| Produce Environmental Compliance Documentation | Assist with Environmental Compliance | Assist BPA by answering questions needed to help them fill out environmental compliance forms. An Environmental Clearance Memorandum will be written by BPA allowing the project to be funded. | 12/1/2006 | 12/1/2008 | $60 |
|
Biological objectives 1. Maintain kokanee densities by less entrainment. 2. Increase kokanee size and abundance 3. Enhance reservoir productivity |
Metrics |
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| Produce/Submit Scientific Findings Report | PISCES and Annual Reporting | Quarterly status reports will be submitted to BPA via PISCES indicating the status of each respective milestone, by the 15th of the month after the end of each quarter. And, annual reports will be written for each year summarizing the years’ project activities complete with background/introduction, objectives, results, discussion, and conclusion sections. | 4/1/2007 | 5/30/2010 | $54,000 |
|
Biological objectives 1. Maintain kokanee densities by less entrainment. 2. Increase kokanee size and abundance 3. Enhance reservoir productivity |
Metrics |
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| Produce/Submit Scientific Findings Report | Publish results. | Write and submit research results to peer reviewed journal for publication. | 12/1/2007 | 2/28/2009 | $24,000 |
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Biological objectives 1. Maintain kokanee densities by less entrainment. 2. Increase kokanee size and abundance 3. Enhance reservoir productivity |
Metrics |
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Section 8. Budgets
Itemized estimated budget
| Item | Note | FY07 | FY08 | FY09 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Personnel | 1 FTE & 3 temps | $81,000 | $71,000 | $71,000 |
| Fringe Benefits | [blank] | $39,000 | $34,000 | $34,000 |
| Supplies | Includes field equipment & clothing, fuel, tools, utilities, office rental, software, office suppplies, and repair and maintenance costs. | $55,500 | $65,000 | $70,000 |
| Capital Equipment | Funding for the capital improvement costs of purchase and installation of underwater strobe lights on Dworshak Dam will be sought through the BPA Capitalization Budget in FY 08, NOT through the Fish and Wildlife Program budget. The Northwest Power Act in Sec. 4(h) (10) (b) states that budgets for the construction of capital facilities with an estimated life greater than 15 years and an estimated cost of at least $1,000,000 shall be funded in the same manner and in accordance with the same procedures as major transmission facilities under the Federal Columbia River Transmission System Act. | $0 | $1,052,000 | $0 |
| Overhead | Current IDFG Overhead = 20% of Personnel & Operating | $35,100 | $34,000 | $35,100 |
| Other | Limnological analyses professional services contract | $84,500 | $32,600 | $32,000 |
| Other | Strobe light installation plan professional services contract | $100,000 | $0 | $0 |
| Capital Equipment | water quality meters, replacement computers, and hydroacoustic transducer and cable. | $10,000 | $12,000 | $15,000 |
| Totals | $405,100 | $1,300,600 | $257,100 | |
Total estimated FY 2007-2009 budgets
| Total itemized budget: | $1,962,800 |
| Total work element budget: | $1,962,800 |
Cost sharing
| Funding source/org | Item or service provided | FY 07 est value ($) | FY 08 est value ($) | FY 09 est value ($) | Cash or in-kind? | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Walla Walla District | Raw materials, equipment, and personnel in performing nutrient applications. | $162,250 | $162,250 | $162,250 | In-Kind | Under Development |
| Totals | $162,250 | $162,250 | $162,250 | |||
Section 9. Project future
|
FY 2010 estimated budget: $260,000 FY 2011 estimated budget: $260,000 |
Comments: Outyear funding will be necessary to continue O&M of the strobe lights and low level monitoring of 5 year nutrient enhancement effort. |
Future O&M costs: $25,000 / FY
Termination date: 2016
Comments: This project will require continued funding for operation and maintenance of strobe lights on Dworshak Dam.
Final deliverables: Annual reports and peer-reviewed publications of project findings will be submitted.
Section 10. Narrative and other documents
| Dwor Response to ISRP Comments | Jul 2006 |
Reviews and recommendations
| FY07 budget | FY08 budget | FY09 budget | Total budget | Type | Category | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NPCC FINAL FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS (Oct 23, 2006) [full Council recs] | ||||||
| $160,000 | $160,000 | $160,000 | $480,000 | Expense | ProvinceExpense | Fund |
| NPCC DRAFT FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS (Sep 15, 2006) [full Council recs] | ||||||
| $160,000 | $160,000 | $160,000 | $0 | ProvinceExpense | ||
ISRP PRELIMINARY REVIEW (Jun 2, 2006)
Recommendation: Response requested
NPCC comments: This is a clearly written proposal that presents a multi-pronged approach to improving the kokanee fishery in Dworshak Reservoir. Reviewers are concerned, however, that the project’s goals may be unrealizable and therefore, the large investment planned for FY08 (the funding for the capital improvement costs of purchase and installation of underwater strobe lights on Dworshak Dam) may be unwise. Improving the resident kokanee fishery as mitigation for losses and continuing impacts from construction and operation of Dworshak Dam is planned by a multi-pronged approach involving reducing entrainment (using strobe lights), increasing kokanee size and abundance, and enhancing reservoir productivity using fertilizer to boost the trophic web response. Reviewers wonder if sponsors are familiar with the survey in Whitney et al., 1997 (see, Council document 1997-1, www.nwcouncil.org/library/1997/97-15.htm) that concluded strobe lights have not been effective in guiding fish away from turbine intakes or spill bays anywhere? That work suggests that the expensive strobe light component in this fisheries management plan is inappropriate. In response, please explain your basis for concluding that underwater strobe lights will be effective at Dworshak Dam. The proposal describes links to other related projects including 1) the USACE Walla Walla District’s Dworshak Reservoir Nutrient Enhancement Project; 2) the Confederated Colville Tribes’ Chief Joseph Kokanee Enhancement Project (# 199501100) that is focused on assessing and reducing kokanee entrainment, monitoring kokanee abundance, and testing the effectiveness of underwater strobe lights at reducing fish entrainment; and 3) the Idaho Fish and Game studies of bull trout in the North Fork Clearwater, which is determining bull trout temporal and spatial distributions within Dworshak Reservoir. Project objectives focus on increasing kokanee size and abundance, reducing entrainment through Dworshak Dam, and enhancing reservoir productivity. The Clearwater Subbasin Plan (Problem 5, objective 1 - strategy 2) specifies the installation of strobe lights and defines research to minimize fish entrainment through Dworshak Dam. The Subbasin Plan defines research to investigate the effects of loss or lack of nutrients due to federal hydropower-related loss of anadromous salmonids, and evaluate nutrient enhancement alternatives (section 4.3.1 Aquatics: I. General, Proposal 1). The project methods appear reasonable and the experimental design is defensible.
ISRP FINAL REVIEW (Aug 31, 2006)
Recommendation: Fundable
NPCC comments: This is a clearly written proposal that presents a multi-pronged approach to improving the kokanee fishery in Dworshak Reservoir. In the response, the sponsors adequately explained their basis for concluding that underwater strobe lights will effectively reduce fish entrainment at Dworshak Dam. Project objectives focus on increasing kokanee size and abundance, reducing entrainment through Dworshak Dam, and enhancing reservoir productivity. The Clearwater Subbasin Plan (Problem 5, objective 1 - strategy 2) specifies the installation of strobe lights and defines research to minimize fish entrainment through Dworshak Dam. The Subbasin Plan defines research to investigate the effects of loss or lack of nutrients due to federal hydropower-related loss of anadromous salmonids, and evaluate nutrient enhancement alternatives (section 4.3.1 Aquatics: I. General, Proposal 1). The project methods appear reasonable, and the experimental design is defensible. The proposal describes links to other related projects including 1) the USACE Walla Walla District’s Dworshak Reservoir Nutrient Enhancement Project; 2) the Confederated Colville Tribes’ Chief Joseph Kokanee Enhancement Project (# 199501100) that is focused on assessing and reducing kokanee entrainment, monitoring kokanee abundance, and testing the effectiveness of underwater strobe lights at reducing fish entrainment; and 3) the Idaho Fish and Game studies of bull trout in the North Fork Clearwater, which is determining bull trout temporal and spatial distributions within Dworshak Reservoir.