During FY 2016 PNNL will continue to collect temperature and water surface elevation data in chum salmon spawning habitat within the Ives Island area. These data will be collected at the same locations where they were collected during FY 2015 at the T1LB, T2LB, and T2MC locations within the Ives Island chum salmon spawning complex.

These data will be collected using pre-existing piezometers that are screened to the subsurface at egg pocketdepth. Temperature and water level sensors will be placed inside the piezometers to record the egg pocket temperatures and water surface elevations at the site. Data from one of the locations (T2LB) will be made availableby connecting the sensors to a cellular modem at the surface using a tethered buoy that will remain floating. This system was previously developed and tested during FY 2014. Additionally, environmental permitting considerations were summarized in a BPA memo written by Chris Fryfield (see the attached PNNL buoy memo). The primary purpose of the monitoring effort is to provide BPA and the region with real-time data that can be used to evaluate chum salmon emergence timing and redd dewatering. Monitoring will occur from November 2015 through May 2015. The surface buoy will remain at the field site from November 2015 through August 2016. These data will allow BPA to conserve water, when appropriate, to aid other species when chum salmom embryos are no longer present within the Ives Island area. The data will be
compiled in an annual, calendar year report and provided to BPA electronically. The annual report will provide BPA with an electronic appendix of temperature and water surface elevation data, chum salmon emergence timing estimates, and a brief summary of mean temperature differences between the river and riverbed during both the chum salmon spawning and the chum salmon incubation time periods.

During FY 2016 PNNL will attempt to couple temperature data collected using the new real time buoy system with a pre existing chum salmon emergence timing model.  This will increase the utility of the temperature data collected by allowing for spatially distributed estimates of chum salmon emergence timing based on when and where spawning occurred.