The Chief Joseph Kokanee Enhancement project began in 1995 with the intent of protecting and enhancing natural origin kokanee in the blocked area (Lake Roosevelt and Rufus Woods). Objectives included enumeration of adult tributary spawning kokanee, genetic evaluation of kokanee populations and determination of egg to fry survival.  In 1996 the project switched directions and focused primarily on assessing entrainment at Grand Coulee Dam while minimally assessing kokanee escapement.  Entrainment was determined to be substantial and could severely impact BPA funded programs related to resident fish.  With the recommendation of Independent Scientific Review Panel (ISRP) this project shifted its focus towards conducting a strobe light efficacy test using hydrophones and sonic tags to determine and reinforce the effect strobe lights had on fish behavior.  It was determined that strobe lights were not a good method for deterring fish from entering the forebay of the third powerhouse and the project ended.

As part of the 07-09 BPA funding cycle, the project redirected its focus towards kokanee supplementation/restoration and habitat enhancement work within major tributaries within the blocked area that included both the San Poil and Nespelem Rivers and Barnaby and Big Sheep Creeks with the main focus towards natural origin kokanee.  The project withdrew objectives and work elements related to spawning channel feasibility and construction and shifted those actions towards developing a master plan based on ISRP review and the Councils recommendation.  The Chief Joseph Kokanee Enhancement project proposes using an artificial production program to reintroduce kokanee back into the San Poil River (possibly beyond).  The current plan proposes using an in basin stock (Meadow Cr.) released at fingerling state in the fall in hopes that it will increase imprinting and homing fidelity thereby increasing swim performance allowing for better escapement from predators and entrainment.  However, this project and others associated with hatchery production came under critical review by the ISRP.  Based on a series of reviews and meetings, the NPCC recommended  that the Colville Tribes begin the Three-Step Process for artificial production associated with natural origin kokanee restoration in the San Poil River. The budget for the Three-Step Process is $85,000 for fiscal years 2008 and 2009.  Funds need to be reallocated from the current budget to begin the process.   The Council anticipates that the step submittal will be received by the first quarter of 2009.  The project anticipates contracting this service with the RFP posted by February 2008.  Since this work was not submitted in the original proposal there may be a need to conduct a scope change.  In addition to this work, it was required that the Lake Roosevelt group finalize their joint guidance document for review by the ISRP and Council by September 2008.

A fish passage restoration effort is currently underway that would allow adult migrating kokanee access to approximately .5 miles of habitat above a highway culvert at  Barnaby Cr. Currently this culvert is impassable during specific water elevations associated with Lake Roosevelt drawndown.  This tributary was stocked in the early to mid 1990's for three consecutive years with returns in subsequent years  Preliminary analysis at this point in time suggests that the feasibility of conducting such an action is favorable.  The final report due to the project is expected January, 2008.  The design and engineering portion of the project would be conducted during FY08 and construction in FY09.

The project will continue to monitor adult escapement in the San Poil and Nespelem Rivers and Big Sheep Creek and Barnaby Creek.  Big Sheep Creek was stocked with approximately 500,000 fry in 2005 and it is expected that a percentage of these fish will return this year (08).  San Poil was stocked in 2005 and 2006 with approximately 50,000 fingerlings each year.  Their expected return begins in 2008.

A new study plan was developed in 2007 to determine the origin of "at large" kokanee found in Lake Roosevelt.  Past genetic studies have shown that the "at large" kokanee are a mixed population of upper basin stocks and the San Poil River but escapement numbers have been extremely low indicating that there may have been problems with stock origin assignments.  The new study plan will eliminate the stock assignment issues within Lake Roosevelt and the San Poil River while also assessing new stocks from Canada that may contribute to this population.