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 of 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 Council anticipates that the step submittal will be received by the first quarter of 2009.  

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 2006 and it is expected that a percentage of these fish will return this year (09).  The San Poil was stocked in 2005 and 2006 with approximately 50,000 fingerlings each year.  Their expected return is 2008 and 2009.  Additionally, juvenile kokanee production will be assessed using rotary screw traps in the San Poil River.  

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  "at large" kokanee are a mixed population of upper basin stocks and the San Poil River however, escapement numbers have been extremely low in the San Poil 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.  This was completed by partitioning  Lake Roosevelt into different section and analyzing each section against each other to determine differentiation between stocks.  In addition, stocks from other Upper Columbia source are being collected and analyzed against each other and Lake Roosevelt to determine their representation in Lake Roosevelt.  A preliminary report is in draft form and will be available by the end of the year with the final report due late 2009.

The development of the Master Plan has identified several data gaps that are critical to the development of artificial production.  Habitat type in the San Poil basin has been studied over the last ten years however the San Poil proper has had no documented survey that identifies habitat type in relation to salmonid fish..  As part of the 09 SOW the project proposes to conducted an in depth analysis of the habitat types throughout the San Poil River.      This analysis we be used to determine juvenile carrying capacity and adult spawning habitat in the San Poil River.