In 2011 Umatilla Fish Passage Operations project and Walla Walla Fish Passage Operations project were once again re-combined into one project to relieve administrative and contracting workloads.  These projects were historically one project and were split at the request of BPA prior to being able to track activities in separate basins.  With the Pisces management tool, work activities can be tracked by basin, therefore the need for the projects to be separated is no longer accurate.  For interim history of the Walla Walla work activities (2000 to 2010) please refer to project 2000-033-00.


Umatilla Fish Passage Operations Project Activities:

BPA Project Number: 1988-022-00
Performance/Budget Period: January 1, 2012 - December 31, 2012
Technical Contacts:

Gary James, Fisheries Program Manager
Phone: (541) 429-7285
E-mail: garyjames@ctuir.com
Fax: (541) 429-7285

Brian Zimmerman, Fish Passage/Artificial Production Program Supervisor
Phone: (541) 429-7286
E-mail: brianzimmerman@ctuir.com
Fax: (541) 429-7286

Mike Richards, Project Leader
Phone: (541) 429-7277
E-mail: mikerichards@ctuir.com
Fax: (541) 429-7277

Administrative Contacts:

Michelle Thompson, Manager/Administrative Operations
Phone: (541) 429-7227
E-mail: michellethompson@ctuir.com
Fax: (541) 429-7277

E-mail: michellethompson@ctuir.com
Fax: (541) 429-7227

Julie Burke, Fish and Wildlife Administrative Manager
Phone: (541) 429-7292
E-mail: julieburke@ctuir.com
Fax: (541) 429-7292

Background

In the 1980's, CTUIR and ODFW began implementing the Umatilla Fisheries Restoration Plan.  An integral part of that effort was to address inadequate flow and migration conditions by constructing fish passage facilities, initiating a trap and haul program, and implementing the Umatilla Basin Project flow enhancement effort.  The Fish Passage Operations Project objective is to increase adult and juvenile migrant survival in the Umatilla Basin.  The project provides survival benefits for both hatchery and natural production by overseeing and making recommendations to the operation and maintenance of ladders, bypasses, screen sites, trap facilities, and hauling equipment and coordinating these operations with flow enhancement measures and diversion activities.  The project also provides valuable support to other projects by refining fish passage criteria, collecting return and migration data, and collecting and transporting broodstock.    

Project Goal

Increase survival of migrating juvenile and adult salmon and steelhead in the Umatilla Basin by operating passage facilities, flow enhancement measures, trapping facilities, and transport equipment to provide adequate passage conditions.  

Location of Project

Threemile Dam Facility on the lower Umatilla River near the town of Umatilla

McKay Reservoir on McKay Creek just south of the town of Pendleton

The project works in the entire Umatilla River Basin, primarily in the mainstem between river mile 1 and 55 Umatilla River.


NEW ADDITION:

Previous BPA Project Number:  2000-033-00
Previous BPA Project Title: Walla Walla Fish Passage Operations
Performance/Budget Period: January 1 - December 31

Project/Contract Goal:  The long term goal of the 2000-033-00 project, is to increase adult returns of spring Chinook salmon, summer steelhead, and bull trout to the Walla Walla River annually by increasing the survival of migrating juvenile and adult salmonids.  
Our approach is focused on three areas: 1) Monitoring of flow and passage conditions; 2) Operation of passage facilities, trapping facilities, and transport equipment; and 3) Coordination of passage and trapping facilities, transportation, and flow enhancement operations.  

Location of Project:  The project conducts operations primarily within the mainstem Walla Walla River basin and Mill Creek in both Washington and Oregon.  The major BPA facilities associated with the project are located at the Garden City/Lowden II Canal (river mile 31.0), Gardena Farms (formerly Burlingame) Canal (river mile 36.0), Nursery Bridge Dam (river mile 46.0), and Little Walla Walla River (river mile 47.0).  In addition, the project monitors additional sites in the lower Touchet River, Walla Walla River, and Mill Creek.