Since initiation of this project in 2010 WDFW has focused on expanding the instream PIT tag detection site (IPTDS) infrastructure in the Upper Columbia River basin and developing PIT tag based steelhead escapement models. Refinement of the methodology used to estimate steelhead abundance in the Upper Columbia River basin has been greatly improved through the use of PIT tag based models. As of now, estimates of hatchery and wild steelhead abundance to the four major populations in the Upper Columbia River basin (Wenatchee, Entiat, Methow and Okanogan Rivers) have been generated for five years with estimates of uncertainty at or near the recommended level of precision for monitoring salmon and steelhead in the Columbia River basin. The same methodology has also been used to estimates steelhead spawner abundance in tributaries.

Beginning in 2015, the focus of the project shifted to radio telemetry monitoring, using fish radio and PIT tagged at Priest Rapids Dam to independently validate the PIT tag based estimates. Following completion of the radio telemetry study the new PIT tag based approach and revised estimates will be adopted by the WDFW and co-managers, representing a new standard for status and trend monitoring. Additional benefits from the radio telemetry project will include estimates of reach specific prespawn mortality in the Upper Columbia River basin, and population characteristics (e.g., redds per female, spawn timing and distribution). Radio tagging and tracking began in July 2015 and will continue through the duration of this contract (June 2017).

A key component to all these activities is the steelhead stock assessment work at Priest Rapids Dam during which a random sample of steelhead are trapped for sampling and tagging. Fish are systematically sampled three days per week, with the goal of obtaining a 15% tag rate representative of the entire run. A total of 2,776 adult steelhead were tagged at PRD in 2015, amounting to a 19.3% tag rate. The three day a week sampling scheme will continue in 2016.

WDFW technicians will continue to operate and maintain IPTDS in the Upper Columbia River basin in order to maximize operational time and data quality at all WDFW operated sites. All IPTDS operated by WDFW in the Upper Columbia River basin are operated consistent with protocols and guidelines developed under the ISEMP project (BPA project 2003-017-00).

Many data gaps in the Upper Columbia River basin have been filled through this project, including: 1) Evaluating the accuracy of the steelhead spawning ground survey design, 2) Estimating the precision of redd counts for both steelhead and spring Chinook Salmon, 3) Developing analytical tools to automate and standardize the analysis of PIT tag data from instream PIT tag detection sites, and 4) Evaluating the precision and accuracy of the smolt monitoring methodology for both steelhead and spring Chinook Salmon. However, significant data gaps related to VSP parameters (abundance, productivity and spatial structure) of spring Chinook and steelhead remain throughout the Upper Columbia River basin. This project will continue to focus on filling these remaining data gaps. Under this contract period, we will evaluate egg-to-fry survival patterns and parr distribution and habitat utilization within the Wenatchee River basin. Egg-to-fry survival will be examined by constructing artificial redds in Nason Creek, the Little Wenatchee River, the upper mainstem Wenatchee River, and the White River. The survival patterns that are discovered through this process may contribute to habitat restoration project prioritization, life-cycle modeling, and inform the variability of incubation survival within the Wenatchee River basin. Parr distribution and habitat utilization surveys will be conducted seasonally; sampling the entire mainstem Wenatchee River bank edges for PIT tagged fish. Methods will include a combination of floating and walking with mobile PIT tag detection equipment. Edge habitat classification surveys will also be conducted. PIT tag detections will be georeferenced in order to evaluate parr distribution and habitat utilization. Juvenile rearing locations can be used to identify preferred habitat types and, in turn, provide data to priortize restoration actions. Detections of marked fish can be also used for survival models.

WDFW will be the research lead for the project and obtain all necessary environmental compliance permits for the project which includes FY16 contract requisition #'s: 295356 and 295357. Andrew Murdoch will be the point of contact for WDFW. Colville Confederated Tribes (CCT) will be the primary contractor for the Okanogan Basin; FY16 CR #: 295357. John Arterburn is the point of contact for CCT.

Background on the project:

Despite the incredible amount of resources devoted to salmon and steelhead recovery, most ESA-listed populations in the Upper Columbia River basin (UCR) are not meeting delisting criteria. Collective efforts to date have not shown habitat restoration and hatchery supplementation, as currently applied, to be effective recovery tools (Ford, 2011; Maier, 2014). This project seeks to develop and implement a process that builds upon and augments data from existing monitoring and evaluation (M&E) programs to identify factors limiting desired performance (e.g., productivity, abundance) and efficiently inform the recovery actions directed at salmon and steelhead populations.
A unique, well-coordinated and standardized M&E effort exists in the UCR. Adult and smolt monitoring of all primary populations in the UCR has been ongoing for several years. M&E programs are currently being funded by BPA (ISEMP, OBMEP), and Chelan, Douglas, and Grant County Public Utility Districts. Activities under the M&E programs are being conducted by various Federal, State, Tribal, and County agencies and private contractors. A high degree of coordination and cooperation among programs and contractors has allowed for standardization of metrics and methodologies throughout much of the UCR. Despite the comprehensive nature of these programs, uncertainty exists regarding the accuracy and precision of both juvenile and adult abundance estimates. This status and trend project seeks to estimate the accuracy and precision of several of the current methodologies used in the ongoing monitoring programs, and where applicable, revise methodologies in order to meet accuracy and precision recommendations for monitoring viable salmonid population (VSP) parameters (Crawford and Rumsey 2009).