This project, managed by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), seeks to develop and implement a process that augments data from existing monitoring and evaluation (M&E) programs to identify factors limiting desired performance (e.g., productivity, abundance) and inform recovery actions directed at salmon and steelhead populations in the Upper Columbia River basin (UCR).

From 2010 – 2020, project work had focused on estimating escapement for steelhead populations in the UCR. Starting with this contract period, steelhead abundance estimation will be managed by Chelan, Douglas, and Grant County Public Utility Districts (PUDs). As the lead project proponent, WDFW has requested to focus on populations of spring Chinook Salmon within the UCR Evolutionary Significant Unit, listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. A significant knowledge gap exists regarding adult spring Chinook Salmon run escapement into major spawning areas (MaSA), and their subsequent survival during the summer holding period. There is also a critical gap in quantifying run escapement into the Wenatchee, Entiat, Methow, and Okanogan sub-basins.

Due to the imperiled status of spring Chinook Salmon in the UCR and the importance of this life stage for recovery (i.e., potential spawners), WDFW will collect spring Chinook Salmon data with the overarching goal of quantifying run escapement at multiple spatial scales in the UCR. Specific objectives include (1) accurately and precisely quantify run escapement and composition at the ESU, population, and MaSA scales, (2) develop estimates of pre-spawn mortality and survival for spring Chinook Salmon at population and MaSA spatial scales, (3) evaluate patterns of movement, distribution, and habitat utilization that may be associated with patterns in survival and mortality, and (4) develop a predictive model for pre-spawn mortality that can be used for conservation and incorporated into habitat restoration design and prioritization.

This contract covers WDFW’s management and oversight of the following field activities:
1.    Preparation of a finalized study proposal to evaluate escapement and pre-spawn mortality estimates of endangered spring Chinook Salmon (BPA approval needed before preceding to conduct proposed field activities)
2.    PIT tagging and scale collection of adult spring Chinook Salmon at Priest Rapids Dam (contingent upon BPA approval of study proposal)
3.    Operation and maintenance of PIT tag arrays in the Wenatchee and Methow River basins (Colville Confederated Tribes maintains PIT arrays in the Okanogan under 73548 REL 92, Biomark maintains PIT arrays in the Entiat under CR-342423)
4.    Estimate escapement and pre-spawn mortality for spring Chinook Salmon (contingent upon BPA approval of study proposal)
5.    Operate juvenile smolt trap in the Entiat River, including PIT tagging juvenile Chinook Salmon and juvenile steelhead
6.    Continue the spring Chinook Salmon egg-to-fry survival study in the Entiat River sub-basin

The contract also provides for project management, administration, coordination, data analysis, and status and final reporting.