Assess the migrational characteristics and estimate parr-to-smolt survival for Snake River wild spring/summer Chinook salmon smolts at Lower Granite Dam.  Characterize parr and smolt survival and movement out of natal rearing areas of selected streams and examine the relationships between fish movement, environmental conditions within the streams, and weather and climate data.  Collect parr-to-smolt growth information on previously PIT-tagged wild Chinook salmon parr at Lower Granite Dam each spring.

Complex interrelationships between climate conditions and stream flow play an important role in yearly migration timing. Other abiotic factors that influence migration include water temperature, turbidity, and photoperiod. Biotic factors also contribute to the migration timing and survival of wild salmon and include physiological development, variability in stock behavior, and fish size. These complexities continue to drive a high and continual need for monitoring of threatened stocks. This study continues to supply managers with in-season information for management decisions related to flow augmentations, dam operations including spill, and transportation. Environmental monitoring in streams and climate/weather monitoring is continuing and relationships to parr and smolt movements will continue to be evaluated.