Columbia Basin Fish and Wildlife Program Columbia Basin Fish and Wildlife Program
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Project Summary

Project 2002-032-00 - Snake River Fall Chinook Salmon Life History Investigations
Project Number:
2002-032-00
Title:
Snake River Fall Chinook Salmon Life History Investigations
Summary:
In the first 4 years of this project, we showed that some of juvenile fall Chinook salmon winter in reservoirs including Lower Granite Reservoir. We have defined this alternative life history as "reservoir-type." We found that 41% of wild and 51% of hatchery adults that returned to Lower Granite Dam had been reservoir-type juveniles. Because many of these fish pass undetected through the hydrosystem, yet contribute substantially to adult returns, there is much interest in the basin concerning the effects the reservoir-type life history has on management actions such as spill, transportation, and summer flow augmentation. The objectives of the next phase of the study are to: 1) increase the understanding of how reservoir water temperature, reservoir water velocity, and migration timing affect juvenile fall Chinook salmon behavior, survival, and life history, 2) increase the understanding of when to spill water and transport fish in the Snake River to increase juvenile fall Chinook salmon survival, and 3) Decrease the uncertainty in how the reservoir life history affects estimates of smolt-to-adult return rates of Snake River fall Chinook salmon.
Proposer:
None
Proponent Orgs:
US Geological Survey (USGS) (Govt - Federal)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Govt - Federal)
University of Idaho (Edu)
Starting FY:
2002
Ending FY:
2019
Stage:
Area:
Province Subbasin %
Basinwide - 100.00%
Purpose:
Hydrosystem
Emphasis:
RM and E
Focal Species:
Bass, Smallmouth
Chinook - Snake River Fall ESU
Species Benefit:
Anadromous: 100.0%   Resident: 0.0%   Wildlife: 0.0%
Special:
None

Description: Page: 24 Figure 1: Map of the lower Snake River with locations of hydroelectric dams in river kilometers (rkm).

Project(s): 2002-032-00

Document: P123109

Dimensions: 750 x 512


Summary of Budgets

To view all expenditures for all fiscal years, click "Project Exp. by FY"

To see more detailed project budget information, please visit the "Project Budget" page

No Decided Budget Transfers

Pending Budget Decision?  No


Actual Project Cost Share

Current Fiscal Year — 2025
Cost Share Partner Total Proposed Contribution Total Confirmed Contribution
There are no project cost share contributions to show.
Previous Fiscal Years
Fiscal Year Total Contributions % of Budget
2018 $163,700 13%
2017 $238,700 17%
2016 $238,700 17%
2015 $188,900 14%
2014 $179,500 14%
2013 $172,000 14%
2012 $199,500 16%
2011 $277,800 18%
2010 $220,000 15%
2009 $1,414,000 42%
2008 $1,347,000 56%
2007 $1,054,950 45%

Contracts

The table below contains contracts with the following statuses: Active, Closed, Complete, History, Issued.
* "Total Contracted Amount" column includes contracted amount from both capital and expense components of the contract.
Expense Contracts:
Number Contractor Name Title Status Total Contracted Amount Dates
10474 SOW US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) 2002-032-00 INVESTIGATING PASSAGE OF ESA-LISTED JUVENILE CSALMON Closed $143,246 8/1/2002 - 7/31/2005
10469 SOW Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) 2002-032-00 PASSAGE JUVENILE FALL CHINOOK AT LOWER GRANITE DAM History $43,636 8/1/2002 - 7/31/2004
10524 SOW US Geological Survey (USGS) 2002-032-00 PASSAGE OF JUVENILE FALL CHINOOK Closed $130,341 8/1/2002 - 7/31/2004
11942 SOW Lotek Wireless, Inc. 2002-032-00 INVESTING PASSAGE OF ESA-LISTED JUVENILE FALL CHINOOK Closed $56,595 11/1/2002 - 8/31/2003
15703 SOW Lotek Wireless, Inc. PI 200203200 FALL CHINOOK PASSAGE AT LOWER GRANITE DAM History $31,061 11/1/2003 - 4/30/2004
18865 SOW US Geological Survey (USGS) 2002-032-00 PI FALL CHINOOK PASSAGE AT LOWER GRANITE DAM Closed $32,335 8/1/2004 - 7/31/2005
18762 SOW Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) 2002-032-00 FALL CHINOOK PASSAGE AT LOWER GRANITE DAM History $10,604 8/1/2004 - 7/31/2005
19981 SOW Lotek Wireless, Inc. PI 2002-032-00 FALL CHINOOK PASSAGE AT LOWER GRANITE DAM History $23,670 10/7/2004 - 1/31/2005
23691 SOW US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) 2002-032-00 EXP USFWS FALL CHIN PASSAGE AT LOWER GRANITE DAM Closed $36,165 8/1/2005 - 7/31/2006
23693 SOW US Geological Survey (USGS) 2002-032-00 EXP USGS FALL CHIN PASSAGE AT LOWER GRANITE DAM Closed $37,619 8/1/2005 - 7/31/2006
23932 SOW Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) 2002-032-00 EXP WDFW FALL CHIN PASSAGE AT LOWER GRANITE DAM History $10,543 9/1/2005 - 8/31/2006
23650 SOW Lotek Wireless, Inc. 2002-032-00 EXP FALL CHINOOK PASSAGE AT LOWER GRANITE DAM History $22,543 9/1/2005 - 2/28/2006
28238 SOW US Geological Survey (USGS) 2002-032-00 EXP USGS FALL CHINOOK PASSAGE AT LOWER GRANITE DAM Closed $65,224 8/1/2006 - 7/31/2007
28239 SOW US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) 2002-032-00 EXP USFWS FALL CHINOOK PASSAGE AT LOWER GRANITE DAM Closed $32,198 8/1/2006 - 7/31/2007
28042 SOW Lotek Wireless, Inc. 2002-032-00 LOTEK FALL CHINOOK PASSAGE AT LOWER GRANITE DAM History $22,543 8/1/2006 - 12/31/2006
28084 SOW Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) 2002-032-00 EXP WDFW FALL CHINOOK PASSAGE AT LOWER GRANITE DAM History $9,774 9/1/2006 - 7/31/2007
31970 SOW US Geological Survey (USGS) 200203200 EXP USGS SNAKE R. FALL CHN LIFE HISTORY INVESTIGATIONS Closed $348,484 4/1/2007 - 3/31/2008
31971 SOW US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) 200203200 EXP USFWS SNAKE R FALL CHN LIFE HISTORY INVESTIGATIONS Closed $49,277 4/1/2007 - 3/31/2008
32152 SOW University of Washington 200203200 EXP UW SNAKE R. FALL CHN LIFE HISTORY INVESTIGATIONS Closed $69,111 4/1/2007 - 3/31/2008
26934 REL 5 SOW Pacific Northwest National Laboratory 200203200 EXP PNNL SNAKE R. FALL CHN LIFE HISTORY INVESTIGATIONS Closed $430,648 4/1/2007 - 8/31/2008
32103 SOW Lotek Wireless, Inc. 2002-032-00 LOTEK SNAKE R. FALL CHN LIFE HISTORY INVESTIGATION Closed $69,516 4/1/2007 - 9/30/2007
32069 SOW Sonic Concepts, Inc. 200203200 EXP SONIC SNAKE R FALL CHIN LIFE HISTORY INVESTIGATIONS Closed $258,975 4/1/2007 - 10/31/2007
36028 SOW Lotek Wireless, Inc. 200203200 EXP LOTEK SNAKE R FALL CHIN LIFE HISTORY INVESTIGATIONS Closed $139,615 2/1/2008 - 10/31/2008
36373 SOW US Geological Survey (USGS) 200203200 EXP USGS SNAKE R. FALL CHIN LIFE HISTORY INVESTIGATIONS Closed $313,884 4/1/2008 - 3/31/2009
36374 SOW US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) 200203200 EXP USFWS SNAKE R FALL CHIN LIFE HISTORY INVESTIGATIONS Closed $56,282 4/1/2008 - 3/31/2009
36417 SOW Sonic Concepts, Inc. 200203200 EXP SONIC SNAKE R FALL CHIN LIFE HISTORY INVESTIGATIONS Closed $103,418 4/1/2008 - 5/31/2008
26934 REL 13 SOW Pacific Northwest National Laboratory 200203200 EXP PNNL SNAKE R. FALL CHIN LIFE HISTORY INVESTIGATIONS Closed $286,185 4/1/2008 - 3/31/2009
36748 SOW University of Washington 2002-032-00 EXP UW SNAKE R. FALL CHIN LIFE HISTORY INVESTIGATIONS Closed $57,899 4/1/2008 - 3/31/2009
36416 SOW Advanced Telemetry Systems, Inc. 200203200 EXP ATS SNAKE R. FALL CHIN LIFE HISTORY INVESTIGATIONS Closed $47,750 4/1/2008 - 9/30/2008
40928 SOW Lotek Wireless, Inc. 200203200 EXP LOTEK SNAKE R FALL CHIN LIFE HISTORY INVESTIGATIONS Closed $157,391 2/1/2009 - 8/31/2009
40901 SOW Sonic Concepts, Inc. 200203200 EXP SONIC SNAKE R FALL CHIN LIFE HISTORY INVESTIGATIONS Closed $112,700 2/1/2009 - 4/30/2009
41389 SOW University of Washington 2002-032-00 EXP UW SNAKE R. FALL CHIN LIFE HISTORY INVESTIGATIONS Closed $80,510 4/1/2009 - 3/31/2010
41809 SOW US Geological Survey (USGS) 200203200 EXP USGS SNAKE R. FALL CHIN LIFE HISTORY INVESTIGATIONS Closed $639,846 4/1/2009 - 3/31/2010
41808 SOW US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) 200203200 EXP USFWS SNAKE R FALL CHIN LIFE HISTORY INVESTIGATIONS Closed $96,700 4/1/2009 - 3/31/2010
26934 REL 20 SOW Pacific Northwest National Laboratory 200203200 EXP PNNL SNAKE R. FALL CHIN LIFE HISTORY INVESTIGATIONS Closed $714,077 4/1/2009 - 3/31/2010
41227 SOW Advanced Telemetry Systems, Inc. 200203200 EXP ATS SNAKE R. FALL CHIN LIFE HISTORY INVESTIGATIONS Closed $118,250 4/1/2009 - 9/30/2009
46040 SOW Lotek Wireless, Inc. 2002-032-00 EXP BIOP LOTEK SR FALL CHIN LIFE HIST Closed $35,424 3/15/2010 - 6/30/2010
46831 SOW US Geological Survey (USGS) 2002-032-00 EXP BIOP USGS SR FALL CHIN LIFE HISTORY Closed $647,497 4/1/2010 - 3/31/2011
46832 SOW US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) 2002-032-00 EXP BIOP USFWS SR FALL CHIN LIFE HISTORY Closed $98,604 4/1/2010 - 3/31/2011
26934 REL 27 SOW Pacific Northwest National Laboratory 2002-032-00 EXP BIOP PNNL SR FALL CHIN LIFE HISTORY Closed $120,719 4/1/2010 - 3/31/2011
46238 SOW University of Washington 2002-032-00 EXP BIOP UW SR FALL CHIN LIFE HISTORY Closed $34,406 4/1/2010 - 3/31/2011
26934 REL 33 SOW Pacific Northwest National Laboratory 2002-032-00 EXP BIOP PNNL SR FALL CHIN LIFE HISTORY Closed $150,500 4/1/2011 - 3/31/2012
51820 SOW US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) 2002-032-00 EXP BIOP USFWS SR FALL CHIN LIFE HISTORY Closed $140,807 4/1/2011 - 3/31/2012
51821 SOW US Geological Survey (USGS) 2002-032-00 EXP BIOP USGS SR FALL CHIN LIFE HISTORY Closed $835,171 4/1/2011 - 3/31/2012
51632 SOW Lotek Wireless, Inc. 2002-032-00 EXP BIOP LOTEK SR FALL CHIN LIFE HIST Closed $83,446 5/1/2011 - 9/30/2011
56574 SOW US Geological Survey (USGS) 2002-032-00 EXP SNAKE R. FALL CHINOOK LIFE HISTORY - USGS Closed $648,286 4/1/2012 - 3/31/2013
56575 SOW US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) 2002-032-00 EXP SNAKE R. FALL CHINOOK LIFE HISTORY - USFWS Closed $74,300 4/1/2012 - 3/31/2013
56065 REL 2 SOW Pacific Northwest National Laboratory 2002-032-00 EXP SNAKE R. FALL CHINOOK LIFE HISTORY - PNNL Closed $159,487 4/1/2012 - 5/31/2013
46273 REL 40 SOW National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 2002-032-00 EXP SNAKE R. FALL CHINOOK LIFE HISTORY - NOAA Closed $121,667 4/1/2012 - 3/31/2013
60571 SOW US Geological Survey (USGS) 2002-032-00 EXP SNAKE R. FALL CHINOOK LIFE HISTORY - USGS Closed $807,915 4/1/2013 - 3/31/2014
60488 SOW US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) 2002-032-00 EXP SNAKE R. FALL CHINOOK LIFE HISTORY - USFWS Closed $74,300 4/1/2013 - 3/31/2014
46273 REL 68 SOW National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 2002-032-00 EXP SNAKE R. FALL CHINOOK LIFE HISTORY - NOAA Closed $96,321 6/15/2013 - 4/30/2014
61778 SOW University of Idaho 2002-032-00 EXP SNAKE R. FALL CHINOOK LIFE HISTORY - U OF I Closed $75,841 6/15/2013 - 6/30/2014
64577 SOW US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) 2002-032-00 EXP USFWS SNAKE R. FALL CHINOOK LIFE HISTORY Closed $75,370 4/1/2014 - 3/31/2015
64576 SOW US Geological Survey (USGS) 2002-032-00 EXP USGS SNAKE R. FALL CHINOOK LIFE HISTORY Closed $798,498 4/1/2014 - 3/31/2015
46273 REL 82 SOW National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 2002-032-00 EXP NOAA SNAKE R. FALL CHINOOK LIFE HISTORY Closed $126,828 5/1/2014 - 3/31/2015
65557 SOW University of Idaho 2002-032-00 EXP SNAKE R. FALL CHINOOK LIFE HISTORY - U OF I Closed $127,748 7/1/2014 - 6/30/2015
68273 SOW US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) 2002-032-00 EXP USFWS SNAKE R. FALL CHINOOK LIFE HISTORY Closed $80,882 4/1/2015 - 3/31/2016
68274 SOW US Geological Survey (USGS) 2002-032-00 EXP USGS SNAKE R. FALL CHINOOK LIFE HISTORY Closed $808,497 4/1/2015 - 3/31/2016
46273 REL 100 SOW National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 2002-032-00 EXP NOAA SNAKE R. FALL CHINOOK LIFE HISTORY Closed $126,828 4/1/2015 - 3/31/2016
69213 SOW University of Idaho 2002-032-00 EXP U OF I SNAKE R. FALL CHINOOK LIFE HISTORY Closed $127,435 7/1/2015 - 6/30/2016
72252 SOW US Geological Survey (USGS) 2002-032-00 EXP USGS SNAKE RIVER FALL CHINOOK LIFE HISTORY Closed $899,148 4/1/2016 - 3/31/2017
46273 REL 112 SOW National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 2002-032-00 EXP NOAA SNAKE RIVER FALL CHINOOK LIFE HISTORY Closed $136,598 4/1/2016 - 3/31/2017
72875 SOW University of Idaho 2002-032-00 EXP U OF I SNAKE RIVER FALL CHINOOK LIFE HISTORY Closed $127,777 7/1/2016 - 6/30/2017
75127 SOW US Geological Survey (USGS) 2002-032-00 EXP USGS SNAKE RIVER FALL CHINOOK LIFE HISTORY Closed $899,149 4/1/2017 - 3/31/2018
46273 REL 127 SOW National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 2002-032-00 EXP NOAA SNAKE RIVER FALL CHINOOK LIFE HISTORY Closed $136,598 4/1/2017 - 3/31/2018
76356 SOW University of Idaho 2002-032-00 EXP U OF IDAHO SNAKE RIVER FALL CHINOOK LIFE HISTORY Closed $116,476 7/1/2017 - 6/30/2018
46273 REL 146 SOW National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 2002-032-00 EXP NOAA SNAKE RIVER FALL CHINOOK LIFE HISTORY Closed $83,210 4/1/2018 - 3/31/2019
78522 SOW US Geological Survey (USGS) 2002-032-00 EXP USGS SNAKE RIVER FALL CHINOOK LIFE HISTORY Closed $886,018 4/1/2018 - 3/31/2019
79562 SOW University of Idaho 2002-032-00 EXP U OF IDAHO SNAKE RIVER FALL CHINOOK LIFE HISTORY Closed $83,210 7/1/2018 - 6/30/2019



Annual Progress Reports
Expected (since FY2004):49
Completed:43
On time:33
Status Reports
Completed:197
On time:134
Avg Days Late:1

                Count of Contract Deliverables
Earliest Contract Subsequent Contracts Title Contractor Earliest Start Latest End Latest Status Accepted Reports Complete Green Yellow Red Total % Green and Complete Canceled
10524 18865, 23693, 28238, 31970, 36373, 41809, 46831, 51821, 56574, 60571, 64576, 68274, 72252, 75127, 78522 2002-032-00 EXP USGS SNAKE RIVER FALL CHINOOK LIFE HISTORY US Geological Survey (USGS) 08/01/2002 03/31/2019 Closed 58 160 0 0 18 178 89.89% 12
10469 18762, 23932, 28084 2002-032-00 EXP WDFW FALL CHINOOK PASSAGE AT LOWER GRANITE DAM Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) 08/01/2002 07/31/2007 History 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
10474 23691, 28239, 31971, 36374, 41808, 46832, 51820, 56575, 60488, 64577, 68273 2002-032-00 EXP USFWS SNAKE R. FALL CHINOOK LIFE HISTORY US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) 08/01/2002 03/31/2016 Closed 46 90 0 0 0 90 100.00% 0
23650 2002-032-00 EXP FALL CHINOOK PASSAGE AT LOWER GRANITE DAM Lotek Wireless, Inc. 09/01/2005 02/28/2006 History 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
28042 2002-032-00 LOTEK FALL CHINOOK PASSAGE AT LOWER GRANITE DAM Lotek Wireless, Inc. 08/01/2006 12/31/2006 History 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
32103 36028, 40928, 46040, 51632 2002-032-00 EXP BIOP LOTEK SR FALL CHIN LIFE HIST Lotek Wireless, Inc. 04/01/2007 09/30/2011 Closed 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
32069 36417, 40901 200203200 EXP SONIC SNAKE R FALL CHIN LIFE HISTORY INVESTIGATIONS Sonic Concepts, Inc. 04/01/2007 04/30/2009 Closed 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
26934 REL 5 26934 REL 13, 26934 REL 20, 26934 REL 27, 26934 REL 33, 56065 REL 2 2002-032-00 EXP SNAKE R. FALL CHINOOK LIFE HISTORY - PNNL Pacific Northwest National Laboratory 04/01/2007 05/31/2013 Closed 25 42 0 0 5 47 89.36% 4
32152 36748, 41389, 46238 2002-032-00 EXP BIOP UW SR FALL CHIN LIFE HISTORY University of Washington 04/01/2007 03/31/2011 Closed 16 15 0 0 5 20 75.00% 0
36416 41227 200203200 EXP ATS SNAKE R. FALL CHIN LIFE HISTORY INVESTIGATIONS Advanced Telemetry Systems, Inc. 04/01/2008 09/30/2009 Closed 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
46273 REL 40 46273 REL 68, 46273 REL 82, 46273 REL 100, 46273 REL 112, 46273 REL 127, 46273 REL 146, 46273 REL 161 1991-029-00 EXP NOAA SNAKE R FALL CHINOOK RESEARCH AND MONITORING National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 04/01/2012 03/31/2020 Closed 32 72 0 0 0 72 100.00% 2
61778 65557, 69213, 72875, 76356, 79562, 82363 1991-029-00 EXP U OF I SNAKE R FALL CHINOOK RESEARCH & MONITORING University of Idaho 06/15/2013 06/30/2020 Closed 28 64 0 0 3 67 95.52% 2
Project Totals 205 443 0 0 31 474 93.46% 20


The table content is updated frequently and thus contains more recent information than what was in the original proposal reviewed by ISRP and Council.

Review: 2018 Research Project Status Review

Council Recommendation

Assessment Number: 2002-032-00-NPCC-20210302
Project: 2002-032-00 - Snake River Fall Chinook Salmon Life History Investigations
Review: 2018 Research Project Status Review
Approved Date: 12/20/2018
Recommendation: Implement
Comments: Background: The project sponsor suggested that two projects be merged for efficiency. Bonneville and the sponsor have agreed to merge this project with project #1991-029-00 - Research, monitoring, and evaluation of emerging issues and measures to recover the Snake River fall Chinook salmon ESU. Project #1991-029-00 is a similar cooperative project between U.S. Geological Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Merging the two projects for the same sponsor would improve efficiencies may result in administrative cost savings. See Programmatic Issues (Part 2), Section 4.4 on cost savings.

Recommendation: Bonneville and the sponsor have agreed to merge this project with project #1991-029-00. Regarding the merging of projects: If budget actions from this set of project close-outs, mergers, or efficiencies occur and result in a contract savings of $50,000 or more, the Council expects that the savings be directed to the Cost Savings placeholder for funding emerging research priorities. The Sponsor is requested to submit a proposal in 2019 Mainstem/Program Support review for the newly combined project under the project number 1991-029-00. The proposal should address the ISRP comments for this research project regarding adaptive management and public outreach and any unaddressed ISRP qualifications from previous reviews for project # 1991-029-00 as appropriate. Also see programmatic issues for Information Sharing and Reporting, and Hatcheries.

Independent Scientific Review Panel Assessment

Assessment Number: 2002-032-00-ISRP-20181115
Project: 2002-032-00 - Snake River Fall Chinook Salmon Life History Investigations
Review: 2018 Research Project Status Review
Completed Date: 11/15/2018
Final Round ISRP Date: 9/28/2018
Final Round ISRP Rating: Meets Scientific Review Criteria (Qualified)
Final Round ISRP Comment:

1. Objectives


There are three objectives:


• Understand how temperature and exposure to sublethal levels of total dissolved gas (TDG) influences Snake River fall Chinook subyearling predation risk;
• Quantify spatial and temporal variation of subyearling loss to predation in Lower Granite Reservoir; and
• Evaluate the use of otolith microchemistry to identify natal, rearing, and overwintering areas; and age, timing, and size at ocean entry of juvenile fall Chinook salmon.

The Snake River Fall Chinook project began in 2002 and has addressed a variety of objectives that are important to salmon management. The investigators have published more than 50 journal papers stemming from this effort, indicating that project objectives and hypotheses were specific and clearly defined, measurable, and testable. The narrative summarized how the various objectives were applicable to the Fish and Wildlife Program and management issues. Timelines were provided for some specific efforts, but the investigators note that new objectives continue to emerge through the ongoing effort. The investigators have a good grasp of complex issues that are important for the management of both mainstem and tributary reservoirs in the Snake River Basin. However, use of the broader literature specific to the objectives is lacking in the summary but perhaps is covered in the peer-reviewed publications.

2. Methods


While the ISRP did not review project methods from their cited literature in detail, the large body of peer-reviewed publications suggests that the methods used by this project were scientifically sound.


Note: the proponents suggest that projects 200203200 and 199102900 should be combined. As well, can the results be folded into life-cycle models (LCM)? What additional data would be needed to integrate into an LCM?

3. Results


Overall, this research has informed many management decisions in the Snake River Basin and the effort directly addresses several critical uncertainties (CUs), including issues involving reservoir management, species interactions, predation, invasive species, and density dependence. Some project findings are relevant to issues outside the Basin (e.g., the importance of reservoirs for rearing over winter, river velocity, food webs).

The proponents have conducted extensive investigations over many years; their results are important for several reasons:

• The increased court-ordered spill has increased TDG in the lower Snake and Columbia rivers. The project’s results are directly applicable to understanding the effects of water temperature and dissolved gas effects on migrating Chinook. It seems that the first objective has been met.
• The researchers are documenting recent changes to the Snake River food web that affect not only Fall Chinook salmon, but all salmonids emigrating from the Snake River Basin. One concern, however, is that the project is focused on too few species while other potentially important predators, competitors, and prey are not addressed (e.g., channel catfish, other non-native species). As well, the proponents do not address modification to the natural habitat (with respect to effects on food webs) and the effects of chemical contaminants on food web dynamics.

• The otolith research directly addresses uncertainties about which contemporary fall Chinook salmon production areas are most important, where fish rear and overwinter, and what proportions of fish adopt yearling and subyearling life histories. These investigations could potentially provide useful information about carrying capacity and habitat attributes for successful smolt production.

4. 2017 Research Plan uncertainties validation


The project proponents provide a nice synthesis of how their project addresses CUs. It could serve as a model of what the proponents could do in future years. Nevertheless, it was difficult to cross check CU numbers in the narrative with the CU statement in the database or ISAB/RP report. It seems that the online database is missing some CUs that should be directly linked to this project such as Mainstem Habitats 1.2. Also, the investigators show that this project addresses Predation CUs 1.3, 1.4 and 2.1; Climate change CUs 1.3, 1.4, 2.1 and 2.2 (indirect); M&E CUs: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2,1, 2.2. The CU database should be updated. This is true in other projects as well.

 

Qualification #1 - Adaptive Management and Public Outreach
Adaptive Management and Public Outreach are not addressed as project objectives or activities; they should be integral parts of the project. Development of these objectives/activities and a response outlining the respective strategies for each objective/activity are needed for ISRP review. The proponents have the experience and data to analyze and synthesize specific objectives in considerable depth, and the timing is right for providing broad scientific leadership to help other groups in the Basin and beyond. The lead proponent (Ken Tiffan, USGS) indicated in his presentation that he is working with Billy Connor, retired USFWS, on a complete history of Snake River Fall Chinook as well as two other synthesis articles. Ken Tiffan also indicated that he wants to re-examine University of Idaho professor emeritus Dave Bennett's work on historical conditions in the Snake River. The ISRP encourages the research team to prioritize completion of these syntheses.
Documentation Links:
Review: RME / AP Category Review

Council Recommendation

Assessment Number: 2002-032-00-NPCC-20101104
Project: 2002-032-00 - Snake River Fall Chinook Salmon Life History Investigations
Review: RME / AP Category Review
Proposal: RMECAT-2002-032-00
Proposal State: Pending BPA Response
Approved Date: 6/10/2011
Recommendation: Fund (Qualified)
Comments: Implement with conditions through 2016: Implementation based on outcome of Lower Snake Comp Review process and relationship to and outcome of a regional hatchery effects evaluation process.
Conditions:
Council Condition #1 Programmatic Issue: RMECAT #4 Hatchery Effectiveness—.

Independent Scientific Review Panel Assessment

Assessment Number: 2002-032-00-ISRP-20101015
Project: 2002-032-00 - Snake River Fall Chinook Salmon Life History Investigations
Review: RME / AP Category Review
Proposal Number: RMECAT-2002-032-00
Completed Date: 12/17/2010
Final Round ISRP Date: 12/17/2010
Final Round ISRP Rating: Meets Scientific Review Criteria
Final Round ISRP Comment:
Overall, this was a well prepared proposal that meets scientific criteria. The goal of this project is to understand the mechanisms underlying Snake River juvenile fall Chinook salmon life history diversity and its consequences to management activities such as transportation and flow augmentation. It also seeks to quantify mortality risks that ultimately affect population productivity. Investigation of losses of juvenile salmonids to non-indigenous predators in the FCRPS is called for by the 2008 BiOp, the NPCC Fish and Wildlife Program, and the Adaptive Management Implementation Plan (AMIP). The significance of this work to the BiOp objectives and regional plans was well supported. The activities funded by this proposal would not duplicate other efforts. The relationship of this project to other research efforts in the upper Snake River mainstem, particularly the other predation study (199007700), was clearly described. Project proponents made a good effort to differentiate the activities outlined from other studies, including the other large Snake River fall Chinook project (199102900). The personnel have experience in the work elements and are well-qualified to conduct the work.

Progress on this project to date has provided important new information on the early life history and life history diversity of Snake River fall Chinook salmon. Subyearlings migrating from spawning areas in the Clearwater River migrate rapidly in the free-flowing portion, but then slow and delay in the area above the confluence with the Snake River (transition zone). Survival through the confluence area is low, but the survivors grow to relatively large sizes and apparently survive well during subsequent migration and marine life. Over-wintering of juvenile Fall Chinook salmon in the hydrosystem reservoirs has thus been shown to be a viable life history strategy.

The net benefit for survival through the entire life cycle has yet to be determined. Much remains to be learned about the implications of the over-wintering life history strategy for management operations, including bypass, transportation, spill, and summer flow augmentation. The questions being asked (role of predation in limiting survival of overwintering reservoir-type Chinook parr, importance of gas bubble disease, and the influence of water temperature) are difficult to answer in such a large aquatic ecosystem, and the project has shown that it can successfully carry out the large-scale studies and reach scientifically supported conclusions. The proponents have a strong record of peer-reviewed publication of past results.

The proponents also hypothesize that predation is higher now than 15 years ago, especially in summer. This project would produce needed information on current losses of juvenile fall Chinook to predators, updating and expanding on studies done over 20 years ago. Understanding how predation, gas-bubble disease, and temperature interact to affect survival of reservoir-type fall Chinook salmon would be useful for management of the ESU.

For the most part, the technical background, deliverables, work elements, metrics, and methods were adequately described. A few shortcomings in the initial proposal were adequately addressed in the response.

The response explanation for why smallmouth bass and channel catfish were the focus of the predation studies clarified that research on these species was specified in the AMIP and the Council's 2009 Amendments to the Fish & Wildlife Program. The ISRP agrees that these species warrant further study in light of the rapid temperature changes that mark the transition from river to reservoir. We also concur with the proponents that preserving pikeminnow stomachs for later analysis and scanning cormorant nesting locations for PIT tags would be worthwhile if the budget permits.

A more complete description of the experimental feeding chamber was provided as requested, and more details were given about the acclimation procedures for test animals and cover characteristics in the apparatus. This information gives us confidence that the experiment will not involve conditions that are greatly dissimilar to what the subyearling Chinook will actually encounter.

In the response, the proponents provided adequate evidence of the probable resolution ability of the otolith microchemistry methodology, i.e., that fish should be able to be assigned to a specific area of origin. The response to the question about using strontium isotopic signatures to differentiate natural and hatchery origin adults provided a good explanation of what is currently known and why this component of the research is needed in this project. The ISRP suggests that it would be very important for the microchemistry portion of the study to show significant measureable progress in their first year in efforts to differentiate stocks (i.e., verifying the very promising 12 known samples analyzed to date and reported in this response) and in the development of other isotope ratios to help distinguish fish from the Clearwater and Salmon rivers.

The response also clarified that project proponents will continue to use scale analysis to differentiate between unmarked hatchery- and natural-origin fish.

Finally, project proponents suggest that the research may shed light on extending the barging season beyond its current termination date, which could provide for late migrants with a high SAR. This was very helpful information for justifying the project.
First Round ISRP Date: 10/18/2010
First Round ISRP Rating: Response Requested
First Round ISRP Comment:

Investigation of losses of juvenile salmonids to non-indigenous predators in the FCSRPS is called for by the 2008 BiOp, the NPCC Fish and Wildlife Program, and the Adaptive Management Implementation Plan (AMIP). The significance of this work to the BiOp objectives and regional plans was well supported. This project has provided important new information on the early life history of Snake River fall Chinook salmon. Over-wintering of juvenile fall Chinook salmon in the hydrosystem reservoirs was shown to be a viable life history strategy. This realization has influenced decisions regarding operation of the juvenile bypass systems at Snake River dams and also the transportation program for juvenile fish. Much remains to be learned about the implications of the over-wintering life history strategy for management operations, including bypass, transportation, spill, and summer flow augmentation. Results to date have shown that subyearlings migrating from spawning areas in the Clearwater River migrate rapidly in the free-flowing portion, but then slow and delay in the area above the confluence with the Snake River (transition zone). Survival through the confluence area is low, but the survivors grow to relatively large sizes and apparently survive well during subsequent migration and marine life. The net benefit for survival through the entire life cycle has yet to be determined. They also hypothesize that predation is higher now than 15 years ago, especially in summer. This project would produce needed information on current losses of juvenile fall Chinook to predators, updating and expanding on studies done over 20 years ago. Understanding of how predation, gas-bubble disease, and temperature interact to affect survival of reservoir-type fall Chinook salmon would be useful for management of the ESU. This project is a collaborative effort between the USGS, USFWS, NOAA, PNNL, and the University of Idaho. The activities funded by this proposal would not duplicate other efforts. The relationship of this project to other research efforts in the upper Snake River mainstem, particularly the other predation study (199007700), was clearly described. Project proponents made a good effort to differentiate the activities outlined here from other studies. This was a well-prepared proposal that meets scientific criteria in most respects. The project has contributed to our knowledge of life history diversity in upper Snake River fall Chinook salmon, and its record of publication in peer-reviewed journals is exemplary. The questions being asked (role of predation in limiting survival of overwintering reservoir-type Chinook parr, importance of gas bubble disease, and the influence of water temperature) are difficult to answer in such a large aquatic ecosystem, and the project has shown that it can successfully carry out large-scale studies and reach scientifically supported conclusions. For the most part the deliverables, work elements, metrics, and methods were adequately described. The technical background was adequately summarized. The objectives, in general, were clear although a little more background on how the results of this project could alter transportation strategies for fall Chinook would have been helpful. Project proponents have done a good job of differentiating this project from the other large Snake River fall Chinook project (199102900). The personnel have experience in the work elements and are well-qualified to conduct the work. A response is requested on a few points. A more thorough discussion is needed of why smallmouth bass and channel catfish were selected as the predators of interest out of the suite of potential animals feeding on fall Chinook parr in the lower tributaries and reservoirs of the Snake River. It was not clear how predation from other fish species or birds were to be accounted for in the study. Second, a more complete description of the predation-trial chamber is needed, as well as the methods used to prepare the fish for the feeding trials. How well does the chamber simulate the lower river-reservoir transitional area habitat (e.g., will there be any cover in the chamber for Chinook parr that might emulate what they could use along the shoreline)? According to the proposal, predators will be habituated to juvenile salmonids as food before each trial. Could this cause them to form an unnatural search image for parr, even if alternative prey were present? A hungry predator used to eating small salmonids will likely concentrate on them in an enclosed environment, so what steps will be taken to ensure that the importance of predation will not be overestimated in this experimental setup? Third, some clarification of the expected resolution of the otolith microchemistry work is needed. The otolith microchemistry component would provide a tool to differentiate between natural-origin and hatchery-origin adults returning to the Snake River. This is a necessity in order to determine if ESU recovery goals are met. This tool would potentially also allow determination of the overall life-cycle success of hatchery and natural fish and of different life-history types. In theory, this approach would provide more complete data than available for a smaller number of fish using radio telemetry and would be especially useful for fish too small to radio tag. It is not clear, however, that the methods will produce the desired level of resolution. Hatchery/wild differences may be detectable, but will reservoir versus river or tributary rearing be detectable? Studies in other places have shown that resolution can be an issue, and there is the danger that this technique is being oversold at its present level of resolution and sophistication. Some evidence based on other studies that the desired resolution is obtainable is requested. If the proposed work is highly developmental and evidence of adequate resolution is not available, they should perhaps get a baseline of chemistry in the various habitats before launching into a full-blown investigation. Perhaps a one-year feasibility study should be considered, that if shown to work could be continued and expanded. A limitation that should be further addressed is the assumption that returning adults that have no fin clips or hatchery-implanted tags are of natural origin. What percentages of hatchery-produced fry in various years have had no fin clips or tags? Finally, a summary of how the results of the work could specifically affect transportation strategies will make the project’s relevance and importance more apparent. A little more explanation of how the results of the studies will influence transportation strategies would be useful. The importance of understanding migration timing and the apparent effect of a delayed reservoir-type life history on the SAR parameter was clear, but how will this information be used to adjust barging activities?

Documentation Links:
  • Proponent Response (11/15/2010)

2008 FCRPS BiOp Workgroup Assessment

Assessment Number: 2002-032-00-BIOP-20101105
Project Number: 2002-032-00
Review: RME / AP Category Review
Proposal Number: RMECAT-2002-032-00
Completed Date: None
2008 FCRPS BiOp Workgroup Rating: Response Requested
Comments: BiOp Workgroup Comments: Please identify:
1. Why your data is "not electronically available"; and
2. What data sets will not be "electronically available" for various deliverables. Please specify the deliverable that is not electronically available. (Note a data set includes the raw data collected and additional data on analysis). For example if there is a deliverable for population adult abundance or habitat, we expect your raw and synthesized data to be made available electronically.
- Your response may help BPA identify funding needs for data repositories or identify an existing data warehouse that your data could be stored.

The BiOp RM&E Workgroups made the following determinations regarding the proposal's ability or need to support BiOp Research, Monitoring and Evaluation (RME) RPAs. If you have questions regarding these RPA association conclusions, please contact your BPA COTR and they will help clarify, or they will arrange further discussion with the appropriate RM&E Workgroup Leads. BiOp RPA associations for the proposed work are: ( 50.6 55.4 )
All Questionable RPA Associations ( ) and
All Deleted RPA Associations ( 56.1 56.3)
Proponent Response:

All data collected under this project will be made electronically available. The reason it appeared that our data would not be electronically available in the proposal is that the proposal form had a limited number of choices of data storage outlets.  The form appeared to be geared more toward monitoring projects rather than research project, which is what our project is.  The data we propose to collect did not fit neatly into one of the “boxes” in the proposal form.  We do intend to make all data available in whatever format and will upload it to whatever data repository BPA decides.  We just need guidance on how and where you want the data stored.  One suggestion is to make a data repository for each project in Pisces or Taurus.  Data could be uploaded to this repository just like uploading reports, budgets, etc.  This way the data would always stay with the project.  Separate metadata and “Readme” files could be created to explain each dataset.  We anticipate that most of our raw data will be stored in Excel spreadsheets and geospatial data will be stored as grids or shapefiles in ESRI ARC Map.  Again, we have no problems with making our data electronically available.

Review: FY07-09 Solicitation Review

Council Recommendation

Assessment Number: 2002-032-00-NPCC-20090924
Project: 2002-032-00 - Snake River Fall Chinook Salmon Life History Investigations
Review: FY07-09 Solicitation Review
Approved Date: 10/23/2006
Recommendation: Fund
Comments:

Independent Scientific Review Panel Assessment

Assessment Number: 2002-032-00-ISRP-20060831
Project: 2002-032-00 - Snake River Fall Chinook Salmon Life History Investigations
Review: FY07-09 Solicitation Review
Completed Date: 8/31/2006
Final Round ISRP Date: None
Final Round ISRP Rating: Meets Scientific Review Criteria
Final Round ISRP Comment:
This is a good proposal from a team with an established track record of success. The level of funding may be contingent on support from the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).

The project proposes to obtain primary data that will be essential to refining estimates of smolt-to-adult return rates (SARs), transport, etc for Snake River fall Chinook, particularly the newly recognized reservoir life history, under variable hydrosystem operations. These data and analyses are important to understanding the life history of this Evolutionary Significant Unit (ESU) and to evaluating whether hydrosystem operations can be manipulated to the benefit of the ESU.

The technical background is well developed and the research questions are clearly identified. A couple of the acronyms (e.g., TBR) were not identified and may not be familiar to everyone. The reservoir life history in Snake River fall Chinook is an important new development and deserves study. The complications the reservoir life history causes for the estimation of SARs and for evaluating transportation and in-river survival are clearly explained. The project is clearly related to Updated Proposed Actions in the 2004 BiOp, and to the Council's Research Plan. It does not mention any subbasin plans.

There is text that establishes the relationship between this project and several others addressing Snake River fall Chinook status and hydrosystem operations. Given that the principal investigators are sometimes the same on these different projects, along with the huge budget increase, it would be helpful if there was a table that clearly identified all the data that was being collected by which project for what hypothesis testing. Trying to keep all of this straight is not easy, and therefore it is difficult to identify unnecessary redundancy in these proposals. They all tend to take credit for contributing the data necessary for our current understanding of Snake River fall Chinook.

The history was adequately explained, but without much detail for a project that is requesting so much money (~$4 million per year, much more than in previous years). This was one of the projects that led to a much better understanding of the reservoir life history type, winter behavior and passage through the dams, and various methods of identifying the reservoir-type through scale analysis and genetic markers. Neither the history nor the relationships section differentiates well enough between its work and that of 199102900 (Connor's US Fish and Wildlife Service project). The history section might have gone into more detail about how the results have been used to date in the hydrosystem operations.

Clearly defined, measurable objectives are presented with adequately explained hypotheses and timelines. Excellent fish tracking methods are planned -- acoustic, radio, PIT, all related to hydraulics. The explanation of the experimental design, primary data collections and field methods, and analysis are clear. Because the project involves extensive fish marking it is important to include power analyses in determining appropriate sample sizes, and the proposal does a good job of showing how this was done. Procedures for monitoring and evaluation are thoroughly explained. This work will be applicable to studies of the behavior of other species in other regions of the Columbia River Basin.

The group has excellent facilities, equipment, and personnel. Much equipment is from Corps projects and will be used simultaneously with their work (cost-saving should be explored to reduce the cost to this project). The proposal describes the different ways information will be disseminated. They also include plans for long-term data and meta-data storage at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. This group has a fine record of publication.
Documentation Links:

Legal Assessment (In-Lieu)

Assessment Number: 2002-032-00-INLIEU-20090521
Project Number: 2002-032-00
Review: FY07-09 Solicitation Review
Completed Date: 10/6/2006
In Lieu Rating: Problems May Exist
Cost Share Rating: 1 - Appears reasonable
Comment: RM&E on the consequences of ocean- and reservoir-type life histories on passage timing, travel rate, survival, and SAR calculations for Snake River fall chinook salmon; fishery managers/other hydro operators authorized/required, but cost share appears reasonable if confirmed. (Cost-share confirmed & corrected to range depending on PIT tag purchases; range is from 30-70%) Rating changed from "2.3" to "2.1."

Capital Assessment

Assessment Number: 2002-032-00-CAPITAL-20090618
Project Number: 2002-032-00
Review: FY07-09 Solicitation Review
Completed Date: 2/27/2007
Capital Rating: Does Not Qualify for Capital Funding
Capital Asset Category: None
Comment: None

Project Relationships: None

Name Role Organization
Kenneth Tiffan Project Lead US Geological Survey (USGS)
Deborah Docherty (Inactive) Project Manager Bonneville Power Administration
David Kaplowe Supervisor Bonneville Power Administration
Christine Petersen Project SME Bonneville Power Administration