This feasibility study began in 2008 and has made relatively little progress to date. At present, video quality is inadequate to meet the project’s objectives. Limited results indicate that species identification and condition of smolts cannot be determined by this technique. This application seems more suited to smaller situations such as tributaries. Application at large mainstem dams is highly uncertain. The technical background in the proposal is insufficient to determine scientific merit.

1. Purpose, Significance to Regional Programs, Technical Background, and Objectives

This project’s objectives for improved monitoring of smolt runs are consistent with the 2009 Fish and Wildlife Program objectives and the 2008 FCRPS BiOp for “monitoring to document fish condition, and adverse fish passage conditions at all dams with bypass systems.” It would be highly beneficial if a system could be developed and widely applied to provide information on species-specific abundance and condition of smolts. Such a development would be useful in monitoring as well as in the evaluation of changes in passage designs and conditions at dams and other passage structures and for evaluating fish condition under different spill scenarios.

2. History: Accomplishments, Results, and Adaptive Management

There have been a few minimal accomplishments since 2008, mainly some preliminary videos of fish in the fish passage channel just upstream of the separator at the juvenile fish facility. The entire project is adaptive, in that it is largely a trial and error effort to develop the methodologies for enumerating and identifying smolts to species. This is a large order to fill; its accomplishment would have many potential applications, but it is not at all certain that it is feasible. The proponents do not provide substantive evidence that it will work or is close to being successful.

3. Project Relationships, Emerging Limiting Factors, and Tailored Questions for Type of Work (Hatchery, RME, Tagging)

Other than one other study evidently related to this one on Bonneville Dam, there does not seem to be very much else ongoing in this area with regard to smolts. More video work is based on adults. Based on preliminary results prepared by the proponents, there are some legitimate questions as to how effective such a system can be for smolt enumeration on a large, multi-species system such as the Columbia. This approach for species-specific abundance applications seems much more suited to smaller systems with one primary migratory species, such as some Atlantic salmon rivers. It also may have applications for fish behavior work, where individuals can be focused on and total numbers to be enumerated is not the issue.

4. Deliverables, Work Elements, Metrics, and Methods

Although this is primarily a research engineering project, engineering specifications, designs, etc., were not provided. No information was provided on statistical or other metrics and methods used to analyze video data and data quality or validate project feasibility. Because of the multi-year request for this proposed study, some specific intermediate project milestones or deliverables should be clearly identified if this project is continued. For example, by a given year, it should be determined whether and under what conditions visibility is adequate for evaluating numbers, species, and condition of fish, and what specific kinds of physical conditions at the counting site (e.g., width of counting chamber, lighting, water clarity, etc.) are needed.

This feasibility study began in 2008 and has made relatively little progress to date. At present, video quality is inadequate to meet the project’s objectives. Limited results indicate that species identification and condition of smolts cannot be determined by this technique. This application seems more suited to smaller situations such as tributaries. Application at large mainstem dams is highly uncertain. The technical background in the proposal is insufficient to determine scientific merit. 1. Purpose, Significance to Regional Programs, Technical Background, and Objectives This project’s objectives for improved monitoring of smolt runs are consistent with the 2009 Fish and Wildlife Program objectives and the 2008 FCRPS BiOp for “monitoring to document fish condition, and adverse fish passage conditions at all dams with bypass systems.” It would be highly beneficial if a system could be developed and widely applied to provide information on species-specific abundance and condition of smolts. Such a development would be useful in monitoring as well as in the evaluation of changes in passage designs and conditions at dams and other passage structures and for evaluating fish condition under different spill scenarios. 2. History: Accomplishments, Results, and Adaptive Management There have been a few minimal accomplishments since 2008, mainly some preliminary videos of fish in the fish passage channel just upstream of the separator at the juvenile fish facility. The entire project is adaptive, in that it is largely a trial and error effort to develop the methodologies for enumerating and identifying smolts to species. This is a large order to fill; its accomplishment would have many potential applications, but it is not at all certain that it is feasible. The proponents do not provide substantive evidence that it will work or is close to being successful. 3. Project Relationships, Emerging Limiting Factors, and Tailored Questions for Type of Work (Hatchery, RME, Tagging) Other than one other study evidently related to this one on Bonneville Dam, there does not seem to be very much else ongoing in this area with regard to smolts. More video work is based on adults. Based on preliminary results prepared by the proponents, there are some legitimate questions as to how effective such a system can be for smolt enumeration on a large, multi-species system such as the Columbia. This approach for species-specific abundance applications seems much more suited to smaller systems with one primary migratory species, such as some Atlantic salmon rivers. It also may have applications for fish behavior work, where individuals can be focused on and total numbers to be enumerated is not the issue. 4. Deliverables, Work Elements, Metrics, and Methods Although this is primarily a research engineering project, engineering specifications, designs, etc., were not provided. No information was provided on statistical or other metrics and methods used to analyze video data and data quality or validate project feasibility. Because of the multi-year request for this proposed study, some specific intermediate project milestones or deliverables should be clearly identified if this project is continued. For example, by a given year, it should be determined whether and under what conditions visibility is adequate for evaluating numbers, species, and condition of fish, and what specific kinds of physical conditions at the counting site (e.g., width of counting chamber, lighting, water clarity, etc.) are needed.