Show new navigation
On
  • Help
    • Help
    • Help Center
    • Data dictionary
    • EF&W Program documents
    • Request support
    • Send feedback
      • View all help topics
Columbia Basin Fish and Wildlife Program Columbia Basin Fish and Wildlife Program
  • Mitigation work
    Mitigation work View all mitigation work topics
  • Reporting
    Reporting View all reporting topics
  • Funding
    Funding View all funding topics
  • Search

Focal Species Summary

Contract 36186: 200600800 EXP MAINSTEM AMENDMENTS RESEARCH
Viewing 19 of 19 Focal Species
Sort Order
WE ID
Work Element Name
Title
Description
Primary Focal Species
Secondary Focal Species
     A165Produce Environmental Compliance DocumentationEC work as appropriate for WE's: C-NEnvironmental compliance through BPA, the state of Montana, the United States Forest Service, and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service for installation of remote PIT tag station and for field activities that may impact species on the ESA, including bull trout. If not needed for FY 2007, may be used to plan future work in 2008 if necessary.
     B156Develop RM&E Methods and DesignsSampling designs and analysis methods for data collection and analysisDevelop field and laboratory sampling designs for longitudinal tributary electrofishing surveys in Quartz Creek, invertebrate recolonization sampling in the Kootenai River, radio telemetry tracking schedule in the Kootenai River, PIT and radio tagging fish sizes, age estimating structure collection and preparation methods and sample sizes, population estimation techniques in the Kootenai River and it's associated tributaries. Also to develop analysis and statistical designs for data and monitoring methods including invertebrate recolonization in the varial zone, IFIM and RIVBIO habitat analyses, LRMOD and HRMOD reservoir modeling analysis, and age and growth analysis of rainbow and bull trout.
     C157Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab DataHungry Horse and Libby Reservoir modelingModel reservoir conditions (physical and biological) in Hungry Horse and Libby Reservoirs, Montana using HRMOD and LRMODBurbot (Lota lota), Cutthroat Trout, Westslope (O. c. lewisi), Kokanee (Oncorhynchus nerka), Trout, Bull (S. confluentus) (Threatened)
     D158Mark/Tag AnimalsPIT and radio tag bull trout, rainbow trout, and westslope cutthroat troutPIT tag up to 4500 bull trout, rainbow trout, and westslope cutthroat trout to assess growth, age information and validation, immigration, emigration, and survival of fishes in tributaries to and in the mainstem Kootenai River below Libby Dam. Radio tag up to 30 bull and rainbow trout to evaluate movements in relation to ramping rates below Libby Dam.Cutthroat Trout, Westslope (O. c. lewisi), Trout, Bull (S. confluentus) (Threatened)
     E157Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab DataKootenai and South Fork Flathead River modelingModel physical habitat conditions and availability using RIVBIO and use IFIM models to assess impacts of dam operations of habitat conditions and availability below Hungry Horse and Libby DamsBurbot (Lota lota), Cutthroat Trout, Westslope (O. c. lewisi), Trout, Bull (S. confluentus) (Threatened)
     F157Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab DataGill netting and age / growth in Libby and Hungry Horse ReservoirsGill netting in Libby Reservoir to assess growth of fishes and long term trend monitoring of the fish communities. Collection of age estimating structures including scales, fin rays or spines, and otoliths are collected from bull trout, rainbow trout, kokanee, westslope cutthroat trout, and sometimes other species for age estimation and growth calculations in the reservoir and will be used to assess the impacts or influence dam operations have on the abundances and biological metrics (i.e., age and growth) of fishes in the reservoir.Cutthroat Trout, Westslope (O. c. lewisi), Trout, Bull (S. confluentus) (Threatened)
     G157Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab DataKootenai River electrofishingElectrofishing on the Kootenai River (Dam, Rereg, and Flower-Pipe sections) systems for annual population estimates to assess population trends and collect age estimating structures (see next work element) for age and growth estimations under various operating strategies and environmental conditions.Cutthroat Trout, Westslope (O. c. lewisi), Trout, Bull (S. confluentus) (Threatened)
     H157Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab DataKootenai River age / growthAssess age and growth of rainbow trout, bull trout, and westslope cutthroat trout in the Kootenai River and relate growth increments and age structure to environmental conditions of the Kootenai River. PIT tagged fishes will be used to assess growth and scales collected from 10 fishes in each centimeter group for each species for additional analyses if necessary. Previously PIT tagged fish were measured for length and weight at the time of tagging, so of that fish is recaptured, we can obtain an accurate assessment of the length and weight gained (millimeters per day, grams per day, or units per year). This will provide valuable information which we can relate to environmental conditions and biological metrics (e.g., population estimates, water temperatures).Cutthroat Trout, Westslope (O. c. lewisi), Trout, Bull (S. confluentus) (Threatened), Trout, Rainbow (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
     I157Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab DataKootenai River fish radio telemetryTrack radio tagged fishes (i.e., rainbow and bull trout) weekly / biweekly from vehicles, jet boat, or fixed wing aircraft to assess fish movements and habitat use in relation to discharge, spill, and ramping rates from Libby Dam.Trout, Bull (S. confluentus) (Threatened), Trout, Rainbow (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
     J157Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab DataTributary electrofishing in Quartz CreekElectrofishing tributaries of the Kootenai River systems for juvenile population estimates, collection of genetic samples, and trend monitoring of populations. This will be performed in Quartz Creek however, personnel from this project may assist the management and Libby Mitigation project on additional streams below Libby Dam to increase the number of tagged fishes to meet objectives and work element milestones in this SOW (specifically age and growth information in tributaries and the mainstem Kootenai River).Cutthroat Trout, Westslope (O. c. lewisi), Trout, Bull (S. confluentus) (Threatened)
     K157Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab DataRemote PIT tag stations / migration / survivalElectrofishing PIT tagged fishes to assess how environmental conditions in tributaries affects emigration / survival / growth of juvenile fishes. Fishes will be collected during electrofishing efforts (see previous work element) and data from the "crump weirs" will be downloaded on a weekly / biweekly basis as dictated by power supply limitations / refill frequency needed to maintain a constant power supply.Cutthroat Trout, Westslope (O. c. lewisi)
     L157Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab DataTributary age / growthAssess age and growth of fishes in tributaries using a combination of population estimate data (length and age frequencies) during electrofishing surveys and PIT tag recapture data during sampling in tributaries. PIT tag data must be collected (tags scanned) in the field and downloaded from remote PIT tag station in a schedule that has yet to be determined.Cutthroat Trout, Westslope (O. c. lewisi)
     M157Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab DataInvertebrate recolonization studyEstimate the recolonization rate of invertebrates within the varial zone of the Kootenai River between Libby Dam and Libby, Montana to estimate the amount of productivity lost due to discharge fluctuations below Libby Dam.Cutthroat Trout, Westslope (O. c. lewisi), Trout, Bull (S. confluentus) (Threatened)
     N186Operate and Maintain Habitat/Passage/StructureOperate / maintain remote PIT tag station in Quartz CreekMaintain remote PIT tag crump weir in Quartz Creek by changing power supply sources, repairing station equipment as necessary, re-installation / removal of station if needed.Cutthroat Trout, Westslope (O. c. lewisi), Trout, Bull (S. confluentus) (Threatened)Trout, Rainbow (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
     O162Analyze/Interpret DataAnalyze data from netting, electrofishing, modeling, invertebrates, taggingAnalyze and summarize gill netting data, tributary and mainstem electrofishing data, PIT tagging data, radio telemetry location and movement data, model simulations, invertebrate collections. Radio telemetry and movement data will be entered into a location database (DBF file) for use in a GIS program (e.g., ArcView, ArcMap, ArcInfo)) and maps for project annual reports will be created. Also maintain PIT tag database to evaluate movements and growth of recaptured fishes.Cutthroat Trout, Westslope (O. c. lewisi), Trout, Bull (S. confluentus) (Threatened)
     P156Develop RM&E Methods and DesignsBull trout risk-based population monitoringDevelop conservation theory and methods for effective application of risk-based monitoring of salmonid populations. This work element is a component of the mainstem fish (bull trout and westslope cutthroat trout) survival study, which will assess impacts of various dam operations on native fish growth and survival and prioritize mitigation activities. Previous collaboration between MFWP and MSU developed and applied Viable Population Monitoring (VPM), a risk-based population monitoring strategy (Staples et al. 2004b, Staples et al. 2005) to bull trout populations within the upper Flathead basin. As part of this work, we developed statistical methodologies that improve interpretation of risk estimates from VPM parameterized using existing bull trout data series (Staples et al. 2004a, Staples & Taper 2006). VPM will facilitate population monitoring by increasing our ability to demonstrate recovery or detect problems compared to existing methods. In some cases, MFWP will be able to monitor populations effectively with currently collected data such as redd counts. VPM is a new monitoring strategy, thus more research is needed to further develop and evaluate this strategy in real world monitoring situations. A central tenet of VPM is the comparison of risk estimates over time to make inferences about changes in population status. We will research how a series of yearly risk estimates can be used to determine changes in status, i.e. what constitutes an imperiled, secured, or recovered population. Additionally, many applications of VPM will use count-based population data such as abundance estimates or redd counts. For such data, an exponential growth model, a simple yet realistic population model, is often the preferred model for predicting the population's risk of decline. This type of modeling strategy can lead, however, to erroneous predictions because the simple model has limited capability to predict the dynamics of a complicated biological processes. Our previous work has shown risk predictions made with a simple exponential growth model can be effective monitoring indicators for population dynamics ranging from environmental variation with no trend, to density independent growth with environmental variation, to density dependence, to age-structured populations. Nevertheless, there remains much uncertainty in analyzing a series of risk estimates for monitoring purposes. Further research into the effects of model uncertainty will improve the reliability of risk-based monitoring. We developed a technique to correct for sampling error within an exponential growth population viability analysis (Staples et al. 2004a). This method improves risk estimates from a series of abundance estimates collected with sampling and observation errors, but requires annual population estimates with no missing observations. To facilitate VPM applications to other bull trout populations, we will expand the sampling error correction to accommodate data sets that have missing abundance estimates. The existing Flathead bull trout model will be refined with additional annual data. The Flathead population appears to be close to a critical abundance threshold, and monitoring with redd counts may not be precise enough to effectively determine the population's status (Staples et al. 2005). To improve monitoring inference, VPM is dependent on cycles of data collection, population modeling, and model analyses to guide management actions and further data collection. Our previous modeling provided insight into bull trout population dynamics, and helped direct current data collection efforts (i.e. recommendation to better estimate survival rates of juvenile bull trout for the time period between emigration from their natal tributaries until they mature) to improve abundance predictions (Staples et al. 2004b). Initial work also indicated a tributary-specific spatial component may be important for more accurately modeling bull trout populations at the Subbasin level. To realize the full benefit of these data, further bull trout population modeling will be performed. This strategy facilitates an adaptive management approach that integrates conservation actions, population research, and viability monitoring. Refined population models will also be used to make management recommendations, e.g. river flows out of Hungry Horse dam necessary for bull trout population viability. We will explore more spatially explicit models that include environmental covariates and time-specific covariates such as stream and river flows and temperatures. Additionally, many conservation projects are underway or proposed, each with specific success criteria. Flathead-specific population models will allow managers to evaluate all recovery actions, management protocols, or basin developments in terms of consistent, biologically relevant criteria. Annually collected bull trout data will provide valuable information about bull trout population dynamics. We will use this information to refine models of the Flathead Lake bull trout population to improve abundance predictions. Juvenile interactions can initiate large fluctuations in age class abundances in the Flathead population, thus the model will have distinct, age-structured juvenile sub-populations corresponding to important natal tributaries in the Flathead. Current studies on juvenile survival and emigration rates, and their habitat covariates, will provide useful information on juvenile dynamics for developing a spatially explicit model of juvenile sub-populations in the Flathead. The juvenile sub-populations will be coupled to a shared river and lake habitat for older individuals. Our previous research has shown post-emigration survival rates have a strong impact on population abundance and resilience. Data from current studies on survival rates for post-emigrant juveniles and sub-adults after emigration from natal tributaries, in addition to the effects of habitat covariates and community interactions on survival rates, will improve abundance predictions and monitoring effectiveness. Our previous population modeling provided insight to critical stages in the bull trout life cycle, and helped guide current research and data collection efforts. Similarly, we will use the refined population model for further research into the bull trout life history, and to make recommendations for future data collection. Additionally, the refined Flathead population model will be useful for evaluating effects of management actions. Because the model will have distinct juvenile sub-populations, conditions in individual tributary areas can be evaluated in terms of their effect of total population viability. Likewise, the effects of changes in river flow regimes can be evaluated at the overall population level. In this manner, Flathead population models will serve as an instrument to 'scale up' effects of local conditions in terms of their impact on management goals at the population scale. Risk estimation for regional bull trout populations should consider variation in environmental factors, dam operation, community structure, and life history. The Flathead bull trout population is one of several large adfluvial populations in the region, some of which have much higher abundances than the Flathead population. The differences in abundance and status among these populations can give insight into community, habitat, and spatial factors affecting bull trout population viability. Implementing a risk-based monitoring strategy for Kootenai River populations will allow managers to evaluate the status of bull trout populations in terms of regional or overall species goals. Although bull trout populations in the US portion of the Kootenai have less bull trout data than the Flathead, the relative risk of decline among populations can be estimated with existing redd count data. We will estimate risk of significant decline for bull trout populations in the South Fork of the Flathead, Swan, and Kootenai rivers. Statistical analysis methods developed under objective 1 above will be critical for VPM application in these systems. These initial VPM applications will show how risk of decline has changed in these systems, and provide information about relative risk among regional populations. Regional bull trout populations occur in areas with different community structures, habitat conditions, and spatial configurations. We will develop quantitative models of regional bull trout populations to explore the effects on abundance and status of these differences in the regional populations relative to the Flathead. Additionally, regional population models can be used to evaluate management actions in terms of their impact on goals at the population, region, or overall species level.
     Q119Manage and Administer ProjectsSOW, budgeting, and accrualsContract signing, SOW, budget reporting and accruals, and employee evaluations, on ground administration of projects.