Version and Date (e.g., Draft December 2004)
Catherine Creek Swim Thru Fisway Field Test
Statement of Work and Budget FY2005

BPA Project Number:  1992-026-01
BPA Project Title:  Grande Ronde Model Watershed Program
Contract Number:  Not Available
Contract Title:  Catherine Creek Swim Thru Fisway Field Test
Performance/Budget Period:  March 21, 2005 - September 30, 2005

Technical Contact Name:  Lyle Kuchenbecker
Technical Contact Title:  GRMWP Project Planner
Grande Ronde Model Watershed Program
10901 Island Ave.
La Grande, OR 97850
541.962.8690 / 541.962.6593
kuchenl@eou.edu

Contracting Contact Name: Mary Estes
Contracting Contact Title: GRMWP Program Manager
Grande Ronde Model Watershed Foundation
10901 Island Ave.
La Grande, OR 97850
541.962.8576 / 541.962.6593
mestes@eou.edu

Financial Contact Name: Mary Estes
Financial Contact Title: GRMWP Program Manager
Grande Ronde Model Watershed Foundation
10901 Island Ave.
La Grande, OR 97850
541.962.8576 / 541.962.6593
mestes@eou.edu

Introduction:

Numerous fish passage projects have been implemented by the Grande Ronde Model Watershed Program and its partners over the last decade, providing access to habitat for ESA listed fish in the Grande Ronde Subbasin. Despite that effort, substantial passage obstacles remain, many of which will be extremely expensive to remove and replace.

The GRMWP proposes to test an innovative, cost effective fish passage technology at the site of the Catherine Creek Adult Collection Facility (CCACF) operated by the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR).  Swim-Thru Fishway, Inc. (STF) has developed a rotary valve system that has been tested extensively at the Bureau of Reclamation Water Resources Research Laboratory in Denver, CO.  Preliminary testing indicates the STF technology could be a cost effective means of improving fish passage without compromising the function of many of the essential regional structures that create obstacles (irrigation diversion, road culverts, flow control devices, etc.)  Field testing is necessary to determine whether fish will use the rotary valve under actual stream conditions.  

The proposed research project can be a key step toward development of necessary, affordable fish passage technology.  If this field test confirms that fish are able to use the STF without difficulty or harm, it may become available as an important tool for the GRMWP and others..

After consultation with the CTUIR, USFWS and NOAA Fisheries, the GRMWP decided that the CCACF would be an especially suitable site for a field test of the STF system. The test will involve installation and operation of the SFT equipment within the fish ladder in the first part of 2005 according to the research protocol identified below.  After the tests, a monitoring report will be prepared describing results and identifying further testing or possible installation at another site.

Suggested Research Protocol: Catherine Creek Adult Collection Facility (CCACF)

Site description:  The Catherine Creek Adult Collection Facility (CCACF) is a structure used to collect adult chinook salmon and steelhead as they migrate upstream to spawning grounds. It is operated by the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation Division (CTUIR). It is located at a site about 3 miles east of the town of Union, OR at which Catherine Creek spills over a series of notched spillways, dropping about 6 feet in elevation from the upstream portion of the structure to the downstream portion (total of about 100 ft). The downstream end of the notched spillways serves as a weir for a fish trap which blocks upstream passage. When in use, it redirects upstream migrating fish to a specially designed fish ladder located adjacent to the main stream.

When fish are blocked by the operating weir they enter a fish ladder and swim up to a fyked headgate about 30 ft from the ladder entrance. Once the fish swim into the fyke, it is difficult for them to swim back out.  At the same time, another headgate located toward the upstream exit of the fish ladder prevents them from leaving the ladder. In effect, once fish enter the fyked headgate they are trapped.

Trained staff of the CTUIR process all of the adult fish that enter the trap according to procedures agreed to by the co-managers of the basin (CTUIR, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Nez Perce Tribe and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (LSRCP)). Selected wild and hatchery fish are allowed to continue upstream. Other fish are removed for transportation by tank truck to either a related hatchery or to one or more streams that are separate from Catherine Creek. At times fish may also be removed to be used for Tribal purposes.

The trapping facility is accessible by locked, private road and is quite secure. It is attended by CTUIR staff 24 hours a day during the chinook and steelhead migration season, which covers the period from April through September.  The number of fish migrating into the trap typically follows a bell shaped curve.  CTUIR staff have indicated that it should be possible to conduct research evaluation of the Swim-Thru Fishway rotary valve system at the facility, if testing is carefully scheduled and coordinated with the workload of the facility. It has been suggested that research testing would be easiest to accommodate if it were intermittent and happened at the beginning or end of the various migration periods.

The proposed research is intended primarily to confirm basic safety and functionality of the STF rotary valve. Because the facility has a hoist and on-site staff to install and remove the valve, tests can be conducted as often as necessary to work out any problems that are encountered, as long as they are coordinated with the primary work of the facility. Tests can be conducted with all species, at any time of day, in varying turbidity conditions, etc. Moreover, they can record the behavior of fish as they decide whether to enter the valve or stay in the creek. And they can be done with a variety of waterflow levels. Testing of the differing reactions to a variety of fish attraction flow volumes will be significant.

Research results will be recorded by trained CTUIR staff and the underwater video equipment. All results will be logged with time correlations pertaining to time of test, length of test, safety outcomes, observed failures, if any, etc.

Research objectives:  The goal is to determine the operational feasibility of the rotary valve system during realtime use and the acceptance of the system by multiple fish species and multiple fish life stages during times of testing.

Objective 1.  Determine whether the system can be operated during normal stream conditions.

Objective 2.  Determine whether fish migrating upstream in Catherine Creek will accept the system as a viable passage method.

Objective 3.  Determine whether fish (usually juveniles) migrating downstream will accept the system as a viable passage method.

Test Schedule

The rotary valve equipment will be placed in the fish ladder below the fyked headgate (diagram 1) up to five separate times, depending on how soon permits can be obtained and equipment can be manufactured. During the time between tests the equipment will be completely removed from the stream. At any time during any of the testing dates when the migration of the fish seems to be impeded (no fish in trap above equipment), the equipment will be removed from the stream or attempts will be made to modify and correct the configuration of the entrance.

The following schedule is proposed.  If contracting or construction logistics delay the April test period, testing will commence with Test 2.  The August test period is tentative depending on availability of personnel, water conditions and necessity, ie. results of July test period.

Test 1: Week of 18 April

Duration: 3-5 days.

Species: Adult summer steelhead and resident rainbow trout.

Results: Measuring the number of fish entering trap prior to installation of trap, number of fish entering trap during use of valve, and number of fish entering the trap after removal of valve will be the determination of success. Passage through the valve will be timed. Use of underwater video monitoring of equipment and inspection of fish for injuries after passing valve will occur.

Test 2: Week of 23 May.

Duration: 3-5 days.

Species: Adult spring chinook salmon, resident rainbow trout, Bulltrout, Sucker spp.

Results: Measuring the number of fish entering trap prior to installation of trap, number of fish entering trap during use of valve, and number of fish entering the trap after removal of valve will be the determination of success. Passage through the valve will be timed. Use of underwater video monitoring of equipment and inspection of fish for injuries after passing valve will occur.

Test 3: Week of 20 June.

Duration: 3-5 days.

Species: Adult spring chinook salmon, and Sucker spp.

Results: Measuring the number of fish entering trap prior to installation of trap, number of fish entering trap during use of valve, and number of fish entering the trap after removal of valve will be the determination of success. Passage through the valve will be timed. Use of underwater video monitoring of equipment and inspection of fish for injuries after passing valve will occur.

Test 4: Week of 25 July.

Duration: 3-5 days.

Species: Juvenile spring chinook salmon, and O. mykiss.

Results: Downstream migration of juveniles past the valve will be the determination of success. Passage through the valve will be timed. Use of underwater video monitoring of equipment and inspection of fish for injuries after passing valve will occur.

Test 5: Week of 22 August.

Duration: 3-5 days.

Species: Juvenile spring chinook salmon, and O. mykiss.

Results: Downstream migration of juveniles past the valve will be the determination of success. Passage through the valve will be timed. Use of underwater video monitoring of equipment and inspection of fish for injuries after passing valve will occur.

Debris resistance:  The CCACF is designed to regulate and withstand the downstream flow of water-bourn debris. The rotary valve is similarly designed. It is expected that the series of tests will include testing when debris is present, and CTUIR staff will measure and report debris resistance or failure along with their other observations.

Scheduling, staffing and reporting:  All of the foregoing is feasible for 2005, to commence as soon as permits and funding are in place and the equipment is built and delivered to the site. The fact that different species migrate at different times over a period of months means that there will be flexibility as to scheduling the testing. Having fulltime, trained staff on site, equipped with hoists and related equipment, means that intermittent testing is very feasible. The CCACF staff are available to gather reliable, detailed data, including video recordings, on a daily basis. They will be able to provide this data on a timely basis, coordinated with their other responsibilities.