2010 Walla Walla Fish Passage Evaluation Project
September 1, 2009 - August 31, 2011

This project was established to provide an evaluation of fish passage facilities in the Walla Walla River Basin in Oregon and Washington, as well as evaluate proposed operational or design changes to enhance protection of juvenile salmonids at those facilities.  The evaluations are guided by provisions of Council Measure 7.11 (NPPC 1994) which follows from previous Council Measures [Section 800 (NPPC 1987) and Section 900 (NPPC 1984)].  The evaluations are funded by the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) to ensure fish passage facilities "correct structural problems at irrigation diversion dams, canals and ditches that interfere with the passage of anadromous fish" [Council Measure 7.11 (NPPC 1994)].  

CONTRACT GOAL: During the period of performance of this contract (September 1, 2009 - August 31, 2010), Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) staff will determine whether new and/or existing fish passage facilities in the Walla Walla River basin are designed, operated and maintained to be in compliance with National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) fish passage facility criteria (NMFS 2008).  PNNL's approach to evaluating these sites is discussed briefly in the Approach section.  Plans for the contract period are to evaluate the following facilities:
1.  The  Old Lowden and Bergevin Williams fish screens will be consolidated with the existing Garden City/Lowden II facility to provide two separate fish screens.  Both screens will be evaluated after consolidation of the sites.
2.  Hofer Dam fish screen facility may undergo modifications to try to improve fish passage conditions.  Fish passage conditions will be evaluated after modifications are complete.
3.  Touchet Consolidated Facility consists of fish screens and a fish ladder.  Technical assistance will be provided to help "tune" the flow control boards that allow flow into the forebay, and to help determine if adult fish passage through the fish ladder is inhibited by the position and location of the louvers allowing water flow into the ladder.  Velocities will be evaluated during use by the fish rearing facility and the irrigation districts.
4.  If requested, fish passage evaluations at the Eastside Ditch and wasteway headgates and Nursery Bridge fish screen facility will be performed as changes are made.  

PNNL will also be available to provide technical assistance or fish screen evaluations if requested by Brian Wolcott, the Walla Walla Watershed Council or other tasks under project 2007-396-00 if they identify problems that may impact fish passage within the basin.  

KEY PERSONNEL:  Mickie Chamness will manage this task and be assisted by PNNL staff.  

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:  A large number of fish screen facilities in the Columbia Basin have been constructed with funding from the BPA.  PNNL has been contracted to evaluate fish passage facilities in the Walla Walla Basin immediately after construction to determine if the facilities are designed, constructed, and operated to protect juvenile salmonids.   This determination is based on design criteria for juvenile fish screens established by the National Marine Fisheries Service in 2008 (NMFS 2008).  This helps ensure that the investments in construction and maintenance of fish screening facilities are providing adequate protection for migrating fishes,

APPROACH:  A streamlined evaluation process has been developed during the 24 years PNNL has been evaluating Phase I and Phase II fish screen facilities in the Yakima and Walla Walla river basins (Chamness 2008).  That process utilizes field water velocity measurements and compares them to National Marine Fisheries Service design criteria for juvenile fish screens (NMFS 2008) to determine if the sites protect juvenile salmonids.  In addition, the process utilizes visual observations and underwater videography to identify fish species, monitor fish behavior, document sedimentation and debris buildup, and identify problems with screen or seal material and general maintenance and operations.
  
COORDINATION OF ACTIVITIES:  For the field evaluation task we will work primarily with the Walla Walla Basin Watershed Council (WWBWC) personnel, Confederated Tribe of the Umatilla Reservation (CTUIR), Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW), and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW).  Our work may also require coordination with irrigation and conservation districts.

TECHNICAL REFERENCES:
Chamness, MA.  2008.  Evaluation of Fish Passage Sites in the Walla Walla River Basin, 2008.  P108043, prepared by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory for the Division of Fish and Wildlife, Bonneville Power Administration, Portland, Oregon

National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS).  2008.  Anadromous Salmonid Passage Facility Design.  NMFS, Northwest Region, Portland, Oregon.

Northwest Power Planning Council (NPPC). 1984.  Columbia River Basin Fish and Wildlife Program.  Northwest Power Planning Council, Portland, Oregon.

Northwest Power Planning Council (NPPC). 1987.  Columbia River Basin Fish and Wildlife Program.  Northwest Power Planning Council, Portland, Oregon.

Northwest Power Planning Council (NPPC). 1994.  Columbia River Basin Fish and Wildlife Program.  Northwest Power Planning Council, Portland, Oregon.