INTRODUCTION

The Hood River Production Program is a Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) funded program initiated during 1991 as a mitigation measure for Columbia River hydrosystem impacts on anadromous fish. This study proposal describes one of three evaluations that will provide managers with the necessary information to determine if full in-basin rearing is feasible and prudent.  A comparative hatchery release evaluation study that compares the  survival of spring Chinook smolts released in the Hood River basin that are  reared at a USFWS operated Columbia River Gorge hatchery,  the Parkdale  Fish Facility in the Hood River basin and Round Butte Hatchery / Pelton Ladder in the Deschutes basin.

Study Goals and Objectives:
The goal of this six year study (BY2008-2012) is to identify the best approach to raising Hood River hatchery origin spring Chinook that will increase SAR’s to an annual average of 0.03%.

The primary objectives of this study are to:

1.) Determine if survival is increased by full in- Hood River basin rearing at the Parkdale Fish Facility compared to out of basin rearing.

2.) Determine if there is a gain in survival resulting from rearing fish at a hatchery that is located in a similar eco-region to the Hood River basin when compared to the current program of rearing fish in the high desert eco-region of the Deschutes subbasin.

Survival gain would be determined by the SAR from smolts released at Moving falls acclimation site and adult returns to Bonneville Dam and Moving Falls fish trap. Survival of the Parkdale Fish Facility and Columbia Gorge Hatchery groups will be compared with test groups reared at Round Butte / Pelton Ladder and released at Moving Falls.

METHODOLOGY

• Broodstock selection and egg take will be performed at locations and under protocols established by the CTWSRO.

• Shortly after shocking, approximately 65,000 eggs certified as disease free and evaluated as having Non-Detectable ELISA values will be delivered to Carson NFH by the CTWSRO for rearing.

• Rearing will be carried out until fish are of a pre-smolt size determined by the CTWSRO (15-18 fpp)

• All feeding, cleaning and care of these fish will be in accord with the Carson NFH SOP.

• Marking will be conducted simultaneously with Carson fish if the out of basin (Hood River) fish are of adequate size.

• Upon rearing to pre-smolt size, as determined by the CTWSRO, the fish will be delivered by Carson NFH to the Moving Falls acclimation site.

• Adult return data will be collected and evaluated by the CTWSRO.