This project seeks to expand our knowledge on the factors limiting production of Okanogan and Wenatchee sockeye salmon stocks.  A primary factor affecting the Okanogan stock is believed to be survival upstream of Wells Dam.  To quantify this mortality, in 2009 this project funded PIT tag detection antennas at Vertical Diversion Structure 3 upstream of Osoyoos Lake (OKC) and in 2010 funded installation of PIT tag detection at Zosel Dam fishways (ZSL).  In 2009-2011 we funded an acoustic tag network upstream of Wells Dam and also acoustically tagged sockeye at Wells Dam.  In 2013 we will maintain the existing PIT tag antennas at OKC and ZSL and also continue with the deployment of the acoustic tag network as well as acoustically tagging sockeye salmon.  We will continue to PIT tag sockeye salmon at Bonneville Dam adult fish facility (as part of another MOA project, Upstream Migration Timing) as well as at the Wells Dam bank fish trap.  Sockeye will also be acoustic tagged aged at Wells Dam and, if conditions suggest sockeye are likely to be adversely affected by high temperatures, temperature tagged.  Between the acoustic and PIT tags, Okanogan sockeye salmon mortality will be partitioned by reach upstream of Wells Dam and we hope to then be able to correlate survival with river and lake conditions, hopefully allowing survival to be increased through better Okanogan River management.  

This project will also standardize smolt abundance estimation methodologies between the two stocks by conducting annual hydroacoustic surveys of Lake Wenatchee to compare with those being conducted in Osoyoos Lake.  We will also conduct monthly limnological surveys of Lake Wenatchee between May and October with the goal estimating smolt carrying capacity.  

In 2013, we will continue a study begun in 2012 of growth patterns of sockeye salmon as reflected in scale patterns. This will begin using scale samples from the 1920's and 1930's that NOAA has identified by stock using genetics and expand to include scale samples collected more recently.  The goal is to look at scale growth over time to estimate differences based on stock composition, abundance, and time.

We plan two new project components in 2013.  The first is to work with Chelan and Grant County Public Utility Districts to fund PIT tagging of at least 1500 juvenile sockeye in the Okanagan Basin to estimate downstream survival and timing. The second is to collect sediment cores from Osoyoos Lake and Lake Wenatchee which will be analyzed in subsequent years to estimate changes in sockeye salmon abundance over the last several hundred years.  This work will be done by Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Canada and the Okanagan Nation Alliance.  

In 2013 we will not conduct the genetics analysis conducted in 2012 due to the expense of this project component.  

The following subcontractors will be assisting the CRITFC.  Additionally, work elements with which the subcontractor will be assisting on are noted.

ONA:

Work elements B, D, E, F, G, H, I, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T
Colville Tribe:
Work Elements D, F, L, N

Yakama Tribe:
Work elements:  E, H

Biomark:
Work Element J, T