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 2009-2013 we funded an acoustic tag network upstream of Wells Dam and also acoustically tagged sockeye at Wells Dam. We also commenced PIT tagging of juvenile sockeye salmon in 2012 (with the mid-Columbia Public Utility Districts picking up much of the PIT tagging work in 2013.)   In 2014 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 and provide PIT tags for Okanogan juvenile sockeye tagging.  Sockeye will also be acoustic tagged at Wells Damd.  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  is also standardizing 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, begun by this project in 2013, of Lake Wenatchee between May and October with the goal estimating smolt carrying capacity.  

In 2014, we will continue a study 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 one new project components in 2014 (deferred from 2013) which 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 simultaneously with a similar project for Skaha and Okanagan lakes funded by the public utility districts.  Work will be overseen by a work group with representatives from DFO, ONA, the PUDs, and CRITFC through Dr. John Smol of Queens University in Kingston, Ontario.  

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

ONA:

Work elements D, E, F, H, I, L, M, N, O
Colville Tribe:
Work Elements D, E, F, P, Q

Yakama Tribe:
Work elements:  E, H

Biomark:
Work Element J