These activities are presented within the context of how, where, why and when data collections will occur in FY14, the annual analysis and adaptive management process, and finally, the underlying management and scientific basis or each major category of actions. The RM&E and hatchery production activities are updated based on each year’s findings. These are presented at each year’s APR and compiled into this annual report.  The science and policy (i.e., decision rules) foundation for RM&E is derived from a large number of related sources. Examples are: the 2008 Fish Accords (BPA, 2008), the Northwest Power and Conservation Council’s CJHP Master Plan (NPCC, 2009), The Columbia Cascade Subbasin Plans (NPCC, 2004), the 2012 CJHP Implementation Plan (CJHSP, 2012), Chief Joseph Hatchery Fish Culture Procedures Manual (CCT, 2014) detailed recommendations from the Independent Science Review Group (ISRP, 2006) and the HSRG recommendations (HSR... G, 2009).  Specific detail for these activities comes from the 2009 CJHP spring (DJW, 2009), the CJHP’s Master Plan’s summer/fall Chinook M&E plan (Wolf & Wagner 2004), the Upper Columbia River Public Utility Districts’ hatchery M&E and Habitat Conservation Permit programs (Chelan, Douglas and Grant County Public Utility Districts 2002), the Upper Columbia River ESU/ESA Recovery Plan, the Federal Columbia River Power System (FCRPS) Biological Opinion (BiOp).  Additional coordination, science and fish culture guidance comes from the Pacific Northwest Aquatic Monitoring Program (PNAMP), Monitoring Methods.org. , the Okanogan summer/fall and spring Chinook Hatchery Genetic Management Plans (HGMPs), the CCT’s Tribal Resource Management Plan (TRMP), the scientific literature and from other sources.

Management questions inform the development of the RM&E activities and provide a scientific basis for program activities. The CJHPs Key Management Questions (KMQs) are:  

1. What is the current status and recent historical trend of the naturally-spawning population in terms of Viable Salmonid Population (VSP) parameters  
2. What is the current status and recent historical trends for hatchery returns and harvest?
3. Is the hatchery program meeting target in-hatchery performance standards?
4. Are the hatchery post-release targets met for survival, catch contribution and straying?
5. Are targets for total catch contribution and selectivity for HORs met?
6. Are there negative effects of the hatchery on the natural population?
7. Are assumptions about natural production potential valid?
8. How should the program be operated in the coming year?

With these questions as the basis, the following processes, work elements, milestones, protocols and deliverables have been developed for this list of activities.

A. THE CHIEF JOSEPH HATCHERY ANNUAL REVIEW (APR)

Each year the CJHP hosts a four-day meeting and workshop to review and present findings from the previous year and plan for the upcoming fish production and science monitoring cycle. The first day of each meeting is set aside to present results from the previous year’s activities and to discuss what has been learned. Monitoring and evaluation designs, habitat restoration efforts, harvest regimes and the programs fish culture and production operations are assessed by a group of no less than twenty-five staff and regional experts.
The goal of the APR is to increase the overall scientific rigor and effectiveness of the programs that inform management decisions. The decision procedures used in the APR includes thousands of modeled calculations and statistical analysis from data collected throughout the Okanogan and Columbia Basins. Specifically, staff investigates opportunities for adaptation of the key assumptions and biological targets to shape the next year’s hatchery, harvest, habitat, hydro and monitoring programs. The APR also supports the refinement and implementation of the entire CCT’s Anadromous Division activities. Areas of presentation emphasis range from research, monitoring and evaluation data collections and analysis, to fish population and harvest monitoring, adult fish management, and habitat restoration and ecosystem status and trend conditions. All contribute to in-depth discussions at the annual meeting and its subsequent workshops. The CCT’s Fish and Wildlife Program host the meeting, and it is led by the CJHSP.
Information on the CJHP, including APR materials, can be found at: www.colvilletribes.com/cjhp.php

B. THE ANNUAL PROGRAM PLANNING TOOL (APPT)

In 2013 and 2014, the CJHP, in consultation with regional partners and experts, initiated an effort to systematize the CJHP’s annual planning workshops. The result is a set of tools used to improve efficiency and coordination of integrated, all H-planning processes. The Annual Program Planning Tool (APPT) tools help link activities across the CJHP and the CCT’s Anadromous Fish Division to management decisions, and bring the relationship to resource goals into focus.

The APPT tool consists of interconnected modules contained in an Excel-based environment and workbook. The purpose of the APPT is to:
• Link CJHP activities to Key Management Questions, hypotheses, indicators and variables;
• Identify the specific data necessary for use in the All-H Analyzer (AHA) and Inseason Implementation Tool (ISIT) and other analyses;
• Schedule annual Chief Joseph Hatchery Program (CJHP), Production and Science Program Activities;
• Identify specific and integrated data input deliverables from Harvest, Hatchery, Hydro and Habitat Programs (“All-H” integration);
• Assign staff responsible for leading each activity, and
• Produce output suitable for developing budgets, work and implementation plans, staffing levels, activity schedules and identification and linkages to BPA’s PISCES work elements.


C. DATA COLLECTIONS

Data from over one hundred fifty groupings are collected, or acquired, using methods derived from mm.org, the scientific literature and in-process protocols for CJHP.  Major activity classes include: rotary screw trapping, implementation of tags and marks, in-hatchery monitoring, habitat restoration and status and trend monitoring, harvest monitoring, juvenile fish beach seining and fish management at the Okanogan adult fish weir, in fisheries and at the hatchery fish ladder.To accomplish this, the CJHP employs aerial, ground, electronic and video passage survey sites and methods. These data are managed within the Chief Joseph Hatchery’s Master Database and shared with the region.  All data are incorporated into the CJHP's analytical modeling process and presented at the APR and Planning Workshops.

D. ROTARY SCREW TRAPPING

This activity uses the general Okanogan Basin Monitoring and Evaluation Program (OBMEP) (Wolf, 2002) rotary screw trap protocol (RST) (Rayton & Wagner, 2006). It occurs in the Okanogan mainstem, immediately below the HWY 20 Bridge near the city of Okanogan. This protocol will be adapted in FY14 (and FY15), to assess juvenile emigration for smolt-to-adult-return (SAR) computations, format relative reproductive success parameters, evaluate release site survival and timing, monitor travel times to McNary dam (survival), and other parameters. Additionally, genetic sampling and passive integrated transponder (PIT) tagging will occur at the RST and sockeye (O. nerka) and steelhead passage information for hydro operations will be collected and provided to CCT Anadromous Division (CJHP is part of this Division) and to PUD biologists and managers for fish passage management. The RM&E program will continue its assessment of the R-Based Flow Regression method to improve the accuracy of RST-derived outmigration estimates and trap efficiency in FY14.

E. JUVENILE BEACH SEINING

Juvenile NOR Chinook are also collected by CJHP RM&E staff in seining operations as part of the CJHP's tag and mark program. Operations consist of capture, tagging and release at the mouth of the Okanogan River and the confluence with the mainstem Columbia River, 7-miles north of Brewster, WA, in the Wells Pool. Fish = 65mm are tagged with full duplex 12mm PIT tags. A standard 3/8” mesh 100ft beach seine is used for capture. Fish are then immediately transferred to an on-site tagging barge and holding pens. Fish are held 24-hours prior to tagging to asses capture effects and 24-hours after tagging to assess tag loss and tag application mortality rates. Fish are then released into the Wells Pool of the mainstem Columbia River.  

F. TAG AND MARKING FOR JUVENILE AND ADULT FISH

In 2009, the CCT convened the Summer Chinook Summits. Science and management staff from fish co-managing institutions throughout the Upper Columbia came together to discuss the best practices of summer Chinook management, paying special attention to the pending construction and operation of the CJH. The goal of the meetings was to “develop and refine options for management actions as appropriate to ensure conservation objectives, artificial production objectives and harvest management objectives are well linked to protect and perpetuate the valuable natural resource” (CCT, 2010). Summit participants identified a lack of knowledge regarding the population structure of spawning stock Chinook upstream of Wells Dam. The summit recognized the Okanogan and Methow River runs as separate populations, but was unable to determine the number or fate of fish in the mainstem Columbia River. In particular, the spatial distribution of fish passing Wells Dam was unknown, primarily because redd-based escapement estimates were inconsistent with escapement numbers based on fish counts at Wells Dam. Currently, many of the research, monitoring, and evaluation actions taken by the CJHP specifically address these questions to improve management decisions.One of the primary responsibilities of the CJHP is the tagging and marking of fish for research, monitoring, and evaluation purposes. At the hatchery and in the field, fish are marked by clipping the adipose fin, and tagged with coded wire tags (CWTs) and PIT tags. Detection and recovery of tagged and marked fish provides a wealth of data necessary for validating assumptions and populating both the ISIT and the AHA models. These data also shed light on the current status of the decision rules, stock status and trend evaluations, and other information useful for making informed fish management decisions.
The tag and mark program includes PIT tags, CWTs, genetic markers and possibly radio and other forms of tag and mark actions. These activities are necessary to attain a valid statistical design for tagging for the entire NOR population of Okanogan summer/fall Chinook.  Spring Chinook juvenile monitoring will be addressed in FY14 through a series of scoping sessions. Finally, the CJHP uses environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis and geospatial information analysis (GIS) for assessing spring Chinook presence, absence and the status and trend of the reintroduction program.

G. GENETIC ANALYSES

In 2013 the CJHSP outlined the need for a pedigree analysis study to assess relative reproductive success of both the natural and hatchery components of the Chinook run (CJHP, 2012). The study will address the following objectives: (1) Monitor trends in the genetic composition (e.g., allele frequencies) and diversity of the populations, (2) determine reproductive success of HOR and NOR fish, (3) determine hatchery contribution to natural production, (4) determine effective population size.

Two HGMPs were developed for the CJH during the NPCC three-step planning process, one for summer/fall Chinook (CCT, 2008a) and one for spring Chinook (CCT, 2008b). Each of these program descriptions included an integrated and a segregated component and initially releases of non-ESA listed Leavenworth spring Chinook stock that have been released into the Okanogan. The spring Chinook HGMP recognized that the Methow composite stock (MetComp) was preferred for reintroduction into the Okanogan. In 2010 the CCT requested that the NMFS designate a non-essential experimental population of spring Chinook in the Okanogan utilizing section 10(j) of the ESA. In order to obtain a permit to transfer ESA listed fish from the Methow to the Okanogan a new HGMP was developed (CCT, 2013b).  BiOps and permits have been issued by the NMFS for the 2008 HGMPs and CCT anticipates a BiOp and permit for the 2013 spring Chinook by late 2014. The program will be guided by all three HGMPs.

The CJHP is currently collecting and archiving genetic samples for future analysis of genotype, allele frequency, and natural and artificial (hatchery) selection for certain genetic traits. The CJHP collected genetic samples (fin clips) from hatchery broodstock in 2013 (n=619), which were provided to Columbia River Inter-tribal Fish Commission (CRITFC) for use in development of a Columbia River Parentage Based Tagging (PBT) program as well as genetic samples from outmigrant juvenile Chinook collected during operation of the rotary screw trap (n=110), these samples were archived within CJHP, and not sent to CRITFC. Future analysis of the hatchery broodstock genetic samples for the development of PBT would provide genotype information for CJHP. Currently, however, no funding exists for sample PBT analysis.

Additionally, through a collaborative agreement with U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), CJHP has received support staff and access to laboratories (FRESC - Snake River Field Station Genetics Laboratory, Boise, ID) capable of genetics analyses for genotyping Okanogan Chinook populations. Genetic samples will continue to be collected from all hatchery broodstock, as well as outmigrant juvenile Chinook handled at the rotary screw trap and during beach seining (target n=200), and spawned natural- and hatchery-origin Chinook encountered during fall carcass surveys on the spawning grounds (target n=200 each). When used in conjunction, or at times, in lieu of, PIT, radio, acoustic and or CWT, genetic tagging provides a cost-effective and powerful tool for analysis of hatchery effects and effectiveness.

The CJHP is committed to minimizing negative genetic effects on wild populations through adaptive management of hatchery operations (e.g. broodstock collection, production targets, minimizing pHOS). According to Waples (1991), opportunities for genetic interactions between hatchery and wild fish center on three issues: (1) direct genetic effects (caused by hybridization and introgression); (2) indirect genetic effects (principally due to altered selection regimes or reductions in population size caused by competition, predation, disease, or other factors), and (3) genetic changes to hatchery stocks (through selection, drift, or stock transfers), which magnify the consequences of hybridization with wild fish. Results of Ford (2002) show that selection in captivity may significantly reduce a wild population’s fitness during supportive breeding and that even continually introducing wild individuals into the captive population will not eliminate this effect entirely.

Genetic analyses, capable of informing resource managers of the above mentioned issues should be utilized by CJHP in the future to accurately assess the effects the hatchery has on natural Chinook populations. Some of the genetic analyses currently in use, or that could be used by CJHP include:

H. ENVIRONMENTAL DNA ANALYSIS (CURRENTLY IN USE)

2012 Pilot Study: Environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis for detection of Chinook salmon in Upper-Columbia River subbasins, including the Okanogan Subbasin (USA and Canada). Goals of this pilot study were to (1) develop a molecular assay capable of detecting Chinook DNA in water samples, (2) collect baseline data to characterize the distribution of Chinook in the Okanogan Subbasin, prior to the proposed release of a non-essential experimental population of spring-Chinook under section 10(j) of the ESA, and (3) to assess the effectiveness of eDNA analysis as a monitoring tool for implementation into the CJHP monitoring program. The focus of this monitoring tool would be to identify presence/absence of Chinook in tributaries to the Okanogan River – habitat that would more likely be utilized by spring Chinook, following the release of the experimental population.  Collection of water samples for eDNA analysis took place in 2012 at 48 sites in the Methow and Okanogan subbasins. Results of these initial surveys were published as a thesis study with Boise State University (Laramie, 2013) and are available at: http://scholarworks.boisestate.edu/td/780.

In June 2013, 8 additional sites in the Okanogan subbasin (Antoine Creek, Loup Loup Cr., Siwash Cr., Tunk Cr., Tonasket Cr., Aeneas Cr., Wanacut Cr. and Similkameen River) were surveyed for eDNA. Samples were collected, extracted and analyzed using the same protocols as described in Laramie 2013. Results of qPCR analysis for the 8 sites sampled in 2013 were not available at the time of this publication but will be included in the 2014 CJHP Annual Report.

I. PARENTAGE-BASED TAGGING (PBT) (FUTURE USE)

Parentage-Based Tagging is a large-scale tagging technology for monitoring and evaluating salmonid hatchery stocks and allows for marking of essentially ~100% of offspring released from the hatchery. The ‘tagging’ method relies on genetic sampling and genotyping of broodstock rather than handling and actual tagging of offspring, and offers a companion or alternative marking method to coded-wire tagging. This method has been validated in the Snake River basin for use on steelhead (Steele et al., 2013) and Chinook, but is not currently in use by the CJHP in the Okanogan basin. Future use of PBT would allow the CJHP to address a variety of research and management questions, including: stock specific harvest by fishery, straying of adult hatchery-origin fish, run reconstruction and abundance estimates, survival and passage through hydrosystem, reproductive success and broodstock composition. In 2013, CRITFC requested genetic samples from all hatchery origin Chinook broodstock for archiving and future Columbia River basin PBT analysis.  The CJHP provided tissue punches as genetic samples from hatchery broodstock at the CJH collected from 9 October 2013 to 21 November 2013 (n=691). Samples were desiccated/preserved on Whatman paper and sent to CRITFC (Contact, Maureen Hess) for archiving. No funding is currently in place to allow for PBT analysis of these samples; however the CJHP will continue to cooperate with CRITCF requests by collecting genetic samples from hatchery-origin broodstock in 2014 and providing them to CRITFC for archiving and potential future analysis. Note: No genetic samples were collected from the spring-Chinook broodstock received from Winthrop National Fish Hatchery (WNFH) in 2013, which were spawned at CJH and are scheduled for release into the Okanogan basin in the fall of 2014, pending approval of the ESA section 10(j) Experimental spring-Chinook Population Proposal.  

J. POPULATION GENOTYPING (FUTURE USE)

Chief Joseph Hatchery Program principals include: ‘Management of hatchery broodstock to achieve proper genetic integration with, or segregation from, natural populations’ and ‘promotion of local adaptation of natural and hatchery populations’. In order to monitor, evaluate and adaptively manage hatchery programs to align with these principals, it is necessary to assess the current and future genetic structure of our natural- and hatchery-origin Chinook for status and trends. In 2013, genetic samples were collected from natural origin, out-migrant Chinook fry (n=115), handled for PIT-tagging during RST operations in the Okanogan River. These samples consisted of dorsal fin clips, preserved in ethanol. Genetic sampling of the hatchery population consisted of the tissue punches from hatchery origin broodstock sent to CRIFTC (n=691), mentioned above. No genetic samples were collected during carcass surveys in the Okanogan River in 2013.  In 2014, genetic samples will be collected from natural origin (determined by presence of adipose fin) carcasses on the spawning grounds during carcass surveys in the fall, to increase the genetic sample size for the natural origin population. *Alternatively, genetic samples could be collected from juvenile out-migrant Chinook while handled at the rotary screw trap in the Okanogan River and during beach seining operations at the mouth of the Okanogan River. Population genotyping will likely utilize standardized genetic marker panels consisting of microsatellites and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), which are available in an open database (Fishgen.net) currently in development and scheduled for completion in 2014, as well as the markers in citations. Future analysis would likely follow protocols and methods outlined in Smith et al. (2005) and Campbell (2012).


K. RADIO TAGGING (possible use in FY15.  Discuss with funders for next year).  

In 2013, the CJHP did not use radio tags on fish.  However, this does not preclude their use in future seasons.  Radio tags can be employed as an important tool to help answer several management questions, including estimating mainstem Columbia River spawning by Okanogan Chinook, and evaluation of survival and behavior related to handling in the purse seine and lower Okanogan mainstem weir.  Currently, our strategy is to continue to use PIT tags for these purposes for the next few years of implementation, and then determine if radio tracking is necessary.

L. HATCHERY TAGS AND MARKS

Summer/fall Chinook
All summer/fall hatchery-origin Chinook are marked with an adipose fin clip to ensure differentiation from natural-origin fish in the field. Additionally, all summer/fall Chinook raised for the integrated program are tagged with a CWT (with distinct codes differentiated by release location), which is inserted into the snout of fish while in residence at the hatchery. Summer/fall fish in the segregated program do not receive a CWT, so the presence or absence of a CWT in adipose-clipped fish is diagnostic as to which program an ad-clipped, hatchery-origin fish belongs (Table 2.). This allows for selective efforts in broodstock selection, purse seining, and hatchery trapping activities to be program specific by determining the presence or absence of a CWT in the field. Under this strategy, a returning adult from the CJH with an adipose fin clip and CWT would be considered part of the integrated program and either collected for broodstock in the segregated program, allowed to escape to the spawning grounds (if pHOS is within acceptable levels), or removed from the population (for harvest or pHOS management). If a fish has an adipose fin clip but no CWT, then it is assumed from the segregated program and removed for harvest or pHOS management. In this way, CWT’s assist with in-season management of hatchery-origin stocks in the field. Coded wire tags are also recovered later in the year from salmon carcasses on the spawning grounds within the Okanogan basin. All recovered CWT’s are sent to the Regional Mark Processing Center operated by the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission (PSMFC) , which extracts the tag and reads the code, reporting on their results the following year.  These data are used to develop estimates of total recruitment, rate of return to point of release (homing), contribution to fisheries, survival rates, mark rate, and other parameters, helping inform future management and production decisions within the CJHP.

Natural Origin Fish Tagging
PIT-Tagging of natural-origin fish occurs through rotary screw trap and beach seine efforts. In 2013, 17,781 of the available 25,000 tags were inserted.

The RST is operated immediately downstream of the Washington State Route 20 bridge over the Okanogan River (rm 30), near the town of Okanogan. In 2013, CJHP operated two 8-foot traps deployed to river right of the Okanogan River thalweg from April 1 through June 28. Trapping occurred every day for 12 hours, from 2000 – 0800 the following morning, with the exceptions of two weeks in May, when trapping operations were suspended due to high river flow rates and debris load, and the Memorial Day weekend. Unmarked (ad-present) Chinook captured in the RST that are = 65 mm receive a 12mm full duplex PIT tag. In the 2013 field season, the CJHP captured 3915 unmarked (ad-present), sub-yearling Chinook with the RST, of which 110 received a PIT tag.  Beach seining activities will be used in conjunction with RST to achieve the full goal to tag 25,000 NOR Chinook. Douglas County PUD oversaw beach seining activities in 2013, with additional staff provided by the CJHP. Beach seining took place from June 19 to July 11. It was used to capture additional natural–origin juvenile outmigrants at or near the confluence of the Okanogan. The Douglas County PUD designed a protocol with the goal of PIT tagging up to 25,000 juvenile outmigrant natural-origin Chinook.  The actual number of PIT tagged fish depends upon several variables, such as Chinook abundance, seine efficacy, and staff availability. In 2013, 17,671 natural-origin juvenile Chinook were PIT tagged and released. In 2014, the CJHP is assuming full responsibility for staffing and operation of the beach seine/PIT tagging project.  ++What are you going to do diifferently to increase the likelihood of hitting the target number to PIT tag?  Tag more fish at the RST?+++++

M. PIT TAG DETECTION

In 2010, CCT worked with WDFW to implement a basin-wide PIT tag detection project, expanding monitoring capabilities for salmon and steelhead utilization of the mainstem Okanogan and its tributaries. These PIT tag arrays are located in the lower mainstem, below the Malott weir site, and in the lower extent of tributaries to the Okanogan River at Omak, Wanacut, Bonaparte and Salmon Creeks, and at the mainstem vertical drop structure No. 3 in Canada. Figure 16 shows existing and future site locations. These detection points provide important and detailed data on individual fish movements, population migration timing, and tributary spawning distribution. Analysis of data collected with PIT tag antennas supplement redd survey, weir trap, and video data to help refine spawning distribution estimates within the basin. In 2011 and 2012, this program grew to cover all tributaries known to be utilized by anadromous fish as well as multiple sites on the mainstem Okanogan River, including arrays in Canada. Although the focus of this study was steelhead, the infrastructure allows for detection of PIT-tagged Chinook as well. Additional detections occur for fish that are captured in the tribal or recreational fisheries, the purse seine, the lower Okanogan weir, and the CJH fish return ladder. Out-migrating juveniles are detected at the rotary screw trap as well as Columbia River dam bypass facilities and the lower Okanogan mainstem PIT tag array. Additional detections will occur during monitoring activities associated with harvest such as the purse seine at the mouth of the Okanogan River and during creel monitoring by both CCT (tribal tailrace fisheries) and WDFW (sport fisheries).

The CJHP is committed to operating in a manner consistent with conservation goals while also providing harvest opportunity for tribal membership, terminal sport fisheries, and sport, commercial, and tribal harvest in the lower Columbia and Pacific Ocean. To accomplish its goals, the CJHP has developed an adaptive management approach which utilizes models (ISIT, AHA) and data analysis to guide in-season actions and refine the program as it moves forward through the outyears. This approach is dependent upon accurate empirical data. Tagging, marking, and monitoring hatchery- and natural-origin fish provide many of these data, and are essential for validating assumptions and populating the models and analytical tools.

N. ADULT FISH RETURNS AND HARVEST

In addition CCT data collections from direct tribal harvest (e.g., Purse Seine, hook-line, netting), the Okanogan weir, CJH ladder returns and spawning and carcass surveys, CJHP staff acquire data from other sources.  Examples of “acquired data” later used for analysis are: the Fish Passage Center; PIT Tag Information System (PTAGIS); Regional Mark Identification System (RMIS); state creel programs, and all hydroelectric dam passage facilities. The CJHP RM&E staff uses Wells Ladder count data from WDFW and Wells Hatchery staff to calculate the percentage of Okanogan NOR fish as a key milestone for planning consideration. This estimate is based on a linear regression model developed by CJHP RM&E staff and regional experts. Data are entered directly in the AHA and ISIT models by CJHP RM&E staff. The AHA and ISIT models are described in the Analysis section of this summary as is the annual decision and planning support process.  

O. OKANOGAN ADULT FISH WEIR  

Chief Joseph Hatchery Program personnel and select subcontractors continue to test a number of RM&E, management, broodstocking and environmental compliance elements for the fish weir. The trap and weir is comprised of an in-stream picket guidance and live capture system that is in place during the August - October period.  The weir guides fish along the picket structure into a 25x10 trap to provide a system for adult fish video and PIT tag interrogation, fish census, fish management and broodstocking.  This structure spans the Okanogan River and is approximately 364 feet long. It is located at RM 14.7 near the town of Malott, WA.  The weir will be operated 24 hours, 7 days per week, during the August through October migration period. The CJHP staff assesses the feasibility of safe and effective fish capture, handling, release, and by-pass of all non-target species.  A series of behavioral assessments are also monitored to assess any negative effects of the weir on migrating salmon and steelhead and the efficiency of the weir to conduct broodstock and adult fish management (HOR removal) activities. PIT tag arrays are used to asses run-timing, pre-spawn mortality, mortality from handling below the weir and assist in tracking status and trends of the population. The weir is operated as a live capture, live release facility for all NOR salmon, sockeye and steelhead and all other non-target species. In addition, staff monitors and assesses installation efficiency, structural stability, operational flexibility and guidance effectiveness. Monitoring and evaluation activities are conducted to provide environmental data for permitting purposes, environmental compliance and future NEPA and engineering options for a permanent weir configuration.

p. SPAWNING AND CARCASS SURVEYS  

In addition to direct enumeration at Wells Dam and harvest data collection, redd and carcass surveys in the Okanogan river are used to refine the mark rate on hatchery fish and the proportion of the NOR run at Wells Dam that are of Okanogan River origin. Summer/fall Chinook spawning ground and redd surveys are conducted weekly from late September through mid-November. Surveys are conducted by foot, raft, and aircraft using methods described in BioAnalysts (2007). See additional  sections in the 2013 CJHP Annual Report.  These summaries include in-hatchery RME, analytical procedures, habitat data and data management.   Show More