Since initiation of this project in 2010 WDFW has focused on expanding the instream PIT tag detection site (IPTDS) infrastructure in the Upper Columbia River basin and developing PIT tag based steelhead escapement models. Refinement of the methodology used to estimate steelhead abundance in the Upper Columbia River basin has been greatly improved through the use of PIT tag based models. As of now, estimates of hatchery and wild steelhead abundance to the four major populations in the Upper Columbia River basin (Wenatchee, Entiat, Methow and Okanogan Rivers) have been generated for six years with estimates of uncertainty at or near the recommended level of precision for monitoring salmon and steelhead in the Columbia River basin. The same methodology has also been used to estimates steelhead spawner abundance in tributaries.

WDFW technicians will continue to operate and maintain IPTDS in the Upper Columbia River basin in order to maximize operational time and data quality at all WDFW operated sites. All IPTDS operated by WDFW in the Upper Columbia River basin are operated consistent with protocols and guidelines developed under the ISEMP project (BPA project 2003-017-00).

Many data gaps in the Upper Columbia River basin have been filled through this project, including: 1) Evaluating the accuracy of the steelhead spawning ground survey design, 2) Estimating the precision of redd counts for both steelhead and spring Chinook Salmon, 3) Developing analytical tools to automate and standardize the analysis of PIT tag data from instream PIT tag detection sites, and 4) Evaluating the precision and accuracy of the smolt monitoring methodology for both steelhead and spring Chinook Salmon. However, significant data gaps related to VSP parameters (abundance, productivity and spatial structure) of spring Chinook and steelhead remain throughout the Upper Columbia River basin. This project will continue to focus on filling these remaining data gaps. Under this contract period, we will evaluate egg-to-fry survival patterns within the Methow River basin. Egg-to-fry survival will be examined by constructing artificial redds in the Twisp River, Chewuch River, and the upper mainstem Methow River. The survival patterns that are discovered through this process may contribute to habitat restoration project prioritization, life-cycle modeling, and inform the variability of incubation survival within the Methow River basin. Previous work in the Wenatchee River system has identified longitudinal patterns in egg-to-fry survival within critical spring Chinook Salmon spawning areas. This, in turn, has led to sediment and scour issues being important targets for habitat restoration.  

WDFW will be the research lead for the project and obtain all necessary environmental compliance permits for the project which includes FY19 contract requisition #'s: 331268 and 332428. Jeremy Cram will be the point of contact for WDFW. Colville Confederated Tribes (CCT) will be the primary contractor for the Okanogan Basin; FY19 CR #: 332428. John Arterburn is the point of contact for CCT.

Background on the project:

Despite the incredible amount of resources devoted to salmon and steelhead recovery, most ESA-listed populations in the Upper Columbia River basin (UCR) are not meeting delisting criteria. Collective efforts to date have not shown habitat restoration and hatchery supplementation, as currently applied, to be effective recovery tools (Ford, 2011; Maier, 2014). This project seeks to develop and implement a process that builds upon and augments data from existing monitoring and evaluation (M&E) programs to identify factors limiting desired performance (e.g., productivity, abundance) and efficiently inform the recovery actions directed at salmon and steelhead populations.
A unique, well-coordinated and standardized M&E effort exists in the UCR. Adult and smolt monitoring of all primary populations in the UCR has been ongoing for several years. M&E programs are currently being funded by BPA (ISEMP, OBMEP), and Chelan, Douglas, and Grant County Public Utility Districts. Activities under the M&E programs are being conducted by various Federal, State, Tribal, and County agencies and private contractors. A high degree of coordination and cooperation among programs and contractors has allowed for standardization of metrics and methodologies throughout much of the UCR. Despite the comprehensive nature of these programs, uncertainty exists regarding the accuracy and precision of both juvenile and adult abundance estimates. This status and trend project seeks to estimate the accuracy and precision of several of the current methodologies used in the ongoing monitoring programs, and where applicable, revise methodologies in order to meet accuracy and precision recommendations for monitoring viable salmonid population (VSP) parameters (Crawford and Rumsey 2009).