The purpose of the Idaho Salmon and Steelhead Monitoring and Evaluation Studies (ISSMES) is to monitor and evaluate the status and trends of wild Chinook Salmon and steelhead populations in Idaho. ISSMES is the central repository of information for wild Chinook Salmon and steelhead in Idaho. We will assess abundance, productivity, spatial structure, and diversity at the population and major population group scales. We will also assess abundance, productivity, and diversity at a broader scale based on samples from Lower Granite Dam. For Chinook Salmon this will encompass the Snake River spring/summer Chinook Evolutionarily Significant Unit (ESU) and distinct Genetic Stocks. And for steelhead this will encompass the Snake River Distinct Population Segment (DPS). To provide this scale of monitoring, ISSMES will sample adult and juvenile Chinook Salmon and steelhead at Lower Granite Dam. We will collaborate with the Lower Granite Dam Genetic Stock Identification project (2010-026-00) to break aggregate abundance estimates and age composition into major population groups and, in some cases, populations. Over time, productivity will be assessed. Intensive, high-precision (fish-in/fish-out) monitoring efforts will continue at select locations as will coordination and support of other intensive Chinook Salmon and steelhead monitoring work in Idaho.

At the population level, we will estimate adult abundance, length distribution, sex ratio, and age composition; smolt abundance, length structure, and age composition; survival of juveniles from spawning stream to Lower Granite Dam and smolt-to-adult return rate. Current extensive monitoring elements will also continue, including dispersed parr surveys to assess spatial structure, stream water temperature monitoring, as well as population-level genetic work. Genetic elements will emphasize maintenance of the genetic baseline used by project 2010-026-00 as well as estimating several measures of genetic diversity. Lastly, we will coordinate a multi-agency group to reconstruct the adult steelhead run into the Snake River basin. Project objectives are consistent with Snake River monitoring and evaluation goals, with the strategies put forth by the Snake River basin fish managers (Anadromous Salmonid Monitoring Strategy, ASMS), and with the guidance from NOAA Fisheries (Crawford and Rumsey 2009). Monitoring efforts for both species are funded using dedicated Idaho Fish Accord funds from BPA, as well as Idaho Power Company, Pacific Coast Salmon Recovery Funds, Pacific Salmon Treaty, Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Program, and Lower Snake River Compensation Program.

The statement of work will be organized in accordance with the following objectives:

Objective 1 – Monitor status and trends of wild Chinook Salmon and steelhead at Lower Granite Dam.
Objective 2 – Conduct intensive, high-precision (fish-in/fish-out) monitoring of Chinook Salmon and steelhead in select populations.
Objective 3 – Conduct extensive juvenile Chinook Salmon and steelhead monitoring in selected streams through snorkel surveys and temperature monitoring.
Objective 4 – Monitor temporal and spatial genetic patterns of Chinook Salmon and steelhead populations in Idaho.
Objective 5 – Account for the spatial distribution and final disposition of all adult steelhead (hatchery and natural production) crossing Lower Granite Dam.
Objective 6 – Evaluate the life cycle survival and freshwater productivity of Snake River spring/summer Chinook Salmon and steelhead . There are two components: update/refine a stock-recruit model and estimate aggregate smolt-to-adult survival. This is an evaluation that puts together and interprets data generated from other objectives in a form suitable for management evaluation.
Objective 7 – Coordinate reporting of Chinook Salmon redd counts in Idaho to fit the population format recommended by the Interior Columbia Basin Technical Recovery Team.