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| A | 228032 | 165 | Produce Environmental Compliance Documentation | Ensure environmental compliance requirements have been met | Provide BPA with information necessary for environmental clearance for all contract activities during FY23. Submit FY24 SOW and supporting documents as needed for BPA's Environmental Compliance Group to determine environmental compliance status. | $1,000 | 0.06% | 04/01/2023 | 03/31/2024 |
| B | 228033 | 162 | Analyze/Interpret Data | Snake River fall Chinook life-cycle modeling | In fiscal year 2023, we will continue development of the two-stage state-space life-cycle model for naturally produced Snake River Basin fall Chinook salmon. Specifically, in the life-cycle model we'll be switching over to using estimates of marked and unmarked fish in the Lower Granite Dam adult trap from the STADEM model that was modified in FY20. This will allow us to use empirical trap data to estimate the number of natural and hatchery-origin adults passing the dam, which is input as the adult escapement in the model. Accomplishments to date include: 1) Building the base life-cycle model for juvenile and adult abundance at Lower Granite Dam, 2) Developing new estimates of subyearling and yearling juvenile abundance at Lower Granite Dam, and 3) Fitting the model to LGR abundance data to estimate juvenile and adult productivity and capacity parameters. This base model is beginning to be used to evaluate management actions, such as proposed harvest control rules upstream of Lower Granite Dam. It was used extensively to inform the the Snake River fall Chinook portion of the 2020 NMFS Biological Opinion. Specifically, future tasks include 1) improving uncertainty estimates for adult escapement for inclusion in the life-cycle model, 2) exploring covariates that affect juvenile productivity, 3) representing separate spawning aggregations in the model (Clearwater, Upper Hells Canyon, Lower Hells Canyon), 4) modeling effect of hydrosystem covariates on juvenile survival, and 5) running simulation scenarios to inform management actions such as hatchery, hydro, and harvest actions. This is the only project in the basin that is developing a life-cycle model for Snake River fall Chinook salmon. | $165,000 | 10.12% | 04/01/2023 | 03/31/2024 |
| C | 228036 | 157 | Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data | Beach seine wild fall Chinook salmon subyearlings in 2023/2024 | Beach seine wild subyearling fall Chinook salmon subyearlings to provide a source of in-season data for river management as well as long-term data for evaluating natural fish viability metrics in the draft recovery plan.
As in past years, we will beach seine our 15 systematic sites in Hells Canyon weekly from late March to early July. In an effort to increase our samples sizes of tagged fish and their detection at downstream dams.
In FY23, we will continue to seine and PIT tag juvenile fall Chinook salmon in the Salmon River. In 2018, hatchery releases at Hells Canyon were moved to the Salmon River in an effort to create a natural production area in the upper reach of Hells Canyon and to supplement the natural population in the Salmon River. In 2022, 4-year old adults returned to the Salmon River and will produce natural-origin offspring. We will establish beach seine sites in the Salmon River similar to our approach in the Snake River. One day per week from May through June will be allocated to seine, PIT tag, and monitor the juvenile population as we do for the Snake River. This will allow us to compare juvenile population metrics currently being collected by this project in the Snake River and in the Clearwater River by the Nez Perce Tribe. | $200,000 | 12.27% | 04/01/2023 | 03/31/2024 |
| D | 228037 | 157 | Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data | Collect genetics samples from seined fish | Genetic samples will be collected from fish to confirm the origin of fish we are PIT tagging. Each week we try to collect 10 samples from fish >65 mm, 5 samples from fish 50-64 mm, and 5 samples from fish <50 mm. In 2023, we will sample fish collected in the Salmon River to monitor the population in that river. We will collect genetic samples from Salmon River fish in the same length classes as above. In 2023, all samples will be analyzed by IDFG's Eagle Creek Genetics Lab to determine the race of each fish (i.e., spring/summer or fall). This data will be used to adjust estimated numbers of natural-origin juveniles in our juvenile run reconstruction efforts. | $25,000 | 1.53% | 04/01/2023 | 03/31/2024 |
| E | 228038 | 162 | Analyze/Interpret Data | Analyze genetics of seined fish | The tissue samples collected from beach seined fish (WE D) will be analyzed to determine the run (spring/summer or fall) and origin (hatchery or natural) of each fish. Fin tissue from 20 fish that were seined each week for 12 weeks from early April to late June will be analyzed by the IDFG Eagle Genetics Lab under a subcontract with the USGS. | $5,000 | 0.31% | 04/01/2023 | 03/31/2024 |
| F | 228039 | 158 | Mark/Tag Animals | PIT tag wild fall Chinook salmon subyearlings in 2023/2024 | Implant PIT tags into wild subyearling fall Chinook salmon subyearlings to provide a source of in-season data as long-term data for evaluating natural fish viability metrics described in the Snake River fall Chinook salmon recovery plan. | $200,000 | 12.27% | 04/01/2023 | 03/31/2024 |
| G | 228040 | 161 | Disseminate Raw/Summary Data and Results | Upload 2023/2024 PIT-tag data to PTAGIS | Upload PIT-tag data collected on wild subyearling fall Chinook salmon to provide a source of in-season data accessible to the public to assist in hydropower system management as long-term data for evaluating natural fish viability metrics described in the Snake River fall Chinook salmon recovery plan. Data will be uploaded to the PIT Tag Information System (PTAGIS) regional database. | $13,000 | 0.80% | 04/01/2023 | 03/31/2024 |
| H | 228041 | 162 | Analyze/Interpret Data | Analyze/Interpret the 1992-2023 beach seining and tagging data | This work element will provide a summary of the beach seining and PIT-tagging data collected under project 199102900 that will provide readily available information on emergence timing, rearing timing, parr growth, and passage timing at Lower Granite Dam. This information will be summarized in our annual project report for 2023. | $50,000 | 3.07% | 04/01/2023 | 03/31/2024 |
| I | 228042 | 157 | Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data | Collect fall Chinook prey data | Harmful algae blooms (HABs) are becoming more common in Lower Granite Reservoir during late summer. This is a time when many subyearling fall Chinook salmon from the Clearwater River are delaying their seaward migration in the reservoir. The algal species in these blooms typically contain those that produce toxins that are are harmful to humans and terrestrial animals. Although it is believed that HABs do not pose a direct threat to fish, they may indirectly affect them by reducing the prey populations they feed on, depleting oxygen when the algae dies, and affecting fish behavior. In 2021 and 2022, we observed a large algal bloom in the lower half of Lower Granite Reservoir that extended about 15-20 feet down into the water column. The three dominant species were Aphanizomenon flos-aquae, Microcystis wesenbergii, and Limnoraphis. Interestingly, little to no algae bloom was observed in Little Goose Reservoir.
We hypothesize that HABs may reduce subyearling fall Chinook salmon foraging ability due to reduced visibility and darkness below the algae layer. It also may reduce cladocean zooplankton abundance because the algae interferes with zooplankton foraging on phytoplankton. Because subyearlings feed on cladocean zooplankton during the summer in Lower Granite Reservoir, HABs may reduce this prey source for fish. We will sample zooplankton and subyearling diets during late summer in both Lower Granite and Little Goose reservoirs during a HABs bloom to determine differences in the abundance of zooplankton available to subyearling fall Chinook salmon and if dietary differences exist. | $45,000 | 2.76% | 04/01/2023 | 03/31/2024 |
| J | 228043 | 162 | Analyze/Interpret Data | Analyze prey data | Zooplankton samples collected under WE I will have major taxa identified and counted, and counts will be expressed as density per unit volume (zooplankton) or density per unit area (surface). Prey densities will be graphically compared between reservoirs and reservoir locations and seasonal trends examined.
Prey in stomach samples will be identified to the lowest practical taxon, counted, blotted, and weighed wet. Proportions (by weight) and frequency of occurrence (by number) for major taxa will be calculated for each sampling event and area. These metrics will be graphically compared between reservoirs and reservoir locations and seasonal trends examined. | $65,000 | 3.99% | 04/01/2023 | 03/31/2024 |
| K | 228044 | 162 | Analyze/Interpret Data | Analyze stable isotope data | Both fish and invertebrate prey were collected during 2021 to better understand the resources that contribute to Snake River juvenile fall Chinook salmon growth in riverine and reservoir habitats. These data will be analyzed for stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen to infer trophic relationships between juvenile salmon and their prey and other competitor fishes in both habitat types. The results will help explain growth differences between the two major rearing habitat types. Samples will be analyzed by the UC Davis stable isotope facility. This task was intended to be completed during FY22, but in case it doesn't, it will be completed in FY23. | $10,000 | 0.61% | 04/01/2023 | 03/31/2024 |
| L | 228045 | 157 | Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data | Deepwater redd surveys | We will conduct underwater surveys for deepwater fall Chinook salmon redds in the Snake River upstream of Lower Granite Reservoir in cooperation with the Idaho Power Company and the Nez Perce Tribe to provide a source of in-season data as well as data for evaluating the spatial distribution criteria under the Snake River Fall Chinook recovery plan. Deepwater redd surveys will continue to be conducted cooperatively with USGS and IPC as in the past. 25 known spawning sites will be surveyed by searching established transects with an underwater video camera. Each site will be surveyed once near, and following, the peak of spawning (mid to late November). | $150,000 | 9.20% | 04/01/2023 | 03/31/2024 |
| M | 228046 | 162 | Analyze/Interpret Data | Count deepwater redds | Redds identified in surveys of deepwater spawning sites will counted to derive a total for each site surveyed. | $75,000 | 4.60% | 04/01/2023 | 03/31/2024 |
| N | 228047 | 157 | Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data | Collect carcasses | It is currently estimated that about 70% of the adult fall Chinook salmon passing Lower Granite Dam each year are of hatchery origin. Thus, it is assumed that 70% of fish spawning in the Snake River are hatchery origin as well, but this has not been confirmed. The use of parentage-based tagging allows the origin of returning adults to be determined but requires a tissue sample. In this work element, we will collected fall Chinook salmon carcasses throughout Hells Canyon and throughout the spawning season to collect tissue and other biological measurements to ultimately determine the percentage of natural and hatchery-origin spawners on the spawning grounds. This information is important to determining progress toward meeting NOAA's percentage of hatchery-origin spawners (PHOS) on the spawning grounds of about 15% for Snake River fall Chinook salmon. Carcass tissue samples will be analyzed by the Idaho Power Company.
Guidance for use of Small Unmanned Aircraft (UAS) for this work element:
To operate the controls of a small UAS, a remote pilot shall have an airman certificate with a small UAS rating, or be under the direct supervision of a person who holds such a certificate and ensures the UAS provider does not have any open FAA actions against it. Visual line-of-sight (VLOS) only; the unmanned aircraft must remain within VLOS of the remote pilot in command and the person manipulating the flight controls of the small UAS. The small UAS operator manipulating the controls of a drone should always avoid manned aircraft and never operate in a careless or reckless manner. Daylight-only operations, or civil twilight (30 minutes before official sunrise to 30 minutes after official sunset, local time) with appropriate anti-collision lighting. BPA strongly encourages all UAS pilots to check local and state laws before gathering information through remote sensing technology or photography with regard to privacy issues. Ensure that you have prior approval before entering private property during the course of the flight. Drone shall be available to BPA for inspection or testing on request, and provide any associated records. Report to the BPA within 10 days any operation that results in serious injury, loss of consciousness, or property damage (to property other than the UAS) of at least $500. | $75,000 | 4.60% | 04/01/2023 | 03/31/2024 |
| O | 228048 | 161 | Disseminate Raw/Summary Data and Results | Analyze/Interpret the 1991-2023 redd count data | This work element will provide a summary of the redd surveys conducted under project 199102900 that will provide readily available information on the number of redds counted, spatial distribution of redds, and timing of redd construction that will be used to evaluate the spatial distribution of spawning under criteria established in the draft recovery plan. This information will be summarized in our 2023 annual project report as well as being provided to the Nez Perce Tribe for their annual basin-wide redd count report. | $20,000 | 1.23% | 01/01/2024 | 03/31/2024 |
| P | 228049 | 161 | Disseminate Raw/Summary Data and Results | Coordinate AMIP activities and provide management briefings | Coordinate attendance and presentations of fall Chinook life-cycle model progress and results to facilitate AMIP modeling and help fishery managers and others interested in fall Chinook salmon recovery. | $10,000 | 0.61% | 04/01/2023 | 03/31/2024 |
| Q | 228051 | 119 | Manage and Administer Projects | Contract and project management for 1991-029-00 | Covers work to manage on-the-ground efforts associated with the project. This also covers management of the administrative details of the project, which includes coordinating efforts of other project cooperators, support of BPA's programmatic requirements such as financial reporting, and development of a FY24 SOW package (includes draft SOW and budget). | $5,000 | 0.31% | 04/01/2023 | 03/31/2024 |
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