Bull Trout Population Study in the Middle Fork Willamette and McKenzie River Drainage Basins. June - November Stephen D. Hammond Giles C.

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1 Bull Trout Population Study in the Middle Fork Willamette and McKenzie River Drainage Basins June - November 1994 Stephen D. Hammond Giles C. Thelen Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife 3150 East Main Street Springfield, OR November 1994

2 CONTENTS Page MAINSTEM McKENZIE POPULATION SUMMARY... 1 JUVENILE SURVEYS: Lower Separation Creek... 2 Upper Separation Creek and Separation Lake... 4 Harvey Creek... 5 George Creek... 6 Anderson Creek... 7 Olallie Creek... 8 Creek Buck Side Channel Sweetwater Creek ADULT SURVEYS: McKenzie Standard Pool Check SPAWNING SURVEYS: Separation Creek Anderson and Ollalie SOUTH FORK McKENZIE POPULATION SUMMARY JUVENILE SURVEYS: South Fork Elk Creek Roaring River French Pete Creek ADULT SURVEYS: South Fork Standard Pools MIDDLE FORK WILLAMETTE POPULATION SUMMARY JUVENILE SURVEYS Beaver Creek Chuckle Spring Found Creek Indigo Creek Pioneer Gulch Middle Fork Willamette ADULT/SPAWNING SURVEYS Middle Fork Willamette and Simpson Creek Spawning Found and Swift Creek Spawning North Fork of Middle Fork Willamette Adults... 61

3 MAINSTEM McKENZIE POPULATION SUMMARY Historically, bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) were either a contiguous population ranging from the lower McKenzie River up to Tamolitch Falls and extending up the larger tributaries, or two populations with overlapping distributions and some genetic interchange. If two populations did exist, one may have spawned in the upper reaches of the South Fork and one in the upper reaches of the mainstem. Spawning habitat is thought to be a limiting factor for this populations. Culvert modification to allow migration of spawning adults has been completed on Sweetwater Creek. Modification of the Olallie Creek culvert under highway 126 is scheduled for summer Angling is also a concern for the bull trout. Catch and release regulations are in effect, and identification signs have been posted at campsites and fishing holes. There is some possibility for a bull trout hybridization with brook trout S. fontinalis above Trail Bridge Reservoir and in the Horse Creek Basin, where a hybrid was identified in 1992 by Forest Service biologists. conducted juvenile surveys in Creek 58, Buck Side Channel and in the Horse Creek basin, including Separation, Harvey, and George Creeks. The 1994 field surveys during the summer have provided important and useful information. Spawning surveys on Anderson Creek were expanded to include the entire stream. Thirty redds were documented, and their depths and water velocities measured. Three redds were observed on Olallie Creek, one of which had two bull trout on it. This is the first time bull trout have been observed spawning in Olallie Creek. Twenty three age 0 bull trout in Olallie Creek that had been transferred there in March Juvenile bull trout were also transferred to Sweetwater Creek in 1993 and A night snorkel survey located 11 age 1+ and seven age 0 bull trout all within 50m of the stocking point. Surveys on lower Separation Creek located one 6-8" bull trout. Fish identified last year as bull trout were actually spring chinook. In the Three Sisters Wildlerness, Upper Separation, Harvey,and George Creeks were surveyed, but no bull trout were located. Creek 58 and Buck Side Channel surveys on the mainstem McKenzie also failed to locate any bull trout. Snorkeling the mainstem McKenzie River between Olallie Campground and Paradise Campground may prove to be a useful method to index bull trout populations. It appears that the adult bull trout seem to be staging in the deeper pools in the McKenzie before moving to spawning areas. SEPARATION CREEK (LOWER) 1

4 DATE: July 12, 1994; G. Thelen, S. Lewis WEATHER: Sunny 85 F; water temperature 46 F 1 bull trout - 250mm Chinook fry: observed Cutthroat trout (approx. 45) Rainbow trout (approx. 35) We surveyed from the 100m below the confluence of Horse Creek and Separation Creek to 1.2 miles up Separation Creek. The water moved at a high velocity through much of the channel, but there were several side channels and margin areas which were prime bull trout habitat, which includes slower water, woody detritus, and good canopy cover. In these areas we observed a bull trout (Fig 1.), several chinook and many cutthroat. Stream habitat consisted of many log jams, woody debris, and root wads. The substrata was made up of large cobble and boulders, with areas of gravel and silt in the slower water. Much canopy cover was provided by the healthy old growth, mixed age stand of fir, hemlock, cedar, and vine maple. We located the bull trout in the second side channel about.3 miles up from the confluence of Separation Creek and Horse Creek. The water velocity here was medium to still, and varied in depth from six-36 inches. This area is covered by a vegetation bridge which provides much cover. We observed the trout about 10 meters up from the downstream side of this sided channel at the beginning of this vegetation bridge. He was in still water in a dark area, so a flashlight was necessary. Five yards downstream from this location on the North bank was an undercut of an old growth cedar which seemed to be prime juvenile habitat. Five chinook fry were observed here and one possible bull trout fry about 35mm in length. Cutthroat were the primary trout observed. Of the 45 observed 20 were below 100mm and 25 were between mm. The rainbow ranged in sizes between mm (15) and mm (20). The 70 chinook observed were between mm in length. 2

5 SEPARATION CREEK (UPPER) and SEPARATION LAKE DATE: September 7, 1994; G. Thelen, S. Hammond, (D. Bickford, J. Capurso USFS) WEATHER: Clear, sunny. Water temperature: 8 C Cutthroat: 25mm - 230mm Sculpin: 50mm - 100mm We sampled from where trail 3536 first nears Separation Creek downstream about 600m to the bottom of a large side channel. For lake, just continue on trail to marked lake turn off. The two teams split up at the bottom of a side channel and worked upstream, with Jim and Dave working the main channel and Steve and Giles going up the side channel. They reported that the main channel had swift water and a steep gradient, so not much good habitat in the margins or on the channel was seen - only one nice lateral scour pool with deep undercut banks. There were a few good plunge pools, but no bull trout seen. Their last 200m had log jams, pools, and decent cover and habitat for adults and juvenile bull trout. The side channel we went on had lots of nice rearing habitat for bull trout. There were many margins and side channels of this side channel that provided lots of cover via downed logs, and sunken woody debris. The last 200m here had lots of successive 1.8m - 2.4m deep pools caused by log jams, providing nice spawning gravel at the tail end of these pools. This stretch cuts through where a forest used to be, so there's many standing snags and islands of vegetation. This, however, opened up the canopy so there's not much protection provided from the elements. The substrata consisted mostly of sand and silt, with areas of gravel and cobble. Both teams than worked together up the main cannel for 50m, but this was mostly riffles with a cobble and boulder substrate, and no good habitat was observed for juvenile bull trout. We walked along Separation Cr. for several miles, and it was confined through much of this stretch, with exposed bedrock along the banks in many areas. Some decent marginal pockets, but not much. Separation Lake had ducks, heron, frogs, red-tailed hawks, and a brook trout about 200mm was caught, with many more biting on the line. The creek about 5m up from the trail junction had nice juvenile habitat, but no fish were observed. 3

6 HARVEY CREEK DATE: September 7, 1994; G.Thelen, S. Hammond. D. Bickford, J. Capurso (USFS). WEATHER: Clear. Water temperature: 9 C Cutthroat: 25mm - 130mm Sculpin: 50mm - 75mm From confluence of Harvey and Separation Cr. upstream 200m. Take Folley Ridge road to trailhead Follow trail to first close contact with Separation Cr. Follow side channel on left facing downstream (through the "dead forest") to the mouth of Harvey Cr. George Cr. has it's mouth downstream about 50m of the confluence of this side channel. The two teams worked from the confluence of the side channel up to the mouth of Harvey Cr. We than split up, with Dave and Jim working up Harvey Cr., and Steve and Giles working up the side channel, thinking that Harvey came in at two places. It doesn't, so we continued up the side channel and onto the main channel for 200m, finding no good habitat for juvenile bull trout up stream of the "dead forest". The other team reported that Harvey Cr. had poor spawning habitat, with little gravel available. Woody detritus in the channel was associated with high levels of silt. There is good rearing habitat in the multiple side channels, but few cutthroat were observed. There is wood available for cover, but no bull trout seen. 4

7 GEORGE CREEK DATE: September 7, 1994; G.Thelen, S. Hammond, (D. Bickford, J. Capurso USFS). WEATHER: Clear. Water temperature: 9 C Cutthroat Take Folley Ridge road to trailhead Follow trail to first close contact with Separation Cr. Follow side channel on left facing downstream (through the "dead forest") to the mouth of Harvey Cr. George Cr. has it's mouth downstream about 50m of the confluence of this side channel. The mouth of George Cr. was only three feet wide, so we did not snorkel. Only cutthroat were observed by a visual search. 5

8 ANDERSON CREEK DATE: August 1, 1994; G. Thelen, S. Hammond WEATHER: Sunny, 80 F 7 bull trout observed: 5 0-year about 25mm; two 65mm. Downstream from highway 126 culvert about 100m. We found five 0 year bull trout at the third major log jam below the culvert. They were on the left bank going downstream (west) in the slow moving water in the margin area. A 65mm bull trout was seen below this log jam on east bank margin in an undercut bank. The last bull trout observed was across from an old road used for stream habitat restoration, so it's the first road which comes to the water on the east bank side. The bull trout was on the west bank side in calm water behind a boulder on the margin. 6

9 OLALLIE CREEK DATE: August 17, 1994; G. Thelen, S. Hammond WEATHER: Clear; water temp. 39 F Bull trout: 23 juveniles (stocked in March 1994) - 35mm-55mm Beginning of Olallie Creek (where the water started) to major spring entering the creek from the west 30m from the confluence with a tributary entering from the east. FS rd to primitive campsite to right just west to FS rd Follow rough trail southwest to creek (look for three standing metal fence posts and white water heater tank on its side). A visual surface search (no snorkeling) located five bull trout in very small pools where the trail met the creek (probably where it was stocked). We traveled 15m upstream to where the creek started and located two bull trout above the trail and the other three at the trail. We continued downstream and noticed the remaining bull trout became increasingly dispersed. The last one was observed just upstream of the first of two springs that entered the creek. The temperature of both springs was 37 F. The water flow from the second spring was 2-3 times the flow of the creek above the spring. The first spring was about 2/3 of the creek flow. Habitat above the first spring was good. Downed logs, woody debris, in-stream detritus, and canopy provided excellent cover (about 65% of the creek was completely covered). Old growth and younger cedar, Douglas fir, and hemlock lined both steep banks. There was little erosion and infrequent undercut banks in this section. Water velocity and volume below the first spring increased dramatically, which reduced the number of calm pools and backwater. The search was terminated at the second spring. This section was also stocked with juvenile chinook, but none were observed. 7

10 CREEK 58 DATE: July 14, 1994; WEATHER: S. Lewis, U. S. Forest Service Clear, 50 F. Night snorkel Approximately 20 cutthroat trout (50mm-200mm) 1 sculpin. McKenzie Hwy 126, less than a mile west of McKenzie Ranger Station. Small wooden fence on north side of road is the only marking. From pool below Hwy 126 culvert to marshy source. No bull trout were observed. Only cutthroat were seen. Very shallow water. Most of area could not be snorkeled, only probed with lights. Cobbled creek with mostly exposed small rocks turning into tall grass cover toward source. Could not even probe with lights in the grass cover area. 8

11 BUCK SIDE CHANNEL DATE: August 31, 1994; G. Thelen, eight members of Blue River USFS fish crew WEATHER: Sunny, 85 F No bull trout 250 chinook juveniles 125 cutthroat from mm red -legged frogs, sculpins, and a Pacific giant salamander The entire length of Buck Side Channel, about 700m, was surveyed. Take highway 126 to road 2650, about two miles past Belknap Springs. This was a level 3 stream habitat survey to determine the length and position of each fish species found in the channel. We broke up into three groups consisting of two snorkelers and a recorder. Several 150mm bull trout were observed here earlier in the year, but no bull trout were observed this time (the water level was now much lower). There was good habitat in places on this channel, much of which was created by the USFS, such as log jams, which created nice glides, pools, and woody cover. There were also some good root wads and undercut banks, but cutthroat and chinook were the only fish seen. 9

12 SWEETWATER CREEK NIGHT SNORKEL DATE: July 6, 1994 WEATHER: S. Lewis, G. Thelen Clear, warm Bull Trout: 1 95mm - 125mm 10 25mm - 60mm Cutthroat: Numerous All juvenile bull trout observed in mossy margins adjacent to the stocking site. Heavy blowdown throughout channel due to clearcut 30m to the west. DATE: September 14, 1994; WEATHER: G. Thelen, S. Hammond, J. Karagavoorian (USFS) Clear Bull trout: 11 95mm-125mm 7 25mm-60mm Cutthroat: numerous 100mm-175mm From below old bridge on Rd. 720 (stocking location) downstream 150m. McKenzie Hwy. east to Rd. 720 (adjacent to Trail Bridge Reservoir). This road has a locked gate - need Forest Service key. This section had excellent cover provided by heavy tree blowdown from adjacent clearcut to west. In-stream habitat was also good, provided by woody debris and overhanging and aquatic vegetation. All bull trout were observed in the last 50m below the bridge. All larger bull trout were out in the channel, many interspersed with cutthroat. The smaller ones were all near the bridge where they were stocked, up in the moss and vegetation in the margins. 10

13 MCKENZIE RIVER STANDARD POOL CHECK Olallie Boat Ramp to Paradise Campground July 7, 1994 M. Wade, G. Thelen, S. Lewis The purpose of this trip was to train Giles and Sandy on fish identification and to an explore the possibility of inventorying bull trout in the mainstem McKenzie by snorkeling. We got a rather late start at about 1:00 and consequently did not do a thorough job on counting fish besides bull trout. This trip should be repeated latter this year to obtain changes in bull trout distribution and to make a more complete count of other fish. The weather was clear and sunny with an air temperature of 90 o F. Pool locations are on the attatched map (Fig. 2), and results displayed graphically (Fig. 3). 1. Olallie boat ramp: Saw 3 bull trout about 12, 12 and 18 inches. They were on the far side of the pool from the ramp mixed in with whitefish near the bottom. 2. Deer Creek: No bull trout. We just got a brief look before some anglers arrived. The water appeared too swift. but may be better later in the year as the flow drops. 3. Frissell Creek: No bull trout in a small shallow pool just above the mouth of Frissell Creek. 4. Highway pool: Saw 2 bull trout, 14 and 24 inches, in quiet water on the bottom. 5. Ledge pool: Saw 1 bull trout about 12 inches. Anglers were present so we did not get as good of a look as we wanted. 6. Upper Belknap: Saw 3 bull trout, 18, 24 and 24 inches. the smaller one was near the head of the pool and the other 2 were on the right near the tail of the pool. 7. Lower Belknap: No bull trout but 1 salmon. 8. Upper Bigelow: No bull trout but 2 salmon. 9. Bigelow Logjam: Did not sample but should in the future. 10. Bigelow Bridge: No bull trout. TOTAL: 9 bull trout observed McKENZIE RIVER - Olallie Boat Ramp to Paradise Campground - continued 11

14 July 27, 1994 M. Wade, G. Thelen, S. Lewis The same group returned and snorkeled the same holes, plus looked at a few additional ones between Paradise Campground and McKenzie bridge Campground, but none were snorkeled in this stretch. The water temperature was 7.5 C at Olallie Campground and it was 85 F and sunny outside. Time was Olallie boat ramp: Saw five bull trout here in about the same location. Sizes were: two 24 ; one 20 ; one 14 ; and one 12. The water here was very murky, and so our visibility was limited. 2. Deer Creek: One bull trout was observed about 24 in length off to the west bank at lower end of pool. 4. Highway pool: No bull trout seen. Visibility was better in these lower pools. 5. Ledge pool: Two bull trout observed, one 24 and one 18. They were seen threefourths of the way through the pool; on the west bank side towards the middle of water. 6. Upper Belknap: Saw nine bull trout, two 18-20, seven and they were found in the middle of the hole towards the east bank. These large bull trout were the majority of the fish in this hole. We snorkeled from a side channel above the pool down to it and found many large rainbow and cutthroat in this whitewater area, indicating that the bull trout intimidated the other trout out of this pool. 7 Lower Belknap: Five bull trout observed, one 16 and four found in the middle of rapids in the middle of the hole. Four chinook were also witnessed. 8. Upper Bigalow: One bull trout 14 in length observed in eddy on east side of fish rock. Seen in the with the white fish. Three chinook seen also. 9. Bigalow log jam: No bull trout seen. Not advised to look again. 10. Bigalow bridge: No bull trout seen. One 25-ton hydraulic jack recovered. 11. Paradise CG: One bull trout at beginning of pool on west bank right below the shelf. It was about 16 in length. TOTAL: 24 total bull trout observed 12

15 McKENZIE RIVER - Olallie Boat Ramp to Paradise Campground - continued August 1, 1994 Giles Thelen, Steve Hammond We snorkeled the water across from Olallie boat ramp to show Steve what an adult bull trout looks like. We observed seven bull trout varying in length: one 32 ; two 20 ; two 16 ; two 12. Visibility was better than last time snorkeled. The numbers of bull trout were seeing and the way that they are increasing indicates to us that they are beginning to move upstream to spawning grounds in Anderson Creek and other tributaries. August 23, 1994 G. Thelen, S. Hammond, M. Wade We started at the Carmen spawning channel and rafted down to Paradise Campground. The spawning channel had about 25 fish, (12 brook, eight CT, five Rb) all between mm, underneath the log raft at the head of the channel. No more fish were seen until below first sill, when 11 CT and six Rb were observed down to the mainstem McKenzie. Between here and Olallie Campground there was one hole 0.2 miles upstream of the Anderson Cr. confluence where a single 24 bull trout was observed, as well as 40 whitefish, five Rb, and two chinook. Water temperature at pool 5 was 48F. 1. Olallie boat ramp: 14 bull trout were observed: three ; five ; six 24+ all in the same location as before. Also witnessed were 95 whitefish, and 23 trout (Rb and Ct). 2. Deer Creek: Seven bull trout seen, one ; six 24+ all at end of pool right hand side going downstream. 40 whitefish, 25 trout also observed. 4. Highway pool: Two bull trout: one 24 ; one 14. A head was also found of a bull trout about 14 - a victim of an angler. 50 whitefish and 40 trout were seen. 5. Ledge pool: Three bull trout. One ; two 24+. They were seen near the end of the pool. 6. Upper Belknap: Two bull trout: one 24+; one Three salmon were also observed. 7. Lower Belknap: Two bull trout observed, both in the range. Four chinook were seen in the upper reaches of the hole. 8. Upper Bigalow ( fish rock ): No bull trout observed. 11. Paradise CG: One bull trout 22 found in eddy on left side. TOTAL: 32 bull trout observed McKENZIE RIVER - Olallie Boat Ramp to Paradise Campground - continued 13

16 September 7, 1994 J. Ziller, M. Wade 1. Ollalie boat ramp: Nine bull trout seen. No sizes were recorded 2. Deer Creek: Five bull trout observed, no sizes recorded 3. Highway pool: 0 bull trout 4. Ledge pool: 0 bull trout 5. Upper Belknap: 0 bull trout 6. Lower Belknap: 0 bull trout 7. Fish Rock: 0 bull trout 8. Paradise CG: 0 bull trout TOTAL: 14 bull trout observed September 15, Olallie boat ramp: 6 bull trout: 3-24", 2-18", 1-14" 2. Deer Creek: 3 bull trout: 1-30", 2-24"; 30 juvenile chinook 3. Highway pool: 1 bull trout - 24" 4. Ledge pool: 0 bull trout, 1 adult chinook 5. Upper Belknap: 0 bull trout, 4 adult chinook 6. Lower Belknap: 0 bull trout 7. Fish Rock: 2 bull trout - 24" 8. Paradise CG: 0 bull trout, 1 adult chinook TOTAL: 12 bull trout observed September 22, Olallie boat ramp: 3 bull trout: 2-24", 1-16" 2. Deer Creek: 1 bull trout - 16" 3. Highway pool: 0 bull trout 4. Ledge pool: 0 bull trout, 1 adult chinook 5. Upper Belknap: 1 bull trout - 16"; 3 adult chinook 6. Lower Belknap: 0 bull trout 7. Fish Rock: 0 bull trout 8. Paradise CG: 0 bull trout TOTAL: 5 bull trout observed 14

17 McKENZIE RIVER - Olallie Boat Ramp to Paradise Campground - continued September 27, Olallie boat ramp: 2 bull trout - 24" 2. Deer Creek: 0 bull trout, 1 adult chinook 3. Highway pool: 0 bull trout 4. Ledge pool: 0 bull trout, 1 adult chinook 5. Upper Belknap: 1 bull trout - 22"; 1 adult chinook 6. Lower Belknap: 0 bull trout 7. Fish Rock: 0 bull trout, 2 adult chinook 8. Paradise CG: not surveyed - gate locked TOTAL: 3 bull trout observed October 7, 1994 J. Ziller, B. Bumstead 1. Olallie boat ramp: 0 bull trout 2. Deer Creek: One spawned out 24" female bull trout 3. Highway pool: 0 bull trout 4. Ledge pool: One spawned out 20" male 5. Upper Belknap: 0 bull trout 6. Lower Belknap: 0 bull trout 7. Fish Rock: One 16" male bull trout 8. Paradise CG: 0 bull trout. One chinook carcass TOTAL: 3 bull trout October 18, Olallie boat ramp: 0 bull trout 2. Deer Creek: 1 bull trout - 14" 3. Highway pool: 1 bull trout - 16" 4. Ledge pool: 0 bull trout 5. Upper Belknap: 1 bull trout - 12" 6. Lower Belknap: 0 bull trout 7. Fish Rock: 0 bull trout 8. Paradise CG: 0 bull trout, 1 dead adult chinook TOTAL: 3 bull trout observed November 10, 1994 No bull trout observed in seven of the eight pools. Lower Belknap was not surveyed because of unsafe high water conditions. 15

18 SEPARATION CREEK SPAWNING SURVEY DATE: October 4, 1994; WEATHER: G. Thelen, S. Hammond Warm, clear No fish observed About 1000 meters upstream from confluence with Horse Creek - to old growth log across channel where R. Brooks and G. Thelen stopped in Located two possible old redds on the main channel. There was good gravel in the first side channel (where a 150mm bull trout was observed earlier this year), but no sign of activity today. The possible old redds could have been created by chinook, since juveniles were observed 10m below confluence in July

19 ANDERSON CREEK REDD AND SPAWNING SURVEY Final results are displayed in table 1. S. Hammond, G. Thelen September 14, new redds: 2 below culvert, 5 above culvert 5 adult bull trout above culvert: 1-26"; 1-20"; 2-14"; 1-12" Lower section started at confluence with McKenzie (river mile 0.0) up to Hwy. 126 culvert (river mile 0.2). Section above culvert ended about 300m upstream of a clearcut on the left bank at river mile 1.0. Good gravel and many potential redd sites for future spawning. Only one redd observed upstream of the clearcut. September 22, new redds: 1 below culvert, 3 above culvert 4 adult bull trout below culvert, 2 of them spawning on redd September 27, redds total: 5 new; 3 below culvert; 2 redds above culvert in new section 2 adult bull trout below culvert seen on separate redds Marked reds with either lime green or white ribbons. Continued past river mile 1.0 to river mile 1.2. Marked end of this section with green and blue ribbons on large log across creek. 17

20 ANDERSON CREEK REDD AND SPAWNING SURVEY - continued October 4, redds total: 5 new, 4 below culvert, 1 above culvert No adult bull trout observed Surveyed an additional 0.3 mi. further upstream to river mile 1.5. Observed 8 redds in this new section. These redds were more defined than the lower redds. Found a bull trout head - fish would have been about 24". Surveyed small tributary in upper section - woody debris plentiful, but no good gravel spawning areas. Possible redds were marked, but not included with the total number of redds. October 11, redds total in regular survey: 1 new, below culvert Measured stream velocities over redds with digital meter (Table 3) up to river mile 1.5. We skipped the first two numbered redds on the lower section - they were questionable and not well defined. We used 10 second intervals on the velocity meter and recorded the second 10 second reading. All velocities were in meters/second. Water velocity over 15 redds were measured on this date. Redd dimensions were not measured, but will be at a later date. October 12, redds in regular survey, to river mile new redds from river mile 1.5 to redds total on entire Anderson survey, to river mile 2.4. Previous U.S. Forest Service redd surveys ended at approximately river mile 1.6. We located a total of 22 redds to this point, which is important in comparing the number of redds to past years. Continued measuring water velocities over redds. Also measured redd dimensions (width and length) and took photographs of stream habitat at redd sites. Observed redds up to waterfall at river mile 2.0. The waterfall is a possible migration barrier - about a 5 foot drop at a 50 degree angle with very high water velocity. Continued up to river mile 2.4 (Rd. 830). ANDERSON CREEK REDD AND SPAWNING SURVEY - continued 18

21 November 16, 1994 No new redds 22 redds up to previous USFS survey end point (river mile 1.6) This was the final redd count with USFS - Dave Bickford and Chris Dion. We counted redds up to the USFS end point for their surveys. 19

22 OLALLIE CREEK REDD AND SPAWNING SURVEY Confluence with McKenzie River upstream to Hwy. 126 culvert. Final results are disaplayed in table 2. S. Hammond, G. Thelen September 14, redds total: both 10m downstream of culvert High water velocity 15m below culvert down to confluence. Only probable spawning sites within pool area 15m below culvert. September 22, redds total: no new redds September 27, redds total: 1 new red 10m downstream of culvert October 4, redds total: no new redds October 11, 1994 Not surveyed October 12, 1994 Not Surveyed 20

23 Table 1. Anderson Creek redd survey '94. River mile sections: Sept Sept Sept Oct Oct Oct Oct Nov Total Table 2. Olallie Creek redd survey '94- Confluence with McKenzie upstream to Hwy. 126 culvert. Redds Total Redds Sept Sept Sept Oct Oct. 11 Not surveyed 3 Oct. 12 Not surveyed 3 21

24 SOUTH FORK McKENZIE POPULATION SUMMARY This adfluvial population was cut off from the mainstem McKenzie in 1963 by the construction of Cougar Dam. Bull trout inhabit the South Fork McKenzie from Cougar Reservoir up to the wilderness boundary. Juvenile bull trout have been observed in the lower reaches of Roaring River. which is a large spring fed stream. Juveniles were also observed in the South Fork, but only below the Roaring River confluence. No redds have been observed, but spawning is assumed to take place near the wilderness boundary on both Roaring River and the South Fork McKenzie. The Upper South Fork of the McKenzie, upper Roaring River, Elk Creek, and French Pete Creeks were snorkeled for juvenile bull trout. These surveys failed to locate any bull trout. The South Fork McKenzie population is believed to be about 100 adults. We conducted a pool check of 14 holes between the Roaring River confluence and Cougar Reservoir to observe the up-stream migration of adult bull trout. Only a few large (12"+) bull trout were observed, but recent creel surveys show that many large bull trout were observed in several pools in the upper reservoir, as well as reports of about 12 fish caught in the past two years in both the river channel and in the reservoir itself. The release of bull trout regulation has been generally accepted, although there are reports of illegal harvesting. More effort to locatine the redds in Roaring River and the upper South Fork is necessary in following years, as well as earlier pool checks to monitor for the upstream migration of adult bull trout, especially in the upper reservoir pools. 22

25 UPPER SOUTH FORK McKENZIE -section 1 DATE: August 10, 1994; G. Thelen, S. Hammond, L. Baker (USFS) WEATHER: Clear, 55 F; water temperature 7 C 35 cutthroat observed: 20<100mm; 15>100mm. 300m section starting where the South Fork Trail meets the South Fork McKenzie River upstream to a 10-log log jam. We night snorkeled on the wilderness boundary where the vegetation went from a clear-cut area to an established old growth forest. We went from the boundary upstream about 300m. The habitat in this area was great for bull trout. There were many areas of slow moving water around undercut banks and old growth root wads. The stream substrate consisted of gravel and cobble as well as pockets of in-water woody debris in many of the margins. There was lots of down logs which provide cover and pools for the trout. About 200m upstream there was a vegetation bridge caused by downed logs that provided great cover. It went back several meters and had a nice flow going through it, but only cutthroat were observed. This was much like the bridge that a bull trout was seen in on the South Fork McKenzie. 23

26 SOUTH FORK McKENZIE RIVER - section 2 DATE: August 15, 1994; G. Thelen, S. Hammond WEATHER: Clear; water temp. 42 C Cutthroat trout: abundant - 25mm-50mm in margins; 75mm-250mm in main channel, backwater, and pools. Approx. 1000m section starting at a 10-log log jam 300m upstream from where the South Fork Trail meets the South Fork McKenzie River. This section consisted primarily of riffles and glides with a rocky banks. There was no good cover in 85% of the section. The chief cover was provided by downed logs (blowdown next to clear-cut). There was also considerable stream-bank erosion in the area adjacent to this clear-cut. Five log jams on the main channel provided good cover and woody debris. Numerous side channels contained good juvenile habitat, as well as pools and holes for adults. Abundant woody debris throughout most of the side channels provided cover and slowed the water velocity. Most of these channels also contained good areas of gravel substrate for spawning. Log jams and side channels seemed to have provided the majority of possible bull trout habitat in this section of the river. 24

27 SOUTH FORK McKENZIE RIVER - section 3 DATE: August 18, 1994; S. Hammond, L. Baker, D. Hand (USFS) WEATHER: Clear 60 F; water temp. 6.5 C (2130) Cutthroat: Numerous - from 20mm in margins to mm in main channel and deeper water. Sculpin: mm Upper South Fork McKenzie River from the west boundary of clear-cut, upstream approx. 460m into wilderness. Follow rd. 456 to end then continue on foot approx. 60m on old road to clear-cut boundary. Follow fire trail to north 20m down to the main channel. Stream habitat was mainly rapid/riffle with moderate pocket pools. Woody debris was scarce, mostly located in two log jams. These jams provided complex cover, slow water velocity, and a sand/detritus substrate. The dominant substrate was cobble. The side channels provided good cover, undercut banks, woody debris, and slow water velocity. The second side channel on the left going upstream had two very nice holes under vegetation bridges, but only cutthroat were observed. A downed log at the end of the survey created a 1m increase in stream channel elevation, with substantial gravel accumulation upstream. Overall bull trout habitat was marginal. 25

28 ELK CREEK DATE: July 27, 1994; G. Thelen, S. Lewis, C. Dion (USFS) WEATHER: Clear, 50 F 35 cutthroat observed: 20<100mm; 15>100mm. From wilderness boundary upstream 450m. Drive to the end of FS RD 1964, and hike northeast along a clearly defined fire trail, which bisects the creek. The wilderness boundary is about 90m upstream from this trail/creek junction. We night snorkeled on the wilderness boundary where the vegetation went from a clear-cut area to an established old growth forest. We went from the boundary upstream about 1000m. The habitat in this area was great for bull trout. There were many areas of slow moving water around undercut banks and old growth root wads. The stream substrata consisted of gravel and cobble as well as pockets of in water woody debris in many of the margins. There was lots of down logs which provide cover and pools for the trout. About 800m upstream there was a vegetation bridge caused by downed logs that provided great cover. It went back several meters and had a nice flow going through it, but only cutthroat were observed. This was much like the bridge that a bull trout was seen in on the South Fork McKenzie. 26

29 ROARING RIVER (UPPER) DATE: August 4, 1994; WEATHER: G. Thelen, S. Hammond. (J. Cutler, D. Bickford USFS). Clear, 60 F; water temperature 5.5 C 25 cutthroat: mm Tailed frog larvae - adult tailed frogs Pacific Giant salamander Two sections. The first was from the pull out upstream 1000ft. The second was from the Roaring River Trail footbridge upstream to confluence with a spring on the right side. Go right at NFS Rd 19 to Roaring River campground. Continue about.8 mile past Roaring River bridge to a pull out (across from mile marker 23). The second site was 1.4 miles past this bridge at Roaring River Trailhead. We split into two groups, with one pair doing a 330m stretch above a falls thought to a migration barrier, and the other pair doing a 125m of an upper stretch that has a spring flowing into it. The lower main section had a very high rate of flow and didn't offer many prime spots for juvenile bull trout. There were some good side channels with slow moving water, sunken woody detritus, and fair cover, but only juvenile cutthroat were seen. One good hole about 260m up on left bank going upstream was snorkeled. It was underneath a root wade on the downstream side of a boulder. The hole went underneath the bank about 10m, but the water flow was fairly swift and only cutthroat were seen. The stream substrata consisted mainly of cobble and boulders with little cover, undercut banks, slow moving water or root wads, so not ideal habitat for juvenile or adult bull trout. The upper section Roaring River also had a high velocity flow. No fish were seen in this section. Margins were fair, with some back eddies and shallow areas, but not a lot of woody debris with only small areas of detritus which had settled out. The spring was about one-third the flow of Roaring River with similar habitat, and it also had no trout inhabiting it - only tailed frog larvae were observed. Because there are bull trout below the falls and from our observations, we assumed that the falls above the road crossing was an impassable migration barrier for bull trout. 27

30 ROARING RIVER (LOWER) DATE: September 13, 1994; G. Thelen, S. Hammond WEATHER: Sunny, 80 F Five bull trout, one 100mm and four 55mm From Roaring River campground downstream to the confluence with S. Fork McKenzie. First road turnout downstream of Roaring River campground. Walk along rough trail to mouth and work upstream to campground. All the bull trout seen here were in the margin areas (Fig 4). Three were underneath root wads of stumps in side channels, and two were seen in shallow margin underneath a downed, 4' diameter alder. All were in slow moving water on a margin or side channel. A possible redd was seen in gravel between the main stem and a side channel (see map). The habitat was good in the margins and on the side channels, providing ample cover on this 43F water. The main channel had a very swift current which had poor habitat for juvenile bull trout. Only good spawning gravel area was where the possible redd was observed, but the water was moving pretty swift through that area. 28

31 FRENCH PETE CREEK DATE: August 24, 1994; G. Thelen, S. Hammond WEATHER: Clear; water temp. 12 C Cutthroat trout: 150+ Pacific giant salamanders: 65+ Tailed frogs: 24 A 750 meter section was snorkeled beginning 4 kilometers east of confluence with South Fork McKenzie River. From the washed out trail bridge to the first major log jam. Hike French Pete Trail 2.5 km to washed out footbridge. Bull trout habitat in the survey area was fairly poor. Warm water temperature (12C), very little cover, and rocky banks with few undercuts and root wads characterized this section. Some pools and margins contained submerged woody debris, but only cutthroat were observed. Riparian vegetation consisted of alder, young cedar and fir, with older cedar and fir in the upper riparian. Tailed frogs were seen on mossy rocks in the margins and on the banks. Cutthroat were very abundant (200+), along with Pacific giant salamanders. Two small crayfish were seen in a small tributary which enters from the north near the trailhead. Three other small tributaries were dry. 29

32 SOUTH FORK McKENZIE DATE: July 13, 1994; G. Thelen, S. Lewis WEATHER: Sunny 85 F; water temperature 10 C 2 bull trout - 126mm in length and 203mm in length No chinook fry observed Cutthroat trout (approx. 60); Rainbow trout (approx % were mm, 20% were +250mm) Whitefish (approx. 110) Homestead campground to Dutch Oven campground. Approximately miles. The first bull trout was found directly across from Homestead Campground on the SW bank underneath a large cedar (Fig. 5). Water was calm and dark, approximately 6 inches in depth. The second bull trout was found at Dutch Oven Campground swimming in a pool where water had calmed after a set of rapids. Pool was approximately 8 feet deep, shaded by a large cedar tree. Riparian zone in the survey was old growth mixed with second growth. Observed approximately 6 good sites for bull trout habitat. One site in particular was found.2 miles downstream at first side channel. A large log jam created many pools and hidden cover with sandy, detritus bottom cover. This semi-land bridge offered excellent shelter in slow moving water. Only cutthroat were observed. 30

33 SOUTH FORK McKENZIE ADULT SURVEY Steve Hammond and Giles Thelen snorkeled an 11.5 mile section of river between August 17 and August 30 checking between Frissell Crossing Campground and the top of Cougar Reservoir looking for and mapping possible holes that could contain adult bull trout. We also checked all margin areas with good habitat, such as rot wads, undercut banks, and other zones of good cover. NOTE: all distances are estimated and milage checked on the road whenever possible. August 30, 1994 SECTION: Bridge at Frissel Crossing Campground downstream to Twin Springs Campground mile below bridge at a log jam, 5m above mouth of Roaring River. This pool isn't very large, but there is a nice glide from here down about 15m below Roaring River mouth, and it's the closest pool to the tributary that has road access. No bull trout seen miles below bridge. Good habitat here - one margin has a nice root wad and undercut bank and the other margin contains good spawning gravel. Pool is 10m long and fairly calm. A nice pool, but no convenient road access to this site. No bull trout mile past bridge, where side channel on right side going downstream connects back with main channel. Decent pool, five feet deep with whitefish present. Side channel had real nice juvenile habitat with some deeper pools also, but no bull trout observed. 4. This isn't a pool, but we found a bull trout juvenile about 65mm underneath a downed log (about 14 cm in diameter ) (Fig 6). 5. A series of three pools each separated by 5m of white water about 1.2 miles downstream from bridge. Whitefish present, but not many fish seen overall. No bull trout miles downstream, caused by a log jam, and no bull trout present. A large, 20" salmonid appearing fish was witnessed by Steve in a shallow riffle right before we pulled out at Twin Springs Campground. The fish swam away before a positive identification could be made. It was very likely an adult bull trout. August 22, 1994 SECTION: Twin Springs Campground to Homestead Campground. There was some good glides about.2 mile below Twin Springs C.G. with nice margin habitat for bull trout, but none were observed. The margin area across from Twin Springs C.G. had nice spawning gravel and shade from alder trees, but not much cover is provided for prospective juvenile bull trout, and none were observed. 31

34 SOUTH FORK McKENZIE ADULT SURVEY - continued 7..5 mile from Twin Springs C.G.. Pretty fast water through this section. About 100m below this on the left hand side as you go downstream is a great side channel with undercut banks and root wads of old growth cedars. No bull trout were seen. 8. Below Rd 407 bridge, 2 miles from Twin Springs C.G.. Water was moving fairly swift here also. No bull trout m below pool 2. Big hole with some good shade from old growth fir and cedar. Decent substrate, no bull trout. 10. At Homestead C.G.. A good size hole up to four feet deep. Cobble and boulder substrate, with fair margin areas. Root wad underneath old growth cedar directly across from campground did not have bull trout this time. There's a good pool.8 miles downstream from Homestead that is part of our permanent pool check. (This stream section was surveyed before we were specifically searching for holes). August 17, 1994 SECTION: Dutch Oven Campground to 1.3 miles (road) downstream. 11. At Dutch Oven campground (the first campground past crossing with Rd 1927 driving upstream). No bull trout. 60 WF, eight Rb, 15 Ct. After this there were two nice glides.5 mile past the campground road miles past Dutch Oven. This hole is on the left bank as you re facing downstream behind a log on the margin. There was great habitat here, with lots of cover, woody debris on the river bottom, slow moving water, and undercut banks including some rot wads. No bull trout were observed past Dutch Oven, with access at an unmarked campground off Rd. 19. One 12 bull trout was observed at the top of the pool where the whitewater was located (Fig. 7). It was right where the bend was - only whitewater cover for this bull trout. It was on the downstream side of a large boulder in a little eddy. The pool here was about seven feet deep. 14. Access for this and the following four holes is at an unnamed campground 1.3 miles from Dutch Oven Campground, marked with a painted orange diamond on a downstream tree before the pull in. This pool is about 1.05 miles below Dutch Oven. This hole was created by some very large boulders. About 25 cutthroat were observed, some getting up to 9" in length. Some good habitat was located behind these rocks, where there was some deeper backwater with accumulated woody debris on the bottom, and cover underneath these large boulders. Water possibly a little low in flow here. 15. Same access. This pool is 50m below pool 4. Habitat was mainly just gravel and cobble, with one downed log providing the only woody cover. 32

35 SOUTH FORK McKENZIE ADULT SURVEY - continued 16. Same access, about 75m below pool 5. Habitat is very similar to other pools, except there is no cover provided. Margins here is also like the other four holes in this series - mostly rocky with hardly any undercut banks or other cover. Substrate consists of cobble and boulders, with some detritus and silt in the margin areas. 17. Same access. Located about 75m below pool 6, this hole had the same habitat, but still no bull trout. 18. Same access, 65m below pool 7. Same substrata and make-up as other pools. All these holes had a combination of whitefish (75), rainbow (35), cutthroat (50), and juvenile chinook (200), but no bull trout. August 25, 1994 SECTION: From 1.3 miles below Dutch Oven Campground to.9 mile below Rebel Creek bridge crossing mile from start, at bend in river going right downstream. 45 whitefish, 8 rainbow. No bull trout mile from start. Only 12 rainbow seen. This pool, like the one before, has a substrate consisting of cobble and boulders, with a rocky margin providing no cover. 21. In series with pool 20, so about 50m apart. observed 25 rainbow and cutthroat. 22. On a side channel to the left facing downstream, about.55 mile down from start. This pool is located in conjunction with a large rock. There was recent signs of an otter living here, and no fish were present m below pool whitefish, 15 cutthroat, 10 rainbow and a small school of chinook juveniles were observed. The channel between here and the next pool is shallow and the cobble substrate is covered by a thick layer of algae, but has nice pockets of deeper (3 ) water m below pool 22. Witnessed 35 whitefish in the upper reaches of the hole, as well as 23 trout throughout the length of this pool. No bull trout observed. 25. This pool is 1.4 miles road miles from the start. 19 rainbow/cutthroat were seen, along with two whitefish. This stretch didn t provide great overall habitat. Little in-water cover was available in the channel, but there were a few margin areas with good root wads or cover. There were surprisingly few other fish seen in these holes or the areas in between. 33

36 SOUTH FORK ADULT SURVEY - STANDARD POOL LOCATIONS 1. This pool is at a small log jam about 10m upstream from the confluence of Roaring River. Not many fish seen in this pool, but in the riffle downstream bull trout have been observed. Access is at the second road turnoff below the Frissel Crossing bridge on your left going downstream. Continue down dirt road until a camp spot is reached. Follow a rough trail to the river and continue upstream to the log jam. 2. This hole is 2.4 miles from Frissel Crossing Campground at the third left turn past Twin Springs Campground. Not many fish ever seen in this hole. 3. This is a series of holes. Park at Homestead Campground and walk the trail upstream to just past the bridge on road 407. Snorkel down into the three holes which contain whitefish, rainbow and cutthroat. 4. This pool is.8 miles below Homestead Campground. Pull into steep downhill turnout and park at the bend where it flattens out. Follow old growth tree that s blocking the road down to a trail that leads you to the water. Again, not many fish ever seen in this pool. 5. This pool is at Dutch Oven Campground (DOCG), just upstream of road 1927 turnoff. A good hole with bull trout spotted here in the past mile downstream of DOCG at the first left hand turn downstream of DOCG. Another good hole with bull trout previously witnessed. 7. A series of five holes. Park in campground 1.2 miles below DOCG at the second left turnout going downstream. Walk upstream and park at the hole with two very large boulders in it, about 600m away. 8. A series of four pools. Take turnout 2.0 miles below DOCG, just upstream from Rebel Creek bridge crossing. Continue on dirt road and take your first left into a camp site. Take step trail down to first hole and continue downstream for the following pools. Abundant whitefish in this stretch. 9. A series of two holes about 175m apart. 3.0 miles below DOCG pull into turnout just downstream of mile post 45 (13 going upstream). Take trail down to river miles below hole 9 at the confluence of Hardy Creek - just upstream of road 1980 bridge crossing. 11. French Pete Campground hole, and deep riffle about 75m upstream of the pool. Two adult bull trout were reportedly caught and released in early September by anglers mile below pool 11 at pull out behind a large rock going downstream. 13 & 14. Reservoir pools. Take road on east side of Reservoir towards Slide Creek Campground. Turnoff on road 509 and into Stump City. Take a left at the T to the end of the road for pool 13, and take a right to the end of the road to the last pool. Witnesses say that dozens of adult bull trout have been observed in these holes at one time. 34

37 SOUTH FORK ADULT SURVEY - STANDARD POOLS September 12, 1994 Pool 1: 4 cutthroat Pool 2: 0 fish Pool 3: 3 rainbow, 7 cutthroat, 5 whitefish Pool 4: 5 rainbow, 3 cutthroat Pool 5: 8 rainbow, 15 cutthroat, 45 whitefish Pool 6: 0 fish - bull trout observed here before Pool 7: 8 rainbow, 15 cutthroat, 3 whitefish Pool 8: 18 rainbow, 20 cutthroat, 45 whitefish Pool 9: 15 rainbow, 10 cutthroat September 19, 1994 Pool 1: Pool 2: Pool 3: Pool 4: Pool 5: Pool 6: Pool 7: Pool 8: Pool 9: 1 rainbow, 5 whitefish 1 rainbow 0 fish 1 rainbow 2 rainbow, 5 whitefish 10 rainbow/cutthroat 18 rainbow, 14 cutthroat, 3 whitefish 8 rainbow, 4 cutthroat, 35 whitefish, 20 other rainbow/cutthroat 11 rainbow, 15 cutthroat, 12 whitefish, 30 juvenile chinook Pool 10: 7 rainbow, 4 cutthroat; heavy angling pressure (hippy camp) Pool 11: 45 rainbow/cutthroat, 10 whitefish (French Pete CG) September 26, 1994 Pool 1: Pool 2: 3 rainbow, 2 cutthroat 0 fish 35