Lower Clark Fork River Bull Trout Passage Program Noxon Rapids HED Cabinet Gorge HED
Native Salmonid Restoration Plan An examination of five major factors that may influence the success of restoration activities: genetics, pathogens, exotic species, native fish distribution; and the suitability of current and potentially available habitat. Identification of preferred or appropriate stocks of source fish for passage and restoration programs. Development of an experimental fish passage program to determine how to effectively capture and transport native salmonids. Establishment of monitoring programs to determine the success of restoration activities, and, Ultimately, a consideration of permanent fish passage based on the success of implementation of the NSRP. 3
Upstream Fish Passage Studies Goal: Reconnect migratory populations in the Clark Fork River Bull Trout (ESA listing Threatened) 1998 What are the benefits and risks related to fish passage?
U of Montana, Wild Trout and Salmon Genetics Laboratory (Neraas and Spruell 2001). Genetics Panel decided benefits of fish passage greater than risks (Epifanio et al. 2003). 5-year basin wide pathogen surveys (1997-1998) Current bull trout pathogen sampling
Fish Capture Techniques
Lower Clark Fork River (MT) Lake Pend Oreille (ID)
DeHaan, P. W., S. R. Bernall, J. M. DosSantos, L. L. Lockard and W. R. Ardren. 2011a. Use of genetic markers to aid in re-establishing migratory connectivity in a fragmented metapopulation of bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus). Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 68: 1952 1969.
LCFR Bull Trout : Genetic Assignments Total = 526 116 117 153 140
Parentage Study Use genetic parentage analysis to estimate the reproductive success of adult bull trout in Clark Fork River tributaries following upstream passage. DeHaan, P. and S. Bernall. 2013. Spawning Success of Bull Trout Transported Above Main-stem Clark Fork River Dams in Idaho and Montana. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 33: 1269-1282.
Parentage Results East Fork Bull River Graves Creek Offspring Analyzed 927 435 Offspring Assigned to a Parent Pair 215 26 Offspring Assigned to a Single Parent 247 269 Offspring Unassigned 465 140 Unique Adults Producing Offspring 25 24 Unique Parent Pairs 19 24 Upstream Transport Adults Producing Offspring 12 17 162 (17.5%) 205 (47.1%) Offspring Assigned to Transport Parent
Parentage Results East Fork Bull River 17% Offspring Assigned to Transport Parent Percent Offspring not Assigned to Transport Parent 83% Graves Creek Offspring Assigned to Transport Parent 48% 52% Percent Offspring not Assigned to Transport Parent
Bull Trout Transports to Montana Number of Transports Cumulative Number of Bull Trout Transports 2004-2014 15 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Average Min. Max. 2014
Thrust Block Fish Passage Facility Sited based on past studies Not volitional or full height Follows NMFS criteria and design used atthompson Falls
Acknowledgements Joe DosSantos (Avista), Wade Fredenberg (USFWS), Ken Bouwens (IDFG) and Ryan Kreiner (MFWP) Avista: Kevin Duffy, Sean Moran, Josh Storaasli, Shaun Wilkinson, Jeremy Stover, Tim Tholl, Rob Jakubowski, Eric Oldenburg, Shaun Lacy and Tanner Mitchell USFWS: Patrick DeHaan, Brice Adams, Christian Smith and Jennifer VonBargen Photo: Mike Heck (2011 Salvelinus confluentus Curiosity Society Meeting)