Acoustic Telemetry Evaluation of Juvenile Salmonid Passage and Survival at John Day Dam with Emphasis on the Prototype Surface Flow Outlet, 2008

Abstract

Executive SummaryImproving survival rates of juvenile salmonids through the Federal Columbia River Power System (FCRPS) continues to be a high priority for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District. Many of these fish are from populations listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. Increased survival rates are necessary to meet performance standards set forth in the 2008 Biological Opinion (BiOp) on FCRPS operations. The BiOp mandates 96% and 93% survival rates be achieved for spring and summer downstream migrating juvenile salmonids, respectively. At John Day Dam, the Portland District is evaluating the provision of surface flow outlets (SFOs) as a means to increase fish-passage efficiency and in turn increase passage survival rates by reducing turbine passage of juvenile salmonids. The goal of the study reported herein is to provide the passage and survival data necessary to evaluate the performance of the prototype SFO and the dam as a whole relative to the standards in the BiOp. The study was conducted by the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and the University of Washington. The Portland District and regional fisheries managers will use the data to adaptively manage the configuration and operation of John Day Dam to maximize the survival rates of juvenile salmonids. ObjectivesIn this report, we present survival estimates, passage efficiencies, and fish behavior data for acoustictagged steelhead (STH), yearling Chinook salmon (YC), and subyearling Chinook salmon (SYC) passing through John Day Dam during 2008. We examined the data relative to two spill treatments, 30% versus 40% spill out of total water discharge through the dam, to assess the performance of SFOs, called topspill weirs (TSWs). The field study period was from April 29 to August 20, 2008. The objectives were as follows:• Survival Rates -Estimate single-and paired-release, route-specific, dam-passage, and concrete-passage survival rates for YC, STH, and SYC passing through John Day Dam for each of two spillway operational treatments.• Fish Passage -Estimate passage proportions among major passage routes, and calculate efficiency and effectiveness metrics for each of two spillway operational treatments for YC, STH, and SYC separately.-Estimate travel times (forebay residence and tailrace egress) of YC, STH, and SYC for each of two spill treatments.• Fish Behavior -Characterize fish behaviors, including forebay approach paths, for YC, STH, and SYC and compare approach paths with the final route of passage for each of two spill treatments.-Describe vertical and horizontal distributions and residence times of YC, STH, and SYC within the dam forebay. MethodsThis study used the Juvenile Salmon Acoustic Telemetry System (JSATS). We surgically implanted acoustic tags and passive integrated transponder tags in 3447 YC and 3450 STH in spring and in 5931 SYC in summer. Median lengths of tagged fish were as follows: YC = 158 mm; STH = 217 mm; SYC = 117 mm.Tagged YC and STH were released daily over a 29-day spr...

Acoustic Telemetry Evaluation of Juvenile Salmonid Passage and Survival Proportions at John Day Dam, 2009

“…This study, however, was affected by very high spill through adjacent bays during a year of above-average river discharge. Weiland et al 2009 Engineering and model studies examining skeleton bays as potential SFO sites were conducted in the 1990s (Montgomery Watson et al 2000). At a physical model at the USACE Engineering, Research, and Development Center, observations of a 20,000-cfs SFO in a skeleton bay showed strong forebay flow nets, indicating a potential for fish to discover the SFO flow.…”

Survival Rates of Juvenile Salmonids Passing Through the Bonneville Dam and Spillway in 2008

“…Virtual releases were defined by detections on the forebay entrance array or spillway array to identify groups of fish for estimating dam-passage and spillway-passage survival rates, respectively. Weiland et al (2009) …”

Surgically Implanted JSATS Micro-Acoustic Transmitters Effects on Juvenile Chinook Salmon and Steelhead Tag Expulsion and Survival, 2010

“…In the Columbia River, scientists have identified acoustic telemetry as being an essential technology for observing the behavior and estimating the survival of juvenile salmonids passing through the side channels and the main stem FCRPS (Faber et al 2001;McComas et al 2005;Ploskey et al 2007;Ploskey et al 2008;Clemens et al 2009). Hydroelectric dams provide various routes of passage where mortality becomes pathway-specific depending on the physical properties of the technical installation (Coutant and Whitney 2000;Muir et al 2001;Skalski et al 2002;Weiland et al 2009). In addition, impoundments and passage facilities may delay the outmigration of juvenile salmonids, increasing their exposure to disease and predation.…”