Establishing Baseline Information on the Geographic Distribution of Fish Pathogens Endemic in Pacific Salmonids Prior to Dam Removal and Subsequent Recolonization by Anadromous Fish in the Elwha River, Washington

Brenkman, Samuel J.; Mumford, Sonia; House, Marcia; Patterson, Chris

doi:10.3955/0029-344x-82.s.i.142

Cited by 25 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…Salmonid species that inhabit the river downstream from Elwha Dam include Chinook salmon, coho salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch (Walbaum), pink salmon Oncorhynchus gorbuscha (Walbaum), chum salmon Oncorhynchus keta (Walbaum), sockeye salmon Oncorhynchus nerka (Walbaum), summer and winter steelhead trout, cutthroat trout and bull trout. Some of these salmonid populations have been supplemented by hatcheries since 1915 (Brenkman et al. 2008b).…”

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A key to studying watershed recolonisation by Pacific salmonids after a large‐scale dam removal is the collection of spatially continuous baseline information before dam removal. In the Elwha River, numerous baseline studies exist (see Winter & Crain 2008), and recent research has characterised characterised existing fish communities and predicted the responses of Pacific salmonids to dam removal (Brenkman et al . 2008a,b; Connolly & Brenkman 2008; Burke et al.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A riverscape perspective of Pacific salmonids and aquatic habitats prior to large‐scale dam removal in the Elwha River, Washington, USA

Brenkman

Duda

Torgersen

et al. 2011

Fisheries Management Eco

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Dam removal has been increasingly proposed as a river restoration technique. In 2011, two large hydroelectric dams will be removed from Washington State's Elwha River. Ten anadromous fish populations are expected to recolonise historical habitats after dam removal. A key to understanding watershed recolonisation is the collection of spatially continuous information on fish and aquatic habitats. A riverscape approach with an emphasis on biological data has rarely been applied in mid-sized, wilderness rivers, particularly in consecutive years prior to dam removal. Concurrent snorkel and habitat surveys were conducted from the headwaters to the mouth (rkm 65-0) of the Elwha River in 2007 and 2008. This riverscape approach characterised the spatial extent, assemblage structure and patterns of relative density of Pacific salmonids. The presence of dams influenced the longitudinal patterns of fish assemblages, and species richness was the highest downstream of the dams, where anadromous salmonids still have access. The percent composition of salmonids was similar in both years for rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), coastal cutthroat trout, Oncorhynchus clarkii clarkii (Richardson) (89%; 88%), Chinook salmon, Oncorhynchus tshawytscha (Walbaum) (8%; 9%), and bull trout, Salvelinus confluentus (Suckley) (3% in both years). Spatial patterns of abundance for rainbow and cutthroat trout This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA. 36 Fisheries Management and EcologyThis article is a U.S. government work, and is not subject to copyright in the United States.(r = 0.76) and bull trout (r = 0.70) were also consistent between years. Multivariate and univariate methods detected differences in habitat structure along the river profile caused by natural and anthropogenic factors. The riverscape view highlighted species-specific biological hotspots and revealed that 60-69% of federally threatened bull trout occurred near or below the dams. Spatially continuous surveys will be vital in evaluating the effectiveness of upcoming dam removal projects at restoring anadromous salmonids.

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Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A riverscape perspective of Pacific salmonids and aquatic habitats prior to large‐scale dam removal in the Elwha River, Washington, USA

Brenkman

Duda

Torgersen

et al. 2011

Fisheries Management Eco

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“…The scheduled removal of both dams in 2014 is anticipated to enable the return of native anadromous fishes to upper reaches of the Elwha River. Researchers have prepared for the removal by collecting data on the condition, value, genetic structure of fish populations (Loomis 1996, Brenkman et al 2008, Winans et al 2008, and investigating how to monitor population changes after dam removal (McHenry and Pess 2008). The removal of the dams is expected to increase biomass of all salmonids in the region (Wunderlich et al 1994), having potential benefits for individuals pursuing resource-based livelihoods.…”

Section: Slow Shift In Policy Toward Dam Removalmentioning

confidence: 99%

Environmental and livelihood impacts of dams: common lessons across development gradients that challenge sustainability

Beck

Claassen

Hundt³

2012

International Journal of River Basin Management

109

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The economic benefits of dams have been assumed to outweigh the costs, thus providing rationale for construction of dams around the world. However, the development of these structures can be accompanied by negative biophysical, socio-economic, and geopolitical impacts; often through the loss of ecosystem services provided by fully functioning aquatic systems. Moreover, impacts of dams can be involuntarily imposed on marginalized peoples whose livelihoods are dependent on riverine resources. In this review, we examine the impacts of dam projects in regions of the world that are at different stages of development, using the USA, China, and Southeast Asia to represent a development gradient from developed to developing, respectively. Case studies for each region illustrate the environmental and livelihood impacts of dams in each region, while also providing a basis to better understand how environmental degradation is directly related to economic growth. We conclude that a distinct temporal component related to development mediates the relationship between policies and governance mechanisms and the mitigation of environmental and social costs of dams. The role of affected individuals to influence the political will behind dam projects and the importance of environmental advocacy is emphasized as a fundamental approach towards more sustainable development.

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“…The draining of a reservoirs results in the loss of lentic habitat and may decrease overall species richness and diversity of the river system ), although in California most reservoir fishes and many invertebrates are alien species (Moyle 2002). Removal of migration barriers in some situations has the potential to spread disease through interactions of fishes in stream reaches previously separated by dams (Brenkman et al 2008a) and increase the vulnerability of populations to previously segregated invaders and predators (Stanley et al 2007). …”

Section: Review: Effects Of Dam Removalmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dam removal and anadromous salmonid (Oncorhynchus spp.) conservation in California

Quiñones

Grantham

Harvey³

et al. 2014

Rev Fish Biol Fisheries

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Dam removal is often proposed for restoration of anadromous salmonid populations, which are in serious decline in California. However, the benefits of dam removal vary due to differences in affected populations and potential for environmental impacts. Here, we develop an assessment method to examine the relationship between dam removal and salmonid conservation, focusing on dams that act as complete migration barriers. Specifically, we (1) review the effects of dams on anadromous salmonids, (2) describe factors specific to dam removal in California, (3) propose a method to evaluate dam removal effects on salmonids, (4) apply this method to evaluate 24 dams, and (5) discuss potential effects of removing four dams on the Klamath River. Our flexible rating system can rapidly assess the likely effects of dam removal, as a first step in the prioritization of multiple dam removals. We rated eight dams proposed for removal and compared them with another 16 dams, which are not candidates for removal. Twelve of the 24 dams evaluated had scores that indicated at least a moderate benefit to salmonids following removal. In particular, scores indicated that removal of the four dams on the Klamath River is warranted for salmonid conservation. Ultimately, all dams will be abandoned, removed, or rebuilt even if the timespan is hundreds of years. Thus, periodic evaluation of the environmental benefits of dam removal is needed using criteria such as those presented in this paper.

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Establishing Baseline Information on the Geographic Distribution of Fish Pathogens Endemic in Pacific Salmonids Prior to Dam Removal and Subsequent Recolonization by Anadromous Fish in the Elwha River, Washington

Cited by 25 publications

References 27 publications

A riverscape perspective of Pacific salmonids and aquatic habitats prior to large‐scale dam removal in the Elwha River, Washington, USA

A riverscape perspective of Pacific salmonids and aquatic habitats prior to large‐scale dam removal in the Elwha River, Washington, USA

Environmental and livelihood impacts of dams: common lessons across development gradients that challenge sustainability

Dam removal and anadromous salmonid (Oncorhynchus spp.) conservation in California

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