Yakima River Species Interactions Studies, Progress Report, 1995-1997.

Abstract

Executive SummarySpecies interactions research was initiated in 1989 to investigate ecological interactions among fish in response to proposed supplementation of salmon and steelhead in the upper Yakima River basin. This is the sixth of a series of progress reports that address species interactions research and pre-supplementation monitoring of fishes in the Yakima River basin. Data have been collected prior to supplementation to characterize the ecology and demographics of non-target taxa (NTT) and target taxon, predict the potential interactions that may occur as a result of supplementation, and develop methods to monitor interactions and supplementation success. Major topics of this report are associated with the ecology and life history of NTT, interactions experimentation, methods for sampling, risk assessment, and risk minimization. This report is organized into 14 chapters, with a general introduction preceding the first chapter. This annual report summarizes data collected primarily by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) between January 1, 1995 and December 31, 1997 in the Yakima basin, however these data were compared to data from previous years to identify preliminary trends and patterns. Major preliminary findings from each of the chapters included in this report are described below.o Objectives for highly valued non-target taxa (NTT) were described as acceptable impacts to their current status that could be attributed to spring chinook salmon supplementation. Impacts to a NTT's distribution, abundance, or size structure in excess of the acceptable impact would indicate a failure to achieve an objective. The following objectives for NTT are recommended: accept no impact -bull trout, westslope cutthroat trout, Pacific lamprey; accept a maximum of 5% impact -Marion Drain fall chinook salmon, upper Yakima steelhead, mountain sucker, leopard dace, sand roller; accept a maximum of 10% impact -resident rainbow trout in the mainstem Yakima River, Naches steelhead, Satus steelhead, Toppenish steelhead, Naches spring chinook salmon, American River spring chinook salmon; accept a maximum of 40% impactmountain whitefish, resident rainbow trout in tributaries; and accept impacts up to a maximum that maintains all native species at sustainable levels. These objectives reflect the goal of having all native species at sustainable levels including populations robust enough to support harvest and recreation.o Certain species or guilds within an ecosystem may interact strongly with spring chinook salmon resulting in failure to achieve desired numerical goals of spring chinook salmon through supplementation. Monitoring the influence of strong interactor taxa relative to spring chinook salmon will aid in interpreting factors that may influence YFP success. Recommended objectives for strong interactors are of two types: 1) identify and reduce impacts of unnaturally high predatory, pathogenic, and competitory interactions that limit spring chinook salmon productivity, and 2) identify, conserve and enhance...

Yakima River Species Interactions Studies; Yakima/Klickitat Fisheries Project Monitoring and Evaluation, 2004-2005 Annual Report.

“…This report is intended to satisfy two concurrent needs: 1) provide a contract deliverable from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) to the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), with emphasis on identification of salient results of value to ongoing Yakima/Klickitat Fisheries Project (YKFP) planning, and 2) summarize results of research that have broader scientific relevance. This is the twelfth of a series of progress reports that address species interactions research and supplementation monitoring of fishes in response to supplementation of salmon and steelhead in the upper Yakima River basin (Hindman et al 1991;Pearsons et al 1993;Pearsons et al 1994;Pearsons et al 1996;Pearsons et al 1998, Pearsons et al 2001a, Pearsons et al 2001b, Pearsons et al 2003. Journal articles and book chapters have also been published from our work (McMichael 1993;Martin et al 1995;Amaral et al 2001;Pearsons 2004, Pearsons et al in press, Major et al in press).…”

“…Except where otherwise noted, the methods and general site descriptions are the same as described in previous reports (Hindman et al 1991;Pearsons et al 1993;Pearsons et al 1994;Pearsons et al 1996;Pearsons et al 1998;Pearsons et al 2001a;Pearsons et al 2001b;Pearsons et al 2003).…”

Yakima River Species Interactions Studies, Annual Report 2000.

“…This report is intended to satisfy two concurrent needs: 1) provide a contract deliverable from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) to the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), with emphasis on identification of salient results of value to ongoing Yakima/Klickitat Fisheries Project (YKFP) planning, and 2) summarize results of research that have broader scientific relevance. This is the ninth of a series of progress reports that address species interactions research and supplementation monitoring of fishes in response to supplementation of salmon and steelhead in the upper Yakima River basin (Hindman et al 1991;McMichael et al 1992;Pearsons et al 1993;Pearsons et al 1994;Pearsons et al 1996;Pearsons et al 1998. Journal articles and book chapters have also been published from our work (McMichael 1993;Martin et al 1995;Amaral et al 2001;Pearsons et al in press).…”

Yakima River Species Interactions Studies, Annual Report 1999.

“…This report is intended to satisfy two concurrent needs: 1) provide a contract deliverable from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) to the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), with emphasis on identification of salient results of value to ongoing Yakima/Klickitat Fisheries Project (YKFP) planning, and 2) summarize results of research that have broader scientific relevance. This is the eighth of a series of progress reports that address species interactions research and supplementation monitoring of fishes in response to supplementation of salmon and steelhead in the upper Yakima River basin (Hindman et al 1991;McMichael et al 1992;Pearsons et al 1994;Pearsons et al 1996;Pearsons et al 1998. Journal articles and book chapters have also been published from our work (McMichael 1993;Martin et al 1995;McMichael et al 1997;Amaral et al in press;McMichael and Pearsons in press;Pearsons et al in press).…”

“…Except where otherwise noted, the methods and general site descriptions are the same as described in previous reports (Hindman et al 1991;McMichael et al 1992;Pearsons et al 1994;Pearsons et al 1996;Pearsons et al 1998;.…”