Fisheries Workshop Abstracts and Speaker Biographies
June 22-23, 2016
History of Salmon in the Deschutes
Prepared by: Don Ratliff,
June 2016
Don Ratliff, Retired Fisheries Biologist, Portland General Electric
Email: [email protected]
ABSTRACT:
For millions of years, large ocean-going adult salmon have returned annually into much of the
Deschutes River Basin; although periodically were cut-off from large reaches by natural geologic
barriers, and more recently by man-made barriers. The Deschutes Basin ecosystem is extremely
diverse with fast-running waters and still lakes and reservoirs; consistently cool to cold flows for
tributaries that are spring fed, and tributaries that vary dramatically in both flows and
temperatures. Don will present an illustrated overview of what is known about geologic history
and how this has resulted in the present mosaic of habitats and associated distributions and life
histories of the various salmon, steelhead, trout, and char populations.
BIOGRAPHY:
Don was born in Bend, where his Grandfather, George Conklin was an Engineer for ShevlinHixon Timber Company that built Bend’s first saw mill. He grew up in the Willamette Valley
and attended Oregon State University, graduating in Fisheries Science in 1970. From April 1971
until his retirement in July 2014, he worked as a Fisheries Biologist for Portland General Electric
at the Pelton Round Butte Hydroelectric Project on the Deschutes River west of Madras. In more
recent years, he worked on the planning and implementation of the salmon reintroduction
program into the middle Deschutes and fish passage at the hydro dams. Don has been a life-long
angler and fish advocate. He and his wife Marti continue to live near Madras.
Fisheries Workshop Abstracts and Speaker Biographies
June 22-23, 2016
Downstream Passage Operations
Prepared by: Rich Madden
June 2016
Rich Madden, Portland General Electric
Phone: (541) 325-5346
Email: [email protected]
ABSTRACT:
In 2009, PGE and the Tribes constructed an underwater tower and fish collection facility at the
lower end of Lake Billy Chinook to help restore fish runs above the Project. For the first time in
40 years, salmon and steelhead are migrating to the Metolius, Crooked, and upper Deschutes
rivers.
Juvenile fish reared in the Metolius, Crooked, and upper Deschutes rivers are collected and
transported below the project dams to continue their migration to the Pacific. On their return,
adult fish enter the Pelton Fish Trap below the Reregulating Dam and are transported above the
project to complete their life cycle.
Since the completion of the Selective Water Withdrawal (SWW) fish collection facility in
December 2009, migrating juvenile salmonids (steelhead, Chinook, and sockeye) have been
passed downstream of the hydro project to continue their journey to the Pacific. Adult salmon
from the upper basin began returning in 2011. Upper basin salmon adults are captured below the
dams and most are released into Lake Billy Chinook to continue their upstream migration.
BIOGRAPHY:
Rich Madden currently works for Portland General Electric as a fisheries biologist. He has been
with the company for approximately 17 years. His main focus is to ensure safe downstream
passage of juvenile salmonids arriving at the Fish Transfer Facility (FTF) associated with the
SWW. Rich earned a fisheries degree from Oregon State University in 1997. In his spare time he
likes to fish, hike, and play golf.
Fisheries Workshop Abstracts and Speaker Biographies
June 22-23, 2016
Juvenile Migration: Upper Basin Tributaries to the SWW
Prepared by: Megan Hill & Cory Quesada
June 2016
Megan Hill, Portland General Electric
Phone: 541-325-5344
Email: [email protected]
Cory Quesada, Portland General Electric
Phone: 503-464-8741
Email: [email protected]
ABSTRACT:
In the Juvenile Migration study we: 1) determine the number of salmon smolts and steelhead
smolts entering Lake Billy Chinook (LBC) from each tributary, 2) determine the timing and
numbers of salmon and steelhead emigrating from LBC, and 3) determine the percentage of fish
entering LBC that are successfully captured at the Selective Water Withdrawal (SWW) at Round
Butte Dam.
In 2015, we captured and PIT tagged 628 Chinook and 343 steelhead naturally-reared smolts in
upper tributary screw traps in 2015. In addition, we PIT-tagged 1,195 hatchery Chinook smolts
and 800 hatchery steelhead smolts released at the head of the arms in Lake Billy Chinook.
ODFW also PIT-tagged and released 1,185 hatchery Chinook and 785 hatchery steelhead smolts
into the upper tributaries. Metolius Chinook grew an average of 35 mm from the time of tagging
to recapture at the SWW (median travel time, 46 d). Average growth for Whychus steelhead was
20 mm from the time of tagging to recapture at the SWW (median travel time, 18 d). Chinook
migration in the tributaries peaked in late-March. Steelhead migration peaked in mid-May.
Migration peaks at the SWW occurred several weeks after the migration peak in the tributaries.
Hatchery-reared steelhead spent 26 days (median) in Lake Billy Chinook (LBC) and median
Chinook travel time through LBC differed by arm, ranging from 40-49 days. Travel times
through the reservoir for naturally-reared smolts are confounded by their travel from their release
points in the tributaries to LBC. Of the naturally-reared Chinook and steelhead smolts PITtagged in the tributaries 23.8% and 26.8%, respectively, were captured at the SWW. Hatchery
Chinook smolts released into the upper Crooked, Metolius, and Deschutes river arms of LBC
were collected at 39%, 29%, and 33% respectively. An estimated 4773 ± 530 Chinook smolts
were produced by the Metolius River system. The estimates for the Metolius River are
significantly lower than predicted by the Unit Characteristic Method (UCM) model (Spateholts
2015). An estimated 6223 ± 1797 steelhead smolts were produced in Whychus Creek. Based
upon the number of hatchery-reared Chinook and steelhead smolts captured at screw traps, the
majority of hatchery smolts appear to have left their respective streams and entered LBC.
Fisheries Workshop Abstracts and Speaker Biographies
June 22-23, 2016
BIOGRAPHY:
Megan Hill is the manager of fisheries and water quality for Portland General Electric at the
Pelton Round Butte Hydroelectric Project on the Deschutes River, Oregon. Megan has twelve
years of diverse experience in fisheries, including employment in academia, a federal agency,
and PGE. She has a B.A. in Biology and Environmental Studies from Knox College, an M.S. in
Environmental Science from Washington State University, and post-graduate fisheries work at
the University of Georgia.
Fisheries Workshop Abstracts and Speaker Biographies
June 22-23, 2016
Lower Deschutes Juvenile Migration Monitoring: Migration
survival and timing of smolts through the lower Deschutes
River 2015
Prepared by: Cory Quesada & Megan Hill
June 2016
Cory Quesada, Portland General Electric
Phone: 503-464-8741
Email: [email protected]
Megan Hill, Portland General Electric
Phone: 541-325-5344
Email: [email protected]
ABSTRACT:
Objectives of this study were to: 1) estimate travel timing and survival of Chinook, sockeye, and
steelhead smolts released from the juvenile release pipe at river kilometer (rkm) 161 to near the
mouth of the Deschutes River (rkm 5) and 2) identify reaches in the lower Deschutes River
where mortality might be occurring by using fixed radio telemetry stations and mobile tracking.
During the spring of 2015, 100 Chinook, 100 sockeye, and 100 steelhead smolts captured at the
SWW were surgically-implanted with radio-tags and PIT-tags before release into the lower
Deschutes River below the Reregulating Dam at the juvenile release pipe (rkm 161). Fish were
tagged throughout the spring migration March 24-June 6. Radio-telemetry stations were
continuously operated on the lower Deschutes River near Trout Creek (rkm 140), Buck Hollow
Creek (rkm 69), and the mouth of the Deschutes (rkm 5). Mobile tracking was conducted from
the release site to Trout Creek most weeks. Survival of radio-tagged smolts to the mouth of the
Deschutes River was estimated at 67% for Chinook, 51% for sockeye, and 55% for steelhead.
The lowest survival was estimated between release and the Trout Creek telemetry station for all
three species, Chinook 77%, sockeye 60%, and steelhead 67%. Survival between the Trout
Creek and Buck Hollow stations ranged from 86-92%, survival between Buck Hollow and the
Mouth stations ranged from 92-95%. Median travel times through the Deschutes River to the
mouth were 2.7, 2.5, and 4.0 days for Chinook, sockeye and steelhead. All three species travel
rates (km/d) were slowest between release and Trout Creek telemetry station. Ten Chinook,
seven sockeye, and seven steelhead were detected over multiple days during mobile tracking
surveys from the release site to Trout Creek and assumed mortalities.
Fisheries Workshop Abstracts and Speaker Biographies
June 22-23, 2016
Adult Salmon and Steelhead Migration
Prepared by: Rebekah Burchell & Micah Bennett
June 2016
Rebekah Burchell, Portland General Electric
Phone: 541-325-5381
Email: [email protected]
Micah Bennett, Portland General Electric
Phone: 541-325-5376
Email: [email protected]
ABSTRACT:
Known origin, upper basin adult Chinook and steelhead, as indicated by presence of an intact
adipose fin with a left maxillary (LM) or right maxillary (RM) clip, captured at the Pelton Trap
are passed upstream of Round Butte Dam. Adults are implanted with a JCART (Juvenile
Combined Acoustic Radio Telemetry) tag and monitored as they pass through the reservoir and
into the tributaries by fixed telemetry stations and mobile tracking. During the 2014-2015
steelhead run, a total of 93 known origins were captured at the Pelton Trap. Ninety steelhead
were implanted with JCART tags. Fifty-two spring Chinook were captured at the Pelton Trap
and 51 were implanted with JCART tags. There were 36 sockeye captured and all were taken to
Round Butte Fish Hatchery for spawning. The objectives for the study include migration timing,
spawning distribution, spawning abundance, and interspecific and intraspecific competition.
Movements of the radio-tagged fish were monitored to complete the above objectives; however,
several of these objectives could not be completed due to low numbers of returning adults.
BIOGRAPHY:
Micah Bennett graduated from Oregon State University in 2009 with a bachelor degree in
Fisheries Biology. He has worked at PGE for about seven years as a fisheries technician. Micah
works with PGE’s screw trap crews capturing and tagging out-migrating smolts. He spends a lot
of his time maintaining our fixed radio stations and mobile tracking tagged adult salmon and
steelhead. He also spends time on the Lower Deschutes River tracking large wood that PGE has
placed in the river and helping with PGE’s Lower River Gravel Study.
Fisheries Workshop Abstracts and Speaker Biographies
June 22-23, 2016
Fish Health Program Update
Prepared by: Rick Stocking
June 2016
Rick Stocking, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
Email: [email protected]
ABSTRACT:
The salmonid parasite, Ceratonova shasta, is known to cause mortality in out-migrating spring
Chinook salmon smolts in many Pacific Northwest river systems. To evaluate the effect of C.
shasta to smolt survival in the Deschutes River, spring Chinook smolts were collected from
Round Butte Hatchery (RBH) and Warm Springs National Fish Hatchery (WSNFH) and exposed
in two locations (Pelton Trap and near Maupin) for 72 hours in both April and May (during the
migration). Concomitant water samples were collected and processed during the study to
determine the density of infectious spores at each location. After each exposure, all fish groups
(e.g., unexposed controls) were moved to the Salmon Disease Laboratory and monitored for
signs of disease. Results show that April mortality with C. shasta was approximately 1% at the
Pelton Trap site and approximately 10% at the Maupin site. By contrast, May mortality was
approximately 10% at the Pelton Trap site and approximately 60% at the Maupin site. Other
pathogens contributed to losses including bacterial kidney disease and external fungus. One fish
from the unexposed group tested positive for C. shasta. Water testing revealed that spore
densities were consistently much higher at the Maupin site than at the Pelton site. Two general
conclusions are drawn from this study: the first is that these smolts can succumb to infection in
the brief time it takes them to migrate through. The second is that spring Chinook smolts
migrating through the Deschutes River in April 2015 had a better chance of surviving exposure
to C. shasta than in May.
BIOGRAPHY:
Rick Stocking received his Bachelor’s Degree is Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences at the
University of Missouri – Columbia. He then attended graduate school at Oregon State University
researching C. shasta in the Klamath River system. In 2007, he was hired by ODFW to carry out
Fish Health duties on the Deschutes River system as part of the Pelton – Round Butte
reintroduction efforts.
Fisheries Workshop Abstracts and Speaker Biographies
June 22-23, 2016
Redband Trout Studies
Prepared by: Jason Seals
June 2016
Jason Seals, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
Email: [email protected]
ABSTRACT:
The status of fish populations and angler success in the lower Deschutes River has been highly
scrutinized since changes in water withdrawals from the Pelton Round Butte Project began in
2010. Due to many of these concerns, investigations into the health and population status of
redband trout was conducted. These investigations have determined that the annual growth, age
distribution, and body condition of redband trout in the Deschutes were good and nearly identical
to previous studies conducted in the 1970’s and 1980’s. Also, anglers were concerned about the
lack of hatchery steelhead captured for harvest in the lower Deschutes in recent years. Both
population monitoring and angler surveys have indicated significant reductions in out of basin
stray hatchery steelhead in the Deschutes. Recent analysis of hatchery stray rates to tributaries
such as the Deschutes and John Day Rivers has shown reduction in smolt barging in the
Columbia River has drastically reduced these stray rates. Ongoing population monitoring of
wild fall Chinook, wild steelhead, and wild spring Chinook has also provided information on the
status of these populations. Wild fall Chinook have been at all time high returns while wild
steelhead returns were good. Wild spring Chinook in the Warm Springs River have remained
relatively low.
BIOGRAPHY:
Jason Seals is the Assistant District Fish Biologist for the Oregon Department of Fish and
Wildlife Middle Columbia Fish District. He has nineteen years of experience as a fisheries
professional working with a variety of salmonids on the Alaska Peninsula with USFWS,
Yellowstone National Park, and in eastern and western Oregon with ODFW. Jason received a
Bachelor of Science degree from Southern Illinois University in Zoology and Fish Management.
Fisheries Workshop Abstracts and Speaker Biographies
June 22-23, 2016
Round Butte and Wizard Falls Hatcheries: Five Year
Review of Operational Goals: 2011-2015
Prepared by: Dan Warren, Kevin Malone, & Joan Nichol
June 2016
Dan Warren, DJ Warren and Associates, Inc.
Phone: 541-929-4639
Email: [email protected]
Kevin Malone, DJ Warren and Associates, Inc.
Phone: 425 753 0011
Email: [email protected]
Joan Nichol, Meridian Environmental
Phone: 206- 522-8282
Email: [email protected]
ABSTRACT:
DJ Warren and Associates and Meridian Environmental were contracted by Portland General
Electric Company (PGE) and the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of
Oregon (CTWSRO) to conduct a scientific review of Round Butte Hatchery program to
determine whether it is meeting its goals. The hatchery review is required every five years as a
condition of the FERC license for the Pelton Round Butte Project (FERC No. 2030). The
hatchery accommodates three aquaculture programs, spring Chinook, summer steelhead, and
sockeye. The review was conducted using the Hatchery Program Viewer (HPV) analysis, which
asks hatchery operators a set of up to 90 standardized questions tailored to the program type
(Integrated or Isolated). The questions apply to all phases of hatchery operations and monitoring.
They are designed to determine if hatchery operations are consistent with Best Management
Practices (BMP) and current state of knowledge regarding the ecological effects hatcheries pose
to natural salmonid populations.
The review found that, in general, the hatcheries are operated consistent with BMPs. Areas
showing the least BMP consistency are monitoring and evaluation, hatchery effectiveness, and
adult holding. Lower rankings in monitoring and evaluation and hatchery effectiveness are
based on the absence of numerical goals for total catch, lack of goals for adult survival rates and
the absence of standards for contribution of hatchery fish to the spawning grounds. Lower scores
in the areas of adult holding, rearing, and incubation are attributed to the lack of pathogen-free
water at the hatchery and the constant temperature of the water (rather than temperatures that
mimic the receiving waters).
Co-locating a sockeye program at Round Butte with the ongoing steelhead and Chinook
programs could be contrary to best management practices because of disease concerns
Fisheries Workshop Abstracts and Speaker Biographies
June 22-23, 2016
(Infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV)) and could put potentially put existing programs
at risk.
The major negative ecological effect on natural salmon from hatchery operations was the large
number of hatchery steelhead spawning naturally in lower Deschutes River tributaries. These
fish consist of both fish from the Program and other hatcheries located outside of the basin.
An on-site tour and discussion was conducted with the hatchery manager at each facility. The
tour and discussion started with the water supply and then followed the facility and program
operations. A summary of key issues and observations are summarized in Section 4.2 of the
report. This is not meant to be a facility evaluation; rather the focus is on key issues that could
potentially affect production goals.
BIOGRAPHY:
Dan Warren, Fisheries Biologist MBA PMP
President, D.J. Warren & Associates, Inc.
Daniel J. Warren has more than 33 years of experience in project/program and administrative
management and supervision as well as operations management, primarily in natural resource
areas. Mr. Warren operates a natural resources project management and planning services
business, D.J. Warren & Associates, Inc. from Philomath, Oregon. His company specializes in
integrating science and project and program management with complex scientific and technical
projects and programs involving natural resources. Dan’s background is in fisheries biology and
he is particularly knowledgeable about key technical and policy issues surrounding uses of
hatchery programs and operations. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Fisheries Science and a
Master in Business Administration. Dan has worked on problem-solving and project
development for numerous clients, including Native American tribes, federal agencies, and state
fish and wildlife departments. Dan’s experience also incorporates over 30 years of direct
involvement with salmon enhancement programs, hatchery operations, and program planning
and development in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest. This experience has included roles in fish
culture, supervisory positions, hatchery management, operations management, administration
and project management, fisheries biology, facility and program planning, review, and
development.
Kevin Malone, MS
Senior Fisheries Biologist, D.J. Warren & Associates, Inc.
Kevin Malone has been working on Northwest fisheries issues for over 30 years. His background
includes extensive experience evaluating the effects of hatchery operations on Endangered
Species Act-listed salmon stocks and other native fish species, fish passage at Columbia River
dams, habitat modeling, fish population monitoring, and reporting required by the Northwest
Power and Conservation Council. Kevin works on NPCC Master Plan projects, and provided
Fisheries Workshop Abstracts and Speaker Biographies
June 22-23, 2016
technical assistance to the Hatchery Scientific Review Group during their review of all Columbia
River and Puget Sound salmon hatcheries. He was the lead scientist responsible for completing
the Southeast Washington Snake River Recovery Plan, and worked on the Mitchell Act
environmental impact statement for the National Marine Fisheries Service. Mr. Malone has
worked as a fisheries biologist for the National Marine Fisheries Service, Washington
Department of Fish and Wildlife, Harza Engineering, HTI, Grant County PUD, Mobrand
Biometrics, and ICF/Jones and Stokes. He also has expertise in project management and
budgeting as well as experience working with local, state, and federal agencies and Tribes.
Fisheries Workshop Abstracts and Speaker Biographies
June 22-23, 2016
Upper Deschutes Basin Study Update
Prepared by: Kate Fitzpatrick & Niklas Christensen
June 2016
Kate Fitzpatrick, Deschutes River Conservancy
Phone: 541 382-4077 x18
Email: [email protected]
Niklas Christensen, Watershed Professionals Network, Invertebrate Associates
Phone: 541 490-4907
Email: [email protected]
ABSTRACT:
The Upper Deschutes River Basin in central Oregon includes the Deschutes River, Crooked
River, and Whychus Creek systems. Surface water in the Upper Deschutes River basin has been
almost fully allocated since the early 1900s, primarily for agricultural uses. Prior studies assessed
projected water supplies and demands through 2050 and indicated an overall 230,000 acre-foot
unmet annual average demand for agricultural, instream flow, and municipal needs. Building off
of past efforts, the Upper Deschutes River Basin Study will:

Develop a comprehensive analysis of water supply and demand for instream and out of
stream uses, including the impacts of climate change

Analyze how existing operations and infrastructure will perform under the projected
future water supply conditions and demand

Develop and evaluate options for addressing identified water imbalances

Complete analysis to compare relative cost, environmental impact, risk, stakeholder
response, and other common attributes of identified options
The update at the Pelton Fisheries Conference will emphasize study elements specific to the
Whychus and Crooked River, including temperature-flow assessments in both reaches that will
help refine the habitat benefits of a range of flow management scenarios.
BIOGRAPHY:
Kate Fitzpatrick, Deschutes River Conservancy
Ms. Fitzpatrick develops and implements collaborative strategies to restore water to the rivers
and streams of the Deschutes Basin. She coordinates the Basin Study Work Group, a multistakeholder collaborative managing a $1.5 Million study to meet water needs in our rivers and
community over the next 50 years. Kate joined the DRC team in 2004. She has a BA in Geology
from Colgate University and a MS in Collaborative Natural Resource Management from the
University of Oregon.
Fisheries Workshop Abstracts and Speaker Biographies
June 22-23, 2016
Niklas Christensen, Watershed Professionals Network
Mr. Christensen is a licensed civil and environmental engineer specializing in water resource
disciplines. He has 15 years of experience working on water supply assessments, water quality
studies, geomorphic assessments, floodplain and bank stabilization projects, low impact
development plans, pipe capacity analysis and design, irrigation demand and efficiency planning,
and construction plans and specifications. Recent water supply related projects include water
demand and water conservation assessments, climate change analysis, reservoir siting and sizing,
water rights and water use analysis, and hydrologic and water resource modeling. Mr.
Christensen has developed college curriculum for water resources modeling and basin planning
and has considerable expertise at design and implementation of hydrologic field studies.
Fisheries Workshop Abstracts and Speaker Biographies
June 22-23, 2016
Whychus Creek Dam Removal and Floodplain Restoration
Prepared by: Ryan Houston & Michael Riehle
June 2016
Ryan Houston, Executive Director, Upper Deschutes Watershed Council
Phone: 541-382-6103
Email: [email protected]
Michael Riehle, District Fisheries Biologist, Deschutes National Forest
Phone: 541-549-7702
Email: [email protected]
ABSTRACT:
For the past two years the Upper Deschutes Watershed council and the Deschutes National
Forest have been working with Pine Meadow Ranch to restore floodplain connection to
Whychus Creek and provide fish passage and fish screening at the Ranch’s irrigation diversion.
Whychus Creek has long been impacted from past flood control efforts that concentrated flood
flows and reduced habitat quality for rearing trout and salmon. Berms were constructed to block
side channels and to force flow into the western most channel on Whychus Creek’s alluvial fan
so it would flow past Pine Meadow Ranch’s irrigation diversion. Also, a trail bridge that
pinched the floodplain was in need of repair.
Habitat quality was lacking for the reintroduced Chinook salmon (Onchorhychus tshawytscha)
and steelhead trout (Onchorhychus mykiss). Habitat ratings for these species were poor to fair in
the project reach prior to the project. After over five years of discussions and exploring options
to address fish passage and screening while continuing to get their irrigation water, Pine Meadow
Ranch agreed to move their point of diversion downstream onto their property and install a pump
and fish screen. This allowed the dam to be removed which in turn opened the door for
reconnecting Whychus Creek to over 170 acres of its floodplain and reactivating multiple
channels. The more efficient irrigation systems also allowed the Ranch to permanently transfer 1
cfs of their water right to instream flow. In 2014 and 2015, the dam was removed and the
irrigation ditch decommissioned. Approximately 13 miles of upstream habitat were opened to
migrating fish. The trail bridge was replaced with a new bridge that had three times the span
over the creek without center piers. Over 2,300 whole trees were used to construct over 80 log
jams and added floodplain roughness in the restored channels. Within the 1.25 mile reach, 6
miles of channels were reconnected. In the next year, 40,000 trees and riparian plants will be
planted along the streambanks and floodplain. We continue to monitor the effects of the project
including shade, water temperature, groundwater table, sediment size, channel morphology,
macroinvertebrates, fish populations, fish habitat quality, and photo points.
Fisheries Workshop Abstracts and Speaker Biographies
June 22-23, 2016
Figure 1. Aerial view of the Whychus Floodplain Restoration project, central channel in
November of 2015. Richard Scott Nelsen photo.
Fisheries Workshop Abstracts and Speaker Biographies
June 22-23, 2016
Update on use of fluorescent pigment marking of fry in the
reintroduction of anadromous salmonids above PeltonRound Butte.
Prepared by: Terry Shrader
June 2016
Terry Shrader, Department of Fish and Wildlife, Pelton-Round Butte Mitigation Coordinator
Email: [email protected]
ABSTRACT:
The use of high pressure application of granular fluorescent pigment is a technique that has a
proven track record for mass marking of fingerling-sized or larger salmonids. There is, however,
little or incomplete documentation in the literature of its use to mark salmonid fry. After an
initial successful trial marking rainbow trout fry (600/lb), we have tried to modify and adapt this
technique with steelhead fry (900-1400/lb) in an attempt to address some questions raised during
the reintroduction. Results have been mixed; marking mortality has been varied and generally
higher than expected while long-term mark retention appears to have been disappointing. On the
positive side, preliminary analysis using mark recovery in tributary streams support genetic data
that suggests that fry outplanting has a much greater effect on resident redband in Whychus
Creek than in Ochoco or McKay Creeks. However, our ability to identify the tributary source of
naturally-raised steelhead smolts collected at the FTF – one of the main issues we had hoped to
address using grit-marked fry – has been a failure to this point, most likely due to poor mark
retention by treated fish. We have continued to make changes in our marking and mark retention
protocol in 2016 and will continue for at least another year to assess the value of this technique
in answering questions related to the reintroduction effort.
BIOGRAPHY:
BS in Fisheries and in Biology at Oregon State University
Master’s in Fisheries Management at Utah State University
Worked for 2-1/2 years as Regional Fisheries Biologist in Ogden, Utah with Utah Division of
Wildlife Resources.
Got position with Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife as the Eastern Oregon Warmwater
Fisheries Biologist studying bass, bluegill, crappie, and catfish fisheries.
After 23+ years, transferred to the position as Pelton-Round Butte Mitigation Coordinator where
I have been since 2014.
Fisheries Workshop Abstracts and Speaker Biographies
June 22-23, 2016
Lower Deschutes River Gravel Study and Phase II
Prepared by: Bob Spateholts & Ian Pryor
June 2016
Bob Spateholts, Portland General Electric Company
Phone: 541-325-5351
Email: [email protected]
Ian Pryor, Stillwater Sciences
Phone: 707-822-9607
Email: [email protected]
ABSTRACT:
The Lower River Gravel Study (LRGS) was initiated in 2006 to examine sediment dynamics and
spawning gravel quality in the Deschutes River downstream of the Reregulating Dam. Field data
collection occurred from 2007-2014. The objective of the LRGS was to improve the basis for
evaluating the extent to which the Project has reduced downstream gravel availability for
spawning salmonids. The LRGS included two major components: geomorphic and biological.
The geomorphic component examined sediment transport and channel stability by bedload
measurement, cross sections, tracer rock movements, scour chains, and surface grain size
distribution. Experimental gravel augmentation was done at three sites. A total of 300 cubic
yards of gravel was placed in locations and configurations that mimic natural gravel bars. The
shape and volume of the experimental deposits and tracer rocks was resurveyed following peak
flows to estimate sediment transport. The biological monitoring component of the LRGS
included annual mapping of trout and salmon redds and spawning habitat at sites upstream and
downstream of Shitike Creek to determine if shifts in use and gravel availability were occurring.
Additional biological studies included monitoring spawning use of the experimental gravel sites,
spawning site intergravel dissolved oxygen and permeability, redband trout embryo survival, and
comparison of macroinvertebrate populations on augmentation sites and non-augmented sites.
At the conclusion of the gravel study, annual progress reports and summary reports were
reviewed by an independent three-member panel of experts in the fields of fisheries and
geomorphology. The objective of the expert panel was to review information summarized in the
LRGS, as well as pertinent information contained in other related lower Deschutes River
geomorphic and biological investigations, to evaluate:
1. If the Project is causing impacts that could be mitigated by gravel augmentation (to
include examination of whether the Project may be having deleterious effects on channel
bedforms and spawning gravel quantity and quality)
2. If the pilot gravel augmentation test adversely affected downstream bank stability or
caused downstream pool filling
Fisheries Workshop Abstracts and Speaker Biographies
June 22-23, 2016
3. If a gravel augmentation program would be beneficial to fish habitat and fish populations
(as indicated by the results of the biological monitoring program)
From these evaluations, the Panel was tasked with making one of the following
recommendations:
1. The experimental gravel study should be continued
2. The licensees should implement a long-term gravel augmentation program
3. No further study or augmentation is needed
The expert panel presented a summary of findings and recommendations to the Fish Committee
in January 2016. Six findings were:

Finding #1: The Deschutes River below Pelton–Round Butte and above Shitike Creek has
unusually low sediment transport rates for a river of this size.

Finding #2: In general, the channel morphology of the lower Deschutes River is quite
stable with very limited cross-section change or evidence of scour and fill.

Finding #3: Gravel augmentation to date has had little effect on the gravel transport rates,
channel morphology, or availability of aquatic habitat.

Finding #4: Increased spawning use of the reaches immediately below the Pelton
Reregulating Dam by large numbers of Chinook salmon has had an effect on gravel
transport, channel morphology, and available aquatic habitat.

Finding #5: Gravel quality remains good, but there have been gradual reductions in
spawning gravel quantity since 2008.

Finding #6: Some evidence was seen for slow and likely punctuated (i.e., during large
floods) erosion of the vegetated islands in the reach below the Pelton Reregulating Dam;
the scale of this erosion is modest but potentially cumulative over decadal timescales.
Based on review of the historical literature, LRGS, and their own analyses, the panel concluded
that there is not sufficient evidence to recommend a specific long-term gravel augmentation
program at this time. Their primary recommendation was that a Phase II experimental gravel
augmentation program be designed and implemented, with redirected focus on the reach between
Pelton Reregulating Dam to Shitike Creek (the reach most sensitive to project-induced changes
to sediment supply and gravel dynamics), and with greater focus on islands, spawning areas, and
closely associated habitats. Recommended monitoring and assessment may include:

Topographic and/or tracer rock monitoring should be conducted after a >10,000 cfs flow
event. If no changes are observed, then the monitoring threshold should be increased to a
12,000 cfs event.
Fisheries Workshop Abstracts and Speaker Biographies
June 22-23, 2016

A more robust and accurate historical assessment of island changes in the reach between
Pelton Reregulating Dam and Shitike Creek using orthorectified aerial photographs.

Documentation of future changes to island areas in the reach between Pelton
Reregulating Dam and Shitike Creek RTK GPS of island margins (i.e., water surface
edges at a common flow after a threshold flow event).

Bedload transport measurements from the Highway 26 Bridge just downstream of the
Warm Springs Boat Ramp should only be conducted during flows greater than 10,000
cfs.

A reconnaissance-level assessment of the scale of spawning gravel movement by fall-run
Chinook salmon under different escapement scenarios, and comparison to fluvial gravel
transport rates during rare high flow events (e.g., are the salmon moving more gravel than
high flow events?).

An assessment of the importance of dune features on the riverbed as juvenile salmonid
rearing habitat and responses (if any) to changes (if any) to such features during Phase II
gravel augmentation experiments.

Monitoring and evaluation of the response (if any) of juvenile salmonids to physical
changes to habitat subsequent to augmentation.

Revisiting the methodology for mapping spawning habitat area, given the difficulty in
consistent, repeatable survey methods.

Revisiting the methodology for assessing how gravel augmentation may affect the C.
shasta polychaete host, given the importance to fish growth and health on the lower
Deschutes River.

A methodology for evaluating, and if needed, recommending a long-term gravel
augmentation strategy (goals and objectives, volumes, grain sizes, placement locations,
placement event triggers).
The Fish Committee decided to adopt the recommendation of the expert panel that the Licensees
conduct a Phase II Gravel Study incorporating additional gravel augmentation and focused
monitoring to address uncertainties from the LRGS. The Licensees will be working with
Stillwater Sciences to develop a Phase II study plan in 2016. Following review and approval by
the Fish Committee, the Phase II LRGS will be implemented, and at the conclusion of the study,
it will be decided whether or not programmatic gravel augmentation is needed in the Deschutes
River downstream from the Pelton Round Butte Project.
Fisheries Workshop Abstracts and Speaker Biographies
June 22-23, 2016
BIOGRAPHY:
Bob is the senior aquatic biologist on the Pelton Round Butte Project. He joined PGE in 2005,
and has worked in fisheries since 1979. He is certified as an established fisheries professional by
the American Fisheries Society. Bob lives near Prineville with his wife Barb (also a fish
biologist) and their dogs Kokanee and Sockeye. They enjoy travel, fly fishing, home brew, fly
fishing, camping, boating and fly fishing.
Fisheries Workshop Abstracts and Speaker Biographies
June 22-23, 2016
Water Quality Monitoring& Modeling of the Pelton-Round
Butte Project & the Lower Deschutes River 2015-2016:
Progress Report
Prepared by: Joseph Eilers
June 2016
Joseph Eilers, MaxDepth Aquatics, Inc.
Email: [email protected]
ABSTRACT:
Portland General Electric is pursuing a combined water quality monitoring and water quality
modeling program with support from MaxDepth Aquatics, Inc. The monitoring effort began in
2015 and is scheduled to extend through 2016. It includes field and analytical measurements of
nutrient chemistry and other measures of water quality characterization. The monitoring
program extends from the inlets of Lake Billy Chinook to the mouth of the Deschutes River.
The water quality data will be used to characterize current conditions, provide a basis for
comparing with data from the relicensing period, and provide input for calibrating the water
quality models. Traditional monitoring efforts are supplemented with continuous hybrid
multispectral analysis, in-canyon weather stations and numerous data loggers. Two water quality
models are being applied to investigate factors influencing water quality in the impoundments
and the lower river. CE-QUAL-W2, a two-dimensional hydrodynamic model, is being applied
to the impoundments and will be linked to provide simulated input to the river model.
QUAL2Kw, one-dimensional water quality model, is being calibrated to the 2015 water quality
data. Preliminary water quality and biological data will be presented from selected portions of
the study.
BIOGRAPHY:
Joe Eilers received a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of California and a MS
degree in water resources from the University of Wisconsin a long time ago. He worked for the
Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resources and was a senior scientist at the EPA lab in Corvallis. He
has been consulting in water resources since 1988. He has nearly 50 peer reviewed publications
and book chapters in hydrology, water chemistry and aquatic biology. He holds professional
certifications in hydrology, lake management, and fisheries. He participated in water quality
studies of the reservoirs and Deschutes River for the PRB licensing effort in the 1990s.
Fisheries Workshop Abstracts and Speaker Biographies
June 22-23, 2016
Lower Deschutes River Gravel Study and Phase II
Prepared by: Tim Nightengale
June 2016
Tim Nightengale, R2 Resource Consultants, Inc.
Phone: 425-556-1288
Email: [email protected]
ABSTRACT:
In June of 2005, a new license was issued by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
(FERC) for the Pelton Round Butte Project. During relicensing, a macroinvertebrate and
periphyton monitoring study was conducted in 1999-2001 to establish the baseline data to which
comparisons could be made after the implementation of selective water withdrawal (SWW).
Article 416 of the license directs that the two-year study be repeated (i.e., two spring and two fall
sampling events) using the same methods and locations once a new equilibrium has been
reached, starting three years after implementation of selective withdrawal at the Round Butte
Dam facility. Selective withdrawal was initiated in late 2009. In addition, Article 433 of the
license for the Lower River Gravel Study identifies the need to monitor the response of the
benthic macroinvertebrate community to gravel augmentation, directing that macroinvertebrate
samples will be collected from each experimental gravel augmentation site in concert with
invertebrate studies related to SWW.
Post-SWW sampling was conducted in October in 2013 and 2014, and April/May 2014 and
April 2015. Sampling occurred in fall and spring because they are considered traditional
sampling periods for BMI studies based on seasonal patterns in species composition and ODEQ
recommendations for the initial study plan. Sample sites included nine mainstem sites
downstream of the project, with seven sites coinciding with sites sampled in both years during
the baseline study; two additional downstream sites (at Sandy Beach and Mack’s Canyon) to
provide additional information further downstream of Maupin; and three upstream above-Project
reference sites on each of the tributaries feeding into Lake Billy Chinook (Metolius, Upper
Deschutes, and Crooked rivers), useful for identifying any long-term changes in conditions
potentially independent of SWW effects. Macroinvertebrate samples were taken using a Dframe kick net with 500-micron mesh, collecting four kick samples (each approximately 2 ft2 in
area) at each site. At eight sites, the samples were composited in accordance with ODEQ
protocols; at the other four sites, samples were kept separate as replicates, to facilitate statistical
comparisons. Periphyton samples were also collected at all SWW effect evaluation sites, with
only one composite sample (10 rocks, approximately 125 cm2 in area total) to be taken at each
site.
Sampling was also conducted within three sites located within the first 3 miles downstream of
the Project that were augmented with gravel in accordance with the Lower River Gravel Study
Fisheries Workshop Abstracts and Speaker Biographies
June 22-23, 2016
Plan, with the nearby post-SWW site at Dizney Island (RM 99) serving as the control site. At
gravel augmentation sites, three replicate kick samples were taken within the deposit zone. No
periphyton samples were collected at the gravel augmentation sites.
Macroinvertebrate sampling during both the pre- and post-SWW periods shows a highly
productive benthic community in the lower Deschutes River. Average densities at sites in the
lower Deschutes River during the fall 2013 and 2014 ranged from 7,873 to 36,072
individuals/m2, with an overall fall average of 17,722 individuals/m2. Spring densities were
lower, ranging from approximately 6,500 to 15,290 individuals/m2 and averaging 10,752
individuals/m2 overall. Benthic macroinvertebrate densities were generally higher on lower
Deschutes River sites in comparison to densities on the two of the three reference sites located
upstream of Lake Bill Chinook, with the Crooked River site densities comparable to downstream
levels.
Taxa richness for lower Deschutes River sites post-SWW were similar between the two seasons,
with ranges of 27-43 taxa in fall collections, and 23-47 taxa during spring collections. Taxa
richness during both seasons showed lower numbers of taxa immediately downstream from the
Project (Sites 1 and 1S), with a gradual increase in taxa numbers downstream to Site 9 (above
Warm Springs River). Taxa richness decreased slightly at Sites 10 (below Warm Springs River)
and 12 (Sandy Beach), with an increase again at Mack’s Canyon (Site 13). Taxa richness at the
reference sites showed numbers of taxa similar to those on the lower Deschutes River (28-39
taxa in the fall, 21-40 taxa in the spring), with the Metolius River site (ME) displaying the
highest number of taxa (38-40).
The benthic macroinvertebrate community in fall 2013 and spring 2014 was largely comprised of
non-insect taxa, largely oligochaete worms, flatworms, and snails. Caddisfly larvae
(Trichoptera) percentages were apparent in the fall community as compared to the spring
community, which showed higher contributions of chironomid larvae and mayflies
(Ephemeroptera) nymphs. Corresponding functional feeding group compositions show the fall
period was higher in Scrapers/Grazers (mostly snails) and filter feeding taxa (largely
hydropsychid caddis larvae), whereas in the spring period, collector-gatherer taxa comprised a
majority of the community. The macroinvertebrate community displayed clear longitudinal
patterns of variation. Taxonomic composition immediately downstream from the Project was
distinctly different from areas farther downstream, as well as from the three reference sites above
the Project. Non-insect taxa (mostly worms, snails, and flatworms) dominated the benthic
community immediately downstream of the Project (80% in the fall, 60% in the spring). This
pattern was common for sites within 1mile of the Re-Regulation Dam (Sites 1, 1S, and 3). Also
of note, flatworms (Planariidae) were most prevalent within the first mile downstream from the
Project. Lower Deschutes sites further downstream (Sites 5S, 7S, 9, 10, 12, 13) showed a
benthic community comprised of more EPT taxa, as well as higher occurrences of riffle beetles
Fisheries Workshop Abstracts and Speaker Biographies
June 22-23, 2016
(Elmidae). A principle components analysis (PCA) confirmed these longitudinal patterns, along
with the seasonal differences.
Pre- vs. post-SWW comparisons revealed a statistically significant increase in post-SWW
densities during the fall, but no significant changes in spring. Hydropychidae, Pteronarcys,
Ephemerella spp., and Baetis tricaudatus densities all increased during fall post-SWW. Relative
abundance of taxa tolerant to organic enrichment and sediment-tolerant taxa were significantly
higher in post-SWW spring collections, compared to pre-SWW. No significant differences were
detected between pre- vs. post-SWW tolerance metrics in fall collections. The modified
Hilsenhoff Biotic Index (HBI) showed a small, but significant, increase (0.62) for the spring
post-SWW sampling, whereas the ODEQ Impairment Index showed a significant decrease (6.3)
for the spring post-SWW sampling in pre- vs. post-SWW comparisons.
Periphyton sample results for post-SWW study efforts show that periphyton densities are
generally dominated by the “soft” algae component, with density estimates in some cases
numbering over ten times higher than diatom densities. Soft algae contributions to periphyton
density averaged 75% in fall 2013 and 55% in spring 2014. Soft algae contributed an average of
96% in the fall 2014 and 82% in spring 2015. Diatoms contributed the remainder.
Soft algae produced high periphyton biovolumes, often exceeding 50 million µm3/cm2. Large
differences among years were observed in post-SWW samples particularly for soft algae.
Diatoms averaged 65% of biovolume in fall 2013 and spring 2014, with soft algae contributing
35%. However, soft algae averaged 85% of biovolume in the fall 2014 and 76% in spring 2015,
with diatoms contributions averaging 15% and 24%, respectively.
Seasonally, diatom and soft algae densities were consistently greater in spring than fall, while
biovolumes of both were generally greater in the fall. No spatial trend was apparent for
periphyton densities or biovolumes with increasing distance downstream from the project. For
taxa richness, diatoms accounted for 17 to 56 taxa, whereas “soft” algae ranged from 3 to 10
taxa.
Pre- vs. post-SWW comparisons were made via nonparametric paired t-tests with a selected
number of autecological metrics calculated from the diatom assemblages for the seven Lower
Deschutes sites shared between the baseline study and this study. Twelve of the 14 diatom
metrics calculated showed a significant difference in post-SWW spring collections. Changes
included reductions in percentages of eutraphentic taxa, low DO taxa, and siltation taxa; and
increases in the Pollution Tolerance Index and percent nitrogen autotroph taxa. No significant
pre- vs. post- SWW differences were detected for the autecological metrics for fall sampling
efforts. Results for the autecological metrics revealed another interesting trend within the postSWW collections. At the shallow-water sites sampled (Sites 1S, 5S, and 7S) during the fall
collection events, several metric scores were often notably higher or lower than all other sites,
Fisheries Workshop Abstracts and Speaker Biographies
June 22-23, 2016
and generally indicative of diatom taxa that exist under stressful or poorer water quality
conditions.
Gravel augmentation sites supported significantly higher benthic macroinvertebrate densities but
significantly lower taxa richness than at Site 3, the control site, during the initial fall 2013
sampling event. Oligochaete and gastropod densities in fall 2013 were among the highest of the
study. However, densities and taxa richness were not significantly different among the sites for
the other three seasonal collections. Within each of the gravel augmentation sites, taxa richness,
modified HBI scores, and the ODEQ Impairment Index scores gradually changed as the study
progressed, suggesting a slow shift within the gravel deposits over time toward the natural
conditions seen at the control site.
Gravel augmentation sites supported very high densities of the polychaete Manayunkia speciosa
(often exceeding 10,000 individuals/m2). The polychaete was also detected at several other
sampling sites, although at much lower densities. This organism is a filter-feeder, so the
increased presence also explains the higher filter-feeding contributions at the gravel
augmentation sites in comparison to the control site. Also within the gravel augmentation sites
was the occurrence of Entoprocta, a primitive moss-animal-like colony forming animal
represented by a single American species, Urnatella gracilis, often called goblet worms. Their
occurrence was largely limited to the fall sampling periods exclusively within both the gravel
augmentation sites, as well as a more limited amount at Sites 1S and 3; spring densities were
much lower. The abundance of these two species is very likely related to zooplankton presence
and other particulates released by the dam.
BIOGRAPHY:
Tim Nightengale is an Aquatic ecologist from R2 Resource Consultants. He has over 19 years of
experience in field collection, identification, and analysis of freshwater benthic
macroinvertebrate communities across the United States, specializing in aquatic insect taxa. Tim
hails from Nebraska, where he earned his Bachelor’s in Wildlife Biology. He traveled west to
get his Master’s from University of Idaho, where he studied the macroinvertebrates in the Lower
Snake River reservoirs. Tim spent a couple of years out of graduate school to sample and study
the benthic communities in the Yakima and Okanogan rivers in Washington, before taking a
position with the Academy of Natural Resources in Philadelphia. There he ran the Patrick
Center’s Invertebrate Zoology section and had the opportunity to sample rivers throughout the
Eastern and Southern US. Tim has been with R2 for nearly 12 years, recently completing a large
River Productivity study on the Susitna River in Alaska, as well as the Lower Deschutes River
Macroinvertebrate and Periphyton Study.
Fisheries Workshop Abstracts and Speaker Biographies
June 22-23, 2016
Round Butte Forebay 2015 Flow Evaluation
Prepared by: Ian Pryor
June 2016
Ian Pryor, Stillwater Sciences
Phone: (707) 822-9607 x 232
Email: [email protected]
ABSTRACT:
Reservoir current patterns were measured with acoustic Doppler current profilers (ADCP) near
the Selective Water Withdrawal (SWW) structure in the forebay of Round Butte Dam in April
and May 2015. The zone of influence tied to varying generation withdrawals through the surface
intake gates was measured with a horizontal ADCP mounted to the SWW and ranged from 70370 feet. The effects from bottom gate withdrawals on forebay current patterns were measured
with an up-looking vertically oriented ADCP unit deployed near the bottom intake gates. The
effects from bottom gate withdrawals are limited to the area immediately adjacent to the bottom
gates and do not appear to have a strong influence on overall forebay current structure. Current
velocity magnitude and direction data was measured to a depth of 50 feet with vessel mounted
ADCP surveys in an area extending out 300 feet from the SWW surface gates. The vessel
mounted ADCP data was used to develop maps representing velocity magnitude and direction in
GIS. The maps highlight a pattern of increased velocity magnitude and organized flow vectors
oriented toward the SWW that occurs from 10 feet depth and 3,650 feet depth and is
concentrated in the area immediately in front of the surface intake gates.
Fisheries Workshop Abstracts and Speaker Biographies
June 22-23, 2016
Large Wood Management Program
Prepared by: Bob Spateholts
June 2016
Bob Spateholts, Portland General Electric Company
Phone: 541-325-5351
Email: [email protected]
ABSTRACT:
The Large Wood Management Program was initiated in 2007. The objective of Large Wood
(LWD) Management is to collect pieces of wood greater than 10 feet long and 8 inches in
diameter found floating in Lake Billy Chinook (LBC) and transfer it to the lower Deschutes
River downstream of the Pelton Round Butte Project. If large wood is found in the Metolius
River arm of LBC upstream of Rattlesnake Point, it is anchored in place to provide cover for
migrating juvenile salmonids, and we move equal numbers from other sources to the lower
Deschutes. The location, species, length, diameter, and occurrence of limbs and rootwads are
recorded, and each new LWD is tagged with several individually numbered tags for
identification during future tracking and monitoring efforts. Twenty–eight new pieces of LWD
were located in Lake Billy Chinook 2015. A total of 65 LWD (including LWD stored from
previous years) were transported and placed at four sites between the Reregulating Dam and the
Warm Springs Bridge in 2015. From 2007-2015 we have placed 320 pieces of LWD. Fish use of
LWD is monitored by snorkeling. In 2015 we initiated a new pairing design monitoring protocol,
where we count the number of fish by species at randomly selected LWD locations and nearby
sites with similar depth, substrate, velocity, and macrophyte cover. Six LWD and control sites in
the Metolius Arm LBC were snorkeled on March 26 and April 22, 2015. There were no
significant differences in numbers of Chinook, Bull Trout, or kokanee counts between LWD and
control sites. In the lower Deschutes, we snorkeled 11 paired LWD/control sites on May 28-29
and June 29-30, 2015. There were generally higher counts of fall Chinook at the LWD sites than
controls, but the differences were not statistically significant. Redband/steelhead trout young of
the year counts were not significant between sites. We tracked the locations of previously placed
LWD. We relocated 236 of 265 LWD placed 2007-2014. The majority (174 LWD) had not
moved since last tracking. Twenty-six LWD were located in the reach from Warm Springs to
Trout Creek and 18 were found between Trout Creek and Whitehorse Rapids. Of those that had
moved 2014-2015, transport distance varied from less than 1 rkm to more than 35 rkm. In 2016,
we will continue to locate and collect LWD, and do snorkel monitoring, vegetation transects,
photo points, and document use of LWD by wildlife. All LWD collected in 2016 and 2017 will
be stockpiled for use in a gravel augmentation project in 2018. We will be renewing federal,
state, and tribal permits for LWD placement 2018-2022.
Fisheries Workshop Abstracts and Speaker Biographies
June 22-23, 2016
BIOGRAPHY:
Bob is the senior aquatic biologist on the Pelton Round Butte Project. He joined PGE in 2005,
and has worked in fisheries since 1979. He is certified as an established fisheries professional by
the American Fisheries Society. Bob lives near Prineville with his wife Barb (also a fish
biologist) and their dogs Kokanee and Sockeye. They enjoy travel, fly fishing, home brew, fly
fishing, camping, boating, and fly fishing.
Fisheries Workshop Abstracts and Speaker Biographies
June 22-23, 2016
Trout Creek Stream Restoration Project – Partnership with
Powell Butte Community Charter School
Prepared by: Jennifer Mickelson
June 2016
Jennifer Mickelson, Fisheries Biologist
Ochoco National Forest, Lookout Mountain RD & Crooked River National Grassland
Phone: 541-416-6485
Email: [email protected]
ABSTRACT:
As a result of historic flood control and land management practices, many streams and meadows
across Central Oregon have been adversely altered. Practices such as channel straightening and
berming, road building, willow removal, beaver extirpation, and draining of wetlands and
meadows have resulted in streams disconnected from their floodplains, de-watered meadows,
and impaired aquatic habitat across Central Oregon.
Stream survey data indicated that Trout Creek was
deficient in pools, large wood, and riparian shrubs. As
a result, fish habitat generally lacked complexity, bank
erosion was accelerated and water quality was impacted
(Figure 1). In addition, Trout Creek near the Forest
Boundary appears to have been channelized as a result
of channel straightening with the historic construction
of berms and road beds along both sides of the stream
Figure 1. Photograph showing the lack of
channel (Figure 2). As a result, the channel had been
large wood and lack of habitat complexity.
disconnected from the floodplain along the reach of
stream near the Forest Boundary. Restoration work was completed from 2014-2016.
In 2014, the Ochoco National Forest partnered with
Powell Butte Community Charter School (PBCCS) in a
place-based learning program, where students in 6th grade
at the time worked with Ochoco National Forest
specialists to learn the importance of watersheds,
watershed restoration and collect important data and
implement other tasks in support of restoration on the
forest. They, in turn, receive valuable knowledge of
restoration work, get some hands-on experience with
Figure 2. Photograph showing the
presence of large berms along Trout Creek, stream and watershed restoration, and take ownership on
limiting side channel and floodplain
projects occurring on the forest. PBCCS has partnered
development.
Fisheries Workshop Abstracts and Speaker Biographies
June 22-23, 2016
with the Ochoco National Forest on two
projects – Trout Creek Stream Restoration
& McKay Creek Floodplain Reconnection
Project.
Methods
For the Trout Creek Stream Restoration
Project, we first identified the limiting
factor for proper stream form and function.
In general, Trout Creek has experienced
approximately two to four feet of incision
that had disconnected the stream from its
Figure 3. Addition of large wood to Trout Creek, providing
floodplain. What was once floodplain
habitat complexity and channel roughness to induce pool
along Trout Creek had become a terrace
formation (February 2015).
with upland and non-native vegetation.
Trout Creek also typically consisted of straightened stream reaches and berms or old valleybottom logging roads, resulting in incised channels, lacking or disconnected from floodplains.
The methods used most recently by the Ochoco National Forest include attempting to restore not
only the stream form, but also floodplain function. Previous stream restoration techniques within
the Ochoco National Forest was dominated by approaches that included adding grade control
structures for fish passage and to arrest incision. Current methods build upon previous
techniques and move a step further to restore shallow groundwater storage within floodplains.
These methods include removing constricting fill material in floodplains, reconnecting the
stream channel to its floodplain.
Trout Creek Floodplain Reconnection in Trout Creek Watershed
The Trout Creek Fish Habitat
Restoration project area is located
approximately 24 miles north of
Prineville, Oregon, on the Ochoco
National Forest. Trout Creek provides
spawning, rearing, and holding habitat
for Endangered Species Act (ESA) listed
Middle Columbia River (MCR)
steelhead trout and native redband trout
as well as Columbia spotted frogs, which
are on the U.S. Forest Service R6
Figure 4. Re-activation of side channels and off-channel
Sensitive Species list. Trout Creek is
habitat along Trout Creek (February 2015).
designated as critical habitat for Mid-
Fisheries Workshop Abstracts and Speaker Biographies
June 22-23, 2016
Columbia River steelhead up to West Fork Trout Creek on the Ochoco National Forest,
including the reach described below.
During the summer of 2014 and 2015, approximately one mile of stream restoration occurred on
Trout Creek. The major activities involved in this project included placement of large woody
debris complexes to increase the number of pools per mile and to mimic naturally formed
structures in the stream channel (approximately 40 large wood complexes were installed [Figure
3]). Secondly, berms/old roads were removed in key locations along the 0.5 miles reach to
increased floodplain access in areas where channel incision had occurred. Several disconnected
side channels were also reconnected by removing berms along Trout Creek (Figure 4). Old log
sills and cross-vanes that were previously installed for restoration were either removed or
manipulated to more naturally mimic instream structures and to reduce drop heights. This
project also includes a revegetation component on the floodplains, including seeding or planting
of native grass, forb, and shrub species. Planting was implemented on the first phase of work
during the spring of 2015 and planting of the second phase of work was just recently completed
in May of 2016.
Partnership with Powell Butte Community Charter School
Conservation education on the Ochoco National Forest and Crooked River National Forest has
been a key element of the forest program for many years. The Forest works with many local
grade and high school classes in Crook, Deschutes and Jefferson counties. In 2014, PBCCS
approached the Ochoco National Forest and asked if they would like to partner in a place-based
learning program with middle school students.
Essentially, the 6th grade class would begin the
learning program, focusing on a specific “place”
that they would follow throughout middle
school. We identified McKay Creek as their
“place”, but also decided at the time that they
would follow other restoration project through
implementation, which included the Trout Creek
Restoration Project. The middle school class
has collected important water quality,
macroinvertebrate, riparian vegetation and
Figure 5. 6th graders from Powell Butte Community
stream habitat data as part of their learning plan. Charter School assisting with riparian vegetation
They have also had the opportunity to help with planting on Trout Creek.
riparian vegetation planting on the Trout Creek project (see Figure 5), and this year had the
opportunity to look at survival of plants from last year and incorporate that data into their overall
learning plan. Next year, 8th graders at the school will assist with further planting on Trout
Creek and will have the opportunity to experience stream restoration first-hand with the
implementation of the McKay Creek Floodplain Reconnection Project.
Fisheries Workshop Abstracts and Speaker Biographies
June 22-23, 2016
Status of Fish Passage at the Opal Springs Hydroelectric
Project (FERC No. 5891)
Prepared by: Finlay Anderson on behalf of the Deschutes Valley Water District
June 2016
Finlay Anderson, Kleinschmidt Associates.
Phone: (503) 345-0517
Email: [email protected]
ABSTRACT:
The Deschutes Valley Water District (DVWD) has responded to requests from federal and state
resource agencies by voluntarily agreeing to install fish passage at the Opal Springs
Hydroelectric Project. Fish passage is needed because of the ongoing reintroduction of Middle
Columbia River (MCR) Steelhead and Pacific salmon to the Upper Deschutes Basin. Bull trout
are also present in the project area. A pool raise is included in the proposed action to simplify
engineering by allowing the ladder to go over the existing dam and manage water within the
project to benefit fish passage. The project is very close to being shovel ready (pending
identification of funding and issuance of FERC authorization) and, when implemented, will
connect over 108 miles of upstream habitat with the lower Deschutes River.
The Interior Columbia Technical Recovery Team identified 20 historical populations of Middle
Columbia steelhead based on genetics, geography, life history traits, morphological traits, and
population dynamics. Seventeen of these populations are extant, and three extirpated (White
Salmon River, Crooked River, and Willow Creek). The historic Crooked River population was
thought to be the largest population within the Cascades Eastern Slope Tributaries Major
Population Group (MPG) of the Middle Columbia Distinct Population Segment (DPS) with an
annual average abundance threshold of 2250 adults. The NOAA Fisheries 2009 Recovery Plan
identifies the reintroduction of steelhead above Pelton Round Butte as one of several key actions
that would help recover the Middle Columbia River DPS. The Plan also recognizes that a
successful reintroduction into the Crooked River would bolster the viability of the Cascade
Eastern Slope Tributaries MPG, and acknowledges the importance of establishing passage at
Opal Springs for successful reintroduction.
The existing FERC license does not expire until 2032. The Project’s owner was willing to
consider an amendment to provide upstream passage and alternative routes for downstream
passage in exchange for Endangered Species Act coverage for the entire project through the
duration of the license term. The solution was a multi-party settlement agreement that provided
for fish passage, an on-going monitoring plan, and an adaptive management structure that took
into account both upstream and downstream passage success. A water bank will provide tools
to move water around the project to facilitate upstream and downstream passage.
Fisheries Workshop Abstracts and Speaker Biographies
June 22-23, 2016
DVWD is targeting the 2017 construction season to begin construction, however funding and
FERC approval are two outstanding variables. Indications are that FERC will issue the license
amendment quickly upon completing ESA consultation with the agencies.
BIOGRAPHY:
Finlay Anderson is a Senior Regulatory Coordinator with Kleinschmidt Associates. Finlay
specializes in FERC licensing and compliance of hydropower projects, special use permitting,
NEPA compliance, and Endangered Species Act consultation. He has extensive experience
managing and facilitating technical teams representing agencies, non-governmental agencies,
and utility clients. Finlay has expertise in strategic planning and communication with public and
private sectors around natural resource issues and energy production, including fish passage,
power production analyses, environmental reconnaissance, and permitting. Finlay has a master’s
degree in marine resources management from Oregon State University, and provides planning
and process support for and coordination of stakeholder consultation activities.