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The Problem
As members of the Wind River Restoration Team since 1994, personnel from the USGS's Columbia River Research Laboratory (CRRL) have had a primary role in guiding efforts to restore steelhead to the Wind River subbasin. To date, CRRL personnel have concentrated their efforts on the parr stage of the steelhead life history. We have been compiling data and information to help understand factors that contribute to steelhead production including variations in its historical and probable-future range. Annual snorkel and electrofishing surveys have been conducted to estimate population density and biomass of juvenile steelhead as well as introduced populations of brook trout and chinook salmon in index areas of Trout Creek, upper Wind River, and Panther Creek watersheds. Stream habitat surveys are being conducted to determine stream gradient, riparian vegetation characteristics, and frequency of pools and woody debris. We continue to maintain an extensive network of thermographs and stream discharge sites to develop information about species diversity, seasonal, and annular trends in temperature and flow in the Wind River basin. Our partners at Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the U.S. Forest Service concentrate their efforts on monitoring the smolt and adult stages of the steelhead. Our partners at U.S. Forest Service and Underwood Conservation District are involved in physical stream restoration activities, and our partners at U.S. Fish and Wildlife monitor fish diseases in the system. The development of a comprehensive database has allowed an assessment of the health of the Wind River watershed and its steelhead population, which has helped to identify and prioritize potential restoration projects. This project has been funded by Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) since FY1998 (Project number: 1998-019-01). Objectives The objectives of the project are to: 1) Coordinate watershed stakeholders in order to guide the implementation of watershed restoration actions that are consistent with stakeholder objectives, 2) Monitor physical habitat conditions and natural production of juvenile, smolt, and adult steelhead in the Wind River subbasin, and 3) Use a science based framework to assess the condition of the watershed to determine what factors prevent stakeholder objectives from being met and to prioritize actions that result in meeting those objectives. Methodology Annual snorkel and electrofishing surveys are conducted to estimate population density and biomass of juvenile steelhead as well as introduced populations of brook trout and chinook salmon in Trout Creek, upper Wind River, and Panther Creek watersheds. Stream habitat surveys are conducted to determine stream gradient, riparian vegetation characteristics, and frequency of pools and woody debris. We continue to maintain an extensive network of thermographs and stream discharge sites to develop information about species diversity, seasonal, and annular trends in temperature and flow in the Wind River basin. The development of a comprehensive database will allow a scientific assessment of the health of the Wind River watershed and its steelhead population.
Highlights and Key Findings Habitat and fish surveys were conducted in mainstem and tributary streams within the upper Wind River watershed (FY 2000) and the Trout Creek watershed (FY 2001). These study areas were sampled for juvenile steelhead and other fish species by backpack electroshocking and snorkeling within a stratified systematic sampling design. A network of 27 thermographs provided continuous (every 2 hr.) temperature data throughout the year. Stream discharge measurements were at biweekly intervals at 17 sampling sites from June through October. Where Are We Headed In 2003 We will continue to conduct habitat and fish surveys in 2003. Because of our relatively long-term database, we will be meshing data collected by cooperators to focus the analysis on relationships between habitat conditions and steelhead production. We will assess population trends as well as diversity in life history patterns. Project Contact Patrick J. Connolly Email: patrick_connolly@usgs.gov Publications |
