Evaluate Status of Coastal Cutthroat Trout in the
Columbia River Basin Above Bonneville Dam

The Problem

The goal of this project is to provide vital information on the current status of cutthroat trout populations as a necessary prerequisite to determining need and type of future recovery efforts. Coastal cutthroat trout were petitioned for listing under the Endangered Species Act in 1997. The research performed under this study represents joint funding from BRD and the BPA.

Objectives

The objective is to document existing data on historical and current distribution and on the biology of the species in a) the Columbia River Gorge area above Bonneville Dam (Bonneville Power Administration funds), and b) the states of Oregon and Washington (BRD funds; cooperative effort with USGS's Western Fisheries Research Center and Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center).

Methodology

To document existing data on cutthroat trout, we contacted state (Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife) and federal managers (U.S Forest Service's Mount Hood National Forest, Mount Adams National Forest, Columbia Gorge Scenic Area; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Bureau of Land Management), other state management offices (e.g., State of Washington Conservation Districts), and Tribal offices (e.g., Yakama Nation, Confederated Umatilla Tribes). We have gathered and compiled relevant federal and state hatchery records on cutthroat trout

A coastal cutthroat trout from Rattlesnake Creek, which is a tributary of the White Salmon River (Columbia River Basin, WA).

stocking. Information has been gathered on stock origins, numbers of fish, life history stage, and location and date of plant. We compiled all available information on past and ongoing genetic studies including, for example, final and preliminary results of allozyme- and DNA-based analyses, location of sampling efforts, and availability of archived tissues for additional genetic work. All information will be collected in a GIS structure to contain data layers and maps.

Highlights and Key Findings

With FY2001 funding from BRD's Science Support Program in association with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, we performed a literature search on what was published on coastal cutthroat trout in the states of Oregon and Washington. Work is ongoing to make this literature database available from a website that uses GIS layers to geographically characterize the available information. With additional FY2001 funding from Bonneville Power Administration, we documented existing data on historical and current distribution of coastal cutthroat trout in the Columbia River basin above Bonneville Dam. Extensive interviews with regional fisheries biologists, tribal biologists, landowners, and knowledgeable anglers were conducted. Information is currently being digitized in a GIS format.

Where Are We Headed In 2003

With anticipated additional funding, we will conduct extensive surveys of streams in the Columbia River Basin above Bonneville Dam to determine presence and status of cutthroat trout. In addition to extensive sampling for distribution, we will conduct intensive habitat and population surveys in 4-6 streams. These streams will serve as reference sites for years to come. We will collect basic life-history information, including age structure, growth rate, density, species assemblage, disease incidence, and habitat associations. Another facet of the study will be genetic analysis, which will help to identify unique populations, to ascertain relationships with other populations, and to determine hybridization incidence with rainbow trout.

Project Contact

Patrick J. Connolly
U.S. Geological Survey
Western Fisheries Research Center
Columbia River Research Laboratory
5501-A Cook-Underwood Rd.
Cook, WA 98605-9717

Email: patrick_connolly@usgs.gov
Phone: 509-538-2299 x269
Fax: 509-538-2843

Publications