Use of Mainstem Habitats by Juvenile Pacific Lamprey

1
Use of Mainstem Habitats by Juvenile Pacific
Lamprey

• DD Dauble, RP Mueller, and
• TP Hanrahan
• Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
• Dave Close
• Confederated Tribes
• of the Umatilla Indian Reservation

2
Description of Problem

• Remnant spawning/rearing habitat present only in
  Hanford Reach (Page 1976) and tailraces of some
  hydro projects (BPA et al. 1994 Dauble and Geist
  1992)
• The number of both juvenile and adult Pacific
  Lamprey passing mainstem dams has declined
  dramatically in the past 30 years, coincident
  with the period of major hydroelectric
  development (CRITFC 1999)

3
Rationale and Significance to Regional Programs

• Section 7 of Biological Opinion (7.3 Tribal
  Actions)
• Halt the Decline of Salmon, Lamprey, and Sturgeon
  Populations Above Bonneville Dam Within 7 Years
• Increase Lamprey and Sturgeon to Naturally
  Sustaining Levels Within 25 Years in a Manner
  That Supports Tribal Harvests
• Subbasin Summary Document for the Columbia
  Plateau Province States the Following Needs
• Protect, Enhance, and Restore . to Viable
  Levels
• Estimate the Amount of Pacific Lamprey Spawning
  and Rearing That Occurs in the Hanford Reach and
  Tailraces of Mainstem Dams by 2006

4
Relationship to Other Projects

• Aligned with CTUIR/CRITFC Pacific Lamprey
  Research Restoration
• Research Goals Support Other Regional Hydropower
  Mitigation Programs (i.e., BPA FW, Corps, AFEP)

5
Overall Goal Refine Restoration Strategies for
Rebuilding Depresssed Lamprey Populations

• Specific Objectives
• Characterize the Use of Existing Lotic Habitats
  in the Mainstem Columbia and Snake River by
  Juvenile Pacific Lamprey
• Identify Mainstem Habitats With Highest Potential
  for Enhancement

6
Unique Life History Requirements

• Larvae Develop in Gravel Substrate for 5-7 Years
  Before Migrating Downstream
• Alluvial Habitats With Intragravel Flow a
  Critical Component

7
General Approach

• Segregate Habitat Types (channel scale 10-100 m)
  According to Geomorphology from existing data
  sets
• Conduct Near-shore Habitat Surveys Using
  Electroshocker
• Map Rearing Sites and Develop GIS-based Habitat
  Model for System-wide Application

8
Planned Schedule

• Year 1- Characterize Habitat Use for Juvenile
  Lamprey in the Hanford Reach
• Year 2- Identify Use of Tailrace Habitats for
  Four Mainstem Hydroelectric Projects
• Year 3- Use Geomorphic Analysis to Classify
  Mainstem Habitats With Highest Potential for
  Enhancement

9
Expected Products

• Quantification of Mainstem Rearing Areas and
  Relative Abundance of Juvenile Lamprey by Habitat
  Type
• Description of Mainstem Habitats With Greatest
  Potential for Enhancement of Depressed
  Populations
• Basin-wide Approach to Ongoing Tributary
  Restoration Strategies