Abstract
During relicensing of its Clark Fork River dams, Avista Corporation cooperatively developed the Native Salmonid Restoration Plan (NSRP) to address mitigation actions for the ESA listed bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus). The NSRP identified aspects including: fish passage, genetics, non-native species, and habitat, among others, to be addressed in an adaptive management progression. Upstream passage began in 2001 with bull trout captured below Cabinet Gorge Dam being radio tagged and released upstream. Subsequent development of a genetic baseline facilitated transport to the region of origin, and parentage analysis confirmed contribution of upstream transported bull trout. Downstream juvenile bull trout passage by tributary trapping and transport was assessed using PIT tags and tributary antenna arrays. Mitigation programs also addressed habitat and non-native species concerns from rearing habitats to Lake Pend Oreille. Population modeling included a risk assessment of trapping and transporting resident bull trout and incorporation of over 10 years of data into a strategic modeling exercise to assess what mitigation actions have worked and where to focus future efforts. Such direction will become increasingly important in the face of dynamic anthropogenic impacts, climate change, and other challenges.
Start Date
24-4-2015 10:30 AM
End Date
24-4-2015 11:00 AM
Document Type
Presentation
Mitigating hydropower impacts on bull trout in the lower Clark Fork
During relicensing of its Clark Fork River dams, Avista Corporation cooperatively developed the Native Salmonid Restoration Plan (NSRP) to address mitigation actions for the ESA listed bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus). The NSRP identified aspects including: fish passage, genetics, non-native species, and habitat, among others, to be addressed in an adaptive management progression. Upstream passage began in 2001 with bull trout captured below Cabinet Gorge Dam being radio tagged and released upstream. Subsequent development of a genetic baseline facilitated transport to the region of origin, and parentage analysis confirmed contribution of upstream transported bull trout. Downstream juvenile bull trout passage by tributary trapping and transport was assessed using PIT tags and tributary antenna arrays. Mitigation programs also addressed habitat and non-native species concerns from rearing habitats to Lake Pend Oreille. Population modeling included a risk assessment of trapping and transporting resident bull trout and incorporation of over 10 years of data into a strategic modeling exercise to assess what mitigation actions have worked and where to focus future efforts. Such direction will become increasingly important in the face of dynamic anthropogenic impacts, climate change, and other challenges.