FISHERY INVESTIGATION STUDY PLAN

Final-Draft

LAKE CHELAN HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT FERC Project No. 637

December 16, 1998February 12,1998March 24, 1999

Public Utility District No. 1 of Chelan County Wenatchee, Washington

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION...... 1

1.1 General Description of the Region and Lake Chelan Project...... 1 1.2 General Description of the Relicensing Process...... 2 1.3 Need Statement...... 5

SECTION 2: STUDY GOAL...... 7

SECTION 3: STUDY AREA ...... 7

SECTION 4: METHODOLOGY...... 7 4.1 Tributary Inspection...... 7 4.2 Salmonid Investigations...... 1213 4.3 Creel Survey ...... 1213 4.4 Limnological Surveys...... 4.5 Data Assessment...... 1213

SECTION 5: TASK LIST...... 1314

SECTION 6: ANALYSIS AND REPORTING...... 1415

SECTION 7: STAFFING AND EQUIPMENT NEEDS ...... 1516

SECTION 8: SCHEDULE...... 1516

SECTION 9: BUDGET ...... 1516

SECTION 10: NEXT STEPS ...... 1516

SECTION 11: REFERENCES ...... 1617

APPENDIX A...... 1719 Issues To Be Addressed ...... 1719 LIST OF FIGURES

FIGURE 1: BYPASS REACH LOCATION MAP...... 6 FIGURE 2: LAKE CHELAN & TRIBUTARIES...... 1112

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SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION

1.1 General Description of the Region and Lake Chelan Project Lake Chelan is located in Chelan County in north central Washington. Lake Chelan is bordered to the south by the Entiat and Chelan Mountains and Glacier Peak complex. To the north it is bordered by the Sawtooth Mountain Range. From Twenty Five Mile Creek uplake, the terrain is mountainous and rugged. In many cases, the steep slopes run directly into the lake with no flat beaches or shoreline. The terrain of the lower end of the lake is much less severe, mainly arid or semi-arid. Except where irrigation has taken place, the hills of the lower end of the lake are barren with brown grasses and a few scattered pines.

Lake Chelan is deep and narrow, extending northwesterly approximately 50 miles from the City of Chelan at its lower end to Stehekin at the head of the lake. Lake Chelan is a natural lake that developed within a broad glacial trough. The lake averages 1 mile in width, and has depths of over 1,480 feet. Lake Chelan is bordered by more than 2 million acres of National Forest Lands, more than half of which are designated as wilderness. Surrounding peaks reach elevations as high as 7,000 feet. The lake serves as a waterway approach to the Forest Service’s Wenatchee National Forest above Twenty Five Mile Creek, and to the National Park Service’s Lake Chelan National Recreation Area at Stehekin. The lower 15 miles of the lake are mostly privately owned, the next 35 are within the Wenatchee National Forest, and the upper 5 miles are within the Lake Chelan National Recreation Area.

The average surface area of the lake is 32,000 acres. The drainage area of the project at the dam is 924 square miles. The confluence of the Chelan River and Columbia River is approximately 1.5 miles southeast of the City of Chelan. The lake level and flow through the Chelan River drainage were altered through the construction of a hydroelectric project in the river channel near the City of Chelan in 1928.

The Lake Chelan Hydroelectric Project is located approximately 32 miles north of the City of Wenatchee on the Chelan River. The 4.1-mile long Chelan River, the shortest river in Washington State, flows from the lower end of Lake Chelan to the Columbia River. The Lake Chelan Hydroelectric Project consists of a 40-foot high concrete gravity dam located at the City of Chelan, a 2.2-mile long steel and concrete tunnel (penstock) that is 14 feet in diameter, and a powerhouse located at the confluence of the Chelan and Columbia rivers near the City of Chelan Falls. The vertical elevation drop between the dam and powerhouse is 401 ft. The powerhouse contains two Francis turbine units, each rated at 34,000 hp at 1,100 cfs and 377 feet net head, that produce approximately 50 MW of electricity.

The project reservoir, Lake Chelan, is operated between a maximum water surface elevation of 1,100 feet (MSL) and 1,079 feet to ensure optimum utilization of the reservoir for power generation, fish and wildlife conservation, recreation, water supply, and flood control purposes. The average drawdown of the lake for the past 30 years has been to 1083.5 feet. The reservoir has 676,000 acre-feet of usable storage above 1,079 feet. Fishery Investigation

The annual drawdown of the lake begins in early October. The lowest lake elevation normally occurs in April. From May through June the lake refills from spring runoff. The reservoir is maintained at or above elevation 1,098 feet from June 30 through September 30 each year. Since the project was originally licensed in 1926, the lake has never been drawn down to the minimum allowable elevation (1,079 feet). The lowest drawdown on record was 1,079.7 feet in 1970. That occurrence coincides with the lowest annual precipitation on record. The Chelan PUD has never failed to refill the reservoir to elevation 1,098 feet by June 30.

The 4.1-mile long bypass reach (Chelan River or Gorge) is comprised of four distinct sections (Figure 1). The 2.29-mile long upper section, Section 1, of the bypass reach below the dam is characterized by a relatively wide flood plain, low gradient, 55 ft/mile, and substrate comprised mainly of large cobble and boulders. Some spawning sized gravel is contained along the margins of the channel, deposited in these areas during high flow events during spring runoff.

Section 2 of the bypass reach, 0.75-mile long and located in the upper end of the gorge, is characterized by a narrow channel, steep canyon walls, low gradient, 57 ft/mile, and cobble and boulder substrate that is much larger than the upstream section.

Section 3 of the bypass reach, referred to as the gorge area, is 0.38-mile long. The canyon walls are very steep and narrow. The gradient of the channel is very steep, 480 ft/mile. The stream channel is characterized by waterfalls, ranging from 5 to 20 feet high, numerous cascades, bedrock chutes, and large, very deep pools. The substrate is very large, with some boulders exceeding 20 feet in diameter.

Section 4 of the bypass reach is 0.49-mile long and located below the gorge area. It is characterized by a wide flood plain, having gravel/cobble/boulder substrate, and low gradient, 22 ft/mile. Section 4 extends from the bottom of the gorge section downstream approximately 2,600 feet to the confluence of the powerhouse tailrace.

1.2 General Description of the Relicensing Process The Public Utility District No.1 of Chelan County (Chelan PUD) owns and operates the Lake Chelan Hydroelectric Project located on the Chelan River in Chelan, Washington. Chelan PUD is permitted to operate the project according to the terms and conditions contained in the existing license No. 637, issued by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) on May 12, 1981. The current license expires on March 31, 2004.

The original project license was issued by the Federal Power Commission, now FERC, in May 1926. The FERC granted the new 30-year license to Chelan PUD on May 12, 1981, retroactive to 1974 when the original 50-year license expired.

Chelan PUD intends to seek a new license to operate the Lake Chelan Hydroelectric Project and has begun the preparation for the process referred to as “relicensing.” The FERC relicensing process is based on laws and regulations that require years of extensive planning, including environmental studies, agency consensus, and public involvement. The process to obtain a new

Lake Chelan Project No. 637 Study Plan (Final-Draft) SS/2124_31 Page 14 December 16, 1998February 12,SS/2124_41 Page Fishery Investigation license has changed considerably since the existing license was issued in 1981, primarily due to changes made to the Federal Power Act (FPA) as amended by the Electric Consumers Power Act (ECPA) in 1986. ECPA mandates that the FERC give equal consideration to the enhancement of existing environmental, recreation, fish, and wildlife resources, and to balance what are often competing uses of the water resources. ECPA also empowers the FERC to consider whether or not a project is consistent with federal and state comprehensive plans.

Chelan PUD has requested and received approval from the FERC to employ an alternative relicensing process for the Lake Chelan Project, as allowed under FERC’s Final Rule issued on October 29, 1997 (Docket No. RM95-16-000; Order No. 596). The Alternative Relicensing Process (ARP) proposed by Chelan PUD is intended to expedite the licensing process by combining the pre-filing consultation and environmental review processes into a single process, and by improving and facilitating communications among the participants in the licensing process.

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Figure 1: Bypass Reach Location Map

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The first step taken by Chelan PUD in the Lake Chelan ARP was to solicit identification of issues from the participating stakeholders regarding all aspects of the Lake Chelan Hydroelectric Project that would need to be addressed during the relicensing process. Issues identified were then grouped according to similar topics. From the sub-groups of topics, study plans outlines were developed to address the pertinent issues. The detailed study plans are a further refinement of the study plan outlines.

1.3 Need Statement Informational needs identified by the Lake Chelan relicensing stakeholders include the effectinclude: 1) the effects of project operations on the native fish and the lake sport fishery, as well as the effect of lake level fluctuations on spawning and early rearing of native fish and salmonids in the fluctuation zone; and 2) the contribution of hatchery hatchery-planted cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, Lakelake trout, chinook salmon, and kokanee to the Lake Chelan sportfishery and natural production in Lake Chelan tributaries. The effect of hatchery releases of cutthroat trout will also be addressed, given the proposed listing of westslope cutthroat trout under the Endangered Species Act. Additional informational needs are investigating the potential of using hatchery stocks to re-introduce native fish to areas previously inhabited, e.g., Bull trout,The effect of hatchery releases of cutthroat trout will also beinhabited (e.g., bull trout), and/or areas of enhanced habitat.addressed concerning the proposed listing of Westslope cutthroat trout under the ESA. Study results will be used by the Fishery Workgroup to make sound,well informed management decisions regarding the future of Lake Chelan fishery resources.

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Figure 2: Bypass Reach Location Map

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SECTION 2: STUDY GOAL

The study goals of the Fishery Investigation are to: 1) evaluate the: 1)the effect of project operations/lake level fluctuations on tributary-spawning fish and the lake sport fishery; 2) evaluate the efficacy of the kokanee and cutthroat and rainbow trout stocking/hatchery programs in terms of contribution to Lake Chelan spawning populations of these species; 2) 3) determine the impact of the salmonid stocking program on lake sport fishery; 4) update the data contained in Brown (1984) regarding Mysis shrimp and zooplankton densities; and 5) determine the potential use of hatcheries to supplement existing populations orbecoming involvedhabitat; 3) impact of the salmonid stocking program on lake sport fishery; and 4)the lake salmonid sport fishery. with reintroduction of fish into restored habitat.

SECTION 3: STUDY AREA

The study area encompasses the project boundary, which extends along the 1,100-foot contour line from the upper end of Lake Chelan near Stehekin to the City of Chelan. The area above the 1,100-foot contour line up to the first impassible barrier (or ¼ mile, whichever comes first) in each tributary will be included in this investigation. The project boundary continues down both sides of the bypass reach to the confluence of the Chelan and Columbia rivers. The focus of this investigation is fishery resources inhabiting Lake Chelan and tributaries.

SECTION 4: METHODOLOGY 4.1 Tributary Inspection In order to evaluate project operations/lake level fluctuations on tributary-spawning fish and native, tributary inspections will be conducted in late-April 1999 when the lake reaches its lowest annual elevation. Stream characteristics in the drawdown zone will be documented for the following tributaries to Lake Chelan (Figure 2):

Safety Harbor Creek First Creek Gold Creek Twenty five Mile Creek Mitchell Creek Grade Creek Prince Creek Fish Creek Railroad Creek

Chelan PUD has conducted kokanee spawning surveys since 1982 in these tributaries. Based on the results of these surveys, the PUD has determined that a majority of the natural production in Lake Chelan occurs in these tributaries. In addition, Brown (1984) determined that these nine creeks provided most of the habitat available for kokanee and trout and that 85% of the trout observed in the tributaries to Lake Chelan were captured in these nine creeks.

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Additional tributaries that may be inspected are Deep Harbor and Graham Harbor Creeks.

Seasonal drawn down allows the formation of alluvial fans or deltas created from sediment carried down the streams. The alluvial fans may have suitable substrate for spawning and may be utilized by rainbow and cutthroat trout that are spring spawners. When the lake level rises, redds in the alluvial fan may be flooded and the fish eggs killed. The alluvial associated with these tributaries will be surveyed during the maximum drawdown period in April, 1999. Surveys of the tributaries 1/4 mile upstream of the normal operating pool level will be conducted in the spring of 1999 after the survey of the alluvial fan has been conducted. Objectives of these surveys are to:

1. Identify potential barriers to upstream passage for salmonids (spring spawners in particular - rainbow and cutthroat trout), and other native fish. 2. Identify spawning habitat in the alluvial fan/littoral zone. 3. Record observations of the presence or absence of spawning redds in the alluvial fan. 4. Document large woody debris in alluvial fan and littoral zone. 5. Quantify suitable spawning and rearing habitat for salmonids 6. Quantify physical stream channel attributes. 7. Quantify relative species abundance and utilization of study streams. 8. Species of interest: chinook, kokanee rainbow, cutthroat, bull and lake trout and other native fishes.

Washington Department of Natural Resources, Forest Practices Board criteria for fish barriers will be used to determine upstream fish passage barriers. These criteria include: Falls greater than 12 feet I. Steepened channels with gradient greater than 16% lacking step-pool cascades. II. Electrofishing will be conducted upstream of potential barriers to verify absence of fish.

Rosgen’s Level III Stream Assessment protocol (1996) will be used to characterize the tributaries and alluvial fan. The following data will be collected: Habitat type with length, width, depth, LWD meander length, and sinuosity will be measured along the entire study reach. At 500-meter intervals, width, depth of wetted channel and bankfull channel will be measured, with substrate, Wolman pebble count, channel stability, and erosion potential. Photos will be taken to document each station in the study reach. III. IV. Stream characteristics to be measured will include identification of potential barriers to resident fish upstream passage, stream channel gradient, channel width, water depth, stream discharge, pool-riffle ratio, substrate composition, in-stream habitat characterization, such as presence/absence/size of large woody debris, riparian habitat characterization. and assessment of alluvial ‘fan’ at tributary mouth. Data collected during the April drawdown tributary inspection, as well as creel survey results, will provide information regarding the potential effect of project operations/lake level fluctuations on the lake salmonid sport fishery.

In stream reaches where spawning activity is not identified, electrofishing will be conducted to identify species and life-stage utilization. Length, weight, lifestage, species, condition will be recorded and a scale sample will be collected to determine the origin of fish (hatchery or naturally

Lake Chelan Project No. 637 Study Plan (Final-Draft) SS/2124_31 Page 14 December 16, 1998February 12,SS/2124_41 Page Fishery Investigation reproduced). Electrofishing will be non-random. Best available habitat will be targeted and a one-pass methodology will be utilized. Qualitative observations of both game and non-game fish utilization at the creek mouths and along the alluvial fans will be made by snorkeling. A literature review of life history requirements of non-game native fish will be conducted as well. Electrofishing along the alluvial fan will provide positive identification of fish observed by snorkeling. Snorkeling will be conducted in April (when lake levels are low) as well as in July and late September in the vicinity of the alluvial fans of the nine target tributaries as well as near the mouth of the Stehekin River.

The impact of project operation on benthic macroinvertebrates and the lake fluctuation zone will also be examined. This will be accomplished by conducting a literature review.

4.2 Salmonid Investigations One of the goals of the Fisheries Investigations is to determine the efficacy of the kokanee and cutthroat and rainbow trout stocking/hatchery programs in terms of contribution to Lake Chelan spawning populations of these species. During the Tributary Assessments (See Section 4.1), CCPUD will conduct electroshocking surveys to identify species and life-stage utilization of the tributaries. The Fisheries Workgroup for census data collection will select a reach in each tributary with similar characteristics to the reaches surveyed by Brown (1984).

As mentioned above, species, life stage, length, weight and condition of captured fish will be recorded. Scale samples will be taken from all salmonids captured to determine the origin of the fish (hatchery or naturally-produced). In addition, a fin clip will be taken of all cutthroat trout captured during the surveys. If analysis of the scale indicates that the cutthroat trout was naturally-produced, genetic analysis will also be conducted on the fin clip to determine whether the fish was of wild or hatchery origin.

Westslope cutthroat trout, which are native to Lake Chelan, are proposed for listing under the Endangered Species Act. Hatchery-produced westslope cutthroat from a variety of stocks have been planted in Lake Chelan and tributaries; however, the impact of these hatchery of hatchery fish to the native westslope cutthroat trout populations is unknown. In addition to the collection of fin clips and scales (see previous paragraph and Section 4.3), Chelan PUD will conduct a review of current literature and information on the “native” westslope cutthroat trout of the Lake Chelan drainage and the current classification of the Twin Lakes stock. Chelan PUD will also collect baseline genetic information on the Twin Lakes stock to compare with westslope cutthroat trout populations found in the tributaries and the creel. Genetic analysis will be conducted in consultation with the National Park Service, which is conducting genetic analysis on Stehekin River stocks, for consistency in methods.

4.3 Creel Survey In order to determine the impact of the salmonid stocking program on lake sport fishery, CCPUD will conduct creel surveys during 1999. Creel survey methods will be implemented per Hagen (1997). Sampling will be conducted on Lake Chelan, with a primary focus on the Wapato Basin area because previous studies indicate that the majority of sportfishing occurs in this area of Lake

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Chelan during spring and summer months (Brown 1984: Fielder 1985, 1986). More recent investigations, however, have suggested that increasing angler effort is being expended in the northern part of the lake; therefore, uplake surveys will be conducted on at least ten occasions during the sampling period. Catch data will be compiled for the following species: rainbow, cutthroat, and lake trout, kokanee, chinook salmon, smallmouth bass, and burbot. Although there have been no records of bull trout being caught in the lake for several decades, particular attention will be paid as to whether or not a specimen turns up during the course of the survey. Additional data will be collected on any other species retained or caught by sport fishermen.

The proposed roving creel survey protocol will use methods consistent with previous investigations for comparison with other baseline information (Hagen 1997; Brown 1984; Fielder 1985, 1986). Surveys will be initiated from selected locations, such as the boat launches at Old Mill Park near Manson or Riverwalk Park in Chelan, and begin in either clockwise or counter- clockwise direction, chosen randomly on each day, throughout the survey area. Survey personnel will interview occupants of every fishing boat encountered. Shore anglers will be interviewed when observed fishing from the main public access areas at the Manson boat launch and Riverwalk Park.

The following information will be included in the Creel Census Form:

1. Date of interview. Indication of weekday, weekend, holiday 2. Number of anglers boat-fishing, by adult/juvenile 3. Number of anglers bank-fishing, by adult/juvenile 4. Catch by species; release by species 5. Number of hours fished by each angler 6. Location of catch (Wapato/Stehekin Basin; related to closest tributary, if possible). 7. Fish sampling to include: fork length; weight (if not dressed); fin erosion 8. (if present); sex (if possible) 9. Angler preference

In addition, scales samples, if allowed by the angler, will be collected for each species. Otoliths, rather than scales, will be collected from burbot, if allowed by the angler. Scale analysis using the proper methodology (Marcogliese and Casselman 1998) will provide distinction between hatchery origin and wild origin fish. A fin clip will also be taken from any cutthroat trout sampled in the creel surveys and will be preserved for genetic analysis at a later date. If analysis of the scale indicates that the cutthroat trout was naturally-produced, genetic analysis will also be conducted on the fin clip to determine whether the fish was of wild or hatchery origin. Biological data will also be collected for bass and sex/maturity for Lake trout.

Creel sampling will be conducted two to three days per week, including at least one weekday and one weekend day, including holiday weekends, from mid-late April through the beginning of October. Previous Lake Chelan creel surveys have shown angler effort to be typically greater on weekends (Brown 1984). Sampling will be stratified to reduce potential bias between catch data

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Figure 3: Lake Chelan & Tributaries

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obtained on weekdays versus weekends. Sampling days each week will vary from week to week to ensure greater precision of catch estimates. At total of 60 surveys will be conducted.

4.4 Limnological Surveys Limnological surveys will be conducted per Brown (1984) to obtain and update data on Mysis relicata and zooplankton. Mysids will be collected once per month from April through October at Station 5 (Yacht club). Sampling will be conducted three times, 2100 hrs., 2400 hrs., and 0300 hrs., using a one-half meter tow net hauled vertically from a depth of 45.7 meters (150 feet) to determine Mysis density in the water column (Brown 1984). Sampling will be conducted during the dark or new phase of the moon. Mysids and large zooplankters will be preserved in 5% buffered formalin for later identification. A total of 24 samples will be collected during Mysis sampling

Zooplankton sampling will be conducted monthly from April through October at four stations (1, 3, 5, 7) described in Brown (1984), Figure 3. One vertical haul will be taken using a standard No. 10 plankton tow net from a depth of 45.7 meters (150 feet) during daylight hours. Zooplankton samples will be preserved for later identification. A total of 24 samples will be collected during zooplankton sampling.

In addition, the role of large woody debris in ultra-oligotrophic lakes will be reviewed in the literature.

4.53 Data Assessment Data collected during the tributary inspection will be used to: 1) characterize stream morphology in the drawdown zone; 2) determine whether or not barriers to upstream passage exist; and 3) provide information regarding the potential effect of project operations/lake level fluctuations on the native fish, tributary-spawning fish and the lake sport fishery.

Data collected during the tributary investigations of salmonids will be used to: 1) compare stream census data to Brown 1984; 2) differentiate hatchery origin vs. naturally-producing salmonid hatchery stocks; 3) evaluate the contribution of hatchery vs wild fish to the spawning populations in Chelan tributaries; and 4) determine the origin of cutthroat trout populations in the tributaries (native vs. Twin Lakes vs. other hatchery stocks).

Data collected during the creel survey will be assessed to address the following issues: 1) contribution of the salmonid stocking program on lake sport fishery; 2) potential efficacy of the kokanee and cutthroat and rainbow trout stocking/hatchery programs in terms of contribution to Lake Chelan spawning populations of these species by determining catch composition of wild and hatchery fish; and 3) based on wild versus hatchery fish catch composition, the potential for adaptation towards hatchery programs supplementing existing populations or becoming involved with reintroduction of fish into restored habitat.

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Limnological survey data collected on Mysid shrimp and zooplankton will be used to “field truth” Brown 1984. These data will provide good comparative information regarding various species population status, density, standing crop, biomass, etc. from 1981-82 to 1999.

Additional issues identified during initial consultation (Appendix A) will be addressed during the course of the studies described previously, or in other studies associated with the Lake Chelan relicensing process. For example, fish use will be observed during the Bypass Reach Flow Releases Study and Fish Stranding Investigation. Recreation, other than fishing, aesthetics, kayaking, and safety issues will also be addressed in the Chelan River Recreational Flow Study and Paddling Feasibility Study. Power impacts of various scenarios will be addressed in this and other studies, such as Columbia River Flow Augmentation and Lake Level Investigation.

SECTION 5: TASK LIST

Task 1 – Literature Review 1.1 Review of current literature and information on “native” west slope cutthroat trout of the Lake Chelan drainage and current classification of Twin Lakes stock 1.2 Review and description of hatchery stocking programs, stocks used, release strategies used, fish size, and stocking locations, 1.3 Review on role of woody debris in oligotrophic lakes

Task 2 – Field Studies 2.1 Tributary Inspection 2.2 Salmonid Investigations 2.3 Creel Surveys 2.4 Limnological Investigations

Task 3 – Analysis 3.1 Assessment of “native” stocks, primarily west slope cutthroat trout 3.2 Tributary Inspection 3.2.1 Identification of potential barriers 3.2.2 Stream channel gradient 3.2.3 Channel width 3.2.4 Water depth 3.2.5 Stream discharge 3.2.6 Pool-riffle ratio 3.2.7 Substrate composition 3.2.8 In-stream habitat characterization 3.2.9 Assessment of alluvial ‘fan’ including evaluation of natural spawning within the lake fluctuation zone. 3.3 Creel survey. Summaries to include: 3.3.1 Date of interview. Indicate weekday or weekend day/holiday

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3.3.2 Number of anglers boat fishing, by adult or juvenile 3.3.3 Number of anglers bank fishing, by adult or juvenile 3.3.4 Catch by species, number released by species. 3.3.5 CPUE 3.3.6 Location of each angler’s catch 3.3.7 Fork length, weight, whether any fin erosion, and sex (if possible). 3.3.8 Take scale samples (otoliths for burbot). 3.3.9 Construct length frequency histograms, mean fork length, weight, and condition (“K”) factor. 3.3.10 Angler preference, in order; which are trolling by tributary mouths 3.3.11 Age with fork lengths (scales and otoliths) 3.3.12 Hatchery vs. wild origin (from scales, and/or fin erosion)

3.4 Field truthing Brown (1984) information 3.5 Hatchery rearing and stocking strategies 3.6 Role of woody debris (develop brief contingency plan) 3.7 Potential effects of project operations

Task 4 – Results 4.1 Assessment of “native” stocks, primarily west slope cutthroat trout 4.2 Drawdown zone investigation 4.3 Creel survey 4.3.1 CPUE 4.3.2 Scale/fin erosion analysis 4.3.3 Wild vs. hatchery contribution to sportfishery 4.3.4 Availability of hatchery fish to augment natural spawning 4.4 Field truthing Brown (1984) information 4.5 Hatchery rearing and stocking strategies 4.6 Role of woody debris 4.7 Potential effects of project operations

Task 5 - Report

SECTION 6: ANALYSIS AND REPORTING

Field truthing of current conditions in selected tributaries to Lake Chelan and limnological investigations will be conducted to update descriptions in Brown (1984) of existing tributary access, analysis of barriers, quality of potential habitat, and existing fish density. Analysis of current hatchery fish stock origin, primarily in the form of a literature review, recommendations for changes based on current ESA objectives, and development of a comprehensive management plan will be conducted. Literature review will also be conducted regarding the role of woody debris in large, ultra-oligotrophic lakes. Options for hatchery rearing and stocking strategies to encourage augmentation of natural spawning populations, as well as sport fishing enhancement, will also be evaluated. Analysis of potential lake operation changes, effects on native fish, wild

Lake Chelan Project No. 637 Study Plan (Final-Draft) SS/2124_31 Page 14 December 16, 1998February 12,SS/2124_41 Page Fishery Investigation salmonids and sportfishing success, and barrier analysis will be investigated. Creel documentation of the distribution and contribution of hatchery released fish and scale analysis to determine contribution of wild and hatchery fish to the sportfishery will be conducted.

SECTION 7: STAFFING AND EQUIPMENT NEEDS

Chelan PUD will hire a consultant(s) to assist in conducting 1999 field investigations. Chelan PUD staff will oversee contracting and deliverable schedule for the selected consultant(s). Consultant(s) conducting field investigation in 1999 will be required to provide equipment and staff to conduct the contracted field investigations with minimal field support from the PUD. PUD involvement will be primarily in the form of study plan development and implementation, project oversight, and providing input to the consultant(s) regarding decisions made by parties involved in the relicensing process. Chelan PUD will notify the appropriate agencies as to the schedule for conducting field investigations.

SECTION 8: SCHEDULE

Literature review of historic fish stocking management, genetic information, and role of large woody debris could commence soon after final study plans are approved in early 1999. Field studies will begin during the month of April 1999. Lake levels are at the lowest elevation in April, which is also an optimum time to observe spawning rainbow and cutthroat trout in the tributary streams. Barrier analysis, stream characterization, and riparian habitat characterization in the drawdown zone will be most effective during this period of low lake elevation. The creel survey will be initiated in April and continue through September/October, 1999 in order to capture the majority of the sportfishing season. A second field season may be required based on the quality and quantity of data and the results of the first year study.

SECTION 9: BUDGET

To be determined based on contractor selection.

SECTION 10: NEXT STEPS

· Review draft detailed study plans in-house for completeness. · Send draft study plans to the Fishery Workgroup for review and comment. · Incorporate Fishery Workgroup comments into detailed study plans. · Select consultant to conduct 1999 field investigations. · Finalize contract with selected consultant, and have them prepare for 1999 field season. · Initiate literature reviews.

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· Conduct 1999 field studies.

SECTION 11: REFERENCES

Brown, L.G. 1984. Lake Chelan fishery investigations. Washington Department of Wildlife, Wenatchee, WA. 183 p. plus appendices.

Fielder, P.C. 1985. Creel census and plankton sampling, Lake Chelan Washington, Spring 1985. Public Utility District No. 1 of Chelan County, Wenatchee, WA. 8 p.

Fielder, P.C. 1986. Creel census and plankton sampling, Lake Chelan Washington, Spring 1986. Public Utility District No. 1 of Chelan County, Wenatchee, WA. 11 p.

Hagen, J.E. 1997. An evaluation of a trout fishery enhancement program in Lake Chelan. M.S. Thesis. School of Fisheries, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. 53 p. plus appendices.

Marcogliese, L.A. and J. M. Casselman. 1998. Scale methods for discriminating between Great Lakes stocks of wild and hatchery rainbow trout, with a measure of natural recruitment in Lake Ontario. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 18:253-268.

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APPENDIX A

Issues To Be Addressed

Issue Group Rank Issue Addressed

Economics: must be economically viable to PUD LARC 31/149 Yes Land Use: spawning habitat, disruption and LARC 39/149 Yes access to Recreation: sports fishing and management LARC 97/149 Yes differences (commercial and notoriety)

Native Species: Cutthroat - status Fish 1/119 Yes Fish management: Native Species: Bull Trout – Fish 2/119 Yes status? Fish management: Native Species Fish 3/119 Yes Fish Management Fish 4/119 Yes Lake level fluctuations: Fish affects Fish 9/119 Yes Comprehensive fishery management plan Fish 15/119 Yes Lake Level fluctuations: Spawning Fish 17/119 Yes Fish Management: Baseline condition: Fish 18/119 Yes Maintain fisheries programs Fish 22/119 Yes Land development - affecting water quality, Fish 26/119 Other Study fisheries: Lake level fluctuations: Fish affects: Spawning Fish 40/119 Yes Woody debris: Amphibian, Invertebrate, fish, Fish 44/119 Yes safety Fish Management: Tributary access inspection Fish 45/119 Yes Fish management: Fish Stocking, especially Fish 46/119 Yes cutthroat Impacts of non-native species Fish 54/119 Yes Fish Management: Fish distribution pattern Fish 58/119 Yes Fish Management: Baseline condition: Larry Fish 59/119 Yes Brown Rep? Fish management: Fish Stocking: Genetics Fish 64/119 Yes Fish occlusion Fish 70/119 Yes Fish management: Fish Stocking: Disease Fish 73/119 Yes Analysis of barriers, especially in lake levels Fish 75/119 Yes Quality of potential habitat Fish 76/119 Yes Woody debris: Fish 77/119 Yes Loss of habitat from increased level Fish 78/119 Yes Loss of habitat from water rising Fish 79/119 Yes

Study Plan Lake Chelan Project No. 637 December 16, 1998March 24, 1999 Page 17 SS/2124_4 Fishery Investigation

Invertebrate production? Fish 97/119 Yes Mixing of fish species and genetics Fish 108/119 Yes Fish reproduction - minimum value Fish 111/119 Yes

Maintain fisheries programs Public 14/75 Yes Comprehensive fishery management plan Public 18/75 Yes Fish Management Public 30/75 Yes Fish Management: Fish stocking Public 32/75 Yes Coordination and communication of this and Public 33/75 Yes other public planning Long-term ramifications, who maintains, funded Public 47/75 Yes how Large woody debris and fish habitat Public 52/75 Yes Timing and manner of stocking/effectiveness Public 57/75 Yes Must be economically viable to PUD Public 68/75 Yes

Lake Chelan Project No. 637 Study Plan (Final-Draft) SS/2124_31 Page 14 December 16, 1998February 12,SS/2124_41 Page