Use of the Mainstem Columbia and Lower Snake Rivers by Migratory Bull Trout
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U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Use of the Mainstem Columbia and Lower Snake Rivers by Migratory Bull Trout Data Synthesis and Analyses Final Report April 6, 2016 Study funded by: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Contributing Authors: Marshall G. Barrows, Donald R. Anglin, Paul M. Sankovich, J. Michael Hudson, Ryan C. Koch, Joseph J. Skalicky, David A. Wills and Brook P. Silver U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Columbia River Fisheries Program Office Vancouver, WA 98683 Contributions by: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Mid-Columbia River Fishery Resource Office, Leavenworth, WA 98826 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Idaho Fishery Resource Office, Ahsahka, ID 83520 On the cover: Threatened bull trout use critical habitat in the mainstem Columbia and Snake rivers to forage, migrate and overwinter. The cover photograph depicts the Twin Sisters rock formation on the shores of the mainstem Columbia River at Wallula Gap near the mouth of the Walla Walla River. Photograph by Ryan Koch (FWS). The correct citation for this report is: Barrows, M.G., D.R. Anglin, P.M. Sankovich, J.M. Hudson, R.C. Koch, J.J. Skalicky, D.A. Wills and B.P. Silver. 2016. Use of the Mainstem Columbia and Lower Snake Rivers by Migratory Bull Trout. Data Synthesis and Analyses. Final Report. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Columbia River Fisheries Program Office, Vancouver, WA. ii Use of the Mainstem Columbia and Lower Snake Rivers by Migratory Bull Trout Use of the Mainstem Columbia and Lower Snake Rivers by Migratory Bull Trout Data Synthesis and Analyses Funded by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Authored by: Marshall G. Barrows Donald R. Anglin Paul M. Sankovich J. Michael Hudson Ryan C. Koch Joseph J. Skalicky David A. Wills Brook P. Silver U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Columbia River Fisheries Program Office 1211 SE Cardinal Court, Suite 100 Vancouver, WA 98683 Contributions by: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Mid-Columbia River Fishery Resource Office Leavenworth, WA 98826 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Idaho Fishery Resource Office Ahsahka, ID 83520 Final Report April 6, 2016 iii Use of the Mainstem Columbia and Lower Snake Rivers by Migratory Bull Trout Disclaimers The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The mention of trade names or commercial products in this report does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use by the federal government. iv Use of the Mainstem Columbia and Lower Snake Rivers by Migratory Bull Trout Table of Contents List of Tables ...................................................................................................................................7 List of Figures ..................................................................................................................................9 Executive Summary .......................................................................................................................13 Introduction ....................................................................................................................................24 Study Area .....................................................................................................................................26 Lower Columbia River .............................................................................................................. 28 Mid-Columbia River ................................................................................................................. 29 Lower Snake River .................................................................................................................... 29 Chapter 1 : Subbasin Reviews ......................................................................................................30 Lower Columbia River .............................................................................................................. 30 Hood River Subbasin ............................................................................................................. 30 Klickitat River Subbasin ........................................................................................................ 44 Deschutes River Subbasin ..................................................................................................... 48 John Day River Subbasin ...................................................................................................... 52 Umatilla River Subbasin ........................................................................................................ 55 Walla Walla River Subbasin .................................................................................................. 58 Yakima River Subbasin ......................................................................................................... 67 Mid-Columbia River ................................................................................................................. 70 Wenatchee River Subbasin .................................................................................................... 70 Entiat River Subbasin ............................................................................................................ 74 Methow River Subbasin ........................................................................................................ 77 Lower Snake River .................................................................................................................... 82 Tucannon River Subbasin ...................................................................................................... 82 Clearwater River Subbasin .................................................................................................... 86 Asotin Creek Subbasin .......................................................................................................... 89 Grande Ronde River Subbasin .............................................................................................. 96 Salmon River Subbasin ......................................................................................................... 99 Imnaha River Subbasin ........................................................................................................ 102 Sheep Creek Subbasin ......................................................................................................... 108 Granite Creek Subbasin ....................................................................................................... 111 Chapter 2 : Potential Impacts of Mainstem Dams, Their Operation, and Associated Impoundments on Bull Trout .......................................................................................................115 Lower Columbia River ............................................................................................................ 116 5 Use of the Mainstem Columbia and Lower Snake Rivers by Migratory Bull Trout Bonneville Dam ................................................................................................................... 117 The Dalles Dam ................................................................................................................... 119 John Day Dam ..................................................................................................................... 121 McNary Dam ....................................................................................................................... 123 Mid-Columbia River ............................................................................................................... 127 Priest Rapids Dam ............................................................................................................... 127 Wanapum Dam .................................................................................................................... 130 Rock Island Dam ................................................................................................................. 133 Rocky Reach Dam ............................................................................................................... 137 Wells Dam ........................................................................................................................... 142 Chief Joseph Dam ................................................................................................................ 145 Lower Snake River .................................................................................................................. 147 Ice Harbor Dam ................................................................................................................... 147 Lower Monumental Dam ..................................................................................................... 151 Little Goose Dam................................................................................................................. 155 Lower Granite Dam ............................................................................................................. 160 Chapter 3 : Synthesis of Available Information and Research ...................................................166 Subbasin Populations and Use of the Mainstem by Migratory Bull Trout ............................. 167 Bull trout tributary subbasin populations ............................................................................ 167 Bull trout life history ..........................................................................................................