Information Reports - Number 96-8

INFORMATION REPORTS - NUMBER 96-8

Review of Capacity Utilization at ODFW Salmon Hatcheries

Mark A. Lewis Fish Propagation Section

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife 2501 S.W. First Avenue P.O. Box 59 Portland, Oregon 97207

August 1996 CONTENTS

Page

INTRODUCTION...... 1 SUMMARY...... 1 INDIVIDUAL HATCHERY EVALUATIONS...... 3 Bandon Hatchery...... 4 Big Creek Hatchery...... 6 Bonneville Hatchery...... 8 Butte Falls Hatchery...... 10 Cascade Hatchery...... 12 Cedar Creek Hatchery...... 14 Clackamas Hatchery...... 16 Cole Rivers Hatchery...... 19 Elk River Hatchery...... 21 Fall Creek Hatchery...... 24 Klaskanine Hatchery...... 25 Lookingglass Hatchery...... 27 Marion Forks Hatchery...... 29 McKenzie Hatchery...... 31 Nehalem Hatchery...... 33 Oxbow Hatchery...... 35 Rock Creek Hatchery...... 38 Round Butte Hatchery...... 40 Salmon River Hatchery...... 43 Sandy Hatchery...... 45 South Santiam Hatchery...... 47 Trask Hatchery...... 49 Umatilla Hatchery...... 52 Willamette Hatchery...... 53 REFERENCES...... 56

INTRODUCTION

An extensive review of capacity utilization at Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife hatcheries was done in the 1980’s (Jeffrey and Associates 1987, and Walters 1989). Both reports compared actual production levels to theoretical carrying capacity and loading density for the period April 1985 to April 1987. Theoretical values calculated for the analysis were based on a carrying capacity model developed by Liao (1971) and a loading density graph developed by Burrows and Combs (1968). Carrying capacity is a measure of the ability to provide oxygen and remove metabolic waste, and is calculated as pounds of fish/gallons per minute (gpm) water flow. Loading density is a measure of the physical space required by the fish, and is calculated as pounds of fish/cubic foot of rearing space. Since these reports are fairly recent this review is based on their conclusions modified for any changes in the physical capacity of the hatchery (number or size of ponds, and available water supply) and any changes in the level of production. Hatchery managers were also asked to assess their current level of production and their ability to increase production at all stages of rearing (adult holding and spawning, egg incubation, juvenile rearing, and smolt production). Data on Columbia River hatcheries was also obtained from the Integrated Hatchery Operations Team (IHOT) report (Nandor 1995). The body of the report is a hatchery by hatchery evaluation including general background information, the prior assessment, changes since that assessment, and conclusions on potential for increased production. These individual hatchery reviews are presented in tabular format (arranged geographically) in the summary section. Only salmon producing hatcheries are reviewed for this report. There are 10 other hatcheries that produce steelhead and/or other species of trout, but not salmon. These are not reviewed in this report but all are reviewed in the earlier reports (Jeffrey and Associates 1987, and Walters 1989) and data on six of them is contained in the IHOT report (Nandor 1995). There may be some ability to increase salmon production by using these steelhead or trout hatcheries. However, this would generally involve transport of eggs or fish, disease concerns, and isolation and/or separation from current production.

SUMMARY

The following table summarizes the current level of capacity utilization and the potential for increasing salmon production at various stages of the rearing cycle (adult holding and spawning, egg incubation, juvenile rearing, and smolt production). Where hatcheries had extra capacity at some stage of rearing, estimates of the number of fish or eggs that could be produced were based on the hatcheries current production practices. No estimate of the number of additional adults that could be held was made since this would be dependent on the specific species, fish size, run timing, and spawning timing. Estimates of the number of additional eggs that could be incubated are based on the average numbers currently incubated per container at the hatchery. Again the actual numbers of additional eggs that could be incubated would be based on the species and timing. The 14 Columbia Basin hatcheries evaluated are generally operating at or above recommended capacities. In some cases this may be resulting in reduced smolt quality and survival. Only one hatchery had any capacity for increased smolt production, Clackamas hatchery could rear an additional 15,000

1 steelhead smolts. There was no additional capacity identified for holding of adult salmon at any of the Columbia Basin hatcheries. There was substantial additional egg incubation capacity identified at 6 hatcheries, ranging from 450,000 to 6 million eggs. Limited early rearing space was identified at 3 hatcheries. One of the hatcheries evaluated (Klaskanine) and one of the steelhead hatcheries (Gnat Creek) are being closed because of federal budget reductions, and others may be closed if further anticipated budget reductions occur.

Potential for increasing Potential for increasing production to various stages production of salmon Starting and Early Hatchery smolts with existing Adult Holding Egg incubation Juvenile Rearing facility.

Columbia Basin Hatcheries (arranged upstream to downstream)

Lookingglass Goals at capacity Goals at capacity Goals at capacity Goals at capacity Umatilla Pending research results Not applicable Pending research results Pending research results Round Butte Fully utilized Fully utilized 900,000 eggs Fully utilized Oxbow Fully utilized Not applicable 6,000,000 eggs 300,000 fish Cascade Above capacity Fully utilized Fully utilized Fully utilized Bonneville Fully utilized Fully utilized Fully utilized Fully utilized Sandy Above capacity Fully utilized 2,000,000 eggs Some space available in spring Willamette Fully utilized Fully utilized 450,000 eggs Fully utilized McKenzie Fully utilized Fully utilized 2,000,000 eggs Fully utilized Marion Fully utilized Fully utilized Fully utilized Fully utilized Forks South Fully utilized Fully utilized 1,500,000 eggs to eyed Fully utilized Santiam stage Clackamas 15,000 steelhead smolts Fully utilized Fully utilized Fully utilized Big Creek Above capacity Fully utilized Fully utilized Fully utilized Klaskanine Above capacity Fully utilized Fully utilized Some space available in spring

Coastal Hatcheries (arranged North to South)

Nehalem 20,000 steelhead smolts Fully utilized 480,000 eggs 3 ponds available July -Jan. Trask 22,500 spring chinook. Yes, could hold separate, 1,000,000 eggs One pond available More with staff & after current uses funding Cedar Creek 145,000 in Rhodes pond, Yes, could hold separate 1,232,000 eggs Two troughs available, & can acclimate 42,000 one pond available Nov.- smolts June Salmon River 250,000 coho smolts. Yes, could hold separate 690,000 eggs, (-315,000 if No empty ponds, but could Needs additional funding. increase coho smolts) increase coho per pond Fall Creek Above capacity Fully utilized 700,000 eggs Fully utilized Rock Creek Fully utilized Fully utilized Fully utilized Fully utilized Bandon Fully utilized, could Yes, could hold separate Possible, with modifications Fully utilized acclimate more smolts to isolation system Elk River 37,000 chinook smolts Fully utilized 250,000 eggs One pond available Butte Falls 186,000 coho smolts Not applicable 300,000 eggs 300,000 fish with additional staff & funding. Cole Rivers 720,000 smolts with Yes, could hold separate 1,170,000 eggs 16 circular ponds available funding

In general the 10 coastal hatcheries evaluated are not operating at levels as close to capacity as the Columbia Basin hatcheries, only 2 coastal hatcheries are at or above capacity. This results from a variety of reasons including prior staff and budget reductions, compliance with wild fish management policy, and changes in fish culture practices intended to improve smolt quality and survival. Four hatcheries have substantial capacity for increased smolt production; Cole Rivers, Salmon River, Butte Falls, and Cedar Creek. However, the increase at Cedar Creek would involve re-activating an off station dirt pond that would involve some additional costs and problems. Nehalem, Trask, and Elk River hatcheries had a small capacity to increase smolt production. Finally Cedar Creek and Bandon hatcheries have additional capacity to acclimate smolts for release. There was additional adult holding space identified at 5 hatcheries. All five could hold the new adult fish separate but could not isolate water flows which could cause disease problems. Any plan to use the identified adult holding space for stocks of fish not currently held at the hatchery would require disease checks and clearance by the pathology section. Additional egg incubation space was identified at all but Rock Creek hatchery. Additional early rearing space was identified at seven of the ten hatcheries. Budget reductions have resulted in two coastal hatcheries being funded by lottery funds, reduced staff and reduced production. Additional budget reductions are anticipated and there may be further reductions in staff and production as well as closure of some hatcheries. While it is true every hatchery evaluated could probably squeeze a few more fish into each pond such a strategy misses the ultimate goal of salmon culture, the production of adult fish. Concentrating on pushing production levels to theoretical limits leaves little room for error and may have negative impacts on in-hatchery and post release performance of the fish. Advantages associated with reduced levels of production include; increased survival, reduced levels of disease, larger size at release, improved feed conversions, lower cost per adult produced, reduced risks to wild populations, reduced levels of waste produced, and a larger margin of error in case of problems at the hatchery.

INDIVIDUAL HATCHERY EVALUATIONS

The individual hatchery summaries are listed alphabetically. Each includes background information on the location, funding, staffing, and physical facilities as well as the prior analysis, current production, and a discussion of the ability to increase production. Any increases in production are based on the assumption of maintaining current programs (species, stocks, number of fish released, size and date of release). In some cases a complete change of hatchery production plans could achieve higher numbers or pounds of fish produced. However, such a production plan would not likely meet management goals and objectives. The purpose of hatchery programs is to efficiently meet management goals and objectives not to set them by what species and stocks are most efficient for the hatchery to produce.

3 Bandon Hatchery

Summary: l 100% State Funded, Staffing 3 FTE l Low flows from July to October limit production l No additional capacity for smolt rearing l Could acclimate more smolts for release. l Extra adult holding and egg incubation capacity is available

Background: Bandon hatchery is located one mile east of the town of Bandon, adjacent to Ferry Creek about two miles above its confluence with the Coquille River, at about river mile 1. The hatchery began operation about 1927 and is 100% state funded with an approved staffing of 3 FTE. Elevation at the hatchery is 98 feet above sea level. Facilities: Water is obtained by gravity flow from Ferry Creek and Geiger Creek. Availability varies from 350 to 1,300 gpm, with a water right of 3 cfs. There is one adult holding pond divided into 7 pens, with an approximate capacity of 800 fish. Egg incubation is done in 27 stacks of vertical incubator trays (15 trays per stack) with a total capacity of 1.5 million eggs to hatching. There are 6 Canadian troughs and 2 concrete troughs for starting fish, with a total capacity of 1,400 pounds. There are six concrete raceways, three 20 ft x 100 ft, one 20 ft x 110 ft, one 20 ft x 120 ft, and one 15 ft x 45 ft. Prior analysis: Jeffrey and Associates (1987) concluded the hatchery was above capacity and was limited by low flow between July and October. They also noted the ponds were old and in need of repair, and recommended drilling wells for additional water or water reconditioning for re-use. There has been no change in the available flow, adult holding, or egg incubation space since that report. Two ponds that were not considered usable for fish culture in the Jeffrey’s report have been made available. Theoretical flow requirements for the 1984 brood exceeded available flow from August through October.

Release Number (pounds) Species 1984 Brood Year a 1995 Brood Year a Fall Chinook 500,000 (5,000) 27,657 (3,073) 40,000 (3,077) Coho 614,181 (3,308) 100,000 (83) 83,839 (7,105) 25,000 (2,083) Winter Steelhead 117,314 (20,444) 113,000 (20,545) Trout -- 850 (4,250) Total 842,991 (33,930) 778,850 (35,038) a = Brood year is the year in which most of the eggs are collected for the listed production. Because steelhead eggs are mostly taken after January 1st, brood year is one higher than listed (i.e. 1984 brood column has 1985 brood steelhead).

4 Current Production: Six groups of fish are held and spawned at Bandon; Coquille stock spring chinook, fall chinook, coho, and steelhead, South Fork Coquille stock steelhead, and Coos stock coho. The hatchery also receives eggs from Coos stock fall chinook and steelhead. Most of the eggs are incubated to the eyed stage and shipped to other facilities for hatching and rearing. Only coho and chinook fry and fingerling (top line in the table for each species), and steelhead are reared at Bandon hatchery. Coquille stock coho and chinook smolts (bottom line in the table for each species) are returned to Bandon for a two week acclimation and release. Additional coho (25,000 fish 2,083 lb) and fall chinook (60,000 fish and 4,615 lb) that were acclimated at Bandon hatchery are now acclimated at Sevenmile Creek. The purpose of the Sevenmile Creek facility is to develop a localized fishery. The rainbow trout are received in April as legal sized fish (3 fish/lb) and are reared until the following spring and released as 5 pound fish. Other Factors: The adult pond allows for holding up to four different stocks of fish. Current production calls for holding six different stocks but because of the differences in species and thus spawning timings there are generally no more than 200 adults in the pond at any one time. Therefore, more fish of the same stocks or different stocks could be held. The number of additional adults that could be held would depend on species, stock, spawning timing, fish size and disease inspections. Any fish brought on station would have to be cleared by pathology. The hatchery must use isolation during incubation because of the mix of species and stocks. This limits incubation capacity to 2.8 million eyed eggs which is currently fully utilized. However, the hatchery feels with some work on the egg isolation system more eggs could be incubated. Starter tanks are fully utilized partly because of the need to hold the different species and stocks separate. Potential for Increased Production: There is no capacity to rear more fish though the summer low flow period with the current water system. More fish could be acclimated and released at the hatchery but would have to come from increased production at another facility (see Butte Falls) or reductions in the Sevenmile Creek releases. The success of the Sevenmile Creek facility in generating a local fishery should be evaluated before discontinuing or reducing the program.

5 Big Creek Hatchery

Summary: l 100% Federally Funded (NMFS), Staffing 9.25 FTE l Mitigation for Columbia River Dams l July to Nov. low flows limit coho, steelhead and Rogue stock fall chinook production l Pond space and flows limit tule fall chinook production l Adult holding, egg incubation, and early rearing are at capacity l Substantially above recommended production levels

Background: Big Creek hatchery is located 2 miles south of Knappa, 16 miles from Astoria. It is adjacent to Big Creek at river mile 3.3, a tributary of the Columbia River at about river mile 27. This was a private hatchery that the state purchased and began operating in 1941. The hatchery is 100% Federally funded by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) as mitigation for Columbia River dams. Current approved staffing is 9.25 FTE. Elevation at the hatchery is 75 feet above sea level. Facilities: Water is obtained by gravity flow from Big Creek, Mill Creek, and two small springs. Water availability varies from 5,600 to 23,800 gpm, with a total water right of 80.5 cfs. The adult holding area consists of a large upper pond and a lower pond divided into 7 sections, with a total capacity of about 10,000 fish depending on species. Incubation is done in 46 shallow troughs, 16 deep troughs, and 64 vertical incubator trays. Total capacity to the eyed egg stage is 22 million and to hatching is 9.5 million. The hatchery has 4 Canadian starter troughs. Room inside the hatch house is tight and the Canadian troughs replace incubation troughs or visa verse as needed. There are 30 concrete raceways (4,400 ft3) and a large concrete pond (12,112 ft3). Capacity of each raceway is 6,000 lb and of the large pond 15,000 lb. Prior analysis: Jeffrey and Associates (1987) concluded this hatchery was exceeding theoretical carrying capacity and loading density. Low flows occur from July to November but the critical capacity period was May and June before release of the Tule stock fall chinook. During this critical period calculated space and flow requirements exceeded the available pond space and water flows. There has been no change in the available water flow, adult holding, egg incubation, or rearing space since that report. The 1985 brood exceeded theoretical flow and space requirements.

Release Number (pounds)a Species 1985 Brood Year b 1995 Brood Year b Tule Fall Chinook 6,642,398 (82,989) 10,860,000 (109,650) Rogue Fall Chinook 146,018 (8,709) 1,800,000 (80,111) Coho 682,900 (48,195) 595,000 (48,869) Winter Steelhead 143,021 (16,933) 123,000 (18,300) Trout 10,025 (3,404) -- Total 7,624,362 (160,230) 13,378,000 (256,930) a = Does not include fry releases. b = Brood year is the year in which most of the eggs are collected for the listed production. Because steelhead and cutthroat trout eggs are mostly taken after January 1st, brood year is one higher than listed (i.e. 1985 brood column has 1986 brood steelhead).

Current Production: Production levels have changed substantially since the 1985 brood year and are continuing to change. Starting with the 1985 brood, tule chinook production was split from one release in May to three releases (March, April, and May). Total production then gradually increased from approximately 7 million to approximately 11 million. The increase was achieved by rearing the fish up to maximum loads, releasing several ponds and splitting the remaining fish out among the now empty ponds. This practice increases handling of the fish, which coded-wire tagging data suggests may have had a negative effect on survival. Federal budget cutbacks may eliminate the March and April tule releases, reducing production 5,160,000 fish and 38,400 pounds. This would leave a release of 5.7 million fish in May. Rogue stock chinook production has increased approximately 10 fold since the 1985 brood. The increase has been gradual and based on egg availability. The large numbers of Rogue fall chinook has created a second critical water flow and pond space period in July and August. The 1985 brood coho release included some experimental release groups. Base coho production has remained the same number of fish but size at release and thus pounds have been increased. This change was based on coded-wire tagging data showing higher survivals for larger fish. The only reduction in production was the elimination of the cutthroat trout program after the 1993 brood year. The proposed 1995 production is substantially above theoretical capacity. These levels have generally not been meet because of egg shortages, however, the levels that have been achieved may have resulted in reduced survivals. The reduction in tule stock fall chinook should alleviate some of the overcrowding, but will have no effect on the July and August critical period. Other Factors: The adult holding area is large but must accommodate substantial numbers of fish from four different groups, resulting in overcrowding for about one month. At times the hatchery has had to mix fish from different groups, resulting in extra handling and mortality. Therefore, there is no ability to hold more adults. Eggs had to be shipped to Klaskanine hatchery for incubation to meet the current production goals. The hatchery manager feels with the reduction of the tule chinook program this will no longer be necessary, but there is no room for extra egg incubation. The steelhead are started in the four Canadian troughs, all other fish are started in raceways. Again there is no space available for more fish. Potential for Increased Production: Current production levels are above theoretical flow and space requirements and have been accomplished by means that have probably had a negative impact on survivals. The reduction in tule stock fall chinook should alleviate some of this problem. There is currently no extra space or flow available for increased production at any stage of rearing. Any changes in production would have to be approved by NMFS, and would require funding.

7 Bonneville Hatchery

Summary: l 100% Federally Funded (NMFS and COE), Staffing 14 FTE l Mitigation for Columbia River Dams l No capacity to increase adult holding, early rearing, or egg incubation l No capacity to increase smolt production l Major changes possible because of budget reductions

Background: Bonneville hatchery is located 4 miles west of the town of Cascade Locks, adjacent to the Columbia River at the base of Bonneville Dam (river mile 145.5). The hatchery began operation in 1909 as a state funded facility and was substantially remodeled in 1952 and 1974 for dam mitigation. The hatchery is currently 100% Federally funded by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE) with an approved staffing is 14 FTE. Elevation at the hatchery is 46 feet above sea level. Facilities: Water is obtained by gravity flow from Tanner Creek and by pumping from wells. Availability varies from 10,000 to 28,000 gpm, with a total water right of 72 cfs. Freezing water in Tanner Creek prevents its use as a water source in some winters. Adult facilities consist of a trap and two large ponds, the upper holding pond (divided into 2 ponds) and the lower holding pond (can be divided into 2 ponds). Total adult holding capacity is about 15,000 fish depending on species. Incubation is in 60 deep troughs and 2,432 vertical incubator trays. Total incubation capacity is approximately 30 million eggs to hatching. There are 4 fiberglass circular tanks and 3 Canadian troughs for starting fish. Rearing is in 30 raceways (4,800 ft3) and 28 modified Burrows ponds (3,780 ft3). Capacity is 5,000 lb for each raceway and 4,000 lb for each Burrows pond. Prior analysis: Walters (1989) concluded the hatchery was below theoretical capacity. Theoretical water requirements reached 77% of available flow in December and January. Theoretical space requirements reached 40% to 55% of available space in April and May. Walters also noted the low levels of production were a consequence of construction work on the navigation locks and work on the hatcheries wells. The construction work is now complete and didn’t change water availability to the hatchery. There has been no change in adult holding, egg incubation, or rearing space since the report by Walters.

Release Number (pounds) Species 1985 Brood Year a 1995 Brood Year a Spring Chinook 170,199 (12,449) 350,000 (35,000) Tule Fall Chinook 6,275,104 (72,746) 10,000,000 (170,983) URB Fall Chinook 2,089,275 (161,832) 8,655,000 (175,470) Coho 1,825,479 (124,247) 1,175,000 (90,385) Trout -- 4,400 (2,333) Total 10,360,057 (371,274) 20,184,400 (474,171) a = Brood year is the year in which most of the eggs are collected for the listed production.

8 Current Production: Planned production for Bonneville hatchery has changed substantially since the 1985 brood year and is continuing to change. Planned spring chinook production was decreased 125,000 fish by rearing the West Fork Hood River fish at Round Butte hatchery. Actual spring chinook production has varied widely because of egg availability and for the 1995 brood year there were no eggs available. Production of tule fall chinook has increased substantially but may be eliminated entirely after the 1995 brood because of budget cutbacks. Upriver bright (URB) fall chinook production has also varied with egg availability. The 1995 brood year includes transfers of 2.8 million to Ringgold for release in the upper river and 200,000 to CEDC for the Youngs Bay net pen program. Coho production has been decreased by transferring 825,000 smolts to CEDC for release in Youngs Bay. The CEDC program is an attempt to increase harvest opportunities on these fish. Other Factors: Bonneville hatchery is close geographically and works closely with Cascade and Oxbow hatcheries in all aspects of fish rearing. The hatchery has a very large adult holding capacity but limited ability to hold groups separate. Current production requires collecting very large numbers of fish from three groups, thus utilizing all of the available space. Although coho adults are collected at Bonneville they are shipped to Cascade hatchery for spawning. Current production calls for incubating between 30 and 35 million eggs. This completely utilizes the existing capacity. Coho eggs are incubated at Cascade hatchery, spring chinook eggs are incubated at Oxbow hatchery, and fall chinook eggs are incubated at Bonneville hatchery. The coho, spring chinook, and rainbow trout are received as fish at various times during there rearing cycle. The small starting capacity is used for small groups with most fish started in the rearing units. Potential for Increased Production: Current planned production is at capacity for Bonneville hatchery. In any given year egg shortages may leave room for additional fish but this is not something that can be planned on every year. With the potential elimination of the tule fall chinook program there would be room for rearing other fish. However, the ultimate fate of this program is still uncertain. Also the tule fall chinook are released at fairly small sizes after a very short period of hatchery rearing. Any proposed replacement would have to take this into account to fit in with the remaining hatchery production. Any changes in production would have to be approved by NMFS and COE, and would require funding.

9 Butte Falls Hatchery

Summary: l 100% State Funded, Staffing 2 FTE l Production limited by flow levels in August and September l Needs repairs and improvements to ponds and water intake structure l Egg incubation and early rearing space available for additional 300,000 fish l Could increase production 186,000 coho smolts with additional funding and staff l Could increase even further with repairs and improvements

Background: Butte Falls hatchery is located 1 mile east of the town of Butte Falls, adjacent to Big Butte Creek at river mile 14.1, a tributary of the Rogue River, at about river mile 156. The hatchery appears to have begun operation in 1917 and is 100% state funded with an approved staffing of 2 FTE. Elevation at the hatchery is 2,500 feet above sea level. Facilities: Water is supplied from Big Butte Creek by gravity flow. Availability is limited by the intake system but provides a constant 6,500 gpm, with a total water right of 15.5 cfs. There are no adult trapping or holding facilities at Butte Falls hatchery. Eggs are incubated in shallow trough incubators with a total capacity to hatching of 600,000 eggs. Fish are started in 30 concrete troughs in the hatch house, with a total capacity of 600,000 fish. There are a variety of sizes and shapes of rearing ponds. Concrete ponds include; four circular ponds (24 ft diameter), six 100 ft x 10 ft raceways, two 37 ft x 10 ft raceways, two 150 ft x 20 ft raceways, two 70 ft x 20 ft raceways, and one 100 ft x 50 ft pond. There is also a 100 ft x 200 ft dirt pond. Prior analysis: Jeffrey and Associates (1987) concluded there was no unused capacity for production of salmon smolts at Butte Falls hatchery. Flow requirements peaked in August and September. They also concluded the intake structure limited available flow and that several ponds were in need of considerable maintenance. There has been some repair to buildings but there has been no improvements in the available flow, incubation, or rearing space since that report. Theoretical flow requirements for the 1985 brood used all available flow.

Release Number (pounds)a Species 1985 Brood Year b 1995 Brood Year b Spring Chinook 8,565 (575) -- Fall Chinook 67,946 (5,948) 100,000 (7,692) Coho 391,344 (37,176) 175,000 (16,667) Trout 667,335 (53,340) 673,150 (47,190) Total 1,135,190 (97,039) 948,150 (71,549) a = Does not include fry releases. b = Brood year is the year in which most of the eggs are collected for the listed production.

Current Production: Butte Falls receives eggs or fry from other hatcheries, rears the resulting fish, and ships them off station for release. The current program incubates three stocks of salmon (Coquille stock fall chinook and coho, and South Umpqua stock coho). The hatchery also receives two

10 stocks of rainbow trout fry for production of fingerling and legal sized fish. The mix of species and stocks has changed over the years since the 1985 brood but total production stayed at about the 100,000 pound level through the 1992 brood year. In 1992 the hatchery was made a satellite of Cole Rivers hatchery. The manager position was eliminated and replaced by a 9 month seasonal position shared with Cole Rivers hatchery. With the reduction in staff, production has decreased approximately 30,000 pounds. This involved eliminating the Coquille River spring chinook and Eel Lake coho programs, and transferring the Coos River coho program to Cole Rivers hatchery. Other Factors: The hatchery does not capture, hold, or spawn any adult fish and does not have the capability to do so. Current production uses about 1/2 of the incubation and early rearing capacity, leaving space available for an additional 300,000 eggs/fish for incubation and early rearing. These could be from different stocks and could be held separate. The hatchery has incubated up to seven different stocks, and in recent years has incubated Umpqua and Coquille stock spring chinook, Coos and Coquille stock fall chinook, and Coquille, Coos, Umpqua and Eel Lake stock coho. The repairs and upgrading identified by Jeffrey and associates have not been done and ponds are continuing to deteriorate. The large dirt pond and concrete (100 ft x 200 ft) pond are not currently usable. Of the remaining ponds all but the two 150 ft x 20 ft and the two 70 ft x 20 ft raceways are in very poor shape. Potential for Increased Production: The hatchery estimates the current physical capacity at 87,000 pounds. Which could be achieved with additional funding and full staffing (three full time positions). This would be an increase of about 15,500 lb. This capacity could be used for increased production of Coquille coho for acclimation at Bandon hatchery. The number of additional coho to produce would have to be determined by the available acclimation capacity at Bandon hatchery. The 15,500 pounds would equate to a total of 186,000 coho at the 12 fish/lb target size. With the needed repairs the hatchery could safely return to the 100,000 pound production level of the 1980’s and early 1990’s.

11 Cascade Hatchery

Summary: l 100% Federally Funded (NMFS), Staffing 6.5 FTE l Mitigation for Columbia River Dams l Low flows August through October limit production l No room for increased adult holding, egg incubation, or early rearing l No room for increased smolt production

Background: Cascade hatchery is located just above Bonneville Dam, 2 miles west of the town of Cascade Locks, adjacent to Eagle Creek 0.2 miles above its confluence with the Columbia River, at about river mile 148. The hatchery began operation in 1959 and is 100% federally funded by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) as dam mitigation. Approved staffing is 6.5 FTE. Elevation at the hatchery is 100 feet above sea level. Facilities: Water is obtained by gravity flow from Eagle Creek. Availability varies from 4,900 to 10,600 gpm, with a total water right of 45 cfs. Adult facilities consist of a trap and one irregular shaped pond (22,050 ft3), with a capacity of approximately 9,000 coho. Incubation is in 28 shallow and 12 deep troughs, total capacity to hatching of 6.2 million eggs. There are no starter tanks and all fish are started in the raceways. The hatchery has 30 concrete raceways (3,120 ft3) each with a capacity of 4,250 lb. Prior analysis: Walters (1989) concluded the hatchery was operating above theoretical capacity and was limited by low water flows in the fall, August through October. He also noted problems with the water intake line (only delivers 1/2 of engineered capacity), poor summer water quality (low dissolved oxygen), and summer disease problems. There has been no change in water availability, adult holding, egg incubation, or rearing space since the report by Walters. Theoretical flow requirements for the 1985 brood exceeded available flows.

Release Number (pounds)a Species 1985 Brood Year b 1995 Brood Year b Coho Transferred 2,401,101 (28,200) 2,605,000 (34,200) Coho Smolts 1,643,292 (116,369) 1,700,000 (113,333) Total 4,044,393 (144,569) 4,305,000 (147,533) a = Does not include fry releases. b = Brood year is the year in which most of the eggs are collected for the listed production

Current Production: Planned production for the 1995 brood year is 260,000 fish and 3,000 pounds more than the 1985 brood year. There has also been some reprogramming of release sites. All smolts are now released above Bonneville dam, Yakima and Umatilla Rivers. About 650,000 of the 1985 brood were released below the dam. Of the 2.6 million fish transferred offstation in the 1995 brood year 0.5 million are destined for the Umatilla River. All the fish transferred in the 1985 brood year were released below Bonneville Dam. Other than the changed release sites and increased total production operation of the hatchery has not changed between the 1985 and 1995 brood years.

12 Other Factors: The adult pond is more than adequate for the hatcheries needs and could hold more coho. However, since it cannot be divided to hold stocks separate there is no way to utilize this space for increased adult holding. Current production calls for incubating 6.2 million coho eggs and 0.5 million fall chinook eggs. This fully utilizes the available egg incubation space. Six of the 30 raceways are used for starting fish in the spring. In order to use these ponds for starting fish the remaining 24 ponds must be stocked at relatively high rates. The six starter ponds are also stocked at fairly high rates and there is no room for increased production. Potential for Increased Production: This hatchery is above capacity and has no room for increased production. Any changes in production would have to be approved by NMFS, and would require funding.

13 Cedar Creek Hatchery

Summary: l 100% State Funded, Staffing 5 FTE l Water quantity (July through Oct.) and quality (silt and low oxygen) limit production l Extra adult holding, egg incubation, and early rearing space available l Could increase smolt production ~145,000 if re-opened Rhodes Pond l Could do final rearing and release on 42,000 smolts Nov.-June

Background: Cedar Creek hatchery is located 1.5 miles east of the town of Hebo, adjacent to Three Rivers at river mile 2, a tributary of Nestucca River at about river mile 10. The hatchery began operation in 1924 and is 100% state funded, with a approved staffing of 5 FTE. Elevation at the hatchery is 120 feet above sea level. Facilities: Water is obtained by gravity flow from Cedar Creek and by pumping from Three Rivers. Availability varies from 2,500 to 18,000 gpm, with a total water right of over 100 cfs. Adult facilities consist of a trap and two holding tanks across the highway from the hatchery, and four ponds at the hatchery, two of which can be divided in half. Adult holding capacity totals 2,000 fish at the hatchery and 300 fish at the trap site. Incubation is in six shallow troughs and 15 stacks of vertical incubator trays (14 trays per stack), with a total capacity to hatching of approximately 2.3 million eggs. There are four concrete starter tanks each with a capacity of 90 pounds. Rearing facilities consist of 7 concrete ponds (three 10,000 ft3, three 8,000 ft3, and one 4,500 ft3) and 2 large asphalt bottom lakes (89,600 ft3 and 360,000 ft3). Rhodes pond is a 50,200 ft3 earthen pond located 4 miles east of the hatchery that has not been used since 1993. Prior analysis: Jeffrey and Associates (1987) concluded the hatchery was above capacity for available flows for four months each year, July through October. The hatchery was also limited by water quality, high silt loads and low dissolved oxygen levels in the inflow water. They also noted the hatchery was old and in need of major repairs. There have been extensive repairs and improvements since that report including office improvements, a backup pump, addition of two adult ponds, and replacement or improvements to several rearing ponds. This has improved general conditions at the hatchery and has increased adult holding and rearing space. Water availability and quality has not been improved. Theoretical flow requirement for the 1985 brood exceeded available flow from July through October and the hatchery pumped water from Three Rivers to achieve this level. Current Production: Planned production for the 1995 brood year is 63% of the pounds produced in the 1985 brood year. Coho production used Trask hatchery stock received after the low flow critical period. This was a small program and was ended after the 1990 brood to comply with management plans. The fall chinook production was reared at Rhodes pond during the low flow period. This program was discontinued after the 1992 brood because of problems at Rhodes pond and to comply with management plans. The large reductions in steelhead numbers reflect the elimination of December and January pre-smolt releases (~35,000 summer and ~100,000 winter steelhead at approximately 30 fish/lb). These fish would have had to compete with wild fish over the winter and would have had relatively poor survival. Winter steelhead smolt production has been reduced an additional 200,000 fish, mostly from the elimination or reduction of releases outside of the Nestucca River system. Winter steelhead production involves holding the fish in raceways until winter flows allow

14 for the use of the large rearing lakes. At the higher production levels this resulted in very high densities in the raceways and high losses to disease. With the reduced numbers there have been almost no disease problems, and in general improved fish quality. To reduce competition with wild fish and increase angler harvests the cutthroat trout program was changed to a legal size rainbow trout program with the 1994 brood year. This involved a large reduction in number of fish and a smaller reduction in pounds since the size of fish was increased from ~6 fish /lb (1985 brood) to 3 fish/lb (1995 brood).

Release Number (pounds)a Species 1985 Brood Year b 1995 Brood Year b Spring Chinook 139,991 (12,039) 110,000 (11,000) Fall Chinook 87,441 (6,115) -- Coho 42,312 (5,160) -- Summer Steelhead 173,367 (24,312) 120,000 (23,333) Winter Steelhead 560,723 (76,869) 252,000 (46,800) Trout 219,121 (35,334) 45,000 (19,549) Total 1,222,955 (159,829) 527,000 (100,682) a = Does not include fry releases. b = Brood year is the year in which most of the eggs are collected for the listed production. Because steelhead and cutthroat trout eggs are mostly taken after January 1st, brood year is one higher than listed (i.e. 1985 brood column has 1986 brood steelhead).

Other Factors: The adult tanks at the trap are used for sorting returning steelhead, chinook, and coho and for holding Nestucca stock winter steelhead and spring chinook. This completely utilizes the existing space and pushes these facilities beyond what they were designed for. The adult ponds at the hatchery are used for holding Nestucca stock summer steelhead and Siletz stock summer and winter steelhead. Only three of the ponds are currently used and two can be partitioned. This leaves space for approximately 1,000 fish in three different groups. Any fish brought in from other areas would have to be cleared by pathology and increases should be gradual as this many fish have not been held before. Current production uses all the shallow trough incubators and four stacks of vertical incubators. This leaves eleven stacks of vertical incubators available, with a capacity of 1,232,000 steelhead eggs to ponding. Only two of the four starter troughs are used for current production. Egg and fry mortality continues to be high because of the high silt content in the water. Potential for Increased Production: Rhodes pond could be reactivated to increase smolt production. Since this is a dirt pond this would require some work to refurbish the pond and there would still be the disease and predation problems previously encountered at this site. Since this is an off station site it would increase travel and work loads for the crew. There was no formal evaluation of capacity done for Rhodes pond by Jeffrey and Associates (1987), but the pond has reared 145,000 fall chinook smolts (12,288 lb). The small concrete pond (4,500 ft3) is used as a show pond but is available from November through June and could hold up to 3,500 lb of fish (42,000 smolts @ 12 fish/lb). This could be used as an starter pond for fish for Rhodes pond or for final rearing and acclimation as was done for the coho program. Steelhead production could be increased to the prior levels by increasing density in the raceways prior to transfer to the rearing lake. This would not be

15 recommended since the reduced production has all but eliminated the chronic disease problems associated with this production.

16 Clackamas Hatchery

Summary: l Funding: ODFW, NMFS, PGE, and City of Portland; Staffing 5.3 FTE l Mitigation for Columbia, Sandy, and Clackamas hydroelectric development l Summer water quantity and quality limit production l Adult holding, egg incubation, and early rearing space fully utilized l Could increase steelhead production 15,000 smolts

Background: Clackamas hatchery is located 5 miles west of Estacada, adjacent to the Clackamas River at about river mile 23. The hatchery began operation in 1979 and is funded by four sources; Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW 29.6%), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS 29.6%), Portland General Electric Company (PGE 22%), and the City of Portland (18.8%). Funding from the City of Portland, PGE, and NMFS is mitigation for hydroelectric development in the Columbia, Sandy, and Clackamas Rivers. Elevation at the hatchery is 313 feet above sea level and approved staffing is 5.3 FTE. Facilities: Water is pumped from the Clackamas River and a well. River water is used for rearing and well water for incubation. Well water use is fairly constant at 200 gpm with a total water right of 2,870 gpm. River water usage varies from 15,000 to 20,000 gpm, with a water right of 45 cfs. Adult facilities consist of a trap and two holding ponds with a total capacity of 900 adult spring chinook. Incubation is in 20 stacks of vertical incubator trays (16 trays per stack) with a total capacity of 2.2 million eggs to hatching. There are 2 Canadian troughs for starting fish, total capacity 250 lb. Rearing is in 10 concrete raceways (4,080 ft3) each with a capacity of 3,200 lb, and 3 concrete/asphalt ponds (67,500 ft3) each with a capacity of 44,400 lb. Prior analysis: Walters (1989) concluded the hatchery was below theoretical capacity and that more fish could be reared. He also noted several impediments to any increase, including poor summer water quality leading to low dissolved oxygen concentrations in the inflow water and disease problems. There was also a problem with wear on the pumps causing a steady decline in water availability. The pumps were rebuilt allowing the hatchery to use the full water flows. The pumps were damaged in the February 1996 floods and are being rebuilt again at a cost of $7,000 to $8,000 for each of the six pumps. There have been no other changes in water availability, adult holding, incubation, or rearing capacity since the report by Walters. For the 1985 brood theoretical flow and space requirements reached 94% of available flow and 31% of available space.

Release Number (pounds)a Species 1985 Brood Year b 1995 Brood Year b Spring Chinook 1,197,259 (132,997) 1,517,000 (151,736) Winter Steelhead 69,512 (11,210) 60,000 (10,000) Total 1,266,771 (144,207) 1,577,000 (161,736) a = Does not include fry releases. b = Brood year is the year in which most of the eggs are collected for the listed production. Because steelhead eggs are mostly taken after January 1st, brood year is one higher than listed (i.e. 1985 brood column has 1986 brood steelhead).

Current Production: Clackamas hatchery spawns wild stock steelhead, incubates the eggs, and rears the resulting fish to fingerling size in August. These fish are then shipped to Oak Springs hatchery for final rearing and release in the Clackamas River. The hatchery receives hatchery stock steelhead as fingerlings from Eagle Creek National Fish Hatchery in June. These fish are reared over winter for an April release in the Clackamas and Sandy Rivers. Planned numbers and pounds of steelhead produced has not changed between the 1985 and 1995 brood years. The higher numbers and pounds in 1985 reflect the survival of extra fish reared as a precaution against the occasionally high mortality rates. Because of limited pathogen free water at Clackamas hatchery all spring chinook eggs are incubated to the eyed stage and then shipped to other hatcheries for hatching and early rearing. The fish are then returned to Clackamas hatchery for final rearing and release. Chinook production has increased and changed some release dates and sites. In the 1985 brood 1.13 million fish were released in October and November with the remaining 65,537 released the following March. Spring yearling releases have generally had much better survivals. Since the 1985 brood there has been a gradual shift from fall sub- yearling to spring yearling releases. The fall releases have also been moved up to August to limit poor water quality and disease problems. Oxbow hatchery transfers 637,000 fingerling chinook to Clackamas hatchery in March for an August release of 617,000 smolts in the Clackamas River. Marion Forks and South Santiam hatcheries transfer 910,000 fish to Clackamas hatchery in November, after the fall rains start. These fish are reared over winter for a March release of 900,000 smolts in the Clackamas and Sandy Rivers. A portion of these fish, 205,000 smolts, are sent to four acclimation sites for release. This is done to try and develop local fisheries at these sites. The fall released fish are reared in two of the large ponds, and the spring released fish are reared in all three large ponds. Other Factors: The adult holding capacity is small and fully utilized by the spring chinook program. The facility is also used to collect returning winter steelhead effectively fully utilizing this capacity. The wild winter steelhead are transported from the Faraday dam trap to Clackamas hatchery and held in one of the raceways until spawning. Because of severe disease problems associated with the Clackamas River water, the hatchery can only use the well water and river water that has been disinfected for egg incubation and early rearing. The hatchery has the capacity to use ozone and ultraviolet light to disinfect 60 gpm of river water. The incubation capacity is fully utilized by the spring chinook program but is almost empty after these eggs are transferred in November. Thus, the space is fully utilized for salmon production but would be available for more winter steelhead. The small starting capacity is fully utilized by the existing steelhead program. Water quality and disease concerns in the late summer and fall continue to be a serious problem. All fish on station during the summer and fall months require extensive and regular disease treatments. Also water delivery to the raceways is limited when the large ponds are in use. Currently only 4 raceways are used for the winter steelhead program. Potential for Increased Production: There are 6 raceways available for increased production, but because of the water delivery system only enough water is available for one raceway. The hatchery estimates this could be used to produce an additional 15,000 winter steelhead smolts. Only 2 of the 3 large ponds are used during the April to August rearing of the fall release chinook smolts. There is also water available but because of the disease problems, costs of treatments, and poor survivals of these fish any increase in production would not be advisable. Also the hatchery is at capacity for adult holding, incubation, and early rearing. Thus any increase in chinook production would rely on other hatcheries to produce fingerlings for final rearing and release at Clackamas. This capacity is currently

18 not available. The three large ponds are also not at full capacity for the November to March rearing of the yearling spring chinook smolts. The hatchery feels they could produce 1,200,000 spring chinook smolts for release in March. This would be an increase of 300,000 above the current production. The hatchery would like to shift fish from the August release to the March release to fill this capacity. Again this would be dependent on other hatcheries to rear these fish to November and this capacity is not available. For these reasons there is no realistic potential to increase production beyond the additional 15,000 winter steelhead smolts. Any changes in production would have to be approved by the four funding agencies.

19 Cole Rivers Hatchery

Summary: l 100% Federally Funded (COE), Staffing 15 FTE. Some State Funded add-on production l Pond space and funding would be the eventual limiting factors on production l One adult pond available October through June l Could incubate about 1,170,000 additional eggs l Could increase smolt production 720,000 fish

Background: Cole Rivers hatchery is located 30 miles northeast of Medford, adjacent to the Rogue River at about river mile 157. The hatchery began operation in 1973, and is 100% funded by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE) as dam mitigation. The COE has approved state funding for the production of non-mitigation fish at this facility. Current approved staffing is 15 FTE. Butte Falls hatchery is managed as a satellite of Cole Rivers hatchery. Elevation at Cole Rivers hatchery is 1,548 feet above sea level. Facilities: Water is obtained by gravity flow from the Rogue River, below Lost Creek dam, and from Lost Creek Reservoir. The Lost Creek Reservoir water is warmer than the river water and allows for some temperature modulation on twenty rearing ponds. Water is available in excess of hatchery needs, with a water right of 224 cfs. The hatchery has 6 large (10,000 ft3) and 2 smaller (5,600 ft3) adult holding ponds, with a total capacity of about 10,000 fish depending on species. There are 66 stacks of vertical incubator trays (15 trays per stack) with a total capacity to hatching of approximately 5.9 million eggs. There are 8 Canadian troughs in the hatch house used for starting fish. There are 87 raceways (7,000 ft3) and 26 circular ponds (1,600 ft3) for rearing. All rearing units are concrete and each has a capacity of 7,000 lb and 1,000 lb respectively. Prior analysis: Jeffrey and Associates (1987) concluded there was substantial excess space and 600 gpm excess flow. Thus flow, especially in June and July, limited production. They estimated an additional 60,000 coho could be reared to 10 fish/lb (6,000 lb) but that this would require funding from the state and approval from COE. However, the hatchery manager does not agree with their conclusions. He feels water is available in excess of needs year round and that pond space and funding are the factors that would limit production. There has been no change in adult holding capacity, rearing capacity, or water availability since the analysis by Jeffrey and Associates. There has been some work done on remodeling the hatch house which improved quality and flexibility but did not change capacity. There is a proposal for a complete remodeling of the hatch house which would upgrade equipment and add true isolation capability for different groups of eggs. Current Production: Current plans call for 4,900 lb less than was produced in the 1985 brood and leave 8 raceways and 16 circular ponds unused. The mix of species, sizes of fish, and release dates has changed since the Jeffrey and Associates report. The 1985 brood included very large releases of chinook in June and July (802,124 fish, 15,831 lb). These early releases had poor survivals and have been discontinued. Fall chinook production has decreased and changed stocks, from Rogue stock (discontinued) and Coquille stock (transferred to Butte Falls) to Coos stock. These decreases were offset by increased production of summer steelhead and increased coho production from the transfer of Coos stock production from Butte Falls. The rainbow trout fingerling program has also changed by increasing size of fish and decreasing number of fish released. The hatchery currently participates in

20 several cooperative programs that provide funding for rearing fish that are then released off station. These include 30,000 spring chinook for net pen acclimation in the Rogue River by a local fisherman’s group, STEP programs for Coos stock coho (60,000 fish) and fall chinook (92,000 fish) for release in the Coos River, and 150,000 spring chinook released in Coos Bay by a local fisherman’s group and the Port of Coos Bay.

Release Number (pounds)a Species 1985 Brood Year b 1995 Brood Year b Spring Chinook 2,527,312 (196,240) 1,872,000 (178,645) Fall Chinook 194,881 (20,274) 92,000 (9,200) Coho 206,036 (18,634) 260,000 (25,000) Summer Steelhead 170,408 (31,300) 245,500 (49,519) Winter Steelhead 384,444 (66,581) 351,100 (70,562) Trout 1,145,722 (86,915) 847,990 (82,120) Total 4,628,803 (419,944) 3,668,590 (415,046) a = Does not include fry releases. b = Brood year is the year in which most of the eggs are collected for the listed production. Because steelhead eggs are mostly taken after January 1st, brood year is one higher than listed (i.e. 1985 brood column has 1986 brood steelhead).

Other Factors: The six large adult ponds are all used for current production, but one is typically empty each month from January through June. The empty pond is different each month making it very difficult to use this space. One of the two brood ponds is used for a show pond the other is used for steelhead from July through September but is available the rest of the year. The hatchery estimates this could hold 500 to 1,000 fish depending on species. Current production uses all but 13 of the 66 stacks of vertical incubators (15 trays per stack). The remaining 195 trays are available for incubation and can hold about 1,170,000 eggs to hatching. Groups of eggs could be held separate but there is limited ability for isolation. True isolation will be possible if the hatch house remodeling is done, waiting on funding. Current production uses all eight Canadian troughs in the hatch house and some of the circular ponds for starting fish. There are 16 circular ponds not in use that are available for starting and rearing fish. In dry years the reservoir intake can not always be used. In these cases some steelhead production has been held for a second year of rearing. This is not the typical situation, but would use some of the rearing ponds considered available for additional fish in this analysis. Potential for Increased Production: Current production leaves approximately 8 raceways and 16 circular ponds available for increasing production. The total capacity of these rearing units is 72,000 pounds of fish. The number of fish produced would depend on species and size of fish produced. The ponds could produce 720,000 chinook or coho smolts at 10 fish per pound. Any changes in the planned production from Cole Rivers hatchery would have to be approved by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, and would require funding.

21 Elk River Hatchery

Summary: l 100% State Funded, Staffing 4 FTE l Production limited by pump capacity, disease concerns, and wild fish management policy l Additional 250,000 eggs could be incubated to ponding l Could increase chinook smolt production by 37,000 smolts

Background: Elk River hatchery is located 3 miles north then 7.5 miles east of Port Orford, adjacent to Elk River at river mile 13. The hatchery began operation in 1968 and is 100% state funded, with an approved staffing of 4 FTE. Elevation at the hatchery is 108 feet above sea level. Facilities: Hatchery water is pumped from Elk River by four line shaft turbine pumps at the intake, each pump with a capacity of 3,000 gpm. Normal operation calls for using all four pumps in the summer and two in the winter. Water use varies from 6,000 to 12,000 gpm, with a total water right of 40 cfs. Adult facilities consist of a trap and an adult pond divided into 10 pens. Three of the rearing ponds have been modified to hold adult salmon during the winter. Total adult holding capacity is 3,000 fish. Egg incubation is in 35 stacks of vertical incubator trays (15 trays per stack). Total incubation capacity is approximately 2.6 million eggs to ponding. With no starter tanks, fish are started in the concrete rearing ponds. Rearing is in 24 modified Burrows ponds (3,825 ft3), each with a capacity of 3,500 lb of fish at final density. Prior analysis: Jeffrey and Associates (1987) concluded there was additional space and water flow available to increase production but that this should not be pursued because of severe disease problems. They also listed a series of other problems at the hatchery. Sand at the pump site can limit water availability in the winter, a shift in river flow patterns caused poor attraction of returning adults, and adult capture capabilities on the Chetco River are poor. Water availability in August and September was concluded to be the factor which would limit production. There has been no improvements to water availability, egg incubation or rearing space since that report. Three rearing ponds were modified by application of an epoxy paint and installation of fencing around the ponds to allow their use as adult holding ponds. This increased the total adult holding capacity from 1,000 to 3,000 fish and does not preclude their use as juvenile rearing ponds. The sand problem has taken a toll on the pumps, which no longer operate at their full 3,000 gpm capacity.

Release Number (pounds)a Species 1985 Brood Year b 1995 Brood Year b Fall Chinook 795,450 (60,399) 580,000 (49,917) Winter Steelhead 69,253 (12,092) 70,000 (8,833) Total 864,703 (72,491) 650,000 (58,750) a = Does not include fry releases. b = Brood year is the year in which most of the eggs are collected for the listed production. Because steelhead eggs are mostly taken after January 1st, brood year is one higher than listed (i.e. 1985 brood column has 1986 brood steelhead).

22 Current Production: There have been substantial changes in production since the report by Jeffrey and Associates. Steelhead production in the 1985 column included 12,650 fish released in February to create enough room for the remaining fish in the 3 steelhead ponds. The 1995 plans call for 5 ponds for steelhead, one for 20,000 gradeouts, 3 for 40,000 1-year smolts, and one for 10,000 2- year smolts. The 2-year smolt program began with this years production, with the intent to more closely resemble wild steelhead production. Chinook production diversified between the 1985 and 1995 brood years by the addition of four wild chinook programs (Euchre Cr., Hunter Cr., Pistol R., and Winchuck R.). This was accomplished by reductions in the Chetco fall chinook program. The wild chinook programs were temporary and most have been phased out, Winchuck River after the 1992 brood, Euchre Creek after the 1993 brood, and Pistol River after the 1994 brood. The Hunter Creek program will be phased out after the 1995 brood (25,000 fish and 2,500 lb). Beginning with the 1994 brood year Chetco River chinook releases were decreased 120,000 fish (10,000 lb.) to comply with wild fish management plans. Starting with the 1994 brood year the Elk River fall chinook production was increased by 10,000 fish and 2,000 pound. These new fish represent a plan to improve adult returns by holding smolts through the adult return period as an attractant. The 2-year steelhead and yearling chinook programs mean that an additional two ponds and flows are needed every year. This essentially reduces the number of ponds available for each brood years production from 24 to 22. Other Factors: Elk River chinook are held at the adult trap pond, two rearing ponds are used for Chetco River chinook and one for steelhead. This essentially uses all the adult holding capacity. The steelhead pond potentially would be available (October through December) between when the juveniles are released and when it is needed for steelhead. This is how the Hunter Creek chinook adults were held. However, it is not uncommon for release dates to be delayed. This alone or coupled with an early steelhead run could and has created conflicts. Any new stocks brought on station would have to be cleared by pathology. Because of the potential pond use conflicts and disease concerns we would not recommend using this adult holding space. Compliance with wild fish management policy requires trapping and spawning fish from all segments of the run to prevent artificial selection. Thus the hatchery spawns all available fish resulting in more eggs than are necessary for production. A set proportion of the eggs from each female are retained and the rest destroyed. The current program thus leaves space for about 250,000 additional eggs to ponding. Sand bars on Elk River block out-migration of smolts until fall rains open up the channel. Releasing fish before the sandbars have been opened would create possible competition with wild fish. Thus, all hatchery fish are released after the sandbars are opened, often after the planned release date. The lower sections of the Chetco River often experience excessively high temperatures in the fall. Hatchery fish cannot be released until these temperatures decline to acceptable levels. In some years this can be later than the planned release date. Because release dates can easily be delayed the hatchery plans for only 3,100 pounds per pond at the planned release date instead of the 3,500 pound capacity. This creates a margin of safety and avoids having to reduce feeding rates at a time of otherwise fast growth or having excessive densities develop. This also ties in with a five year density study at the hatchery that showed a steady increase in survival with reduced densities. Increased survivals must offset the reduced number of fish per pond to increase total production of adults. The middle density group (37,000 fish/pond) seemed to achieve this balance. The hatchery currently stocks there ponds at this level. Potential for Increased Production: After the 1995 brood, planned production will be 240,000 fish and 16,200 pounds less than that produced from the 1985 brood year. Four factors account for

23 most of this reduction. First, the 2 ponds in use for the two extended rearing programs were available in the 1985 brood to produce 74,000 fish (6,200 lb). Second, the three ponds modified for adult holding need to be repainted every three years. One of the three ponds is painted each summer eliminating its use as a rearing pond for that year. Third, to prevent algae buildup in the ponds and to reduce cleaning workloads, the hatchery applies an anti-fouling paint to one pond each summer eliminating its use as a rearing pond for that year. Finally, after the elimination of the Hunter Creek program there will be one pond not in use. This pond could produce an additional 37,000 fish (3,100 lb). The rest of the difference comes from spreading out the steelhead program to more ponds, and slight reductions in the number of chinook per pond. The hatchery would like to use the one empty pond to further reduce densities in the chinook ponds. Reduced numbers and pounds of fish per pond can help to reduce the disease problems often experienced at this hatchery. Current production of Elk River and Chetco River fall chinook is constrained by wild fish management goals and thus should not be increased.

24 Fall Creek Hatchery

Summary: l 100% State Funded, Staffing 4 FTE l Low flows from mid-August to mid-October limit production l Adult holding and early rearing at capacity, could incubate additional eggs l Above capacity for smolt production

Background: Fall Creek hatchery is located 17 miles west of the town of Alsea, adjacent to Fall Creek at river mile 3.1, a tributary of the Alsea River at about river mile 27. The hatchery began operation in 1952 and is 100% state funded with an approved staffing of 4 FTE. Fall Creek hatchery management is handled at Alsea hatchery. Hatchery elevation is 230 feet above sea level. Facilities: Water is obtained by gravity flow from Fall Creek, Carns Creek and a small spring. Availability varies from 2,500 to 9,000 gpm, with a total water right of 22 cfs. Adult facilities consist of a trap and one large holding pond, with a capacity of 3,000 coho. Egg incubation is in 14 stacks of vertical incubator trays (15 trays per stack) and 10 deep troughs, total capacity 2.5 million eggs to hatching. There are 10 concrete raceways (2,700 ft3) , and one large asphalt pond 200 ft x 52 ft. The pond is irregular in shape and depth. Prior analysis: Jeffrey and Associates (1987) concluded production at Fall Creek hatchery was limited by low water flows from mid-August to mid-October. In both years analyzed the theoretical flows needed during this time frame exceeded available flows. There has been no change in the available flow, adult holding, incubation, or rearing space available since that report.

Release Number (pounds)a Species 1984 Brood Year b 1995 Brood Year b Fall Chinook 170,934 (17,893) 152,000 (8,444) Coho 920,722 (72,937) 1,050,000 (87,939) Winter Steelhead -- 40,000 (6,667) Total 1,091,656 (90,830) 1,242,000 (103,050) a = Does not include fry releases. b = Brood year is the year in which most of the eggs are collected for the listed production. Because steelhead eggs are mostly taken after January 1st, brood year is one higher than listed (i.e. 1995 brood column has 1996 brood steelhead).

Current Production: Current production goals are approximately 150,000 fish and 12,000 pounds more than the levels analyzed to be in excess by Jeffrey and Associates (1987). The 1995 brood year is scheduled to be the last for the Siuslaw River coho program (50,000 smolts and 58,000 fry, approximately 3,500 pounds total). This will alleviate some of the crowding. Other Factors: Adult holding capacity is approximately 3,000 coho and is fully utilized. The adult pond is also used from March to June for releasing coho reared in the large rearing pond. Current production uses approximately 70% of the incubation capacity leaving space for approximately 700,000 eggs to hatching. Fish are initially ponded inside the hatch house and in three of the raceways. This space is currently fully utilized because of the number of different stocks reared.

25 Potential for Increased Production: This hatchery is currently above theoretical capacity for production of salmon smolts.

26 Klaskanine Hatchery

Summary: l 100% Federally Funded (NMFS), Staffing 4.75 FTE l Mitigation for Columbia River Dams l Low water flows, July through October, limit production l No additional space for adult holding or egg incubation l No capacity for increased smolt production

Background: Klaskanine hatchery is located 12 miles southeast of Astoria, adjacent to the North Fork Klaskanine River at about river mile 2. The hatchery began operation in 1911 as a state funded hatchery. In 1953 the hatchery was remodeled for dam mitigation, and funding switched to 100% federal by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). Approved staffing is 4.75 FTE. Elevation at the hatchery is 25 feet above sea level. Facilities: Water is obtained by gravity flow from the North Fork Klaskanine River and the North Fork of the North Fork Klaskanine River. Availability varies from 1,000 to 11,000 gpm with a total water right of 50 cfs. Adult facilities consist of a trap and one raceway which can be divided into 3 sections. Total adult holding capacity is about 4,000 fish. Incubation is in 20 stacks of vertical incubator trays (16 trays per stack) and 19 old wooden incubation troughs in poor condition. Total capacity is 5.5 million eggs to hatching. Rearing is in 16 concrete raceways (4,800 ft3) each with a capacity of 6,200 lb, and one large concrete pond (210,000 ft3). The adult raceway can also be used for rearing. Prior analysis: Jeffrey and Associates (1987) concluded the hatchery was operating above capacity and that low water flows from July through October limited production. During the low flow period only the large rearing pond was operated. There has been no change in water availability, egg incubation, or rearing space since that report. Theoretical water flow requirements for the 1985 brood year exceeded available flow for 5 months, July through October.

Release Number (pounds)a Species b 1985 Brood Year b 1995 Brood Year b Fall Chinook 4,083,722 (35,960) -- Coho 1,670,003 (139,856) 1,125,000 (93,750) Winter Steelhead 59,520 (11,446) 60,000 (12,000) Total 5,813,245 (187,262) 1,185,000 (105,750) a = Does not include fry releases. b = Brood year is the year in which most of the eggs are collected for the listed production. Because steelhead eggs are mostly taken after January 1st, brood year is one higher than listed (i.e. 1985 brood column has 1986 brood steelhead).

Current Production: Rearing and release of fall chinook from Klaskanine hatchery was discontinued after the 1988 brood year because of poor survival. The incubation space is now used to incubate eggs and return fry to Big Creek hatchery. For the 1995 brood year Klaskanine will return to Big Creek 2.9 million fall chinook fry (2,889 lb in January 1996) and 640,000 coho fry (711 lb in

27 February 1996). The 1985 brood coho production occurred in two phases. The hatchery reared and released the Klaskanine stock, April release of 1,143,652 fish and 97,748 pounds. After these fish were released, additional coho were brought in from other hatcheries for release in May (526,351 fish; 42,108 lb). This second group of coho is now acclimated and released through the CEDC net pen complex. Thus, production of coho at Klaskanine hatchery is actual about the same in the 1985 and 1995 brood years. Steelhead production has also remained constant and is accomplished by receiving fish in the fall and rearing them through the winter for release in April. Under the 1985 and 1995 brood production plans only the coho are reared through the critical low water flow period. Fall chinook are all released or transferred before July, and steelhead are received in November and released the following April. Other Factors: Current adult returns fully utilize the relatively small adult holding capacity. Current production calls for incubating two groups of eggs, 2.9 million fall chinook and 2.6 million coho. These groups do overlap and thus fully utilize the hatcheries incubation capacity. With the elimination of the fall chinook rearing program there is room available for early rearing until flows start becoming critical in July. Funding has been a continuing problem at this facility and there is a substantial backlog of maintenance and equipment needs. The most important other factor at Klaskanine hatchery is the elimination of funding for this hatchery because of NMFS budget cuts. This hatchery is scheduled for closure in 1996. Potential for Increased Production: Even if the funding situation is resolved and this hatchery stays open, there is no capacity for increased smolt production through the summer months. Programs such as Tule fall chinook that release fish before the critical flow period could be added. Any changes in production would have to be approved by NMFS, and would require funding.

28 Lookingglass Hatchery

Summary: l 100% Funded by LSRCP, Staffing 5.75 FTE l Production limited by space, egg, and tempered well water availability l Involved in captive broodstock program for endangered spring chinook stocks l Production goals exceed early rearing capacity in some years l No potential for increased production at this time l Increased production under ESA recovery plan guidelines requires additional investment in facilities and equipment

Background: Lookingglass hatchery is located 18 miles north of the town of Elgin, adjacent to Lookingglass Creek 2.2 miles above its confluence with the Grande Ronde River at about river mile 86. The hatchery began operation in 1982 and is 100% funded by the Lower Snake River Compensation Plan (LSRCP), with an approved staffing of 5.75 FTE. Elevation at the hatchery is 2,550 feet above sea level. Imnaha collection and acclimation facility is located three hours from Lookingglass hatchery, approximately 30 miles from the town of Imnaha, adjacent to the Imnaha River at river mile 45.5. Elevation at the Imnaha facility is 3,760 feet above sea level. The Imnaha facility is also funding by LSRCP with a staffing of 0.5 FTE. Facilities: Lookingglass: Water is obtained by gravity flow from Lookingglass Creek and by pumping from several wells. There are two water rights for Lookingglass Creek, 50 cfs for fish propagation and 30 cfs for operation of an old fishway. Water is available in some years in amounts equal to the water rights. In drought years water availability may be less than the water rights. Winter temperatures cause problems with water freezing at the intake and in the ponds. The hatchery uses well water to temper the creek water and reduce the icing problems. Water rights for the wells total 2,875 gpm, but availability is limited by the rate of drawdown and length of time to recharge the wells. Adult facilities consist of a trap and two concrete raceways (4,560 ft3). Incubation is in 288 vertical incubator trays with a capacity of 2.3 million eggs to hatching. There are 32 Canadian troughs for starting fish each with a capacity of 100 to 125 pounds of fish. Rearing is in 18 concrete raceways (3,000 ft3) each with a capacity of 4,000 lb. Imnaha Pond: Water is obtained by gravity flow from the Imnaha River. Use averages 9 cfs with a water right of 15 cfs. There is an adult trap and spawning area. The one pond (13,000 ft3) is used for adult holding in the fall and juvenile acclimation and release in the spring. Capacity for juveniles is about 19,500 lb. Prior analysis: Walters (1989) did not evaluate Imnaha pond but concluded Lookingglass hatchery exceeded theoretical production potential and that rearing space was the limiting factor. He also noted the problems with ice and the water supply. There have been no changes in water supply, adult holding, egg incubation, starting, or rearing space since that report. Theoretical space requirements for the 1984 brood year were 94% to 120% of the available space from August to November and 95% in the following April. Current Production: The 1984 brood year production was achieved by rearing fish to the fall when space became critical, releasing about half the fish (846,484 fish, 45,722 lb) and then rearing the remaining fish to the following spring when space again became critical (856,639 fish, 69,062 lb).

29 Spring chinook tagging data has shown fall sub-yearling releases to have very poor survival. This would also increase the potential for competition with wild fish, for both reasons this is no longer done at Lookingglass hatchery. Because of egg shortages the production objectives have not been obtainable for several years. Estimated releases for the 1995 brood year will total 161,000 for release in Lookingglass Creek and 52,000 for release in the Imnaha River. Wild Snake River spring chinook are listed as an endangered species under the Federal Endangered Species Act. Lookingglass hatchery is participating in a captive brood stock program for three different stocks of endangered spring chinook. This involves collecting wild juveniles and rearing the fish through their entire life cycle in a hatchery environment, mimicking as closely as possible, those conditions found in their natal streams. The resulting adults will then be spawned to produce juveniles for release. Collecting of wild juveniles started in 1995. Captive broodstock technology is very new and still being developed. It is clear additional capacity at the hatchery will be needed for this program.

Release Number (pounds)a Species 1984 Brood Year b Production Objectives Imnaha Pond Spring Chinook -- 490,000 (19,470)

Lookingglass CHS (Imnaha Release) 35,532 (3,290) 490,000 (19,470) CHS (Lookingglass Release) 1,667,591 (111,494) 900,000 (48,335) Total 1,703,123 (114,784) 1,390,000 (67,805) a = Does not include fry releases. b = Brood year is the year in which most of the eggs are collected for the listed production.

Other Factors: Returning adults are collected at both Lookingglass hatchery and the Imnaha facility. Current low numbers of returning adults fully utilize this space with current hatchery practices. Production goals call for incubating 980,000 eggs. This space can be used for incubating eggs for captive brood and endemic brood offspring. Even with low numbers of eggs available the hatchery is currently using all starter tanks for production, captive brood, and endemic stocks. In addition, this hatchery is responsible for production of ESA listed salmon which requires special culture practices such as extremely low density rearing. Because of these reasons this space should not be counted on for other production. The hatchery works cooperatively with other LSRCP hatcheries, tribal co- managers, and other agencies involved with the Snake River dam mitigation and wild chinook recovery process. Potential for Increased Production: Production goals are about equal to the 1984 brood year yearling release total (95% of capacity). This level exceeds capacity at certain stages in production. Eventhough the hatchery is currently not at these production levels the needs of captive brood and endemic stock programs preclude any additional production from this facility. Any changes in production from Lookingglass or Imnaha would have to be approved by LSRCP, NMFS, and tribal co-managers.

30 Marion Forks Hatchery

Summary: l Funding: COE and ODFW; Staffing 4.8 FTE l Mitigation for Detroit and Big Cliff Dams l Water flows in the fall limit production l Adult holding, egg incubation, and early rearing at capacity l No capacity to increase smolt production

Background: Marion Forks hatchery is located 17 miles east of Detroit, Oregon, between Horn Creek and Marion Creek near their confluence with the North Santiam River at about river mile 73. The hatchery began operation in 1951 and is funded from two sources, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE 83.75%) and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW 16.25%). Funding from COE is mitigation for Detroit and Big Cliff dams. Elevation at the hatchery is 2,580 feet above sea level and approved staffing is 4.8 FTE. Minto pond is located about 33 miles downstream of the hatchery at the base of Minto Dam, adjacent to the North Santiam River. Minto pond is operated as a satellite adult trapping and juvenile acclimation facility with funding and staffing from Marion Forks. Elevation at the pond is 1,000 feet above sea level. Facilities: Marion Forks: Water is obtained by gravity flow from Marion Creek (April through September) and Horn Creek (October through March) because Marion Creek freezes in the winter. Water availability varies from 6,000 to 15,266 gpm with water rights of 32 cfs from Horn Creek and 34 cfs from Marion Creek. There are no adult facilities at the hatchery. Incubation is in 288 vertical incubator trays with a total capacity of 2.3 million eggs to hatching. There are 12 Canadian starter troughs with a total capacity of 3,000 pounds of fish. Rearing is in 8 concrete raceways (4,000 ft3) each with a capacity of 6,000 lb, and 48 concrete circular ponds (980 ft3) each with a capacity of 1,500 lb. Minto Pond: Water is obtained by gravity flow from the North Santiam River. Water use is a fairly constant 1,464 gpm, with a water right of 60 cfs. The facility consists of an adult trap and one concrete pond (31,500 ft3), with a capacity of 3,000 chinook or 5,000 steelhead adults. Prior analysis: Walters (1989) concluded the hatchery did not reach theoretical capacity during the evaluation period. Theoretical flow and space requirements peaked in August and March respectively but the most critical flow period was October. The hatchery has added 16 incubation trays since the Walters report. Otherwise there have been no changes in water availability, adult holding, incubation, or rearing space. Theoretical flow and space requirements for the 1985 brood year reached 57% and 54% of available flow and space respectively. Current Production: Because of the cold water temperatures at Marion Forks hatchery it takes two years of hatchery rearing to produce steelhead smolts. Thus during rearing four raceways are holding steelhead in their second year of rearing and four raceways are holding steelhead in their first year of rearing. In the 1985 brood year the raceways were stocked at double final numbers and about half the fish were released after one year of rearing. The 1-year fish are released at a fairly small size, would probably have poor survival, and would compete with wild fish until they reached a large enough size for migration. This also involved extra handling of all the steelhead juveniles at the hatchery. For all these reasons this practice was discontinued and replaced with a transfer of fry to STEP for release in

31 the Fall Creek basin. Planned production of two-year steelhead has remained constant, the larger number and pounds in 1985 reflects typical survival of excess fish held as a precaution against unusual mortality rates. The hatchery has increased production of spring chinook for release in the North Santiam. The hatchery also participates in early rearing of Clackamas stock spring chinook. These fish are transferred in April (580,000 fish and 1,657 lb) and November (365,000 fish and 18,250 lb). Minto Pond is used as an acclimation and release site for 250,000 of the spring chinook smolts, 50,000 of the winter steelhead smolts, and 18,000 summer steelhead smolts from South Santiam hatchery. Finally the hatchery has added a small cutthroat trout program and two rainbow trout programs. The 2,800 cutthroat trout fingerlings are carried in backpack containers for stocking in July in high elevation lakes. One rainbow trout program involves receiving 160,000 eggs from Roaring River Hatchery, hatching and rearing the resulting fish to July, and shipping the fingerlings back to Roaring River. The purpose is to slow down their growth in order to produce a legal size fish later in the summer. For the second rainbow trout program the hatchery will receive 150,000 fingerlings from Wizard Falls hatchery in April, and rear the fish up to 50 fish/lb for release in Detroit lake.

Release Number (pounds) a Species 1985 Brood Year b 1995 Brood Year b Spring Chinook transfers -- 945,000 (19,907) Spring Chinook releases 497,745 (55,204) 767,000 (61,136) Winter Steelhead 1 year 137,540 (3,743) 28,500 (285) Winter Steelhead 2 year 117,245 (23,362) 100,000 (20,000) Trout backpack stocking -- 302,800 (3,769) Total 752,530 (82,309) 2,143,300 (105,097) a = Does not include fry releases. b = Brood year is the year in which most of the eggs are collected for the listed production. Because steelhead and cutthroat trout eggs are mostly taken after January 1st, brood year is one higher than listed (i.e. 1985 brood column has 1986 brood steelhead).

Other Factors: All returning adult chinook and steelhead are collected at the Minto Pond trap and eggs taken from all segments of the run to preserve genetic variation. This may or may not completely use the space in any given year and can produce more eggs than needed for hatchery production. There is no ability to segregate stocks or hold fish separate from returning fish. For these reasons the capacity is effectively completely utilized by the current production. Current production calls for incubating over 2.2 million chinook eggs and 388,000 steelhead, rainbow, and cutthroat trout eggs. This completely utilizes the space for salmon but leaves space for additional steelhead or trout eggs. The starter tanks are completely used by current production and some fish are started in the rearing ponds. Potential for Increased Production: In the 1995 brood year, planned pounds of fish on station during the critical October flow period will be almost double the pounds during the same period of the 1985 brood year rearing. This completely utilizes the extra capacity identified by Walter (1989). There is no capacity for further increases in smolt production from Marion Forks hatchery. Changes in production would have to be approved by COE, and would require funding.

32 McKenzie Hatchery

Summary: l Funding: COE and ODFW; Staffing 5.6 FTE l Mitigation for McKenzie River dams l Production limited by pond space l Adult holding and early rearing at capacity, could incubate more eggs l No capacity for increased smolt production

Background: McKenzie hatchery is located 22 miles east of Springfield, adjacent to the McKenzie River at about river mile 37. The hatchery was completely rebuilt in 1975 and began operation in its current form in 1976. Funding is from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE 50%) and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW 50%). Funding from COE is mitigation for dams on the upper McKenzie River. Elevation at the hatchery is 700 feet above sea level and approved staffing is 5.6 FTE. Facilities: Water is obtained by gravity flow from Cogswell Creek and McKenzie River (through the Leaburg Canal). McKenzie River provides a constant water flow of 22,450 gpm, with a water right of 50 cfs. Cogswell Creek is almost dry in the summer but can provide water up to the water right of 16 cfs in the winter. Adult facilities consist of a trap and two holding ponds (20,250 ft3) with a total capacity of 4,000 chinook adults. Incubation is in 640 vertical incubator trays with a total capacity of 5.1 million eggs to hatching. There are 8 Canadian troughs used for starting fish. Rearing is in 30 concrete raceways (3,300 ft3) each with a capacity of 4,000 lb. The adult ponds are also used for rearing from October to March, each with a capacity of 22,222 lb. Prior analysis: Walters (1989) concluded the hatchery did not reach theoretical capacity during the evaluation period. Theoretical flow and space requirements peaked in September and November respectively. He also noted increased disease problems as production levels increased. There have been no changes in water availability, adult holding, incubation, or rearing space since that evaluation. Theoretical flow and space requirements for the 1984 brood year reached 27% and 50% of available flow and space respectively.

Release Number (pounds)a Species 1984 Brood Year b 1995 Brood Year b Spring Chinook 826,601 (8,770) 360,000 (1,800) 965,561 (117,831) 1,978,000 (180,625) Summer Steelhead 126,363 (24,570) -- Total 1,918,525 (151,171) 2,338,000 (182,425) a = Does not include fry releases. b = Brood year is the year in which most of the eggs are collected for the listed production. Because steelhead eggs are mostly taken after January 1st, brood year is one higher than listed (i.e. 1984 brood column has 1985 brood steelhead).

Current Production: Steelhead production has been phased out since the 1984 brood year. Spring chinook production has increased and now includes production of three stocks, McKenzie,

33 South Santiam, and Mid-Willamette. The 1984 brood only included McKenzie stock. The 1984 brood year also included substantial fingerling releases, top line in table. These fish would have had very poor survival and would compete with wild fish. They have mostly been eliminated except for the 360,000 released in the Calapooia River (top line in table) and a fry release of 190,000 fish 380 pounds in February into Cougar Reservoir (not in table). Production of chinook smolts for the McKenzie is very similar between the two years, 965,561 in the 1984 and 983,000 in the 1995 brood year. The 1984 fish were split 55% in a fall sub-yearling release and 45% in a spring yearling release. Spring releases generally have much higher survivals, and starting with the 1992 brood year all McKenzie River production was switched to a spring release. There are 3 spring chinook programs in the 1995 brood year not seen in the 1984 brood year. Molalla River release of 100,000 smolts (1/3 in the fall and 2/3 in the spring). A transfer of 475,000 chinook to CEDC in November. These fish are reared in net pens in Youngs Bay for a spring release to generate a terminal fishery. There is also a net pen program in the Portland Harbor area to create a local fishery. This includes 180,000 fish released in November and 240,000 fish released in March. Willamette hatchery incubates and early rears 329,000 McKenzie stock spring chinook. These fish are returned in two groups, 89,000 in February and 240,000 in November. Other Factors: Returning adult spring chinook are collected at the trap and eggs taken from all segments of the run to preserve genetic variation. The demand for McKenzie stock chinook eggs exceeds the current availability and the hatchery spawns all returning fish. The hatchery also holds Mid- Willamette stock spring chinook. This fully utilizes the current adult holding capacity. Current production calls for incubating about 3.1 million eggs, leaving room for an about 2.0 million additional eggs to hatching. Current production fully uses all starting space. Spring chinook reared in the adult ponds have had severe disease problems (BKD) the last 2 years. Potential for Increased Production: This hatchery has substantially increased production since the review by Walters (1989). The increased numbers of fish and the need to hold different stocks and release groups separate has increased fish handling and effectively utilizes all available rearing space. This has had negative effects on fish health in the hatchery. There is no capacity for increased smolt production at McKenzie hatchery. Changes in production would have to be approved by COE, and would require funding.

34 Nehalem Hatchery

Summary: l 100% State Funded, Staffing 4 FTE l Low summer flows limit smolt production l Adult holding fully used, could incubate an additional 480,000 eggs l Could increase steelhead production 20,000 smolts

Background: Nehalem hatchery is located 10 miles northeast of the town of Nehalem, adjacent to the North Fork Nehalem River at river mile 10.3. The hatchery began operation in 1966 and is 100% state funded with an approved staffing of 4 FTE. Elevation at the hatchery is 141 feet above sea level. Facilities: Water is pumped from the North Fork Nehalem River and a spring. Water availability varies from 4,200 to 9,000 gpm, with a total water right of 23.5 cfs. The adult holding area consists of a large area where the fish swim in, and two enclosed pens each with a 400 fish capacity. There are 20 stacks of vertical incubator trays (16 trays per stack), with a total capacity of approximately 1.8 million eggs to hatching. Four 6 ft circular fiberglass tanks are used as starter tanks. The hatchery has 20 concrete raceways (3,825 ft3), each with a capacity of 5,000 pounds. Prior analysis: Jeffrey and Associates (1987) concluded there was no unused capacity for production of salmon smolts at Nehalem hatchery. The limiting factor for this station was low flows from July through September, and there were no new water sources available. There has been no change in the available flow, adult holding, incubation, or rearing space since that report. Theoretical flow required for the 1984 brood was slightly less than the available flow.

Release Number (pounds)a Species 1984 Brood Year b 1995 Brood Year b Coho 592,332 (45,171) 605,000 (40,333) Winter Steelhead 158,475 (24,209) 130,000 (26,000) Trout -- 30,800 (10,267) Total 750,807 (69,380) 765,800 (76,600) a = Does not include fry releases. b = Brood year is the year in which most of the eggs are collected for the listed production. Because steelhead eggs are mostly taken after January 1st, brood year is one higher than listed (i.e. 1984 brood column has 1985 brood steelhead).

Current Production: Steelhead and rainbow trout are started in the fiberglass tanks and the coho are started in 3 of the raceways. Of the 17 remaining raceways 9 are used for coho, 2 for Fishhawk stock winter steelhead (40,000 fish, 8,000 lb), 4 for North Fork Nehalem stock winter steelhead (90,000 fish, 18,000 lb), and 2 for rainbow trout. Higher production levels have been achieved by using all 20 ponds for smolt production and releasing 3 to 4 ponds of coho early when the ponds were needed as starter ponds, and by rearing more steelhead per pond. For various reasons production has been reduced and reallocated in recent years. Tagging studies showed the early released coho (late January to mid February) had poorer survival than the April releases, and that mid

35 March releases had survivals much closer to the April release. Coho production goals were reduced 195,000 fish and 13,000 pounds with the 1994 brood to allow for extended rearing of the early release to a mid March release and still have room to pond the next years coho juveniles. Steelhead production goals were reduced 50,000 fish and 10,000 pounds with the 1993 brood. With the 1994 brood the trout program was switched from searun cutthroat to rainbow and increased 20,000 fish and 6,600 pounds. Other Factors: Adult holding capacity is currently fully utilized to hold the coho and steelhead broodstocks. More fish could be held in the main holding area but these fish could not be held separate from new fish swimming in. Current production uses 15 of the 20 stacks of vertical incubators. The remaining 5 stacks (80 trays) are available for increased production. The total number of extra eggs would depend on the species and the need for holding groups separate, but at 6,000 eggs per tray there would be space for 480,000 additional eggs. The three raceways used for starting coho are empty from July to January. Potential for Increased Production: Current goals are slightly above the pounds reared in the 1984 brood, near capacity according to Jeffrey and Associates (1987). Coho releases could be increased by returning to the prior practice of dumping coho in January or February to make room for starting the next years fish. We would not recommend this as the recent changes in production were designed to increase survival and thus total adult production. Steelhead production is below the 5,000 lb per pond capacity. However, because of the split between two stocks there is no way to consolidate down to 5 ponds instead of 6. Total production of steelhead could be increased by 20,000 fish (4,000 lb) divided equally between the two stocks. It should also be noted that the production goals leave a margin of safety. The hatchery generally takes extra eggs as a hedge against excess mortality and often achieves a slightly larger size at release that the target size.

36 Oxbow Hatchery

Summary: l 100% Federally Funded (NMFS), Staffing 4 FTE l Mitigation for Columbia River Dams l Production limited by summer to fall water flows and delivery system l Space available to incubate 6.0 million additional eggs l Space available for early rearing of 300,000 additional fish l No capacity for increased smolt production

Background: Oxbow hatchery is located 1 mile east of the town of Cascade Locks, near Herman Creek 0.7 miles above its confluence with the Columbia River at about river mile 151. The hatchery began operation in 1937 as a state funded facility. The hatchery was remodeled in 1952 for dam mitigation, and the funding shifted to 100% federal funds by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). Approved staffing is 4 FTE. Elevation at the hatchery is 100 feet above sea level. The hatchery has three satellite facilities. Upper Herman Creek ponds are located about 1/2 mile east of Oxbow hatchery adjacent to Herman Creek at about river mile 0.7. This facility began operation in 1977. Lower Herman Creek ponds are located about 1/2 mile north of Oxbow hatchery adjacent to Herman Creek at about river mile 0.2. This facility began operation about 1952, but had not been used for some time until re-activated in 1989 for adult holding. In 1990 extensive upgrading of the ponds was done to allow for juvenile rearing. Wahkeena Pond is located about 16 mile west of Oxbow hatchery adjacent to the Columbia River at about river mile 134. The pond began operation in 1961. Elevation at the pond is 40 feet above sea level. Facilities: Oxbow Hatchery receives water by gravity flow from Oxbow springs. Water availability varies from 300 to 2,400 gpm, with a total water right of 10 cfs. There is no adult trapping or holding capacity at the hatchery or any of the satellites. Egg incubation is only done at the hatchery and is in 32 deep and 32 shallow troughs with a total capacity of 9.0 million eggs to hatching. There are 2 Canadian troughs used for starting fish. The hatchery has 12 concrete raceways in a two pass system, 6 first pass ponds and 6 second pass ponds. The low water availability and two pass nature limits the use of the ponds. Volume of each pond is 4,700 ft3 with a usable capacity of 2,000 lb. Upper Herman Creek ponds receive water by gravity flow from Herman Creek. Water use varies from 4,800 to 5,700 gpm, with a total water right of 105 cfs. There are 2 concrete raceways (2,600 ft3) and 2 asphalt ponds (46,900 ft3). Capacity of the raceways is 3,500 lb each and the asphalt ponds is 28,000 lb each. Lower Herman Creek ponds also receive water from Herman Creek. Water use varies from 2,000 to 8,000 gpm, from the same water right as upper Herman Creek ponds. There are 3 concrete bottom ponds (10,800 ft3) with a capacity of 15,000 lb each. Wahkeena Pond receives water by gravity flow from Wahkeena Creek. Water use varies from 1,800 to 3,900 gpm, with a total water right of 30 cfs. Wahkeena pond is an 18 acre dirt pond with bird exclusion netting over a section of the eastern end of the pond. Prior analysis: Walters (1989) did not evaluate Lower Herman Creek or Wahkeena Ponds. His evaluation of Oxbow hatchery concluded the hatchery was at capacity and was limited by low water flows from August through January. His evaluation of Upper Herman Creek ponds concluded

37 there was additional space and some flow available to increase production. Theoretical flows approached available flows from June through September. He also noted that improvements to the water delivery system would increase production potential. There has been no change in water availability, adult holding, egg incubation, or rearing space since that evaluation. Theoretical flow requirements for the 1985 brood year reached 128% and 94% of available flows at Oxbow and Upper Herman Creek respectively. Current Production: Production numbers and pounds from Upper Herman Creek has remained fairly constant. The 1985 brood included a transfer in May, whereas, the first transfer in the 1995 brood is in September. Also the release site for 825,000 fish has been switched from Tanner Creek to Youngs Bay. This was done to increase harvest opportunities. Poor survivals and often severe disease problems at Wahkeena pond, as seen in the 1985 brood, led to the closure of this facility after the 1992 brood year. The production from Wahkeena pond has been shifted to Lower Herman Creek ponds. The lower ponds are used in two stages. In the first 1.5 million fish are reared until September and them transferred to net pens in Youngs Bay, Tongue Point, and Blind Slough. These fish are reared to yearling smolts in the net pens and released to develop a terminal fishery. In October 0.5 million fish are brought into Lower Herman Creek ponds and reared to smolts for release in the Umatilla River. After the 1994 brood year the West Fork Hood River spring chinook program was taken over by Round Butte hatchery. This reduced production at Oxbow by 200,000 fish. The 1985 brood coho at Oxbow were transferred to Wahkeena pond for rearing in June. In the 1995 brood these fish are transferred to Lower Herman Creek in June. This is necessary because of the extremely low water flows at Oxbow during the summer. The reduced number of fish has allowed for increased size at the June transfer date.

Release Number (pounds)a Species 1985 Brood Year b 1995 Brood Year b Upper Herman Cr. Coho 2,247,034 (93,214) 2,000,000 (93,000) Lower Herman Cr. Coho Closed 2,000,000 (83,334) Wahkeena Pond Coho 98,532 (2,898)c Closed

Oxbow Spring Chinook 1,309,472 (10,232) 1,037,000 (7,096) Coho (trans. to satellite) 2,867,800 (24,119) 1,510,000 (21,571) Oxbow Total 4,177,272 (34,351) 2,547,000 (28,667) a = Does not include fry releases. b = Brood year is the year in which most of the eggs are collected for the listed production. c = Extreme disease outbreak, planned release 2,000,000 fish and 133,333 pounds.

Other Factors: Until this year Oxbow incubated 3.3 million tule fall chinook eggs for Bonneville hatchery. These were transferred to Bonneville as unfed fry. With the elimination of this program and the reduction in the spring chinook program, current goals call for incubating 2.8 million eggs. This leaves room to incubate approximately 6.0 million addition eggs. With the reductions in the spring chinook program there is additional space for early rearing of about 300,000. These fish would need to be transferred out before June as space and flow become limiting.

38 Potential for Increased Production: The slight reduction in pounds of fish produced at Oxbow hatchery brings the hatchery down to theoretical flow requirements and has allowed for increased fish sizes. By eliminating the May release and holding all fish through September the excess capacity identified at Upper Herman Creek ponds has been utilized. No formal evaluation of Lower Herman Creek ponds has been done but the ponds are operating at loads and densities similar to Oxbow and Upper Herman Creek. Wahkeena pond could be reopened and has reared about 2 million coho smolts a year. Before this is done some solution to the poor survival and disease problems should be developed. Because of the historic poor survival, the disease and predation problems, and the more successful use of these coho in the lower river net pens we would not recommend re-activating Wahkeena pond. There is no other capacity for increased smolt production at Oxbow hatchery or its satellite facilities. Any changes in production would have to be approved by NMFS, and would require funding.

39 Rock Creek Hatchery

Summary: l 100% State Funded, Staffing 5 FTE l July to October low flows limit production, can have water temperature extremes l No extra capacity for adult holding, egg incubation or early rearing l Hatch house remodeling improved capabilities and flexibility but not capacity l No extra capacity for salmon smolt production

Background: Rock Creek hatchery is located 5 miles east of the town of Glide, adjacent to Rock Creek at river mile 0.2, a tributary of the North Umpqua River at about river mile 36. The hatchery began operation in 1921 and is 100% state funded, with an approved staffing of 5 FTE. Elevation at the hatchery is 800 feet above sea level. Facilities: Water is provided by gravity flow from Rock Creek and by pumping from the North Umpqua River during periods of low flow in Rock Creek. Availability varies from 5,400 to 10,800 gpm, with a total water right of 33 cfs from Rock Creek and 32 cfs from the North Umpqua River. There is one adult holding pond divided into a swim in section and 5 pens, but no ability to isolate water flows between the pens. Total adult holding capacity is about 2,000 fish. Egg incubation is in 20 stacks of vertical incubator trays, 16 trays per stack. Fish are started in 5 Canadian troughs in the hatch house. There are 16 concrete raceways; two 9,600 ft3, six 6,400 ft3, six old 11,200 ft3 (can be divided into twelve 5,600 ft3), and two 3,200 ft3 built by the county. Prior analysis: Jeffrey and Associates (1987) concluded there was no excess flow available for increasing production and that the six older ponds were in need of repair. The hatchery is limited by low flows in Rock Creek from July through October. The water from Rock Creek can also reach extreme temperatures at times and the hatchery has a history of disease problems. Water is pumped from the North Umpqua River during low flows. There has been no change in available flow, adult holding, or rearing space since that report. The hatch house has been completely remodeled and new vertical incubators and Canadian starter troughs added. This has greatly improved water filtration, temperature control and disinfecting, as well as egg isolation and overall quality and flexibility of the facility. It has not changed overall incubation or starter tank capacity.

Release Number (pounds)a Species 1984 Brood Year b 1995 Brood Year b Spring Chinook 303,054 (52,973) 290,000 (45,625) Fall Chinook -- 75,000 (10,000) Coho 369,423 (37,405) 140,000 (14,000) Summer Steelhead 223,241 (33,053) 167,500 (33,500) Winter Steelhead 67,030 (11,557) 89,400 (16,183) Trout 57,701 (18,169) 57,675 (19,225) Total 1,020,449 (153,157) 819,575 (138,533)

40 a = Does not include fry releases. b = Brood year is the year in which most of the eggs are collected for the listed production. Because steelhead eggs are mostly taken after January 1st, brood year is one higher than listed (i.e. 1984 brood column has 1985 brood steelhead).

Current Production: Current production emphases local brood stocks with the incorporation of wild fish, for release in the North Umpqua, South Umpqua, and lower mainstem Umpqua River. The hatchery spawns or receives eggs from six stocks of salmon and steelhead. The hatchery works cooperatively with local STEP programs. Planned production for the 1995 brood year is about 201,000 fish and 14,600 lb less than the 1985 brood. There are many changes that account for this difference. Spring chinook production is down slightly, but this is more than made up by the addition of the fall chinook program. Coho production has been reduced 229,423 fish and 27,405 pounds. This is from the elimination of the Smith River releases (~ 160,000 fish and 16,000 lb) after the 1986 brood year, and a reduction in the North Umpqua release after the 1989 brood year (~65,000 fish and 6,500 lb). The 1995 production numbers represent the second brood of the 2 year smolt program for steelhead. Before this change steelhead smolts were released in the spring after one year of hatchery rearing. The new plans call for rearing 25,000 summer and 15,400 winter steelhead (8,850 lb) for a second year in the hatchery. Thus they need two ponds and flow that would otherwise be available for new fish. The intent of the programs is to more closely resemble wild steelhead production. Rainbow trout are received as large fish (15 fish/lb) in October and released the following spring as legal sized fish, 3 fish/lb. This utilizes available pond space while avoiding the low flow limitations. Other Factors: The hatchery collects or receives six stocks of adult fish and transports the spring chinook brood stock upriver to ponds at Soda Springs to increase survivals. Because of the number of stocks and the differences in run timing the adult ponds are operated year-round and are fully utilized. The hatchery incubates over 2.5 million eggs most of which are shipped out to local STEP programs as eyed eggs. The incubators are still too new to have a final capacity determined but the hatchery does not anticipate any excess incubation capacity. The pond repairs recommended by Jeffrey and Associates have not been done and many ponds are in very poor shape. Potential for Increased Production: Low flows seriously limit smolt production at this facility and the available flow is fully utilized with current production. High water temperatures have resulted in disease problems at this facility further stressing the importance of keeping production to acceptable levels.

41 Round Butte Hatchery

Summary: l Funded by PGE and BPA, Staffing 5 FTE l Production limited by rearing space, adult holding, and starting space l Adult holding and early rearing at capacity, could incubate more eggs l No capacity for additional smolt production

Background: Round Butte hatchery is located 10 miles west of Madras, at the base of Round Butte dam, adjacent to the Deschutes River at river mile 111. The hatchery began operation in 1974 and is funded by Portland General Electric Company (PGE 75%) as mitigation for Pelton and Round Butte dams, and Bonneville Power Administration (BPA 25%) for Hood River spring chinook production. Approved staffing is 5 FTE and elevation at the hatchery is 1,745 feet above sea level. Pelton Ladder is an old fish ladder that has been modified for use as a juvenile rearing facility. It is located at the Pelton regulation dam about 12 miles downstream of Round Butte hatchery. Funding and staffing are provided from Round Butte. Facilities: Round Butte: Water is obtained by gravity flow from two springs. The springs provide a fairly constant flow varying from 8,590 to 8,965 gpm, with a water right of 20 cfs. There are two adult holding ponds with a total capacity of 2,400 fish. Incubation is in 16 stacks of vertical incubator trays (16 trays per stack) with a total capacity of 1.5 million eggs to hatching. There are 30 circular tanks (6 ft diameter) for starting fish. Rearing is in 10 concrete Burrows ponds (3,950 ft3) each with a capacity of about 5,500 lb. There is also 1 oval pond (310 ft3) used as a show pond. Pelton Ladder: Water is obtained by gravity flow from Lake Simtustus. Flow varies from 3,591 to 7,184 gpm with no established water right. A portion of the ladder has been modified into 6 cells for rearing juvenile fish. The cells are concrete, each with volume of 24,100 ft3. Prior analysis: Walters (1989) concluded both facilities had excess flow and space available for increased production. At Round Butte theoretical flow and space requirements peaked just before the March chinook release. Theoretical flow requirements at Pelton ladder peaked just before the June release. This evaluation was based on a constant flow of 3,590 gpm. He noted there was potential for improvements to flows at both facilities and for converting more sections of the ladder for additional rearing. He also noted concern over disease problems as a potential limiting factor. There have been no changes in adult holding, incubation, or rearing space at Round Butte hatchery since the Walters report. Flow use and rearing space have been doubled at Pelton Ladder since the Walters report by the creation of 3 additional cells. For the 1984 brood theoretical flow requirements reached 47% of available flow at Round Butte, and 82% of available flow at Pelton Ladder. For the 1984 brood theoretical space requirements reached 61% of available space at Round Butte, and 20% of available space at Pelton Ladder. Current Production: All spring chinook are initially reared at Round Butte. From Mid- September to mid-November over 400,000 fish at 17 fish/lb are transferred to Pelton Ladder. The remaining 50,000 fish are reared in two ponds at Round Butte for release in the Deschutes River in April, at two different sizes (8 fish/lb and 12 fish/lb). The fish in Pelton Ladder are fed by the hatchery and receive natural prey items in the water flow from Lake Simtustus. These fish are scheduled for two release sites. In April 125,000 fish at 8 fish/lb are trucked to the West Fork Hood River for release.

42 The remaining 280,000 fish are volitionaly released from the ladder in late April at two different sizes (8 fish/lb and 12 fish/lb). Production from Pelton ladder was increased 125,000 fish starting with the 1995 brood year by the addition of the West Fork Hood River production. These fish had been reared by Bonneville hatchery. Production from Pelton Ladder for release in the Deschutes River was increased from 210,000 to 280,000 fish starting with the 1994 brood year. Spring chinook production at Round Butte in the 1985 brood was 41,070 fingerling at 37 fish/lb released in lake Billy Chinook and Crooked River, and 62,946 smolts at 6 fish/lb released in the Deschutes River. The fingerling releases were excess fish and are no longer done. The smolt release has been decreased 10,000 fish, and is now at two sizes as part of a research study of size at release. Numbers of steelhead produced has remained fairly constant but pounds produced has increased. The 1986 brood included 17,113 fingerlings released in December in Lake Simtustus at 27 fish/lb. The 1996 brood will include 20,000 fish reared to 2 fish/lb for release in Lake Simtustus from April through June. The intent of this program is to produce a trout fishery. Finally, the Kokanee production is new for the 1995 brood year. These fish are received in April after the smolt releases and reared to July for release in Lake Simtustus.

Release Number (pounds)a Species 1984 Brood Year b 1995 Brood Year b Pelton Ladder Spring Chinook 212,898 (27,649) 405,000 (46,733)

Round Butte Spring Chinook 104,016 (12,065) 50,000 (5,000) Summer Steelhead 188,572 (37,471) 182,000 (50,500) Kokanee -- 100,000 (1,250) Total 292,588 (49,536) 332,000 (56,750) a = Does not include fry releases. b = Brood year is the year in which most of the eggs are collected for the listed production. Because steelhead eggs are mostly taken after January 1st, brood year is one higher than listed (i.e. 1984 brood column has 1985 brood steelhead).

Other Factors: The two adult ponds are relatively small and are used for extended holding of the two species. Because the adults must be held for a long time, extra fish must be taken to offset pre- spawning mortality. Holding conditions are critical to minimize the pre-spawning mortality. Thus, the existing programs fully utilize the existing capacity. Current production calls for incubating 600,000 spring chinook and 700,000 steelhead eggs. These are in the incubators at different times and do leave room for additional eggs to be incubated to hatching. Number of eggs would depend on the time of year but would be about 900,000 when the chinook eggs are incubating and 800,000 when the steelhead eggs are incubating. The starter tanks are fully utilized from January through June by the chinook and steelhead production and no extra fish could be started. Potential for Increased Production: The evaluation by Walters was based on a maximum rearing density of 2 lb/ft3. Research studies have shown that improved survivals can be achieved by rearing fish at lower densities. All ponds are used for current production at Round Butte hatchery. Average densities are about 1.4 lb/ft3. We would not recommend increasing densities beyond this level

43 without further study. The hatchery could return to the prior release of 60,000 spring chinook, an increase of 10,000 smolts but little change in pounds. Such a decision should await the results of the size at release study. Because of the newness of the 3 additional cells and physical conditions at Pelton Ladder, fish are reared at much lower densities than the 2 lb/ft3 used in the Walters analysis. The ladder is currently considered to be at capacity for the existing space available. Any changes to production at Round Butte or Pelton Ladder would require the approval of PGE and would require funding. The Pelton Ladder facility could be increased in size but would require construction/conversion funding. However, the limits in adult holding and starting capacity would have to be overcome before considering any increase in smolt production.

44 Salmon River Hatchery

Summary: l 100% State Funded (including lottery funds), Staffing 4 FTE l Low flows in July and August limit smolt production l Extra capacity for adult holding and egg incubation l Could increase production of coho smolts by 250,000

Background: Salmon River hatchery is located 4 miles northeast of Lincoln City, adjacent to Salmon River at about river mile 5. The hatchery began operation in 1976 and is 100% state funded (including lottery funds), with an approved staffing of 4 FTE. Elevation at the hatchery is 24 feet above sea level. Facilities: Water for the hatchery is pumped from Salmon River. Availability varies with river flow from about 6,500 to 8,000 gpm, with a water right of 19 cfs. The adult pond has a swim in area and 9 pens for holding different stocks but no ability to isolate water flows between the pens. Total adult holding capacity is about 3,000 fish. Incubation is in 280 vertical incubator trays with a total capacity of approximately 2.2 million eggs to hatching. There are 2 Canadian starter troughs in the hatch house. The hatchery has 8 concrete raceways (six 6,400 ft3 and two 3,200 ft3), and 3 large asphalt ponds (about 50,000 ft3). Prior analysis: Jeffrey and Associates (1987) concluded there was extra water flow available and noted that an extra pond and pump were being added to utilize this extra water. With the additional pond and flow the production of coho and summer steelhead for the Siletz River would be taken over by this facility, thus reaching capacity for Salmon River hatchery. The critical factor that would limit production was concluded to be water flows in July and August. The new pond and pump have been added. There have been no other changes to the facility since the Jeffrey and Associates report.

Release Number (pounds)a Species 1984 Brood Year b 1989 Brood Year b 1995 Brood Year b Fall Chinook 205,858 (16,331) 211,483 (13,385) 200,000 (14,286) Salmon R. Coho 458,386 (37,510) 505,175 (38,943) 300,000 (27,275) Siletz R. Coho -- 987,091 (68,965) 650,000 (52,625) Summer Steelhead 86,381 (14,991) 99,876 (13,541) 80,000 (16,000) Total 750,625 (68,832) 1,803,625 (134,834) 1,230,000 (110,186) a = Does not include fry releases. b = Brood year is the year in which most of the eggs are collected for the listed production. Because steelhead eggs are mostly taken after January 1st, brood year is one higher than listed (i.e. 1984 brood column has 1985 brood steelhead).

Current Production: Siletz River production was taken over because of the closure of the Siletz hatchery. This increased total production approximately 1 million fish and 66,000 pounds (1984 versus 1989 brood years). Coho production was reduced from 500,000 to 400,000 fish per pond with the 1992 brood (total reduction of 100,000 Salmon River stock and 200,000 Siletz River stock). This reduction was based on concerns over fish health, and an attempt to improve smolt quality and thus post

45 release survival. This reduction has substantially decreased mortality and allowed for an increase in size at release from 15 fish/lb to nearly 10 fish/lb. These results should increase post-release survival and thus adult production. There was an additional reduction of 100,000 Salmon River stock coho and 150,000 Siletz River stock coho with the 1993 brood. These reductions were caused by budget cuts. Siletz stock coho production is being substantially reprogrammed. Releases in the Siletz River are being reduced to 25,000 at Rock Creek (the adult collection site) and 25,000 at Euchre Creek. The remaining production (600,000 smolts) is being released at the old Oregon Aqua-foods site in Yaquina Bay as part of a cooperative program with the Port of Newport. With the very small number of fish release at Rock Creek, continuation of the program will be dependent on adult returns to the Yaquina Bay facility. Fall chinook and steelhead production have remained fairly stable. Other Factors: Current production needs require adult holding of 1,000 coho and 240 chinook. This is about 1/2 of the facilities capacity and leaves some room for additional fish. Any adults brought in from outside the basin would have to be checked and cleared by pathology to prevent introduction of disease. Current production calls for incubating 1,560,000 eggs, leaving space for approximately 690,000 additional eggs. The two Canadian starter troughs are used for initial rearing of the summer steelhead. Coho and chinook are started in 5 of the raceways. The number of fish started per raceway could be increased but there is no room to hold the new fish separate from the current production. Potential for Increased Production: The hatchery manager feels they could safely increase coho production another 250,000 fish (22,725 lb), back to 400,000 fish per pond, if the budget reductions could be reversed. Any increases beyond this level would have negative effects on fish health and reduce the size at release. Because the additional fish would have to be reared in a common pond with the current production there would not be any ability to hold the new fish separate. This increase would utilize about half of the extra egg incubation capacity.

46 Sandy Hatchery

Summary: l 100% Federally Funded (NMFS), Staffing 4.5 FTE l Low water flows, July through October, limit production l Could incubate about 2 million additional eggs l Early rearing space available in odd numbered brood years l No capacity for increased smolt production

Background: Sandy hatchery is located 1.5 miles north of the town Sandy, adjacent to Cedar Creek 1 mile above its confluence with the Sandy River at about river mile 22. The hatchery began operation in 1951 and is 100% federally funded by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), with an approved staffing of 4.5 FTE. Elevation at the hatchery is 500 feet above sea level. Facilities: Water is obtained by gravity flow from Cedar Creek. Availability varies from 1,800 to 8,000 gpm with a water right of 28 cfs. Adult facilities consist of a trap and one holding pond with a capacity of 6,000 coho. Incubation is in 24 concrete troughs with a capacity of 5.0 million eggs to hatching. With no starter tanks all fish are started in the raceways. There are 20 concrete raceways (5,600 ft3) with a capacity of 5,000 lb each. Prior analysis: Walters (1989) concluded the hatchery was substantially above capacity. Low water flows from July through October limit production. There has been no change in water availability, adult holding, egg incubation, or rearing space since that report. Theoretical flow required for the 1984 brood year were 220% of the available flow for a two month period. The hatchery recirculates water during this low flow period.

Release Number (pounds)a Species 1984 Brood Year b 1995 Brood Year b Coho (transferred) 300,265 (8,051) 300,000 (20,000) Coho (released) 909,037 (69,845) 700,000 (46,667) Total 1,209,302 (77,896) 1,000,000 (66,667) a = Does not include fry releases. b = Brood year is the year in which most of the eggs are collected for the listed production.

Current Production: Smolt production from Sandy hatchery has stayed fairly constant at about 1.0 million fish. Starting with the 1994 brood year 300,000 coho smolts are transferred to Youngs Bay net pens for a two week acclimation and release in May. This change is intended to increase harvest opportunities on these fish in lower river fisheries. The remaining fish are released at the hatchery in April and May. The 1984 brood included 300,000 fish transferred in the fall to Trojan Pond. These fish were reared to yearlings and released from the pond. Trojan Pond is located near the closed Trojan nuclear power plant and was operated by the staff at Gnat Creek hatchery. Trojan Pond has not been used since the 1991 brood year. In even numbered brood years the hatchery also participates in a high lakes trout stocking program. This involves receiving fry or fingerlings in the spring for aerial stocking in July. Thus, all the trout have been stocked before water flows become critical.

Other Factors: With only one pond and the large number of returning fish the adult facilities are at capacity. Current production calls for taking over 3 million eggs, 1.7 million of which are transferred to Oxbow and Cascade hatchery for hatching and rearing. This leaves room for about 2 million additional eggs to hatching. In years the hatchery is not involved in the trout aerial stocking program, odd numbered brood years, there are 3 ponds available to rear additional fingerlings, through June. These fish would need to be released or transferred before water flows become critical in July. Potential for Increased Production: There is no capacity to increase smolt production. The slight reduction in pounds from 1984 to 1995 brood years does not alleviate the low water flow problems. Any changes in production would have to be approved by NMFS, and may require funding.

48 South Santiam Hatchery

Summary: l Funding: COE and ODFW; Staffing 4.2 FTE l Mitigation for Foster and Green Peter dams l Water delivery system, pond space, adult holding, and disease concerns limit production l No capacity for increased adult holding or early rearing l Could incubate more eggs to the eyed stage l No capacity for increased smolt production

Background: South Santiam hatchery is located 2 miles east of the town of Sweet Home, at the base of Foster dam, adjacent to the South Santiam River at river mile 37. The hatchery began operation at its current site in 1968 with funding from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE 70%) and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW 30%). Funding from COE is mitigation for Foster and Green Peter dams. Elevation at the hatchery is 500 feet above sea level and approved staffing is 4.2 FTE. Stayton Pond has been operated as a satellite facility but closed after the 1994 brood year because of budget cuts and damage done during the February 1996 flooding. Facilities: Water is obtained by gravity flow from Foster Reservoir (South Santiam River). Water availability is a constant 8,400 gpm for the incubators and rearing ponds and 5,500 gpm for the adult pond. There are no water rights for the hatchery. Adult facilities consist of a trap and one holding pond with a capacity of 2,500 adults. Incubation is in 480 vertical incubator trays with a capacity of 4.5 million eggs to hatching. There are no starter tanks. Rearing is in 14 concrete Burrows ponds; four (5,000 ft3) with a capacity of 5,500 lb each, and ten (4,250 ft3) with a capacity of 4,700 lb each. Prior analysis: Walters (1989) concluded the hatchery did not reach theoretical capacity during the evaluation period. Theoretical flow and space requirements peaked in October and March respectively. He also noted disease problems and poor fish quality associated with the type of pond and higher production levels. There have been no changes in water availability, adult holding, incubation, or rearing space since that evaluation. Theoretical flow and space requirements for the 1985 brood year reached 69% and 53% of available flow and space respectively.

Release Number (pounds)a Species 1985 Brood Year b 1995 Brood Year b Spring Chinook 220,388 (26,890) 784,000 (87,111) Coho 271,973 (18,802) -- Summer Steelhead 179,856 (34,638) 184,500 (41,000) Total 672,217 (80,330) 968,500 (128,111) a = Does not include fry releases. b = Brood year is the year in which most of the eggs are collected for the listed production. Because steelhead eggs are mostly taken after January 1st, brood year is one higher than listed (i.e. 1985 brood column has 1986 brood steelhead).

Current Production: The coho production was released in the Willamette and Clackamas Rivers and was discontinued after the 1986 brood year. Early rearing of the steelhead is done at Oak

49 Springs hatchery and the fingerlings returned to South Santiam hatchery in June or July. Steelhead production has increased slightly in numbers and substantially in pounds because of an increased size at release. The 1995 production is split between the South Santiam River (144,000) and the North Santiam River (40,500). Spring chinook production has increased substantially. However, this includes 484,000 fish and 53,778 pounds reared at Willamette hatchery and returned for a one month acclimation in the South Santiam hatchery adult pond. The remaining spring chinook are reared at Willamette and Dexter hatcheries and returned to South Santiam hatchery in November. The fish are then reared over the winter for release in February and March. In June of 1993 a smolt release tube was installed at the hatchery. All spring chinook and 1/2 of the steelhead are now released volitionaly. Prior to 1993 all fish had to loaded on trucks and hauled to the river for release. Other Factors: The adult trapping facility is difficult to use and needs improvements. The adult pond cannot be divided to hold stocks separate. This results in having to hold the summer steelhead adults in the fish ladder. Both the pond and fish ladder are inadequate for the numbers of fish being held. Current production calls for incubating about 3.0 million chinook and 1.8 million steelhead eggs. This leaves room for an additional 1.5 million chinook and 2.7 million steelhead eggs. However, because the hatchery lacks any pathogen free water and there are disease concerns associated with the available water no eggs are hatched or fish started at this hatchery. All eggs are shipped to other hatcheries for hatching and early rearing. The resulting fish are returned for final rearing and release. Therefore, any increased egg incubation would have to be shipped offstation at the eyed stage. Potential for Increased Production: The increased production levels in the 1995 brood year effectively fully utilize the extra flow and space identified by the Walters report. The disease problems still exist and no further increases in smolt production are possible at this facility. Any changes in production would have to be approved by COE, and would require funding.

50 Trask Hatchery

Summary: l 100% State Funded (including lottery funds), Staffing 3.75 FTE l Low flows, May through October, limit production l Extra capacity for adult holding, egg incubation and early rearing l Could increase spring chinook smolts 22,500 l Could increase production of spring chinook smolts at East Fork Pond

Background: Trask hatchery is located 8 miles east of Tillamook, adjacent to Trask River at about river mile 10. The hatchery began operation in 1914 and is 100% state funded (including lottery funds), with an approved staffing of 3.75 FTE. Elevation at the hatchery is 40 feet above sea level. There are two satellite rearing ponds. East Fork Trask Pond is located 17 miles east of Tillamook, adjacent to the East Fork of South Fork Trask River at river mile 0.5, a tributary of the Trask River at about river mile 19. The facility began operation in 1969 with funding and staffing included under Trask hatchery. Tuffy Creek pond is a cooperative project between ODFW, Oregon Department of Corrections, and Oregon Department of Forestry, built on the site of a state prison camp. It is located 30 mile northeast of Tillamook, adjacent to the South Fork Wilson River at about river mile 1, a tributary of the Wilson River at about river mile 33. The facility began operation in 1989. Funding is included in the Trask hatchery budget with daily operations handled by the inmates. Facilities: Trask Hatchery: Water is supplied by gravity flow from Gold Creek and Mary’s Creek and by pumping from Trask River. Water availability varies from 2,800 to 7,000 gpm, with a total water right of 19 cfs. There are two separate adult trapping and holding facilities, one on Trask River and one on Gold Creek, with a total capacity of approximately 2,750 fish. Incubation is in 480 vertical incubator trays with a total capacity to hatching of approximately 2.6 million eggs. There are three 6 ft circular tanks in the hatch house used as starter tanks. The raceways are all concrete and are essentially in two groups. Ponds 1 and 2 (11,000 ft3) are adjacent to Trask River and can receive water from Gold Creek or Trask River. The upper section of the hatchery has 8 raceways (1,000 ft3) and two large shallow ponds, pond 10 (48 ft x 50 ft, water depth 1.5 ft) and pond 11 (30 ft x 135 ft, water depth 2.3 ft). The upper section can only receive water from Gold Creek. East Fork Pond: Water is obtained by gravity flow from East Fork of South Fork Trask River. There are no good records on water availability but it has not been a problem in the facilities history. Water use varies from about 3,500 to 4,500 gpm, with a total water right of 29.75 cfs. There was a small adult trapping and holding capacity of about 100 coho. However, the structure is in very poor shape and currently unusable. There is no incubation capability. The one rubber lined earthen pond is somewhat irregular in shape but is approximately 64 ft x 225 ft (about 72,000 ft3). Tuffy Creek Pond: Water is obtained from the South Fork Wilson River by gravity flow and pumping when necessary. Use ranges from 1,500 to 2,000 gpm, with a total water right of 70 cfs. There are no adult collection or holding facilities, or juvenile starter tanks. There are 2 wood trough incubators, built and used by the STEP program. The one concrete pond is 28 ft x 114 ft (14,000 ft3).

Prior analysis: Tuffy Creek pond was built after the analysis by Jeffrey and Associates (1987). East fork pond was not evaluated by Jeffrey and Associates (1987) but has produced up to 77,500

51 pounds of coho smolts. Jeffrey and Associates (1987) concluded that Trask hatchery was operating at capacity. Water flows in late summer, July through October, were the limiting factor. There has been no change in the available flow, adult holding, incubation, or rearing space since that report. Although, in recent drier years low flows have occurred as early as May. Theoretical flow needs for the 1985 brood used all available flow.

Release Number (pounds)a Species 1985 Brood Year b 1995 Brood Year b Tuffy Creek Pond NA 50,000 (10,000) Winter Steelhead East Fork Pond 823,207 (59,862) Coho 192,500 (19,250) Spring Chinook

Trask Hatchery Spring Chinook 159,475 (16,496) 52,500 (4,773) Fall Chinook 448,139 (18,384) 88,000 (3,750) Winter Chinook -- 50,000 (2,381) Coho 369,776 (33,940) 200,000 (20,000) Total 977,390 (68,820) 390,500 (30,904) Grand Total 1,800,597 (128,682) 583,000 (50,154) c a = Does not include fry releases. b = Brood year is the year in which most of the eggs are collected for the listed production. Because steelhead eggs are mostly taken after January 1st, brood year is one higher than listed (i.e. 1995 brood column has 1996 brood steelhead). c = Tuffy Creek not included since not applicable for the 1985 brood year.

Current Production: Current production goals at Trask hatchery call for about 40% of the pounds produced in the 1985 brood year. The difference is not just numbers and pounds of fish but reflects a complete re-working of production. Only the spring and fall chinook of the 1985 brood were reared at the hatchery during the low flow period. All the coho production was reared at the East Fork Pond until after the chinook were released and water flows had improved. Then the hatchery production was returned for final rearing and release. Current production calls for rearing all the fish released at the hatchery, at the hatchery. Thus the pounds produced at Trask hatchery in the 1985 brood (34,880 lb) is very similar to the pounds produced in the 1995 brood (30,904). The approximate 4,000 lb difference reflects an early release of fall chinook (267,078 fish and 4,838 lb, released July 16th) in the 1985 brood. Coded-wire tagging data from this type of early release showed poor survival, and they were discontinued after the 1988 brood year. A variety of factors have led to the re-working of production at Trask hatchery including, staff and budget reductions, elimination of poor survival groups, and wild fish management issues. Starting with the 1993 brood year East Fork pond was switched from coho to spring chinook, with a substantial decrease in numbers and pounds. The 1996 brood year will be the first year of steelhead production at Tuffy Creek pond. The pond was rearing 100,000 spring chinook (10,000 lb).

Other Factors: The small adult trapping and holding facility at East Fork Pond would require repairs before it could be used. Even after repairs it could only be used as temporary holding, not for

52 long term holding and spawning of brood stock. The adult ponds at Trask hatchery could hold additional fish of the same stock but are not available for holding other stocks while in use for the current program. They would be available at other times of the year, but any adults brought in from outside the basin would have to be checked and cleared by pathology to prevent disease introduction. The current production calls for incubating 1.6 million eggs leaving room for about 1 million eggs to hatching. Pond 10 is currently not used and would be available as a starter pond. However, it is not ideal for this and is difficult to keep clean because of it’s shape and water flow patterns. This hatchery also works with a STEP hatchery at Whisky Creek which produces 100,000 spring chinook smolts. Potential for Increased Production: A density study at the hatchery using spring chinook has 3 ponds at 1/2 normal densities. If the study was discontinued spring chinook smolt production could be increased 22,500 fish. The study is in the second of four years and is following up on density studies at other hatcheries showing equal returns of fish to the hatchery from 1/2 and normal density ponds. There has been no formal evaluation of capacity for East Fork Pond but it clearly is substantially below historic levels of production. Any increased production at the pond would require additional funding, and a return to coho production would require additional staffing since the pond is operated for a longer time for coho. A formal review of capacity at Tuffy Creek would be needed before any increases in production.

53 Umatilla Hatchery

Summary: l 100% funded by BPA, Staffing 8.0 FTE l Mitigation for Columbia River Dams, and restoration of Umatilla River salmon runs l Capacity being determined by ongoing research

Background: Umatilla hatchery is located 3.5 miles west of the town of Irrigon, adjacent to the Columbia River at about river mile 278. The hatchery began operation in 1991 with funding from Bonneville Power Administration (BPA). The hatchery is mitigation for Columbia River dams and part of the Umatilla fisheries restoration program. Elevation at the hatchery is 280 feet above sea level, and approved staffing is 8.0 FTE. There are four satellite facilities located in the Umatilla River basin; Bonifer Pond, Imeques C-mem-ini-kem, Minthorn Springs, and Thornhollow. All are juvenile acclimation sites, and Minthorn is also used for adult holding and spawning. All four are operated and staffed by the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation and are not included in the capacity evaluation of Umatilla hatchery. Facilities: Umatilla hatchery pumps water from four single point wells with a capacity of 500 to 1,200 gpm each and one Raney well with a capacity of 3,000 gpm. Water availability varies from 5,500 to 6,000 gpm, with a total water right of 51.5 cfs. There are no adult facilities at Umatilla hatchery and all eggs are shipped in from other sites. Egg incubation is in 552 vertical incubator trays with a total capacity of about 4.4 million eggs hatching (8,000 eggs/tray). Fish are started in 8 Canadian troughs. Rearing is in 10 Oregon style raceways (5,972 ft3) and 24 Michigan style raceways (2,252 ft3). All the raceways are concrete and the Michigan raceways have oxygen supplementation. Prior analysis: Umatilla hatchery was built after the report by Walters (1989).

Release Number (pounds) Species 1984 Brood Year Production Objectives Spring Chinook NA 1,290,000 (114,000) URB Fall Chinook NA 5,940,000 (99,000) Summer Steelhead NA 210,000 (42,000) Total NA 7,440,000 (255,000)

Current Production: The hatchery was constructed to produce up to 290,000 pounds of salmon and steelhead smolts for release in the Umatilla River. It is also intended to test Michigan versus Oregon raceways, and other experimental and supplemental rearing strategies. Current production plans involve use of all the available ponds for the various research comparisons. Other Factors: There have been problems with water availability since the hatchery started operation. Actual production has been reduced from the levels in the above table to reflect this water shortage. Current production is also limited by spring chinook egg shortages. Potential for Increased Production: The various research projects are evaluating the different rearing strategies and potential of this hatchery. Until there are results from these studies and the water

54 availability and egg shortage problems are resolved there should be no plans for increasing production at this hatchery. Changes in production would have to be approved by BPA, and may require funding.

55 Willamette Hatchery

Summary: l Funding: COE and ODFW; Staffing 9.7 FTE l Mitigation for Hills Creek, Lookout Point, and Dexter dams l Adult holding and early rearing at capacity, could incubation additional eggs l No capacity for increased smolt production

Background: Willamette hatchery is located 1 mile east of Oakridge, Oregon, adjacent to Salmon Creek 3 miles above its confluence with the Middle Fork of the Willamette River at about river mile 42. The 1983 combination of two adjacent hatcheries, a trout hatchery built in 1922 and a salmon hatchery built in 1911, created Willamette hatchery. The salmon hatchery was rebuilt in 1952 as mitigation for Hills Creek, Lookout Point, and Dexter hydroelectric/flood control projects. Funding for salmon production is from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE 83.75%) and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW 16.25%). Steelhead and trout production is 100% state funded. Elevation at the hatchery is 1,217 feet above sea level and approved staffing is 9.7 FTE. Dexter Ponds, a satellite adult collection and juvenile rearing facility, is located at the base of Dexter Dam, adjacent to the Middle Fork of the Willamette River at about river mile 17. Funding and staffing are provided by Willamette hatchery. Elevation at Dexter Ponds is 675 feet above sea level. Facilities: Willamette Hatchery: Water is obtained by gravity flow from Salmon Creek. Water availability varies from 29,623 to 37,028 gpm with a total water right of 82.5 cfs. Adult facilities consist of an earthen pond for salmon and two concrete ponds for trout. Capacity of the salmon pond is 1,700 chinook. Incubation is in 810 vertical incubator trays with a total capacity of 6,480,000 eggs to hatching. There are 13 Canadian troughs and 1 concrete trough for starting fish. Rearing is in 40 modified Burrows ponds (3,710 ft3), 10 raceways (7,500 ft3), and 4 circular ponds (1,030 ft3). All rearing units are concrete, each with a capacity of 4,400 lb, 10,000 lb and 1,000 lb respectively. Dexter Pond: Water is obtained by gravity flow from Dexter Dam (Middle Fork Willamette River). Water use is a constant 43,300 gpm. Adult facilities consist of a trap and one holding pond with a capacity of 2,000 chinook. There is no incubation or starting capacity. There are 4 concrete raceways (14,580 ft3) and 1 asphalt pond (66,048 ft3). Capacity is about 26,000 lb for each raceway and 50,000 lb for the pond. Prior analysis: Walters (1989) concluded that neither Willamette nor Dexter reached production capacity during the evaluation period. Production at Willamette would be limited by flow and space in the fall just before fish are transferred out and when water is needed for the adult holding pond. Dexter production would be limited by space just prior to the November and March release dates. There have been no changes in water availability or starting space at either facility since the Walters report. Three Burrows ponds were modified into Michigan ponds for an oxygen supplementation experiment, 1989 through 1992 brood years. The ponds have since been converted back to their old configuration, resulting in no change in rearing space. Incubation space has been decreased by the removal of 22 old wooded trough incubators, in poor shape during the review by Walters.

56 Release Number (pounds)a Species 1985 Brood Year b 1995 Brood Year b Dexter Ponds Spring Chinook 1,507,504 (182,791) 1,627,000 (176,944) Summer Steelhead -- 115,000 (25,556) Total 1,507,504 (182,791) 1,742,000 (202,500)

Willamette Hatchery Spring Chinook 4,494,614 (21,366) 2,159,000 (16,590) 1,517,105 (133,122) 1,829,000 (146,778) Summer Steelhead 83,048 (14,062) -- Winter Steelhead 437,276 (26,450) 83,615 (12,279) 85,000 (14,167) Trout -- 825,000 (2,357) 82,000 (27,333) Total 6,615,658 (207,279) 4,980,000 (207,225) a = Does not include fry releases. b = Brood year is the year in which most of the eggs are collected for the listed production. Because steelhead eggs are mostly taken after January 1st, brood year is one higher than listed (i.e. 1985 brood column has 1986 brood steelhead).

Current Production: Total pounds produced at Willamette has not changed but at Dexter has increased about 20,000 lb between the 1985 and 1995 brood years. The species, stocks, and rearing and release schedules have changed significantly. Summer steelhead production has increased and they are now reared at Dexter to more efficiently use pond space. Winter steelhead smolt numbers are about the same but they are reared to a slightly larger size and the stock has been switched from Alsea stock to Siuslaw stock. These fish are reared in 2 raceways and do not completely fill the raceways. Also the fall shipment of winter steelhead to Alsea hatchery (top line in the table) is no longer done because of the stock switch. The hatchery has added production of 82,000 legal size rainbow trout and 825,000 rainbow trout fingerlings for transfer to Leaburg hatchery in May. This uses four raceways. All spring chinook are started and initially reared at Willamette hatchery. The resulting fish are then all transported off station for final rearing and release. The above table does not include 89,000 chinook fry transferred to McKenzie hatchery in February and 304,000 chinook fry released in January. For the 1995 brood three stocks of spring chinook are being reared (McKenzie, Willamette, and South Santiam) compared to two stocks in the 1985 brood year. Almost all Willamette stock spring chinook have been shifted to a spring yearling release. Of the smolts produced in the 1985 brood (bottom line in table) 760,824 were released in the fall as sub-yearlings. Tagging data showed fall releases to have much lower survivals than spring releases. Spring chinook fingerling releases have been reduced about 2.5 million fish but transfers have increased about 200,000 fish (top line in the table). The 1995 brood still contains a 1.25 million fingerling release. The remaining fingerlings are transfers to Dexter. Dexter receives South Santiam and McKenzie stock spring chinook in June for transfer in November. Willamette stock spring chinook are received in July, November, and February, after the transfers, for

57 release in February and March. This pattern uses 3 raceways and the pond at Dexter twice. However, the pounds in each raceway and pond is below capacity, except for the steelhead pond. Other Factors: Willamette stock spring chinook adults are trapped at Dexter and held at Willamette and McKenzie hatcheries. Current production fully utilizes the available adult holding space at Willamette and attempts to hold adults at Dexter resulted in high pre-spawning mortality. The Willamette hatchery crew spawns the fish at McKenzie hatchery and takes the green eggs back to Willamette. McKenzie and South Santiam stock spring chinook eggs, Siuslaw stock winter steelhead eggs, and rainbow trout eggs are also incubated and started at Willamette hatchery. Current production calls for incubating 6,029,000 chinook eggs, leaving room for about 450,000 additional chinook eggs. Steelhead and trout eggs are received after the chinook eggs are out of the incubators, leaving room for over 5.0 million additional eggs. Spring chinook are started in the raceways. The Canadian troughs are fully used for starting steelhead and rainbow trout. Potential for Increased Production The Walters report identified substantial potential for increased production at both Willamette and Dexter hatcheries. His analysis was based on relatively high loading densities for spring chinook, 1.5 to 2 lb/ft3. Preliminary results of the oxygen supplementation study at Willamette hatchery suggest lower densities may produce higher survivals and lower costs per adult fish produced. Because of these results and the results of other density studies the hatchery set 1.2 lb/ft3 as the upper limit for the spring chinook ponds. The higher production levels suggested as possible in the Walters report could be achieved but may not produce more adults. Even if more adult fish were produced the cost per adult may well be more than the cost per adult at the lower densities. For these reasons we would not suggest increasing rearing densities to try and achieve the production of more adult spring chinook. Also the number of different stocks and groups being reared prevent the most efficient use of the available rearing space. Changes in production would have to be approved by COE, and would require funding.

58 REFERENCES

Burrows, R.E. and B.D. Combs. 1968. Controlled environments for salmon propagation. Progressive Fish-Culturist 30:123-126.

Jeffrey and Associates. 1987. Evaluation of capacity utilization at fourteen public salmonid propagation facilities which serve the Oregon coast. Oregon Coastal Zone Management Association, Newport.

Liao, P.B. 1971. Water requirements of salmonids. Progressive Fish-Culturist 33:210-215.

Nandor, G.F. 1995. Operations plans for anadromous fish production facilities in the Columbia River basin. Bonneville Power Administration, Portland, Oregon.

Walters, T.R. 1989. Use of production potential at 25 inland fish propagation facilities operated by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Information Report 89-3, Portland.