Model Steelhead Demonstration Project Prepared By: Stephen T. Kucas, Jr. Editorial Associates: Mary E. Bacon J:Bnald M. Haskins
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Model Steelhead Demonstration Project Situation Report April 1983 Prepared by: Stephen T. Kucas,- Jr. Editorial Associates: Mary E. Bacon J:bnald M. Haskins Richard A. Irizarry ABSTRACT This report is predominantly a summation of existing information concerning the anadromous fish populations and their habitats within the South Fork Trinity River. Its purpose is to provide the South Fork Trinity River Hodel Steel head Advisory Q:lmmittee with a concise overview of known data and point to the areas where additional data collection is required. This report will be used as a primer in the developnent of a manage:nent plan to restore the quality of the fish habitat and reclaim the potential for steelhead production in the river. It is also anticipated that value will be accrued for salmon from most of the work done for steelhead. The history of the South Fork Trinity River geology, especially the events surrounding the 1964 flood, is discussed. Geology is placed into context with the anadromous fishery habitat changes and the subsequent decline in steelhead and salmon populations. Fisheries data is compiled frorn past surveys and sunmarized. Migration dates, population counts, habitat preferences, and stocking records are included. Recommendations on additional survey requirements, rehabilitation projects, and an implementation scheme conclude the report. i .·. TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT • • i INTRODUCTION • • . .. Purpose Model Steelhead Stream Demonstration Project 1 Acknowledg ements • • • 1 Background •••••• 2 WATERSHED CHARACTERISTICS 2 Study Area • • • • • • • • • • 2 Sedimentation Problems • 4 Fisheries Habitat 5 FISHERY RESOURCES 5 Fish Populations 5 Steelhead Trout 5 Chinook Salmon 6 Q:, ho Salmon • • 10 Rainbow Trout • 10 Stocking History • 10 WATER QUALITY 15 PROPOSED SMALL HYDROELECTRIC DEVELOPMENT • 16 WATERSHED REHABILITATION 16 Riffle Sifting ••• 16 Side Cllannel Developnent . 17 Streamside Incubation of Eggs . 17 Sediment QJntrol • • • • 17 Migrational Barrier Modification • • 18 Pond Rearing • • • • • • • • • • • 18 Rearing in Underutil i zed Tributary Reaches • 19 Stream Cllannel M:>d ification 19 Rehabilitating Tributaries •• 20 RECOMMENDATIONS 20 LITERATURE CITED • 21 PERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS 23 ii .·. .. .~ . .. .. .... ' . > ·. ... ~ . : .. TA.BLES Table No. Page Chinook Salmon Surveys of the South Fork Trinity River, 1958-1982 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 7 2 Fish Stocking History of the South Fork Trinity River Basin, 1930-1982 . • • • • • • · 11 3 Hydro-therrnographs in the South Fork Trinity River Basin, 1982 • • . • • . • • • . • • • • · • 15 4 Streams in the South Fork Trinity River Basin Filed on for !:mall Hydro Develo pnent Projects • • • • • • ••• 16 FIGURES Figure No. Page South Fork Trinity River \;latershed • • • • • • • • • • • 3 iii . ·· :"· .: . · . .. ... .· ... ... ~ -· .. ··- .:. INTRODUCTION Purpose This report predominantly summarizes existing information concerning the anadromous fish populations and their habitats within the SJuth Fork Trinity River. Its purpose is to provide a concise compilation of data which will serve as a primer in the develop.nent of a management plan to restore the quality of the fish habitat and reclai~ the potential for steelhead production in the river. It is also anticip~ted that value will be accrued for salmon from most of the work done for steel head. Model Steelhead Stream Demonstration Project In August 1981, a t-bdel Steel head Trout Project Agreement to restore and improve the habitat and the runs of steelhead in the SJuth Fork Trinity River was signed by representatives of the USDA Forest Service, California Department of Fish and Ga11e, and California Trout, Inc. The project was initiated to demonstrate that production of fishery values and timber harvest values can occur concurrently as long as both renewable resources are managed properly. Objectives of this long-term project are: 1. To utilize and demonstrate the best management practices and technology in fishery and resource management. 2. To improve the productive capacity of the South Fork Trinity River for native steelhead trout. 3. To demonstrate the protection and enhancement of fishery habitat while mana15ing for :nul tiple resource outputs (i.e., timber, wildlife, etc.). 4. To attract broad local and statewide public support and understanding for this demonstration project, and for principles underlying the project. To implement these objectives, an Advisory OJmmittee consisting of representa tives from the original signatories and Humboldt State University was formed. The Advisory OJmmittee determined that the first step toward implementing the project objectives was to gather all existing information on the fisheries habitat and populations of the South Fork Trinity River, consolidate it, and assess the present situation. A plan would then be formulated to allow for the selection of a preferred alternative geared to the restoration of the watershed and enhancement of steel head trout. Acknowledgments To assist the Advisory OJmmittee in its initial task, Stephen Kucas was hired by California Trout, Inc. and assigned the responsibility of compiling existing fish habitat and population data on the South Fork Trinity River utilizing all available sources. This information was gathered and has been filed at the ,.-' 1 Shasta-Trinity National Forests Supervisor's Office in Redding. A summation of that data is presented herein to develop and recommend means for maintaining, mitigating, and enhancing the fish populations and their habitat and to achieve the overall objectives of the project. This report encompasses data relating to all salmonid fishery resources in the basin, not just steelhead. Intensive data . compilation and management concerns prompted the inclusion of other fish species in this synopsis. Background As one reviews the historical backg round of anadromous fish stocks in the Klamath-Trinity River Basin, the conclusion is drawn that a series of impacts through time have led to the decline of salmon and steelhead habitat in the basin, and thus to a reduction in the numbers of these species. Such factors as the commercial harvest of fish, road construction, catastrophic floods, Indian fishery, dam construction, timber harvesting, mining, and grazing, as well as others, may well have contributed significantly at one time or another through out the years to the presently low habitat capability and population levels. The South Fork Trinity River was adverse"!.y affected during the severe storm of 1964. Some privately owned tributary watersheds which had been intensively managed for timber production during the late 1950's were catastrophically gutted by land sliding processes. Millions of yards of material were transported into the South Fork Trinity River in a very brief period of time. This tremendous pulse of sed iment filled in pools and destroyed riparian vegetation through scour processes and terrace deposition (Haskins, 1981). In 1974, 30 spring-run king salmon spawners were recorded in the upper reaches of the South Fork, compared to 11,600 in 1964, a 99% decrease in the fishery (DFG, 1974). Habitat was still in poor condition with many pools partially filled and some rocky areas completely covered by sand and gravel (Miller, 1974) • A 1980 survey (LaFaunce, 1980) indicated that spring-run salmon levels remain low. However, the habitat in holding pools was reported to be gradually improving in portions of the upper watershed. Habitat continues to improve as channels degrade the 1964 storm deposits. However, a major concern is whether the watershed remains vulnerable to large storm events. Are physical instream habitat improvements or stock enhancement prudent at this time or should we be attempting to stabilize major sediment sources to prevent future impacts? These are critical questions facing us at this time. WATERSHED CHARACTERISTICS Study Area The South Fork Trinity River is located in Northern California, 70 km (45 mi.) west of Redding a~d 90 km (~0 mi.) east of Eureka (Figure 1). The drainage basin is 2, 460 km (970 mi. ) . The South Fork is part of the California Wild and Scenic Rivers System with the Wild and Scenic Rivers section co'llprised by the 90 km (60 mi.) reach of river from Forest Glen downstream to the mouth. The 2 .. : : . ··. • : · :· •• • t .\ . -.·. • . ' · -~ • • __o•rcao•__ .. ___ _ __ __i .. :; .( I • STUDY I D I. AREA ' Location Map Figure 1. South Fork lrinity River Watershed. 3 ·.,. : · . .. ' . .· headwaters of the South Fork Trinity River are within the Yolla Bolla-Middle Eel Wilderness area. The Wild and Seen ic River and wilderness classifications may limit management activities on designated portions of the drainage. The headwaters of the South Fork Trinity River originate in the North Yolla Bolly r.buntains, which have a maximum elevation of 2, 397 m (7, 863 ft.). The river flows in a northwesterly d.ire.ction for a distance of 145 km ( 90 mi.) to its confluence with the Trinity River. Precipitation is highly seasonal in ·the basin, with 90 percent falling between October and April. The mean annual rainfall varies from 100 em (40 in.) on the east side to 200 em (80 in.) on the west side along South Fork M::luntain. Basinwide, the average annual rainfall is approximately 130 em (52 in.). ?3e average seasonal flow of the South Fork Trinity River is 1.74 million dam (1.41 million ac.-ft.) which is about 10 percent of the total stream flow of the Klamath River B:tsin. The most characteristic natural vegetation are stands of Douglas-fir