Freshwater Mussels Research and Restoration Project

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Freshwater Mussels Research and Restoration Project Freshwater Mussels Research and Restoration Project Annual Report 2003 - 2004 November 2005 DOE/BP-00011402-2 This Document should be cited as follows: Howard, Jeanette, "Freshwater Mussels Research and Restoration Project", 2003-2004 Annual Report, Project No. 200203700, 94 electronic pages, (BPA Report DOE/BP-00011402-2) Bonneville Power Administration P.O. Box 3621 Portland, OR 97208 This report was funded by the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), U.S. Department of Energy, as part of BPA's program to protect, mitigate, and enhance fish and wildlife affected by the development and operation of hydroelectric facilities on the Columbia River and its tributaries. The views in this report are the author's and do not necessarily represent the views of BPA. FRESHWATER MUSSEL RESEARCH AND RESTORATION PROJECT 2004 ANNUAL REPORT Prepared by: Jeanette K. Howard, Jayne Brim Box and David Wolf Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Program Pendleton, Oregon 97801, USA Prepared for: U.S. Department of Energy Bonneville Power Administration Environment, Fish and Wildlife Department P.O. Box 3621 Portland Oregon 97208-3621 Project Number: 2002-037-00 Contract Number: 00011402 November 2005 TABLE OF CONTENTS Title page .....................................................................................................................................1 Table of contents..........................................................................................................................2 Executive summary......................................................................................................................3 Chapter One: Multi-scale investigation into the distribution of freshwater mussels..........5 Introduction......................................................................................................................6 Study area.........................................................................................................................10 Multi-scale perspective on mussel distribution................................................................11 Network distribution and species composition (Macroscale)....................................11 Introduction..........................................................................................................11 Methods................................................................................................................12 Results..................................................................................................................14 Reach-level channel types and mussel distribution (Mesoscale)...............................16 Introduction..........................................................................................................16 Methods................................................................................................................16 Results..................................................................................................................18 Aspects of surface sediment and mussel distribution (Microscale)...........................20 Introduction..........................................................................................................20 Methods................................................................................................................20 Results..................................................................................................................22 Discussion........................................................................................................................23 Restoration Implications for the Umatilla River..............................................................27 Literature Cited ................................................................................................................30 Tables...............................................................................................................................35 Figures..............................................................................................................................48 Chapter Two: Historical distribution of freshwater mussels in the Umatilla and John Day River systems .................................................................................74 Introduction......................................................................................................................75 Methods............................................................................................................................76 Results..............................................................................................................................77 Discussion........................................................................................................................79 Literature Cited ................................................................................................................82 Appendices.......................................................................................................................83 2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Chapter 1: Multi-scale investigation of the distribution of freshwater mussels in the Middle Fork John Day River: implications for restoration This study examines the distribution of mussels in the Middle Fork John Day River (MFJD) at multiple spatial scales: macro, meso and micro. Specifically, the hierarchical organization of stream features in the MFJD was explored at these habitat levels to determine how the characteristics and location of valley segments, stream reaches and geomorphic units, and surface sediment characteristics influenced freshwater mussel populations and occurrences. Three main questions were addressed with this study: 1. How were mussels distributed within the stream network (macroscale)? 2. How were mussels distributed with respect to longitudinal variations in channel types, such as pools, riffles, and runs (mesoscale)? 3. Did freshwater mussels preferentially occur in definable aspects of the surface substrates (microscale)? In general, this study illustrates that the three genera of mussels in the MFJD River exhibit preferences for particular habitats or habitat types at all three spatial scales measured. For example, at the macroscale, mussels were distributed longitudinally – with certain areas of the channel dominated by a particular mussel species. Margaritifera were proportionally more abundant in upper channel reaches and decreased in a downstream direction. Conversely, Anodonta and Gonidea increased in numbers in a downstream direction. Gonidea was the least common species encountered in this study, and occurred only in relatively low numbers throughout the study reaches. At the mesoscale, all three genera were positively associated with pools and runs, but were negatively associated with cascades. These negative meso-habitat associations may be related to the gradient associated with riffles and cascades. However, the variance associated with the data collected in this study is high, and gradient alone does not explain mussel distribution at the mesoscale. There does appear to be an upper gradient threshold (~ 3%), above which mussels did not occur, no matter which reach was sampled. At the microscale all three genera were habitat generalists in regards to surface sediment characteristics. However in this study mussels were more common in areas of channel that did not contain a high percentage of fine sediments, which may indicate that interstitial porosity may be an important determinant of mussel occurrence at the microhabitat scale. Collectively, these types of data can potentially guide restoration efforts in the Umatilla River where one species of mussel, Margaritifera falcata, has been extirpated from the system, and where the other two species, Anodonta spp. and Gonidea angulata, occur in low numbers. 3 Chapter 2: Historical distribution of freshwater mussels in the Umatilla and John Day River systems. Freshwater mussels were historically an important food for mid-Columbia tribal peoples. Middens of freshwater mussel shells are not uncommon at historical village sites and this archeological record of harvest dates back over 10,000 years (Lyman 1984). Freshwater mussels were harvested during salmon fishing or when river conditions were favorable. In addition, mussels may have been harvested during periods when other foods sources were limited, such as late winter. The objective of this study was to ascertain where mussels historically occurred in the Umatilla and John Day River systems. An understanding of where mussels historically occurred in a river basin can potentially aid in conservation and recovery efforts, and will aid in future efforts to restore mussel populations in the Umatilla River Basin. This historical information will be used to establish a context for the interpretation of survey data collected in 2003 and 2004, and can serve as a baseline for analyzing changes in freshwater mussel distribution in the John Day and Umatilla River systems. Three methods were used to ascertain the historical data: interviews with CTUIR Tribal members, examination of museum collections, and reviews of available literature. In summary, the majority of tribal members asked about the occurrence of freshwater mussels in the Umatilla River system recalled seeing mussels in the system. However, it is apparent that the use of freshwater mussels for consumption or other uses
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