Use of Radio Telemetry to Assess Adult Salmonid Movements and Upstream Passage at Former Elwha and Glines Canyon Dam Sites from 2014 to 2017

Olympic National Park U.S. Department of the Interior

Drift netting the Elwha River. Photo credit: John Chao, NPS Photographer.

Prepared by: Josh Geffre1, Sam Brenkman1, Roger Peters2, and Pat Crain1.

1. Olympic National Park, 600 East Park Avenue, Port Angeles, Washington 98362

2. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 510 Desmond Drive SE, Suite 102, Lacey, Washington 98503

Table of Contents List of Figures ...... i List of Tables ...... ii Appendices ...... ii Summary ...... 1 Introduction ...... 2 Study Area ...... 3 Methods ...... 3 General Approach ...... 3 Fish Capture ...... 3 Radio Tags ...... 4 Radio Tagging Procedures ...... 4 Biological Samples...... 4 Radio Tracking...... 5 Data Analysis ...... 5 Results ...... 6 Capture and Release Locations ...... 6 Tracking Effort ...... 6 Adult Salmonid Passage at Elwha Dam Site ...... 7 Adult Salmonid Passage at Glines Canyon Dam Site ...... 7 Fish Movements and Distribution ...... 8 Bull Trout ...... 8 Steelhead ...... 9 Chinook Salmon ...... 10 Pink Salmon ...... 10 Coho Salmon...... 11 Sockeye Salmon ...... 11 Chum Salmon ...... 11 Discussion...... 11 Spatial Extent ...... 12 Bull Trout ...... 12 Chinook Salmon ...... 13 Steelhead ...... 13 Other Species ...... 13 Project Evaluations ...... 14

Recommendations ...... 17 Acknowledgments ...... 18 References ...... 19 Tables ...... 21 Figures ...... 25 Appendices ...... 34

List of Figures

Figure 1. Elwha River study area. Salmonid capture and tagging occurred from rkm 23.0 (near Windy Arm) downstream to near the river mouth. Stars indicate locations of fixed telemetry stations………………………………………………………………………………...... 25

Figure 2. Number of adult salmonids radio tagged by date in (A) 2017 and (B) from 2014 to 2017. SACO=bull trout; ONMY= steelhead; ONTS=Chinook; ONNE=sockeye; ONGO=pink; ONKI=coho; and ONKE=chum.………..…………………………………………………….…26

Figure 3. Capture locations to the nearest 1km for radio tagged adult bull trout, Chinook, and steelhead in 2014 (green), 2015 (yellow), 2016 (pink), and 2017 (orange). Circle size represents the number of fish captured at each location throughout the season. Red flags indicate fixed telemetry stations……...…………..………………………………………………………………………..27

Figure 4. Spatial and temporal movements of (n=8) radio tagged bull trout that exhibited anadromous behaviors based on relocations from mobile/aerial tracking and fixed telemetry stations. These fish moved to the Strait of Juan de Fuca for a period of time before returning and migrating up the Elwha River. Each symbol denotes the date of relocation. Approximate locations of former dam sites and canyons are indicated at left..………………………..………………………..….28

Figure 5. Directional movements of radio tagged salmonids in (A) 2017 and (B) from 2014 to 2017…....29

Figure 6. Spatial and temporal movements of (n=18) individually radio tagged bull trout that ascended former dam sites and/or upper river canyons in 2017 based on relocations from mobile and aerial tracking and fixed telemetry stations. Each line represents an individual fish and each symbol denotes the date of relocation. Approximate locations of former dam sites and canyons are indicated at left. The black line represents the mean date of detection at each fixed station from 2014 to 2017 for radio tagged bull trout…...….………………………...…………...…...30

Figure 7. The upper spatial extent of detection for radio tagged bull trout, Chinook, steelhead, and sockeye in the main stem Elwha River. Green line represents extent in 2014; red line in 2015; blue line in 2016; and orange line in 2017………….………………………………………………………..31

Figure 8. The upper spatial extent of detection for radio tagged coho, pink, and chum salmon in the main stem Elwha River. Green line represents extent in 2014; red line in 2015; blue line in 2016; and orange line in 2017…….……………………………………………………….………..………32

Figure 9. Mean daily discharge in the Elwha River from 2014 to 2017 (Top Panel). Periods of passage are noted by the boxes in the top panel, with discharge and fish passage shown for 2014 (A), 2015 (B), 2016 (C), and 2017 (D). With the exception of pink salmon and sockeye salmon, the unfilled symbols reflect dates and discharges when adult salmonids ascended the former Elwha Dam site. The filled symbols reflect dates and discharges when adult salmonids ascended the former Glines Canyon Dam site...... 33

List of Tables

Table 1. Projected in-river timings of adult Pacific salmonids in the Elwha River.……….…...………...21

Table 2. Types and characteristics of radio transmitters deployed on salmonids in the Elwha River in 2017. Physical specifications derived from http://www.lotek.com/mcft2-series-coded-radio- transmitters.htm...... 21 Table 3. Types of biological data collected from each salmonid species and agency responsible for analyzing and archiving samples in 2017. 1=ONP, Port Angeles, WA; 2=NOAA Fisheries, Seattle, WA; and 3= USFWS, Lacey, WA..…………………..…………………………..………21

Table 6. Days of fixed station operation in (A) 2017 and (B) 2014-2017. Glines Canyon site installed on 4/7/16. Upper Glines Canyon site installed on 6/29/16…..…….………………………..………24

Table 7. Species, number of fish detected, and percent of fish passage at former dam sites and canyons based on radio telemetry from 2014 – 2017…………………..…………………………………24

Appendices

Appendix A. Species of captured and radio tagged adult salmonids including representative photos, total number tagged, mean length, length range, and weight. Four hundred and six adult salmonids were radio tagged from April 30, 2014 to September 7, 2017….…….…………………………34

Appendix B. Photos of Glines Canyon before, during, and after large rock fall following dam removal. The rock fall occurred on October 26, 2014. The original blast occurred in October 2015 and targeted seven large rocks. A second blast occurred in September 2016 and cleared additional rocks of passage concern. Photo A depicts the canyon directly following dam removal and before the rock fall occurred. Photo B shows the rock fall in place immediately before the original rock blast. Photo C shows the conditions in Glines Canyon following the initial blast and directly before the second blast. Photo D depicts the conditions in Glines Canyon following the second and final blast…………………………………………………………...... ……...………35

Summary

This is the third and final annual report for the Elwha River radio telemetry project. This report summarizes new data collected during the 2017 season and the entire project from 2014 to 2017. The primary goal of this project was to use radio telemetry to examine spatial and temporal movement patterns of adult salmonids to address the following questions: 1) can migratory and anadromous salmonids pass upriver of the former dam sites, reservoirs, and major canyons (e.g. Rica, Grand, Carlson)?; 2) what are the species-specific flows on dates of passage at former dam sites?; and 3) what is the spatial extent of adult radio tagged salmonids in the Elwha following dam removal? Information on the existence of barriers at the former dam sites and reservoirs and the upper extent of radio tagged salmonids ultimately will be useful in assessing barrier, abundance, and distribution triggers developed in the adaptive management guidelines (Peters et al. 2014). Adult salmonids targeted for radio tag attachment included three federally threatened species: Chinook, steelhead, and bull trout. Adult coho, pink, sockeye, and chum salmon were opportunistically radio tagged. The primary area of emphasis for capture and radio tagging was downstream of the former dam sites. Movements of radio tagged salmonids were identified and recorded using eight fixed telemetry stations (distributed from rkm 0.8 to rkm 28.2) and mobile tracking by foot, vehicle, raft, and fixed-wing aircraft.

In 2017, 43 drift gill-net sampling events were conducted, resulting in 305 adult salmonids (>400 mm fork length) captured from river kilometer (rkm) 1.1 to 23.0 at discharges less than 2,300 cubic feet per second (cfs). A total of 61 adult salmonids were radio tagged including 31 bull trout, 15 Chinook salmon, nine pink salmon, and six steelhead. Three bull trout, one Chinook salmon, one winter steelhead, and three pink salmon (405-760 mm) that were radio tagged during the 2017 season ascended the former Elwha Dam site (rkm 7.9) from April to September. In addition, seven bull trout from the 2016 season with two year tags ascended the former Elwha Dam site in 2017. Discharges during upriver fish passage at the Elwha Dam site ranged from 449 – 2,010 cfs. Fourteen radio tagged bull trout and one summer steelhead ascended Glines Canyon Dam site (rkm 21.6) from July to September, including eight bull trout radio tagged with two year tags in 2016. Fish passage rates at the former dam sites were estimated by dividing the total number of tagged fish that ascended the former dam site by the total number of tagged fish that were detected directly downstream of the dam site. The passage rate for bull trout at Glines Canyon was 67% (14 of 21) in 2017 and included bull trout tagged in 2016 and 2017. Discharges during upriver passage at the Glines Canyon Dam site ranged from 391 – 1,760 cfs. Three radio tagged Chinook and two pink salmon were detected immediately downriver of Glines Canyon but did not move upriver of the former dam site. At the Goblins Gate fixed site (rkm 28.2), 16 bull trout and one summer steelhead ascended the site from July to October, 2017, while discharges ranged from 375 – 1,400 cfs. Eight of the bull trout that ascended Goblins Gate were fish radio tagged with two year tags in 2016. The upper extents of radio tagged salmonids during the 2017 season were as follows: rkm 64.4 (Chicago Camp) for bull trout, rkm 47.3 (Goldie River) for summer steelhead, and rkm 21.4 (former Glines Powerhouse) for Chinook, winter steelhead, and pink salmon.

From 2014 to 2017, 140 drift gill-net sampling events were conducted (94 events in the lower river; 39 events in the middle river; seven events in the upper river) and resulted in the capture of 1,026 adult salmonids from rkm 1.1 to 23.0 at discharges less than 2,600 cfs. A total of 406 adult salmonids were radio tagged including 141 bull trout, 91 Chinook, 70 coho salmon, 58 steelhead, 28 pink salmon, 16 sockeye salmon, and two chum salmon. Of these radio tagged fish, 241 (59%) were tagged and released below the former Elwha Dam site, 109 (27%) were tagged and released in-between the dam sites, and 11 (3%) were tagged and released upstream of the former Glines Canyon Dam site. Additionally, 45 fish (11%) were tagged at the Elwha hatcheries, transported and released in the middle river. During the four year study, 78 radio tagged salmonids (409-990 mm) ascended the former Elwha Dam site from April to October including 43 bull trout, 17 Chinook salmon, eight coho 1

salmon, five steelhead, four pink salmon, and one sockeye salmon. Discharges during upriver fish passage at the former Elwha Dam site ranged from 273 – 2,010 cfs. Passage rates for radio tagged adult salmonids at the former Elwha Dam site varied by species and year, ranging from 0-100%, with bull trout and Chinook having the highest passage rates at 93% (43 of 46) and 71% (17 of 24), respectively. At the former Glines Canyon Dam site, 9% (35 of 406) of radio tagged salmonids (409-780 mm) ascended the site from June to October including 33 bull trout, one summer steelhead, and one coho. Discharges during upriver fish passage at the former Glines Canyon Dam site ranged from 264 – 2,570 cfs. Passage rates at the former Glines Canyon Dam site varied by species and year, ranging from 41% (33 of 81) for bull trout to 11% (1 of 9) for steelhead and 3% (1 of 40) for coho. Twenty-three radio tagged Chinook, ten pink salmon, and eight sockeye salmon were detected immediately downriver of Glines Canyon but did not ascend the former dam site. Following dam removal, the upper extents of radio tagged salmonids were rkm 64.4 (Chicago Camp) for bull trout, rkm 47.3 (Goldie River) for summer steelhead, rkm 24.1 (Boulder Creek) for coho, rkm 21.4 (former Glines Powerhouse) for Chinook, winter steelhead, sockeye, and pink salmon, and rkm 7.9 (former Elwha Dam) for chum salmon. The detection of radio tagged bull trout at Chicago Camp confirmed successful passage through major canyons in question. Further assessment (using other sampling methods) is recommended to determine if migration barriers to headwater habitats still exist for the other salmonid species. Our findings revealed that bull trout rapidly responded to dam removal with “top down” and “bottom up” recolonization of the Elwha River system. We observed life history responses by bull trout to dam removal that included increased migrations and spatial expansion. Radio tagged adult bull trout ascended two former dam sites shortly after dam removal, typically migrated from June to August to reach newly accessible headwater spawning areas, and spatially expanded most years after dam removal. Telemetry data also provided evidence of the resumption of bull trout anadromy with movements to and from the estuary and the presence of bright, silvery colored adults in the lower Elwha typical of marine phase salmonids. Radio telemetry also provided information regarding the rock fall barrier issue in Glines Canyon from October 2014 to October 2015, with no evidence of passage of any radio tagged species during that timeframe. Radio telemetry was not particularly helpful in assessing upriver fish passage at Glines Canyon or spatial extent for Chinook, winter steelhead, coho, sockeye, pink, and chum. Possible explanations for this include: tagging late in run timing, low sample sizes, tag loss, possible hatchery effects, and tagging effects (e.g. fallback). Introduction

Two hydroelectric dams lacking fish passage were constructed on the Elwha River at river kilometer (rkm) 7.9 in 1912 (Elwha Dam) and rkm 21.6 in 1925 (Glines Canyon Dam). Elwha Dam limited anadromous salmonids to the lower 7.9 rkm of the Elwha River. In order to restore the river’s ecosystem and provide passage to native anadromous fisheries, dam removal was selected as the restoration alternative (DOI 1995; DOI 1996). Removal of the Elwha Dam was completed in April 2012 followed by the complete removal of Glines Canyon Dam in September 2014. It was presumed that salmonids would once again have access to approximately 56 km of main stem habitat and approximately 40 km of tributary habitat (Peters et al. 2014). However, it was uncertain how quickly salmonids would recolonize the upper watershed, how far upriver they would go, or whether the former dam sites and their reservoirs would pose fish passage barriers.

Radio telemetry was the primary method used to monitor spatial and temporal fish movements and to determine if barriers to salmonid migration existed after dam removal, as outlined in the Chinook and Steelhead Monitoring and Adaptive Management Plan (NPS 2013) and pursuant to the National Marine Fisheries Service Biological Opinion for the Elwha Project (NMFS 2012; Stelle 2012). The objectives of this radio telemetry project are to address the following questions: 1) are former dam sites, reservoirs, and major canyons (e.g. Rica, Grand, Carlson) passable to migratory and anadromous salmonids?; 2) what are species-specific flows on dates 2

of passage at former dam sites?; and 3) what is the spatial extent of adult radio tagged salmonids after dam removal? These objectives address outlined triggers used to monitor and adaptively manage Elwha River restoration (Peters et al. 2014). Passage must be restored through the former dam sites and reservoirs for restoration to occur. The spatial extent of adult salmonids throughout the watershed is important to assess assumptions made regarding intrinsic potential in the watershed, which was used to develop adult abundance triggers for the monitoring and adaptive management strategy. Study Area

Capture, tagging, and tracking of salmonids occurred in the lower, middle, and upper Elwha River system (Figure 1). For the purposes of this report, the lower Elwha River refers to the section of river between the river mouth and the former Elwha Dam site (rkm 0.0-7.9). The middle river refers to the section of river between the former Elwha Dam site and former Glines Canyon Dam site (rkm 7.9-21.6) and the upper river refers to the section of river upstream of the former Glines Canyon Dam site (rkm >21.6). Methods General Approach

Individual adult salmonid (>400 mm fork length) movements were monitored and documented in the Elwha River watershed using radio telemetry from 2014 to 2017. A combination of fixed receiver stations and mobile tracking by foot, vehicle, raft, and fixed-wing aircraft was used to track movements of radio tagged fish. Adult salmonids targeted for radio tagging included three federally threatened species: Chinook, steelhead, and bull trout. Adult coho, pink, sockeye, and chum were opportunistically tagged, depending on fish condition and location of capture in the watershed. Fish capture and tagging efforts primarily occurred downstream of the former dam sites, and an attempt was made to target and tag fish throughout their return timing to the river (Table 1). As radio tagged salmonids ascended the former Elwha Dam site, our focus shifted to areas in the middle river to assess passage at the former Glines Canyon Dam site. When radio tagged salmonids were observed above Glines Canyon, our focus again shifted to areas in the upper river (e.g. Goblins Gate) to assess passage through Rica Canyon. Radio tagged salmonids that ascended Goblins Gate were tracked by aerial telemetry surveys that terminated near the headwaters of the Elwha River.

Fish Capture

Fish were captured by drift gill-netting the lower, middle, and upper Elwha River (rkm 1.1 to 23.0) generally starting in the late winter months and ending in the fall. In the lower Elwha River, sample sites corresponded to those sites selected for species composition and SONAR studies (Denton et al. 2017). Upper and middle river sites were located in areas most appropriate for fish capture with gill-nets. Capture sites varied in length from about 50 to 300 meters. Capture efforts required a team of three or more people to carry the gill-net and fish transport bags to the top of the capture location. One person hauled one end of the net across the river above the section to be fished. Another person, usually on or near shore, tended the net out of its carrying bag and held on to that end. The gill-net was approximately 23 m long and 3 m deep with a stretch mesh size of 11.4 cm (4.5 in.). The top of the net panel was equipped with floating line and buoys that allowed it to drift along the water surface. A lead line was attached to the bottom of the net panel which caused it to sink and stretch out to the channel depth in most cases. Once the net was stretched out, tension was released, and the downriver drift began. Both people moved downriver with the drifting net while holding on to their respective end. When fish became entangled in the net, one end of the net was released and allowed to swing to the opposite shoreline. When the net was out of the swift flow and near the shoreline, fish were promptly removed by disentangling

them or by cutting the twine entangling the fish. Fish were then inspected for condition and desirable fish (e.g. new entry, wild origin, early returning) were chosen for radio tag attachment. Selected fish were placed in fish transport bags (equipped with mesh panels) and were waded to an onshore surgery site.

The USGS gage site 12045500 Elwha River McDonald Bridge was used to determine river flows during capture efforts and for fish passage assessments. Discharge rates (cfs) used for this report are provisional and subject to revision. Sampling generally occurred at flows less than 2,000 cfs due to high velocities and safety concerns. On two occasions we sampled split channels in the upper river when flows were approaching 2,300 cfs.

Radio Tags

Lotek Wireless Inc. digitally encoded radio tags were used for this project. Radio tags were active for up to 723 days, transmitted a signal every two or five seconds, weighed nine grams or less in air, and averaged less than 2% of fish weight. Transmitter model MCFT2-3B was used on Chinook and pink salmon. Model MCFT2-3BM was used on steelhead and bull trout. Radio frequencies at 148.430 and 151.100 MHz were selected for deployment during the 2017 season (Table 2).

Radio Tagging Procedures

Fish were radio tagged near their location of capture. Adult salmonids were temporarily held in a mesh live cage in the river until all surgery equipment was prepared. Each individual fish was moved into a large cooler or tote and anesthetized using MS-222 (2014 to 2016 seasons) or electronarcosis (2017 season) (WDFW, 2012). When fish were lethargic enough to handle (usually <1 min), biological samples were collected, followed by radio tag attachment. Bull trout (2015 to 2017) and steelhead (2017) were internally tagged, with the transmitter inserted through a 2 cm incision into the stomach cavity that was closed with three to four individual stitches of 3-0 USP absorbable sutures. In 2017, we applied Vetbond tissue adhesive on top of the sutures to assist with healing the incision and keeping it closed. All other salmonids were externally tagged. Radio tags for external attachment were fabricated with holes drilled through the plastic housing to allow sutures to pass through. Tags were surgically attached to the dorsal musculature of the fish using a 1 USP nylon suture (Appendix A). Upon completion of surgery, fish were immediately placed back in the mesh live cage in the river for recovery and released within 30 minutes near their point of capture. Transmitters were attached or implanted rapidly (approx. 3 minutes for external; approx. 8 minutes for internal), and each transmitter was tested for functionality prior to deployment. All surgical equipment and transmitters used for internal radio tagging were soaked in Nolvason solution and non-denatured ethanol prior to surgery.

Starting in 2017, we used electronarcosis (EN) to anesthetize fish during radio tag surgery. The decision to switch from MS-222 to EN was made to eliminate the use of chemicals as the anesthetizing agent, and it eliminated the potential disposal of MS-222 into the river following surgery. Fish responded well to the EN voltage, allowing us to perform surgeries while holding fish in the water. We could adjust the voltage level based on fish size and activity. Fish recovered well following surgery, with a less than 10 second wake up time on average. Using EN may have slightly reduced the fallback rate of radio tagged fish in 2017, although further studies would be needed to assess the correlation.

Biological Samples

While fish were anesthetized, the following information was collected: a scan for coded wire tag (Chinook, steelhead, and coho), scan and insertion of PIT tag if necessary, fork length, weight, sex, fin clip for genetic analysis, scale samples for age, gastric lavage (bull trout only), fin ray removal (bull trout only) and photos (Table 3). Fish weights were measured using a hand-held digital scale for fish up to 22.7 kg. 4

Gastric lavage samples and fin ray removal were opportunistically collected for related studies. These studies were assessing diet (lavage) and the resumption of anadromy (fin clips, fin rays). The samples were provided to the USFWS, and the results of those studies will be published separately.

For all fish, wild or hatchery origin was determined based on presence or absence of an adipose fin or coded wire tag. Due to inconsistencies with hatchery marking and failures of the coded wire tag reader, we labeled steelhead as either marked or unmarked, rather than wild versus hatchery origin. Steelhead were designated marked due to absence or severe erosion of dorsal, pectoral, or adipose fins. Chinook salmon were designated as unknown origin. Hatchery Chinook in the Elwha River were not externally marked to protect them from mark- selective fisheries, and 96% of Chinook salmon returning to the Elwha River in 2017 were hatchery origin fish (Weinheimer et al. 2017).

Radio Tracking

Tracking and relocation of radio tagged fish was accomplished using eight fixed receiver stations and various methods of mobile tracking. Both Lotek SRX-400 and Grant Systems Orion radio telemetry receivers were used for fixed station detections. Fixed stations were distributed along riverbanks of the Elwha River and locations were as follows: near the Elwha River mouth (rkm 0.8; installed May 2014); former Elwha Dam (rkm 7.9; installed April 2014); Little River confluence (rkm 12.4; installed May 2014); former Glines Powerhouse (rkm 21.4; installed May 2014); mid-Glines Canyon (rkm 21.5; installed March 2016); above Glines Canyon (rkm 21.6; installed June 2016); Windy Arm on former Lake Mills (rkm 23.2; installed July 2014); and above Goblins Gate (rkm 28.2; installed October 2016) (Figure 1). Each station was equipped with one radio receiver, one directional antenna designed to detect movements of individual radio tagged fish, one locked protective box, and 12-volt deep cycle batteries. The exception was the Little River station which was connected directly to AC power. The fixed stations continuously recorded detections of radio tagged fish that were in range of the antenna. Depending on the site, the range of detection varied from 0.4 to 0.8 km, based on testing that occurred prior to site installation. The station at the Elwha River mouth presumably detected radio tagged fish that moved to and from salt water.

Mobile tracking was conducted from Windy Arm (rkm 23.2) in the former Lake Mills reservoir to the Elwha mouth. This was accomplished either by walking the riverbank with a receiver and hand-held antenna and/or driving along the river and detecting fish with a receiver and antenna mounted to a vehicle. A Lotek SRX-400 receiver and various directional antennae were used for mobile tracking.

Aerial surveys were conducted in a Cessna fixed-wing airplane with an antenna mounted to each wing strut. The majority of aerial surveys were conducted during the migration timing of bull trout (July to December). The surveys were conducted starting at the river mouth and finishing at the headwaters of the Elwha River, near Delabarre Creek confluence (~rkm 65) and included several upper river tributaries. The final determination of fish locations was based on the point where the peak signal occurred at the lowest gain on the receiver. All detections were estimated to the nearest river kilometer from the ocean.

Data Analysis

Fixed station and mobile tracking information collected from radio tagged fish was entered into one spreadsheet that was used to document detections and movements of individual fish. Dates, locations, and method of contact were the main metrics recorded. A final determination of movement direction was assigned to each radio tagged fish based on its overall directional migration from the point of release. Upriver movement was defined as an overall migration in the upriver direction and moving at least one kilometer upstream of the point of release.

Downriver movement was defined as an overall migration in the downriver direction and limited upriver movements (< 1 km) from the point of release. Fish that moved less than one kilometer upriver or downriver from the point of release were considered to have no directional movement. Fish that were detected less than two times after the initial release, did not exit the system, and were not detected at any upriver fixed sites were considered to have unknown movement. Recovered tags were defined as radio tags that were released from fish and found throughout the season.

Passage rates at former dam sites were estimated by dividing the total number of radio tagged fish that ascended the former dam site by the total number of radio tagged fish that were detected within 0.5 rkm downstream of the dam site. This calculation provided the total percent passage rate for fish that were detected and ascended the former dam sites.

It was presumed that radio tags last detected at the mouth were attached to fish that exited the system, were attached to fish that moved downriver following surgery, were expelled and washed downriver during high flows, or were attached to a carcass that washed downriver. This assumption was based on the observation that the majority of radio tagged fish that were last detected at the mouth were not detected again at any of the fixed stations or in aerial surveys along the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Results Capture and Release Locations

In 2017, gill-net sampling occurred from February to September and resulted in the capture of 305 adult salmonids including 207 Chinook salmon, 36 bull trout, 28 steelhead, 19 coho salmon, 14 pink salmon, and one sockeye salmon. Sixty-one of these fish were selected for radio tag attachment (Table 4A; Figure 2A). 2017 was the first season where upper river capture was attempted, and 11 of 17 fish (10 bull trout; one summer steelhead) were selected for radio tag attachment. In the middle river, 20 of 33 fish (13 bull trout; four Chinook; two pink; one winter steelhead) were radio tagged. In the lower river, 30 of 255 fish (11 Chinook; eight bull trout; seven pink salmon; four winter steelhead) were chosen for radio tag attachment (Figure 3).

From 2014 to 2017, sampling efforts included areas in the lower and middle river with upper river added in 2017. Gill-net sampling resulted in the capture of 1,026 adult salmonids from April 2014 to September 2017, including 375 Chinook salmon, 259 steelhead, 182 bull trout, 148 coho salmon, 37 pink salmon, 23 sockeye salmon, and two chum salmon. Four hundred and six of these fish were selected for radio tag attachment including 141 bull trout, 91 Chinook, 70 coho, 58 steelhead, 28 pink, 16 sockeye, and 2 chum salmon (Table 4B). Of these radio tagged fish, 241 (59%) were tagged in the lower river, 109 (27%) were tagged in the middle river, 11 (3%) were tagged in the upper river, and 45 (11%) were tagged at a hatchery, transported and released in the middle river. Of the salmonids radio tagged, 238 of them were considered wild origin or unmarked, 75 were hatchery origin or marked, and 93 were of unknown origin, most of which were Chinook. In addition, 152 were female, 113 were male, and 141 were of unknown sex.

Tracking Effort

Mobile tracking was conducted on a weekly basis from Windy Arm (rkm 23.2) in the former Lake Mills reservoir to the former Elwha Dam site (rkm 7.9). Areas below the former Elwha Dam were tracked less frequently (i.e. 7 – 30 days) throughout the project.

From 2014 to 2017, the number of days per year that each fixed station was operational varied between site and year and ranged from year round to less than 50% (Table 6). Data gaps occurred at fixed stations when the receiver failed to function properly or the battery powering the receiver was depleted. At the beginning of the 6

project, five fixed stations were in place. As fish recolonization progressed upriver, additional fixed stations were installed at key locations. By 2017, there were eight fixed sites, including two additional sites around Glines Canyon (rkm 21.5 and 21.6) and one site at Goblins Gate (rkm 28.2).

Aerial surveys were used to locate radio tagged fish throughout the river but most importantly in remote wilderness areas above Geyser Valley (rkm 30). One flight was conducted in 2014 (December), one flight in 2015 (February), ten flights in 2016 (July to December), and six flights in 2017 (April to October). One raft survey was conducted from the former Elwha Dam site to the Elwha mouth in August 2015.

Adult Salmonid Passage at Elwha Dam Site

Of the 61 fish selected for radio tag attachment in 2017, 11 Chinook, eight bull trout, seven pink, and four winter steelhead were radio tagged in the lower river. Thirteen of these radio tagged salmonids were detected at the Elwha Dam fixed station (rkm 7.9) and eight ascended the site, including three bull trout, three pink salmon, one winter steelhead, and one Chinook. These fish ranged in size from 405 to 760 mm. All three bull trout that were detected at the former Elwha Dam site ascended the site. Sixty percent of pink salmon detected at the former Elwha Dam site ascended the site (3 of 5). Steelhead and Chinook had a 50% passage rate at the former Elwha Dam site (1 of 2 fish for both species). The combined species passage rate at the former Elwha Dam site was 67%. The earliest and latest detections of fish ascending the former Elwha Dam site were on April 18 (winter steelhead) and September 8 (pink salmon). River discharge rates at the time of passage ranged from 449 to 2,010 cfs (Table 5A). In addition to the three bull trout that were tagged and ascended the former Elwha Dam in 2017, seven bull trout with two year tags from the 2016 season were detected and ascended the former dam site in the summer of 2017.

From 2014 to 2017, 241 salmonids were radio tagged and released downstream of the former Elwha Dam site, and 106 (44%) were detected at the Elwha Dam fixed station (rkm 7.9). Seventy-eight (74%) of those radio tagged fish detected at the site ascended the former Elwha Dam site, including all species except chum. They ranged in size from 409 mm to 990 mm (Table 5B). The earliest and latest detections of radio tagged fish ascending the former Elwha Dam site were on April 18 (winter steelhead) and October 29 (coho salmon). River flows at time of passage by radio tagged fish at the Elwha Dam site ranged from 273 to 2,010 cfs (Figure 9).

Passage rates for radio tagged fish at the former Elwha Dam site varied by species and year, ranging from 0% to 100% (Table 5B). During the four year study, 93% of bull trout (43 of 46) detected at the former Elwha Dam site successfully passed upriver of the site. Seventy-one percent of Chinook salmon (17 of 24) detected at the former Elwha Dam site ascended the site. Sixty-two percent of coho salmon passed the former Elwha Dam site (8 of 13). Pink salmon (4 of 8) and steelhead (5 of 10) had a passage rate of 50%. One of four sockeye ascended the former Elwha Dam site, and radio tagged chum salmon failed to pass the former Elwha Dam site, although only two were tagged below the former Elwha Dam. However, other surveys have identified all species (including chum) upstream of the former Elwha Dam site.

Adult Salmonid Passage at Glines Canyon Dam Site

In 2017, 50 salmonids were radio tagged below Glines Canyon (20 tagged in the middle river). Twenty-one fish (42%) were detected at the Glines Powerhouse fixed site (rkm 21.4), and seven fish (33%) ascended the former dam site. Bull trout had a 46% passage rate at the former Glines Canyon Dam site (6 of 13) ranging in size from 450 to 620 mm. One of three steelhead passed the site, and it measured 651 mm. Three Chinook and two pink salmon were detected at the site, but did not ascend. The earliest and latest detections of fish ascending the former Glines Canyon Dam site were on July 6 and September 23 (both bull trout). The steelhead ascended the site on July 30. River discharge at the time of passage ranged from 391 to 1,760 cfs (Table 5A). In addition to 7

the six bull trout that were tagged and ascended Glines Canyon in 2017, eight bull trout with two year tags from the 2016 season were detected and ascended the former Glines Canyon dam site in the summer of 2017.

On October 26, 2014, shortly after completion of dam removal at Glines Canyon Dam, a large rock was undercut and fell into the river immediately downriver of the former dam site. Fish passage at this site became restricted due to a velocity barrier. Once key boulders creating the barrier were identified, contractors blasted rocks of most immediate concern in Glines Canyon in October 2015. Rock blasting proved to be successful since radio tagged bull trout ascended the former Glines Canyon Dam site during the spring and summer of 2016. Later that summer, in an effort to further ease fish passage concerns, members of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers blasted additional boulders that were potentially limiting fish passage at both former dam sites.

From 2014 through 2017, a total of 171 radio tagged adult salmonids from six species were detected at the Glines Powerhouse fixed site (rkm 21.4), and 35 of those fish ascended the former dam site (20% passage rate). In 2014, six radio tagged bull trout ascended the former Glines Canyon Dam site and were the first radio tagged fish to ascend the site. Four of these radio tagged bull trout ascended in August 2014, prior to the full removal of the dam. No radio tagged fish passed Glines Canyon in 2015 due to the rock fall (Appendix B). Thirteen radio tagged bull trout and one coho ascended Glines Canyon in 2016, followed by 14 radio tagged bull trout and one summer steelhead in 2017.

Passage rates for radio tagged fish at the former Glines Canyon Dam site varied by species and year, ranging from 0% to 100%. During the four year study, 41% of bull trout (33 of 81) that were detected at the former Glines Canyon Dam site successfully ascended the site and did so from June 16 to September 28 (Table 5B). Those fish ranged in lengths from 409-620 mm and ascended the canyon at river flows ranging from 264 to 1,800 cfs (Figure 9). A total of 23 bull trout ascended both of the former dam sites during the same year. Nine radio tagged steelhead were detected at the former Glines Canyon Dam site, but only one (summer steelhead) ascended the site (11%). Only three percent of coho salmon passed the former Glines Canyon Dam site (1 of 40). The coho that ascended the former dam site was relocated from the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe (LEKT) hatchery to Glines Powerhouse. Radio tagged Chinook, pink, and sockeye salmon detected at the former Glines Canyon Dam site failed to ascend the site (0 of 23; 0 of 10; 0 of 8, respectively), and chum were not detected at the site. However, other surveys have identified Chinook, winter and summer steelhead, coho, and sockeye upstream of the former Glines Canyon Dam site.

Fish Movements and Distribution

Bull Trout

In 2017, 31 bull trout were radio tagged including eight in the lower river, 13 in the middle river, and 10 in the upper river. Fourteen radio tagged bull trout exhibited upriver directional movements, 10 exhibited downriver directional movements, and five exhibited no directional movements from their point of release (Figure 5A). Of the six radio tagged bull trout that ascended the former Glines Canyon Dam site, two were tagged in the lower river, three were tagged in the middle river, and one was tagged in the upper river, dropped below Glines Canyon and later re-ascended.

Of the 31 bull trout radio tagged in 2017, eight of them (26%) ascended Goblins Gate, including one lower- river-tagged bull trout that was detected at Godkin Creek (rkm 58) during an aerial telemetry survey. Three of the ten bull trout radio tagged in the upper river ascended the Goblins Gate fixed site and two reached Hayes River (rkm 51.5) (Figure 6).

Bull trout radio tagged during the 2016 season with two year tags reappeared at both former dam sites in 2017. Eight of these 2016 tagged fish ascended the former Glines Canyon Dam site, and all eight continued upriver to ascend Goblins Gate in 2017. Two of these fish ascended Carlson Canyon to near Chicago Camp (rkm 64), and this is considered their upper extent.

From 2014 to 2017, 141 bull trout were radio tagged (78 in the lower river; 53 in the middle river; 10 in the upper river). A total of 60 radio tagged bull trout exhibited upriver directional movements from their point of release (Figure 5B). Of these 60 bull trout, the average distance of upriver movement was 22 rkm from the location of release and ranged from 1.4 to 63.6 rkm. During the four year study, 26 radio tagged bull trout were detected above Rica Canyon (rkm 26), 19 were detected above Grand Canyon (rkm 31), eight were detected above the unnamed canyon (rkm 44), and three were detected above Carlson Canyon (rkm 53) (Table 7). The uppermost detection was near Chicago Camp (rkm 64) during an aerial telemetry survey on September 13, 2017 (Figure 7). Passage through Grand, the unnamed canyon, and Carlson Canyon was verified based on the information collected from bull trout that ascended Carlson Canyon (Table 7).

From 2014 to 2017, 55 radio tagged bull trout exhibited only downriver directional movements from their point of release (Figure 5B). One bull trout that was radio tagged in the upper river migrated downriver to the former Elwha Dam site and remained there for a month before migrating back upriver to the Windy Arm fixed site. Fifteen bull trout were detected in nearly the same location up to several months. It is possible these radio tags may have been expelled. From 2014 to 2017, 51 radio tagged bull trout were detected at the Elwha mouth fixed site. These downriver migrations occurred from one day to six months following release. Twenty-six of these fish migrated upriver after being detected at the mouth fixed site, including eight bull trout tagged with two year tags that expressed anadromous behaviors. These eight fish exited the river between December and May, remained in the salt water for three weeks to five months, and returned to the Elwha River from March to July. Upon returning to the Elwha River, all eight of these fish ascended to the upper river, including the two that migrated to Chicago Camp (Figure 4). A total of 27 bull trout tags were last detected at the mouth fixed site and were never detected again.

Steelhead

In 2017, six steelhead were radio tagged (four in the lower river; one in the middle river; one in the upper river). From their point of release, four radio tagged steelhead exhibited upriver directional movements, one exhibited no movement, and one had unknown movement (Figure 5A). The steelhead (female; summer run; unmarked) that ascended Glines Canyon was radio tagged in the upper river on June 22, 2017. That fish dropped below Glines Canyon the following day and remained near the McDonald Gage (rkm 13.7) for a month. It later re- ascended Glines Canyon on July 30, continued upriver to Goblins Gate on August 3, and was detected near the Goldie River (rkm 47) during an aerial telemetry survey on September 13. It was last detected on November 17, 2017, during an aerial survey near the Goldie River, and this location was its highest point of detection. This steelhead was the only radio tagged steelhead to ascend Glines Canyon throughout the study.

From 2014 to 2017, 58 adult steelhead were radio tagged in the Elwha River (49 tagged in the lower river; eight tagged in the middle river; one tagged in the upper river). Of those tagged, 27 steelhead were male, 31 were female, 35 were unmarked, 23 were marked, and two were considered summer steelhead. Seventeen steelhead exhibited upriver directional movements and migrated an average of 7.1 rkm upriver from the point of release and ranged from 1.3 to 24.5 rkm of upriver movement. In contrast, 26 steelhead moved downriver from their point of release. Six steelhead exhibited no directional movement, and nine had unknown movements following release (Figure 5B).

Fourteen steelhead that were radio tagged in the lower river (10 unmarked; four marked) exhibited upriver movements following their release. Of the remaining steelhead radio tagged in the lower river, 21 displayed downriver directional movements (12 unmarked; nine marked).

Eight steelhead were radio tagged in the middle river, and of those, six moved downriver (five unmarked; one marked), one unmarked steelhead remained in nearly the same spot, and one unmarked steelhead was radio tagged near the Little River confluence and later moved upriver as far as the Glines Powerhouse area (rkm 21.4).

Unmarked and marked steelhead exhibited a variety of directional movement patterns. Of the 35 unmarked winter steelhead tagged, 12 steelhead (34%) migrated upriver, and 17 steelhead (49%) dropped downriver following the initial release. Of the 23 marked winter steelhead tagged, five steelhead (22%) migrated upriver, and nine steelhead (39%) dropped downriver following the initial release. Two steelhead released in the lower river were detected at the mouth fixed site and migrated upriver a short distance (<2 rkm) a few weeks later. No radio tagged steelhead have returned to the Elwha River for the duration of the project. Twenty-five radio tagged steelhead were last detected at the mouth fixed site and were never detected again.

Chinook Salmon

In 2017, 15 Chinook salmon were radio tagged (11 in the lower river; four in the middle river). From their location of release, three radio tagged Chinook exhibited upriver directional movements, five exhibited downriver movements, five had no movements, and two had unknown movement (Figure 5A). Three of the four Chinook radio tagged in the middle river reached Glines Canyon. None of the Chinook tagged in the lower river reached Glines Canyon in 2017.

From 2014 to 2017, 91 adult Chinook salmon were radio tagged, including 64 below the former Elwha Dam and 27 in the middle river. Thirty-five Chinook exhibited upriver movements after initial release, 38 exhibited downriver movements, 12 exhibited no movement, and six had unknown movements (Figure 5B). Five fish tagged in the lower river were detected immediately downstream of Glines Canyon Dam site (at the Powerhouse fixed site rkm 21.4), and this was the upper extent for radio tagged Chinook (Figure 7). The average upriver directional movement for Chinook was 8.0 rkm from the point of release and ranged from 1.3 to 20 rkm of upriver movement. Thirty-seven Chinook radio tags were last detected at the mouth fixed site.

Pink Salmon

In 2017, nine pink salmon were opportunistically radio tagged (seven in the lower river; two in the middle river). From their location of release, seven radio tagged pink exhibited upriver directional movements and two exhibited downriver movements (Figure 5A). One pink salmon tagged in the middle river and one tagged in the lower river reached Glines Canyon in 2017, but neither of them ascended the former dam site.

Twenty-eight pink salmon were opportunistically radio tagged from 2014 to 2017; however, no pink salmon were radio tagged during the 2016 season. Of those fish, 18 were tagged in the lower river, and 10 were tagged in the middle river. Ten pink salmon exhibited upriver movements after initial release, 15 exhibited downriver movements, two exhibited no movement, and one had unknown movement. The upper extent for radio tagged pink salmon was Glines Canyon. The average upriver directional movement for pink salmon was 9.2 rkm from the point of release and ranged from 1.8 to 20 rkm of upriver movement. Eleven pink salmon radio tags were last detected at the mouth fixed site.

Coho Salmon

From 2014 to 2016, 70 adult coho salmon were radio tagged, including 25 in the lower river and 45 that were translocated from the LEKT and WDFW hatcheries to areas below Glines Canyon to provide the best chance for these fish to ascend Glines Canyon (40 to former Glines Powerhouse; five to Griff Creek). No coho were radio tagged during the 2017 season. After initial release, 13 coho exhibited upriver directional movements, 45 moved downriver, four had no movements, and eight had unknown movements (Figure 5B). The translocated coho that ascended Glines Canyon on October 23, 2016, was detected upriver near Boulder Creek (rkm 24) during a ground tracking survey. It returned downriver over a week later and was last detected below the Elwha Campground (rkm 17). This was the first radio tagged salmon to ascend Glines Canyon since the removal of the former Glines Canyon Dam, and Boulder Creek was considered the upper extent for radio tagged coho (Figure 8). The average upriver directional movement for coho was 4.0 rkm from the point of release and ranged from 1.4 to 6.8 rkm of upriver movement. Nine coho radio tags were last detected at the mouth fixed site.

Sockeye Salmon

During the four year sampling period, 16 sockeye salmon were opportunistically radio tagged (Table 4B); however, no sockeye were radio tagged during the 2017 season. Of these fish, 12 sockeye were tagged in the middle river and four in the lower river. After initial release, six sockeye exhibited upriver directional movements, eight moved downriver, and two had no movements (Figure 5B).The one sockeye that ascended the former Elwha Dam site reached Indian Creek (rkm 12.2) where the radio tag was found expelled. Glines Canyon was considered to be the upper extent for radio tagged sockeye (rkm 21.4). The average upriver directional movement for sockeye was 5.5 rkm from the point of release and ranged from 1.9 to 10.1 rkm of upriver movement. One sockeye radio tag was last detected at the mouth fixed site. Four sockeye radio tags were recovered.

Chum Salmon

Two chum salmon were opportunistically radio tagged during the project, one in 2014 and one in 2015. Both were tagged in the lower river near rkm 6.0. One radio tagged chum was detected at the former Elwha Dam site but did not ascend the site. Three days later, it was detected at the mouth fixed site and presumably exited the system. The other radio tagged chum was never detected again after its initial release. Discussion

In this study, we used capture, tagging, and tracking efforts across multiple years to evaluate the ability of adult salmonids to pass upriver of former Elwha and Glines Canyon dam sites following dam removal. During the four year project, there should have been adequate time for all species to access all possible reaches of the river. The timeframe allowed us to effectively assess the upper spatial extent of radio tagged fish. Our results, particularly for spatial extent of bull trout and steelhead, would have been significantly different if not for this multiple year effort. Fish passage varied by species and year mostly based on highly variable flow windows during periods of upriver migration, existing conditions at the dam sites, and differing swimming performances among salmonid species. Variations of streamflow in canyons, falls, and cascades can create transitory barriers to upstream passage of adult anadromous salmonids (Reiser et al. 2006).

In general, fish tagged during this study undertook relatively short migrations following tagging, with the majority of fish exhibiting either downriver directional movements or staying at the tagging location for long durations following radio tag attachment. Several bull trout and steelhead exited the Elwha River system possibly displaying anadromous (bull trout) or kelt life history patterns (steelhead). Fish passage provided key 11

information about former dam sites and canyons and flows at which passage occurred; however, sample sizes were low for most species. At the former Elwha Dam site, upriver passage was confirmed for radio tagged bull trout, winter and summer steelhead, Chinook salmon, coho salmon, pink salmon, and sockeye salmon. Flows during upriver passage at the former Elwha Dam site ranged from 835 – 1,840 cfs for steelhead, 398 – 2,010 cfs for bull trout, 273 – 1,000 cfs for Chinook salmon, 283 – 760 cfs for coho salmon, 301 – 462 cfs for pink salmon, and 628 cfs for sockeye salmon (Table 5B). Although no ratio tagged chum salmon ascended the former Elwha Dam site, non-radio tagged chum were observed above the former Elwha Dam site using other sampling techniques.

At the former Glines Canyon Dam site, upriver passage was confirmed for radio tagged bull trout, summer steelhead, and coho salmon. Following the rock fall in Glines Canyon in October 2014, no radio tagged fish passage occurred until rock blasting was completed in October 2015 suggesting that blasting improved fish passage conditions in Glines Canyon. Flows during upriver passage at the former Glines Canyon Dam site ranged from 264 – 1,800 cfs for bull trout, 2,570 cfs for coho, and 998 cfs for steelhead (Table 5B). Non-radio tagged steelhead, bull trout, Chinook, sockeye, and coho salmon were observed in the upper river using other sampling techniques.

Fish passage rates at the former Elwha Dam site were highest for bull trout and Chinook and may have been impacted by river discharges or suitable flow windows for passage. High velocities at the former sites during fall, winter, and spring rain events may have delayed or prevented bull trout, coho, and winter steelhead from ascending this site. In contrast, summer low flows on the Elwha River were lower than average in 2014 and 2015 and may have impacted Chinook, pink, sockeye, and bull trout migrations.

Spatial Extent

Bull Trout

Bull trout had the highest spatial extent among all of the radio tagged species and provided the greatest insight to fish passage at all the major canyons (Elwha, Glines, Rica, Grand, the unnamed canyon, and Carlson) in the Elwha River. Bull trout were among the first documented adult salmonids to ascend the former Glines Canyon Dam site, doing so in August 2014 prior to the complete removal of Glines Canyon Dam. The upper extent for radio tagged bull trout in 2014 was Geyser Valley (rkm 30.6). Following no upriver passage of radio tagged fish due to the rock fall in Glines Canyon in 2015, radio tagged bull trout once again confirmed passage at the former Glines Canyon Dam site in 2016, ascending to Hayes River (rkm 51.5). In 2017, two radio tagged bull trout reached Chicago Camp (rkm 64), expanding their upper extent to near the headwaters of the Elwha River. This was the farthest upriver detection of any radio tagged fish throughout this study. Non-radio tagged bull trout were observed between Godkin Creek and Carlson Canyon during a snorkel survey in September 2017. The expansion of their range suggests that the headwaters of the Elwha River are once again accessible to migratory bull trout. In a previous study, Corbett and Brenkman (2012) radio tagged bull trout in the former Lake Mills reservoir prior to dam removal and found no tagged fish passing upstream of Rica Canyon. This apparent difference in fish passage through Rica Canyon between studies and years may be due to changes in physical conditions in the canyon, loss of former Lake Mills and its associated spawning habitat, or perhaps increased fitness of bull trout that now confer growth advantages by accessing the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Now that bull trout have exhibited the ability to migrate above Carlson Canyon, mixing of genetic structure should occur with the lower river and the previously genetically distinct group located above Carlson Canyon (DeHaan et al. 2011).

Chinook Salmon

Chinook salmon are expected to recolonize the uppermost portions of the main stem river and floodplains (Pess et al. 2008). Radio tagged Chinook salmon migrated upriver of the former Elwha Dam site to Glines Canyon but did not ascend Glines Canyon throughout the study. The low numbers of radio tagged Chinook detected at the Glines Powerhouse fixed site may largely have been influenced by tagging adults that were already in spawning condition and no longer moving upriver. A snorkel survey in August 2016 revealed an adult Chinook at the upstream end of the unnamed canyon (rkm 48.3), and a redd survey a month later revealed one Chinook redd near the confluence of Godkin Creek (rkm 58). Godkin Creek is the known upper extent for Chinook. During Chinook spawning surveys in 2017, 91 live, 11 dead, and 52 redds were observed upstream of Glines Canyon. There were relatively small percentages of redds and fish observed upstream of Glines Canyon (6.8% of total redds; 9.8% of total fish) compared to sections of river downstream of Glines Canyon in 2017 (McHenry et al. 2017). The observation of adult Chinook salmon upstream of the former Glines Canyon Dam places that species within the local adaptation restoration phase for spatial distribution but short of the full intrinsic potential as defined in the monitoring and adaptive management guidelines (Peters et al. 2014).

Steelhead

Radio tagged winter steelhead were not detected above the former Glines Canyon Dam site. One winter steelhead that expressed the greatest potential was tagged near the mouth, ascended the former Elwha Dam site, reached Glines Powerhouse and remained there for a month before returning downriver. The majority of winter steelhead that were detected at the Glines Powerhouse fixed site were fish captured and tagged near that fixed site. Only two winter steelhead migrated upriver to Glines Canyon from their initial release locations (Little River and Elwha mouth). Similarly to Chinook, the low numbers of radio tagged winter steelhead detected at the Glines Powerhouse fixed site may largely have been influenced by tagging adults that were already in spawning condition and no longer moving upriver. The LEKT hatchery may have also influenced them to remain lower in the watershed. However, in 2017, 21 winter steelhead redds were counted in tributaries or the main stem above the former Glines Canyon dam, including five redds from Goblins Gate to Long Creek (rkm 29.7). Long Creek is considered the known upper extent of winter steelhead since dam removal (McMillan et al. 2017).

One radio tagged summer steelhead ascended Glines Canyon and continued upriver to the Goldie River (rkm 47.3). This fish was tagged in former Lake Mills on June 22, 2017. By July 5 it had descended Glines Canyon and was detected near the McDonald Gage pool (rkm 13.7) for nearly three weeks before migrating back upriver. On July 30 it ascended Glines Canyon, and on August 3 it was detected at the Goblins Gate fixed site. It was first detected near the Goldie River on September 13 by an aerial survey and again on November 17, 2017. The November aerial survey was the last time this fish was detected. Goldie River is considered the upper extent of radio tagged summer steelhead. However, a snorkel survey in September 2017 revealed three summer steelhead between Godkin Creek and Carlson Canyon (~rkm 58.1 – 55.0).

Other Species

One coho was observed above Glines Canyon near Boulder Creek (rkm 24.1) in October 2016. This was the highest detection for all other radio tagged species. This coho was one of the 45 hatchery fish that were radio tagged and translocated from LEKT to areas below Glines Canyon. It ascended Glines Canyon at the highest discharge recorded (2,570 cfs) for any species at either former dam site during this project. It remained near Boulder Creek for 10 days before returning downriver. Adult coho have also been documented in tributaries

between Glines Canyon and Rica Canyon during spawner surveys, along with substantial numbers of fry in Hurricane Creek (rkm 25).

A number of radio tagged pink salmon made strong migrations from the lower river, ascending the former Elwha Dam site and reaching Glines Canyon. In addition, several pink salmon were radio tagged and released near Glines Canyon to provide the best opportunity for passage through the former dam site. No radio tagged pink salmon ascended Glines Canyon, although several were observed (tagged and untagged) in the lower portion of the canyon while snorkeling in 2015.

While the majority of radio tagged sockeye salmon dropped downriver from their location of release, one sockeye ascended the former Elwha Dam site and entered Indian Creek (rkm 12.2). The majority of sockeye that were detected at the Glines Powerhouse fixed site were fish that had been radio tagged and released at that location. No radio tagged sockeye ascended the former Glines Canyon dam. However, non-radio tagged sockeye have been observed in Geyser Valley (rkm 30) during snorkel surveys in 2017.

Two chum salmon were captured and radio tagged near the former weir site (rkm 5.9), but neither ascended the former Elwha Dam site. Non-radio tagged chum have been observed between Glines Canyon and Altaire Canyon (rkm 21.4) while snorkeling in 2015.

Project Evaluations

Radio telemetry worked well for evaluating migration patterns, timing, and upper spatial extent for bull trout in the Elwha River. It seemed as though bull trout were the best suited species for this project since they were the first to ascend the former dam sites and major upper river canyons, which provided evidence that these canyons were passible to adult salmonids during summer flows. They also exhibited the highest spatial extent in the watershed, confirming access to upper river spawning habitats following dam removal. In addition, radio telemetry confirmed the restoration of connectivity for bull trout from the headwaters to the sea. When bull trout were implanted with internal radio tags beginning in 2015, the likelihood of tags becoming expelled was reduced, which allowed for tracking across multiple years, revealing exit, entry, and upriver migration patterns and timing in the watershed across years. We observed evidence of anadromy while tracking bull trout leaving the river and later re-entering. One bull trout descended from the upper river to the sea and re-entered the following spring to the same location in the upper river. It was presumed to have spawned near that location both seasons.

Radio telemetry was also effective at providing detailed information on spatial and temporal movements including specific upriver migration timing for other species. It also provided information on the lack of fish passage in Glines Canyon during the rock fall barrier in October 2014, with no evidence of passage by any radio tagged species during the 2015 season.

The distribution of fixed telemetry stations throughout the watershed was effective at providing fish passage information. Fixed stations installed at areas of passage concern provided detailed information on when fish arrived at the site, how long they remained at the site, and whether or not they ascended the site. Additional fixed stations at Glines Canyon provided a better resolution of the timing of passage through the canyon. The fixed station at Goblins Gate provided information on fish passage through Rica Canyon.

Radio telemetry was not particularly effective at assessing upriver fish passage at the former dam sites for most species. It was also less effective in providing spatial extents for all species except bull trout. We observed limited upriver fish passage at the former dam sites by radio tagged winter steelhead, Chinook, coho, pink, and sockeye salmon and no passage for chum salmon. Infrequent observations of fish passage for these species at 14

the former dam sites was presumably influenced by one or more of the following variables: 1) low sample sizes of tagged fish; 2) tagging fish captured later in the spawning migration than preferred; 3) tag loss; 4) homing by hatchery coho, winter steelhead, and Chinook to two hatcheries in the lower river; 5) relatively high flows during upriver migration periods for steelhead and coho, and summer low flows during upriver migration periods for Chinook, pink, sockeye, and chum; 6) capture and tagging effects (i.e. anesthetization and immediate downriver movements); and 7) low run size. One or more of these variables likely skewed observations of upriver migrations. The lack of passage by these species is not likely a species effect since all of these salmonids were expected to recolonize upper portions of the watershed (Pess et al. 2008).

Following the 2014 season, we focused our radio tagging efforts on new entry, unmarked steelhead and Chinook, which seemed preferable to provide the best upriver movement information. However, unmarked and new entry fish were difficult to find in abundance, and our sample sizes remained low. When higher abundances of steelhead and Chinook finally entered the river near the peak of spawning, most of the captured fish that were sampled were in spawning condition and, in many instances, no longer desirable for radio tagging. Therefore, we compromised smaller sample sizes for better quality fish. In 2015, we focused our capture and tagging efforts of Chinook and steelhead to areas in the middle river, closer to Glines Canyon. Despite our efforts and the challenges of capturing fish in the middle river, we realized that better quality fish were less abundant in the middle river. Numerous Chinook and steelhead were tagged in the middle river in 2015, but none of them ascended the former Glines Canyon dam site. The rock fall barrier likely restricted passage. The following years, we captured and tagged Chinook and steelhead in all parts of the river, tagging the best quality fish (i.e. unmarked, new entry) we could get our hands on, but no Chinook ascended Glines Canyon, and only one summer steelhead (initially tagged in the upper river) ascended Glines Canyon.

Elwha River hatcheries (LEKT rkm 2.5 and WDFW rkm 4.2) may have influenced movement patterns of radio tagged coho, winter steelhead, and Chinook causing these species to home to hatcheries. We radio tagged 75 presumed hatchery or marked fish (18% of all tagged) during the study, 51 of them coho and 23 winter steelhead. Radio tagged coho homed to hatcheries at a rate of 16% (11 of 70 coho tagged), and radio tagged steelhead homed to hatcheries at a rate of 14% (8 of 58 steelhead tagged). It is possible that fish identified as wild or unmarked may have been hatchery fish, since a small number of presumed wild/unmarked fish were detected in or near either hatchery for a prolonged period of time. It is also possible that wild or unmarked radio tagged fish may have followed hatchery or marked fish into the hatchery. Possible misidentification of hatchery fish as wild fish could have occurred during tagging due to malfunctions with the coded wire tag reader combined with lack of external marking (e.g. adipose clip).

There appeared to be potential capture and tagging effects since fish moved downriver shortly after radio tag attachment (i.e. fallback). All species of radio tagged fish expressed some level of fallback, but bull trout were affected more than other targeted species. During the four year study, 40% of bull trout dropped downriver following capture and radio tag insertion. Steelhead expressed a fallback rate of 29%, and coho had a fallback rate of 30% (includes translocated coho). Pink salmon had a fallback rate of 38%. Many of these fish eventually migrated upriver and above their initial capture location. Fallback likely occurred because of stress induced from the gill-net, anesthetic, and surgery.

The Elwha mouth fixed telemetry station served as a gate to tell us when fish exited the system. A total of 115 radio tags were last detected at the mouth fixed site including 62 from salmon, 26 from winter steelhead, and 24 from bull trout. This is likely an underestimate of the number of tags that exited the system since there were several data gaps from the mouth fixed telemetry site. It is also likely that tags may have been expelled from fish and washed downriver to the site.

In the early years of the project, as radio tagged fish expired or radio tags became expelled, an effort was made to recover those tags. In 2016 and 2017, less of an effort was made to recover expelled tags; however, radio tags were discovered by visitors and other biologists, and they were returned to the park. Expelled radio tags (n=43) were generally found during summer low flows. Externally attached radio tags were more often recovered (n=37) compared to internal tags (n=6). To reduce tag loss, we began internally tagging bull trout in 2015 and steelhead in 2017. We continued to externally tag the rest of the species. Externally attached radio tags could have become expelled if the fish expired, and the decaying flesh was no longer able to retain the radio tag, if the fish rubbed against debris that lead to wear and tear on the suture, or if the surgical knots on the suture became loose, and the tag eventually broke free. Internal radio tags could have been expelled through the stomach wall or expelled through the incision if the sutures did not hold the flesh together properly.

In addition, there were presumed expelled radio tags that were not recovered but were detected in nearly the same location for a prolonged time. An estimated 75 radio tags were presumed to be expelled, most of them external tags from spawned out salmon.

There were 35 radio tags (9%) with unknown movements post deployment. This most regularly occurred when fish were released and never again detected after the initial release. Reasons for unknown movements could have been faulty radio tags or fish that migrated downriver and exited without being detected at fixed sites.

From 2014 to 2017, we radio tagged 406 adult salmonids representing seven species to assess passage at former dam sites, reservoirs, and major canyons of the Elwha River. Downriver directional movement was the predominant movement pattern for all species except bull trout. Upriver migrants provided passage information at the former dam sites, reservoirs, and upper river canyons. Passage rates at these sites varied by site, species, and year. With the exception of sockeye (25%) and chum (0%), 50% or more of the fish detected at the former Elwha Dam site passed that location. Bull trout (93%) and Chinook (71%) were most successful at passing this location. Forty-one percent of radio tagged bull trout passed the former Glines Canyon dam site. Coho and summer steelhead also passed the site, however in much smaller numbers (3% and 11% respectively). Passage at the former Glines Canyon dam site occurred at flows ranging from 264 to 2,570 cfs.

The flows when passage occurred by bull trout and Chinook salmon were representative of the conditions during the period when these fish are expected to make their spawning migration (June to September). However, passage of coho salmon and winter steelhead appears to have occurred during lower than average discharges during their migratory period. For example, winter steelhead only passed the former Elwha Dam site when the discharge was less than 2,000 cfs, despite the fact that the majority of the fish had already entered the system by early-April (Denton et al. 2017), when discharges were generally greater than 2,000 cfs. No coho salmon passed the former Elwha Dam site at discharges greater than 760 cfs, even though discharges during their normal migration period (September to December) are generally much greater. The one coho salmon that passed the former Glines Canyon Dam site did so at discharges greater than 2,000 cfs, which was still less than the average discharge during their primary migration period. These data suggest that these sites may still represent passage barriers during greater discharges. The extent of upriver migration of radio tagged salmonids was less than expected based on analysis prior to dam removal. However, bull trout observed near Chicago Camp have met their predicted extent. The extent of downriver migration by newly tagged salmonids and the observation of untagged fish upriver of where tagged fish have reached are troubling and suggest that sampling methods should be examined and revised, if necessary.

Recommendations

After completion of the radio telemetry project on the Elwha River, we recommend the following methods to capture, handle, tag, and track adult salmonids:

1) Pay close attention to river discharge and set safety discharge thresholds during capture operations. 2) Utilize drift gill-net capture. Drift shorter stretches of river (<100 meters) and check net regularly. Disentangle fish as soon as possible. 3) During periods of higher flow, use shorter drift gill-nets and focus on the river margins. 4) Focus tagging efforts on new entry and unmarked adult salmon during the beginning of their return to the river. 5) Tag new entry and wild/unmarked adult salmonids anywhere in the river. 6) Consider tagging adults upriver of hatcheries to reduce homing tendencies to hatcheries. 7) Implement electronarcosis as the primary means to anesthetize fish. 8) Internally radio tag bull trout and steelhead with extended life tags to track over consecutive years and reduce tag loss. 9) In addition to sutures, apply tissue adhesive (e.g. Vetbond) over the incision following internal surgery to assist in keeping the wound closed and healing. Make sure incision is dry before applying, and let dry for ~1 min following application. 10) Expect to see fallback behaviors following radio tagging procedures. 11) Download fixed station data weekly. 12) Manual track individual fish by conducting weekly surveys from as far upriver as possible to the river mouth. 13) Make an extra effort to ensure the mouth site is operational, to reduce data gaps and detect fish entering and exiting the river. 14) Utilize fixed stations at the top of canyons or potential barriers to detect movements and passage through. 15) Conduct regular, preferably monthly, aerial telemetry surveys with a focus on fish in the upper river during peak upriver migration. 16) Consider multiple years of telemetry to effectively assess passage and spatial extent. 17) Former dam sites should be closely monitored, especially for species that have been unsuccessful at ascending the sites. For fish that have ascended the former dam sites, upper extents for each species should be monitored. 18) Consider additional monitoring activities (e.g. redd/snorkel surveys) above areas of concern for species where passage has not been confirmed by radio telemetry.

Acknowledgments

This was a multi-agency cooperative effort and we thank the following individuals who contributed to the field work and data collection in 2017: Todd Bennett, Claire Burke, Steve Corbett, Robert Dohrn, Mel Elofson, Kinsey Frick, Anna Geffre, Taylor Hartman, Heidi Hugunin, Jeff Johnson, Phil Kennedy, Vanessa Kraus, Michaela Lowe, Mike McHenry, Grace Milburn, Alex Pavlinovic, Kevin Ryan, Sonny Sampson, Dan Spencer, Molly Sullivan, Kathryn Sutton, Roger Tabor, and Wilson Wells. Special thanks to Ray Moses for operating two fixed stations. Also a special thanks to Keith Denton for allowing us to radio tag fish captured during species composition sampling. We also thank George Pess and Martin Liermann for their assistance in developing the study plan. Funding for this project was provided by Olympic National Park, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, and NOAA Fisheries. The findings and conclusions in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views of the National Park Service or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Mention of trade names does not imply indorsement by the Federal Government.

References

Corbett, S.C. and S.J. Brenkman. 2012. Two case studies from Washington’s Olympic Peninsula: Radio telemetry reveals bull trout anadromy and establishes baseline information prior to large-scale dam removal. Pages 207-220 in N.S. Adams, J.W. Beeman, and J.H. Eiler, editors. Telemetry Techniques: A Users Guide for Fisheries Research. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, Maryland. 518 p. Denton, K., M. McHenry, R. Moses, E. Ward, O. Stefankiv, W. Wells, and G. Pess. 2017. 2017 Elwha River steelhead escapement estimate based on DIDSON/ARIS multi-beam SONAR data. Lower Elwha Tribe. Port Angeles, WA. DOI (Department of the Interior). 1996. Elwha River ecosystem restoration implementation, final environmental impact statement. NPS D-271A. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Olympic National Park, Port Angeles, Washington. DOI (Department of the Interior). 1995. Elwha River ecosystem restoration implementation, final environmental impact statement. NPS D-253A. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Olympic National Park, Port Angeles, Washington. McMillan, J.R., R. Moses, M. McHenry, G. Pess, M. Liermann. 2017. Summary of 2017 winter steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) surveys in the Elwha River. Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe. 22p. McHenry, M., G. Pess, and J. Anderson. 2017. Spatial distribution of Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) spawning in the Elwha River, Washington State during dam removal and early stages of recolonization (2012-2017). Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe. 38p. NMFS (National Marine Fisheries Service). 2012. Reinitiation of the Elwha River Ecosystem and Fisheries Restoration, Fifth Field HUC 1711002005, Clallam County, Washington, NMFS Consultation Number: 2011-03769. July 2, 2012. NPS (National Park Service). 2013. Elwha River Restoration Project: Chinook and Steelhead Monitoring Plan. June 11, 2013. Olympic National Park. Pess, G.R., M. McHenry, T. Beechie, and J. Davies. 2008. Biological impacts of the Elwha River dams and potential salmonid responses to dam removal. Science 82 (Special Issue):72-90. Peters, R. J., J. J. Duda, G. R. Pess, M. Zimmerman, P. Crain, Z. Hughes, A. Wilson, M. C. Liermann, S. A. Morley, J. R. McMillan, K. Denton, D. Morrill and K. Warheit. 2014. Guidelines for monitoring and adaptively managing restoration of Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and steelhead (O. mykiss) on the Elwha River. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Reiser, D.W., C. Huanga, S. Becka, M. Gagnera, & E. Jeanes. 2006. Defining flow windows for upstream passage of adult anadromous salmonids at cascades and falls. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 135(3):668-679. Stelle, W. W., Jr. 2012. Amendment to the Reinitiation of the Elwha River Ecosystem and Fisheries Restoration, Fifth Field HUC 1711002005, Clallam County, Washington, NMFS Consultation Number: 2011-03769. July 2, 2012. Letter from William Stelle to Sarah Creachbaum (Olympic National Park), November 30, 2012. WDFW (Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife). 2012. Electro-narcosis. An alternative to MS-222 for hatchery and field sampling of adult salmon and steelhead to allow immediate release. A review of the efficacy and adoption of a non-chemical method for handling adult salmonids. August 15, 2012. WDFW.

Weinheimer, J., J. Anderson, R. Cooper, S. Williams, M. McHenry, P. Crain, S. Brenkman, and H. Hugunin. 2017. Age structure and hatchery fraction of Elwha River Chinook Salmon: 2017 Carcass Survey Report. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Olympia.

Tables

Table 1. Projected in-river timings of adult Pacific salmonids in the Elwha River. *Presumed in-river timing. Winter

Steelhead Summer

Steelhead * Chinook Sockeye Pink Coho Bull Trout Chum Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Table 2. Types and characteristics of radio transmitters deployed on salmonids in the Elwha River in 2017. Physical specifications derived from http://www.lotek.com/mcft2-series-coded-radio-transmitters.htm. *Standard Life/Extended Life. +5second burst rate. *Estimated Lotek Tag Life in Air Period of Capture Transmitter Days (2s Transmitter Weight Species and Tagging Model Frequency burst rate) Size (mm) (g) Bull trout March-October MCFT2-3BM 148.430 444+/723+ 11x43 8.0 Steelhead trout February-August MCFT2-3BM 148.430 444+/723+ 11x43 8.0 Chinook salmon June-September MCFT2-3B 151.100 66/110 14x37 9.0 Pink salmon July-September MCFT2-3B 151.100 66/110 14x37 9.0

Table 3. Types of biological data collected from each salmonid species and agency responsible for analyzing and archiving samples in 2017. 1=ONP, Port Angeles, WA; 2=NOAA Fisheries, Seattle, WA; and 3=USFWS, Lacey, WA. Coded Gastric Wire PIT Scale Lavage Fin Ray for Tag Tag Fork Genetic Sample for Diet Strontium Species Scan Scan Length Fin Clip for Aging Weight Sex Analysis Analysis Photos Bull trout No Yes(2) Yes Yes(1) Yes(3) Yes No Yes(3) Yes(3) Yes(1) Steelhead Yes Yes(2) Yes Yes(2) Yes(2) Yes Yes No No Yes(1) Chinook Yes No Yes Yes(1) No No Yes No No Yes(1) Coho Yes Yes(2) Yes Yes(1) Yes(2) Yes Yes No No Yes(1) Sockeye Yes Yes(2) Yes Yes(2) Yes(2) Some Yes No No Yes(1) Pink Yes No Yes Yes(1) Yes(1) Yes Yes No No Yes(1)

Table 4. Spatial, temporal, and biological data collected during fish capture for radio tagged salmonids in (A) 2017 and (B) 2014-2017. Unmarked steelhead are categorized as wild. Marked steelhead are categorized as hatchery. *Includes translocated coho. A River # of (W)ild/ # of (M)ale / 2017 Total # Length mm: Weight kg: Timeframe of km of (H)atchery/ (F)emale / Species Tagged Mean (Range) Mean (Range) Tagging Capture (U)nknown (U)nknown Bull trout 31 483 (400-620) 1.4 (0.8-2.9) Apr 26 - Sep 7 1.3 - 23.0 31 W 31 U Steelhead 6 529 (405-651) 3.7 (1.6-6.1) Apr 5 - Aug 17 1.3 - 22.9 5 W / 1 H 4 M / 2 F Chinook 15 735 (485-891) Did not check Jun 13 - Aug 31 1.3 - 21.4 15 U 6 M / 9 F Pink 9 508 (405-650) 1.8 (1.2-3.0) Aug 24 - Sep 6 1.3 - 19.8 9 W 4 M / 5 F

45 W / 1 H / 14 M / 16 F / Totals 61 554 (400-891) 1.6 (0.8-6.1) Apr 5 - Sep 7 1.3-23.0 15 U 31 U

B 2014-17 River # of (W)ild/ # of (M)ale / Total # Length mm: Weight kg: Timeframe of km of (H)atchery/ (F)emale / Species Tagged Mean (Range) Mean (Range) Tagging Capture (U)nknown (U)nknown Bull trout 141 496 (375-645) 1.6 (0.8 - 3.2) Mar 30 - Oct 28 1.3-23.0 141 W 141 U Steelhead 58 661 (405-893) 3.4 (0.8 - 9.0) Feb 25 - Aug 17 1.3-22.9 35 W / 23 H 27 M / 31 F Chinook 91 808 (419-1010) Did not check Jun 4 - Sep 14 1.3-21.4 91 U 35 M / 56 F 18 W / 51 H / 70 659 (420-790) 3.9 (0.8 - 6.6) Sep 10 - Nov 19 2.3-21.4 29 M / 41 F Coho * 1 U Sockeye 16 592 (480-650) 2.6 (2.5 - 3.4) Jun 18 - Sep 14 2.3-21.4 15 W / 1 U 10 M / 6 F Pink 28 481 (405-650) 1.7 (1.2 - 3.0) Jul 29 - Sep10 1.3-21.4 27 W / 1 H 10 M / 18 F Chum 2 760 & 765 6.1 & 6.8 Oct 14 & Oct 15 5.6 & 6.0 2 W 2 M

238 W / 75 H / 113 M / 152 F Totals 406 618 (375-1010) 2.6 (0.8-9.0) Feb 25 - Nov 19 1.3-23.0 93 U / 141 U

Table 5. Summary of the total number of fish detected at Elwha and Glines Canyon Dam fixed sites and the total number of fish that successfully ascended each former dam site in (A) 2017 and from (B) 2014 - 2017. Lower and upper ranges of fork lengths, discharges, and dates are indicated for fish that ascended each dam site. Total percent passage rate was calculated by dividing the total number ascended by the total number detected at the dam site. *Includes translocated coho. 2017 Elwha and Glines Canyon Dam Site Fish Passage Total # Total % Length A Tagged Total # Total % Total # Passage Mean & Discharge Below Detected Detected Ascended Rate at Range (mm) (cfs) at Date Range of Elwha/ at Elwha/ at Elwha/ Elwha/ Elwha/ at Elwha/ Elwha/ Passage at Species Glines Glines Glines Glines Glines Glines Glines Elwha/Glines 502 (450-620)/ 1410-2010 / 6/26 - 7/17 / 8 / 21 3 / 13 38% / 62% 3 / 6 100% / 46% Bull trout 500 (450-620) 391-1760 7/6 - 9/23 Steelhead 4 / 5 2 / 3 50% / 60% 1 / 1 50% / 33% 506 / 651 1490 / 998 4/18 / 7/30 Chinook 11 / 15 2 / 3 18% / 20% 1 / 0 50% / NA 760 / NA 1000 / NA 7/29 / NA 470 (405-518) 449-473 / 7 / 9 5 / 2 71% / 22% 3 / 0 60% / NA 8/30 - 9/8 / NA Pink / NA NA 521 (405-760)/ 449 - 2010 / 4/18 - 9/8 / Totals 30 / 50 12 / 21 40% /42% 8 / 7 67% / 33% 521 (450-620) 391 - 1760 7/6 - 9/23

2014 - 2017 Elwha and Glines Canyon Dam Site Fish Passage Total # Total % Length B Tagged Total # Total % Total # Passage Mean & Discharge Below Detected Detected Ascended Rate at Range (mm) (cfs) at Date Range of Elwha/ at Elwha/ at Elwha/ Elwha/ Elwha/ at Elwha/ Elwha/ Passage at Species Glines Glines Glines Glines Glines Glines Glines Elwha/Glines 501 (409 620)/ 398-2010 / 6/1-8/25 / 78 / 131 46 / 81 59% / 62% 43 / 33 93% / 41% Bull trout 487 (409-620) 264-1800 6/16-9/28 701 (506-890)/ 835-1840 / 4/18-6/6 / 49 / 57 10 / 9 20% / 16% 5 / 1 50% / 11% Steelhead 651 998 7/30 778 (482-990)/ 273-1000 / 6/27-9/9 / 64 / 91 24 / 23 38% / 25% 17 / 0 71% / NA Chinook NA NA NA 519 (420-675)/ 283-760 / 10/1-10/29 / 25 / 70 13 / 40* 50% / 57% 8 / 1* 62% / 3% Coho 780 2570 10/23 Sockeye 4 / 16 4 / 8 100%/50% 1 / 0 25% / NA 625 / NA 628 / NA 7/25 / NA 470 (405-518) 301-462 / 18 / 28 8 / 10 44% / 36% 4 / 0 50% / NA 7/31-9/8 / NA Pink / NA NA Chum 2 / 2 1 / 0 50% / NA 0 / 0 0% N/A N/A N/A 579 273 – 2010 / 4/18 – 10/29 / Totals 241 / 395 106 / 171 44% /43% 78 / 35 74% / 20% (409 – 990) / 264-2570 6/16-10/23 585 (409-780)

Table 6. Days of fixed station operation in (A) 2017 and (B) 2014-2017. *Glines Canyon site installed on 4/7/16. *Upper Glines Canyon site installed on 6/29/16. A 2017 Fixed Station Operation Possible Actual # of Days of Days % of Days Fixed Site Location Operation Operating Operational Date(s) of Gap Mouth 351 336 96% 3/30-4/13 Elwha Dam 365 354 97% 2/17-2/23; 8/20-8/23 Little River 365 341 93% 3/24-3/30; 10/18-11/3 Glines Powerhouse 341 341 100% N/A Glines Canyon 341 335 98% 4/16-4/20; 7/4-7/5 1/1-1/11; 3/30-5/12; 5/18- 6/14; 6/21-7/5; 7/10-7/20; Upper Glines 341 145 43% 8/23-8/29; 9/6-10/20; 11/1-11/15; 11/20-12/8 Windy Arm 341 341 100% N/A Goblins Gate 365 271 74% 1/1 – 4/4

B 2014 - 2017 Fixed Station Operation Possible Days Mean # of Days Mean % of Days Fixed Site Location of operation operating/yr Operational/yr Mouth 1318 269 (210-336) 83% (65%-96%) Elwha Dam 1341 319 (246-365) 96% (85%-100%) Little River 1326 253 (180-341) 76% (53%-93%) Glines Powerhouse 1311 314 (240-365) 96% (85%-100%) Glines Canyon* 609 302 (268-335) 99% (98%-100%) Upper Glines* 526 263 (185-341) 58% (43%-72%) Windy Arm 1241 295 (170-358) 96% (85%-100%) Goblins Gate 365 271 74%

Table 7. Species, number of fish detected, and percent of fish passage at former dam sites and canyons based on radio telemetry from 2014 – 2017. Species Elwha Glines Rica Grand Unnamed Carlson Bull trout Yes (43) 55% Yes (33) 34% Yes (26) 60% Yes (19) 73% Yes (8) 42% Yes (3) 38% Steelhead Yes (5) 10% Yes (1) 8% Yes (1) 100% Yes (1) 100% No No Chinook Yes (17) 27% No No No No No Coho Yes (8) 31% Yes (1) 2% No No No No Sockeye Yes (1) 25% No No No No No Pink Yes (4) 22% No No No No No Chum No No No No No No Totals Yes (78) 32% Yes (35) 19% Yes (27) 59% Yes (20) 74% Yes (8) 40% Yes (3) 38%

Figures

Former

Figure 1. Elwha River study area. Salmonid capture and tagging occurred from rkm 23.0 (near Windy Arm) downstream to near river mouth. Stars indicate locations of fixed telemetry stations.

A 6

2 # of#Tagged Fish 1

SACO ONMY ONTS ONGO

25 B

10 # of#Tagged Fish 5

SACO ONMY ONTS ONNE ONGO ONKI ONKE

Figure 2. Number of adult salmonids radio tagged by date in (A) 2017 and (B) from 2014 to 2017. SACO=bull trout; ONMY= steelhead; ONTS=Chinook; ONNE=sockeye; ONGO=pink; ONKI=coho; and ONKE=chum.

70 65 60 55 Carlson 50 Unnamed 45 40 35 Grand 30 Rica 25 River Kilometer Glines 20 15 10 Elwha 5 0

A 16 14

# of# Fish 6

0 Bull trout (n=31) Winter Steelhead (n=6) Chinook (n=15) Pink (n=9)

Upriver Movement Downriver Movement No Movement Unknown Movement

B 70 60

30 # of# Fish 20

0 Bull trout Winter Chinook (n=91) Pink (n=28) Coho (n=70) Sockeye (n=16) Chum (n=2) (n=141) Steelhead (n=58)

Upriver Movement Downriver Movement No Movement Unknown Movement

Figure 5. Directional movements of radio tagged salmonids in (A) 2017 and (B) from 2014 to 2017.

70 65 60 55 Carlson 50

Unnamed 45 40 35 Grand 30 Rica

River Kilometer 25 Glines 20 15 10 Elwha 5 0

Bull Trout Chinook

N=141 N=91

Steelhead Sockeye N=58 N=16

Coho Pink N=70 N=28

Chum N=2

Appendices

Adult Bull Trout n=141 Steelhead n=58 Chinook n=91

Mean: 496 mm Mean: 661 mm Mean: 808 mm

Range: 375-645 mm Range: 405-893 mm Range: 419-1010 mm Weight: Up to 3.2 kg Weight: Up to 9.0 kg Weight: Did not check

Coho n=70 Sockeye n=16 Pink n=28

Mean: 659 mm Mean: 592 mm Mean: 481 mm Range: 420-790 mm Range: 480-650 mm Range: 405-650 mm Weight: Up to 6.6 kg Weight: Up to 3.4 kg Weight: Up to 3.0 kg

Chum n=2

Length: 760 & 765 mm Weight: Up to 6.8 kg

Photo A Photo B 9/25/2014 9/10/2015 480 cfs 355 cfs

Photo C Photo D 9/13/2016 10/12/2016 365 cfs 420 cfs