RARE AND SENSITIVE SPECIES: STATUS SUMMARIES

Narratives summarizing the status for 39 rare and mous fishes. Some rare and sensitive species are sensitive species were prepared. These narratives recognized as requiring special protection by are arranged in phylogenetic order and are divided the States of Oregon, Washington, Idaho, or as follows: Distribution and Status, Habitat Rela- Montana. Many are managed as sensitive spe- tionships, and Key Factors Influencing Status. cies by the USDA Forest Service and/or Accompanying each narrative is a map that typi- USDI Bureau of Land Management. Several cally illustrates the probable historic and current were considered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife distribution plus any major introduction sites Service to be Category 2 Candidates for listing mapped at the watershed level. The actual distri- until a February 27, 1996 nationwide decision butions of these species may include small por- to delete all Category 2 taxa from Candidate tions of the watersheds and therefore, are species status. overestimated on the figures. General categories of Although we know less about the rare and sensi- research and information needs are listed for each tive species than the seven key salmonids, analyses species in table 4.53 (see following section "Infor- of existing distribution and reviews of available mation and Research Needs." literature provide important insights about com- These status narratives include a variety of mon threats and appropriate management needs. narrowly distributed endemics, largely un- Many of these taxa occur in isolated areas of the known species, and other native species that Basin, in isolated subbasins of the may be important and wide ranging but for Great Basin, or are restricted to the upper Klamath which the assessment area represents a small Basin. They typically occur in relatively depauper- portion of their range. The Sunapee char, an ate subbasins, perhaps with only one or two native introduced species of special note, also is in- fish species present and therefore, may not be cluded. All these species are worthy of special recognized in management strategies that focus on management attention and several already areas of high native species diversity. Many of receive protection under the Endangered Spe- these taxa occur in very restricted areas, often cies Act. Resident freshwater threatened or occupying one or two small habitat patches within endangered species are listed under the Endan- subwatersheds. Consequently, broad or mid-scale gered Species Act by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife assessments may not adequately describe their Service, whereas the National Marine Fisheries distributions. Service has responsibility for listing anadro-

Aquatics White Sturgeon Washington-Oregon border, the annual abun- (Acipenser transmontanus) dance of white sturgeon greater than 53 centime- ters was 893,800 fish from 1986 to 1992. In White sturgeon were once widely distributed in contrast to the Snake and Kootenai rivers where all the Columbia River basin. The species has been an captured sturgeon must be released, a consumptive important sport, commercial, and tribal resource. sturgeon fishery continues in the lower Columbia The Kootenai River (Idaho, Montana and British River. Columbia) white sturgeon population is listed as endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Habitat Relationships and the State of Idaho and as sensitive by the BLM. The white sturgeon is listed as a Substrate size and water velocity influence selec- species of concern by the State of Idaho and as a tion of spawning areas by white sturgeon. - sensitive species by Region 1 of the Forest Service. ing generally occurs in water over three meters deep and over cobble substrate. In the Columbia Distribution and Status River system, reproduction has been greater dur- ing years of high flows compared with years of low Along the Pacific Coast, white sturgeon were flow (Hanson and others 1992). Spawning also found in accessible freshwater from the Aleutian occurs earlier and at lower temperatures during Islands south to central California. The Columbia high flow years (Hanson and others 1992). Adults River represents one of three large river basins in and juveniles prefer deep-pool habitat with a fine the Pacific Northwest where white sturgeon repro- bottom substrate. Adults tend to move down- duce. Historically, prior to dam construction, stream in the summer and rail months and up- white sturgeon were anadromous and migrated stream in the winter and spring months. Fish tend within the Columbia River Basin up to impassable to stay in shallower water during the spring and falls (map 4.35). The Kootenai River white stur- summer and move to deeper waters during the geon has been isolated from other white sturgeon winter. populations since the last glacial age (Apperson and Anders 1991). The white sturgeon is restricted Key Factors Influencing Status to 695 river kilometers in the Kootenai River Basin between Kootenai Falls, Montana down- Hydropower dams on the Columbia and Snake stream to Cora Linn Dam at Kootenay Lake, rivers have prevented migration, fragmented British Columbia, Canada. The Kootenai River riverine populations, and reduced the effectiveness white sturgeon have not successfully spawned in of natural propagation (Hanson and others 1992). recent years. The current population, which has a Dams have also reduced spawning success, by no harvest restriction, has decreased to about 880 decreasing the amount of suitable spawning areas individuals (Apperson and Anders 1991). Snake or creating poor incubation environments. In River white sturgeon are found in the Snake River general, the length of time required to reach sexual in Idaho up to Shoshone Falls, and in the maturity, typically 10 to 15 years, results in low River in Idaho likely upstream to the confluence rates of natural recruitment. Most reproductively of the East Fork Salmon River. The present distri- capable fish are protected by harvest regulations bution of Snake River white sturgeon has been based on fish length. The decrease in spring river fragmented into discrete subpopulations confined flows below Libby Dam, Montana appears to have between mainstem dams (Hanson and others contributed to spawning failures of the Kootenai 1992). The Hells Canyon reach along the Oregon- River population in recent years (Apperson and Idaho border contains the highest densities of Anders 1991). Land management activities are Snake River white sturgeon. In the Columbia considered a secondary impact to white sturgeon. River downstream from McNary Dam, on the

Aquatics Map 4.35--Historical and current distribution plus introduced sites of white sturgeon.

A q u at i c s 1269 Klamath ( similis) the lamprey, have declined. Based on the restricted range and threatened status of many host species, the The Klamath lamprey (L. similis) is a parasitic form Klamath lamprey may be at high risk of extinction. from the of Oregon and California Specific information is lacking. (Vladykov and Kott 1979). The Klamadi lamprey is poorly understood, restricted in its distribution, and River Lamprey (Lampetra ayresi) may be threatened with extinction. River lamprey are anadromous and parasitic. They Distribution and Status are rare and, according to the limited available literature, apparently migrate short distances The Klamath lamprey is one of five species of lam- inland compared with the . preys described from the Klamath Basin of northern California and south-central Oregon. The other Distribution and Status forms include the Miller (L. minima), a dwarf parasitic form that was endemic to Miller The river lamprey is distributed along the Pacific Lake, Oregon, and is now extinct (Bond and Kan Coast of North America from the Sacramento 1973); the Modoc brook lamprey (LfoUetti), a River, California north to Tee Harbor near Juneau, nonparasitic form known only from Willow Creek Alaska (map 4.37) (Kan 1975). In the Columbia and the Lost River portions of the Klamath River River, the river lamprey has been reported from drainage in Modoc County, California (Vladykov Bonneville Dam and locations downstream (Kan and Kott 1979); the Pit-Klamath brook lamprey (L 1975). Very little is known on the status of this lethophaga), a more widely distributed nonparasitic species. form known from the upper Klamath drainage and the Goose Lake drainage in Oregon and California Habitat Relationships and the upper Pit River system in California (Hubbs 1971); and the widespread Pacific lamprey (L. River lampreys require small, clear water streams tridentata). The Klamath lamprey is known from the for spawning, with ammocoetes (the larval form) Klamath River and upper Klamath Lake in Oregon living in silty backwaters of such streams (Moyle (map 4.36) (Vladykov and Kott 1979). The Pacific and others 1989). Known hosts for adults include lamprey reported from Copco Reservoir on the smelt, herring, kokanee salmon, and Klamath River in California may instead represent L (Kan 1975). In Canada, the adults begin their similis (Moyle and others 1989). Information about spawning migration in freshwater between the status of the Klamath lamprey is lacking. September and late winter after they have spent two years in the ocean (Beamish 1980). They Habitat Relationships spawn the following April to June, and subse- quently die. At the appropriate age, the young Little is known about the specific habitat require- begin to metamorphose in July but do not ments of the Klamath lamprey. The species is para- emigrate to the ocean until the following May sitic, presumably on the larger trouts and suckers in to July (Beamish 1980). the Klamath Basin. Key Factors Influencing Status Key Factors Influencing Status Relative to Pacific lamprey, the river lamprey's The many dams, water diversions, and other modifi- tendency to use areas close to the coast may pro- cations common to the upper Klamath River drain- tect it to some degree from mortality associated age are presumed to have disrupted the distribution with mainstem dam passage. The limited distribu- and life history of this species. Many native fishes in tion of river lamprey relative to Pacific lamprey the Klamath Basin, which would serve as hosts for may increase their vulnerability. Information to assess that or other risks is not available.

,v Aquatics Pacific Lamprey Habitat Relationships (Lampetra tridentata) Pacific lamprey adults enter freshwater between The Pacific lamprey is an anadromous and para- July and September, and may migrate several sitic lamprey widely distributed along the Pacific hundred kilometers inland (for details of life Coast of North America and Asia. Traditionally, history, see Scott and Grossman 1973). They do Pacific lamprey were an important ceremonial and not mature until the following March. They subsistence resource for native peoples. In the spawn in sandy gravel immediately upstream from assessment area, they occur in all waters that riffles between April and July and die soon after. remain accessible to salmon and steelhead hatch in two to three weeks and the (Simpson and Wallace 1978). The Idaho Depart- ammocoetes spend up to the next six years in soft ment of Fish and Game lists Pacific lamprey as a substrate as filter-feeders before they emigrate to state endangered species. the ocean. They remain in the ocean for 12 to 20 months before returning to freshwater to spawn. Distribution and Status Diatoms appear to be a primary food supply for the ammocoetes. Within the Columbia River Basin, Pacific lamprey are believed to have migrated to all waters acces- Key Factors Influencing Status sible to anadromous salmonids (Simpson and Wallace 1978). Kan (1975) suggested that the The Idaho Chapter of the American Fisheries primary consideration for presence of lamprey was Society (IDAFS 1995) concluded that dams on access rather than distance from the ocean. His- the Snake and Columbia rivers, alteration of toric runs were large; in some years up to 400,000 streams, and harvest of ammocoetes by bait fisher- lampreys were counted as they migrated past ies are the most serious threats to the Pacific lam- Bonneville Dam (Harrison 1995). Counts of prey in Idaho. Pacific lamprey, similar to lamprey passing Ice Harbor Dam totaled 40 in salmonids, are likely to be vulnerable to land 1993 and 399 in 1994, compared with the 1960s disturbances that cause sedimentation in nursery when nearly 50,000 were counted annually streams. The ammocoetes depend on quality (Harrison 1995). habitat in freshwater for up to six or seven years before they emigrate to the ocean. Such an ex- Similar to other anadromous fishes, the distribu- tended period in freshwater makes them especially tion and abundance of Pacific lamprey has been vulnerable to degraded stream conditions. Their reduced by construction of dams and water diver- anadromous life-history necessitates maintenance sions as well as degradation of spawning and of access to spawning and rearing areas. Water rearing habitat. Using the distribution of steelhead quality consistent with robust diatom production as an indicator, Pacific lamprey currently are may be a key factor for their continued success. blocked from entering more than 50 percent of their historic range (map 4.38). Consequently they are precluded from large areas, including upstream from Hell's Canyon Dam on the Snake River and Chief Joseph Dam on the Columbia River. Land- locked populations have been found in areas from which the anadromous form has been precluded (Wallace and Ball 1978), but they have not per- sisted and Beamish and Northcote (1988) con- cluded that metamorphosed lamprey were unable, in such areas, to survive to maturity.

Aquatics Map 4.36--Historical and current distribution of Klamath lamprey.

1272 Aquatics Map 4.37—Historical and current distribution of river lamprey.

Aquatics Map 4.38--Historical and current distribution of Pacific lamprey.

1274 A q u ati c s

Goose Lake Lamprey Pit-Klamath Brook Lamprey (Lampetra tridentata ssp.) (Lampetra. lethophaga) The Goose Lake lamprey is considered a subspe- This brook lamprey completes its life-cycle in cies of parasitic Pacific lamprey that were isolated freshwater and is nonparasitic. It occurs in the in the Goose Lake basin during the early Pleis- Klamath and upper Pit river systems of northern tocene (Moyle and others 1989). Although it is a California and south-central Oregon. State of Oregon sensitive species, and a State of California species of special concern, it currently Distribution and Status receives no special management attention. The Pit-Klamath brook lamprey is reported from Distribution and Status the North Fork Pit, Pit, and Fall rivers, and Hat Creek, in California; the Sprague, North Fork The species is unique to the Goose Lake Basin of Sprague, Sycan, and Williamson rivers, and Oregon and Washington (map 4.39). In California, Crooked and Meryl creeks in Oregon (map 4.40) they are reported from Lassen and Willow creeks. In (Hubbs 1971; Kan 1975). Oregon, they were found in Drews Creek, Drews Reservoir, Thomas Creek, Cottonwood Creek, and Habitat Relationships Cottonwood Reservoir (ODFW 1992). They also occur in Goose Lake. Beyond this, the extent of their Metamorphosis may occur anytime between May distribution and abundance is unknown. and late October (Kan 1975) and neotenic ammocoetes are common. Spawners have only been found from March to May. The larval period Habitat Relationships extends for five or six years. Specific habitat requirements of the Goose Lake lamprey are unknown. The parasitic adults live for Key Factors Influencing Status a time in Goose Lake, a shallow (less than 7 meters), turbid lake. Lake temperatures range from Factors influencing the habitat of the species have 1° to 24° C (Johnson and others 1985). They not been described. Stream alterations that reduce migrate to lake tributaries to spawn. The young productivity for diatoms and other food items, remain in the tributaries for an unknown amount and that increase water temperature would be of time before they metamorphose and move to likely to be deleterious for the species. The species the lake. Requirements in nursery streams are is narrowly distributed and is therefore vulnerable thought to include gravel spawning areas and soft to the effects of small population size and frag- substrate for the filter-feeding ammocoetes. mentation.

Key Factors Influencing Status Goose Lake dried in 1992 because of drought. Extended drought could lead to extinction of the species. Water diversions during the period that ammocoetes emigrate to the lake would likewise contribute to the demise of the species. The sub- species does not have a wide distribution and is therefore vulnerable to the effects of small popula- tion size and fragmentation. Declines of native hosts, particularly chub, sucker, and redband trout, would likely be detrimental to the lamprey.

Aquatics 1275 Map 4.39--Historical and current distribution of Goose Lake lamprey.

Aquatics

Map 4.40--Historical and current distribution of Pit-Klamath brook lamprey.

A quat ic s 1277 Sockeye Salmon Numbers are now consistently less than 100,000 (Oncorhynchus nerka) fish. Today, only lakes Wenatchee and Osoyoos in the upper Columbia River produce significant Sockeye salmon were once an abundant and numbers of anadromous sockeye (Mullan 1986). widely distributed species in the Columbia River A single remnant population of anadromous fish Basin and apparently also occurred in the Klamath remains in Redfish Lake in the upper Salmon Basin (Wydoski and Whitney 1979). Sockeye River Basin, Idaho. The number of adults return- salmon were an important sport, commercial, and ing to Redfish Lake has ranged from zero to eight tribal resource. Native stocks have declined and a fish since 1990, and that population is now feder- remnant population of sockeye salmon in the ally listed as endangered (Bevan and others 1994). upper Snake River Basin in Idaho is federally listed An intensive, captive brood-stock program has as endangered. Sockeye salmon exhibit two domi- been initiated to conserve the remaining popula- nant life history forms, the anadromous form and tion. a resident form called kokanee. The resident form, kokanee salmon, still appears Introduced and native kokanee salmon popula- to be widely distributed throughout the Columbia tions that now exist in lakes and reservoirs River Basin. All of the historic rearing lakes still throughout the assessment area are viewed as support some kokanee salmon although eradica- one of the Basin's most important sport fishery tion programs and subsequent reintroduction of resources (Rieman and Maiolie 1995; Rieman and other stocks may have eliminated most if not all of Myers 1992). Kokanee salmon are a highly valued the native fish from several lakes within the food fish and are also a key forage fish (Wydoski Stanley Basin (Chapman and others 1990). Non- and Bennett 1981). native kokanee salmon have been widely intro- duced to lakes and reservoirs throughout the Distribution and Status Columbia River Basin. These introduced popula- tions are now far more widely distributed than The historic range of sockeye salmon extended native populations were historically (map 4.41 a across the northern rim of the Pacific Ocean down and b). Introgressive hybridization may have the west coast of North America as far south as the compromised the genetic integrity of many popu- Sacramento River in California (Burgner 1991). lations but no study of such effects has been con- Anadromous sockeye salmon are now believed to ducted. be extinct south of the Columbia River Basin and the remaining runs represent the most southerly and longest migrating populations of the species in Habitat Relationships the world (Waples and others 199la). The historic Sockeye salmon exhibit some of the more complex range included large segments of the Columbia life history patterns among Pacific salmon in that River Basin where natural lakes and surrounding they often rely on both stream and lake environ- watersheds are connected by river systems to the ments for early rearing (Burgner 1991). Adults Pacific Ocean (maps 4.4la and 4.4Ib). Eleven often spawn in lake inlet streams but lake shoal major watersheds and at least 24 lakes are believed and outlet spawning also occurs. Sockeye salmon to have supported native populations of sockeye in the Columbia River Basin are typically late salmon within the Columbia River Basin (Fulton summer/fall spawners. Juveniles emerge from the 1970; Waples and others 199la; Wydoski and gravel the following spring and move into the lake Whitney 1979). for one to two years where they feed on zooplank- Historic runs of anadromous adults at the mouth ton before migration. Kokanee salmon will con- of the Columbia River may have numbered more tinue to rear for a total of three to five years before than two million before the turn of the century. maturing.

Aquatics Within the two primary life histories, there is wide the variation in annual returns and may influence variation in spawning, rearing, and maturation productivity of stocks over long periods. Forest timing, site selection and duration. The indig- management may influence the quality of spawn- enous distribution of kokanee salmon coincides ing habitats and the productivity of lake environ- with that of the anadromous form; natural ko- ments. Sockeye salmon are likely susceptible to kanee populations have probably developed re- factors that may increase sediment in spawning peatedly from anadromous populations and not gravel and scour of redds. Factors influencing through dispersal of kokanee from other systems rearing lake environments, such as accelerated (Foote and others 1989). Non-migratory prog- eutrophication, could also be important. Ulti- enies of anadromous fish are known as residuals mately, however, it is unlikely that any substantial (Burgner 1991) and are believed to represent the recovery of historic anadromous populations will transitional link between the two dominant forms. occur without major improvements in conditions Native kokanee salmon still persist throughout in the migratory corridors. much if not most of the historic range and thus Overall, kokanee and sockeye salmon appear to be represent an important component of the original in little danger of extinction throughout their biological diversity within the assessment area. range. However, individual stocks are susceptible Residual sockeye and kokanee salmon may also to loss. The anadromous component of sockeye is have the potential to support or even refound near extinction in Idaho's Stanley Basin. The anadromous forms should change in the available introduction of exotic fishes, fishing, and habitat habitat and migratory corridors allow (Rieman condition may be important influences on the and others 1994). Conservation of all remaining relative productivity and survival of those popula- native stocks, therefore, should be considered tions but, in general, most populations appear to important regardless of whether they currently be relatively abundant. The loss of genetic integ- support anadromous returns. rity in native stocks, however, may represent an important loss of biological integrity and could Key Factors Influencing Status compromise the potential for long-term persis- Much of the decline in anadromous sockeye tence of wild populations or the refounding of salmon can be attributed to dams blocking access anadromous runs. A basic inventory of the integ- to spawning and rearing streams in the early 1900s rity and status of native stocks would be useful. and to increased mortality of migrants caused by dams in the migratory corridors of the Snake and Columbia rivers constructed in later years (Fulton 1970; Mullan 1986; Nehlsen 1995). Available lake rearing habitat has been reduced from approxi- mately 86,880 surface hectares to 4,400 surface hectares (Mullan 1986). Numbers of spawning sockeye were also seriously reduced by commercial fisheries around the turn of the century. Although fishing was important historically, there is no longer any legal harvest in the Columbia Basin for anadromous sockeye except a small American Indian fishery in the Priest Rapids, Washington pool and a recreational harvest in Lake Wenatchee, Washington when escapement goals are met. Ocean conditions probably account for some of

Aquatics 1279 Map 4.41 a--Historical and current distribution plus introduced sites of sockeye salmon.

Aquatics Map 4.41 b--Historical spawning and rearing areas of sockeye salmon.

Aquatios

Chum Salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) Chum salmon have also experienced similar de- clines coast-wide. No significant hatchery produc- Chum salmon have the widest distribution of any tion of chum salmon occurs in the Columbia of the Pacific salmon in North America. In the River. Columbia River Basin, chum salmon were abun- dant in lower river tributaries and the mainstem Habitat Relationships Columbia River, where they supported tribal, sport, and commercial fisheries. Populations had Most chum salmon spawn within the lower dwindled to a point of minor importance by the reaches of streams and frequently within the tidal 1950s (Fulton 1970). Because several populations zone. In the Columbia River Basin, spawning are on the verge of extinction, the species is an usually occurred a short distance upstream from Oregon state sensitive species (ODFW 1990). The the head of tidewater, in margins of mainstem American Fisheries Society lists the chum salmon rivers, and at the mouths of lower tributary in the lower Columbia River as at moderate risk of streams. Clean, abundant gravel in these areas is extinction (Nehlsen and others 1991). needed for successful spawning. Water tempera- tures for spawning range from 4° to 16° C (Neave Distribution and Status 1966). Eggs hatch between about 1.5 and 4.5 months after fertilization. Survival from to fry Chum salmon have spawned and reared in streams stage is usually less than 10 percent (Bakkala from the Sacramento River in California to the 1970). Survival is related to flows and tempera- arctic shore of Alaska and eastward to the tures during incubation. The greatest cause of egg Mackenzie River on the arctic coast of Canada mortality is fluctuating streamflows, dislodged (Bakkala 1970). In the assessment area, most eggs from shifting gravels, and sediments depos- chum salmon spawned in the lower tributaries of ited on and in gravels impeding intragravel flows. the Columbia River below Bonneville Dam (map Unlike most other anadromous salmonids, chum 4.42). Major wild production areas include Grays salmon fry enter saltwater soon after emergence Basin and Hardy and Hamilton creeks in Wash- and form schools in estuaries. ington (Howell and others 1985a). Chum salmon were also distributed above Bonneville Dam in the Key Factors Influencing Status lower portions of tributaries upstream to the Umatilla River in Oregon and the Walla Walla Dramatic declines in run size can be attributed to River in Washington (Nelhsen and others 1991). siltation and stream blockages from logging activi- Chum salmon are essentially extinct in the ties and inundation of spawning areas following Columbia River Basin above Bonneville Dam. construction of Bonneville Dam (Fulton 1970). Former spawning areas above Bonneville Dam Poor condition of chum populations is attributed included lower portions of the Little White to their sensitivity to poor water quality primarily Salmon River; Hamilton, Rock, and Herman caused by habitat degradation and loss from forest creeks; and areas along the margins of river banks and agricultural practices, urbanization, and pollu- in the main Columbia River (Fulton 1970). tion; incidental over-harvest in mainstem fisheries Chum salmon are currently found only in the directed at coho and chinook salmon; and compe- lower sections of tributaries entering the Columbia tition with hatchery fish in streams (Nehlsen and River below Bonneville Dam (Howell and others others 1991). 1985a). Historical commercial harvest ranged from 450,000 to 3.9 million kilograms, peaking in 1928 at about 700,000 fish (Chancy and Perry 1976). Since 1978, commercial harvest has not exceeded 2,000 fish (ODFW and WDF 1981).

Aquatics Map 4.42--Historical and current distribution of chum salmon.

Aquatics