CHINOOK SALMON YUKON RIVER MAINSTEM OUTPLANT PROGRAM SPAWNING
SUCCESS EVALUATION
PROJECT: CRE-16-15
January-26-2016
Prepared for:
Pacific Salmon Commission
# 3 Calcite Business Centre, 151 Industrial Road Whitehorse, Yukon Y1A 2V3 Phone (867) 668-6463 Fax (867) 667-6680 www.alexcoenv.com
January 26, 2016
Pacific Salmon Commission 600-1155 Robson Street Vancouver, B.C. V6E 1B5 Dear Sir/Madam,
Regarding: CRE-16-15 Chinook Salmon Yukon River Mainstem Outplant Program Spawning Success Evaluation
On behalf of Alexco Environmental Group I would like to thank you for the opportunity to provide you with this technical report. Should you have any questions regarding this document, or if you require further information, please contact the undersigned at Alexco Environmental Group in Whitehorse, Yukon, at (867) 668-6363 extension 227.
Sincerely, Alexco Environmental Group
Andrew MacPhail Environmental Scientist
PACIFIC SALMON COMISSION
CHINOOK SALMON YUKON RIVER MAINSTEM OUTPLANT PROGRAM SPAWNING SUCCESS EVALUATION CRE-16-15 PACIFIC SALMON COMMISSION JANUARY 2016
ALEXCO ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP SIGNATURES
Report prepared by:
Andrew MacPhail, B.Sc., BIT Environmental Scientist
Report reviewed by:
David Petkovich, B.Sc., P. Biol. Fisheries Specialist
PACIFIC SALMON COMISSION I
CHINOOK SALMON YUKON RIVER MAINSTEM OUTPLANT PROGRAM SPAWNING SUCCESS EVALUATION CRE-16-15 PACIFIC SALMON COMMISSION JANUARY 2016
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
With funding support from the Restoration and Enhancement Fund, Alexco Environmental Group (AEG) conducted surveys in the spring, summer, and fall of 2015 to determine chinook salmon spawning success from the hatchery juveniles outplanted into the mainstem of the Yukon River near Whitehorse, Yukon. The investigation in 2015 represents a second year of similar sampling that was initiated in 2014. Field studies in 2015 began in May and included minnow trapping upstream and downstream of the outplant location, electrofishing upstream and downstream of the outplant location, and habitat characterization. Due to its close proximity to the outplant location and its known value as chinook salmon habitat, trapping and habitat characterization also occurred on Wolf Creek. Wolf Creek is also a location where hatchery reared chinook salmon are outplanted on an annual basis. In August 2015, an aerial reconnaissance was conducted via helicopter to survey for spawning salmon in the area of the outplant location, as well as upstream and downstream of this site.
During the survey in May 2015, five emergent (0+) juvenile chinook salmon (JCS) were captured in the Yukon River. No 1+ JCS were captured in the Yukon River but 12 were captured in Wolf Creek. One additional JCS was captured in Wolf creek but due to its fork-length (46 mm) it is not certain if it was a 0+ or 1+ individual. A recent study on the system involving temperature profiling by Etherton (2013) seems to suggest this may have been a stunted 1+ fish. Three of the five captured emergent salmon were captured in the Yukon River upstream of the confluence with Wolf Creek and the outplant location. No spawning salmon or carcasses were observed in the study area during aerial reconnaissance, although spawning salmon were observed on the same date outside of the study area adjacent to Robert Service Way road located in downtown Whitehorse, Yukon. The other two emergent fry were captured at the mouth of Wolf creek suggesting they may have originated from that system although they too may have been swept down from spawning sites further upstream. No suitable spawning habitat was observed during aerial reconnaissance surveys in 2014 and 2015 and during a float survey conducted in 2014 although visibility limited viewing bottom substrate in deeper waters.
The low Catch-Per-Unit-Effort (CPUE) of emergent chinook fry during fisheries investigations in 2014 and 2015 indicate that chinook salmon spawning is likely not occurring in the mainstem of the Yukon River in the vicinity of the outplant location or if it is only at a very low level. Outplanting of chinook fry at the location investigated in this study has occurring for over a decade. Due to the lack of evidence of its success to establish a significant viable spawning group of chinook salmon and due to the apparent lack of suitable spawning habitat it is recommended that outplanting at this site be discontinued. Future studies should include surveying for spawning sites between the study area and Marsh Lake.
PACIFIC SALMON COMMISSION 2
CHINOOK SALMON YUKON RIVER MAINSTEM OUTPLANT PROGRAM SPAWNING SUCCESS EVALUATION CRE-16-15 PACIFIC SALMON COMMISSION JANUARY 2016
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 INTRODUCTION AND SCOPE OF WORK ...... 5
1.1 INTRODUCTION ...... 5 1.2 SCOPE OF WORK ...... 5
2 METHODOLOGY ...... 9
2.1 FISHERIES INVESTIGATION ...... 9 2.2 AERIAL SURVEY ...... 9
3 RESULTS 12
3.1 HIGHLIGHT OF 2014 RESULTS ...... 12 3.2 2015 RESULTS ...... 12 WOLF CREEK ...... 12 YUKON RIVER ...... 13 AERIAL SURVEY ...... 16 SNORKEL SURVEY ...... 16
4 FISH HABITAT ASSESSMENT ...... 17
4.1 WOLF CREEK ...... 17 4.2 YUKON RIVER ...... 17
5 DISCUSSION ...... 18
6 RECOMMENDATIONS ...... 19
7 REFERENCES ...... 20
8 LIMITATIONS ...... 21
PACIFIC SALMON COMMISSION 3
CHINOOK SALMON YUKON RIVER MAINSTEM OUTPLANT PROGRAM SPAWNING SUCCESS EVALUATION CRE-16-15 PACIFIC SALMON COMMISSION JANUARY 2016
LIST OF TABLES
Table 3-1: Wolf Creek Fish Trapping Results 2015...... 12
Table 3-2: Summary Statistics for Wolf Creek...... 13
Table 3-3: Yukon River Mainstem Fish Trapping Results, May 2015...... 13
Table 3-4: Yukon River Electrofishing Settings and Results, May 2015...... 15
Table 3-5: Summary Statistics for Yukon River Mainstem Fish Sampling Program, May 2015...... 16
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1-1: General Project Location Map ...... 7
Figure 1-2: Release Site Locations ...... 8
Figure 2-1: Trapping and Electrofishing Locations ...... 10
Figure 2-2: Aerial Survey ...... 11
LIST OF APPENDICES
APPENDIX A PHOTOLOG
PACIFIC SALMON COMMISSION 4
CHINOOK SALMON YUKON RIVER MAINSTEM OUTPLANT PROGRAM SPAWNING SUCCESS EVALUATION CRE-16-15 PACIFIC SALMON COMMISSION JANUARY 2016
1 INTRODUCTION AND SCOPE OF WORK
1.1 INTRODUCTION
Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) that migrate past the Whitehorse Rapids Fish Ladder (WRFL) constitute the longest migrating stock of salmon in the world. This stock has been affected by the development of the Whitehorse Rapids Hydro-Generating Facility which is situated on the Yukon River at Whitehorse. To mitigate the effects of the dam on salmon migrating upstream, a fish ladder was constructed in 1959. Effects from the facility are also seen on a portion of fish migrating downstream (including juvenile chinook salmon) that pass through the turbines. Mortality rates of these fish are unknown, however, it is generally accepted that mortalities are incurred. To offset the impacts to the chinook salmon resulting from passage issues and turbine mortality, Yukon Energy Corporation (YEC) operates a hatchery program, at the Whitehorse Rapids Fish Hatchery (WRFH) located in Whitehorse, Yukon. The WRFH currently produces and releases up to 150,000 juvenile chinook fry per year to outplant locations upstream of the Whitehorse Rapids Hydro-Generating Facility.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada are responsible for directing where fry produced at the WRFH are released on an annual basis. Over the last decade, up to 30,000 juvenile chinook salmon have been released annually into the mainstem of the Yukon River between Schwatka Lake and Marsh Lake (Figure 1-1 and Figure 1-2), however, it had not yet been ascertained if this outplant strategy is successful or not. In order to produce fry at the WRFH, eggs are recovered from six to eight female chinook salmon who make their way to the WRFL. The overall number of chinook that migrate upstream of the hydro-facility is relatively small (average of 800/year) and the removal of any female for the hatchery program is significant. It is therefore important to ensure that removal of these females is providing a net benefit to the sustainability of the stock
With funding support from the Restoration and Enhancement Fund. Alexco Environmental Group (AEG) conducted surveys in the spring, summer and fall of 2015 to determine chinook salmon spawning success from hatchery juveniles out-planted in the mainstem of the Yukon River. The work completed is the second year of a two year investigation with the previous investigation occurring in 2014 (Alexco Environmental Group, 2014).
1.2 SCOPE OF WORK
The scope of this project included:
Review of fisheries investigations conducted for the Robert Service Way Road re-Development project (W.R. Ricks Consulting 1996), and 2014 Yukon River chinook Salmon Outplant Spawning Success Evaluation (AEG 2014). Obtaining a scientific collection license, allowing for fish sampling in the project area. Completing a habitat assessment and characterization of outplant location on the mainstem of the Yukon River (upstream and downstream), as well as Wolf Creek; Conducting a fisheries survey of outplant location and Wolf Creek using electrofishing instrumentation and minnow trapping in May 2015;
PACIFIC SALMON COMMISSION 5
CHINOOK SALMON YUKON RIVER MAINSTEM OUTPLANT PROGRAM SPAWNING SUCCESS EVALUATION CRE-16-15 PACIFIC SALMON COMMISSION JANUARY 2016
Conducting aerial reconnaissance with helicopter to survey any spawning salmon in the area as well as upstream and downstream in August 2015; Submission of a technical report documenting findings to Pacific Salmon Commission for review and comments.
PACIFIC SALMON COMMISSION 6
490000 500000 510000
C re e k
Y u k o n Ü
R
i v e r
WHITEHORSE C ro u c h e r
6730000 M FISH LADDER AND 6730000 c In ty r e ^_ FISH HATCHERY
C r e e k
S
c
h
w
a
t
k
a
Lake L
a
k
e
Cantlie
Lake
Yukon River
Y u k o n
RIIVER
R iv e r 6720000 6720000
ALA SKA H IGH Wolf Creek Campground WAY
Y U K Shadow O Lake N
k e e r
C f l o
W
y e
l
w o Kookatsoon C Lake
Murray Lake
1:140,000 When printed on 8 1/2 by 11 inch paper Swamp Lake
0 1 2Wolf 3 4 5 KilometersCreek 6710000 490000 500000 510000
Roads CHINOOK SALMON YUKON RIVER MAIN- Chinook Salmon Contours STEM OUTPLANT PROGRAM SPAWNING Release Locations SUCCESS EVALUATION Roads
YR Mainstem Outplant Watercourse FIGURE 1-1 Evaluation Site Waterbody General Project Overview
National topographic Data Base (NTDB) compiled by Natural Resources Canada at a scale of 1:50,000. Reproduced under license from Her Majesty the Queen, as represented by the Minister of Natural Resources Canada. All rights reserved. Datum: NAD 83; Projection: UTM Zone 8N JANUARY 2016
This drawing has been prepared for the use of Access Mining Consultants Ltd.'s client and may not be used, reproduced or relied I:\RD_Environmental_Consulting\ReleaseSiteLocations_PortraitZOOM20140124.mxd upon by third parties, except as agreed by Access Mining Consultants Ltd. and its client, as required by law or for use of (Last edited by: jpan; 1/24/2014/16:47 PM) governmental reviewing agencies. AccessMining Consultants Ltd. accepts no responsibility, and denies any liability whatsoever, to any party that modifies this drawing without Access Mining Consultants Ltd.'s express written consent. 500000 510000 520000 530000 540000 550000 Ü
M'Clintock River WHITEHORSE
FISH LADDER AND 6730000 6730000 ^_ FISH HATCHERY Michie Creek
MICHIE LAKE
Yukon River 6720000 6720000
ALA SKA H IGH Wolf Creek Campground WAY
MARSH 6710000 LAKE 6710000
500000 510000 520000 530000 540000 550000
National Topographic Data Base (NTDB) compiled by Natural Resources Canada at a scale of CHINOOK SALMON YUKON RIVER 1:50,000. Cadastral data compiled by Natural Resources Canada. Reproduced underlicense from © MAINSTEM OUTPLANT PROGRAM Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada,Department of Natural Resources Canada. All rights Roads SPAWNING SUCCESS EVALUATION reserved. Aerial photograph (2006) provided by Yukon Geomatics. Chinook Salmon Contours Datum: NAD 83; Map Projection: UTM Zone 8N Release Locations FIGURE 1-2 Roads YR Mainstem Outplant RELEASE SITE LOCATIONS 1:150,000 (when printed on 11 x17 inch paper) Evaluation Site Watercourse JANUARY 2016 Kilometres Waterbody I:\RD_Environmental_Consulting\ReleaseSiteLocations20140124.mxd 0 1 2 4 6 8 10 ( Last edited by: jpan; 1/24/2014/16:47 PM) CHINOOK SALMON YUKON RIVER MAINSTEM OUTPLANT PROGRAM SPAWNING SUCCESS EVALUATION CRE-16-15 PACIFIC SALMON COMMISSION JANUARY 2016
2 METHODOLOGY
The project was divided into two sampling events which included the following:
A fisheries survey of the study area for emergent juvenile chinook salmon (0+) using electrofishing instrumentation and minnow trapping in the Yukon River and Wolf Creek; and
Aerial survey of the Yukon River from Schwatka Lake to Marsh Lake via helicopter.
2.1 FISHERIES INVESTIGATION
The fisheries investigation for emergent (0+) juvenile chinook salmon (JCS) in the Yukon River and Wolf Creek was conducted during two sampling events in mid to late May of 2015. As Wolf Creek is in the vicinity of the mainstem outplant location, fishing effort was applied in the creek to determine if there was fry recruitment in the Wolf Creek system. Capture effort included the use of Gee-type minnow traps and electrofishing instrumentation using a LR-24 Smith-Root Backpack Electrofisher. Due to advisement from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) that Arctic grayling (Thymallus arcticus) may spawn in Wolf Creek in May no electrofishing was conducted in Wolf Creek. Minnow traps were baited with Yukon River origin chinook salmon roe and set in areas of low water velocity such as back eddies and pools. Electrofishing was applied in areas where emergent juvenile chinook salmon might be encountered and that provided safe wading for the samplers.
All fish captured were identified, enumerated, and measured for fork length or total length (±1mm), inspected for abnormalities, and released in the vicinity of trapping or electrofishing location. Juvenile chinook salmon were photographed and 1+ fry were inspected for the presence or absence of an adipose fin as its absence would indicate that the fish was reared at the Whitehorse Rapids Fish Hatchery.
Additional supporting information collected included: photo documentation, in-situ water parameters (temperature, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, pH, ORP), in Wolf Creek and the Yukon River, as well as weather conditions at the time of sampling. Supporting work also included characterizing fish habitat on both the Yukon River and Wolf creek. Trapping and electrofishing sites are presented in Figure 2-1.
2.2 AERIAL SURVEY
A Low level (approximately 100 meters above ground level) aerial reconnaissance using a rotary winged aircraft was conducted over the Yukon River and Wolf Creek on September 3rd, 2015. Figure 2-2 below presents the flight path taken during the survey.
PACIFIC SALMON COMMISSION 9
504000 505000 506000 507000 508000 509000 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 2 2
7 YR 011 7 6 =) 6 ²YR 012 =)
YR 027 YR 025 =)=)=) YR 026
YR 017 YR 009 =) YR 010 =)=) FISH OUTPLANT LOCATION YR 013
YR 024 YR 005 YR 001 YR 023 YR 006 YU =) YR 022 KO =) =)=) =) YR 004 N R =)=) =)=) =)=) YR 015+16 IV
0 E 0 YR 002 YR 007 YR 008 YR 020+021 R 0 =) ) 0 0 =) = 0 1 YR 003 YR 014 1 2 =) 2
7 =) =) 7 6 =)=) YR 018 6 =)=) =) YR 019 =) =) Inset 1 WC 006 WC 001 =)=) WC 007 =) WC 002 WC 010 =) WC 008 =) =) WC 009
K E E R 0 C 0 0 0
0 K 0
0 F 0
2 L E 2
7 E 7
6 O WC 003 6 R W C Y =) E L K E W E O R C WC 004 C LF =) WO
WC 005 0 500 1,000 1,500 2,000 Meters Inset 1 02550 100150200 Meters =)
504000 505000 506000 507000 508000 509000
National Topographic Data Base (NTDB) compiled by Natural Resources Canada at a scale of 1:50,000. CHINOOK SALMON YUKON RIVER MAINSTEM Cadastral data compiled by Natural Resources Canada. Reproduced underlicense from Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, Department of Natural Resources Canada. All rights reserved. OUTPLANT PROGRAM SPAWNING SUCCESS EVALUATION
Datum: NAD 83; Map Projection: UTM Zone 8N Fish Outplant Location Electro Fishing Location FIGURE 2-1 FISHERIES SAMPLING LOCATIONS This drawing has been prepared for the use of Access Mining Consultants Ltd.'s client and may not be Fish Trapping Location Watercourse used, reproduced or relied upon by third parties, except as agreed by Access Mining Consultants Ltd. and =) its client, as required by law or for use of governmental reviewing agencies. AccessMining Consultants Ltd. accepts no responsibility, and denies any liability whatsoever, to any party that modifies this drawing JANUARY 2016 without Access Mining Consultants Ltd.'s express written consent. I:\Kudz_Ze_Kayah\Maps\03_Study\Wildlife\Caribou\Report\Fig4_FisheriesSamplingLocations20160112.mxd (Last edited by: mducharme;1/12/2016/13:29 PM) 494000 495000 496000 497000 498000 499000 500000 501000 502000 503000 504000 505000 506000 507000 508000 509000 510000 SCHWATKA LAKE 6726000 ² 6726000 6725000 6725000 6724000 6724000 6723000 6723000 6722000 6722000 FISH OUTPLANT LOCATION
YUK ON R IVER 6721000 6721000
K E E R C F L O W 6720000 6720000 6719000 6719000 6718000 6718000 ALASKA HIGHWAY
Meters 25050100150200
494000 495000 496000 497000 498000 499000 500000 501000 502000 503000 504000 505000 506000 507000 508000 509000 510000
National Topographic Data Base (NTDB) compiled by Natural Resources Canada at a scale of 1:50,000. Cadastral data compiled by Natural Resources Canada. Reproduced underlicense from Her Majesty the CHINOOK SALMON YUKON RIVER MAINSTEM Queen in Right of Canada, Department of Natural Resources Canada. All rights reserved. OUTPLANT PROGRAM SPAWNING SUCCESS EVALUATION Datum: NAD 83; Map Projection: UTM Zone 8N Fish Outplant Location Helicopter Flight Path Watercourse FIGURE 2-2 This drawing has been prepared for the use of Access Mining Consultants Ltd.'s client and may not be AERIAL SURVEY used, reproduced or relied upon by third parties, except as agreed by Access Mining Consultants Ltd. and its client, as required by law or for use of governmental reviewing agencies. AccessMining Consultants Ltd. accepts no responsibility, and denies any liability whatsoever, to any party that modifies this drawing JANUARY 2015 without Access Mining Consultants Ltd.'s express written consent. 0 500 1,000 1,500 2,000 1:42,500 (when printed on 11 x17 inch paper) D:\Project\AllProjects\Misc\Yukon River Project\Map\05_Report\Fig3_AerialSurvey20150105.mxd Meters (Last edited by: mheynen;05/01/2015/10:53 AM ) CHINOOK SALMON YUKON RIVER MAINSTEM OUTPLANT PROGRAM SPAWNING SUCCESS EVALUATION CRE-16-15 PACIFIC SALMON COMMISSION JANUARY 2016
3 RESULTS
3.1 HIGHLIGHT OF 2014 RESULTS
As this study was initiated in 2014 the highlights of that investigation is presented here for comparison. During the May 2014 sampling event, only four JCS were captured. Of these only one was an emergent juvenile chinook salmon (the other three were 1+ fish) which was caught upstream of Wolf Creek in the Yukon River. The fish was not of hatchery origin as it was captured prior to the annual release date of hatchery salmon in the system. It is likely given only one fish was captured that it originated from a spawning location much further upstream. The three 1+ chinook fry captured during 2014 were captured in Wolf creek. In addition to chinook salmon the other species encountered during the survey were, lake chub (Couesius plumbeus), slimy sculpin (Cottus cognatus) and longnose sucker (Catostomus catostomus). For a more detailed description of the 2014 sampling program please refer to Alexco Environmental Group 2014.
3.2 2015 RESULTS
Wolf Creek
Minnow trapping on Wolf Creek was conducted in the mainstem of the stream as well as at its confluence with the Yukon River. Table 3-1 presents minnow trapping results and Table 3-2 presents summary statistics from Wolf Creek.
Table 3-1: Wolf Creek Fish Trapping Results 2015.
Site Date and time in Date and time out UTM Coordinates Soak Time Results (Species and Length)
SS- 80mm, SS-80mm, SS-70mm, JCS- WC001 13/05/2015 10:09 14/05/2015 9:32 08 V 0504742 6721017 23.4 69mm, JCS-62mm, JCS-60mm
WC002 13/05/2015 10:13 14/05/2015 9:49 08 V 0504703 6721017 23.6 JCS-56mm, JCS-68mm, JCS-62mm
WC003 13/05/2015 10:21 14/05/2015 10:01 08 V 0504667 6720836 23.7 SS-82mm WC004 13/05/2015 10:29 14/05/2015 10:09 08 V 0504575 6720780 23.7 n/a WC005 13/05/2015 10:36 14/05/2015 10:15 08 V 0504537 6720705 23.7 n/a
SS-99mm, JCS-76mm, JCS-69mm, JCS- WC006 21/05/2015 10:32 22/05/2015 9:37 08 V 0504746 6721019 23.1 46mm, JCS-63mm
WC007 21/05/2015 10:36 22/05/2015 9:45 08 V 0504746 6721002 23.2 JCS-63mm, LNS-67mm, SS-55mm
JCS-76mm, JCS-62mm, SS-70mm, JCS- WC008 21/05/2015 10:43 22/05/2015 9:54 08 V 0504703 6720967 23.2 65mm, JCS-52mm
WC009 21/05/2015 10:45 22/05/2015 10:01 08 V 0504705 6720949 23.3 SS-70mm, SS-50mm
SS-75mm, SS-75mm, SS-45mm, JCS- WC010 21/05/2015 10:48 22/05/2015 10:03 08 V 0504674 6720954 23.3 71mm
*if SS=Slimy Sculpin (Cottus cognatus), LNS= Longnose sucker (Catostomus catostomus), JCS= Juvenile Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)
PACIFIC SALMON COMMISSION 12
CHINOOK SALMON YUKON RIVER MAINSTEM OUTPLANT PROGRAM SPAWNING SUCCESS EVALUATION CRE-16-15 PACIFIC SALMON COMMISSION JANUARY 2016
Table 3-2: Summary Statistics for Wolf Creek.
Effort (trap- Effort (trap- Juvenile Chinook Salmon Slimy Sculpin Longnose Sucker Date hours) days) Results CPUE* Results CPUE* Results CPUE* May 13/14, 2015 118 4.92 6 1.22 4 0.81 0 0
May 21/22, 2015 115.9 4.83 7 1.45 8 1.66 1 0.21
** CPUE = fish/minute for EF and fish/trap-day for MT A total of thirteen juvenile chinook salmon were caught in Wolf Creek during the two sampling events (Table 3-2). Twelve of the 13 JCS captured had a fork-length measuring 52 mm or greater (up to 76 mm) and therefore are considered to be 1+ age-class and not emergent fry. One of the JCS captured however was only 46mm (fork- length) and may have been a young of the year fry (see discussion for more details).
In addition to chinook salmon 12 slimy sculpin (Cottus cognatus) and 1 longnose sucker (Catostomus catostomus ) were captured in Wolf Creek (Table 3-3).
Yukon River
Minnow trapping on the Yukon River occurred downstream and upstream of the confluence with Wolf Creek, along both the left and right banks of the river. Electrofishing was applied in the mainstem in areas that provided safe wading for the samplers in terms of depth and bottom substrate. The results from trapping, electrofishing and summary statistics are presented below in Table 3-3, Table 3-4 and Table 3-5, respectively.
Table 3-3: Yukon River Mainstem Fish Trapping Results, May 2015.
Results (Species and Log Date and time in Date and time out UTM Coordinates Soak Time Length)
YR001 13/05/2015 11:00 14/05/2015 10:30 08V 0504618 6721109 23.5 NC
YR002 13/05/2015 11:01 14/05/2015 10:31 08V 0504605 6721106 23.5 NC
YR003 13/05/2015 11:24 14/05/2015 10:43 08V 0507092 6720996 23.3 NC
YR004 13/05/2015 11:26 14/05/2015 10:47 08V 0507109 6721051 23.3 NC
YR005 13/05/2015 12:44 14/05/2015 11:24 08V 0506387 6721125 22.7 NC
YR006 13/05/2015 12:48 14/05/2015 11:26 08V 0506408 6721119 22.6 NC
YR007 13/05/2015 13:51 14/05/2015 11:57 08V 0505487 6721118 22.1 NC
YR008 13/05/2015 13:53 14/05/2015 12:00 08V 0505524 6721112 22.1 NC
YR009 13/05/2015 14:14 14/05/2015 12:07 08V 0504948 6721385 21.9 NC
YR010 13/05/2015 14:19 14/05/2015 13:10 08V 0504913 6721352 22.8 NC
YR011 13/05/2015 14:42 14/05/2015 14:13 08V 0504135 6721907 23.5 NC
PACIFIC SALMON COMMISSION 13
CHINOOK SALMON YUKON RIVER MAINSTEM OUTPLANT PROGRAM SPAWNING SUCCESS EVALUATION CRE-16-15 PACIFIC SALMON COMMISSION JANUARY 2016
Results (Species and Log Date and time in Date and time out UTM Coordinates Soak Time Length)
YR012 13/05/2015 14:48 14/05/2015 13:13 08V 0504028 6721789 22.4 NC
YR013 21/05/2015 11:23 22/05/2015 11:00 08V 0508801 6721183 23.6 NC
YR014 21/05/2015 11:47 22/05/2015 11:11 08V 0508546 6721059 23.4 NC
YR015 21/05/2015 11:51 22/05/2015 11:13 08V 0508463 6721073 23.4 NC
YR016 21/05/2015 11:51 22/05/2015 11:13 08V 0508463 6721073 23.4 NC
YR017 21/05/2015 12:08 22/05/2015 11:21 08V 0507658 6721406 23.2 SS-10mm
LSx4, 10-30mm, SS- YR018 21/05/2015 12:25 22/05/2015 12:09 08V 0506695 6720895 23.7 30mm, SS-20mm
YR019 21/05/2015 12:29 22/05/2015 12:09 08V 0506088 6720874 23.7 JCS-43mm, JCS-48mm
YR020 21/05/2015 12:44 22/05/2015 12:41 08V 0506396 6721120 24.0 NC
YR021 21/05/2015 12:44 22/05/2015 12:41 08V 0506396 6721120 24.0 NC
YR022 21/05/2015 12:54 22/05/2015 12:51 08V 0505529 6721130 24.0 NC
YR023 21/05/2015 12:58 22/05/2015 12:54 08V 0505490 6721132 23.9 NC
YR024 21/05/2015 13:11 22/05/2015 13:00 08V 0504475 6721133 23.8 NC
YR025 21/05/2015 13:24 22/05/2015 13:09 08V 0504336 6721638 23.8 NC
YR026 21/05/2015 13:27 22/05/2015 13:06 08V 0504357 6721597 23.6 SS-35mm, SS-40mm
YR027 21/05/2015 13:28 22/05/2015 13:05 08V 0504371 6721638 23.6 SS-30mm
*SS=Slimy Sculpin (Cottus cognatus), LS= Longnose sucker (Catostomus catostomus), JCS= Juvenile Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), NC= None Captured
PACIFIC SALMON COMMISSION 14
CHINOOK SALMON YUKON RIVER MAINSTEM OUTPLANT PROGRAM SPAWNING SUCCESS EVALUATION CRE-16-15 PACIFIC SALMON COMMISSION JANUARY 2016
Table 3-4: Yukon River Electrofishing Settings and Results, May 2015.
Yukon River At Wolf Mainsteam In vicinity In vicinity In vicinity of In vicinity of Creek and (Right bank In vicinity of In vicinity of In vicinity of Traps of traps Traps YR005 Traps YR022 Yukon downstream Trap YR003 YR024 of YR011 YR005 and YR010 and and YR006 and YR023 River from Wolf YR006 YR009 Confluence Creek Confluence)
Date May 15th, 2015 May 15th, 2015 May 15th, 2015 May 16th, 2015 May 16th, May 22nd, May 22nd, May 22nd, May 22nd, 2015 2015 2015 2015 2015
Volts (V) 375 375 375 370 420 350 360 400 420
Frequency (Hz) 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30
Duty Cycle (%) 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12
Effort (Seconds) 156 205 330 350 223 124 307 214 220
Results LS-39mm, LS- JCS-36mm, SS- 20 SS and 2 LS 18 SS and 5 LS. 26 SS and JCS-39mm, 20 SS, 21 SS 16SS 35mm,LS- 65mm. 11 SS school of JCS-40mm. 32mm,LS-34mm, observed and LS LS-33mm. 2 4 LS. observed. SS-30mm, slimy sclupin and school of LS observed
*SS=Slimy Sculpin (Cottus cognatus), LS= Longnose sucker (Catostomus catostomus), JCS= Juvenile Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)
PACIFIC SALMON COMMISSION 15
CHINOOK SALMON YUKON RIVER MAINSTEM OUTPLANT PROGRAM SPAWNING SUCCESS EVALUATION CRE-16-15 PACIFIC SALMON COMMISSION JANUARY 2016
Table 3-5: Summary Statistics for Yukon River Mainstem Fish Sampling Program, May 2015. Juvenile Chinook Slimy Sculpin Longnose Sucker Salmon Date Method Effort Results CPUE* Results CPUE* Results CPUE*
May 13/14, EF 1264 sec. (21.1 min) 1 0.05 78 3.70 17 0.84 2015 MT 273.5 hr. (11.4 days) 0 0 0 0 0 0
May 21/22, EF 865 sec. (14.4 min) 2 0.14 58 4.03 0 0 2015 MT 355 hr. (14.8 days) 2 0.14 6 0.41 4 0.27
EF 2129 sec. (35.5 min) 3 0.08 136 3.83 17 0.48 TOTAL MT 628.5 hr. (26.2 days) 2 0.08 6 0.23 4 0.15
* EF=Electrofishing, MT=Minnow Trapping ** CPUE = fish/minute for EF and fish/trap-day for MT
A total of five juvenile chinook salmon were caught via electrofishing and minnow trapping in the Yukon River. Based on fork length, (36mm and 48mm), they are all considered to be emergent juvenile chinook salmon (0+). Two of the salmon caught via electrofishing were captured at the confluence of Wolf creek and therefore possibly originated from that system. The additional three emergent juvenile chinook salmon caught in the Yukon River were caught fairly far upstream of Wolf Creek and the outplant location.
In addition to the chinook salmon a total of 142 slimy sculpin and 21 longnose suckers were captured while sampling in the Yukon River (Table 3-5).
Aerial Survey
No spawning salmon or signs of spawning were observed during the aerial survey. Spawning salmon however were observed during this survey at another location on the Yukon River downstream of the study area indicating the timing of the survey was appropriate. This well documented spawning site is located along the Robert Service Road downstream of the Whitehorse Rapids Dam in downtown Whitehorse, Yukon.
Snorkel Survey
Due to adverse weather conditions an adequate snorkel survey was not completed in 2015. A snorkel survey however, was conducted in 2014 and results from that survey are available in Alexco Environmental Group (2014).
PACIFIC SALMON COMMISSION 16
CHINOOK SALMON YUKON RIVER MAINSTEM OUTPLANT PROGRAM SPAWNING SUCCESS EVALUATION CRE-16-15 PACIFIC SALMON COMMISSION JANUARY 2016
4 FISH HABITAT ASSESSMENT
4.1 WOLF CREEK
At the confluence of Wolf Creek and the Yukon River, the substrate is composed primarily of gravel with a small amount of fine sediment making up the interstitial material. Stream velocity at the mouth of Wolf Creek decreases as it begins to braid and flow into the Yukon River. The reduced velocity allows smaller substrates to be drop out of the water column resulting in a matrix of different substrates that provide suitable habitat for spawning salmon. Moving upstream, the substrate changes from a gravel/fine dominated substrate to a more cobble/gravel substrate. The velocity increases as the creek is confined to one channel that is limited by steep banks and vegetation composed primarily of white spruce and willow. The confined channels and close proximity of vegetation allows for large and small woody debris to be present in Wolf Creek, which provides resting and feeding habitat for fish who are using the stream.
4.2 YUKON RIVER
Upstream of the confluence with Wolf Creek, for approximately 500 meters, the Yukon River’s right bank, facing upstream, is composed primarily of fines with a minimal amounts of gravel and cobble. The substrate in this area is not ideal spawning habitat for salmon, but the presence of large woody debris provides cover and resting environment (i.e. pools and back eddies). Downstream of Wolf Creek on the right bank the substrate is also dominated by fine sediments but does provide resting habitat as two small inlets are present during the spring which may be used by fish to avoid stronger currents in the Yukon River. Further downstream on the right bank the substrate becomes dominated by gravel and cobble, with a reduced velocity due to the river meander. This area may be valuable to salmon, however, no evidence of use was found.
Substrate conditions downstream of Wolf Creek on the left bank of the Yukon River provide much more suitable habitat for spawning salmon with a large gravelly section that is approximately 200-300 meters in length. Moving further downstream on the left bank, the substrate becomes dominated by fine sediment with high amounts of organic material. Upstream of the confluence, a gravel and cobble bank extends for approximately 200 meters before fine sediment becomes the dominant substrate. Photos of the conditions present during sampling can be found in Appendix A.
PACIFIC SALMON COMMISSION 17
CHINOOK SALMON YUKON RIVER MAINSTEM OUTPLANT PROGRAM SPAWNING SUCCESS EVALUATION CRE-16-15 PACIFIC SALMON COMMISSION JANUARY 2016
5 DISCUSSION
Fish sampling in May 2014 only resulted in the capture of one emergent (0+) chinook salmon fry in the study area. During the surveys in May 2015, possibly six emergent chinook salmon were caught in the study area. Of these one was captured in Wolf Creek and two others were caught at the confluence of Wolf Creek and the Yukon River indicating these fish may have originated from Wolf Creek. Chinook salmon development investigations conducted on Wolf Creek by Etherton 2014 however suggests that chinook salmon spawned in Wolf creek would develop relatively slowly (compared to other known spawning sites along the Yukon River – i.e. Michie Creek) and that emergence from gravels would be delayed well beyond May. If this is the case then these would not be newly emerged fry from Wolf creek. It is possible that the one fry captured upstream in Wolf creek was actually a stunted 1+ chinook salmon (46 mm FL). Chinook fry have been outplanted annually into Wolf creek for more than two decades and successful spawning in the system has been observed in past years. The sampling in 2014 and 2015 was conducted prior to hatchery reared fish being outplanted in the system in each respective year. Also hatchery origin fish are easily identified as they have their adipose fin clipped prior to release in the wild.
During 2015 three of the fry considered emergent were captured in the Yukon River upstream of Wolf Creek and the outplant location as was the one captured in 2014. It is not certain where these emergent fry originated from. They may have been swept down from known spawning locations upstream, specifically Michie Creek and/or the McClintock River. These sites however are quite distant upstream with substantial lake habitat (Marsh Lake) located between these sites and the study area. Therefore there is the possibility that there is a spawning location in closer proximity to the outplant location, possibly between Marsh Lake and upstream of the study area. Two of these emergent fry were captured at the confluence of a small unnamed creek and the Yukon River suggesting the possibility that some limited spawning occurred in this creek (see Figure 2-1). The habitat observed at this creek confluence was noted to be suitable for spawning in terms of the substrate present. No spawning salmon or carcasses were observed in the study area during the aerial reconnaissance. Spawning salmon however were observed outside of the study area during the survey indicating the timing of the reconnaissance was suitable. The spawning salmon observed were located at a well-known spawning site on the Yukon River downstream of the study area adjacent to Robert Service Way located in downtown Whitehorse.
PACIFIC SALMON COMMISSION 18
CHINOOK SALMON YUKON RIVER MAINSTEM OUTPLANT PROGRAM SPAWNING SUCCESS EVALUATION CRE-16-15 PACIFIC SALMON COMMISSION JANUARY 2016
6 RECOMMENDATIONS
The low Catch-Per-Unit-Effort (CPUE) of emergent chinook fry during fisheries investigations in 2014 and 2015 indicate that chinook salmon spawning is not occurring in the mainstem of the Yukon River near the outplant location or if it is, it is occurring at a very low level. This combined with the observation that very little if any suitable spawning habitat is present at or near the outplant location in the Yukon River mainstem suggests that this site should no longer be used as an outplant site.
Since a few emergent fry were captured in the study area upstream of Wolf Creek and the outplant location future investigations should include reconnaissance between the study area and Marsh Lake as these fry provide some evidence that there may be spawning sites in the Yukon River mainstem in this section of river. Additional observations should be considered on the unnamed creek where two emergent fry were captured at its confluence.
PACIFIC SALMON COMMISSION 19
CHINOOK SALMON YUKON RIVER MAINSTEM OUTPLANT PROGRAM SPAWNING SUCCESS EVALUATION CRE-16-15 PACIFIC SALMON COMMISSION JANUARY 2016
7 REFERENCES
Alexco Environmental Group. 2014. Chinook Salmon Yukon River Mainstem Outplant Program Spawning Success Evaluation. CRE-16-14. Prepared for Pacific Salmon Commission.
Etherton P. 2014. Temperature and Intraspecific Competition Effect on the Natural Recruitment of Wolf Creek Chinook Salmon (Onchorhynchus tshawytscha), Yukon Territory, 2012-2013. Student Research submitted to in part to satisfy requirements for B.Sc. in Northern Environmental Conservation Science.
W.R. Ricks Consulting. 1996. Robert Service Way Road Re-Development Project. Prepared for City of Whitehorse.
PACIFIC SALMON COMMISSION 20
CHINOOK SALMON YUKON RIVER MAINSTEM OUTPLANT PROGRAM SPAWNING SUCCESS EVALUATION CRE-16-15 PACIFIC SALMON COMMISSION JANUARY 2016
8 LIMITATIONS
This report was prepared for the exclusive use of the Pacific Salmon Commission. Alexco Environmental Group has attempted to exercise professional procedures while providing investigation services to prepare the contents of this report. The material in the report reflects Alexco Environmental Group’s best judgment in light of the information available at the time of the preparation of this report. Any use that a third party makes of this report, or any reliance on decisions to be made based on it, is the responsibility of the third parties. Alexco Environmental Group accepts no responsibility for damages, if any, suffered by any third party as a result of decisions made or actions based on this report. Alexco Environmental Group believes that the contents of this report are substantively correct.
The information and data contained in this report, including without limitation the results of any sampling and analyses conducted by Alexco Environmental Group, are based solely on the conditions observed at the time of the sampling and have been developed or obtained through the exercise of Alexco Environmental Group’s professional judgment and are set to the best of Alexco Environmental Group’s knowledge, information, and belief. Although every effort has been made to confirm that all such information and data is factual, complete and accurate, Alexco Environmental Group offers no guarantees or warranties, either expressed or implied, with respect to such information or data.
Alexco Environmental Group shall not by the act of issuing this report be deemed to have represented that any sampling and analyses conducted by it have been exhaustive or will identify all contaminants or contamination of the site, and persons relying on the results thereof do so at their own risk.
PACIFIC SALMON COMMISSION 21
CHINOOK SALMON YUKON RIVER MAINSTEM OUTPLANT PROGRAM SPAWNING SUCCESS EVALUATION CRE-16-15 PACIFIC SALMON COMMISSION JANUARY 2016
APPENDIX A PHOTOLOG
PACIFIC SALMON COMMISSION
PHOTOS
Photo 1: Trap being set among large woody debris on Wolf Photo 2: Wolf Creek looking upstream. Creek.
Photo 3: Wolf Creek looking downstream Photo 4: Wolf Creek just before it enters the Yukon River.
Photo 5: Substrate conditions at Wolf Creek. Photo 6: Upstream of Wolf Creek looking downstream on left bank of Yukon River.
Photo 7: Setting traps on Wolf Creek Photo 8: Juvenile Chinook Salmon caught in Wolf Creek
Photo 9: Outlet of Wolf Creek as it enters the Yukon River. Photo 10: Emergent (0+) Chinook Salmon caught at Wolf Creek outlet.
Photo 11: Bank conditions on right bank of Yukon River. Photo 12: Trap among large woody debris in Yukon River. Downstream of outplant location.
Photo 13: Emergent (0+) Chinook Salmon caught via Photo 14: Bank conditions on right bank of Yukon River. electrofishing in Yukon River.
Photo 15: Bank conditions on left bank of Yukon River Photo 16: Substrate conditions on right bank of Yukon River upstream of outplant location. across from outlet of Wolf Creek.
Photo 17: Looking upstream on right bank of Yukon River. Photo 18: Longnose Sucker caught in Yukon River.