Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project (FERC No. 14241) Fish Distribution and Abundance Studies Study Plan Sections 9.5 and 9.6 2013-2015 Radio Telemetry Implementation Report Prepared for Alaska Energy Authority Prepared by LGL Limited and R2 Resource Consultants, Inc. October 2016 2013-2015 RADIO TELEMETRY FISH ABUNDANCE AND DISTRIBUTION IMPLEMENTATION REPORT STUDIES (9.5 AND 9.6) TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 1 2. Radio Tagging Approach and Objectives ............................................................................ 2 2.1. Upper River Study Objectives ....................................................................................... 2 2.2. Middle and Lower River Study Objectives .................................................................... 3 3. Study Area .............................................................................................................................. 3 4. Methods .................................................................................................................................. 4 4.1. Field Methods ................................................................................................................ 4 4.1.1. Tagging ................................................................................................................... 4 4.1.2. Fish Capture ............................................................................................................ 4 4.1.3. Tracking .................................................................................................................. 7 4.2. Analytical Methods ...................................................................................................... 12 4.2.1. Detection Types .................................................................................................... 12 4.2.2. Data Processing ..................................................................................................... 12 4.2.3. Characterizing Movements ................................................................................... 14 5. Results ................................................................................................................................... 19 5.1. Arctic Grayling ............................................................................................................ 19 5.1.1. Upper River and Middle River Upstream of Devils Canyon ................................ 19 5.1.2. Middle River downstream of Devils Canyon and Lower River ........................... 25 5.2. Burbot ........................................................................................................................... 29 5.2.1. Upper River and Middle River Upstream of Devils Canyon ................................ 29 5.2.2. Middle River downstream of Devils Canyon and Lower River ........................... 35 5.3. Dolly Varden ................................................................................................................ 37 5.3.1. Upper River and Middle River Upstream of Devils Canyon ................................ 37 5.3.2. Middle River downstream of Devils Canyon and Lower River ........................... 37 5.4. Humpback Whitefish ................................................................................................... 40 5.4.1. Upper River and Middle River Upstream of Devils Canyon ................................ 40 5.4.2. Middle River downstream of Devils Canyon and Lower River ........................... 40 5.5. Lake Trout .................................................................................................................... 42 5.5.1. Upper River and Middle River Upstream of Devils Canyon ................................ 42 5.5.2. Middle River downstream of Devils Canyon and Lower River ........................... 44 5.6. Longnose Sucker .......................................................................................................... 44 Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project Alaska Energy Authority FERC Project No. 14241 Page i October 2016 2013-2015 RADIO TELEMETRY FISH ABUNDANCE AND DISTRIBUTION IMPLEMENTATION REPORT STUDIES (9.5 AND 9.6) 5.6.1. Upper River and Middle River Upstream of Devils Canyon ................................ 44 5.6.2. Middle River downstream of Devils Canyon and Lower River ........................... 50 5.7. Northern Pike ............................................................................................................... 53 5.7.1. Upper River and Middle River Upstream of Devils Canyon ................................ 53 5.7.2. Middle River downstream of Devils Canyon and Lower River ........................... 53 5.8. Rainbow Trout ............................................................................................................. 55 5.8.1. Upper River and Middle River Upstream of Devils Canyon ................................ 55 5.8.2. Middle River downstream of Devils Canyon and Lower River ........................... 55 5.9. Round Whitefish .......................................................................................................... 61 5.9.1. Upper River and Middle River Upstream of Devils Canyon ................................ 61 5.9.2. Middle River Downstream of Devils Canyon and the Lower River .................... 67 6. Discussion ............................................................................................................................. 72 6.1. Arctic Grayling ............................................................................................................ 74 6.2. Burbot ........................................................................................................................... 74 6.3. Dolly Varden ................................................................................................................ 75 6.4. Humpback Whitefish ................................................................................................... 75 6.5. Lake Trout .................................................................................................................... 76 6.6. Longnose Sucker .......................................................................................................... 76 6.7. Northern Pike ............................................................................................................... 77 6.8. Rainbow Trout ............................................................................................................. 77 6.9. Round Whitefish .......................................................................................................... 78 7. Conclusion ............................................................................................................................ 79 7.1. Upper River .................................................................................................................. 79 7.2. Middle and Lower River .............................................................................................. 79 8. References ............................................................................................................................. 82 9. Tables .................................................................................................................................... 86 10. Figures ................................................................................................................................ 106 Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project Alaska Energy Authority FERC Project No. 14241 Page ii October 2016 2013-2015 RADIO TELEMETRY FISH ABUNDANCE AND DISTRIBUTION IMPLEMENTATION REPORT STUDIES (9.5 AND 9.6) LIST OF TABLES Table 4.1-1. Tagging goals for each species in the Upper Susitna River, 2013-2014. ................ 87 Table 4.1-2. Tags-at large in the Upper and Middle/Lower Susitna River, by species, at the end of each month of the study, 2013-2015. ............................................................................................ 88 Table 4.1-3. Tagging goals for each species in the Middle and Lower Susitna River, 2013-2014. ....................................................................................................................................................... 89 Table 4.1-4. Distribution of tags by release locations in the Middle and Lower Susitna River 2013- 2014............................................................................................................................................... 90 Table 4.1-5. Locations and antenna orientations of fixed telemetry stations in the Upper Susitna River drainage. .............................................................................................................................. 90 Table 4.1-6. Locations and antenna orientations of fixed telemetry stations in the Middle and Lower Susitna River drainage. ...................................................................................................... 91 Table 4.1-7. Monitoring efficiency (percent operational) of fixed-station receivers in the Upper Susitna River, by week. ................................................................................................................ 92 Table 4.1-8. Monitoring efficiency (percent operational) of fixed-station receivers in the Middle and Lower Susitna River, by week. .............................................................................................