Feasibility Study of Anadromous Reintroductions in the Malheur Subbasin

Salmonid Research, Monitoring, and Evaluation (RM&E)

Research
Project IDNA10NMF4380432 BPT FY2010
Recovery Domains -
Start Date11/01/2011
End Date12/31/2012
Year2010
StatusCompleted
Last Edited05/08/2024
 
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Description    


The protocol developed through the FY2009 project funds was implemented in the North Fork Malheur. Using FY2010 project funds, dissolved oxygen, hourly temperature, pH and turbidity were monitored in situ during the 2011 field season. Regulatory agencies developed a list of concerns to be addressed in future years of project funding, with respect to incipient release of adult Chinook salmon. Project support from the BLM and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife was secured at the regional level. A series of stakeholder outreach efforts were conducted during 2011 and landowner concerns summarized. BPT completed analysis of data during late fall 2011 to identify potential limiting factors at each life history stage and in anticipation of preliminary release of adults and future reintroduction scenarios. All long and short term goals were presented to the Malheur River Bull Trout Working Group to solicit local and regional feedback and to identify looming concerns from fisheries and land management agencies.

Project Benefit    


Feasibility of reintroductions in the North Fork Malheur, lower mainstem Malheur and Bully Creek watersheds will be analyzed based on water quality, stream temperature and flow data collected. RM&E habitat variables like migration barriers, thermal barriers and potentially other abiotic water quality parameters, if proven relevant following analysis, will be mapped in the above mentioned watersheds. Outreach and Collaboration will allow BPT to work with the various entities that have a role in potential reintroductions, and it will help to build public support locally for the project.

Accomplishments

Metric Completed Originally
Proposed

Funding Details

SourceFunds
PCSRF$100,000
Report Total:$100,000


Project Map



Worksites

32909290    


  • Worksite Identifier: 32909290
  • Start Date:
  • End Date:
Area Description

No Area Description data was found for this worksite.

Location Information

  • Basin: Middle Snake-Boise (170501)
  • Subbasin: 17050116
  • Watershed:
  • Subwatershed:
  • State: Oregon
  • Recovery Domain:
  • Latitude: 43.91791766905536
  • Longitude: -118.67340087890429

ESU

    No ESU data was found for this worksite.

Map

Photos

Metrics

Metrics
  • E.0 Salmonid Research, Monitoring, and Evaluation (RM&E)Y (Y/N)
    •      . . E.0.a RM&E Funding 100,000.00
    •      . . E.0.b
      Complement habitat restoration project
      none
    •      . . E.0.c
      Project identified in a plan or watershed assessment.
      Malheur Subbasin Assessment and Mangement Plan (NPCC 2004)
    •      . . E.0.d.1 Number of Cooperating Organizations 6
    •      . . E.0.d.2
      Name Of Cooperating Organizations.
      Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Malheur Watershed Council
    •      . . E.0.e.1 Number of reports prepared 1
    •      . . E.0.e.2
      Name Of Report
      Chinook Salmon Reintroduction Feasibility Analysis for the Malheur River, OR
    •      . . E.2 ResearchY (Y/N)
      •      . . . . E.2.a Research Funding 100,000.00
      •      . . . . E.2.b.5 Habitat attribute studyY (Y/N)
        •      . . . . . . E.2.b.5.a
          Key issues addressed by habitat attribute research
          What is the extent/quality of current available habitat within blocked/historic habitat for spring Chinook salmon at each life stage?
      •      . . . . E.2.b.7 Investigating fish health and/or disease/parasitesY (Y/N)
        •      . . . . . . E.2.b.7.a
          Key issues addressed by fish health and/or disease/parasites research
          We received cost share from Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife to process samples from brook trout, redband trout, and bull trout that were collected using these funds. The samples were processed to screen for pathogens already present in the Malheur and to evaluate risk of future Chinook salmon outplantings. Only bacterial kidney disease was found among resident fish in the Malhuer. ODFW screened for BKD, Ceratomyxa shasta, Myxobolus cerebralis, and infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus. BPT was also able to get free sample process through an interested OSU graduate student working on C. shasta distribution. This information was intended to select the lowest risk stock for outplanting.