FY 2015 Newaukum Creek Juvenile Out-Migrant Evaluation

Newaukum Creek which is part of the Green/Duwamish River basin contributes Chinook salmon and has the potential to be an important producer to the overall goal of the Green River system. The monitoring of natural production from Chinook spawning in Newaukum Creek started with FY 2014 funds and is projected to continue as long as funding is available. A rotary screw trap was used to collect and sample juvenile out-migrant Chinook, as well as coho, chum, pink and steelhead found in Newaukum Creek. Data collected was used to estimate juvenile abundance and productivity of out-migrant Chinook and coho. Chinook spawning ground surveys (carcass and redd) were conducted to supplement existing spawner surveys (to establish escapement estimates) to improve egg-to-emigrant survival estimates and establish pre-spawn mortality rates for Chinook returning to Newaukum Creek.

This project contained both monitoring and research components, where it is estimated that approximately 70% of costs were applied towards monitoring. Monitoring includes operating a smolt trap from January through June. Approximately 30% of cost were applied towards the research portion of this project. Research was done to analyze data to develop juvenile abundance estimates, egg-to-emigrant survival rates, and assess the over productivity of Newaukum Creek.

WDFW has operated a rotary screw trap on the Green River at RM 34.5 since 2000 and WDFW has been using Bismark Brown as a marking technique of sub-yearling salmonids. The Newaukum Creek study needed to find a marker that would not negatively affect the fish, accomplish our goals, and not skew WDFW trapping efficiency tests down stream of Newaukum Creek. This has pointed us to the marking technique of calcein (SE-Mark®). This project is a continuation of the project from the previous fiscal year (14-MUCK-01). There was a slight overlap in this project and FY 2014, due to transition to this year budget in specific lines that had been exhausted in the earlier year of the project.

The primary goal of this study is to monitor and better understand Puget Sound Chinook abundance, and juvenile productivity within Newaukum Creek.

The purpose of the project is to: 1) estimate juvenile abundance and productivity of out-migrant Chinook and coho salmon in Newaukum Creek; 2) understand the emigration timing, health, and condition of salmonids in Newaukum Creek; and 3) obtain main stem redd count data on lower 5.7 miles of Newaukum Creek to assess the cumulative effects, trends, and recovery actions on juvenile salmon abundance, health, and productivity over time.

The information collected from this project will contribute to the Puget Sound Chinook Recovery Plan (2011) by providing refined trend/status information on ESA listed Chinook in Newaukum Creek. Expected benefits include: 1) improved assessment of density-dependent affects and potential carrying capacity for Chinook in Newaukum Creek; 2) improved harvest management practices; and 3) improved forecasting for adult returns to Newaukum Creek and greater Green River watershed.