Potlatch River Steelhead Monitoring and Evaluation (PRSME)

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

Monitoring
Project ID005 19 CW
Recovery DomainsSnake River
Start Date12/13/2019
End Date12/31/2022
Year2019
StatusCompleted
Last Edited11/20/2024
 
1 - 1

Description    


The Potlatch River Steelhead Monitoring and Evaluation project is a long-term monitoring effort to assess the effectiveness of habitat restoration efforts within the Potlatch River, Idaho. Monitoring is conducted annually at four primary worksites: East Fork Potlatch River, Big Bear Creek, Pine Creek, and West Fork Potlatch River, by IDFG personnel and provides data on wild steelhead Oncorhynchus mykiss production and productivity in index watersheds, a monitoring component for restoration projects, and an effective method for identifying additional restoration projects. IDFG operated weirs, instream PIT-tag detection system (IPTDS), and rotary screw traps to monitor the annual abundance and life history characteristics of steelhead. Habitat, electrofishing, and snorkel surveys were conducted to monitor rearing habitat conditions and juvenile steelhead production metrics in treatment and control areas. During the reporting period (2020 - 2022), IDFG documented several important findings including an upstream expansion in adult steelhead spawning distribution following a culvert modification project and positive trends in emigrant age structure, growth, and survival in the East Fork Potlatch River during recent treatment years. Restoration activities are ongoing in the Potlatch River basin. Once restoration goals are achieved, IDFG estimates a 10 year post-treatment monitoring period will be needed to gather data through multiple steelhead life cycles to detect changes in steelhead population productivity related to restoration efforts.



Monitoring results are reported in the following reports:

• Heller, M., B. Barnett, E. Felts, M. Davison, N. Smith, B.A. Knoth, J.R. Poole, S.F. Meyer, and K. Wauhkonen. 2022. Idaho anadromous emigrant monitoring. 2021 annual report. Idaho Department of Fish and Game Report 22-07, Boise.

• Knoth, B.A., B.J. Bowersox, and J.T. Fortier. 2021. Potlatch River Steelhead Monitoring and Evaluation Project, 2017 and 2018 Biennial Report. Idaho Department of Fish and Game Report 20-15.

• Knoth, B.A., J.T. Fortier, and J.S. Hargrove. 2022. Potlatch River Steelhead Monitoring and Evaluation Project, 2019 and 2020 Biennial Report. Idaho Department of Fish and Game Report 21-13.

• McClure C., B. Barnett, E.A. Felts, M. Davison, N. Smith, B.A. Knoth, J.R. Poole, S.F. Feeken. 2020. Idaho anadromous emigrant monitoring. Annual report 2020. Idaho Department of Fish and Game Report 21-11, Boise.

• Poole, J.R., B. Barnett, C. McClure, S. Putnam, R.V. Roberts, E.J. Stark. 2021. Idaho anadromous parr monitoring. Annual report 2020. Idaho Department of Fish and Game Report 21-09, Boise.

• Putnam, S.A, B. Barnett, M. Heller, J.R. Poole, R.V. Roberts. 2022. Idaho anadromous parr monitoring. Annual report 2021. Idaho Department of Fish and Game Report 22-03, Boise.

• Smith, N.R., M.E. Dobos, M. Davison, B.A. Knoth, and E.J. Stark. 2021. Idaho adult steelhead monitoring. Idaho Department of Fish and Game, 2020 Annual Report 21-12, Boise.

• Smith, N.R., M. Davison, B.A. Knoth, and S. Meyer. 2022. Idaho adult steelhead monitoring. Idaho Department of Fish and Game, 2021 Annual Report 21-12, Boise.

Project Benefit    


The goal of the PRSME project is to evaluate fish and habitat responses to habitat restoration projects in the Potlatch River basin. The project is designed to assess responses at multiple scales: 1) a broad-scale monitoring effort to document steelhead population response within index watersheds (Big Bear Creek and East Fork Potlatch River), 2) a finer-scale effort to assess fish and habitat response to restoration projects at the tributary level, and 3) reach-scale monitoring to assess whether individual projects produced the intended outcome. The design allows managers to better understand the relationship between a habitat action and fish response and how localized responses to restoration propagate up to a higher, management-scale level.

Accomplishments

Metric Completed Originally
Proposed
Research and Monitoring
  Stream Miles Monitored 202.90 202.90

Funding Details

SourceFunds
PCSRF$437,632
Other$148,096
Report Total:$585,728


Project Map



Worksites

WS-1    


  • Worksite Identifier: WS-1
  • Start Date: 01/01/2020
  • End Date: 12/31/2022
Area Description
East Fork Potlatch River

Location Information

  • Basin: Clearwater (170603)
  • Subbasin: Clearwater (17060306)
  • Watershed: Upper Potlatch River (1706030608)
  • Subwatershed: East Fork Potlatch River (170603060801)
  • State: Idaho
  • Recovery Domain: Snake River
  • Latitude: 46.798072
  • Longitude: -116.426135

ESU

  • Snake River Basin Steelhead DPS

Map

Photos

Metrics

Metrics
  • E.0 Salmonid Research, Monitoring, and Evaluation (RM&E)Y (Y/N)
    •      . . E.0.a RM&E Funding 195,092.00
    •      . . E.0.b
      Complement habitat restoration project
      The PRSME project provides effectiveness monitoring of habitat restoration actions at the watershed scale in the Potlatch River. The monitoring also provides critical data that directly contributes to population viability assessments for ESA-listed Snake River Basin steelhead.
    •      . . E.0.c
      Project identified in a plan or watershed assessment.
      • National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). 2017. ESA Recovery Plan for Snake River Idaho Spring/Summer Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and Steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) Populations. • NPPC. 2005. Clearwater Subbasin Management Plan, In Columbia River Basin Fish and Wildlife Program. • Potlatch Implementation Group. 2019. Potlatch River Watershed Management Plan 2019 Amendment. Sponsored by Latah Soil and Water Conservation District, Moscow, Idaho.
    •      . . E.0.d.1 Number of Cooperating Organizations 1
    •      . . E.0.d.2
      Name Of Cooperating Organizations.
      IDFG- Nampa Research
    •      . . E.0.e.1 Number of reports prepared 8
    •      . . E.0.e.2
      Name Of Report
      • Heller, M., B. Barnett, E. Felts, M. Davison, N. Smith, B.A. Knoth, J.R. Poole, S.F. Meyer, and K. Wauhkonen. 2022. Idaho anadromous emigrant monitoring. 2021 annual report. Idaho Department of Fish and Game Report 22-07, Boise. • Knoth, B.A., B.J. Bowersox, and J.T. Fortier. 2021. Potlatch River Steelhead Monitoring and Evaluation Project, 2017 and 2018 Biennial Report. Idaho Department of Fish and Game Report 20-15. • Knoth, B.A., J.T. Fortier, and J.S. Hargrove. 2022. Potlatch River Steelhead Monitoring and Evaluation Project, 2019 and 2020 Biennial Report. Idaho Department of Fish and Game Report 21-13. • McClure C., B. Barnett, E.A. Felts, M. Davison, N. Smith, B.A. Knoth, J.R. Poole, S.F. Feeken. 2020. Idaho anadromous emigrant monitoring. Annual report 2020. Idaho Department of Fish and Game Report 21-11, Boise. • Poole, J.R., B. Barnett, C. McClure, S. Putnam, R.V. Roberts, E.J. Stark. 2021. Idaho anadromous parr monitoring. Annual report 2020. Idaho Department of Fish and Game Report 21-09, Boise. • Putnam, S.A, B. Barnett, M. Heller, J.R. Poole, R.V. Roberts. 2022. Idaho anadromous parr monitoring. Annual report 2021. Idaho Department of Fish and Game Report 22-03, Boise. • Smith, N.R., M.E. Dobos, M. Davison, B.A. Knoth, and E.J. Stark. 2021. Idaho adult steelhead monitoring. Idaho Department of Fish and Game, 2020 Annual Report 21-12, Boise. • Smith, N.R., M. Davison, B.A. Knoth, and S. Meyer. 2022. Idaho adult steelhead monitoring. Idaho Department of Fish and Game, 2021 Annual Report 21-12, Boise.
    •      . . E.1 MonitoringY (Y/N)
      •      . . . . E.1.a Monitoring funding 195,092.00
      •      . . . . E.1.b.1 Stream Miles Monitored 56.50
      •      . . . . E.1.b.2 Acres of Watershed Area Monitored 31,500.0
      •      . . . . E.1.c.15 Intensively monitored watershed (IMW)Y (Y/N)
        •      . . . . . . E.1.c.15.a # miles (to nearest 0.01 mile) of stream or streambank monitored 56.50
        •      . . . . . . E.1.c.15.c # acres (to nearest 0.1 acre) monitored 31,500.0
        •      . . . . E.1.d
          Name Of Comprehensive Monitoring Strategy/Program
          The PRSME project represents the monitoring component of the 2007 Potlatch River Watershed Management Plan and 2019 Amendment

WS-2    


  • Worksite Identifier: WS-2
  • Start Date: 01/01/2020
  • End Date: 12/31/2022
Area Description
Big Bear Creek, Potlatch River

Location Information

  • Basin: Clearwater (170603)
  • Subbasin: Clearwater (17060306)
  • Watershed: Lower Potlatch River (1706030611)
  • Subwatershed: Howard Gulch-Potlatch River (170603061103)
  • State: Idaho
  • Recovery Domain: Snake River
  • Latitude: 46.617668
  • Longitude: -116.645068

ESU

  • Snake River Basin Steelhead DPS

Map

Photos

Metrics

Metrics
  • E.0 Salmonid Research, Monitoring, and Evaluation (RM&E)Y (Y/N)
    •      . . E.0.a RM&E Funding 195,026.00
    •      . . E.0.b
      Complement habitat restoration project
      The PRSME project provides effectiveness monitoring of habitat restoration actions at the watershed scale in the Potlatch River. The monitoring also provides critical data that directly contributes to population viability assessments for ESA-listed Snake River Basin steelhead.
    •      . . E.0.c
      Project identified in a plan or watershed assessment.
      • National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). 2017. ESA Recovery Plan for Snake River Idaho Spring/Summer Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and Steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) Populations. • NPPC. 2005. Clearwater Subbasin Management Plan, In Columbia River Basin Fish and Wildlife Program. • Potlatch Implementation Group. 2019. Potlatch River Watershed Management Plan 2019 Amendment. Sponsored by Latah Soil and Water Conservation District, Moscow, Idaho.
    •      . . E.0.d.1 Number of Cooperating Organizations 1
    •      . . E.0.d.2
      Name Of Cooperating Organizations.
      IDFG- Nampa Research
    •      . . E.0.e.1 Number of reports prepared 8
    •      . . E.0.e.2
      Name Of Report
      • Heller, M., B. Barnett, E. Felts, M. Davison, N. Smith, B.A. Knoth, J.R. Poole, S.F. Meyer, and K. Wauhkonen. 2022. Idaho anadromous emigrant monitoring. 2021 annual report. Idaho Department of Fish and Game Report 22-07, Boise. • Knoth, B.A., B.J. Bowersox, and J.T. Fortier. 2021. Potlatch River Steelhead Monitoring and Evaluation Project, 2017 and 2018 Biennial Report. Idaho Department of Fish and Game Report 20-15. • Knoth, B.A., J.T. Fortier, and J.S. Hargrove. 2022. Potlatch River Steelhead Monitoring and Evaluation Project, 2019 and 2020 Biennial Report. Idaho Department of Fish and Game Report 21-13. • McClure C., B. Barnett, E.A. Felts, M. Davison, N. Smith, B.A. Knoth, J.R. Poole, S.F. Feeken. 2020. Idaho anadromous emigrant monitoring. Annual report 2020. Idaho Department of Fish and Game Report 21-11, Boise. • Poole, J.R., B. Barnett, C. McClure, S. Putnam, R.V. Roberts, E.J. Stark. 2021. Idaho anadromous parr monitoring. Annual report 2020. Idaho Department of Fish and Game Report 21-09, Boise. • Putnam, S.A, B. Barnett, M. Heller, J.R. Poole, R.V. Roberts. 2022. Idaho anadromous parr monitoring. Annual report 2021. Idaho Department of Fish and Game Report 22-03, Boise. • Smith, N.R., M.E. Dobos, M. Davison, B.A. Knoth, and E.J. Stark. 2021. Idaho adult steelhead monitoring. Idaho Department of Fish and Game, 2020 Annual Report 21-12, Boise. • Smith, N.R., M. Davison, B.A. Knoth, and S. Meyer. 2022. Idaho adult steelhead monitoring. Idaho Department of Fish and Game, 2021 Annual Report 21-12, Boise.
    •      . . E.1 MonitoringY (Y/N)
      •      . . . . E.1.a Monitoring funding 195,026.00
      •      . . . . E.1.b.1 Stream Miles Monitored 63.00
      •      . . . . E.1.b.2 Acres of Watershed Area Monitored 100,753.0
      •      . . . . E.1.c.15 Intensively monitored watershed (IMW)Y (Y/N)
        •      . . . . . . E.1.c.15.a # miles (to nearest 0.01 mile) of stream or streambank monitored 63.00
        •      . . . . . . E.1.c.15.c # acres (to nearest 0.1 acre) monitored 100,753.0
        •      . . . . E.1.d
          Name Of Comprehensive Monitoring Strategy/Program
          The PRSME project represents the monitoring component of the 2007 Potlatch River Watershed Management Plan and 2019 Amendment

WS-3    


  • Worksite Identifier: WS-3
  • Start Date: 01/01/2020
  • End Date: 12/31/2022
Area Description
Pine Creek, Potlatch River

Location Information

  • Basin: Clearwater (170603)
  • Subbasin: Clearwater (17060306)
  • Watershed: Middle Potlatch River (1706030609)
  • Subwatershed: Rock Creek-Potlatch Creek (170603060906)
  • State: Idaho
  • Recovery Domain: Snake River
  • Latitude: 46.628943
  • Longitude: -116.595194

ESU

  • Snake River Basin Steelhead DPS

Map

Photos

Metrics

Metrics
  • E.0 Salmonid Research, Monitoring, and Evaluation (RM&E)Y (Y/N)
    •      . . E.0.a RM&E Funding 97,805.00
    •      . . E.0.b
      Complement habitat restoration project
      The PRSME project provides effectiveness monitoring of habitat restoration actions at the watershed scale in the Potlatch River. The monitoring also provides critical data that directly contributes to population viability assessments for ESA-listed Snake River Basin steelhead.
    •      . . E.0.c
      Project identified in a plan or watershed assessment.
      • National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). 2017. ESA Recovery Plan for Snake River Idaho Spring/Summer Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and Steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) Populations. • NPPC. 2005. Clearwater Subbasin Management Plan, In Columbia River Basin Fish and Wildlife Program. • Potlatch Implementation Group. 2019. Potlatch River Watershed Management Plan 2019 Amendment. Sponsored by Latah Soil and Water Conservation District, Moscow, Idaho.
    •      . . E.0.d.1 Number of Cooperating Organizations 1
    •      . . E.0.d.2
      Name Of Cooperating Organizations.
      IDFG- Nampa Research
    •      . . E.0.e.1 Number of reports prepared 8
    •      . . E.0.e.2
      Name Of Report
      • Heller, M., B. Barnett, E. Felts, M. Davison, N. Smith, B.A. Knoth, J.R. Poole, S.F. Meyer, and K. Wauhkonen. 2022. Idaho anadromous emigrant monitoring. 2021 annual report. Idaho Department of Fish and Game Report 22-07, Boise. • Knoth, B.A., B.J. Bowersox, and J.T. Fortier. 2021. Potlatch River Steelhead Monitoring and Evaluation Project, 2017 and 2018 Biennial Report. Idaho Department of Fish and Game Report 20-15. • Knoth, B.A., J.T. Fortier, and J.S. Hargrove. 2022. Potlatch River Steelhead Monitoring and Evaluation Project, 2019 and 2020 Biennial Report. Idaho Department of Fish and Game Report 21-13. • McClure C., B. Barnett, E.A. Felts, M. Davison, N. Smith, B.A. Knoth, J.R. Poole, S.F. Feeken. 2020. Idaho anadromous emigrant monitoring. Annual report 2020. Idaho Department of Fish and Game Report 21-11, Boise. • Poole, J.R., B. Barnett, C. McClure, S. Putnam, R.V. Roberts, E.J. Stark. 2021. Idaho anadromous parr monitoring. Annual report 2020. Idaho Department of Fish and Game Report 21-09, Boise. • Putnam, S.A, B. Barnett, M. Heller, J.R. Poole, R.V. Roberts. 2022. Idaho anadromous parr monitoring. Annual report 2021. Idaho Department of Fish and Game Report 22-03, Boise. • Smith, N.R., M.E. Dobos, M. Davison, B.A. Knoth, and E.J. Stark. 2021. Idaho adult steelhead monitoring. Idaho Department of Fish and Game, 2020 Annual Report 21-12, Boise. • Smith, N.R., M. Davison, B.A. Knoth, and S. Meyer. 2022. Idaho adult steelhead monitoring. Idaho Department of Fish and Game, 2021 Annual Report 21-12, Boise.
    •      . . E.1 MonitoringY (Y/N)
      •      . . . . E.1.a Monitoring funding 97,805.00
      •      . . . . E.1.b.1 Stream Miles Monitored 6.10
      •      . . . . E.1.b.2 Acres of Watershed Area Monitored 20,600.0
      •      . . . . E.1.c.15 Intensively monitored watershed (IMW)Y (Y/N)
        •      . . . . . . E.1.c.15.a # miles (to nearest 0.01 mile) of stream or streambank monitored 6.10
        •      . . . . . . E.1.c.15.c # acres (to nearest 0.1 acre) monitored 20,600.0
        •      . . . . E.1.d
          Name Of Comprehensive Monitoring Strategy/Program
          The PRSME project represents the monitoring component of the 2007 Potlatch River Watershed Management Plan and 2019 Amendment

WS-4    


  • Worksite Identifier: WS-4
  • Start Date: 01/01/2020
  • End Date: 12/31/2022
Area Description
West Fork Potlatch River

Location Information

  • Basin: Clearwater (170603)
  • Subbasin: Clearwater (17060306)
  • Watershed: Upper Potlatch River (1706030608)
  • Subwatershed: West Fork Potlatch River-Potlatch River (170603060802)
  • State: Idaho
  • Recovery Domain: Snake River
  • Latitude: 46.798769
  • Longitude: -116.426484

ESU

  • Snake River Basin Steelhead DPS

Map

Photos

Metrics

Metrics
  • E.0 Salmonid Research, Monitoring, and Evaluation (RM&E)Y (Y/N)
    •      . . E.0.a RM&E Funding 97,805.00
    •      . . E.0.b
      Complement habitat restoration project
      The PRSME project provides effectiveness monitoring of habitat restoration actions at the watershed scale in the Potlatch River. The monitoring also provides critical data that directly contributes to population viability assessments for ESA-listed Snake River Basin steelhead.
    •      . . E.0.c
      Project identified in a plan or watershed assessment.
      • National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). 2017. ESA Recovery Plan for Snake River Idaho Spring/Summer Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and Steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) Populations. • NPPC. 2005. Clearwater Subbasin Management Plan, In Columbia River Basin Fish and Wildlife Program. • Potlatch Implementation Group. 2019. Potlatch River Watershed Management Plan 2019 Amendment. Sponsored by Latah Soil and Water Conservation District, Moscow, Idaho.
    •      . . E.0.d.1 Number of Cooperating Organizations 1
    •      . . E.0.d.2
      Name Of Cooperating Organizations.
      IDFG- Nampa Research
    •      . . E.0.e.1 Number of reports prepared 8
    •      . . E.0.e.2
      Name Of Report
      • Heller, M., B. Barnett, E. Felts, M. Davison, N. Smith, B.A. Knoth, J.R. Poole, S.F. Meyer, and K. Wauhkonen. 2022. Idaho anadromous emigrant monitoring. 2021 annual report. Idaho Department of Fish and Game Report 22-07, Boise. • Knoth, B.A., B.J. Bowersox, and J.T. Fortier. 2021. Potlatch River Steelhead Monitoring and Evaluation Project, 2017 and 2018 Biennial Report. Idaho Department of Fish and Game Report 20-15. • Knoth, B.A., J.T. Fortier, and J.S. Hargrove. 2022. Potlatch River Steelhead Monitoring and Evaluation Project, 2019 and 2020 Biennial Report. Idaho Department of Fish and Game Report 21-13. • McClure C., B. Barnett, E.A. Felts, M. Davison, N. Smith, B.A. Knoth, J.R. Poole, S.F. Feeken. 2020. Idaho anadromous emigrant monitoring. Annual report 2020. Idaho Department of Fish and Game Report 21-11, Boise. • Poole, J.R., B. Barnett, C. McClure, S. Putnam, R.V. Roberts, E.J. Stark. 2021. Idaho anadromous parr monitoring. Annual report 2020. Idaho Department of Fish and Game Report 21-09, Boise. • Putnam, S.A, B. Barnett, M. Heller, J.R. Poole, R.V. Roberts. 2022. Idaho anadromous parr monitoring. Annual report 2021. Idaho Department of Fish and Game Report 22-03, Boise. • Smith, N.R., M.E. Dobos, M. Davison, B.A. Knoth, and E.J. Stark. 2021. Idaho adult steelhead monitoring. Idaho Department of Fish and Game, 2020 Annual Report 21-12, Boise. • Smith, N.R., M. Davison, B.A. Knoth, and S. Meyer. 2022. Idaho adult steelhead monitoring. Idaho Department of Fish and Game, 2021 Annual Report 21-12, Boise.
    •      . . E.1 MonitoringY (Y/N)
      •      . . . . E.1.a Monitoring funding 97,805.00
      •      . . . . E.1.b.1 Stream Miles Monitored 77.30
      •      . . . . E.1.b.2 Acres of Watershed Area Monitored 12,500.0
      •      . . . . E.1.c.15 Intensively monitored watershed (IMW)Y (Y/N)
        •      . . . . . . E.1.c.15.a # miles (to nearest 0.01 mile) of stream or streambank monitored 77.30
        •      . . . . . . E.1.c.15.c # acres (to nearest 0.1 acre) monitored 12,500.0
        •      . . . . E.1.d
          Name Of Comprehensive Monitoring Strategy/Program
          The PRSME project represents the monitoring component of the 2007 Potlatch River Watershed Management Plan and 2019 Amendment