(Expanded) Phase 2 Feasibility Studies for Salmon Reintroduction: Evaluation of Downstream Movement and Survival of Juvenile Chinook Salmon in the Upper Columbia Basin

This project is a continuation and expansion of the Phase 2 work that is currently funded under PCSRF Project CDA_22. Funds for this project will be used to increase sample sizes and support additional field work and administration costs that were not accounted for in CDA_22. This project was initiated in November, 2020 using tribal and State funds, however PCSRF funds were not used until after receiving the CDA_22 and CDA_2023 awards.



Project objectives are consistent with CDA_22, and include:



Replace a number of key assumptions modeled within Phase 1 salmon reintroduction studies (UCUT 2019), with empirical data and includes the following objectives specific to juvenile chinook salmon:



1. Estimate survival and travel time from the mouth of the Sanpoil River (rkm 987) and Kettle Falls (rkm 1121) to Grand Coulee Dam (rkm 957).



2. Estimate survival and travel time from Little Falls Dam (rkm 1071), Long Lake Dam (rkm 1089), Nine Mile Dam (rkm 1127), and Lower Hangman Creek (rkm 1141) to Grand Coulee Dam.



3. Estimate survival and travel time from Grand Coulee Dam to Chief Joseph Dam (rkm 877).



4. Assess near-dam behavior and estimate route-specific passage survival at Grand Coulee Dam.



5. Assess near-dam behavior and estimate route-specific passage survival at Chief Joseph Dam.

To inform the feasibility of salmon reintroduction upstream of Chief Joseph and Grand Coulee dams.