Upper Klamath Basin Anadromous Monitoring FY25

The Klamath Tribes will establish a comprehensive monitoring program that will evaluate the recovery of anadromous species in the Upper Klamath Basin (UKB). A fundamental monitoring challenge in the UKB now and into the future is determining when and where adult anadromous species will distribute themselves across the landscape. The current monitoring strategy for anadromous fish in the Oregon portion of the Klamath watershed involves a collaborative effort between ODFW and The Klamath Tribes. Under this strategy, the watershed is divided into distinct monitoring responsibilities: ODFW is tasked with overseeing the area from the Oregon state line to UKL, while The Klamath Tribes focus on monitoring the tributaries of UKL representing over 544 kilometers of suitable habitat for anadromous fishes (Fig. 1) (Hereford et al. 2021).

To develop and implement an effective monitoring strategy, The Klamath Tribes require additional staff and resources to conduct comprehensive surveys across such a large and dynamic area. Approximately 50% of mainstem habitats are surveyed from the Klamath River mouth to the Oregon California border by the US Fish and Wildlife Service and Karuk Tribe (USFWS 2024). To maintain consistent survey effort throughout the watershed, The Klamath Tribes monitoring strategy will also survey at least 50% of available anadromous habitat in tributaries of UKL. Without additional staff capacity it is impossible to effectively survey anadromous species in tributaries of UKL. In addition to conducting anadromous monitoring activities, staff will also perform spawning and thermal refuge surveys for migratory redband trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss newberrii), a vital first food of The Klamath Tribes and the primary subsistence fishery for tribal members. These efforts will provide critical information to enhance the understanding of the status and trends of this essential fishery to The Klamath Tribes.



Project Objective: In addition to building on existing projects, the baseline data generated from this monitoring program will inform the design and implementation of future monitoring efforts, including the strategic placement of infrastructure to quantify other aspects of viable salmonid population parameters including adult abundance (i.e. video weirs), adult distribution (i.e. acoustic and radio telemetry stations), and juvenile survival and productivity (i.e. PIT arrays and screw traps) ( McElhany et al. 2000). It will also provide relative fish utilization information to help guide targeted restoration initiatives, supporting the long-term recovery and resilience of anadromous species in the UKB. Lastly, The Klamath River Technical Team (KRRTT) relies on salmon carcass and redd surveys to estimate basin-wide natural escapement and age structure. These estimates are also used to project ocean stock abundance, which collectively inform harvest management (Gough 2017). Data collection protocols will align with lower river methodologies to ensure consistency, facilitating the integration of UKB monitoring data into KRRTTs basin-wide escapement estimates.

Anadromous species expected to reoccupy the UKB include Coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch), which are listed as threatened under the ESA; upper Klamath Trinity River spring Chinook salmon, which are classified as threatened under the California Endangered Species Act (Howe 2024, CDFW 2021); and Pacific lamprey (Entosphenus tridentatus), a California state species of special concern (CDFW 2025, Moyle 2015). The proposed monitoring program directly supports the priorities and objectives outlined in the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s ESA management recommendations and NOAA’s 5-year review for the Klamath River, addressing key limiting factors and advancing priority actions for the recovery of these anadromous species.

Broader Benefits to Recovery and Conservation: These surveys are critical to The Klamath Tribes as they will enhance tribal capacity to participate in anadromous recovery, conservation planning, project development, and long-term management of anadromous species on ancestral lands. The integration of monitoring data, conservation planning, and restoration will result in a more effective recovery framework for anadromous species in the UKB. Additionally, by fostering tribal leadership in these efforts, the program will promote co-management approaches, enhancing collaboration and ensuring long-term stewardship of natural resources in the region