scholarly journals Hybridization of Snake River Cutthroat in the Lower Gros Ventre River

2006 ◽  
Vol 30 ◽  
pp. 110-113
Author(s):  
Ryan Kovach ◽  
Lisa Eby
Keyword(s):  
Exotic Species ◽  
National Park ◽  
Cutthroat Trout ◽  
Snake River ◽  
Oncorhynchus Clarki ◽  
Oncorhynchus Clarkii ◽  
Grand Teton National Park ◽  
Water Diversions ◽  
Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout ◽  
Special Concern

The cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus clarki is Wyoming's only native trout. The Yellowstone cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii bouvieri) is designated as a "species of special concern" by a number of agencies and conservation groups. Although the Yellowstone cutthroat trout has recently avoided federal listing because of robust headwater populations (USFWS 2006), they face continued threats across their range. The fine-spotted Snake River native trout is a morphologically divergent ecotype of the Yellowstone subspecies, although it is not genetically distinguishable (Allendorf and Leary 1988, Novak et al. 2005). The Gros Ventre, an important tributary of the Snake River located partially in Grand Teton National Park, historically supported robust populations of fine­ spotted Snake River cutthroat trout. Principal threats to Gros Ventre native trout, especially in the lower end of the drainage within the park boundaries, include both water diversions (loss of water and fish into irrigation ditches) and presence of exotic species.

scholarly journals Evaluating the Movement Patterns of Snake River Finespotted Cutthroat Trout in the Snake River Below Jackson Lake Dam, Grand Teton National Park

2008 ◽  
Vol 31 ◽  
pp. 23-28
Author(s):  
Bob Gresswell ◽  
Kris Homel
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Radio Telemetry ◽  
Cutthroat Trout ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Large River ◽  
Spawning Migration ◽  
Snake River ◽  
Behavioral Variability ◽  
Oncorhynchus Clarkii ◽  
Grand Teton National Park

The Snake River finespotted cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus clarkii behnkei has been formally recognized as a subspecies of cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus clarkii, but it is more generally perceived as a morphologically divergent ecotype of the more broadly distributed Yellowstone cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus clarkii bouvieri. This large-river cutthroat trout has persisted in the Snake River downstream of Jackson Lake Dam through a century of flow regulation. Although there is a popular sport fishery focused on this native trout, spawning and distribution patterns throughout its range are poorly understood. Consequently, it is difficult to predict how future disturbances (e.g., climate change or an increase in the prevalence of nonnative species) may affect behavior or persistence. In 2008, radio telemetry techniques were used to identify spawning patterns of cutthroat trout. From August-October, 2007, 49 radio telemetry tags were implanted into cutthroat trout in the Snake River, Grand Teton National Park and fish movements were tracked during the spawning season. Significant temporal and spatial variability in spawning behavior was observed (n = 22 fish with distinct spawning migrations). The earliest spawning migration began at the end of April, and the last spawning migration was initiated in mid-July. Spawning was observed in the mainstem and side channels of the Snake River, several tributaries, and three major spring creek complexes. Although the majority of this spawning activity occurred within 40 km of the respective original tagging location, three fish migrated to spawning areas 75-100 river kilometers away. Ultimately, developing a comprehensive understanding of the behavioral variability of Snake River finespotted cutthroat trout and the habitat connectivity required to complete the life cycle will provide new insights into the management of this portion of the Snake River.

scholarly journals Two Ocean Pass: An Alternative Hypothesis for the Invasion of Yellowstone Lake by Lake Trout, and Implications for Future Invasions

Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 1629 ◽  
Author(s):  
Todd M. Koel ◽  
Colleen R. Detjens ◽  
Alexander V. Zale
Keyword(s):  
Brook Trout ◽  
National Park ◽  
Lake Trout ◽  
Cutthroat Trout ◽  
Snake River ◽  
Yellowstone Lake ◽  
Yellowstone River ◽  
Continental Divide ◽  
Nonnative Fish ◽  
Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout

Preventing the interbasin transfer of aquatic invasive species is a high priority for natural resource managers. Such transfers can be made by humans or can occur by dispersal through connected waterways. A natural surface water connection between the Atlantic and Pacific drainages in North America exists at Two Ocean Pass south of Yellowstone National Park. Yellowstone cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus clarkii bouvieri used this route to cross the Continental Divide and colonize the Yellowstone River from ancestral sources in the Snake River following glacial recession 14,000 bp. Nonnative lake trout Salvelinus namaycush were stocked into lakes in the Snake River headwaters in 1890 and quickly dispersed downstream. Lake trout were discovered in Yellowstone Lake in 1994 and were assumed to have been illegally introduced. Recently, lake trout have demonstrated their ability to move widely through river systems and invade headwater lakes in Glacier National Park. Our objective was to determine if lake trout and other nonnative fish were present in the connected waters near Two Ocean Pass and could thereby colonize the Yellowstone River basin in the past or future. We used environmental DNA (eDNA), electrofishing, and angling to survey for lake trout and other fishes. Yellowstone cutthroat trout were detected at nearly all sites on both sides of the Continental Divide. Lake trout and invasive brook trout S. fontinalis were detected in Pacific Creek near its confluence with the Snake River. We conclude that invasive movements by lake trout from the Snake River over Two Ocean Pass may have resulted in their colonization of Yellowstone Lake. Moreover, Yellowstone Lake may be vulnerable to additional invasions because several other nonnative fish inhabit the upper Snake River. In the future, eDNA collected across smaller spatial intervals in Pacific Creek during flow conditions more conducive to lake trout movement may provide further insight into the extent of non-native fish invasions in this stream.

scholarly journals Genetic Investigation of Snake River and Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout

2003 ◽  
Vol 27 ◽  
pp. 81-86
Author(s):  
Jeffery Mitton
Keyword(s):  
Mitochondrial Dna ◽  
Natural Populations ◽  
Cutthroat Trout ◽  
Snake River ◽  
Oncorhynchus Clarki ◽  
Genetic Investigation ◽  
Fish Hatchery ◽  
Oncorhynchus Clarki Bouvieri ◽  
Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout ◽  
The Relationship

The relationship between Yellowstone cutthroat trout, Oncorhynchus clarki bouvieri, and Snake River finespotted cutthroat trout, 0. clarki behnkei, was examined with two mitochondrial DNA fragments, COl and ND5. No variation was found within either subspecies, and just one (out of 1069) nucleotide differed between subspecies. Thus, these subspecies are very closely related. Samples for this study were obtained from hatcheries, and may not be representative of the subspecies. 0. c. bouveri were sampled from the Clark Fork Hatchery, in Powell, WY, and 0. c. behnkei were sampled from the National Fish Hatchery in Jackson, WY. Further sampling, preferably from natural populations, is needed to more thoroughly survey the variation within subspecies, and to measure the differences between subspecies.

scholarly journals River Reach Delineations and Beaver Movement in Grand Teton National Park

2015 ◽  
Vol 38 ◽  
pp. 37-47
Author(s):  
William Gribb ◽  
Henry Harlow
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Single Channel ◽  
Wave Length ◽  
Theoretical Background ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Snake River ◽  
River Continuum ◽  
Grand Teton National Park ◽  
Meandering Channel ◽  
River Reach

This project had two components, with the first component providing a background for the second component. Water resources in Grand Teton National Park (GTNP) are both unregulated and regulated by human management. The Jackson Lake Dam and the ponds scattered across the park influence the flow of water. In the process of managing the water it is important to have knowledge of the different components of the streams through which the water flows. One component of this project was to examine the different segments of the major rivers in GTNP and identify the river forms that are displayed by the different reaches of the Snake River above and below Jackson Lake, Buffalo Fork and Pacific Creek. The river form can be segregated into three main categories; the single channel, the meandering channel and the braided channel (Knighton 1984). The different river forms are part of the overall structural composition of the river and can be used to delineate the segments or reaches of the river. The river continuum concept presented by Vannote et al. (1980) provides a theoretical background upon which to construct the river reach system. In 2007, Nelson (2007) completed a reach system project while investigating the fluvial geomorphology of the Snake River below Jackson Lake Dam (Figure 1.). His 20 river reaches provided a zonation of the river that incorporated a range of geomorphic features. This same type of system can be used throughout the GTNP so that researchers have a common spatial unit designation when referencing portions of the Snake River and its tributaries. Ackers (1988) in his work on alluvial channel hydraulics identified three dimensions of meanders that should be considered; width, depth and slope. He further agreed with Hey (1978) that there are nine factors that define river geometry and that these should be considered as well: average bank full velocity, hydraulic mean depth, maximum bank full depth, slope, wave length of bed forms, their mean height, bank full wetted perimeter, channel sinuousity and arc length of meanders. Nelson’s work (Nelson 2007) added another parameter by including a braiding index into the representation of river reach designations. In a more recent work, the Livers and Wohl (2014) study confirmed Nelson’s approach by comparing reach characteristics between glacial and fluvial process domains using similar reach designation characteristics to determine reach differences.

scholarly journals Effects of Domestic Livestock and Native Wildlife Grazing in Grand Teton National Park

1993 ◽  
Vol 17 ◽  
pp. 91-95
Author(s):  
Michael Smith ◽  
Jerrold Dodd ◽  
Paul Meiman
Keyword(s):  
Plant Community ◽  
National Park ◽  
Mule Deer ◽  
Snake River ◽  
Grand Teton National Park ◽  
Jackson Hole ◽  
Domestic Livestock ◽  
Wildlife Populations

The Snake River plains and foothill areas of Jackson Hole have been grazed by domestic livestock since settlement of the area. Wildlife populations, including elk, mule deer, and antelope have historically used and continue to use the area. Moose are currently relatively abundant and a small herd of bison have been introduced. Currently, livestock use part of the area contained in Grand Teton National Park either as a concession or due to authorization by Park enabling legislation. Park managers need information concerning the effects of grazing by large ungulates on vegetation resources to assist in effectively managing grazing to service forage needs and achieve desired plant community goals.

scholarly journals Tracing the cultural history of upper Snake River guides in Grand Teton National Park

2016 ◽  
Vol 39 ◽  
pp. 108-115
Author(s):  
Yolonda Youngs
Keyword(s):  
World War Ii ◽  
Cultural History ◽  
National Park ◽  
Outdoor Recreation ◽  
The United States ◽  
Snake River ◽  
World War ◽  
Grand Teton National Park ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Impact

This study traces the development and evolution of Snake River use and management through an in-depth exploration of historic commercial scenic river guiding and concessions on the upper Snake River in Grand Teton National Park (GRTE) from 1950 to the present day. The research is based on a combination of methods including archival research, oral history analysis, historical landscape analysis, and fieldwork. I suggest that a distinct cultural community of river runners and outdoor recreationalists developed in Grand Teton National Park after World War II. In GRTE, a combination of physical, cultural, and technical forces shaped this community’s evolution including the specific geomorphology and dynamic channel patterns of the upper Snake River, the individuals and groups that worked on this river, and changes in boat and gear technology over time. The following paper presents the early results from the first year of this project in 2016 including the work of a graduate student and myself. This study offers connections between the upper Snake River and Grand Teton National Park to broader national trends in the evolution of outdoor recreation and concessions in national parks, the impact of World War II on technological developments for boating, and the cultural history of adventure outdoor recreation and tourism in the United States.   Featured photo by Elton Menefee on Unsplash. https://unsplash.com/photos/AHgCFeg-gXg

scholarly journals Effects of Climate and Biotic Factors on Life History Characteristics and Vital Rates of Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout in Spread Creek, Wyoming

2013 ◽  
Vol 36 ◽  
pp. 160-174
Author(s):  
Patrick Uthe ◽  
Robert Al-Chokhachy
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Brook Trout ◽  
Cutthroat Trout ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Snake River ◽  
Vital Rates ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout ◽  
Life History Patterns ◽  
Diversity Of Life

The Upper Snake River represents one of the largest remaining strongholds of Yellowstone cutthroat across its native range. Understanding the effects of restoration activities and the diversity of life-history patterns and factors influencing such patterns remains paramount for long-term conservation strategies. In 2011, we initiated a project to quantify the success of the removal of a historic barrier on Spread Creek and to evaluate the relative influence of different climate attributes on native Yellowstone cutthroat trout and non-native brook trout behavior and fitness. Our results to date have demonstrated the partial success of the dam removal with large, fluvial Yellowstone cutthroat trout migrating up Spread Creek to spawn, thus reconnecting this population to the greater Snake River metapopulation. Early indications from mark-recapture data demonstrate considerable differences in life-history and demographic patterns across tributaries within the Spread Creek drainage. Our results highlight the diversity of life-history patterns of resident and fluvial Yellowstone cutthroat trout with considerable differences in seasonal and annual growth rates and behavior across populations. Continuing to understand the factors influencing such patterns will provide a template for prioritizing restoration activities in the context of future challenges to conservation (e.g., climate change).

The interactive effects of stream temperature, stream size, and non-native species on Yellowstone cutthroat trout

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Al-Chokhachy ◽  
Mike Lien ◽  
Bradley B. Shepard ◽  
Brett High
Keyword(s):  
Native Species ◽  
Cutthroat Trout ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Stream Temperature ◽  
Interactive Effects ◽  
Oncorhynchus Clarkii ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout ◽  
Stream Size ◽  
Native Salmonids

Climate change and non-native species are considered two of the biggest threats to native salmonids in North America. We evaluated how non-native salmonids and stream temperature and discharge were associated with Yellowstone cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii bouvieri) distribution, abundance, and body size, to gain a more complete understanding of the existing threats to native populations. Allopatric Yellowstone cutthroat trout were distributed across a wide range of average August temperatures (3.2 to 17.7ºC), but occurrence significantly declined at colder temperatures (<10 ºC) with increasing numbers of non-natives. At warmer temperatures occurrence remained high, despite sympatry with non-natives. Yellowstone cutthroat trout relative abundance was significantly reduced with increasing abundance of non-natives, with the greatest impacts at colder temperatures. Body sizes of large Yellowstone cutthroat trout (90th percentile) significantly increased with warming temperatures and larger stream size, highlighting the importance of access to these more productive stream segments. Considering multiple population-level attributes demonstrates the complexities of how native salmonids (such as Yellowstone cutthroat trout) are likely to be affected by shifting climates.

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