Estimates of Chinook Salmon Spawning Habitat in a Blocked Reach of the Columbia River Upstream of Grand Coulee Dam

We improved our predictions of fall chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) habitat use by analyzing spawning habitat at the spatial scale of redd clusters. Spatial point pattern analyses indicated that redd clusters in the Hanford Reach, Columbia River, were consistent in their location from 1994 to 1995. Redd densities were 16.1 and 8.9 redds·ha-1 in 1994 and 1995, respectively, and individual redds within clusters were usually less than 30 m apart. Pattern analysis also showed strong evidence that redds were uniformly distributed within the clusters where interredd distances ranged from 2 to 5 m. Redd clusters were found to occur predominantly where water velocity was between 1.4 and 2 m·s-1, water depth was 2-4 m, and lateral slope of the riverbed was less than 4%. This habitat use represented a narrower range of use than previously reported for adult fall chinook salmon. Logistic regression analysis determined that water velocity and lateral slope were the most significant predictors of redd cluster location over a range of river discharges. Overestimates of available spawning habitat lead to nonachievable goals for protecting and restoring critical salmonid habitat. Better predictions of spawning habitat may be possible if cluster-specific characteristics are used.

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A Spatial Model to Assess the Effects of Hydropower Operations on Columbia River Fall Chinook Salmon Spawning Habitat

North American Journal of Fisheries Management ◽

10.1577/m08-053.1 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 29 (5) ◽

pp. 1379-1405 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

James R. Hatten ◽

Kenneth F. Tiffan ◽

Donald R. Anglin ◽

Steven L. Haeseker ◽

Joseph J. Skalicky ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Chinook Salmon ◽

Spatial Model ◽

Columbia River ◽

Spawning Habitat

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An estimate of chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) spawning habitat and redd capacity upstream of a migration barrier in the upper Columbia River

Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences ◽

10.1139/f03-140 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 61 (1) ◽

pp. 23-33 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

Timothy P Hanrahan ◽

Dennis D Dauble ◽

David R Geist

Keyword(s):

Chinook Salmon ◽

Oncorhynchus Tshawytscha ◽

Columbia River ◽

Fish Passage ◽

Habitat Characteristics ◽

Anadromous Fish ◽

Facilities Management ◽

Spawning Habitat ◽

High Quality ◽

Complex Issue

Chief Joseph Dam on the Columbia River is the upstream terminus for anadromous fish because of its lack of fish passage facilities. Management agencies are currently evaluating the feasibility of reintroducing anadromous fish upriver of Chief Joseph Dam. We evaluated the physical characteristics of potential fall chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) spawning habitat in the upper section of Chief Joseph Reservoir. The objectives were to estimate the location and quantity of potential spawning habitat and to determine the redd capacity of the area based on spawning habitat characteristics. The suitability of the study area was estimated through the use of geomorphic analysis, empirical physical data, and modeled hydraulic data. We estimated that 5% (48.7 ha) of the study area contains potentially suitable fall chinook salmon spawning habitat. Potential spawning habitat is primarily limited by deep water and low water velocities, resulting in 20% (9.6 ha) of the potential spawning habitat being characterized as high quality. Estimates of redd capacity within potential spawning habitat range from 207 to 1599 redds. The results of our study provide fisheries managers with useful information for evaluating the complex issue of reintroducing anadromous fish to the Columbia River upstream of Chief Joseph Dam.

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