Migratory Timing And Distribution Of Kenai River Chinook Salmon Using Radio Telemetry 2014 2015 PDF Download

"Radio telemetry was used to determine the migration behavior of adult Chinook salmon in the Lostine River during the 2010, 2011 and 2012 return years. The purpose of the study was to assess potential impediments to upstream passage and examine other characteristics of migrating salmon as they moved toward their spawning grounds. One hundred and fifty eight fish were tagged during the course of the study at the Lostine River weir site. One hundred and fifteen of those fish supplied relevant data for assessment. Fixed telemetry sites and stream flows at specific irrigation diversions were monitored during the migration season. Mobile telemetry surveys were also conducted to detect tagged fish between and above fixed sites. The Tulley Hill, Clearwater, Lostine and Sheep Ridge diversions were not complete barriers to migrating salmon during stream flows experienced by fish in 2010, 2011 and 2012. Passage delay was observed in terms of time needed to cross over the structures in all years. Fish were able to pass over the Clearwater Diversion during stream flows as low as 22 cfs in 2010 and required a mean time of 7 hours and 32 minutes to pass over the structure. Fish were able to pass over the Tulley Hill diversion during stream flows as low as 33 cfs in 2011 and 15 cfs in 2012. They required a mean time of 9 hours and 56 minutes to pass over the structure in 2011 and 7 hours and 18 minutes in 2012. Fish arriving at the Lostine Diversion passed the structure during flows as low as 24 cfs in 2011 and 21 cfs in 2012. They required a mean time of 3 hours and 28 minutes and 3 hours and 20 minutes respectively. Fish were able to pass over the Sheep Ridge Diversion during stream flows as low as 37 cfs in 2010, 48 cfs in 2011 and 25 cfs in 2012. The mean duration of upstream passage over the Sheep Ridge Diversion was 29 hours and 21 minutes in 2010, 3 hours and 12 minutes in 2011 and 12 hours in 2012. The majority of tagged fish were able to pass above the diversion structures on the first attempt in all years. Salmon moved upstream during all hours of the day with the exception of the early hours of initial day light. Fish moving upstream of the weir traveled an average of 9.4 km after release. Males tended to migrate further distances than females. Some males and females made extensive "up and down" stream movements. Migration travel rates between reaches were different in all years. Fish moving upstream through the lower reaches of the Lostine River traveled slower than through the upper reaches. Fish arriving at the Lostine River weir during the later part of the run moved faster upstream than earlier arriving fish. Final tag locations did not correspond to typical Lostine spawning locations. The relationship between when a salmon enters the Lostine River and where it eventually spawns is not yet clear."--Abstract.