Columbia River Project Water Use Plan. Monitoring Program Terms of Reference COLUMBIA RIVER WHITE STURGEON MANAGEMENT PLAN

Transcription

1 Columbia River Project Water Use Plan Monitoring Program Terms of Reference COLUMBIA RIVER WHITE STURGEON MANAGEMENT PLAN CLBMON-27: Mid Columbia River Sturgeon Incubation and Rearing Study January 7, 2009

2 Monitoring Study No. CLBMON-27 Mid Columbia River Sturgeon Incubation and Rearing 1.0 MONITORING PROGRAM RATIONALE As part of the Columbia River Water Use Plan (CRWUP), BC Hydro is funding a variety of studies in the Columbia River to fill biological information gaps that currently hinder conservation planning for white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus). The Columbia River white sturgeon population in Canada is most abundant downstream of Hugh L. Keenleyside Dam (HLK) to the US border, where it is estimated there are less than 1000 adult sturgeon (Wood et al. 2007). Upstream of HLK, abundance of white sturgeon is about 50 individuals, all within Arrow Lakes Reservoir and in the small section of riverine habitat below Revelstoke Dam (REV) (Golder Associates Ltd. 2006). A few individuals may also exist in Kinbasket Reservoir, upstream of Mica Dam (R.L. & L. Environmental Ltd. 1996). The only confirmed spawning location for white sturgeon upstream of HLK is a small riverine section located along the upstream portion of the town of Revelstoke (R.L. & L. Environmental Ltd. 2000, Golder Associates Ltd. 2003). Although viable eggs and embryos have been collected in the area providing evidence of spawning, there has been no apparent resulting recruitment to the population (Golder Associates Ltd. 2006). Identifying the spawning site below REV has led to interest in assessing the conditions for spawning, incubation and early life stages as part of the broader program of studies assessing hypotheses for recruitment failure in white sturgeon. One aspect of the assessment is to understand the effect of water temperatures, which are colder (approximately 10 C) than those usually encountered by sturgeon in more southern portions of their range (>14 C), on spawning time, development rates, incubation success and subsequent juvenile growth and survival. While cool waters generally occurred historically before the dams were installed, hypolimnetic releases from REV tend to be cooler than normal during summer and autumn and somewhat warmer in the winter than pre-dam temperatures (Tiley 2006a). This observation has led to a series of temperature hypotheses related to recruitment failure. White sturgeon spawning time below REV is the latest on record, with a possible delay of up to eight weeks relative to more southerly spawning locations (Tiley 2006b). It is possible that this delay is at least partly due to the cooler than normal water temperatures. There are additional concerns that the present temperature regime could cause abnormal or slow development, poor hatching rates, and poor over-winter survival. Several egg mat and drift net studies have been completed to date in the Columbia basin which document spawning and are summarized below. Although the timing of this spawning is the latest on record for white sturgeon where fertilized eggs were collected, the presence of viable embryos indicates that the spawning was successful (Golder Associates Ltd. 2006). CCRIFC (2004) assessed in situ egg and larval development in response to summer conditions below REV. Hatch rates were normal, despite temperatures that were lower. Time to hatch was delayed relative to literature values for development rates at higher temperatures, but the great majority of post-hatch embryos and larvae were assessed to be physiologically normal. Over- BC Hydro Page 2

3 wintering survival was high among 23- and 92-day old juveniles exposed to typical mid Columbia River temperatures below REV, although these fish were incubated and partially reared at warmer temperatures and maintained in culture facilities prior to initiation of experiments (Tiley 2005). Taken together these studies indicate that some white sturgeon spawn in the REV tailrace, fertilized eggs result, these eggs hatch and likely develop normally, and under experimental culture conditions, over-wintering survival is relatively normal under the present thermal regime. There are, however, a number of remaining questions arising from this work, partly due to the descriptive nature of the work and partly because of the laboratory setting. The latter involved fish spawned earlier than the observed timing in the field, and eggs incubated and partially reared at warmer temperatures. The general hypothesis is that later spawning, later hatch and larval development, slower (or reduced) growth prior to winter, and possibly higher metabolic rates during the winter lead to smaller sub-yearling sturgeon with low metabolic reserves and lower survival during the first winter of life. Additional work is required to test these hypotheses. For the purposes of this ToR, we have used the following life stage terminology (Kynard et al. 2008): i) embryo found in the incubating egg, and ends with hatch ii) free embryo free swimming, still developing embryo up until full yolk absorption; typically 0-12 days of age. iii) larva exogenous feeding stage continues until adult osteology is complete;, typically days of age. iv) juvenile fully developed early life stage until maturation. 1.1 Management Questions At present, there are only limited data regarding direct temperature effects on white sturgeon recruitment in the mid-columbia population. The primary purpose of this study is to implement laboratory experiments to investigate additional aspects of the relation between temperature and early life history survival and recruitment. This information will be used to aid recovery planning for white sturgeon in the Columbia River where colder spawning and early life stage temperatures are found, such as in the mid-columbia. Ultimately, there may be questions regarding whether reservoir and dam operations can be adjusted to improve or enhance spawning and rearing conditions, or whether physical works can be implemented to improve conditions. The fundamental management questions to be addressed through this monitoring program are: 1) What is the relative success (as displayed by developmental condition, growth and survival) of early life stage white sturgeon reared in the laboratory under different temperature regimes, and what is the magnitude of the effect attributable to temperature? 2) Assuming that the early life stage success of white sturgeon is dependant on rearing temperature, what life stage is most affected (or constitutes a bottleneck)? For example, is it the hatching date, pre-winter growth, over-winter metabolic rates, or a combination of factors? BC Hydro Page 3

4 Data collected under CLBMON-21 Mid Columbia River Juvenile Sturgeon Detection and Habitat Use and CLBMON-23 Mid Columbia Egg Mat Monitoring, especially those related to observations of habitat associations, development, growth and survival may contribute to answering the latter question. Temperature data to set baseline regimes in this study may be available from CLBMON-3 (Kinbasket and Revelstoke Ecological Productivity) and CLBMON-15 (Mid Columbia: Physical Habitat and Ecological Productivity). Information on the correlation between REV forebay temperature profiles and the downstream river temperature may also be available from these studies and other project work. 1.2 Management Hypotheses This study is a laboratory-based study that uses an experimental (controlled) approach to assess the effect of temperature regime on development, growth and survival of white sturgeon during early life stages. The following hypotheses may provide guidance to these study components. The null hypothesis is stated as: H 0 The thermal regime of the mid-columbia River does not affect the hatching or incubation success of sturgeon, its larval development, nor does it impact normal post-hatch drift behaviour, growth or survival of sturgeon early life stages. Alternatively, the following hypotheses concern the possible relationships between temperature and early life stage success: H 1 H 2 H 3 H 4 Sturgeon incubation time, embryo development, and hatching success vary according to temperature. Free embryo sturgeon development, growth and survival vary with temperature. Larval sturgeon growth and survival before the over-wintering period under the mid-columbia reach thermal regime significantly differ from those under more normal conditions. Over-wintering sub-yearling sturgeon condition index and mortality under mid- Columbia reach thermal regime are significantly different from those under more normal conditions. The term normal conditions refers to the warmer incubation and early stage development temperatures observed among the Canada-US border spawning sites, and further southerly locations, and to the pre-dam conditions found in the mid- Columbia reach. If feasible under existing levels of support and related experimental conditions, interest has been expressed in a fifth hypothesis: H 5 Post-hatch free embryo sturgeon drift behaviour and hiding habitat use vary according to temperature. Together these studies are expected to provide information relevant to how operational changes in HLK and REV may affect the mid-columbia white sturgeon population and their habitat use. BC Hydro Page 4

5 Key Water Use Decision Affected During development of the Columbia River Water Use Plan (CRWUP), efforts were made to explore the effects of operations on white sturgeon habitat throughout the Columbia River system. The Consultative Committee (CC) noted that insufficient information existed on the effects of temperature on recruitment and on the viability of the mid-columbia population to justify operational changes or physical works. Collection of additional data is therefore warranted. It was envisioned that information would be collected during the first few years of the Water Use Plan, and that this information would be used to consider an appropriate water management schedules or alternative physical works during future reviews of the plan. This study will assess the relation between water temperature and white sturgeon early life stage components. Should the relationship be well defined, it may be possible to explore management options to enhance sturgeon spawning and rearing habitats. MONITORING PROGRAM PROPOSAL Objective and Scope The primary objective of this monitoring program is to assess the effect of the REV discharge thermal regime on white sturgeon early life stages of development, growth and survival during controlled conditions. Information from the study is expected to contribute to the mid-columbia sturgeon management plan review scheduled for 2011, and in the long term may influence subsequent or concurrent evaluations of REV and Arrow Lakes Reservoir operations and possible physical works alternatives. 2.2 Approach This laboratory (controlled) experiments will compare early life stage development, growth and survival under thermal regimes that represent those found in the mid- Columbia reach (historical and present) and downstream in the Columbia where juvenile survival is demonstrated. The laboratory work is expected to take place over 3 years ( ) and cost approximately $90,000 annually in 2004$. It should be noted that this approach is contrary to the CC directions, which recommended a year of in-situ work and development of plans and facilities, followed by a year of laboratory studies (CRWUPCC 2005). However, later recommendations from the Technical Working Group (TWG) expanded this approach, and it is now believed that one or two years of laboratory studies are unlikely to provide sufficient data to address the objectives for the project. Laboratory facilities suitable for this study are more often available through government or academic research institutions. The budget is therefore kept general and is expected to include all set-up and maintenance costs, and the cost of obtaining and transporting fertilized eggs to the laboratory. A Request for Expressions of Interest will be sent to a list of laboratories suggested by the TWG and other sources, the most suitable lab will be selected, and the program will enter into negotiations regarding study design and final cost. It has been assumed in this ToR that existing data (CCRIFC 2004, Tiley 2005) on the success of incubation and hatch at cooler temperatures is adequate, and this study is BC Hydro Page 5

6 2.3 Tasks therefore expected to focus on post-hatch early life stage development, growth and survival. If during laboratory negotiations, thermal response of incubation and hatch can be confirmed in the research at no extra cost, the program will be expanded. The TWG and laboratory selected will be encouraged to modify the design and methods proposed in this ToR as needed to meet the project objective. Clear rationale should, however be provided for any modifications to the proposed program Task 1: Project Coordination Project coordination will involve the general administrative and technical oversight of the monitoring program and all component studies. This will include but not be limited to 1) budget management, 2) study team selection, 3) logistic coordination, 4) technical oversight in field, laboratory and analysis components, 5) communication and facilitation of data transfer among relevant projects, BC Hydro staff, and the white sturgeon recovery team, and 6) submission of necessary reports and analyses. Project coordination includes oversight to ensure that reporting requirements are met for each study component. A safety plan must be developed and submitted to the BC Hydro Representative for all aspects of the study. Since white sturgeon in the Columbia River are listed as endangered under SARA, care must be taken to protect sturgeon from injury or mortality related to sampling. Sampling approaches and the expected incidental effects must be identified in an application for a SARA research permit and must be pre-approved by the Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO). Unexpected effects must be reported promptly to the responsible authorities and to BC Hydro WLR Sturgeon Coordinator. The causal activity may be suspended pending review with the DFO and approval to recommence. If required for this project, a SARA research permit will be obtained by BC Hydro. If the project requires the movement of sturgeon across the Canada-US border, a CITES permit will be required and BC Hydro and/or the contractor will submit a permit application and may meet with the joint federal-provincial Introductions and Transplant Committee (ITC) to obtain their support. However, if a US lab is used, consideration should be given to sourcing eggs of acceptable inherited components in the US for the work. Any other required permits and approvals are the responsibility of the contractor. Task 2: Laboratory Temperature Experiments The objective of this study is to assess the effect of water temperature regime on the development, growth and survival of white sturgeon early life stages. As noted in Section 2.2, the priority for the study is to examine early life stages development and growth under different thermal regimes with other parameters controlled. The study design should maximize the number of treatments, replicates and the duration of study within the allocated budget. Protocol, statistical power and effect size should be discussed between the BC Hydro WLR Sturgeon Coordinator, the TWG and the selected laboratory before the study is finalized to ensure expected results meet the objective of the program. The project will be best completed at existing research facilities generally found at a government institute or universities. The laboratory will be selected, and agreement BC Hydro Page 6

7 for study delivery negotiated and final experimental design completed prior to the initiation of the experimental studies in late July or August Eggs may be provided from that source which provides a broodstock most applicable to the questions being asked. However, the genetic source of the broodstock that will be used for this experiment will be decided with input from the TWG. Nelson and McAdam (2007) defined four genetic sub-populations using mitochondrial DNA in the Lower Columbia River. Within their analysis, no genetic difference was detected between fish from Arrow Lakes or those collected just downstream of Hugh Keenleyside Dam. Preference for Arrow/HLK as a genetic source may be used subject to TWG direction regarding criteria for identifying these fish. In Canada, the most likely source is the Kootenay Sturgeon Conservation Hatchery in Wardner, B.C. from which eggs would be transported to the laboratory. Eggs will be transferred to the laboratory at a stage most likely to successfully survive transportation. Care must be taken to ensure the eggs are kept agitated, well oxygenated and at a constant incubation temperature during transport to the lab. If the lab is located in the US, then arrangements will have to be made to transport the eggs across the Canada-US border, or a source of eggs will have to be identified in the US (in which case any inherited component which could result in a response contrary to that expected for mid-columbia sturgeon should be taken into account). The facilities will have to include suitable incubators to allow for completion of incubation to produce the posthatch larvae for the thermal regime experiments. Details of the thermal treatments should be worked out with input from the TWG, but should include one thermal treatment that is similar to the present-day temperature regime below REV (as documented by the temperature monitoring conducted in as well as historical data sets), and a treatment that represents that observed in warmer Columbia River reaches where at least some successful recruitment has been documented (downstream of the Pend d Oreille River confluence). A third treatment option could be one that is similar to the pre-regulation regime (as described in available data). Recent historical temperatures have been collated (Tiley 2006a) and are therefore available for use. Temperature recorders are currently in place to monitor river temperatures under CLBMON-3 and CLBMON-15, and thermal regime data is available for the Waneta spawning location and additional locations in the US. The experimental design may take the form of elongated troughs, circular channels, or oval or circular tanks, possibly equipped with stream channel structures to provide for changes in current conditions. The experimental apparatus should provide substrate conditions which are shown in the literature to be preferred by free embryos and later juveniles (Bennett et al. 2007, Kynard et al. 2008). The life history stages tested should include the free embryo hiding and drift stages, larval dispersal, and initiation of feeding. It would be worthwhile if the design may considered availability of metabolic reserves under winter temperature regimes. To include this aspect, the work would require running the tests until roughly the end of December. Biological responses to experimental treatments are expected to be measures of fitness in early life stages. These will likely include development, growth and survival indices. The laboratory will need to maintain sufficient flexibility to respond to change in the availability of white sturgeon larvae, as well as any new information which may contribute to experimental design. BC Hydro Page 7

8 Task 3: Data Analysis The extent of data analyses will depend on the type and amount of data obtained from the laboratory program. Existing thermal regime surveys and historical data will assess the spatial and temporal trends in water temperatures at the spawning site downstream of the dam. This information will be used to develop experimental regimes for the laboratory studies, and can be used to assess the feasibility of REV operational or structural modifications for consideration in future WUP reviews, although developing such recommendations is not considered a part of this ToR. The aim of the temperature effects test is to relate success of early life stages to rearing temperature regime. The analyses should focus on development, growth and survival responses to temperature regimes. Analyses macros should be written in a program (e.g. Excel or S plus) suitable to allow the WLR Sturgeon Coordinator and TWG to explore the data. Analyses software compatibility should be arranged prior to the work commencing. Task 4: Reporting Project reporting will consist of data reports each year, and a final technical report at the conclusion of the study. Annual data reports will include descriptions of methods, a summary of results to date, and recommendations for any changes to the sampling plan for the upcoming year. The final technical report will provide: 1) an executive summary; 2) a description of the methods employed; 3) a data summary and analysis; 4) a comparison of results between years; 5) a detailed summary of the findings as they relate to the key management questions; and 6) any recommendations related to next steps. Decisions on next steps will follow consultation with the regulatory agencies and TWG. Draft versions of reports should be submitted in Microsoft Word for ease of editing. Final reports will follow the standard format that is being developed for WUP monitoring programs. All reports will be provided in hard-copy and as Microsoft Word and Adobe Acrobat (*.pdf) format, and all maps and figures will be provided either as embedded objects in the Word file or as separate files. Data will be submitted in a spreadsheet or database format. Task 5: Interpretation of Monitoring Program Results The experimental data of the effects of thermal regime on development, growth and survival should relate water temperature to sturgeon early life history. The study should assess how water temperatures may affect sturgeon natural recruitment in the mid-columbia reach. BC Hydro Page 8

9 2.4 Schedule Temperature conditions will be monitored from June 2008 to May 2009 to provide the existing test thermal regime. The laboratory assessment of the impact of thermal regime on larval development, growth and survival will be conducted during each of 2009, 2010 and 2011; the selection of a laboratory and final design of the experiment is expected during the winter of The RFEI should be sent out in November, with laboratory selection by January and the final design negotiations to follow. Laboratory experiments are expected to take place between June and December of each year. Data reports addressing the first years of each study component are expected in January of 2010 and The technical report presenting the results of the laboratory studies will be provided in draft by January 2011 and finalized in April As this may be too late for the planned 2011 review, clear data summaries of the work completed to date should be provided in the autumn of the last year of research. 2.5 Budget The total annual budget for this monitoring program is estimated at $90,000 (in 2004 dollars) for three years (rather than the planned 2 years of study). As a result, the work will require approximately 1.5x the budget proposed by the CC or an average annual cost of $101,368. The estimated budget breakdown by task and year (including 2% rate of inflation and 5% contingency). Total Study Cost Inflation rate of 2% per year $304,104 Contingency rate of 5% $319, REFERENCES Bennett, W.R., G. Edmondson, K. Williamson and J. Gelley An investigation of the substrate preference of white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) eleutheroembryos. J. Appl. Ichthyol. 23: Canadian Columbia River Inter-tribal Fisheries Commission (CCRFIC) Final Report: White sturgeon egg and larval development in response to summer temperature conditions observed downstream of Revelstoke Dam. Report prepared for the Endangered Species Recovery Fund. Report prepared by Mark Tiley, CCRIFC, Cranbrook, B.C. 29 p. Columbia River Water Use Plan Consultative Committee (CRWUPCC) Consultative committee report; Columbia River water use plan, Volumes 1 and 2. Reports prepared by BC Hydro. Golder Associates Ltd White sturgeon investigations in Arrow Lakes reservoir B.C., study results. Report prepared for BC Hydro, Castlegar, B.C. Golder Report No / / D: 27 p. + 4 app. BC Hydro Page 9

10 Golder Associates Ltd A synthesis of white sturgeon investigations in Arrow Lakes Reservoir, B.C Report prepared for BC Hydro, Castlegar, B.C. Golder Report No F: 61 p. + plates + 11 app. Kynard, B., E. Parker, B. Kynard, and T. Parker Dispersal and behaviour of early life stages of Kootenai white sturgeon: a laboratory study. Presentation at Fisheries in Flux, American Fisheries Society, 138 th Annual Meeting, Ottawa, Canada, August 17-21, R.L. & L. Environmental Ltd Investigations of white sturgeon populations in Revelstoke and Kinbasket reservoirs, 1995 data report. Report prepared for B.C. Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks. R.L. & L. Environmental Ltd White sturgeon investigations in Arrow reservoir and Columbia River, B.C., 1999 study results. Report prepared for B.C. Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks. Tiley, M White sturgeon larval and juvenile development and survival reared under fall and early winter Revelstoke Reach temperature conditions. Final Summary Report, March Prepared for the Endangered Species Recovery Fund, by Canadian Columbia River Inter-tribal Fisheries Commission (CCRIFC), Revelstoke, B.C. Tiley, M. 2006a. Arrow Lakes Reservoir white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) spawning periodicity and embryo and larval development downstream of Revelstoke Dam and estimated effects of river impoundment on the timing of spawning. Report by Canadian Columbia River Inter-tribal Fisheries Commission (CCRIFC), Revelstoke, B.C. Tiley, M. 2006b. Habitat Use of Arrow Lakes Reservoir pre-spawning and spawning adult White sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus), timing of spawning and embryo and larval survival. Draft Report -- May 2006 Prepared by the Canadian Columbia River Inter-tribal Fisheries Commission, Revelstoke, B.C. Wood, C., D. Sneep, S. McAdam, J. Korman, and T. hatfield Recovery potential assessment for white sturgeon populations listed under the Species at Risk Act. Fisheries and Oceans Canada. 26 p. + 2 app BC Hydro Page 10