Session A8 - Fish Passage Development on the lower Clark Fork River

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1 University of Massachusetts Amherst Amherst International Conference on Engineering and Ecohydrology for Fish Passage International Conference on Engineering and Ecohydrology for Fish Passage 2012 Jun 7th, 1:50 PM - 2:10 PM Session A8 - Fish Passage Development on the lower Clark Fork River Sean Moran Avista Corporation, sean.moran@avistacorp.com Follow this and additional works at: Moran, Sean, "Session A8 - Fish Passage Development on the lower Clark Fork River" (2012). International Conference on Engineering and Ecohydrology for Fish Passage This is brought to you for free and open access by the Fish Passage Community at UMass Amherst at ScholarWorks@UMass Amherst. It has been accepted for inclusion in International Conference on Engineering and Ecohydrology for Fish Passage by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks@UMass Amherst. For more information, please contact scholarworks@library.umass.edu.

2 Fish Passage Development for the lower Clark Fork River Sean Moran Fisheries Biologist and Joseph DosSantos Aquatic Program Lead Avista Utilities

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4 Clark Fork Project FERC Project No Cabinet Gorge HED Noxon Rapids HED

5 Clark Fork Project Relicensing Proactive process began in 1996 between 62 stakeholders including state and federal agencies, Indian tribes and NGOs. Clark Fork Settlement Agreement (CFSA) signed in Collaborative process nationally recognized. Bull trout (BLT) listed as threatened in CFSA incorporated Native Salmonid Restoration Plan (NSRP). NSRP uses adaptive management to address multiple aspects of native fisheries management. Resultant Living License for Cabinet Gorge and Noxon Rapids HEDs issued in 2000.

6 Native Salmonid Restoration Plan (NSRP) Funded by Avista the NSRP addresses multiple fisheries mitigation efforts including: Reestablishing connectivity for native species. Investigating and monitoring fish pathogens. Categorizing stock genetics. Investigating Non-native impacts and possible control. Determining native stock abundance and distribution. Habitat Evaluation, Protection and Enhancement.

7 Upstream Bull Trout Passage Efforts Experimental Upstream Passage above CG Dam Utilized Rapid Response Genetic Assignment from adult bull trout (BLT) transported upstream since Genetic Parentage Study confirmed from 17 to 48% contribution of transported fish. (DeHaan and Bernall 2012)

8 Experimental Fish Capture Facilities (1) Noxon Denil Ladder-Trap: Location based on logistics and anecdotal accounts. (subsequently confirmed through BLT telemetry) Deployed in 2002 and Captured over 1,200 fish of 9 species, no BLT.

9 Experimental Fish Capture Facilities (2) Experimental Mobile Trap: Deployed in cool-water BLT staging area 1 mi below CG Dam. Designed to test various entrance configurations. Seasonally deployed Captured a total of 46 fish of 5 species, no BLT.

10 Other Fish Capturing Facilities Investigations Telemetry studies of migratory adult BLT in Cabinet Gorge and Noxon Rapids tailraces. Scale model and computer flow models of Cabinet Gorge tailrace. Visits to other northwest facilities with successful BLT capturing structures.

11 Experimental Fish Capture Facilities (3) Cabinet Gorge Thrust Block Waterfall Trap: Location based on BLT telemetry. Design based on successful BLT capturing structures in NW. Deployed 2007 and Captured a total of 142 fish of 10 species, no BLT. 2 radio-tagged BLT approached trap but did not enter.

12 Expert Fish Passage Panel Contracted in 2007 to review NSRP passage efforts and other fish passage facilities and develop Fish Passage Design Process Model (FPDM). Utilize review findings and FPDM to minimize Leap of Faith for fishway implementation. Panel s recommendations included: Model conceptual fishway footprint in CG tailrace. NMFS design standards effective for BLT and should be adopted. Wait and see how Ladder Trap at Thompson Falls performs.

13 USFWS Avista Joint Agreement Collaborative process to minimize the Leap of Faith judged by FWS as counter to Passage Development Process. Meetings between Avista and FWS resulted in agreement to initiate design process for production fishways at CG and Noxon in 2010 and Confirm FWS agreement in approved Joint Fish Passage Agreement in March, 2010.

14 Thrust Block Production Fishway

15 Lessons Learned Collaboration important, but can complicate decision process. Concurrent upstream passage valuable, but precluded run estimation and hampered evaluation of experimental traps. Smaller scale and/or experimental efforts were not effective. Not all tailraces created equal. Utilizing all available expertise important in the face of uncertainties.

16 Epilogue Holistic approach needed as passage does not occur in a vacuum. (J. Sartore)

17 Acknowledgements To all those who have assisted in fish passage efforts in the lower Clark Fork River including, from Avista Corporation: Shana Bernall, Kevin Duffy, Rob Jakubowski, Dan MacKay, Jon McCubbins, Nick Posselt, Sherryl Skaggs, Josh Storaasli, Jeremy Stover, Tim Swant, Lisa Vollertsen, Ryan Weltz, Shaun Wilkinson; IDF&G: Chris Downs (now with NPS), Ned Horner (ret), Rob Ryan, MFW&P: Jon Hanson (now with USFS), Laura Katzman (ret); USWFS: Wade Fredenberg, Larry Lockard.