|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Task: Determine what fish counts are being done in the Lower Nehalem Basin.
Procedure: Using the year 2000 as the time period list the particular fish species counted, the stage of life when counted, time period when counted, geographic location of the count, which agency does the counting, which agency funds the count, time span of funding (i.e. one-time only, annual, five-year study, etc.) and a brief description of the pertinent protocol.
The following counts/surveys have been identified:
1. Smolt count
6. Juvenile salmonid snorkel survey
9. Creel survey
10. Voluntary angler reporting system
12. Fish presence/absence surveys
13. Sturgeon tagging
Recommendations: Given the number and variety of fish
counts being done currently it seems most useful to request funding
for additional fish counts only in association with specific restoration
projects, either to aid in the selection of sites or to monitor
the effectiveness of a particular project.
1. Smolt count
Smolts and fry of the salmonids are counted using a screw trap located just below the Waterhouse fish ladder on the North Fork of the Nehalem River. In 2000 a second trap was added at the falls above the mouth of Fall Creek. Counts are made daily at a minimum.
This count is part of the Salmonid Life-Cycle Monitoring Project of the Western Oregon Fish Research and Monitoring Program administered by the Northwest Region. Contact Tom Nickelson, nickelsont@fsl.orst.edu. or Tim Dalton, Asst. Proj. Leader (North-coast, Tillamook)
1999 report available online @www.osu.orst.edu/Dept/lifecycle/
2. Spawner count
Spawners are trapped and tagged in the fish ladder at Waterhouse Falls. The recovery site is a second trap above the mouth of Fall Creek, used when stream flows are not too high. Spawning grounds in the area are surveyed for tagged fish carcasses.
This count is part of the Salmonid Life-Cycle Monitoring Project of the Western Oregon Fish Research and Monitoring Program administered by the Northwest Region. Contact Tom Nickelson, nickelsont@fsl.orst.edu. or Tim Dalton, Asst. Proj. Leader (North-coast, Tillamook)
3. Chinook study
This is a mark and recapture project, which includes a mark and recapture of carcasses as well. Chinook adults and some chum are caught and tagged (mark phase) in the mainstem and North Fork of the Nehalem as well as at the fish trap at Waterhouse Falls or the North Fork. Carcass recovery (recapture phase) is done through the recreational fishery and on spawning grounds, both by foot and boat. The fish ladder on the North Fork is also used for the second capture. Surveys are made on the spawning grounds of live fish and carcasses. The project also includes telemetric fish tracking, genetic analysis and spawning-run age distribution components.
Funded by the Pacific Salmon Commission, U. S. Section. through Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Contact: Jody White, jody.white@hmsc.orst.edu, Brian Riggers, riggersb@fsl.orst.edu or Steve Jacobs, jacobss@fsl.orst.edu
4. Standard spawner survey
Standard spawner surveys of salmonids are made annually. The following creeks in the Lower Nehalem watershed are surveyed:
Chinook - Cook Creek, Cronin Creek, Salmonberry River, Soapstone
Creek
Chum - Bobs Creek, Foley Creek, East Foley Creek, Coal Creek
Coho - N. F. Cronin Creek
This is done by the Coastal Salmonid Inventory Project of the
Corvallis Research Station, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Contact: Steve Jacobs, jacobss@fsl.orst.edu
5. Random spawner survey
Random spawner surveys of salmonids are made annually. The sites vary from year to year. The following creeks in the Lower Nehalem watershed were to be surveyed in 2000:
Anderson Creek, Buick Creek, N.F. Cronin Creek, Fall Creek, Foley Creek, East Foley Creek, Jetty Creek, Little North Fork of the Nehalem River (two sites), N. F. of Nehalem River, Rackheap Cr., Soapstone Creek, Trib. A of Soapstone Creek.
This survey is done by the Coastal Salmonid Inventory Project of the Corvallis Research Station, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Contact: Steve Jacobs, jacobss@fsl.orst.edu
6. Juvenile salmonid snorkel survey
Juvenile salmonids are counted in the Rearing Project of the Corvallis Research Station, by snorkeling pools in 1 km. stretches of streams. The sites are randomly selected using EMAP protocol. An attempt is made to incorporate as much overlap as possible with the Western Oregon Rearing Project, the Aquatic Inventory project, and the Coastal Salmonid Inventory Project. The following sites in the Lower Nehalem watershed were surveyed in 2000:
Foley Cr., Kebbe Cr., Neahkanie Cr., two sites on the North Fork of the Nehalem R.
This survey is done by the Rearing Project, Corvallis Research Station, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Information is available online at www.osu.orst.edu/Dept/ODFW/ Contact: Jeff Rodgers, rodgersj@fsl.orst.edu
7. Hatchery release count
Nehalem Fish Hatchery located on the North Fork of the Nehalem River just below the Highway 53 bridge raises and releases coho smolts annually. The releases are made in April and May. Two ponds are opened for a two week period for each release. At the end of the two weeks the two ponds are completely emptied of all smolts.
This hatchery is operated by Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and funded 50% by angler license fees and 50% by the state general fund. Contact: Joe Watkins, Hatchery Manager, nnhatch@nehalemtel.net
8. Steelhead redd survey
Steelhead redds are counted in the spring by STEP (Salmon Trout Enhancement Program) volunteers. This is a program of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. The volunteers currently come from two groups, Oregon Trout and Rainland Flycasters. Contact: John Casteel, STEP Biologist, Oregon Dept. Fish and Wildlife, John.L.Casteel@DFW.STATE.OR.US
9. Creel survey
The creel survey is a companion project to the chinook study. Fishermen are interviewed and creels are checked on the river, the bay, and at the docks regarding their catch and the fish they have caught and released. It is currently funded by the CTC (Chinook Technical Committee) under the LOA. Contact Jody White, jody.white@hmsc.orst.edu
10. Voluntary Angler Reporting System.
Fisherman are given punch cards to report their catch. Contact: John Leppink, Portland office, ODFW
11. Stream Monitoring Program
This program surveys stream habitat at selected sites. Surveyors collect information on channel size, flow, characteristics of the stream bed, presence or absence of large wood and condition of the riparian area, and survey for fish presence. The Department of Fish and Wildlife does a few basin wide surveys from the mouth to headwaters each year. Several shorter surveys are done in each basin for the Oregon Plan Monitoring. These surveys are 500 meters in length. Some habitat restoration sites are also monitored for the Oregon Plan. This monitoring includes habitat surveys, snorkel surveys and spawning surveys. The following sites in the lower Nehalem watershed were to be surveyed in 2000 for the Oregon Plan:
Buchanan Cr., two sites on N.F. Cronin Cr., Gravel Cr., Neahkanie Cr., North Fork of the Nehalem River, N. F. Salmonberry River
The surveys are conducted and funded through the Aquatic Inventories Project, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Research Unit. Contact: Kim Jones, 541-757-4263 x260, jonesk@fsl.orst.edu
12. Fish presence/absence surveys.
At the request of private landowners or the Department of Forestry particular streams are surveyed either visually or by electroshock to determine the extent of fish use. These surveys are non-specific as to species and are generally done in the spring since the fish are higher up in the system then. The survey identifies the break point above which fish are no longer found. Contact appropriate district office or the Research Office in Corvallis for information.
13. .Sturgeon tagging.
A few sturgeon are tagged each year as they enter the Nehalem Bay. Their visits are short. This is an attempt to learn more about their migration habits.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|