Summary Description: Investigate the early life history and define habitat used by spawning and rearing white sturgeon and quantify the habitat available in the Columbia and Snake River reservoirs downstream from Priest Rapids and Lower Granite Dams.

Background: This study was designed to: 1. describe the reproduction and early life history of white sturgeon; 2. describe the life history and population dynamics of subadult and adult white sturgeon; 3. define habitat requirements and quantify habitat availability for white sturgeon; and 4. evaluate the need and identify potential methods for protecting, mitigating, and enhancing populations of white sturgeon. To determine effects of the hydropower system on white sturgeon populations and habitat, comparisons were made in the three lowermost reservoirs between Bonneville and McNary Dams with the unimpounded reach below Bonneville Dam to the estuary. The unimpounded population has unrestricted access to the ocean and exhibits seasonal migrations. Successful spawning occurs each year with all life stages being present that supports a productive fishery. Dam construction likely had little or no effect on population characteristics and habitat use in the reach below Bonneville Dam to the estuary.The 1987 Fish and Wildlife Program Measure 903(e)(1) calls for research to determine the impact of development and operation of the hydropower system on sturgeon in the Columbia River Basin. These studies may include habitat requirements, maintenance of genetic integrity, stock assessment, potential for artificial propagation, and migrating potential.The goal of this project is to: 1. implement and evaluate selected measures to protect and enhance populations and mitigate for effects of the hydropower system on production of white sturgeon in the Columbia River downstream from McNary Dam; and 2. determine the need and identify potential measures for protecting and enhancing populations and mitigating for effects of the hydropower system on production of white sturgeon in the Columbia and Snake Rivers upstream from McNary Dam.

Milestones: This project is a cooperative effort between the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), National Marine Fishery Service (NMFS), National Biological Survey (NBS), and the Washington Department of Fisheries (WDF). Research tasks were divided among each agency as follows: - ODFW described life history and population dynamics of subadults and adults between Bonneville and McNary Dams and evaluated the need and identify potential methods for protecting, mitigating, and enhancing these populations. - NMFS described reproduction and early life history of white sturgeon and defined habitat requirements for spawning and rearing below Bonneville Dam. The amount of habitat from Bonneville Dam to the estuary was measured. - NBS was responsible for determining habitat availability from McNary to Bonneville Dam and reproduction, early life history, and habitat requirements for spawning and rearing between Bonneville and McNary Dams.- WDF was tasked to describe reproduction, life history (early to late), and population dynamics downstream from Bonneville. The white sturgeon fishery was described between Bonneville and McNary Dams.In 1993: model development was continued to identify effects of hydropower on population status and habitat. Project was extended into the McNary Pool. In 1994: project was extended into the Mid-Columbia area below Priest Rapids and work continued in the McNary Pool on the Snake River up to Ice Harbor Dam. Project results were used to arrest declines in impounded sturgeon populations resulting from reduced productivity related to impoundment which made these populations unable to sustain harvest at levels similar to the unimpounded population.Work to determine the impact of development and operation of the hydropower system on white sturgeon is essentially complete downstream from McNary Dam. During FYs 1994 and 1995, a detailed plan for enhancement and mitigation of impounded sturgeon population will be prepared, alternatives will be experimentally implemented, and initial investigations of sturgeon productivity upstream from McNary Dam will be completed. Trial implementation of enhancement and mitigation measures will result in recommendations for a comprehensive program for sturgeon by 1998.

Results: Research funded by BPA on the lower Columbia River has provided the following conclusions: 1. Dams limit movement of white sturgeon, and have functionally isolated populations in the mainstem reservoirs in the Columbia River. 2. The status and dynamics of each impounded population of white sturgeon are unique. 3. Productivity of white sturgeon populations is less in reservoirs than in the unimpounded area downstream from Bonneville Dam. 4. Recruitment and subsequent population size are limited by the effects of river discharge on spawning habitat that is restricted to high velocity areas immediately downstream from each dam. 5. Reservoirs provide large areas of suitable habitat for juvenile and adult white sturgeon, but compensatory population responses may reduce productivity if carrying capacity is exceeded. 6. Fisheries for white sturgeon have recently collapsed in The Dalles and John Day impoundments, and if high exploitation continues the population is likely to collapse further.Results from 1986-92 are summarized in a comprehensive final report in 2 volumes and in at least 18 articles published or in the review/revision process for peer-reviewed scientific journals.

Publications:

Publication Title	Report Type	Coverage Years	Published	Pages	DOE/BP Number
White Sturgeon Mitigation and Restoration in the Columbia and Snake Rivers Upstream from Bonneville Dam	Annual	2001 - 2001	Dec 2003		00004005-2 R 238
White Sturgeon Mitigation and Restoration in the Columbia and Snake Rivers Upstream from Bonneville Dam	Annual	2000 - 2001	Feb 2002		00004005-1 R 184
White Sturgeon Mitigation and Restoration in the Columbia and Snake Rivers Upstream from Bonneville Dam	Annual	1999 - 2000	Apr 2001		63584-14 R 161
White Sturgeon Mitigation and Restoration in the Columbia and Snake Rivers Upstream from Bonneville Dam	Annual	1998 - 1999	Dec 2000		00000140-1 R 146
Effects of Mitigative Measures on Productivity of White Sturgeon Populations in the Columbia River Downstream from McNary Dam Determine Status and Habitat Requirements of White Sturgeon Populations in the Columbia and Snake Rivers Upstream from McNary Dam	Annual	1997 - 1998	Feb 1999		63584-13 R 143
Effects of Mitigative Measures on Productivity of White Sturgeon Populations in the Columbia River Downstream from McNary Dam Determine Status and Habitat Requirements of White Sturgeon Populations in the Columbia and Snake Rivers Upstream from McNary Dam	Annual	1996 - 1997	Feb 1998		63584-12 R 142
Effects of Mitigative Measures on Productivity of White Sturgeon Populations in the Columbia River Downstream from McNary Dam Determine Status and Habitat Requirements of White Sturgeon Populations in the Columbia and Snake Rivers Upstream from McNary Dam	Annual	1995 - 1996	Jul 1997		63584-11 R 141
Effects of Mitigative Measures on Productivity of White Sturgeon Populations in the Columbia River Downstream from McNary Dam Determine Status and Habitat Requirements of White Sturgeon Populations in the Columbia and Snake Rivers Upstream from McNary Dam	Annual	1994 - 1995	Mar 1996		63584-10 R 112
Effects of Mitigative Measures on Productivity of White Sturgeon Populations in the Columbia River Downstream from McNary Dam, and Status and Habitat Requirements of White Sturgeon Populations in the Columbia and Snake Rivers Upstream from McNary Dam	Annual	1993 - 1994	May 1995		63584-9 R 097
Effects of Mitigation Measures on Productivity of White Sturgeon Populations in the Columbia River Downstream from McNary Dam, and Status and Habitat Requirements of White Sturgeon Populations in the Columbia and Snake Rivers Upstream from McNary Dam	Annual	1992 - 1993	Dec 1993		63584-8 R 087
Status and Habitat Requirements of the White Sturgeon Populations in the Columbia River Downstream from McNary Dam, Volume I	Final	1986 - 1992	Jan 1993		63584-6 R 079
Status and Habitat Requirements of the White Sturgeon Populations in the Columbia River Downstream from McNary Dam, Volume II Supplemental Papers and Data Documentation	Final	1986 - 1992	Jan 1993		63584-7 R 080
Status and Habitat Requirements of the White Sturgeon Populations in the Columbia River Downstream from McNary Dam	Annual	1990 - 1991	Sep 1991		63584-5 R 072
Status and Habitat Requirements of White Sturgeon Populations in the Columbia River Downstream from McNary Dam	Annual	1989 - 1990	Sep 1990		63584-4 R 063
Status and Habitat Requirements of White Sturgeon Populations in the Columbia River Downstream from McNary Dam	Annual	1988 - 1989	Sep 1989		63584-3 R 054
Status and Habitat Requirements of White Sturgeon Populations in the Columbia River Downstream from McNary Dam	Annual	1987 - 1988	Sep 1988		63584-2 R 048
Status and Habitat Requirements of White Sturgeon Populations in the Columbia River Downstream from McNary Dam	Annual	1986 - 1987	Jun 1987		63584-1 R 036

Project Classification Keys:
Primary: All projects in the Resident Fish Program
Secondary: Research, evaluation, and studies
Tertiary: Primarily studies of either whole life cycles or several phaseses thereof

Work Sites

Site/Subsite Names	Site Type	Types of Work Performed
BONNEVILLE RESERVOIR/	Reservoir (incl. lakes, ponds,etc.)	Survey, study, research, monitor, evaluate
JOHN DAY RESERVOIR/	Reservoir (incl. lakes, ponds,etc.)	Survey, study, research, monitor, evaluate
PORTLAND/ODFW	Office (business, hdqtrs, university)	Survey, study, research, monitor, evaluate
SNAKE RIVER/HELLS CANYON	Stream (river, creek, canal, etc.)	Survey, study, research, monitor, evaluate
THE DALLES RESERVOIR/	Reservoir (incl. lakes, ponds,etc.)	Survey, study, research, monitor, evaluate

Project Budget and Obligation:

Fiscal Year	Initially Authorized	Latest Authorized	Authorized Change	Obligation In Process	Bonneville Overhead	Contracted Obligation	Contracted Agent
1986	$1,656,447	$0	$-1,656,447	$0	$0	$400,044	OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FISH & WILDLIFE- HQ
1986				$0	$0	$1,256,403	OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FISH & WILDLIFE- HQ
1988	$1,200,000	$1,047,071	$-152,929	$0	$0	$1,047,071	OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FISH & WILDLIFE- HQ
1989	$0	$1,127,143	$1,127,143	$0	$0	$1,127,143	OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FISH & WILDLIFE- HQ
1990	$1,700,000	$1,203,176	$-496,824	$0	$0	$1,203,176	OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FISH & WILDLIFE- HQ
1992	$681,200	$681,200	$0	$0	$0	$681,200	OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FISH & WILDLIFE- HQ
1993	$819,500	$819,500	$0	$0	$0	$819,500	OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FISH & WILDLIFE- HQ
1994	$700,000	$1,489,302	$789,302	$0	$0	$1,489,302	OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FISH & WILDLIFE- HQ
1995	$1,900,000	$4,083,019	$2,183,019	$0	$0	$796,320	OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FISH & WILDLIFE- HQ
1995				$0	$0	$1,099,603	OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FISH & WILDLIFE- HQ
1995				$0	$0	$2,187,402	OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FISH & WILDLIFE- HQ
1997	$2,294,400	$2,051,057	$-243,343	$0	$0	$2,053,815	OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FISH & WILDLIFE- HQ
1998	$2,156,700	$2,064,762	$-91,938	$0	$0	$41,200	OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FISH & WILDLIFE- HQ
1998				$0	$0	$548,404	OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FISH & WILDLIFE- HQ
1998				$0	$0	$1,475,158	OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FISH & WILDLIFE- HQ
1999	$1,960,000	$1,944,050	$-15,950	$0	$0	$1,352,028	OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FISH & WILDLIFE- HQ
Totals:	$15,068,247	$16,510,280	$1,442,033	$0	$0	$17,577,769	.