Summary Description: Design, construct, and operate a sturgeon hatchery on the Kootenai Reservation, Idaho. Look at alternative uses for the hatchery all year round. Monitor and evaluate natural spawning of white sturgeon in response to Libby Dam discharge.

Background: The project started in 1988 in response to the virtual absence of white sturgeon recruitment in the Kootenai River since 1974. Since then the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho began designing, building and operating an experimental aquaculture facility to address factors responsible for the lack of natural white sturgeon recruitment. This experimental facility, an integral part of this project has confirmed that gametes of male and female white sturgeon are viable, and that Kootenai River water quality is sufficient to rear young fish. Beginning in 1993, the Tribe and IDFG have coordinated monitoring and evaluation of natural spawning of white sturgeon in response to experimental flow releases from Libby Dam.

Milestones: Designed and constructed a low-cost experimental sturgeon hatchery on the Kootenai Reservation in Idaho. The hatchery was completed and dedicated on June 6, 1991. Spawn has been obtained and young sturgeon reared.1989-1994: Construction of an Experimental Hatchery that has demonstrated eggs and sperm from Kootenai River white sturgeon are viable, can be raised to a size large enough to be PIT tagged and released into the river (n=114 in 1992). Developed broodstock collection techniques and spawning methodologies for white sturgeon. One promising technique is hand stripping eggs from females instead of C-section. Released several hundred juvenile sturgeon raised in the hatchery to determine habitat, growth rates and migration patterns. In coordination with IDFG monitors natural spawning of white sturgeon in the Kootenai River due to sturgeon flow proposals (1993 and 1994). Spawning ground surveys in Kootenai River tributaries below Kootenai Falls (1993 and 1994).1994-2000: Reestablish white sturgeon year classes in the Kootenai River during this period either through natural production or from aquaculture practices. 1994-2000: Determine the most effective adaptive river management operations to ensure repeatable natural spawning and recruitment of white sturgeon in the Kootenai River.

Results: Experimental Sturgeon hatchery completed.

Publications:

Publication Title	Report Type	Coverage Years	Published	Pages	DOE/BP Number
Kootenai River White Sturgeon Studies	Annual	1993 - 1993	Dec 1993		93743-1 R 098

Project Classification Keys:
Primary: All projects in the Resident Fish Program
Secondary: Focus on producing fish
Tertiary: Plan, design, construct production facilities, i.e. hatcheries, acclimation ponds,etc.

Work Sites

Site/Subsite Names	Site Type	Types of Work Performed
KOOTENAI RIVER BASIN/	Basin (i.e. whole watersheds)	Consult, model / plan devel, gather data, edit
KOOTENAI TRIBAL HATCHERY/	Hatchery (acclm ponds, release site, etc)	Building (plan, construction)
KOOTENAI TRIBAL HATCHERY/	Hatchery (acclm ponds, release site, 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
1988	$117,653	$100,000	$-17,653	$0	$0	$117,653	KOOTENAI TRIBE of IDAHO
1989	$150,000	$156,104	$6,104	$0	$0	$156,104	KOOTENAI TRIBE of IDAHO
1990	$150,000	$236,430	$86,430	$0	$0	$236,430	KOOTENAI TRIBE of IDAHO
1991	$150,000	$150,000	$0	$0	$0	$46,150	KOOTENAI TRIBE of IDAHO
1991				$0	$0	$103,850	KOOTENAI TRIBE of IDAHO
1992	$136,336	$179,723	$43,387	$0	$0	$6,272	KOOTENAI TRIBE of IDAHO
1992				$0	$0	$35,000	KOOTENAI TRIBE of IDAHO
1992				$0	$0	$138,451	KOOTENAI TRIBE of IDAHO
1993	$509,741	$649,573	$139,832	$0	$0	$139,832	KOOTENAI TRIBE of IDAHO
1993				$0	$0	$509,741	KOOTENAI TRIBE of IDAHO
1994	$375,000	$378,553	$3,553	$0	$0	$43,823	KOOTENAI TRIBE of IDAHO
1994				$0	$0	$334,730	KOOTENAI TRIBE of IDAHO
1995	$425,000	$952,387	$527,387	$0	$0	$13,114	KOOTENAI TRIBE of IDAHO
1995				$0	$0	$16,650	KOOTENAI TRIBE of IDAHO
1995				$0	$0	$47,623	KOOTENAI TRIBE of IDAHO
1995				$0	$0	$425,000	KOOTENAI TRIBE of IDAHO
1995				$0	$0	$450,000	KOOTENAI TRIBE of IDAHO
1996	$32,886	$67,356	$34,470	$0	$0	$67,356	KOOTENAI TRIBE of IDAHO
1997	$620,000	$566,650	$-53,350	$0	$0	$106,650	KOOTENAI TRIBE of IDAHO
1997				$0	$0	$160,000	KOOTENAI TRIBE of IDAHO
1997				$0	$0	$460,000	KOOTENAI TRIBE of IDAHO
1998	$2,334,000	$2,429,000	$95,000	$0	$0	$200,000	KOOTENAI TRIBE of IDAHO
1998				$0	$0	$715,000	KOOTENAI TRIBE of IDAHO
1998				$0	$0	$1,514,000	KOOTENAI TRIBE of IDAHO
1999	$1,281,092	$1,263,692	$-17,400	$0	$0	$1,236,092	KOOTENAI TRIBE of IDAHO
Totals:	$6,281,708	$7,129,468	$847,760	$0	$0	$7,279,521	.