Location: WILLAMETTE SUBBASIN basin, including sites listed below.
ANDERSON CREEK, ANDERSON CREEK, BABOON CREEK, BEAR CREEK (MF WILLAMETTE), BEAVER CREEK (MF WILLAMETTE), CHAKO CREEK, CHUCKLE SPRINGS CREEK, COUGAR RESERVOIR, COULEE CREEK, DEER CREEK (MCKENZIE RIVER), ECHO CREEK, FOUND CREEK, HILLS CREEK, HILLS CREEK RESERVOIR, HORSE CREEK (MCKENZIE), HYAK CREEK, INDIGO CREEK, LOST CREEK (MCKENZIE), MCKENZIE RIVER, MCKENZIE RIVER BASIN, MCKENZIE RIVER, SOUTH FORK, MCKENZIE RIVER, SOUTH FORK, MINNEHAHA CREEK, NOISEY CREEK, OLALLIE CREEK, ROARING RIVER, SEPARATION CREEK, SIMPSON CREEK (MF WILLAMETTE), SKUNK CREEK, STALEY CREEK, SWEETWATER CREEK, SWIFT CREEK (MF WILLAMETTE), TRAIL BRIDGE RESERVOIR, TUMBLEBUG CREEK, WILLAMETTE RIVER, MIDDLE FORK, WILLAMETTE RIVER, MIDDLE FORK BASIN.
Summary Description: Determine life history, distribution and habitat use of bull trout populations in western Oregon, with emphasis on the Middle Fork Willamette and McKenzie Rivers. Monitor populations and implement restoration plans.
Background: Prior to 1978, Dolly Varden (Salvelinus malma) were classified into an anadromous and interior form. Cavender classified the interior form as a distinct species, Salvelinus confluentus, the bull trout. Bull trout are large char weighing up to 18 kg and growing to over one meter in length. They are distinguished by a broad flat head, large downward curving maxillaries that extend beyond the eye, a well developed fleshy knob and a notch in the lower terminus of the snout, and light colored spots normally smaller than the pupil of the eye. Bull trout are considered to be valuable indicators of ecosystem status and health because they require cold, spring-fed water, relatively undisturbed habitat (usually associated with old growth forests), and unrestricted interbasin migrations. On June 10, 1998, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service listed the Columbia River bull trout population segment (including the McKenzie populations) as Threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act. In Oregon, bull trout were once found in the Clackamas, Santiam, McKenzie, and Middle Fork Willamette subbasins. However, bull trout have declined throughout their range because of overharvest, past land management practices, and removal of fish by chemical application in some areas. Because of their piscivorous nature, bull trout were blamed for declines in populations of more "desirable" species such as Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.), rainbow trout (O. mykiss), and cutthroat trout (O. clarki). Bull trout have now been extirpated from all areas west of the Cascades except the McKenzie subbasin and possibly the Middle Fork Willamette subbasin. The McKenzie subbasin contains the only verifiable populations of bull trout in Western Oregon. Three McKenzie populations are currently identified: 1) the mainstem McKenzie and tributaries up to Trail Bridge Dam, including the South Fork McKenzie below Cougar Dam, 2) the South Fork McKenzie and tributaries from Cougar Dam upstream, and 3) the upper McKenzie River and tributaries from Trail Bridge Dam to Tamolitch Falls, including Sweetwater Creek. The situation in the Middle Fork Willamette is more difficult. In addition to overharvest in the MFW, several specific factors can be identified in the decline of bull trout. Extensive timber management and road building practices damaged bull trout spawning and rearing habitat and precluded access to suitable habitat. Construction of Dexter, Lookout Point, and Hills Creek dams modified stream temperatures and restricted migrations to and from spawning grounds. Loss of salmon above the dams eliminated one of the bull trout's largest food sources. Rotenone poisoning to remove undesired fish above Hills Creek Dam in 1960 killed bull trout in MFW tributaries. The last reliable observation of bull trout in the MFW subbasin was above Hills Creek reservoir in 1990.
Potential bull trout habitat remains in spring-fed portions of the MFW and tributaries above Hills Creek Reservoir (Rigdon Ranger District 1996). However, despite occasional angler reports, repeated electrofishing and snorkel surveys of the MFW and tributaries have not detected bull trout presence. Therefore, the Upper Willamette Bull Trout Working Group believes that Middle Fork Willamette bull trout will not continue to persist in the subbasin without rehabilitation efforts.
Milestones: This project was initiated in 1994 and five field seasons of collecting data have been completed. Previous work in the upper Willamette Subbasin has been reported in annual reports by ODFW . This project has generated major commitments of time and funding from the U.S. Forest Service, Eugene Water and Electric Board, ODFW, local and national angling groups, and others. Monitoring information is being used by the McKenzie Watershed Council, U.S. Forest Service, ODFW and the USFWS in land management and regulatory decisions. Knowledge gained from this project will aid ODFW and land management agencies in mitigating the impacts of hydroelectric development and land management practices on bull trout in the Upper Willamette Basin. Contract 1995VS00001for equipment ($3,694) completed and closed in 1998. ContractContract 1998AP13371 for equipment ($7,205) completed and closed in 1999. Contract 2000AD21433 for $5,402 was issued and closed in 2000. It covered receiver and antenna. Accomplishments: 1996 Over 100 miles of stream have been surveyed for presence of bull trout. Young of the year bull trout have only been found in known spawning tributaries. 1998 Redd surveys conducted in Anderson and Olallie creeks and the mainstem McKenzie show an increasing trend in adult bull trout abundance. With a downstream migrant trap, we monitored of timing and numbers of juveniles moving downstream in Anderson Creek. Data indicates good spawning success; however, habitat for young of the year bull trout may be limited. Monitoring of radio transmitters implanted in bull trout has allowed us to describe seasonal movements and habitat use in mainstem McKenzie, South Fork McKenzie, and Cougar Reservoir.
Results: Information collected on this project has allowed ODFW to complete a risk assessment, rehabilitation plan and monitoring program for bull trout in the Middle Fork Willamette River. Major findings reported to date include:
· Bull trout have not been located in the Middle Fork Willamette River basin.
· Over 100 miles of stream have been surveyed for presence of bull trout. Young of the year bull trout have only been found in known spawning tributaries. Juvenile bull trout, ages 3+ and older have been found in tributaries without known spawning locations. It appears these sub-adults may be nomadic foragers.
· Redd surveys conducted in Anderson and Olallie creeks and the mainstem McKenzie show an increasing trend in adult bull trout abundance.
· Redd surveys conducted in Roaring River, and South Fork McKenzie indicate few bull trout are surviving to spawn.
· Pools surveyed in the index area of McKenzie River show peak counts in late July and August. We have not observed a positive correlation between index pool counts of bull trout and spawning ground counts
· Pools surveyed in the index area of South Fork McKenzie River show peak counts in June decreasing through the summer. Evidence of illegal angler harvest has been found.
· With a downstream migrant trap, we monitored timing and numbers of juveniles moving downstream in Anderson Creek. Data indicates good spawning success; however, habitat for young of the year bull trout may be limited. The 1996 flood appears to have had a negative effect on emergent bull trout.
· Monitoring of radio transmitters implanted in bull trout has allowed us to describe seasonal movements and habitat use in mainstem McKenzie, South Fork McKenzie, and Cougar Reservoir. We have found the range of bull trout in the McKenzie River extends at least 15 miles further downstream than previously known.
· Information collected during this project has allowed ODFW to complete a risk assessment, rehabilitation plan and monitoring program for bull trout in the Middle Fork Willamette River. The implementation phase of the rehabilitation program is included in this proposal. This effort would not have been accomplished without Columbia River Basin Fish and Wildlife Program.
· The project has generated major commitments of time and funding from the U.S. Forest Service, Eugene Water and Electric Board, local and national angling organizations, and others.
· Monitoring information is being used by the USFWS, McKenzie Watershed Council, U.S. Forest Service, and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife in land management and regulatory decisions.
Publications:
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 |
| ANDERSON CREEK/ | Stream (river, creek, canal, etc.) | Fish Traps (build, operate) |
| ANDERSON CREEK/ | Stream (river, creek, canal, etc.) | Survey, study, research, monitor, evaluate |
| BABOON CREEK/ | Stream (river, creek, canal, etc.) | Survey, study, research, monitor, evaluate |
| BEAR CREEK (MF WILLAMETTE)/ | Stream (river, creek, canal, etc.) | Survey, study, research, monitor, evaluate |
| BEAVER CREEK (MF WILLAMETTE)/ | Stream (river, creek, canal, etc.) | Survey, study, research, monitor, evaluate |
| CHAKO CREEK/ | Stream (river, creek, canal, etc.) | Survey, study, research, monitor, evaluate |
| CHUCKLE SPRINGS CREEK/ | Stream (river, creek, canal, etc.) | Survey, study, research, monitor, evaluate |
| COUGAR RESERVOIR/ | Reservoir (incl. lakes, ponds,etc.) | Survey, study, research, monitor, evaluate |
| COULEE CREEK/ | Stream (river, creek, canal, etc.) | Survey, study, research, monitor, evaluate |
| DEER CREEK (MCKENZIE RIVER)/ | Stream (river, creek, canal, etc.) | Survey, study, research, monitor, evaluate |
| ECHO CREEK/ | Stream (river, creek, canal, etc.) | Survey, study, research, monitor, evaluate |
| FOUND CREEK/ | Stream (river, creek, canal, etc.) | Survey, study, research, monitor, evaluate |
| HILLS CREEK/ | Stream (river, creek, canal, etc.) | Survey, study, research, monitor, evaluate |
| HILLS CREEK RESERVOIR/ | Reservoir (incl. lakes, ponds,etc.) | Survey, study, research, monitor, evaluate |
| HORSE CREEK (MCKENZIE)/ | Stream (river, creek, canal, etc.) | Survey, study, research, monitor, evaluate |
| HYAK CREEK/ | Stream (river, creek, canal, etc.) | Survey, study, research, monitor, evaluate |
| INDIGO CREEK/ | Stream (river, creek, canal, etc.) | Survey, study, research, monitor, evaluate |
| LOST CREEK (MCKENZIE)/ | Stream (river, creek, canal, etc.) | Survey, study, research, monitor, evaluate |
| MCKENZIE RIVER/ | Stream (river, creek, canal, etc.) | Survey, study, research, monitor, evaluate |
| MCKENZIE RIVER BASIN/ | Basin (i.e. whole watersheds) | Survey, study, research, monitor, evaluate |
| MCKENZIE RIVER, SOUTH FORK/ | Stream (river, creek, canal, etc.) | Survey, study, research, monitor, evaluate |
| MCKENZIE RIVER, SOUTH FORK/.5 mile below French pete Creek | Stream (river, creek, canal, etc.) | Fish Traps (build, operate) |
| MINNEHAHA CREEK/ | Stream (river, creek, canal, etc.) | Survey, study, research, monitor, evaluate |
| NOISEY CREEK/ | Stream (river, creek, canal, etc.) | Survey, study, research, monitor, evaluate |
| OLALLIE CREEK/ | Stream (river, creek, canal, etc.) | Survey, study, research, monitor, evaluate |
| ROARING RIVER/ | Stream (river, creek, canal, etc.) | Survey, study, research, monitor, evaluate |
| SEPARATION CREEK/ | Stream (river, creek, canal, etc.) | Survey, study, research, monitor, evaluate |
| SIMPSON CREEK (MF WILLAMETTE)/ | Stream (river, creek, canal, etc.) | Survey, study, research, monitor, evaluate |
| SKUNK CREEK/ | Stream (river, creek, canal, etc.) | Survey, study, research, monitor, evaluate |
| STALEY CREEK/ | Stream (river, creek, canal, etc.) | Survey, study, research, monitor, evaluate |
| SWEETWATER CREEK/ | Stream (river, creek, canal, etc.) | Survey, study, research, monitor, evaluate |
| SWIFT CREEK (MF WILLAMETTE)/ | Stream (river, creek, canal, etc.) | Survey, study, research, monitor, evaluate |
| TRAIL BRIDGE RESERVOIR/ | Reservoir (incl. lakes, ponds,etc.) | Survey, study, research, monitor, evaluate |
| TUMBLEBUG CREEK/ | Stream (river, creek, canal, etc.) | Survey, study, research, monitor, evaluate |
| WILLAMETTE RIVER, MIDDLE FORK/ ABV HILLS CR DAM | Stream (river, creek, canal, etc.) | Survey, study, research, monitor, evaluate |
| WILLAMETTE RIVER, MIDDLE FORK BASIN/ | Basin (i.e. whole watersheds) | 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 |
| 1994 |
$0 |
$37,579 |
$37,579 |
$0 |
$0 |
$37,579 |
OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FISH & WILDLIFE- HQ |
| 1995 |
$50,000 |
$24,570 |
$-25,430 |
$0 |
$0 |
$21,370 |
OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FISH & WILDLIFE- HQ |
| 1995 |
|
|
|
$0 |
$0 |
$3,694 |
OS SYSTEMS INC |
| 1996 |
$50,000 |
$58,151 |
$8,151 |
$0 |
$0 |
$58,151 |
OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FISH & WILDLIFE- HQ |
| 1997 |
$47,800 |
$41,611 |
$-6,189 |
$0 |
$0 |
$41,611 |
OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FISH & WILDLIFE- HQ |
| 1998 |
$85,000 |
$72,863 |
$-12,137 |
$0 |
$0 |
$7,205 |
FORESTRY SUPPLIERS |
| 1998 |
|
|
|
$0 |
$0 |
$61,964 |
OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FISH & WILDLIFE- HQ |
| 1999 |
$61,035 |
$61,035 |
$0 |
$0 |
$0 |
$53,990 |
OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FISH & WILDLIFE- HQ |
| Totals: |
$293,835 |
$295,809 |
$1,974 |
$0 |
$0 |
$285,564 |
. |
|
