Fish Distribution and Abundance in the Upper and Middle/lower Susitna River (Studies 9.5 and 9.6), Draft Chinook and Coho Salmon Identification Protocol

Fish Distribution and Abundance in the Upper and Middle/lower Susitna River (Studies 9.5 and 9.6), Draft Chinook and Coho Salmon Identification Protocol PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Fish surveys
Languages : en
Pages : 3

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Book Description
This document describes the need for standarizing sampling techniques used to collect data for phenotype variation in juvenile chinook and coho salmon as part of studies for the Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project.

Fish Distribution and Abundance in the Upper and Middle/lower Susitna River (Studies 9.5 and 9.6), Draft Chinook and Coho Salmon Identification Protocol

Fish Distribution and Abundance in the Upper and Middle/lower Susitna River (Studies 9.5 and 9.6), Draft Chinook and Coho Salmon Identification Protocol PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Fish surveys
Languages : en
Pages : 3

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Book Description
This document describes the need for standarizing sampling techniques used to collect data for phenotype variation in juvenile chinook and coho salmon as part of studies for the Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project.

Susitna River Chinook Salmon Abundance and Distribution, 2018–2020

Susitna River Chinook Salmon Abundance and Distribution, 2018–2020 PDF Author: Nicholas A. Decovich
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Chinook salmon
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
Adult Chinook salmon abundance and distribution were estimated for the Susitna River drainage in 2018–2020 for the 6th through 8th consecutive years. Abundance estimates for the mainstem Susitna River above river mile (RM) 34 were produced using mark–recapture techniques to deploy tags on fish caught via fish wheel and gillnet at a site in the lower river (RM 34) and recover tags using a passive integrated transponder (PIT) tag detection system at the Deshka River weir site. Spawning distribution was assessed with radiotelemetry for 2019 and 2020 only. Fish were radiotagged at the lower river tag deployment site and tracked along their spawning migration with an array of fixed-antenna tracking stations. Upstream movement of each tag was categorized into 1 of 5 stocks: Chulitna River, upper Susitna River (RM 102.4–153.4), Deshka River, Eastside Susitna River, or Talkeetna River. The estimated mainstem Susitna River abundance at RM 34 (and 95% confidence intervals) of Chinook salmon ≥500 mm mid eye to tail fork (METF) length for 2018, 2019, and 2020 were 30,605 (23,262–40,396), 57,927 (42,843–78,118), and 62,346 (45,245–87,888), respectively. For 2018–2019, the abundance estimated for Chinook salmon in the Eastside Susitna River group was 14,121 (SE = 3,473) and 21,933 (SE = 5,107) fish, respectively, and accounted for the largest proportions (24% and 35%, respectively) of the mainstem Susitna River estimate.

Abundance, Distribution, and Surveys of Spawning Chinook Salmon 2012-2014 and Spawning Coho Salmon 2013-2014 in the Susitna River

Abundance, Distribution, and Surveys of Spawning Chinook Salmon 2012-2014 and Spawning Coho Salmon 2013-2014 in the Susitna River PDF Author: Richard J. Yanusz
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Chinook salmon
Languages : en
Pages : 31

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Book Description
Between 2012 and 2014, information was collected on the distributions and abundances of adult Chinook (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and coho (O. kisutch) salmon as part of the Susitna-Watana Hydro studies conducted by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game in partnership with LGL Alaska Research Associates Inc. and the Alaska Energy Authority. Spawning distributions were assessed using radiotelemetry for Chinook salmon in the mainstem Susitna River in 2012-2014 and in the Yentna River in 2013 and 2014, and for coho salmon in the mainstem Susitna River in 2013 and 2014 only. Inriver abundances for both species were estimated using mark-recapture techniques in 2013 and 2014 for the mainstem Susitna River and for Chinook salmon in the Yentna River in 2014. For Chinook salmon, these abundance estimates were combined with telemetry data to estimate individual management unit-specific abundances which were then used to calculate the percent contribution of each to total abundance. In both 2013 and 2014, all units but unit 3 (upper Susitna River) contributed nearly equally (21-27%) to the total mainstem Susitna River Chinook salmon inriver run. When the Yentna River estimate was included with estimates for the other management units in 2014, the Yentna River contributed 25% to the drainagewide inriver run; units 1, 2, 5, and 6 contributed 15-19% each; and unit 3 contributed 7%. Sport harvest was subtracted from the mark-recapture inriver abundance to estimate escapement which was then compared to aerial indexes and weir counts. For Chinook salmon, index and weir counts counted 34-39% of the escapement on the mainstem Susitna River and 36% on the Yentna River. For coho salmon, the Deshka River weir counted 19% and 16% of the Sustina River escapements in 2013 and 2014, respectively. Foot counts of coho salmon escapement for 4 streams on the mainstem Susitna River accounted for an average of 0.9% of the escapement over 2013-2014.

2012 Upper Susitna River Fish Distribution and Habitat Study

2012 Upper Susitna River Fish Distribution and Habitat Study PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Chinook salmon
Languages : en
Pages : 95

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Book Description
The 2012 Upper Susitna River Fish Distribution and Habitat Study was implemented to collect information on fish distribution and abundance and to characterize aquatic habitat in the upper Susitna River watershed. The upper Susitna River is defined as the river reach above the proposed dam site (RM 184). There are three goals: (1) characterize aquatic habitat in the Susitna River and its tributaries/lakes above Devils Canyon upstream to and including the Oshetna River; (2) determine the distribution and relative abundance of adult chinook salmon in the Susitna River and its tributaries above Devils Canyon upstream to and including the Oshetna River; (3) determine the distribution and relative abundance of juvenile chinook salmon and other fish species present in the Susitna River and its tributaries and lakes above Devils Canyon upstream to and including the Oshetna River up to 3,000-foot elevation.

Operational Plan

Operational Plan PDF Author: Nicholas A. Decovich
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Chinook salmon
Languages : en
Pages : 48

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Book Description
The goal of this study is to estimate Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) abundance at river mile (RM) 34 of the mainstem Susitna River and spawning distribution among 5 Susitna River drainage management areas in 2020. A 2-event mark–recapture experiment in combination with radio telemetry will be used. Fish wheels and gillnets will be operated at RM34 to capture Chinook salmon for marking with dart-PIT tags (a dart tag with an imbedded passive integrated transponder [PIT]) and radiotelemetry tags. Recapture event sampling will occur at the Deshka River weir at RM 7 where a PIT detection array will be used. Eight radiotracking stations will be strategically placed throughout the drainage to determine when radiotagged fish move in and out of the 5 management zones. A concurrent genetics mark–recapture study will be performed using genetic samples taken from a systematic sample of all dart-PIT-tagged fish. The applied radio tags will also be used to estimate handling effects. In the event of a sport fishery, harvest sampling of axillary processes and genetic stock identification will be used to determine the proportions of non-Deshka River Chinook salmon stocks taken in 2 sections of the Deshka River.

Operational Plan

Operational Plan PDF Author: Johnathon K. Campbell
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Chinook salmon
Languages : en
Pages : 49

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Book Description
The goal of this study is to estimate the abundance of Chinook salmon at river mile (RM) 34 of the mainstem Susitna River and spawning distribution among 5 management areas in 2019. A 2-event, mark–recapture experiment in combination with radio telemetry will be used. Fish wheels and gillnets will be operated at river mile (RM) 34 to capture Chinook salmon for marking with dart-PIT tags (a dart tag with an imbedded passive integrated transponder [PIT]) and radiotelemetry tags. Recapture event sampling will occur at the Deshka River weir at RM 7 where a PIT detection array will be used. Eight radiotracking stations will be strategically placed throughout the drainage to determine when radiotagged fish move in and out of the 5 management zones. A concurrent genetics mark–recapture study will be performed using genetic samples taken from a systematic sample of all dart-PIT tagged fish. The applied radio tags will also be used to estimate handling effects. In the event of a sport fishery, the proportions of non-Deshka River Chinook salmon in the sport harvest taken in 2 sections of the Deshka River will also be estimated through harvest sampling of axillary processes and genetic stock identification.

2016 Inriver Abundance and Run Timing of Kuskokwim River Chinook Salmon

2016 Inriver Abundance and Run Timing of Kuskokwim River Chinook Salmon PDF Author: Nicholas James Smith
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Animal radio tracking
Languages : en
Pages : 38

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Book Description
A 2-sample mark-recapture experiment was conducted to estimate the abundance and upriver migration characteristics of adult Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha returning to the Kuskokwim River in 2016. Tagging occurred downriver from all known spawning tributaries, except the Eek River. A total of 621 Chinook salmon were marked with radio and spaghetti tags, of which 527 continued upriver migration and were used to estimate abundance. Radiotagged fish were tracked throughout the study area using a network of telemetry stations and a series of aerial telemetry surveys. Upriver escapement monitoring weirs served as 7 recapture locations, representing lower, middle, and upper river tributaries. A total of 21,590 Chinook salmon were evaluated for tags, and total tag recoveries was estimated at 94. Inriver abundance of Chinook salmon upstream of rkm 67 was 120,000 fish (95% CI: 99,304-147,502). Radiotagged Chinook salmon traveling to upriver tributaries were captured and tagged earlier in the run compared to tagged fish migrating to middle river tributaries. Chinook salmon returning to lower river tributaries were captured and tagged throughout the entire run. Chinook salmon swam at a median speed of 36 rkm/day (range: 31-41 rkm/day) through all portions of the mainstem Kuskokwim River upstream from Bethel.

Little Susitna River Chinook and Coho Salmon Escapement Studies, 2012-2016

Little Susitna River Chinook and Coho Salmon Escapement Studies, 2012-2016 PDF Author: Daryl Lescanec
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Chinook salmon
Languages : en
Pages : 41

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Book Description
Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and coho salmon (O. kisutch) annual escapements to the Little Susitna River were assessed from 2012 to 2016 to provide escapement counts and stock-specific biological information. Both Chinook and coho salmon were counted at a weir operated from approximately late May through mid-September each year. Not all counts were complete for each run. Complete weir counts for Chinook salmon from 2014 through 2016 ranged between 3,135 and 5,026 fish. For 2013-2016, age composition for Chinook salmon averaged 38.1% age-1.2 fish, 37.1% age-1.3 fish, and 13.6% age-1.4 fish. On average, females composed 35.5% of the runs. The midpoint of the Chinook salmon runs with complete counts varied between years from 11 to 23 June. Chinook salmon escapement goals were met for the years 2013-2016. The 2012, 2014, and 2016 mean annual coho salmon weir count was 13,680 fish. An above-average coho salmon run was observed in 2014, whereas 2012 was the lowest count recorded since the weir was first operated in 1995. High water and a flood precluded complete coho salmon weir counts 2 of the 5 years. The midpoint of the coho salmon runs varied between years with complete counts from 10 to 21 August.

Genetic Population Structure of Chinook Salmon from Middle and Upper Susitna River

Genetic Population Structure of Chinook Salmon from Middle and Upper Susitna River PDF Author: Andrew W. Barclay
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Chinook salmon
Languages : en
Pages : 31

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Book Description
In 2012, the Alaska Energy Authority proposed a hydroelectric dam on the Susitna River upstream of Devils Canyon. Chinook salmon are the only anadromous species known to spawn within and above Devils Canyon. Policymakers need to know if Chinook salmon spawning above the canyon constitute separate self-sustaining population(s) or are a collection of strays from other populations. Here we analyzed genotypes for 12 microsatellite loci from 322 spawning adults and 408 juvenile Chinook salmon collected in the Middle and Upper Susitna Rivers. We determined that the juvenile collections were not appropriate for representing populations within and above Devils Canyon because they were highly related (resulting in upwardly biased genetic distances) and they did not conform to Hardy-Weinberg expectations. Annual estimates of effective population size for within and above Devils Canyon based on juvenile relatedness, sonar, and mark–recapture data were on the order of 10 to 100 fish for each section after accounting for biases and uncertainties in effective population size estimates. Tests for homogeneity of allele frequencies were significantly different between adults captured above and within Devils Canyon and between these fish and populations from below Devils Canyon (Indian River and Portage Creek). Allelic richness and private allele richness for adults captured within and above Devils Canyon was not significantly different from populations below Devils Canyon. Based on these lines of evidence, we conclude that spawning aggregates within and above Devils Canyon are neither a collection of strays from Indian River and Portage Creek nor self-sustaining populations, but likely a combination of both.

Summary of Salmon Fishery Data for Selected Middle Susitna River Sites

Summary of Salmon Fishery Data for Selected Middle Susitna River Sites PDF Author: Andrew G. Hoffmann
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Fish surveys
Languages : en
Pages : 214

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Book Description
This report summarizes seasonal distribution and abundance data for salmon in the middle Susitna River. These data are compiled and indexed using the river mile index codes for habitat recon sites. This work is a necessary component for use in evaluating effects of variations in natural flow regimes on the life history cycles of the various species. These data, used in conjunction with the hydraulic data now available for the river, provide the basis for recommending various flow regimes, mitigation options, etc. for the proposed hydroelectric development with respect to the fishery.