Subyearling Chinook Salmon Research Articles

Water Velocity, Turbulence, and Migration Rate of Subyearling Fall Chinook Salmon in the Free‐Flowing and Impounded Snake River

AbstractWe studied the migratory behavior of subyearling fall Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha in free‐flowing and impounded reaches of the Snake River to evaluate the hypothesis that velocity and turbulence are the primary causal mechanisms of downstream migration. The hypothesis states that impoundment reduces velocity and turbulence and alters the migratory behavior of juvenile Chinook salmon as a result of their reduced perception of these cues. At a constant flow (m3/s), both velocity (km/d) and turbulence (the SD of velocity) decreased from riverine to impounded habitat as cross‐sectional areas increased. We found evidence for the hypothesis that subyearling Chinook salmon perceive velocity and turbulence cues and respond to these cues by varying their behavior. The percentage of the subyearlings that moved faster than the average current speed decreased as fish made the transition from riverine reaches with high velocities and turbulence to upper reservoir reaches with low velocities and turbulence but increased to riverine levels again as the fish moved further down in the reservoir, where velocity and turbulence remained low. The migration rate (km/d) decreased in accordance with longitudinal reductions in velocity and turbulence, as predicted by the hypothesis. The variation in migration rate was better explained by a repeated‐measures regression model containing velocity (Akaike's information criterion = 1,769.0) than a model containing flow (2,232.6). We conclude that subyearling fall Chinook salmon respond to changes in water velocity and turbulence, which work together to affect the migration rate.

Genetic Stock Composition of Subyearling Chinook Salmon in Seasonal Floodplain Wetlands of the Lower Willamette River, Oregon

AbstractWe used genetic identification methods to examine the stock composition of subyearling Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha in floodplain wetland and main‐stem habitats of the lower Willamette River, Oregon. Using a microsatellite DNA baseline of 13 standardized loci and 30 Columbia River basin populations, we analyzed 280 subyearlings collected in winter and spring 2005‐2006 from wetland and main‐stem river sites. Genetic stock identification analysis indicated that spring Chinook salmon originating from the Willamette River made up a substantial proportion of the samples and contributed 16‐71% to sample mixtures representing the wetland habitat sites. Fall Chinook salmon from lower Columbia River sources were also present and contributed 58% of winter samples. Spring Chinook salmon from lower Columbia River populations were present in both wetland (17%) and river (16%) samples in spring 2005, and subyearlings from summer‐fall‐run populations in the middle and upper Columbia River contributed to spring wetland samples in 2006 (26%). The results suggest that floodplain restoration projects intended to improve fish habitats during winter and spring periods in the lower Willamette River may benefit Chinook salmon populations from the upper Willamette River, lower Columbia River, and upper Columbia River summer‐fall evolutionarily significant units.

Diet Composition and Feeding Periodicity of Wild and Hatchery Subyearling Chinook Salmon in Lake Ontario

Diel feeding periodicity, daily ration, and diet composition of wild and hatchery subyearling Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha were examined in Lake Ontario and the Salmon River, New York. The diet of wild riverine salmon was composed mainly of aquatic invertebrates (63.4%), mostly ephemeropterans (25.8%), chiromomids (15.8%), and trichopterans (8.3%). The diet of riverine Chinook was more closely associated with the composition of drift samples rather than bottom samples, suggesting mid-water feeding. In Lake Ontario terrestrial invertebrates were more important in the diet of hatchery Chinook (49.0%) than wild salmon (30.5%) and diet overlap between hatchery and wild salmon was low (0.46%). The diet of both hatchery and wild Chinook salmon was more closely associated with the composition of mid-water invertebrate samples rather than benthic core samples, indicating mid-water and surface feeding. Hatchery Chinook salmon consumed significantly less food (P < 0.05) than wild Chinook salmon in the lake and in the river, and wild salmon from Lake Ontario consumed more food than wild salmon in the Salmon River. Peak feeding of wild Chinook salmon occurred between 1200–1600 hours in Lake Ontario and between 1600–2000 hours in the Salmon River; there was no discernable feeding peak for the hatchery Chinook in Lake Ontario. Hatchery Chinook salmon also had the least diverse diet over the 24-hour sample period. These results suggest that at 7 days post-stocking hatchery Chinook salmon had not yet fully adapted to their new environment.

Performance of a prototype surface collector for juvenile salmonids at Bonneville Dam's first powerhouse on the Columbia River, Oregon

AbstractDuring April–July 2000, we radio‐tagged and released juvenile Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) to evaluate a prototype surface flow bypass at Bonneville Dam on the Columbia River. The mock bypass, called a prototype surface collector (PSC), had six vertical slot entrances that were each 6 m wide and 12 m deep. The PSC was retrofitted to the upstream face of Bonneville Dam's First Powerhouse. Our objectives were to: (1) assess species‐specific differences in movement patterns and behaviour of fish within 6 m of the face of the PSC, (2) estimate the efficiency and effectiveness of the PSC and (3) evaluate factors affecting the performance of the PSC. We found that 60–72% of the fish, depending on species, detected within 6 m of the PSC entered it. Of the fish that passed the First Powerhouse at turbines 1–6, 79–83% entered the PSC. Diel period was a significant contributor to PSC performance for all species, and day of year was a significant contributor to PSC performance for subyearling Chinook salmon. The PSC was twice as effective (%fish/%flow) as the spillway, passing 2.5:1 steelhead and subyearling Chinook salmon and 2.4:1 yearling Chinook salmon per unit of water. If fully implemented, the PSC would increase the percentage of fish that pass the First Powerhouse through non‐turbine routes from 65–77% (without the PSC) to 76–85% (with the PSC), depending on species. Published in 2008 by John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.

Parasite-associated mortality of juvenile Pacific salmon caused by the trematode Nanophyetus salmincola during early marine residence

The potential effect of the freshwater trematode Nanophyetus salmincola on early marine survival of Pacific salmon was assessed by monitoring the prevalence and intensity of metac- ercarial infection in yearling coho salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch, and yearling and subyearling Chi- nook salmon O. tshawytscha caught off Oregon and Washington during May, June, and September of 1999 to 2002. Annual prevalences of N. salmincola infection in yearling coho salmon were 62 to 78% and were significantly greater each year than in both yearling and subyearling Chinook salmon (19.3 to 53.8% and 40.5 to 53.5%, respectively). Yearling coho salmon also had significantly higher intensities of infection (from approximately 2-fold to 12-fold) than yearling and subyearling Chinook salmon. Prevalences and intensities in coho salmon caught in September were significantly lower (by approximately 21%) than in coho salmon caught in May or June in 3 of the 4 years. Variance to mean ratios of parasite abundance in coho salmon were also lowest in September, suggesting parasite- associated host mortality during early ocean residence. There was no evidence for a seasonal decline in infection in yearling or subyearling Chinook salmon. Infection intensities, but not prevalences, were significantly greater in naturally produced (wild) coho salmon than in hatchery produced coho salmon and could be due to differences in exposure to the trematode. Highly infected naturally pro- duced coho salmon were not caught in September. This study suggests that coho salmon with high intensities of N. salmincola may not survive early marine residence, and that disease processes need to be considered as a factor affecting marine survival of juvenile salmon.

Diet Composition and Feeding Periodicity of Wild and Hatchery Subyearling Chinook Salmon in Lake Ontario

Diel feeding periodicity, daily ration, and diet composition of wild and hatchery subyearling Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha were examined in Lake Ontario and the Salmon River, New York. The diet of wild riverine salmon was composed mainly of aquatic invertebrates (63.4%), mostly ephemeropterans (25.8%), chiromomids (15.8%), and trichopterans (8.3%). The diet of riverine Chinook was more closely associated with the composition of drift samples rather than bottom samples, suggesting mid-water feeding. In Lake Ontario terrestrial invertebrates were more important in the diet of hatchery Chinook (49.0%) than wild salmon (30.5%) and diet overlap between hatchery and wild salmon was low (0.46%). The diet of both hatchery and wild Chinook salmon was more closely associated with the composition of mid-water invertebrate samples rather than benthic core samples, indicating mid-water and surface feeding. Hatchery Chinook salmon consumed significantly less food (P < 0.05) than wild Chinook salmon in the lake and in the river, and wild salmon from Lake Ontario consumed more food than wild salmon in the Salmon River. Peak feeding of wild Chinook salmon occurred between 1200–1600 hours in Lake Ontario and between 1600–2000 hours in the Salmon River; there was no discernable feeding peak for the hatchery Chinook in Lake Ontario. Hatchery Chinook salmon also had the least diverse diet over the 24-hour sample period. These results suggest that at 7 days post-stocking hatchery Chinook salmon had not yet fully adapted to their new environment.

Comparative Diets of Subyearling Chinook Salmon ( Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and Steelhead ( O. mykiss) in the Salmon River, New York

Chinook salmon ( Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and steelhead ( O. mykiss) have established naturalized populations throughout the Great Lakes. Young-of-year of these species occur sympatrically for about one month in Lake Ontario tributaries. This study examined the diets of subyearling Chinook salmon and steelhead relative to available food in the Salmon River, New York. Terrestrial invertebrates and trichopterans were the major prey of Chinook salmon, whereas steelhead fed primarily on baetid nymphs and chironomid larvae. Diet overlap was low (0.45) between the species. The diet of Chinook was closely associated to the composition of the drift (0.88). Steelhead diet drew equally from the drift and benthos during the first year of the study, but more closely matched the benthos during the second year. Differences in prey selection, perhaps associated with differences in fish size, in addition to apparent differences in feeding mode (drift versus benthic), likely reduce competitive interactions between these species.

Bypass System Modification at Bonneville Dam on the Columbia River Improved the Survival of Juvenile Salmon

AbstractFrom 1987 to 1992, we evaluated a fish bypass system at Bonneville Dam Powerhouse 2 on the Columbia River. The survival of subyearling Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha released into the system ranged from 0.774 to 0.911 and was significantly lower than the survival of test fish released into turbines and the area immediately below the powerhouse where bypass system flow reentered the river. Yearling and subyearling Chinook salmon and yearling coho salmon O. kisutch released into the bypass system were injured or descaled. Also, levels of blood plasma cortisol and lactate were significantly higher in yearling and subyearling Chinook salmon that passed through the bypass system than in fish released directly into a net located over the bypass exit. This original system was then extensively modified using updated design criteria, and the site where juvenile fish reentered the river was relocated 2.8 km further downstream to reduce predation on bypassed fish by northern pikeminnow Ptychocheilus oregonensis. Based on studies conducted from 1999 to 2001, the new bypass system resulted in high fish survival, virtually no injuries to fish, fish passage times that were generally similar to water travel times, and mild stress responses from which fish recovered quickly. The mean estimated survival of subyearling Chinook salmon passing through the new bypass system was 0.946 in 2001, which was an usually low‐flow year. Survival, physical condition, passage timing, and blood physiological indicators of stress were all useful metrics for assessing the performance of both bypass systems and are discussed. The engineering and hydraulic criteria used to design the new bypass system that resulted in improved fish passage conditions are described.

Seaward migrating subyearling chinook salmon avoid overhead cover

Approximately three‐quarters of migrating autumn (fall) chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha smolts avoided a covered channel and selected an uncovered channel when presented with a choice in an experimental flume. Rejection of overhead cover occurred prior to, but was rare post‐channel entrance. Smolts may selectively reject riparian cover as an adaptive behavioural response to minimize predation risk and enhance rates of migration. The findings have implications for fish bypass design and riparian habitat and culvert restoration.

Juvenile chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) growth on the central California coast during the 1998 El Niño and 1999 La Niña

AbstractWe assessed growth in subyearling chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) during the 1998 El Niño and 1999 La Niña in the Gulf of the Farallones, a region of the continental shelf off central California seaward of the Golden Gate and the southernmost ocean entry point for the species in North America. Juvenile salmon demonstrated greater growth during this strong El Niño, when water temperature anomalies of more than +3°C were recorded at local buoys, than during the similarly strong 1999 La Niña. Slopes of regressions of weight on length, length on age, and weight on age were all significantly greater for juvenile salmon during the 1998 El Niño compared with those in the 1999 La Niña. Daily otolith increment widths, an estimator of somatic growth, corroborated population data. Between June 1 and August 9, mean increment widths for juvenile chinook salmon in 1998 were 3.54 ± 0.03 μm, significantly larger than the 3.13 ± 0.03 μm found in juveniles during the same time interval in 1999. Condition factor for juvenile chinook salmon entering the ocean at the Golden Gate was the same in both years, but became significantly greater in ocean fish during the 1998 El Niño than in ocean fish during the 1999 La Niña. Energy storage was significantly greater in ocean juvenile salmon during the 1998 El Niño as well. Mean triacylglycerol/cholesterol ratios increased following ocean entry in 1998, whereas they declined in ocean juveniles during 1999. Thus, not only was growth better in the El Niño period compared with La Niña, but lipid accumulation was also better. Oceanographic data for 1998 indicated elevated temperatures, lower salinity, greater freshwater outflow from San Francisco Bay, northerly flowing coastal currents, and positive upwelling index anomalies. This combination of environmental factors resulted in greater zooplankton productivity that, in conjunction with higher temperatures, allowed metabolic processes to enhance growth. Although El Niño events have certainly produced large‐scale, and often adverse, effects on ecosystems, the results of this study emphasize the importance of local oceanographic conditions to growth and other physiological and ecological processes.

PIT‐Tag Detection System for Large‐Diameter Juvenile Fish Bypass Pipes at Columbia River Basin Hydroelectric Dams

AbstractWe developed a prototype detection system with increased reading range for passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags. The system eliminates the need to route juvenile salmonids to sampling and collection facilities for detection and allows fisheries management greater flexibility in safely bypassing juvenile salmonids at dams. This technology can be applied to PIT‐tag studies elsewhere, especially those directed at recovery of threatened and endangered salmonid populations. The system exceeded the intended goal of 95% tag‐reading efficiency and yielded reading efficiencies near 100% for the four antennas combined. In tests using juvenile steelhead Oncorhynchus mykiss and subyearling Chinook salmon O. tshawytscha, the system worked as designed under a variety of release times and densities. Both direct and indirect methods were used to evaluate the system. The direct method used a known number of tagged fish released at a specific location and compared that number to the number of unique tag codes read. Using this method, over 98% reading efficiency was obtained under all test conditions. The indirect method relied upon a statistical comparison of reading performance between antennas during the juvenile migration season. This method showed that the system efficiency ranged between 99.5% and 100%.

Fine‐Scale Behavioral Responses of Pacific Salmonid Smolts as They Encounter Divergence and Acceleration of Flow

AbstractWe assessed fine‐scale behavioral responses of the smolts of four Pacific salmonid species to open and constricted channels in a flume. Natural migrants encountered two geometrically similar parallel channels with different hydraulic conditions representing constricted and open treatments. Observation of route selection under alternate discharge scenarios provided evidence of behavioral choice by smolts. As expected, the majority of smolts passed through the open channel in a ratio consistent with flow. After controlling for the influence of flow, both initial channel selection and subsequent channel rejection was higher for the constricted channel; rejection was probably due to fish detecting an area of rapidly accelerating flow. The majority of smolts traveled downstream headfirst and faster than the mean midcolumn water velocity. Those that faced the flow passed at a slower rate and tended to select the open treatment. The few yearling Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha and coho salmon O. kisutch smolts that did not pass through the treatment channels, but held position within the flume, were larger than their conspecifics that passed downstream. Large steelhead (anadromous rainbow trout O. mykiss) smolts and subyearling Chinook salmon were more likely to pass the constricted channel than smaller fish. These results suggest that efforts to effectively guide fish with diversion structures will require understanding how the structures alter the local hydraulic environment and, thus, influence fish behavior.

Species composition and community structure of pelagic nekton off Oregon and Washington under variable oceanographic conditions

Dramatic changes in the physical and biological conditions off Washington and Oregon, USA, have occurred since 1998, including extreme El Nino (warm) and La Nina (cool) years, high and low Columbia River flow years, a major intrusion of subarctic water, and a low oxygen event on the shelf. The occurrence of contrasting environmental conditions provided an excellent opportunity to examine pelagic nekton distributions and their abiotic and biotic associations. Pelagic surface trawl surveys conducted during June and September from 1998 to 2002 off northern Washington to central Oregon revealed a nekton community dominated by Pacific herring (33.5% of total catch), Pacific sardines (29.9%), and northern anchovy (12.3%). Between 1998 and 2002, species composition shifted from a community dominated by southern species (mackerels and hake) to one dominated by northern species (squid, smelts, and salmon), but the transition was gradual, and small pelagic spe- cies (sardines, herring, and anchovy) showed no consistent trends in abundance over time. Species diversity/evenness was highest in September 2002. Cluster analysis identified 7 species and 6 station clusters. Subyearling Chinook salmon, market squid, Pacific sardine, yearling coho salmon, and Pacific saury were the strongest indicator species for 5 of these cluster groups. Cluster group distrib- utions differed between both inshore/offshore and north/south. A 3-dimensional ordination ex- plained 55% of the total variance with bottom depth, distance from shore, and sea-surface tempera- ture correlated with the first axis, latitude with the second axis, and surface salinity, surface density and stability with the third axis. Our results suggest that the habitats occupied by pelagic nekton species expand and contract in relation to the dynamic nature of the California Current and are affected by changing ocean conditions at both seasonal and interannual periodicities.

The vertical distribution of juvenile salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.) and associated fishes in the Columbia River plume

AbstractSimultaneous trawling at surface and at depth at one location off the Columbia River, Oregon, in June 2000 identified the depth distribution of juvenile salmonids and associated fishes. Juvenile salmon off the Columbia River were distributed primarily near the surface, within the upper 12 m. Highest densities of subyearling chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) off the Columbia River were associated with high surface currents and decreasing tidal levels, with time of day possibly a co‐factor. Densities of yearling chinook salmon increased with higher turbidity. Pacific herring (Clupea pallasi) was the most abundant and commonly caught forage fish, with density increasing at night, probably related to diel vertical migration. Catches of juvenile salmonids were not associated with catches of forage fishes. Daytime surface trawling appears to be an appropriate method for assessing the distribution and abundance of juvenile salmonids in marine habitats.

Central administration of corticotropin-releasing hormone alters downstream movement in an artificial stream in juvenile chinook salmon ( Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)

We evaluated the effect of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) on spatial distribution and downstream movement in an artificial stream in juvenile Chinook salmon ( Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) during the period when the fish were able to tolerate seawater. An intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of CRH (500 ng) to hatchery fish significantly increased the proportion of fish that were distributed downstream of a mid-stream release site. A second group of hatchery fish were given ICV injections of saline (control) or CRH (500 ng) and released near the top of the stream. The time taken to enter a trap at the lower end of the stream was recorded. In all cases the groups given CRH had a higher proportion of fish that did not enter the trap within 60 min of release. However, in those fish that did enter the trap, treatment with CRH increased the speed of downstream movement to this point relative to control fish. Wild sub-yearling Chinook salmon were captured during their downstream migration to the estuary and given ICV injections of saline or CRH (500 ng) either 2, 3, or 7 days after transport from the river. As with hatchery fish, a significantly higher proportion of wild fish that were administered CRH did not enter the trap at the lower end of the stream. The mean time of passage for control fish decreased on each successive day (day 2 > day 3 > day 7). In contrast, the mean passage time of the wild fish that were given CRH was relatively constant through time, and was only significantly faster than control fish on day 2. The current study provides evidence that CRH alters the downstream movement of juvenile Chinook in a simulated stream environment, and produces behavioral effects similar to those of juvenile salmonids that are stressed during their downstream migration.

Canister for Releasing Marked Fish at Depth in Hydroelectric Dam Gatewells and Forebays

At Pacific Northwest hydroelectric dams, surface containers or hose systems have been used to release marked juvenile Pacific salmon Oncorhynchus spp. for fish passage studies. Because these release methods introduce marked fish to unknown depths and hydraulic conditions, they may compromise study results. We constructed a canister and frames for releasing marked fish at predetermined depths and locations in the gatewells and forebays of hydroelectric dams. The canister performed as anticipated, avoiding injury to fish and allowing them to acclimate to depth prior to release. Acclimation is accomplished by slowly lowering the canister to the desired depth and holding the canister for a period of time before release. A total of 1,000 yearling and subyearling chinook salmon O. tshawytscha were released with this canister over a 2-year period in studies of guidance and orifice passage systems. About 98% of these fish were recaptured, with no injury or descaling attributed to the release canister. This release method allows time for acclimation as well as repeatable positioning of the canister for release of fish at depth for studies at hydroelectric dams on the Columbia and Snake rivers.

Relationship between dietary lipid source, oxidative stress, and the physiological response to stress in sub-yearling chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)

Relationships between dietary lipid source, stress, and oxidative stress were examined in juvenile chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha). Four different experimental diets were used: menhaden oil (MHO; elevated 20:5n-3 and 22:6n-3), soybean oil (SBO; elevated 18:2n-6), linseed oil (LSO; elevated 18:3n-3), and a mixture of 55% linseed oil and 45% soybean oil (MIX; approximately equal levels of 18:2n-6 and 18:3n-3). Juvenile salmon (initial body weight of 16.0 g) were fed experimental diets for 12 weeks (early March to early June). At the end of feeding, fish subjected to a low-water stressor for 96 h had greater liver and brain lipid peroxidation compared to unstressed controls; peroxidation was not influenced by diet. Diet and stress affected plasma cortisol levels. Stressed fish fed SBO had the greatest cortisol concentrations, followed by MIX, MHO, and LSO (mean concentrations for the SBO and LSO diets differed significantly). The cortisol response to stress may have been influenced by the ratio of prostaglandin 1- and 2-series to prostaglandin 3-series precursor fatty acids provided by the different diets. The results of this study suggest a connection between the physiological response to stress, dietary lipid quality, and oxidative stress. This is the first evidence of such a relationship in fish. Abbreviations: AA - arachidonic acid; ACTH - adrenocorticotropin; BHT - butylated hydroxytoluene; BLPO - brain lipid peroxidation; dGLA - dihomo-γ-linolenic acid; DHA - docosahexanoic acid; EPA - eicosapentanoic acid; FER - feed efficiency ratio; FOX - ferrous oxidation-xylenol orange; GLA -γ-linolenic acid; LA - linoleic acid; LCO3 - long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids; LLPO - liver lipid peroxidation; LN - linolenic acid; LPO - lipid peroxidation; LSO - linseed oil; MHO - menhaden oil; MIX - 55% linseed oil + 45% soybean oil; PC - plasma cortisol; PG - prostaglandin(s); PGE2- prostaglandin E2; PUFA - polyunsaturated fatty acid; SBO - soybean oil.

Forecasting Survival and Passage of Migratory Juvenile Salmonids

Abstract We developed methods to forecast survival and cumulative percent passage for subyearling chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha at a dam to help managers effectively time the release of reservoir water to mitigate for passage delays and reduced survival. We tagged Snake River subyearling chinook salmon upstream of a dam from 1993 to 1998 and determined when a subsample of the tagged fish passed the dam. We randomly selected data (1993, 1994, 1996, and 1998) to develop a quadratic discriminant function for predicting which fish would survive to the dam and to develop a multiple-regression equation to predict the date survivors would pass the dam. We used the predicted passage dates within a year to calculate a daily cumulative percent passage forecast and then calculated a 90% forecast interval that varied by year, depending on the number of predicted survivors. We validated the forecast method using data for 1995 and 1997. The 1995 forecasted passage curve differed from the observed passage curv...

Physiological Development and Migratory Behavior of Subyearling Fall Chinook Salmon in the Columbia River

Abstract We describe the migratory behavior and physiological development of subyearling fall chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha migrating through John Day Reservoir on the Columbia River, Washington and Oregon. Fish were freeze-branded and coded-wire-tagged at McNary Dam, Oregon, from 1991 to 1994, to determine travel time to John Day Dam and subsequent adult contribution. Stepwise multiple regression showed that 47% of the variation in subyearling fall chinook salmon travel time was explained by the reciprocal of minimum flow and fish size. Smoltification, as measured by gill Na+-K+ adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) activity, was not important in explaining variability in travel time of subyearling chinook salmon. Fish marked early in the out-migration generally traveled faster than middle and late migrants. Seawater challenges were used to describe physiological development and showed that osmoregulatory competence of premigrants in the Hanford Reach of the Columbia River increased with fish size ...

Detection of PIT-Tagged Subyearling Chinook Salmon at a Snake River Dam: Implications for Summer Flow Augmentation

Abstract Rearing subyearling chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha (≥60 mm in fork length) were captured in the Snake River and tagged with passive integrated transponders to provide an index of their survival to Lower Granite Dam, the first of eight dams encountered by seaward migrants. Water was released from reservoirs upstream of Lower Granite Dam to augment summer flows and thereby increase subyearling chinook salmon survival. Mean summer flow and maximum summer water temperature in Lower Granite Reservoir were highly correlated (N = 4; r = −0.999). Acknowledging this correlation, we conducted two separate least-squares regressions using detection rate as the dependent variable. Detection rate at Lower Granite Dam was positively related to mean summer flow (N = 4; r 2 = 0.993; P = 0.003) and negatively related to maximum summer water temperature (N = 4; r 2 = 0.984; P = 0.008). Summer flow augmentation increased flow and decreased water temperature in Lower Granite Reservoir especially in low-flow ...