Stehekin River Side Channel Trout Abundance Surveys, NPS Sample Clauses

Stehekin River Side Channel Trout Abundance Surveys, NPS. The 2009-2011 spawning surveys failed to confirm the presence of WCT in any of the survey index reaches. As a result, subsequent fish surveys focused on documenting summer and fall abundance of WCT and XXX were implemented in 2011. Two surveys were conducted annually in side channel and tributary habitat from late July to mid- September. Visual observation and snorkeling was used to document species presence and their abundance at 11 of the 12 spawner survey index reaches. Results are outlined in Table 15 below. Table 15: Number of greater than six inch trout observed and size classes at eleven index sites, 2011 – 2013. Number of fish observed Westslope Cutthroat Trout Rainbow Trout Eastern Xxxxx Xxxxx Survey Date 150- 299 mm 300- 449 mm ≥450 mm 150- 299 mm 300- 449 mm ≥450 mm 150- 299 mm 300- 449 mm ≥450 mm An additional sampling effort was made in 2011, 2012 and 2013 to collect young-of-year fish for genetic analysis to provide definitive species information about successful trout spawning in index reaches. Species composition of these samples is useful for determining XXX and WCT spawner use of the index reaches, and the occurrence of hybridization. A sample of 25 fry was collected from each of four index reaches in 2011, 2012 and 2013. Results from the 2011 and 2012 sampling effort indicated that none of the newly emerged fry were WCT, and hybridization rates ranged from 0% to 36% in the channels surveyed. All non-hybridized fish were determined to be rainbow trout. Genetic analyses of 2013 samples are currently being conducted by Xxxx Xxxxxxx (USGS Western Fisheries Research Center) following methods in Xxxxxxx and Xxxxxxxxx (2006) and results will be available in June of 2014.

Stehekin River Side Channel Trout Abundance Surveys, NPS. Plans for 2014 include conducting two snorkel surveys during August and September to determine abundance and distribution of trout at all side channel spawner index reaches. Collection of young-of-year samples for genetic species verification will be completed at four side channel locations. Genetic analyses of these samples will be conducted by Xxxx Xxxxxxx (USGS Western Fisheries Research Center) Estimated Budget and Schedule: Year Task Total $ NPS Requested $ (LC06b1) Requested PUD Matching $ (LC06b2) NPS Matching $ 2014 Aug-Sept Conduct two snorkel surveys (Aug/Sept) in 11 side-channel/trib. index reaches (1– GS/9 Ecologist and 1-GS/6 Bio Tech for total of 16 person-days) $4,511 $1,911 $1,300 $1,300 Aug-Sept Collect cutthroat/rainbow young-of-year for genetic analysis in four side channel reaches (1–GS/9 Ecologist and 1-GS/6 Bio Tech for total of 8 person-days) $2,256 $956 $650 $650 Oct-Dec USGS –BRD Lab analyses, Data Mgt. and Reporting (100 samples @ $47/sample including Overhead) $4,900 $1,900 $1,500 $1,500 Aug-Sept Travel (Ferry and per diem) $520 $520 Aug-Sept Vehicle (0.5 months @ $800/month) $400 $400 Aug-Sept Supplies $400 $400 Nov-Dec Data Mgt. and Reporting (1- GS9 Ecol. for 12 days, GS12 Ecol. – 3 days) $5,824 $2,912 $2,912 2014 Estimated Totals: $18,811 $6,087 $6,362 $6,362