Hydroacoustic Estimates of Fish Density Distributions in Cougar Reservoir, 2011

Day and night mobile hydroacoustic surveys were conducted once each month from April through December 2011 to quantify the horizontal and vertical distributions of fish throughout Cougar Reservoir, Lane County, Oregon

Hydroacoustic Estimates of Fish Density Distributions in Cougar Reservoir, 2011

Day and night mobile hydroacoustic surveys were conducted once each month from April through December 2011 to quantify the horizontal and vertical distributions of fish throughout Cougar Reservoir, Lane County, Oregon

Survival and Passage of Juvenile Chinook Salmon and Steelhead Passing through Bonneville Dam, 2010

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) and subcontractors conducted an acoustic-telemetry study of juvenile salmonid fish passage and survival at Bonneville Dam in 2010. The study was conducted to assess the readiness of the monitoring system for official compliance studies under the 2008 Biological Opinion and Fish Accords and to assess performance measures including route-specific fish passage proportions, travel times, and survival based upon a single-release model. This also was the last year of evaluation of effects of a behavioral guidance device installed in the Powerhouse 2 forebay. The study relied on releases of live Juvenile Salmon Acoustic Telemetry System tagged smolts in the Columbia River and used acoustic telemetry to evaluate the approach, passage, and survival of passing juvenile salmon. This study supports the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers continual effort to improve conditions for juvenile anadromous fish passing through Columbia River dams

Survival and Passage of Yearling and Subyearling Chinook Salmon and Juvenile Steelhead at McNary Dam, 2012

The study was designed to evaluate the passage and survival of yearling and subyearling Chinook salmon and juvenile steelhead at McNary Dam as stipulated by the 2008 Biological Opinion and Fish Accords and to assess performance measures including route-specific fish passage proportions, travel times, and survival based upon a virtual/paired-release model. This study supports the USACE’s continual effort to improve conditions for juvenile anadromous fish passing through Columbia River dams

Survival and Passage of Yearling Chinook Salmon and Steelhead at The Dalles Dam, Spring 2011 - FINAL REPORT

The study reported herein was conducted by the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) and the University of Washington (UW) for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District (USACE). The PNNL and UW project managers were Drs. Thomas J. Carlson and John R. Skalski, respectively. The USACE technical lead was Mr. Brad Eppard. The study was designed to estimate dam passage survival and other performance measures at The Dalles Dam as stipulated by the 2008 Federal Columbia River Power System Biological Opinion (BiOp) and the 2008 Columbia Basin Fish Accords. The study is being documented in two types of reports: compliance and technical. A compliance report is delivered within 6 months of the completion of the field season and focuses on results of the performance metrics outlined in the 2008 BiOp and Fish Accords. A technical report is produced within the 18 months after field work, providing comprehensive documentation of a given study and results on route-specific survival estimates and fish passage distributions, which are not included in compliance reports. This technical report concerns the 2011 acoustic telemetry study at The Dalles Dam

Acoustic Telemetry Evaluation of Juvenile Salmonid Passage and Survival at John Day Dam, 2010

This report presents survival, behavioral, and fish passage results for yearling and subyearling Chinook salmon smolts and juvenile steelhead tagged with JSATS acoustic micro-transmitters as part of a survival study conducted at John Day Dam during 2010. This study was designed to evaluate the passage and survival of yearling and subyearling Chinook salmon and juvenile steelhead to assist managers in identifying dam operations for compliance testing as stipulated by the 2008 Federal Columbia River Power System Biological Opinion and the 2008 Columbia Basin Fish Accords. Survival estimates were based on a single-release survival estimate model

Seasonal Movements and Spatial Distributions of Common Carp in an Interconnected Glacial Lake System in Eastern South Dakota

The common carp Cyprinus carpio is a ubiquitous invasive species naturalized to aquatic systems throughout North America. Following their intentional introduction in the United States in the late 1800’s, the common carp’s commercial and recreational value declined during the 20th century. They are generally considered a nuisance species to aquatic resource managers because they impose significant biotic perturbations and disrupt ecological functions of shallow lake ecosystems. Despite the high densities often observed in eastern South Dakota glacial lakes, biological information and a strategic plan for their management are relatively nonexistent. Understanding common carp movement patterns is required for developing management strategies, selecting appropriate control techniques, and assessing ecological impacts. In general, management strategies for overabundant common carp populations are typically aimed at population reduction with the goal of improving water quality and habitat to enhance native fish communities. In order to choose efficient and cost effective control techniques, an understanding of common carp seasonal movement patterns and spatial distributions is essential. Therefore, the objectives of my research were to: 1) evaluate seasonal and diel movement patterns of common carp in a shallow (\u3c5 m), interconnected glacial lake system in eastern South Dakota, and 2) examine seasonal spatial distributions. To address the objectives, both manual and fixed-position ultrasonic telemetry were used year-round on Brant and Round lakes, a 500-ha interconnected glacial lake system in eastern South Dakota. Twenty adult common carp (586 to 807 mm TL; large size class) were implanted with large ultrasonic transmitters (CHP-87-L, 18 months, Sonotronics, Inc) and five smaller carp (357 to 410 mm TL; small size class) of unknown sex were implanted with small transmitters (IBT-96-9-I, 9 months, Sonotronics, Inc) during the fall of 2007 and 2008, respectively. Manual telemetry was performed during three independent 5-h tracking periods (morning, mid-day, evening) from May to November in 2008 and from April to August in 2009 to assess seasonal movement patterns and spatial distributions. In addition, 24-h tracking bouts were conducted in June, July, August, and October of 2008 to investigate seasonal and diel hourly movement rates of adult common carp. Fixed location telemetry using 10 submersible ultrasonic receivers (SUR-1, Sonotronics, Inc) placed throughout the deepest basin of Brant Lake occurred during periods of ice cover from December to March of both years and was used to assess activity patterns and spatial distribution of common carp. A total of 572 locations were determined during the open water periods and 23,986 and 57,489 detections were logged on the 10 submersible receivers during the winters from 2007 to 2009. A total of 380 locations (234 female, 146 male) from 19 acoustically tagged adult common carp were obtained from May 14 to November 4, 2008 and 192 locations were obtained from large and small size class carp from April 22 to August 18, 2009. Eighteen of 20 adult carp were detected during the winters of 2007 and 2008 and 18 (13 large and 5 small) carp were detected during the winters of 2008 and 2009. The large and small carp accounted for 35,052 and 22,437 detections, respectively, during the second winter. During the study, 7 of 24 (29%) located carp, including 1 of 5 (20%) small fish and 6 of 19 (32%) large fish, either died or expelled their transmitter. Adult common carp mean hourly movement rates per 24-h tracking session ranged from 100.3 m/h (SE=25.1) in August to 165.9 m/h (SE=28.1) in October, but movement rates did not differ (P\u3e0.05) in June, July, August, and October indicating that fish moved consistently at the same rate during this period. Movement rates did not differ among diel periods across months or diel periods within months. Activity under the ice was highest in March of both winters compared to previous months and no difference was detected between large and small fish activity. Spatial segregation between large adult common carp and small carp occurred in June 2009 during spawning when adults were located closer to shore in shallower depths. In addition, spatial segregation was detected during winter months as small fish were detected in the eastern part of Brant Lake earlier and for a prolonged period of time, as compared to large fish. Mean monthly depth at location and distance to shore for adult common carp followed similar yearly trends. Adult common carp were found at shallow depths (\u3c1.8 m) and close to shore (\u3c100 m) in May and June of both years during peak spawning activity. Following spawning, a similar pattern was observed both years where common carp moved offshore (\u3e130 m) to deeper water in July (\u3e2.2 m) and then back inshore (\u3c110 m) to shallower depths in August (\u3c1.9 m). Common carp were found offshore (\u3e170 m) in deeper water (\u3e2.4 m) September through November in 2008. Male and female common carp were located at similar depths and distances from shore in all months except June 2008 when female carp were found at significantly shallower depths and closer to shore. The distribution of adult common carp locations during open water periods was non-random over the two-year study period, based on a randomization analysis. Monthly distributions of adult common carp locations were non-random in May, June, August, and October of 2008 and June of 2009. Random distributions occurred in July, September, November of 2008 and April, May, July, and August of 2009. An assessment of the amount of clustering of fish locations using a nearest neighbor index (NNI) and Ripley’s K-function analysis were performed to detect aggregations. The NNI analysis indicated that the locations of carp in May, June, July, and August of 2008 and June of 2009 were more clustered than a random distribution and the lowest amount of clustering occurred in July of 2008. In contrast, common carp were more randomly distributed throughout the basin during July of 2009. The Ripley’s K-function analysis indicated common carp locations in May, June, and August of 2008 were more clustered at all distances then carp locations in July of 2008. Carp were the most clustered at a distance of 150 m in June and most dispersed at a distance of 600 m in July. Distinct under-ice distribution and activity patterns of adult carp were detected in Brant Lake over the two year study period and carp displayed a clear tendency to aggregate and restrict activity within the western portion of the lake. Adult common carp displayed predictable annual movement patterns and spatial distributions creating the potential for large-scale removals aimed at reducing abundance in this system. The use of relatively few carp (\u3c10) bearing acoustic or radio transmitters to guide managers and commercial fishermen to aggregations may be an effective strategy for targeting removals on shallow lakes. A reduction in common carp abundance has the potential to improve water quality and habitat to enhance native sportfish communities

Movement and Spatial Distribution of Common Carp in a South Dakota Glacial Lake System: Implications for Management and Removal

Common Carp Cyprinus carpio form dense populations that often negatively impact water quality and clarity, native fish communities, and aquatic plant growth in aquatic ecosystems outside their native range, including the U.S. Midwest. In an attempt to guide future management and control activities, we used acoustic telemetry to quantify monthly spatial distributions and movement patterns for adult Common Carp in Brant and Round lakes, South Dakota, during open-water periods for 2 years. During a span of 12 months of manual tracking in the spring, summer, and fall seasons, we obtained 530 locations from 19 acoustically tagged fish. In general, fish displayed a clear tendency to aggregate in shallow depths close to shore during the spawning period in May and June and also postspawn during August. In contrast, fish dispersed offshore into deeper water during July. Mean hourly movement rates during 24-h tracking sessions ranged from 100.3 m/h to 165.9 m/h. Although nonsignificant, the highest movement rates occurred in June and October and during the dusk period. Our results, along with similar studies in the region, indicate predictable and repeatable seasonal aggregations and distributions of Common Carp that will likely aid in the development of sampling protocols and control programs for temperate lakes. These results can be used to develop integrated control techniques that would target adult fish during periods of seasonal aggregations and dispersions, which is critical for effective population control

Compensatory Response of Invasive Common Carp Cyprinus carpio to Harvest

Invasive species are often mechanically removed to reduce or eliminate their populations. However, removal may release survivors from density-dependent mechanisms resulting in stable or increasing population abundance through compensatory processes. Additionally, immigration of new individuals into systems where removal is occurring may negate efforts to control population abundance. Thus, understanding population-level responses to removal and immigration rates are essential aspects of invasive species management. We evaluated how common carp Cyprinus carpio populations respond to removal through commercial harvest in three interconnected lakes over five years. Nearly 230,000 common carp (up to 55 fish/ha/year) were removed and exploitation rates ranged from \u3c1 to 43% across three lakes over four years. Despite high removal rates in some years, carp population abundance, recruitment, and growth remained stable. Carp survival ranged between 54–79% and was inversely related to removal rate. However, survival only decreased by 25% at 43% exploitation, suggesting a partial compensatory rather than additive response. Emigration among lakes was low (\u3c1%; \u3e2000 carp), but varied among years in response to water level fluctuations. Our results indicate that carp control is difficult in large interconnected systems due to compensatory mortality and interbasin movement patterns, limiting the ability of removal-based management practices alone to control these invasive populations

Modeling Common Carp Under-ice Movement Using Hierarchical Markov Simulation

Common carp is an invasive species in North American waters, disrupting ecological systems and replacing native species in water systems they enter. Mass removal by seining of this species from infected waters is a labor-intensive task that requires knowledge of their behavior and popular aggregation locations. It has been shown that carp tend to aggregate and slow down during winter months leaving them potentially vulnerable to seining. In 2010, Hennen used a fixed telemetry system to track carp movement during ice-cover periods and reported on their spatial distributions. Expanding on this work, we propose a model to describe the discrete movement of carp through a fixed telemetry system using a Bayesian Hierarchical Markov model