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 Vol. 2, Issue 7: Jan 25, 2008 |
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Key Highlights 2007/08 Juvenile Migration Monitoring San Joaquin River Conditions Delta Exports Out of Basin Projections |
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Key Highlights:2007/08 Juvenile Migration Monitoring. Juvenile migration monitoring is underway on the Stanislaus River at Oakdale (RM 40.1) and Caswell (RM 8); on the Tuolumne River at Waterford (RM 30); and Calaveras River at Shelton Rd. (RM 28). San Joaquin River Conditions. San Joaquin River flows averaged 1,731 cfs during the reporting period. Water temperatures fluctuated throughout this reporting period. Dissolved oxygen (DO) at Mossdale averaged 10.2 mg/L while DO in the deep water ship channel averaged 8.1 mg/L. Delta Exports. Combined exports ranged from 2,966 cfs to 8,977 cfs during the reporting period. Export rates at the federal pumping facility decreased as state pumping facility rates fluctuated. Out of Basin Projections . State of Alaska fisheries biologists are projecting a poor Chinook and sockeye salmon run in the Deshka and Susitan Rivers, respectively (Komarnitsky). Biologists predict the Chinook salmon run to be the "weakest since such forecasts began in 1999." Biologists are also predicting the Susitna River drainage Sockeye salmon returns to be the "second lowest since 1986." We encourage subscribers to contribute any relevant information for future issues of the newsletter (e.g., additional monitoring studies, announcements of upcoming meetings and events, etc). If you would like to contribute, please contact Chrissy Sonke. If you have any questions please contact Doug Demko at 530-342-9262 or by e-mail at dougdemko@fishbio.com. To view a print version of this newsletter, click here. |
January 7 - January 20, 2008 |
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Upcoming EventsJan. 30: VAMP Meeting
Featured LinksSave Our Shores - Northern Advisory Council State of The Bay-Delta Science 2008
Related LinksTuolumne River Technical Advisory Committee |
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2007/08 Juvenile Migration MonitoringThe Calaveras River rotary screw trap at Shelton Road (RM 29) sampled eight out of 14 days between January 7 and January 20, 2008. 
A total of 82 O. mykiss were captured during the reporting period increasing the season total to 208. Daily catch ranged between two and 28 O. mykiss. A total of 16 young-of-year (YOY; less than or equal to 100 mm) and 66 Age 1+ (greater than 100 mm) O. mykiss were captured. Individual lengths of YOY ranged from 69 mm to 100 mm (avg: 91 mm) and weights ranged from 3.0 g to 11.8 g (avg: 8.4 g). Individual lengths of Age 1+ ranged from 101 mm to 200 mm (avg: 129 mm) and weights ranged from 10.9 g to 79.8 g (avg: 24.5 g). Similar to previous reporting periods all of the O. mykiss captured were rated as a parr (n=27) or silvery parr (n=55).   Instantaneous temperatures taken at the trap ranged from 43ºF to 48ºF, and turbidity ranged from 0.79 NTU to 5.79 NTU. Daily average flow at New Hogan Dam (NHG) fluctuated from 26 cfs to 60 cfs, flows at Cosgrove (COS) ranged from 1 cfs to 24 cfs, and flows at Bellota (MRS) ranged from 0 cfs to 95 cfs. 
The Stanislaus River rotary screw trap at Oakdale (RM 40) started sampling immediately after installation on January 8, 2008. The trap sampled 9 out of 12 days between January 8 and January 20. A total of 2,275 juvenile Chinook salmon were captured during the reporting period. Daily catch ranged between zero and 866 Chinook. Individual lengths of juvenile Chinook ranged from 32 mm to 113 mm (avg: 36 mm) and weights ranged from 0.3 g to 15.9 g (avg: 0.7 g). The fry lifestage dominanted the catch with one parr and one smolt. 
A total of 17 O. mykiss were captured during the reporting period; 65% (11 of 17) were captured on January 15. Individual lengths of O. mykiss ranged from 125 mm to 355 mm (avg: 205 mm) and weights ranged from 21.8 g to 492.9 g (avg: 111.8 g). All of the juvenile O. mykiss captured were rated as silvery parr (n=6) and smolts (n=10). One adult O. mykiss (i.e., greater than 300 mm) was captured and is pictured to the right.
  Two trap efficiency experiments were conducted during the reporting period using natural juvenile Chinook salmon marked caudal fin green (CFG). The first release of 90 marked Chinook was conducted on January 16, 2008, and the second release of 257 marked Chinook was conducted on January 18. The first release resulted in 48 marked Chinook recaptures and the second release resulted in 117 marked Chinook recaptures, which yields 53% and 46% trap efficiencies respectively (preliminary result). The mean length of marked Chinook during both releases was 35 mm. The mean length for marked Chinook subsequently recaptured was 36 mm and 35 mm for experiment one and two, respectively. Instantaneous temperature taken at the trap ranged from 44ºF to 49ºF, and turbidity ranged from 0.50 NTU to 2.31 NTU. Daily average flow at Goodwin Dam (GDW) decreased from 285 cfs to 226 cfs, flows at Orange Blossom Bridge (OBB) decreased from 212 cfs to 158 cfs, and flows at Ripon (RIP) decreased from 510 cfs to 251 cfs. The Tuolumne River rotary screw trap at Waterford (RM 30) started sampling immediately after installation on January 7, 2008. The trap sampled continuously throughout the reporting period. A total of 182 juvenile Chinook salmon were captured during the reporting period. Daily catch ranged between one and 39 Chinook. Individual lengths of juvenile Chinook ranged from 33 mm to 95 mm (avg: 39 mm) and weights ranged from 0.2 g to 6.5 g (avg: 0.7 g). The fry lifestage dominanted the catch with 10 parr and two smolt.   One trap efficiency experiment was conducted on January 13 with 32 wild juvenile Chinook salmon that were marked caudal fin orange (CFO) and released about 500 yards upstream of the trap. Eleven CFO Chinook were recaptured yielding a 34.4% trap efficiency (preliminary result). The mean length of marked Chinook released and recaptured did not differ at 37 mm. Flow at La Grange (LGN) was 165 cfs during the release. Instantaneous temperature taken at the trap ranged from 46ºF to 52ºF, and turbidity ranged from 1.3 NTU to 46.8 NTU. Daily average flow at La Grange (LGN) ranged between 164 cfs and 174 cfs.
San Joaquin River Conditions
During the reporting period, flow in the San Joaquin River at Vernalis ranged from 1,467 cfs to 2,333 cfs (avg: 1,731 cfs). Note: data was unavailable between January 7 and January 8. Overall, San Joaquin Basin water temperatures were slightly warmer and dissolved oxygen was slightly lower than the previous reporting period. Water temperature in the San Joaquin fluctuated from 47.3°F to 51.5 °F (avg: 48.9 °F) at Vernalis; from 47.9 °F to 51.9 °F (avg: 49.4°F) at Mossdale; and from 46.6 °F to 48.0 °F (avg: 47.5 °F) at Rough 'n Ready Island. Dissolved oxygen (DO) in the San Joaquin River at Mossdale fluctuated between 9.8 mg/L and 10.8 mg/L (avg: 10.2 mg/L) and between 8.4 mg/L and 10.2 mg/L (avg: 9.3 mg/L) in the deep water ship channel (measured at Rough 'n Ready Island).
 
Delta Exports
Mean daily pumping at the C.W. Jones Pumping Plant (federal pumps previously known as Tracy Pumping Plant) decreased throughout the reporting period and ranged from 3,808 cfs to 1,920 cfs. Mean daily pumping at the Harvey O. Banks Pumping Plant (state pumps) remained fairly constant between 2,411 cfs and 3,819 with exception of a peak of 5,193 cfs on January 11.
Out of Basin ProjectionsAn article reported in the Anchorage Daily News by S.J. Komarnitsky describes projections for 2008 Chinook and sockeye salmon returns to the Deshka and Susitan Rivers as poor with the caveat that these forecasts have rarely been accurate. State biologists are projecting 20,300 Chinook in the Deshka River which is the lowest projection since forecasts began in 1999. Commercial fishing research project leaders are forecasting only 344,000 sockeye to the Susitan River drainage, which is the second lowest since 1986. Typically, commercial fisheries harvest 50% of this projected total so these projections will likely serve as debate for strickter harvest and fishing policies (Article link: http://www.adn.com/outdoors/story/285142.html). To view newsletter archives, click here. |
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© 2007 FISHBIO Environmental, LLC • 3188 Wood Creek Drive, Chico, CA 94928 Data Disclaimer: The data displayed on the sanjoaquinbasin.com website are courtesy of Stockton East Water District (SEWD), California Department of Fish & Game (CDFG), U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS), Tri-dam, Turlock Irrigation District (TID), Modesto Irrigation District (MID) and FISHBIO. Data are intended to be current, but are preliminary and are not guaranteed to be accurate. Source data compiled and provided by FISHBIO, from whom further information can be obtained. Use or reproduction of this data is prohibited without prior permission of SEWD, CDFG, USFWS, Tri-dam, TID, MID and/or FISHBIO. |