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 Vol. 2, Issue 8: Feb 12, 2008 |
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Key Highlights 2007/08 Juvenile Migration Monitoring San Joaquin River Conditions Delta Exports Interesting News/Colleague Updates |
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Key Highlights:2007/08 Juvenile Migration Monitoring. Juvenile migration monitoring was initiated at the Grayson (RM 5) rotary screw trap on the Tuolumne River during this sampling period. The 2008 TID seining surveys also began on the Tuolumne and San Joaquin Rivers. As in past years, high flow events and increased turbidity levels due to storm run-off resulted in temporary daily catch increases at various rotary screw trap sampling locations throughout the basin. San Joaquin River Conditions. San Joaquin River flows averaged 3,129 cfs during the reporting period. Water temperatures were slightly cooler and dissolved oxygen was slightly lower than the previous reporting period. Flows were highly influenced by run-off created by storm events. Delta Exports. Combined exports ranged from 5,789 cfs to 8,191 cfs during the reporting period. Interesting News/Colleague Updates . California Central Valley Chinook salmon stocks appear to be experiencing "significant decline" according to Pacific Fishery Management Council Director Donald McIsaac. The outlook for next year does not seem to be any better. Declines of Chinook salmon in the Washington area may be causing Orca whales to expand their feeding range to the south. Members of two pods have been observed off the California coast near San Francisco and Monterey Bay. 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 21 - February 3, 2008 |
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Upcoming EventsFeb. 14: VAMP Technical Meeting
Featured Link(s)Pelagic Organisms Decline Progress Report: 2007 Synthesis of Results - January 15, 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 five out of 14 days between January 21 and February 3. Sampling was delayed between January 25 and January 29 due to high flows resulting from a storm event. 
A total of 37 O. mykiss were captured during the reporting period increasing the season total to 245. Daily catch ranged between one and 18 O. mykiss. A total of nine young-of-year (YOY; less than or equal to 100 mm) and 28 Age 1+ (greater than 100 mm) O. mykiss were captured. Individual lengths of YOY ranged from 78 mm to 98 mm (avg: 94 mm) and weights ranged from 5.7 g to 10.8 g (avg: 9.0 g). Individual lengths of Age 1+ ranged from 101 mm to 220 mm (avg: 141 mm) and weights ranged from 11.6 g to 116.4 g (avg: 33.0 g). Similar to previous reporting periods, most of the O. mykiss captured were rated as a parr (n=23) or silvery parr (n=12) (pictured left), however two smolts were captured on the last day of sampling for this reporting period.   Instantaneous temperatures taken at the trap ranged from 44ºF to 46ºF, and turbidity ranged from 0.7 NTU to 18.3 NTU. Daily average flow at New Hogan Dam (NHG) fluctuated from 28 cfs to 61 cfs, flows at Cosgrove (COS) ranged from 1 cfs to 149 cfs, and flows at Bellota (MRS) ranged from 1 cfs to 485 cfs. 
The Stanislaus River rotary screw trap at Oakdale (RM 40) sampled continuously between January 21 and February 3. A total of 6,647 juvenile Chinook salmon were captured during the reporting period increasing the season total to 8,922. Daily catch ranged between five and 1,309 Chinook. Individual lengths of juvenile Chinook ranged from 31 mm to 66 mm (avg: 36 mm) and weights ranged from 0.2 g to 2.8 g (avg: 0.4 g). The fry lifestage dominated the catch with a couple parr and no smolts present. 
A total of 15 O. mykiss were captured during the reporting period. Individual lengths of O. mykiss ranged from 112 mm to 407 mm (avg: 223 mm) and weights ranged from 15.1 g to 677.5 g (avg: 157.0 g). All of the juvenile O. mykiss captured were rated as parr (n=2), silvery parr (n=7), and smolts (n=3). Three adult O. mykiss (i.e., greater than 300 mm) were captured and two are pictured at right. Two out of the three adult O. mykiss appeared to be in spawning condition.
  Two trap efficiency experiments were conducted during the reporting period using natural juvenile Chinook salmon marked caudal fin green (CFG). The first release of 199 marked Chinook was conducted on January 22, 2008, and the second release of 259 marked Chinook was conducted on January 30. The first release resulted in 82 marked Chinook recaptures and the second release resulted in 61 marked Chinook recaptures, which yields 41% and 24% trap efficiencies respectively (preliminary result). The mean length of marked Chinook during both releases was 36 mm. The mean length for marked Chinook subsequently recaptured was 36 mm. Flow at Orange Blossom Bridge (OBB) was 171 and 249 cfs, respectively. Instantaneous temperature taken at the trap ranged from 45ºF to 49ºF, and turbidity ranged from 0.9 NTU to 33.1 NTU. Daily average flow at Goodwin Dam (GDW) ranged from 225 cfs to 241 cfs, flows at Orange Blossom Bridge (OBB) decreased from 165 cfs to 488 cfs, and flows at Ripon (RIP) decreased from 250 cfs to 619 cfs. River flows were highly influenced by run-off that was created by storm events that occurred during the reporting period. 
The Tuolumne River rotary screw trap at Waterford (RM 30) sampled continuously between January 21 and February 3. A total of 886 juvenile Chinook salmon were captured during the reporting period increasing the season total to 1,068. Daily catch ranged between two and 236 Chinook. Individual lengths of juvenile Chinook ranged from 33 mm to 128 mm (avg: 40 mm) and weights ranged from 0.3 g to 21.2 g (avg: 1.9 g). The fry lifestage dominated the catch with a few parr (n=8) and smolts (n=18; pictured at right). A total of five O. mykiss were captured during the reporting period. Individual lengths of O. mykiss ranged from 105 mm to 268 mm (avg: 210 mm) and weights ranged from 87.4 g to 173.0 g (avg: 115.5 g). All O. mykiss captured were smolts.
Four trap efficiency experiments were conducted between January 26 and February 1. Four groups of between 56 and 132 wild juvenile Chinook marked caudal fin orange (CFO) (pictured at right) were released about 500 yards upstream of the trap. Six to 15 marked Chinook per release group were recaptured yielding 8% to 13% trap efficiency results (preliminary result). The mean length of marked Chinook released and recaptured for all release groups was 37 mm. Daily average flow at La Grange (LGN) ranged from 166 cfs to 167 cfs during the four releases. Instantaneous temperature taken at the trap ranged from 46ºF to 50ºF, and turbidity ranged from 1.6 NTU to 411 NTU. Daily average flow at La Grange (LGN) ranged between 164 cfs and 178 cfs. The Tuolumne River rotary screw trap at Grayson (RM 5) was installed (pictured below) on January 28, 2008 and began sampling immediately thereafter. The traps sampled continuously between January 21 and February 3.
A total of 23 juvenile Chinook salmon were captured during the reporting period. Daily catch ranged between zero and 13 Chinook. Individual lengths of juvenile Chinook ranged from 35 mm to 104 mm (avg: 44 mm) and weights ranged from 0.3 g to 12.0 g (avg: 1.4 g). The fry lifestage dominated the catch with three smolts present as well. The 2008 TID seining study was conducted on January 22, 2008 and February 5, 2008 at various locations on the Tuolumne and San Joaquin Rivers. During the January 22 survey, a total of 19 Chinook salmon were captured in the Tuolumne River at various locations at or upstream of Charles Rd. (RM 24.9). Forklengths ranged from 34 to 38 mm (avg: 36.4 mm). Flow releases at La Grange were about 170 cfs in the Tuolumne River and flows at Vernalis in the San Joaquin River were about 1,500 cfs. No O. mykiss were caught in either river. During the February 5 survey, a total of 15 Chinook salmon were captured in the Tuolumne River at various locations at or upstream of Legion Park (RM 17.2). Forklengths ranged from 36 to 42 mm (avg: 38.9 mm). Salmon were captured further downstream to Legion Park in the Tuolumne River and none were caught in the San Joaquin. Flow releases at La Grange were about 170 cfs in the Tuolumne River and flows at Vernalis in the San Joaquin River were about 3,000 cfs. Several significant storm events resulted in increased flows at Modesto and Vernalis since the previous survey. Salmon densities remain very low and are most similar to 2007 levels. No O. mykiss were caught in either river.
San Joaquin River Conditions
During the reporting period, flow in the San Joaquin River at Vernalis ranged from 1,497 cfs to 4,520 cfs (avg: 3,129 cfs). Overall, San Joaquin Basin water temperatures were slightly cooler and dissolved oxygen was slightly lower than the previous reporting period. Water temperature in the San Joaquin fluctuated from 46.8°F to 49.1 °F (avg: 48.1 °F) at Vernalis; from 47.9 °F to 49.3 °F (avg: 48.7°F) at Mossdale; and from 46.4 °F to 48.2 °F (avg: 47.6 °F) at Rough 'n Ready Island. Dissolved oxygen (DO) in the San Joaquin River at Mossdale fluctuated between 8.4 mg/L and 10.8 mg/L (avg: 9.5 mg/L) and between 7.4 mg/L and 9.4 mg/L (avg: 8.5 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) fluctuated throughout the reporting period and ranged from 3,360 cfs to 4,199 cfs. Mean daily pumping at the Harvey O. Banks Pumping Plant (state pumps) fluctuated throughout the reporting period between 2,440 cfs and 4,012.
Interesting News/Colleague Updates
Meanwhile, a large group of Orca whales that normally inhabit Puget Sound in Washington have been spotted near San Francisco and Monterey Bay. Until recent years, researchers thought the orcas never traveled south of the Columbia River. It is speculated that the whales maybe expanding their range because their main food source, Chinook salmon, has been decline in the Washington feeding area. Orcas belonging to "L-pod" and "K-pod" have been identified off the California coast which could mean "as many as 63 whales could be spread out over 30 miles around the Farallones." Adapted from the following articles: http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/349107 orcas29.html; http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2007/01/30/BAGGTNR5FK1.DTL&type=printable Keeping Up With Our Colleagues? FISHBIO is pleased to announce the addition of two new biologists to their team, Jason Guignard and Jeremy Pombo, both previously with the California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG), Region IV. Jason Guignard was a CDFG Associate Biologist with extensive experience implementing studies to evaluate abundance and life-history characteristics of Chinook salmon and O. mykiss in the San Joaquin River Basin. Jason is well known and respected among San Joaquin Basin resource managers for his knowledge and hands-on field experience, and his unbiased approach to delicate management issues. During his career at CDFG, Jason gained valuable experience with Delta fish species and sampling techniques, which will enhance our already strong capabilities regarding delta smelt, longfin smelt, striped bass, and other native and non-native fishes. Jason began his career with FISHBIO in early February and is working on projects relating to the Stanislaus River and VAMP. Jason can be reached at jasonguignard@fishbio.com. Jeremy Pombo has valuable experience performing carcass surveys on San Joaquin Basin tributaries and as a trawl boat leader for San Joaquin juvenile Chinook salmon survival studies. In addition to strong field research experience, Jeremy is a skilled large equipment operator with experience creating river and lake habitat structures and augmenting gravel in deprived river channels. Jeremy is working on several FISHBIO projects on the Calaveras, Stanislaus, and Tuolumne rivers. Jeremy can be reached at jeremypombo@fishbio.com. To view newsletter archives, click here. |
California Central Valley Chinook Salmon in Big Trouble. California Central Valley Chinook stocks appear to be experiencing "significant decline" according to Pacific Fishery Management Council Director Donald McIsaac. With only about 90,000 Fall-run Chinook salmon returning to the Central Valley in 2007, the agency's conservation goal of 122,000 to 180,000 fish was not met for the first time in 15 years. The Central Valley Fall-run decreased 68% from 2007 returns and 89% from record numbers only five years ago. The outlook for next year is not expected to be any better. Immature two year old fish called Jacks are used to forecast the future returns. A record low number of Jacks were counted in 2007 suggesting a poor return during the coming year. According to the Pacific Fishery Management Council, "the reason for the decline is unclear" but "seems to be a coast wide phenomenon, probably related to ocean conditions." Adapted from the following articles: |
© 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. |