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 Vol. 2, Issue 9: Feb 26, 2008 |
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Key Highlights 2007/08 Juvenile Migration Monitoring San Joaquin River Conditions Delta Exports Interesting News |
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Key Highlights:2007/08 Juvenile Migration Monitoring. Juvenile migration monitoring was initiated in the Stanislaus River at the Caswell (RM 8) rotary screw trap on January 21. Overall, daily catch at all rotary screw traps decreased since the last reporting period. San Joaquin River Conditions. San Joaquin Basin water temperatures were slightly warmer and dissolved oxygen was similar to the previous reporting period. Delta Exports. Combined exports ranged from 3,647 cfs to 7,401 cfs during the reporting period. Interesting News/Colleague Updates. 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. |
February 4 - February 17, 2008 |
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Upcoming EventsFeb. 26: CALFED Brown Bag Seminar
Featured Link(s)San Joaquin River Restoration Program
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 February 4 and February 17. 
A total of 15 O. mykiss were captured during the reporting period increasing the season total to 260. Daily catch ranged between one and five O. mykiss. A total of three young-of-year (YOY; less than or equal to 100 mm) and 11 Age 1+ (greater than 100 mm) O. mykiss were captured. One adult (greater than 300 mm) O. mykiss was also (315 mm; 301.4 g) Individual lengths of YOY ranged from 92 mm to 97 mm (avg: 94 mm) and weights ranged from 6.9 g to 8.1 g (avg: 7.5 g). Individual lengths of Age 1+ ranged from 102 mm to 182 mm (avg: 145 mm) and weights ranged from 11.7 g to 59.6 g (avg: 34.7 g). Similar to previous reporting periods, most of the O. mykiss captured were rated as a parr (n=5) or silvery parr (n=7; pictured left), however two smolts were captured as well.   Instantaneous temperatures taken at the trap ranged from 41ºF to 46ºF, and turbidity ranged from 0.5 NTU to 9.4 NTU. Daily average flow at New Hogan Dam (NHG) decreased throughout the reporting period from 60 cfs to 23 cfs, flows at Cosgrove (COS) decreased from 53 cfs to 2 cfs, and flows at Bellota (MRS) ranged from 113 cfs to 25 cfs. The Stanislaus River rotary screw trap at Oakdale (RM 40) sampled continuously between February 4 and February 17. 
A total of 4,125 juvenile Chinook salmon were captured during the reporting period increasing the season total to 13,047. Daily catch ranged between 28 and 589 Chinook. Individual lengths of juvenile Chinook ranged from 32 mm to 73 mm (avg: 37 mm) and weights ranged from 0.2 g to 3.6 g (avg: 0.5 g). The fry lifestage dominated the catch with a couple parr and smolts. Six larger-sized Chinook (greater than or equal to 100 mm) were captured during the reporting period (pictured at left). Individual lengths of these fish ranged in size from 100 mm to 131 mm (avg. 116 mm) and weighed between 10.5 g and 26.6 g (avg. 17.5 g).  
 Two trap efficiency experiments were conducted during the reporting period using natural juvenile Chinook salmon marked caudal fin green (CFG). The first release of 250 marked Chinook was conducted on February 5, and the second release of 234 marked Chinook was conducted on February 14. The first release resulted in 86 marked Chinook recaptures and the second release resulted in 121 marked Chinook recaptures, which yields 34% and 52% trap efficiencies respectively (preliminary result). The mean length of marked Chinook during the first release was 37 mm and 38 mm for the second release. Recapture mean lengths were the same. Flow at Orange Blossom Bridge (OBB) was 235 cfs and 209 cfs, respectively. Instantaneous temperature taken at the trap ranged from 46ºF to 53ºF, and turbidity ranged from 1.1 NTU to 14.9 NTU. Daily average flow at Goodwin Dam (GDW) ranged from 222 cfs to 230 cfs and flows at Orange Blossom Bridge (OBB) decreased from 284 cfs to 201 cfs. The Stanislaus River rotary screw trap at Caswell (RM 8) was installed on January 16 and intermittent sampling began on January 21; the first trap check was on January 23. The traps sampled 22 out of 28 days between January 21 and February 17. A total of 26 juvenile Chinook salmon were captured during the reporting period. Weekly catch ranged between two and seven Chinook. Average weekly lengths of juvenile Chinook ranged from 35.4 mm to 43.0 mm. All captured Chinook were rated as fry. No O. mykiss were captured during this reporting period. Catches are currently too low to conduct efficiency releases. Daily average flow at Ripon (RIP) ranged from 245 cfs to 625 cfs between January 21 and February 17. 
The Tuolumne River rotary screw trap at Waterford (RM 30) sampled continuously between February 4 and February 17 (pictured at right). A total of 478 juvenile Chinook salmon were captured during the reporting period increasing the season total to 1,546. Daily catch ranged between three and 104 Chinook. Individual lengths of juvenile Chinook ranged from 34 mm to 102 mm (avg: 38 mm) and weights ranged from 0.3 g to 11.0 g (avg: 0.7 g). The fry lifestage dominated the catch with one parr and three smolts. No O. mykiss were captured during this reporting period.
Two trap efficiency experiments were conducted during the reporting period using natural juvenile Chinook salmon marked caudal fin orange (CFO). The first release of 64 marked Chinook was conducted on February 6, and the second release of 33 marked Chinook was conducted on February 13. The first release resulted in six marked Chinook recaptures and the second release resulted in 10 marked Chinook recaptures, which yields 9% and 33% trap efficiencies, respectively (preliminary result). The mean length of marked Chinook during the first release was 37 mm and 38 mm for the second release. recapture mean lengths for both release groups 37 mm. Flow at La Grange Bridge (LGN) was 169 cfs for both releases. Flow at Modesto (MOD) during the two releases was 470 cfs and 295 cfs, respectively. Instantaneous temperature taken at the trap ranged from 48ºF to 53ºF, and turbidity ranged from 1.9 NTU to 119.0 NTU. Daily average flow at La Grange (LGN) ranged between 165 cfs and 174 cfs. The Tuolumne River rotary screw traps at Grayson (RM 5) sampled continuously between February 4 and February 17. 
A total of three juvenile Chinook salmon were captured during the reporting period increasing the season total to 26. Daily catch ranged between zero and one Chinook. Individual lengths of juvenile Chinook ranged from 38 mm to 40 mm (avg: 39 mm) and weights ranged from 0.4 g to 0.5 g (avg: 0.5 g). All three Chinook were rated as fry (pictured at right). No O. mykiss were captured during this reporting period. Catches are currently too low to conduct efficiency releases.
Instantaneous temperature taken at the trap ranged from 47ºF to 55ºF, and turbidity ranged from 2.8 NTU to 44.8 NTU. Daily average flow at Modesto (MOD) decreased during this reporting period from 280 cfs to 915 cfs. 
The 2008 TID seining study was conducted on February 19 at various locations on the Tuolumne and San Joaquin Rivers. This is the third seining survey conducted this season and the number and size of Chinook salmon has increased since the previous survey. A total of 40 Chinook salmon were captured in the Tuolumne River at various locations at or upstream of Hickman Bridge (RM 31.6) and none were captured at the San Joaquin seine sites. Forklengths ranged from 35 to 58 mm (avg: 42.6 mm). No O. mykiss were caught in either river. Flow releases at La Grange (LGN) were about 170 cfs in the Tuolumne River and flows at Vernalis (VNS) in the San Joaquin River were about 1,700 cfs.
San Joaquin River Conditions
During the reporting period, flow in the San Joaquin River at Vernalis decreased from 3,098 cfs to 1,768 cfs (avg: 2,383 cfs). Overall, San Joaquin Basin water temperatures were slightly warmer and dissolved oxygen was similar to the previous reporting period. Water temperature in the San Joaquin fluctuated from 47.5°F to 54.6 °F (avg: 51.6 °F) at Vernalis; from 48.3 °F to 55.2 °F (avg: 52.1°F) at Mossdale; and from 46.9 °F to 52.2 °F (avg: 49.9 °F) at Rough 'n Ready Island. Dissolved oxygen (DO) in the San Joaquin River at Mossdale fluctuated between 9.0 mg/L and 10.0 mg/L (avg: 9.5 mg/L) and between 7.2 mg/L and 9.2 mg/L (avg: 8.0 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 2,568 cfs to 3,807 cfs. Mean daily pumping at the Harvey O. Banks Pumping Plant (state pumps) fluctuated throughout the reporting period and ranged from 2,910 cfs to 4,019 cfs.
Interesting News"Huge study gives wake-up call on state of world's oceans . Fishing, climate change and pollution have left an indelible mark on virtually all of the world's oceans, according to a huge study that has mapped the total human impact on the seas for the first time. Scientists found that almost no areas have been left pristine and more than 40% of the world's oceans have been heavily affected." Full story at: http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2008/feb/15/biodoversity.scienceofclimatechange "Scientists blame ocean dead zones on climate change. Peering into the murky depths, Jane Lubchenco searched for sea life, but all she saw were signs of death. Video images scanned from the seafloor revealed a boneyard of crab skeletons, dead fish and other marine life smothered under a white mat of bacteria. At times, the camera's unblinking eye revealed nothing - a barren undersea desert in waters renowned for their bounty of Dungeness crabs and fat rockfish." Full story at: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/02/20/MNQNV50EU.DTL "Building ban proposed in Marin County to protect salmon. The numbers of endangered coho salmon returning to spawn this winter in west Marin County have been low enough to persuade officials to ban streamside building in the lush San Geronimo Valley for two years." Full story at: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/02/07/BAJSUTL7D.DTL&hw=water&sn=016%sc=253 
"Spawning salmon numbers dwindling in Napa River. Fewer Chinook salmon returned to spawn in the Napa River this season, a fact that Napa County biologists think may be linked to poor ocean conditions. Smaller salmon runs were reported in other watersheds in the region as well, noted RCD biologist." Full story at: http://www.napavalleyregister.com/articles/2008/02/16/news/local/doc47b6932d61391903577685.txt To view newsletter archives, click here. |
A total of five O. mykiss were captured during the reporting period, including one "spawned out" adult (440 mm; 828.2 g; pictured at right). Individual lengths of juvenile O. mykiss ranged from 189 mm to 272 mm (avg: 232 mm) and weights ranged from 71.7 g to 195.4 g (avg: 125.8 g). Juvenile O. mykiss captured were rated as silvery parr (n=2) and smolts (n=2).
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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 California Department of Fish & Game (CDFG), U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS), Tri-dam, Turlock Irrigation District (TID), Modesto Irrigation District (MID), Stockton East Water District (SEWD) 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 CDFG, USFWS, Tri-dam, TID, MID, SEWD and/or FISHBIO. |