The data collected
for this report and the report itself are a supplement to work done
previously in southeast Washington (Mendel et al. 2006). We continued
to collect data to provide information regarding distribution, relative
abundance, and species composition, while obtaining tissue samples
for age and growth or genetic analyses. This effort was part of our
salmonid population/stock assessment in selected streams in southeast
Washington where data were most limited. Small amounts of funding
came from several sources to enable us to combine the following objectives
or projects:
1) increase our
field sampling of small streams or stream reaches in Asotin County,
2) begin sampling
Wenaha River tributaries within WA, particularly for bull trout information,
and
3) continue bull
trout monitoring efforts in the Tucannon River, and expand those efforts
to include collection of tissues for a collaborative genetic evaluation
of metapopulation structure and to assist with PIT tagging for evaluation
of movements. Most of our efforts were concentrated on fish population
assessment, but a limited amount of habitat assessment was included.
The 2006 field
efforts completed a portion of the goals and objectives of the various
projects combined in this report and the previous report (Mendel et
al. 2006). For example, we completed the collection of 40 tissue samples
that met our genetic sampling protocol from juvenile bull trout in
each of seven reaches of the upper Tucannon watershed. We also completed
electrofishing surveys in the Butte Creek watershed, which were delayed
in 2005 because of a large wildfire in southeast Washington (Mendel
et al. 2006). We were successful in obtaining valuable new baseline
information that is useful for assessing salmonid stock status, particularly
in lower Joseph Creek and portions of the Wenaha River watershed within
Washington State. We were able to obtain tissue samples from many
fish from several drainages that will be useful for age, growth, and
genetic analyses in the future. In addition, we were able to obtain
field data regarding the distribution and relative abundance of tailed
frogs (Ascalphus truei) in the Blue Mountains.
During 2007 we
were able to conduct both steelhead spawning surveys and electrofishing
surveys on Alpowa Creek and were able to collect genetic samples.
We shifted our sampling slightly out of the Wenaha River Basin, and
obtained baseline information on aquatic species and habitat in Wenatchee
Creek with the help of other WDFW and USFS staff.
Currently, streams
or stream reaches remain where little or no field sampling information
is available. We hope to secure additional funding for each of the
next two years to enable us to continue this effort to collect baseline
data regarding salmonids and their habitats in areas where limited
or no data currently exists in southeast Washington. Our ultimate
goal is to then use this baseline data to guide development of a comprehensive
monitoring and evaluation program that would implement appropriate
long-term monitoring of the status and trends of salmonid populations
in these small tributaries.
We trust that
the information documented here will be useful to fish and habitat
managers, as well as subbasin and salmonid recovery planners, for
protecting and restoring salmonid resources in southeast Washington
tributaries within the Snake River Subbasin.
