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Cle Elum Netting60,000 SOCKEYE SMOLTS and counting Following the success of exploratory efforts in 2024, the USFWS, the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR), and Yakama Nation partnered to collect juvenile Sockeye Salmon from Cle Elum Reservoir. While construction of the permanent Helix passage system is complete, construction of the adjacent adult facility has postponed its operation, necessitating this temporary measure to collect and pass juvenile fish downstream. Since netting began on April 8th, approximately 60,000 fish have been captured and transported downstream. Many of these fish have been PIT tagged, allowing biologists to track survival and migration timing, critical information for long-term restoration success. |
Keechelus AcousticsGood to Go An acoustic telemetry study launched in May 2024 continues to provide valuable insights into Bull Trout movement and survival in Keechelus Reservoir, and entrainment at Keechelus Dam. Acoustic receivers remained deployed throughout the winter, with surface buoys removed ahead of ice formation to prevent displacement. This spring, staff successfully recovered and redeployed receivers, ensuring year-around data. This year we hope to capture and tag an additional 10 Bull Trout during trap-and-haul events. |
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PIT AntennasRIMROCK and KRD All of our PIT antennas that monitor the Kittitas Reclamation Districts (KRD) supplementation streams have been online and operational since March 19th. These sites help water managers and biologists gain a better understanding of how salmonids utilize these streams. The KRD pumps water from their canal into these tributaries to enhance flow conditions. All data from these sites are available online through PTAGIS. All but one of our Rimrock basin PIT antennas have been operational since April 29th. These sites are located in spawning tributaries as well as key infrastructure, such as Clear Creek Dam and the defunct fish ladder now being replaced. These sites provide us with useful information such as survival estimates, spawn timing, and other critical metrics that help us successfully manage Rimrock Bull Trout populations. |
Trap and Haul ReportingMoving Along Over the winter, we finalized our 2023 trap-and-haul report and are nearing completion on the 2024 report. These annual summaries detail our Bull Trout monitoring and translocation work across the Yakima Basin. In 2024, we completed 22 trap-and-haul events and captured 69 unique Bull Trout. Of these, 42 were transported upstream past dams. Sampling events included five events at Clear Creek Dam, seven at Keechelus Dam, four at Kachess Dam, and three each at Tieton and Bumping dams. |
FarewellThis month, we said goodbye to two valued team members. Blake Hamilton accepted a Fish Biologist position with Kleinsschmidt Group in Portland, Oregon, and Brittany Beebe joined the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife in La Grande, OR. Brittany started with the USFWS in November 2022 and served as YRBWEP liaison. She led analysis and reporting of Bull Trout monitoring data from our trap-and-haul program. Blake Hamilton joined the USFWS in November 2023 and led acoustic telemetry work to assess Bull Trout survival and entrainment in Keechelus Reservoir. We’re grateful for their dedication and the time they invested into improving the Yakima Basin. |
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