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Open-File Report 2015–1100

Prepared in cooperation with the Mid-Columbia Fisheries Enhancement Group

Salmon Habitat Assessment for Conservation Planning in the Lower White Salmon River, Washington

By Jill M. Hardiman and M. Brady Allen

Thumbnail of and link to report PDF (4.6 MB)Abstract

In 2011, Condit Dam was removed from the White Salmon River, Washington. Since dam removal, there has been interest among scientists (State and Federal), Tribes, non-profit organizations, and the general public in assessing Pacific salmon habitat and use in the White Salmon River for conservation planning and potential fishery management actions. The study area extended from the lower 6 miles of the White Salmon River to the confluence with the Columbia River, including the former reservoir area. The Mid-Columbia Fisheries Enhancement Group received a grant to initiate efforts to plan for salmon habitat protection in the lower 6 river miles of the White Salmon River. As part of efforts by the Mid-Columbia Fisheries Enhancement Group to conduct conservation planning, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) used current and historical habitat information to assist in the planning process. The USGS compiled existing georeferenced habitat data into a Geographic Information System to identify areas of high quality habitat for salmon, potential areas for restoration/improvement, and areas that could be threatened. The primary sources of georeferenced data for this project include a lidar flight contracted by PacifiCorp, bathymetry from USGS, and fall Chinook salmon redd surveys from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Redd observations provided support that the study area is a migratory corridor for salmon and steelhead and that the lowest 2–3 miles had the highest concentration of documented fall Chinook salmon redds. The study area has potential for restoration/conservation areas to improve/conserve salmon habitat.

First posted May 13, 2015

For additional information, contact:
Director, Western Fisheries Research Center
U.S. Geological Survey
6505 NE 65th Street
Seattle, Washington 98115
http://wfrc.usgs.gov/

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Suggested citation:

Hardiman, J.M., and Allen, M.B., 2015, Salmon habitat assessment for conservation planning in the lower White Salmon River, Washington: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2015-1100, 24 p., https://dx.doi.org/10.3133/ofr20151100.

ISSN 2331-1258 (online)



Contents

Abstract

Introduction

Description of Study Area

Species of Interest

Data Compilation

Results

Discussion

References Cited


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