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Open-File Report 2011–1179
Prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Summary of Juvenile Salmonid Passage and Survival at McNary Dam—Acoustic Telemetry Studies, 2006–09
Edited by Noah S. Adams and Scott D. Evans
Abstract
Passage and survival data were collected at McNary Dam between 2006 and 2009. These data
have provided critical information for resource managers to implement structural and operational
changes designed to improve the survival of juvenile salmonids as they migrate past the dam. Given the
importance of these annual studies, the primary objectives of this report were to summarize the findings
of these annual studies to ensure that passage and survival metrics are consistently calculated and
reported across all years and to consolidate this information in a single document, thereby making it
easier to reference. It is worth noting that this report does not contain all the information from all the
annual reports. The intent of this report was to summarize the key findings from multiple years of
research. The reader is encouraged to reference the annual reports if more detailed information is
needed. Chapter 1 summarizes existing behavior, passage, and survival results for fish released 10 rkm
upstream of McNary Dam and from the McNary Dam tailrace during 2006–09. Chapter 2 summarizes
existing behavior, passage, and survival results for fish released in the mid-Columbia River and detected
at McNary Dam during 2006–09.
Results from 2006 indicated that higher spill discharge generally resulted in higher fish passage
through spill, and in turn, higher fish survival through the entire dam. Within the spillway, passage
effectiveness was highest for the south spill bays, adjacent to the powerhouse. Increased passage in this
area, combined with detailed 3-dimensional approach paths, aided in the design and location of the
temporary spillway weirs (TSWs) at McNary Dam prior to the 2007 migration of juvenile salmonids.
During the 2007 study, the TSWs were tested under two spill treatments during the spring and
summer: a “2006 Modified spill,” and a “2007 test spill.” In the spring, slightly higher discharge
through spill bays 14–17 was the primary difference between the spill treatments tested. During the
summer, spill treatments were characterized by a high (60 percent) and low (40 percent) percent flow of
the total discharge going through the spillway. Flow through the TSWs represented about 7–8 percent of
total project discharge in spring and about 10–11 percent of total project discharge in summer. Overall,
the TSWs passed 24 percent of yearling Chinook salmon and 27 percent of subyearling Chinook
salmon, but passed about 65 percent of juvenile steelhead. In spring, there was little evidence for an
effect of spill treatment on either fish passage or survival, however, this was not surprising given there
was a relatively small difference between spill treatments. For subyearling Chinook salmon during the
summer study, high spill discharge resulted in higher fish passage through the spillway and lower fish
passage through the powerhouse. Season wide survival (paired-release) for yearling and subyearling
Chinook salmon was 0.98 and 0.92 (SE<0.04) through TSW 20, and 0.96 and 0.97 (SE<0.04) through
TSW 22, respectively. Season-wide survival (single-release) for juvenile steelhead was 0.98 (SE=0.024)
through TSW 20, and 0.90 (SE=0.02) through TSW 22. The extent to which location and structural
design contributed to the differences observed between the two TSWs was uncertain. Nonetheless, the TSWs performed similarly to surface-oriented fish passage structures at other locations and appear to be
a useful fish passage alternative at McNary Dam. The 2008 and 2009 studies confirmed previous results
showing high survival for fish passing through the TSWs, especially juvenile steelhead. Although the
number of all fish species passing through the TSWs was lower in 2008 and 2009 compared to 2007,
fish passage efficiency for juvenile steelhead and subyearling Chinook salmon was higher in years with
the TSWs, compared to 2006, before the TSWs were in place.
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First posted July 27, 2011
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Suggested citation:
Adams, N.S., and Evans, S.D., eds., 2011, Summary of juvenile salmonid passage and survival at McNary Dam—
Acoustic survival studies, 2006–09: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2011-1179, 144 p.
Contents
Abstract
Chapter 1. Juvenile Salmonid Passage and Survival at McNary Dam, 2006–09 by Braatz, A.C., Hansen, G.S., Walker, C.E., Reagan, R.E., and Plumb, J.M.
Chapter 2. Juvenile Salmonid Passage and Survival at McNary Dam, 2006–09, for Fish Released in the
Mid-Columbia River by Walker, C.E., Brewer, S.J., Hardiman, J.M., and Counihan, T.D.
Acknowledgments
Glossary
Appendix A. Locations of Hydrophones in the McNary Dam Forebay, 2006–09
Appendix B. Travel Rates for Hat Rock Released Fish, 2006–09
Appendix C. Travel Times and Rates for Mid-Columbia River Released Fish, 2006–09
Appendix D. Goodness-of-Fit Model Results for the Route-Specific Survival Model Used for Hat Rock Released
Fish Passing McNary Dam, 2006, 2008–09
Appendix E. Goodness-of-Fit Model Results for the Route-Specific Survival Model Used for Mid-Columbia River
Released Fish Passing McNary Dam, 2006–09
Appendix F. Tag Life Studies for Columbia River and Mid-Columbia River Released Fish, 2006–09