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Volume 2010/11, Issue 9 February 8, 2011
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field notes
In This Issue
Calaveras River Juvenile Migration Monitoring
Stanislaus River Juvenile Migration Monitoring
Tuolumne River Juvenile Migration Monitoring
Mokelumne River Juvenile Migration Monitoring
Stanislaus River Weir Monitoring
Merced River Conditions
Mokelumne River Woodbridge Dam Fish Ladder Monitoring
San Joaquin Conditions
Delta Exports
events

VAMP Meeting:
Feb. 15

Tuolumne County Range Water Forum Meeting:
Feb. 15

Delta Science Program:
Feb. 15

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FISHBIO

CalFish  

 

USBR Central Valley Operations Office 


Crooked Chinook salmon
  Photo by FISHBIO.
Key Highlights
January 17 - January 30, 2011
  

Calaveras River Juvenile Migration Monitoring continued during the reporting period, and a total of 8 O. mykiss were captured at Shelton Road (RM 28) during the reporting period bringing the season total to 508.

Stanislaus River Juvenile Migration Monitoring continued at Oakdale (RM 40), and a total of 7,681 Chinook salmon and 4 juvenile O. mykiss were captured during the reporting period bringing the season total to 10,813 and 7, respectively.

Monitoring at Caswell State Park (RM 8) continued, and a total of 39 Chinook salmon were captured during the reporting period bringing the season total to 115.

Tuolumne River Juvenile Migration Monitoring continued at Waterford (RM 30), and a total of 1,219 Chinook salmon fry were captured during the reporting period bringing the season total to 2,041.

Monitoring at Grayson (RM 5) continued during the reporting period, and a total of 738 Chinook salmon were captured bringing the season total to 930.

Mokelumne River Juvenile Migration Monitoring at Vino Farms (RM 54) continued, and a total of 9,849 Chinook salmon fry and 2 juvenile O. mykiss were captured during the reporting period bringing the season total to 10,257 and 4, respectively.

Monitoring at Golf (RM 38) began on January 18 and a total of 375 Chinook salmon were captured during the reporting period.

Stanislaus River Weir Monitoring continued during the reporting period, and one O. mykiss was observed passing through the Vaki Riverwatcher on January 26.

Merced River. No fish monitoring data were available for the reporting period.

Mokelumne River Woodbridge Dam Fish Ladder Monitoring continued and as of January 30, 2011, a total of 7,196 Chinook passed upstream of the Woodbridge Dam during the 2010-2011 season.

San Joaquin River Conditions. During the reporting period,San Joaquin River flows at Vernalis decreased from 11,938 cfs to 7,981 cfs. Water temperatures in the San Joaquin River ranged from 49.3�F to 50.4�F at Vernalis, and from 50.0�F to 51.0�F at Mossdale. Average daily dissolved oxygen (DO) in the San Joaquin River fluctuated between 9.3 mg/L and 10.2 mg/L at Mossdale, and between 9.0 mg/L and 9.7 mg/L at Rough 'n Ready.

Delta Exports.Combined total exports (state and federal pumps) fluctuated during the reporting period, ranging from 7,694 cfs to 11,511 cfs.



 
2010/11 Calaveras River Juvenile Migration Monitoring

The Calaveras River rotary screw trap at Shelton Road (RM 28) was operated eight days between January 17 and January 30, 2011. A total of eight O. mykiss were captured during the reporting period, increasing the season total to 508. Daily catches ranged between zero and three individuals (Figure 1). All of the O. mykiss captured were Age 1+ (100-299 mm) and were rated as silvery parr (n=6) or smolt (n=2). Average forklengths and weights of measured O. mykiss are provided in Table 1.

No Chinook salmon were captured during this reporting period.

Instantaneous temperature recorded at the trap ranged from 46.5�F to 49.1�F, and turbidity ranged from 0.72 NTU to 3.45 NTU. Daily average combined flows from New Hogan Dam (NHG) and Cosgrove Creek (COS) fluctuated between 78 cfs and 206 cfs, and at Bellota (MRS) flows decreased from 350 cfs to 33 cfs.

Table 1. Biosampling data for O. mykiss captured at Shelton Road between January 17 and January 30, 2011. Parentheses indicate range.

Catch Table

  

 Flow and Catch   

Figure 1. Daily O. mykiss catch at Shelton Road, Calaveras River flow recorded at New Hogan Dam (NHG) and Cosgrove Creek (COS) combined, and flow recorded at Bellota (MRS), between November 1, 2010, and January 30, 2011.


 
2011 Stanislaus River Juvenile Migration Monitoring


O. mykiss

Figure 2. O. mykiss captured in the Stanislaus River rotary screw trap at Oakdale.

The Stanislaus River rotary screw trap at Oakdale (RM 40) sampled continuously during the reporting period. A total of 7,681 juvenile Chinook salmon and 4 juvenile O. mykiss were captured bringing the season totals to 10,813 and 7, respectively (Figure 2). Daily catch of Chinook salmon ranged between 8 and 3,028 individuals. Average forklengths and weights of Chinook salmon and O. mykiss are provided in Table 2 for the 737 Chinook and 3 O. mykiss that were measured. Most of the measured Chinook were fry (n=693), but parr (n=2) and smolts (n=10) were also recorded. The O. mykiss that were captured and measured were rated as smolts (n=3). 

 

 

Table 2. Biosampling data for Chinook salmon and O. mykiss captured and measured at Oakdale between January 17 and January 30, 2011.

Catch Table  

 

  

Marked Chinook salmon

Figure 3. Chinook salmon marked caudal fin green for efficiency experiment.

Instantaneous temperature recorded at the trap ranged from 47.6�F to 50.5�F, and turbidity ranged from 0.53 NTU to 3.49 NTU. Daily average flow at Goodwin Dam (GDW) ranged between 201 cfs and 217 cfs, and flows at Ripon (RIP) ranged from 248 cfs to 262 cfs (Figure 4).

 

Four trap efficiency experiments were conducted with naturally spawned juvenile Chinook salmon marked caudal fin green (CFG; Figure 3). Preliminary capture efficiency estimates from these releases were 39.2%, 30.7%, 24.4% and 14.9% at flows of 207 cfs, 214 cfs, 206 cfs and 210 cfs, respectively (Table 3). 

 

Table 3. Trap efficiency tests conducted at Oakdale between January 17 and January 30, 2011.

Oakdale Efficiency Experiment
 Flow and Catch

Figure 4. Daily Chinook salmon catch at Oakdale and Stanislaus River flow recorded at Goodwin Dam (GDW) and Ripon (RIP), 2011. 

 

The Stanislaus River rotary screw trap at Caswell State Park (RM 8) sampled continuously during the reporting period, and a total of 39 juvenile Chinook salmon were captured bringing the season total to 115. Daily catch ranged between 0 and 24 Chinook salmon.

 

No O. mykiss have been captured so far this season.

 

No trap efficiency experiments were conducted during the reporting period.

 

Instantaneous temperature recorded at the trap ranged from 48.7�F and 51.1�F, and turbidity ranged from 1.93 NTU to 3.46 NTU. Daily average flow at Ripon (RIP) ranged from to 245 cfs to 266 cfs.


 
2010/11 Tuolumne River Juvenile Migration Monitoring 


Marked Chinook salmon

Figure 5. Tuolumne River rotary screw trap at Waterford.

The Tuolumne River rotary screw trap at Waterford (RM 30) operated continuously during the reporting period (Figure 5). A total of 1,219 juvenile Chinook salmon fry were captured bringing the season total to 2,041. Daily catch ranged between 29 and 161 Chinook (Figure 6). Average forklengths and weights of all Chinook salmon are provided in Table 2. Most of the fry were buttoned up (n = 489), although a few sac-fry (n = 16) were also observed. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Table 5. Biosampling data for Chinook salmon captured and measured at Waterford between January 17 and January 30, 2011. Parentheses indicate range.

Catch Table     

No O. mykiss were captured during this reporting period.

 

Instantaneous temperature taken at the trap ranged from 48.9�F to 50.7�F, and turbidity ranged from 1.34 NTU to 2.73 NTU. Daily average flow at La Grange (LGN) decreased from 5,130 cfs to 2,210 cfs.

 

No efficiency experiments were conducted during the reporting period.

 

 Flow and Catch

Figure 6. Daily Chinook salmon catch at Waterford and Tuolumne River flow recorded at La Grange (LGN) and Modesto (MOD) between December 1, 2010, and January 30, 2011. 

 

The Tuolumne River rotary screw traps at Grayson (RM 5) sampled continuously during the reporting period and catch at Grayson continues to be higher than during the previous two years. A total of 738 Chinook salmon were captured bringing the season total to 930. Average forklengths and weights of all Chinook salmon are provided in Table 6. Most of the Chinook captured and measured were rated as fry (n=713), but parr (n=2) and smolt (n=1) were also observed. 

 

Table 6. Biosampling data for Chinook salmon captured and measured at Grayson between January 17 and January 30, 2011. Parentheses indicate range.

Catch Table 

Instantaneous temperature taken at the trap ranged from 49.1�F to 51.2�F, and turbidity ranged from 1.98 NTU to 4.28 NTU. Daily average flow at Modesto (MOD) steadily decreased during the reporting period, ranging from 5,130 cfs to 2,570 cfs (Figure 7).

 

Four trap efficiency experiments were conducted with naturally spawned juvenile Chinook salmon marked caudal fin pink (CFP) during the reporting period. The preliminary capture efficiency estimates from the releases were 2.0%, 1.6%, 1.6% and 2.2% at flows of 4,960 cfs, 5,130 cfs, 3,810 cfs and 3,420 cfs, respectively (Table 7).

 

Table 7. Trap efficiency tests conducted at Grayson between January 17 and January 30, 2011.

Efficiency Data  

 Flow and Catch

Figure 7. Daily Chinook salmon catch at Grayson, and Tuolumne River flow recorded at La Grange (LGN) and Modesto (MOD) between January 1 and January 30, 2011.



2010/11 Mokelumne River Juvenile Migration Monitoring 

The Mokelumne River rotary screw trap at Vino Farms (RM 54) was sampled intermittently, and a total of 9,849 juvenile Chinook salmon were captured during the reporting period bringing the season total to 10,257.

Average daily flow from Camanche Reservoir (CMN) generally decreased from 1,072 cfs to 610 cfs (Figure 8). Instantaneous temperature ranged between 47.7F and 48.7F, and instantaneous turbidity ranged between 1.18 NTU and 4.93 NTU.

Two juvenile O. mykiss measuring 129 mm and 136 mm were captured on January 20 and January 26, respectively, increasing the season total count to four.

Flow and Catch

Figure 8. Daily juvenile Chinook catches at Vino Farms and Mokelumne River flow recorded at Camanche Reservior (CMN), between December 1, 2010, and January 30, 2011.

The Mokelumne River rotary screw trap at Golf (RM 38) was installed and intermittent monitoring began on January 18, 2011. A total of 375 juvenile Chinook salmon were captured through the end of the reporting period.

Average daily flow at Woodbridge Dam (WBR) generally decreased from 1,015 cfs to 549 cfs (Figure 9). Instantaneous temperature ranged between 47.8F and 48.9F, and instantaneous turbidity ranged between 2.39 NTU and 3.89 NTU.

No juvenile O. mykiss were captured.

Flow and Catch

Figure 9. Daily juvenile Chinook catches at Golf, and Mokelumne River flow recorded at Woodbridge Dam (WBR), between January 1 and January 30, 2011.


 
2010/11 Stanislaus River Weir Monitoring

Between January 17 and January 30 the Vaki Riverwatcher did not detect any Chinook salmon passing upstream of the Stanislaus River Weir. The season total remains at 1,382.

 

One O. mykiss (210 mm) was detected passing upstream on January 26 increasing the season total to three O. mykiss (Table 8).

 

Daily average flow in the Stanislaus River at Goodwin Dam (GDW; RM 58) fluctuated between 201 cfs and 217 cfs (Figure 10). Flow at Ripon (RIP; RM 15) ranged from 245 cfs to 262 cfs. Note: flows downstream of Goodwin Dam may differ from dam releases due to irrigation, precipitation and other factors.

 

Instantaneous water temperature measured at the weir ranged between 49.0˚F and 51.4˚F, and daily average water temperature at Ripon (RPN; RM 15) ranged between 50.4˚F and 52.8˚F (Figure 11). Instantaneous turbidity ranged between 0.65 NTU and 2.57 NTU (Figure 12). Instantaneous dissolved oxygen at the weir ranged between 9.17 mg/L and 12.93 mg/L, and daily average dissolved oxygen at Ripon (RPN; RM 15) ranged from 9.29 mg/L to 10.31 mg/L (Figure 13).

 

Table 8. Net passage counts for all species between January 17 and January 30, 2011 at the Stanislaus River Weir.

Net Passage
Flow

Figure 10. Daily upstream adult Chinook passage at the Stanislaus River weir in relation to daily average flow (cfs) recorded in the Stanislaus River at Goodwin (GDW) and Ripon (RIP), and in the San Joaquin River at Vernalis (VNS) in 2010 and 2011.

 

Temperature

Figure 11. Daily upstream adult Chinook passage recorded at the Stanislaus River weir in relation to instantaneous water temperature recorded at the weir, and daily average water temperature recorded in the Stanislaus River at Ripon (RPN), and in the San Joaquin River at Vernalis (VER), Mossdale (MSD) and Rough & Ready (RRI) in  2010 and 2011.

turbidity and passage

Figure 12. Daily upstream adult Chinook passage at the Stanislaus River weir in relation to instantaneous turbidity recorded at the weir in 2010 and 2011.


Dissolved Oxygen

Figure 13. Daily upstream adult Chinook passage at the Stanislaus River weir in relation to instantaneous dissolved oxygen recorded at the weir, and daily average dissolved oxygen recorded in the Stanislaus River at Ripon (RPN), and in the San Joaquin River at Mossdale (MSD) and Rough & Ready (RRI) in 2010 and 2011.


 
Merced River Conditions

Flows in the Merced River at Cressy (CRS; RM 52) increased from 164 cfs to 2,824 cfs during reporting period. Flows at Stevinson (MST; RM 5) also generally increased, ranging from 676 cfs to 3,276 cfs (Figure 14). Water temperatures in the Merced River ranged from 48.7F to 51.2F at Cressy, and from 46.6F to 51.9F at Stevinson (Figure 15).

Flow  

Figure 14. Daily average flows (cfs) recorded in the Merced River at Cressy (CRS) and Stevinson (MST) in 2010 and 2011.

Temperature

Figure 15. Daily average water temperatures (F) recorded in the Merced River at Cressy (CRS) and Stevinson (MST) in 2010 and 2011.


 
Mokelumne River Woodbridge Dam Fish Ladder Monitoring

Chinook salmon returning to the Mokelumne River are counted annually by East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) as they ascend the fish ladder at Woodbridge Dam. As of January 30, a total of 7,196 Chinook have passed upstream of the dam this season (Figure 16).
Chinook passage and flow 

Figure 16. Daily upstream adult Chinook passage recorded at the Woodbridge Dam fish ladder in relation to daily average flows (cfs) recorded in the Mokelumne River at Camanche Reservoir (CMN) in 2010 and 2011. Note: Graph does not include fish observed before September 22.


 
San Joaquin Conditions  

During the reporting period, flow in the San Joaquin River at Vernalis decreased from 11,938 cfs to 7,981 (Figure 17). Water temperature in the San Joaquin River ranged from 49.3F to 50.4F at Vernalis, from 50.0F to 51.0F at Mossdale, and from 50.0F to 51.4F at Rough 'n Ready Island (Figure 18). Average daily dissolved oxygen (DO) in the San Joaquin River fluctuated from 9.0 mg/L to 9.7 mg/L in the deep water ship channel (measured at Rough 'n Ready Island), and between 9.3 mg/L and 10.2 mg/L at Mossdale (Figure 19).

Flow 

Figure 17. San Joaquin River flows at Vernalis from January 1, 2010, through January 30, 2011.

Temperature   

Figure 18. San Joaquin River daily average water temperatures at Vernalis, Mossdale, and Rough 'n Ready from January 1, 2010, through January 30, 2011.

Dissolved Oxygen 

Figure 19. San Joaquin daily average dissolved oxygen at Mossdale and Rough 'n Ready, from January 1, 2010, through January 30, 2011.



Delta Exports


Mean daily pumping at the
C.W. Jones Pumping Plant (federal pumps previously known as Tracy Pumping Plant) ranged between 2,810 cfs and 4,236 cfs (Figure 20). Mean daily pumping at the Harvey O. Banks Pumping Plant (state pumps) fluctuated between 4,433 cfs and 7,413 cfs. Combined total exports (state and federal pumps) during this period ranged from 7,694 cfs to 11,511 cfs.
Exports

Figure 20. Daily exports at the state and federal pumping stations from January 1, 2010, through January 30, 2011.