Condit Dam Removal Condit Dam Removal - Access Washington

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Condit Dam Hydroelectric Project Final Supplemental EIS At the publication of the FSFEIS for the Condit Hydroelectric Project (FERC 2002) it was assumed that fall-run Chinook salmon juveniles in the Snake River basin adhered strictly to an ocean-type life history characterized by saltwater entry at age 0 and first-year wintering in the ocean. Recent research has shown that some fall-run Chinook salmon juveniles in the Snake River basin spend their first winter in a reservoir and resume seaward movement the following spring at age 1 (Connor et al. 2005). This newly-discovered ecotype has been defined as a “reservoir-type” juvenile. Ocean-type juveniles average 4.4 to 5.5 inches in length, while reservoir-type juveniles average 8.7 to 8.8 inches. The large size of reservoirtype juveniles suggests a high potential for ocean survival. The reservoir-type juveniles may spend more time in locations such as the in-lieu site at the mouth of the White Salmon River. Because reservoir-type juveniles use the Bonneville pool for both rearing and downstream migration, they are expected to utilize thermal refuge in the White Salmon River more than other species of anadromous salmonids that use Bonneville pool primarily as a migratory corridor. Upper Columbia River Spring-Run Chinook Salmon Although the ESA listing status came under review, the listing as endangered was retained in the final listing. A new critical habitat designation has been proposed and finalized. Migrating adults and juveniles are expected to use the lower White Salmon River for thermal refuge. Lower Columbia River Chinook Salmon Although the ESA listing status came under review, the listing as threatened was retained in the final listing. A new critical habitat designation has been proposed and finalized. Migrating adults and juveniles from other sub-basins are expected to use the lower White Salmon River for thermal refuge. Columbia River Chum Salmon Although the ESA listing status came under review, the listing as threatened was retained in the final listing. A new critical habitat designation, including the White Salmon River from Condit Dam to its mouth, has been proposed and finalized. The White Salmon River is the only Washington tributary of the Columbia River above Bonneville Dam in which adult chum salmon have been detected (Ehlke and Keller 2003). Due to the late fall migration of spawning adults, absence of known populations upstream from the White Salmon River, and the quick downstream migration of smolts after emergence from spawning gravels; chum salmon are unlikely to utilize the White Salmon River as thermal refuge from elevated water temperatures in the Columbia River. Snake River Basin Steelhead Although the ESA listing status came under review, the listing as threatened was retained in the proposed listing. A new critical habitat designation has been proposed and finalized. Unpublished data from adult tracking studies conducted by Peery and Keefer at the University of Idaho suggests that significant numbers of “drop-in” steelhead hatchery-strays from other basins move into the Deschutes River temporarily, then return downstream to the Columbia and continue to other watersheds (Cramer et al. 2003). Steelhead collected at Bonneville Dam were outfitted with transmitters. These fish were later detected in the 4.3-13
Condit Dam Hydroelectric Project Final Supplemental EIS Deschutes River at RM 0.3 and RM 43 (Sherars Falls). Approximately 60–70 percent of the steelhead detected within the mouth of the Deschutes were later detected in other watersheds, and 30–40 percent of steelhead detected near Sherars Falls were later detected in other watersheds. Up to 25 percent of the radio-tagged steelhead known to have traveled as far upstream as Sherars Falls were later found in the Snake River. Although these “drop-in” steelhead are primarily hatchery steelhead from the Snake River basin, the lower portion of the Deschutes was famous in the 1950s for sports catches of large wild B-run steelhead trout of 20 pounds or more (Migdalski 1962) that were likely “drop-in” fish from the Snake River basin. Based on this information, it is likely that “drop-in” steelhead (and other andromous salmonids) from Columbia River and Snake River ESUs upstream of the White Salmon River will utilize pools for refuge from high summer water temperatures in the Bonneville pool throughout the reaches of the White Salmon River that become accessible after the removal of Condit Dam. Although Snake River steelhead are not residents of the White Salmon River, adults are attracted to and stray into the cooler waters of the White Salmon River during the summer. The lower White Salmon River provides an excellent thermal refuge for summer steelhead migrating upstream in the Columbia River (WDFW 2000), and the Peery and Keefer research presented in Cramer et al. (2003) indicates that Snake River basin steelhead will likely utilize thermal refuge as far upstream as RM 16.2 after dam removal. Migrating juveniles also are expected to use the lower White Salmon River for thermal refuge. Upper Columbia River Steelhead The ESA listing status came under review and down-listing the ESU from endangered to threatened has been proposed. A new critical habitat designation has been proposed and finalized. Upper Columbia River steelhead are not residents of the White Salmon River; however, they may use pools in the White Salmon River as thermal refuge (as described above under Snake River basin steelhead). Migrating juveniles also are expected to use the lower White Salmon River for thermal refuge. Middle Columbia River Steelhead Although the ESA listing status came under review, the listing as threatened was retained in the proposed listing. A new critical habitat designation has been proposed and finalized. Migrating adults and juveniles from other sub-basins are expected to use the lower White Salmon River for thermal refuge. Bull Trout Critical habitat for the Columbia River bull trout DPS has been proposed and a final rule published. Adult and sub-adult bull trout using the Columbia River as a migratory corridor between spawning, foraging, and wintering habitat in other sub-basins are expected to use the lower White Salmon River for thermal refuge. The White Salmon River is currently thought to be used by bull trout from other sub-basins as foraging, wintering, and thermal refuge habitat. After dam removal, migratory fluvial bull trout may establish a new spawning population in the upper White Salmon River that utilizes habitat in the lower White Salmon River, Bonneville pool, and nearby sub-basins. Bull trout are the salmonid species most 4.3-14
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Condit Dam Removal Final SEPA Suppl
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March 23, 2007 Dear interested part
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Condit Dam Hydroelectric Project Fi
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Appendix A Memorandum of Agreement
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Appendix C Supplemental Aquatic Res
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Agency and Organization Letters and
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Contents Public Meetings Response P
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Contents Individuals Individuals A-
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