Monitoring movement patterns of coastal rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) within the lower Yuba River using acoustic telemetry

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1 Monitoring movement patterns of coastal rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) within the lower Yuba using acoustic telemetry California Department of Fish and Game Jonathan D. Nelson Steelhead Restoration and Management Program Roger K. Bloom Heritage and Wild Trout Program

2 Lower Yuba Background Unique to Central Valley because it is one of the last rivers that have wild, native steelhead runs and is complimented by a robust resident population. In 1984, steelhead run size on the Yuba was estimated at about 2,000 adults (CDFG). Currently, the status of the anadromous and resident population is unknown. Data collected since 2003 using VAKI watcher stations on Daguerre Point Dam estimates passing of 100 to 700 adult sized O. mykiss per year (CDFG, pers. comm, YWCA, pers. comm.). Creel census data (CDFG) show the lower Yuba supports a large portion of angling effort directed at O. mykiss in Central Valley. One of the few rivers that anglers can consistently catch 16 to 20 inch O. mykiss year round.

3 Project Location and Study Area OVERVIEW Anadromy ~ 24 miles Sacramento Feather Yuba Confluence at Feather Englebright Dam Daguerre Point Dam

4 Primary Objectives The purpose of the study is to assess the movement patterns of wild/hatchery juvenile and adult O. mykiss in the lower Yuba through the use of acoustical tag technology. From a biological and management prospective, it is important for the Dept. to get a better understanding of the movement patterns of these fish in association with flow, temperature, seasonality and presence of Chinook salmon.

5 Additional Questions How are juveniles and adults distributed throughout the lower river? Are in-stream flows affecting fish movement patterns? What are the movement patterns upstream and downstream of Daguerre Point Dam (DPD)? Does DPD influence fish movement? Are Yuba fish utilizing the Feather system? Are Feather wild/hatchery fish utilizing the lower Yuba? Are Yuba fish emigrating into the Sacramento, Delta and San Francisco Bay systems?

6 Project Overview The project was implemented in April An in-river static acoustic receiver array (VEMCO VR2Ws) was established throughout the river. O. mykiss are captured via angling and implanted with acoustic tags. Monitoring of tagged O. mykiss is facilitated using in-river acoustic receivers and mobile tracking. Tracking efficiency and tag detection limitation studies are being conducted.

7 Central Valley Acoustic Receiver Array VEMCO Receivers 400+ in-river

8 Sacramento, Feather and Yuba Receiver Arrays Oroville Dam Sacramento NMFS/UC Davis Englebright Dam Feather Yuba Feather DWR Sacramento Yuba CDFG VEMCO Receivers

9 Yuba Static Receiver Array Englebright Dam Yuba Daguerre Point Dam Feather Dual Arrays VR2W Receivers (N = 23)

10 Yuba Static Receiver Array Clear, shallow, dynamic system Primarily cobble substrate, with fine sediments increasing in lower river near confluence Normal flows fluctuate from 550 to 4000 cfs throughout the year Primary problems include theft, gravel movement and availability of acoustically compatible habitats Static Receivers (VR2Ws) are downloaded on a 2-3 month cycle Retrieved via Snorkel or SCUBA Temperature Loggers attached to receivers are downloaded

11 Mobile Tracking Methods Mobile tracking is conducted via pontoon boats, jet boat and inflatable kayaks. ~ every 2 weeks year round VR100 receiver with VH 110 directional hydrophone Determining Best Tracking Method Jet Boat Pros High mobility Multiple upstream passes Cons Noise Low maneuverability Pontoon Boat Pros High maneuverability Quiet Cons Gear Intensive Single Pass Kayak Pros Lightweight Increased access Cons Unstable Low maneuverability

12 Acoustic Tracking Challenges Elevated Flow Gravel movement Shallow riffles Bubble curtains Turbidity Coverage Surface velocity Tag pulse rates Multiple tags

13 120 Detections per tracking period based on flow (cfs) (2 Person Tracks) Detects per Tracking Period % total detections 35-40% total detections CFS at Marysville Gage

14 Tagging Procedures O. mykiss are captured via angling and surgically implanted in situ with coded acoustic tags and Passive Integrated Transponder tags. V7, V9 & V sec pulse (90 sec) Tags are implanted ventrally between the pelvic and anal fins and fish are monitored and released upon recovery from anesthesia. Absorbable sutures CO 2 (Alka-Seltzer Gold) 1:1 ratio (tablet/per gallon) Length, weight, tissue, and photos are collected. Annual tagging goal: 100 adults 60 juveniles/smolts Hatchery fish opportunistically

15 Tagging Data Summary Adult vs. Juvenile Between July 2008 and July 2011, 329 tagged O. mykiss Daguerre Point Dam Yuba Englebright Dam Feather 194 adults (> 300 mm) 167 wild 27 hatchery 85 below DPD 53 adults (22 hatchery) 32 juveniles (4 hatchery) 135 juveniles (< 300 mm) 131 wild 4 hatchery 244 above DPD 141 adults (5 hatchery) 103 juveniles

16 Recapture Data 285 mm wild juvenile, 40 days post release, shed tag, partially healed incision Day 1 Sept 2008 Day 1 Day mm hatchery adult, 57 days post release, tag present, clean healed incision Day 1 Sept 2009 Day 1 Day 57

17 Recapture Data 301 mm/247 g Tag Date 09/22/ mm/899 g Recap Date 10/22/2010 Fish 51522/60465

18 Daguerre Point Dam 01/21/10 03/04/10 (~ 1 month) 2 months - undetected 12/03/09 01/19/10 (~ 1 month) 10/22/10 09/22/09 09/08/10 09/20/10 10/06/10 6 months - undetected Acoustic Receiver Fish 51522

19 Daguerre Point Dam 02/21/11 02/22/11 11/08/10 11/01/10 10/22/10 2 months - undetected 11/17/10 12/14/10 Acoustic Receiver Fish 60465

20 Fish Daguerre Point Dam 02/22/11 Sycamore Ranch 03/10/08 Hwy 20 04/30/11 ~ 8 miles upstream

21 Movement Data Summary ~ 85 % detected post release via mobile/static receivers > 200 active tags in the system Movements range from localized to long-distance 21 detected in Feather (6%) 4 adults 6 juveniles (smolts) 11 hatchery (31 total tagged) 3 detected at the Golden Gate (Emigration) 1 smolt 2 hatchery 5 Feather Hatchery tags detected in Yuba (DWR) 4 Spring Chinook 1 Coastal Rainbow - Kelt

22 Flow cfs 03/02 03/07 Ocean Emigration Daguerre Point Dam 03/07/09 Hwy 20 Englebright Dam 02/14/09 01/13/09 11/20/08 03/12/09 Feather Fish mm wild smolt

23 Yuba 03/12/09 03/14/09 Feather 03/13/09 Sacramento 03/15/09 03/14/09 03/16/09 Sacramento 03/19/09 03/18/09 03/17/09 03/20/09 8 days from Yuba to Ocean San Francisco

24 Flow cfs 05/05 05/07 Ocean Emigration Daguerre Point Dam 11/02/08 10/28/08 Hwy 20 11/17/08 11/26/08 05/05/09 02/25/09 Englebright Dam 12/25/08 11/28/08 02/01/09 12/24/08 05/05/09 Feather Fish mm hatchery adult

25 Yuba 05/05/09 05/05/09 Feather Sacramento 05/05/09 05/06/09 Sacramento 05/08/09 05/07/09 7 days from Yuba to Ocean 05/12/09 05/10/09 San Francisco

26 Daguerre Point Dam 04/30/09 Hwy 20 04/20/09 05/10/09 04/30/09 05/01/09 05/01/09 Feather 05/07/09 Simpson Bridge Predation Events Fish mm wild smolt

27 Dump 04/09/09 04/28/09 07/09/10 (13 months) Simpson Bridge Feather Simpson Bridge Predation Events Fish mm wild smolt

28 Dump 03/15/10 04/05/10 03/07/11 (10 months) Simpson Bridge Feather Predation Events Fish mm hatchery smolt

29 Dump 03/15/10 03/17/10 04/05/10 09/02/10 (5 months) Simpson Bridge Feather Predation Events Fish mm wild smolt

30 Factors that may influence movements Flows range from 500 to 4000 cfs during normal flow conditions, but are capable of spikes of > 20,000 during high flow anomalies. Water temperatures range from 7 to 20 o C during the year, however the section from Englebright to DPD will hold around 12 to 15 o C during the warmest months. Water temperature increases dramatically moving downstream from DPD to the Feather during the summer months. Increased predators observed between DPD and the Feather. Pikeminnows and Striped Bass Chinook spawning events concentrated feeding events. Seasonal influences spawning, rearing and smoltification.

31 Future Directions The duration of this study is projected through Enhance data collection through field testing of receiver placement and mounting techniques, tag detection limitations, angling techniques and presence/absence snorkel surveys. The information gathered from this study is very important for our understanding of basic O. mykiss ecology and for management of this Central Valley population, currently listed as threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA). The lower Yuba is currently being evaluated for potential designation as a Heritage & Wild Trout Water. Data collected from this study along with other monitoring efforts will provide valuable information/direction on future management strategies, monitoring efforts, and efficacy of designation.

32 Questions?