Longitudinal Patterns of Fine Sediment Infiltration and Implications for Chinook

Egg-to-Fry survival

Ryan Klett1, Christian Torgersen2, Jeremy Cram1, Andrew Dittman3, George Pess3, Phil Roni3

1 College of Forest Resources, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 981952 U.S. Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Cascadia Field Station3 NOAA Northwest Fisheries Science Center, 2725 Montlake Boulevard East, Seattle, WA 98112

Fine Sediment and Egg to Fry survival

Levasseur et al. 2006

Objectives1. Dominant scale of spatial variation

2. Correlation between fine sediment infiltration, physical/geomorphic features

3. Associations between fine sediment infiltration and Chinook spawning patterns.

N

Easton

Thorp

Cle Elum

Cle Elum R.

Teanaway R.

Yakima R.

Study Area

• 3 reaches,14 sites per reach with 3 redds• 4 paired sites with 6 redds• 46 sites, 132 redds

The Whitlock-Vibert Box

• Simple, cheap, reliable index of sediment infiltration

• Filled with pre-sorted gravels in equal proportions: 6-12 mm, 12-24, and 24-36mm.

• Used by WDFW for concurrent survival study

Timing of Deployment and Retrieval

Deployment

Retrieval

Analysis of Sediment Samples

• Wet sieve, dry, dry sieve,weigh

• Reported as mass of fines <2mm/mass of gravel and fines in WV box

Within-Site Variability in Fine Sediment

D50

Velocity

Spacing

Within-Site Variability in Fine Sediment

0.35 m/s

0.72 m/s

0.91 m/s

101 spacing=2 and 5 m

Paired Set, Within Habitat Unit

Paired Set, Within Habitat Unit

Paired Set, Within Habitat Unit

two sample t-test P=0.07

5m from left bank

15m from left bank

Multiple Habitat Units <100 m apart

Multiple Habitat Units <100 m apart

Multiple Habitat Units <100 m apart

1118

1119

1120

Reach Scale

Reach Scale

Reach Scale

Intrusion across Mulitple Reaches

Site selection and fine sediment

Implications

• Threshold typically established at 15-20%• No sites exceeding 12%

Thanks

• Committee: chair- Christian Torgersen (USGS, UW) Tom Quinn

(UW). Phil Roni, (NWFSC,NOAA)

• Chris Johnson, (WDFW)

• George Pess, Andy Dittman (NWFSC, NOAA)

• Jeremy Cram, Katie Murray, Thomas Buehrens (UW)

• Charles Strom and the Cle Elum Supplementation and Research Facility staff