salmon spawning and water quality surveys in auburn ravine · 2019-10-18 · salmon spawning and...

Salmon Spawning and Water Quality Surveys in Auburn Ravine

Results of Two Seasons (2017 and 2018) of Surveys on Auburn Ravine near Hemphill Diversion Facility, Nevada Irrigation District

August 2019 | NID-06

Prepared for:

Nevada Irrigation District CompanyDr. Gary D. King, PE, PhD

Engineering Manager1036 W. Main Street

Grass Valley, CA 95945-5424

Prepared by:

HELIX Environmental Planning, Inc.11 Natoma Street, Suite 155

Folsom, CA 95630

Salmon Spawning and Water Quality Surveys in Auburn Ravine

Results of Two Seasons (2017 and 2018) of Surveys on Auburn

Ravine near Hemphill Diversion Facility, Nevada Irrigation District

Prepared for:

Nevada Irrigation District Company Dr. Gary D. King, PE, PhD

Engineering Manager 1036 W. Main Street

Grass Valley, CA 95945-5424

Prepared by:

HELIX Environmental Planning, Inc. 11 Natoma Street, Suite 155

Folsom, CA 95630

August 2019 | NID-06

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Section Page

1.0 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................ 1

1.1 Background ......................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Project Purpose ................................................................................................................... 1

2.0 METHODS ......................................................................................................................................... 1

2.1 Water Quality ...................................................................................................................... 2 2.2 Spawner Surveys ................................................................................................................. 2

3.0 RESULTS ........................................................................................................................................... 3

3.1 Auburn Ravine Streamflows ............................................................................................... 3 3.2 2017 Survey Season ............................................................................................................ 5 3.3 2018 Survey Season ............................................................................................................ 6

4.0 DISCUSSION...................................................................................................................................... 7

5.0 REFERENCES ................................................................................................................................... 10

LIST OF APPENDICES A Redd Pot, Tail and Depth Measurements B Representative Photos

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TABLE OF CONTENTS (cont.)

LIST OF FIGURES No. Title Follows Page 1 Project Location ............................................................................................................................... 2 2 Reach AR 1 ....................................................................................................................................... 2 3 Reach AR 2 ....................................................................................................................................... 2 4 Reach AR 3 ....................................................................................................................................... 2 5 Reach AR 4 ....................................................................................................................................... 2 6 Auburn Ravine Streamflow During 2017 Survey Period. No data indicates flow over 200 cfs ....... 4 7 Auburn Ravine Streamflow During 2018 Survey Period. No data indicates flow over 200 cfs ....... 4 8 Locations of Live Adult Chinook Salmon and Redds Observed During 2017 Survey,

Auburn Ravine .................................................................................................................................. 6 9 Locations of Beaver Dams During 2018 Survey, Auburn Ravine ..................................................... 8

LIST OF TABLES No. Title Page 1 Auburn Ravine Salmonid Redd Survey 2017-2018 Water Quality ................................................... 5 2 Auburn Ravine Salmonid Redd Survey 2018-2019 Water Quality ................................................... 6

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ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

AR Auburn Ravine CDFW California Department of Fish and Wildlife cfs cubic feet per second EPA Environmental Protection Agency mg/L milligrams per liter NID Nevada Irrigation District NTU Nephelometric Turbidity Unit ppt parts per thousand SWRCB California State Water Resources Control Board SWAMP Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program TAG Technical Advisory Group μS/cm milliSiemens per cm

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Salmon Spawning and Water Quality Surveys in Auburn Ravine | August 2019

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1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 BACKGROUND

In December 2011, Nevada Irrigation District (NID) completed Phase 1 of the Auburn Ravine Fish Passage Enhancement Project and fish passage improvements at the Lincoln Gauging Station (also known as the Hwy 65 gauge). Following completion of fish passage improvements by NID at the Lincoln Gauging Station, California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) conducted three years of spawning surveys (2012, 2013, and 2014) of Central Valley fall run Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) evolutionarily significant unit (ESU). The purposes of these surveys were to evaluate project-related affects to Chinook salmon escapement (i.e., size and distribution of spawner population) and to develop an index of annual redd (i.e., egg nest) abundance, distribution, and periodicity. Surveys were conducted each year along seven miles of Auburn Ravine, including a two-mile reach downstream of Hemphill Diversion Facility (known as Reach AR 1), and three reaches upstream of the diversion facility that together total approximately five miles (AR 2, AR 3, and AR 4). The results of these earlier surveys indicated that improvements completed by NID at the gauging station allowed salmon to reach seven miles of historic spawning grounds. The majority of redds (n=65) were observed within the two-mile reach between the gauging station and Hemphill Diversion (Reach AR 1). However, immediately following high flow events in 2012 and 2014, five redds were observed in the upper two reaches (AR 3 and AR 4). This indicates a potential barrier to upstream passage occurs at Hemphill Diversion Facility when flows are unsuitable to allow passage (suggested by Hoobler 2015 to be less than 150 cubic feet per second [cfs] during an unspecified time, currently characterized as several days).

HELIX Environmental Planning, Inc. (HELIX) was contracted by NID to conduct subsequent salmonid spawner surveys in Auburn Ravine in the vicinity of Hemphill Diversion Facility during two migratory seasons; 2017-2018 and 2018-2019. These surveys were conducted in the same manner as previously conducted by CDFW utilizing the methodology described by Hoobler (2015).

1.2 PROJECT PURPOSE

The recently-completed salmonid surveys included Chinook salmon, and secondarily, Central Valley steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) spawning surveys to further understand existing conditions near the Hemphill Diversion Facility relative to indications that the facility potentially acts as a partial barrier to upstream fish passage. Information from these studies will inform NID and its planning partners, including an inter-disciplinary Technical Advisory Group (TAG), in evaluating options for additional improvements, including the potential removal of the Hemphill Diversion Facility, to further improve Chinook salmon and steelhead passage, spawning and juvenile rearing in Auburn Ravine.

2.0 METHODS The project includes two major work efforts; 1) collection of water quality data to determine whether water quality is suitable for salmonid migration and egg incubation, and 2) collection of spawner abundance and distribution data, including live adult Chinook salmon and redds (egg nests), through two migratory seasons.


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2.1 WATER QUALITY

Water quality-chemistry parameters and protocols are identified in the California State Water Resource Control Board’s (SWRCB) Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP) protocols (Ode et al. 2016). These protocols are also recognized by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to produce standardized measurements of ambient water quality chemistry to support interpretation of biological data (i.e., fish spawning).

SWAMP-required ambient water-chemistry parameters measured in the field include:

• Turbidity (NTU) • Water temperature (°C) • Specific conductivity (μS/cm) • Salinity (ppt) • pH • Dissolved oxygen (mg/L and % saturation)

Water quality must be sampled in a manner that precludes interference with other sampling efforts, so that water samples are not compromised. Therefore, water quality sampling was conducted prior to entering the stream to conduct the fish surveys and it included the above parameters. Sampling occurred at both Reach AR 1 (downstream of Hemphill Diversion Facility) and upstream of the facility. Time of day of all water quality measurements was noted, as were any other observations that may have affected water quality. Water quality sampling was conducted with a regularly-calibrated YSI handheld multi-parameter water quality meter and sonde (ProDSS©).

The parameters listed above are the primary parameters necessary to evaluate effects of water quality to upstream migrating adult Chinook salmon and steelhead. Temperature and dissolved oxygen are key components, and both could be compromised by instream or riparian disturbance, including point or non-point source input. In addition to the turbidity measurements collected at each station, an assessment of water visibility/clarity for each fish/redd observation was noted.

2.2 SPAWNER SURVEYS

CDFW conducted three years (2012, 2013 and 2014) of fall run Chinook salmon spawning surveys following NIDs completion of fish passage improvements at the Lincoln Gauging Station in 2011 to evaluate affects to escapement and to develop an index of annual redd abundance, distribution, and periodicity. Current spawner surveys were conducted following the protocols established by CDFW from 2012 through 2014, and as described in the CDFW Memorandum from Sean Hoobler to MaryLisa Lynch, dated September 14, 2015. These protocols were informed by Duffy (2005), and Gallagher and Gallagher (2005). However, surveys were also conducted for live steelhead and their redds.

The HELIX sampling protocols called for two field crews consisting of two biologists each to conduct field surveys through the four reaches of Auburn Ravine (AR 1, AR 2, AR 3, and AR 4) with each crew covering approximately 3.5 miles each of Auburn Ravine per survey day (Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5). All redds were to be identified as to species and measured (pot and tail spill dimensions, dominant and subdominant substrate, water depth, mean water column velocity, and GPS location) and any fish activity associated with each redd described in detail. All redds were to be flagged with surveyor tape on the nearest tree or shrub branch, along with date and species, to avoid double counting among surveys. In addition,

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observations of all live adult Chinook salmon and steelhead were to be noted with GPS location, along with sex (if possible), estimated fork length, and habitat characteristics. During each survey, the crew spent at least 30 minutes observing conditions immediately below Hemphill Diversion Facility, detailing attempts to pass over the facility. A detailed photo log of all observations was maintained.

To facilitate estimation of seasonal female escapement, the field surveys were conducted every other week for a total of up to 10 surveys per year. This frequency has been determined by the previous survey efforts conducted by CDFW (and as described in Gallagher and Gallagher 2005) as being adequate to identify all newly constructed redds (i.e., those constructed since the survey immediately prior to the current survey, or within 14 days) for comparison to older redds, as well as to determine redd longevity. Prior surveys also recommend initiation of surveys in early/mid-October (or within two weeks prior to October 15, when flashboards at Coppin Dam have previously been removed). Surveys occurred every other week until no redds or salmon were observed during two consecutive surveys (estimated to be late December to early February, depending upon the water year).

The record of redd deposition was compared with the flow record to allow an assessment of successful upstream passage by flow rate, especially when added to the existing three-year record (2012-2014).

3.0 RESULTS 3.1 AUBURN RAVINE STREAMFLOWS

Streamflow stage (elevation) in Auburn Ravine is recorded from the Highway 65 gaging station, owned and operated by NID, located near the Highway 65 overcrossing. However, the rating curve is only calculated for streamflows under 200 cfs (roughly, stream stage of 1.5 ft). Streamflows greater than 200 cfs are not indicated on the flow charts (Figures 6 and 7).

When surveys were initiated by HELIX on October 25, 2017, base streamflow was about 10 cfs (Figure 6). Minor rain events that occurred during the first and second weeks of November resulted in slight increases in streamflow (to about 12 cfs on November 1, about 22 cfs on November 4, about 26 cfs on November 10, and about 37 cfs on November 14). The first major storm event of the season occurred on November 16, 2017, and streamflow increased by at least several hundred cfs (stream stage peaked at 2.16 ft compared to stream stage of 0.20 ft at 10 cfs).

After a relatively mild storm event occurred on November 30, streamflow peaked at about 80 cfs, and then receded to less than 20 cfs. Other than a brief increase to 120 cfs on January 6, streamflows remained lower than seasonally normal until the next major storm event occurred on January 8 and 9, when stage peaked at 2.9 ft.

During the second season of survey, base streamflow was about 8 cfs when surveys were initiated on November 14, 2018 (Figure 7). Minor rain events occurred during the middle of October that resulted in slight increases in streamflow (to about 26.9 cfs on October 16, 2018), returning to 7.2 cfs by October 22. A rain event occurred on November 23 , resulting in peak streamflow of 76.6 cfs, however, the first major storm event of the season did not occur until November 29 and 30, 2018, resulting in streamflows over 200 cfs. The next major storm event that increased flow to greater than 200 cfs occurred on January 6, after which streamflows remained high with 13 additional days of streamflows greater than 200 cfs followed by additional storm events that increased streamflows over 200 cfs into February.


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Figure 6. Auburn Ravine Streamflow During 2017 Survey Period. No data indicates flow over 200 cfs.

Figure 7. Auburn Ravine Streamflow During 2018 Survey Period. No data indicates flow over 200 cfs.


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3.2 2017 SURVEY SEASON

This section describes the results of the first season (2017-2018) of spawner surveys. Surveys were begun on October 25, 2017 and extended through February 13, 2018, a total of nine surveys. Water quality parameters for each survey event are presented in Table 1.

Table 1 AUBURN RAVINE SALMONID REDD SURVEY 2017-2018 WATER QUALITY

Survey Week

Water Quality Station

Date Time Water Temp (°C)

DO (%)

DO (mg/L)

Conductivity (uS/cm) pH Turbidity

(NTU)

1 McBean Park 10/25/2017 7:30 16.9 92.7 8.98 142.2 8.2 10.6 1 McBean Park 10/25/2017 12:30 15.6 93.4 9.3 147.2 8.53 1 2 McBean Park 11/8/2017 7:35 11.3 94.3 8.62 148.1 8.62 0.6 2 McBean Park 11/8/2017 12:45 12 93.3 10.04 175.1 8.43 0.1 3 McBean Park 11/21/2017 7:30 12.5 89.3 9.5 171 8.87 0.9 3 McBean Park 11/21/2017 12:30 13.1 90.2 9.48 186.1 8.32 0.9 4 Fowler Rd 12/6/2017 7:00 7.4 89.6 10.77 200.9 8.86 0.3 4 McBean Park 12/6/2017 7:30 7.1 92.4 11.18 192.9 8.33 0.8 4 McBean Park 12/6/2017 12:15 8 94 11.11 194.2 8.32 0.8 5 Fowler Rd 12/20/2017 6:55 8.7 89.4 10.4 191.1 8.62 1.2 5 McBean Park 12/20/2017 7:20 8.4 89.7 10.51 198.2 8.15 8.4 5 McBean Park 12/20/2017 12:00 8.6 96.8 11.29 195 8.29 10.4 6 Fowler Rd 1/3/2018 7:10 8.5 89 10.4 181.5 8.69 0.3 6 McBean Park 1/3/2018 7:20 8.2 88.8 10.44 185.8 8.1 0.2 6 McBean Park 1/3/2018 12:20 8.9 99 11.28 183 8.34 0.1 7 Fowler Rd 1/16/2018 7:00 10.8 91.2 10.11 212.9 8.8 0.9 7 McBean Park 1/16/2018 7:20 10.8 90.6 10.09 219.5 8.19 1.6 7 McBean Park 1/16/2018 11:45 11.2 92.6 10.14 219.1 8.29 1.1 7 McBean Park 1/17/2018 7:05 10.7 90.7 10.06 220.7 8.65 2.6 7 McBean Park 1/17/2018 11:00 10.8 92.3 10.2 218.8 8.39 1.1 8 Fowler Rd 1/31/2018 7:00 8.8 91.1 10.57 227.2 8.83 0.7 8 McBean Park 1/31/2018 7:20 8.4 92.3 10.82 225.1 8.49 1.3 8 McBean Park 1/31/2018 11:45 9.2 96.1 10.94 225.9 8.56 0.6 9 Hemphill 2/13/2018 7:05 7.8 87.1 10.37 191.8 8.8 0.7 9 McBean Park 2/13/2018 7:30 7.9 91.9 10.88 198.6 8.37 0.3 9 McBean Park 2/13/2018 10:40 8.1 98.3 11.6 196.9 8.61 0.1

Spot water temperature measurements ranged from a high of 16.9° C (October 25, 2017) to a low of 7.1° C (December 6, 2017) during the length of the survey period. Spot dissolved oxygen measurements ranged from a high of 96.8 percent saturation (December 20, 2017) to a low of 87.1 percent saturation (February 13, 2018) indicating good conditions relative to dissolved oxygen concentration. Measured values for all other parameters indicated good water quality conditions suitable for salmonid passage and egg incubation in Auburn Ravine during the 2017 migratory period.

The first observation of Chinook salmon spawners occurred during the survey of November 21 (about one week after the first major storm event) when four adult salmon were observed in Reach AR 1 downstream of Hemphill Diversion Facility (Figure 8). No redds were observed during that survey. The next observation of adult salmon occurred during the subsequent survey of December 8, when two


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salmon that appeared to be initiating redd construction were observed in Reach AR 1 (see Figure 8). In addition, a single, completed redd was observed in Reach AR 1, from which a full suite of descriptive measurements was collected (Appendix A). A photo of this redd is presented in Appendix B, photo 12. This was the only completed redd observed during the 2017 season. No other salmon were observed during the remainder of the surveys. Descriptive data from the single redd observed in 2017 continued to be collected during surveys of December 20, January 3, and January 16, 2018. This is consistent with findings by Hoobler (2015) who stated that redds in Auburn Ravine were typically observable for five weeks after construction. The location of the constructed redd and the redd under construction (not completed) were located within the area of the highest density of redds constructed and observed during the 2012 through 2014 surveys (Hoobler 2015).

3.3 2018 SURVEY SEASON

This section describes the results of the second survey season (2018-2019). Surveys were begun on November 14, 2018 and extended through January 25, 2019, a total of six surveys were completed. Water quality parameters for each survey event are presented in Table 2.

Table 2 AUBURN RAVINE SALMONID REDD SURVEY 2018-2019 WATER QUALITY

Survey Week

Water Quality Station

Date Time Water Temp (°C)

DO (%)

DO (mg/L)

Conductivity (uS/cm) pH Turbidity

(NTU)

1 Hemphill 11/14/2018 7:20 7.4 87.3 10.35 138.7 7.4 2.2 1 McBean 11/14/2018 7:50 7.6 89.5 10.69 138.2 7.6 3.5 1 McBean 11/14/2018 12:00 8.3 96.5 11.34 137.4 8.3 2.4 2 Hemphill 11/28/2018 7:30 12.2 82.6 8.88 174 8.2 2.2 2 McBean 11/28/2018 7:45 12.1 85 9.14 172.1 8.1 2.2 2 McBean 11/28/2018 12:00 12.7 87.6 9.28 171.9 8.7 2 3 Hemphill 12/12/2018 7:30 8.2 91.1 10.7 191.8 8.2 1.9 3 McBean 12/12/2018 7:45 8.1 91.3 10.76 193 8.1 2.4 3 McBean 12/12/2018 11:45 8.8 92.6 10.75 182.1 8.8 2.2 4 No Data 12/26/2018 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 5 Gold Hill 1/9/2019 7:00 11 96.9 10.67 228.1 8 1.7 5 Hemphill 1/9/2019 12:30 11.5 97.5 10.63 183.3 8.5 11.2 5 McBean 1/11/2019 7:40 10.3 95.5 10.87 196.5 8.3 4.7 5 McBean 1/11/2019 12:15 10.4 95.7 10.65 200.3 8.4 2.8 6 Fowler 1/23/2019 8:00 8.6 99.7 11.61 207.8 8.6 3.0 6 Gold Hill 1/23/2019 10:30 8.7 99.5 11.59 215.8 8.7 1.5 6 McBean 1/25/2019 8:00 8.2 96.6 11.22 216.0 8.2 2.8 6 McBean 1/25/2019 12:00 9.1 96.6 11.14 216.9 9.1 1.9

Spot water temperature measurements ranged from a high of 12.7° C (November 28, 2018) to a low of 7.4° C (November 14, 2018) during the length of the survey period. Spot dissolved oxygen measurements ranged from a high of 99.5 percent saturation (January 23, 2019) to a low of 82.6 percent saturation (November 28, 2018), indicating good conditions relative to dissolved oxygen concentration. Measured values for all other parameters indicted that water quality conditions in Auburn Ravine during the 2018 migratory period were suitable for salmonid passage and egg incubation. However, no adult salmonids or redds were observed during the entire 2018-2019 survey period.

Figure 8

Locations of Live Adult Chinook Salmon and Redds Observed During 2017 Survey, Auburn Ravine

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4.0 DISCUSSION Due to the paucity of Chinook salmon and steelhead spawning escapement and resultant data collected during the 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 surveys, no further conclusions regarding flow requirements for passage in Auburn Ravine, especially over Hemphill Diversion Facility, can be drawn beyond those reported in Hoobler (2015). The three years of CDFW surveys in Auburn Ravine (2012, 2013 and 2014), showed that salmon escapement can be highly variable; 45 redds were observed in 2012, one redd was observed in 2013, and 24 redds were observed in 2014. Similar to the results of the current surveys in 2018 and 2019, only 4 live Chinook salmon were observed during the 2013 survey conducted by CDFW. Both the constructed redd and the redd observed to be under construction (never completed) during the current survey were found within the range of the highest density of redds constructed and observed during the 2012 through 2014 surveys (Hoobler 2015), indicating a preferred site fidelity for Chinook salmon redd construction in Reach AR1 in Auburn Ravine.

During the year prior to the current surveys (from October 2016 through April 2017), CDFW in collaboration with Friends of Auburn Ravine (a non-profit group interested in the protection of natural habitats in western Placer County watersheds), City of Lincoln, and NID conducted a video monitoring survey in Auburn Ravine in the vicinity of Highway 65 (McKibbin et al. 2018). This was the pilot year of video monitoring, focusing on data relative to native adult anadromous fish species composition, enumeration, and temporal distribution in Auburn Ravine. A total of 303 Chinook salmon, of which 193 were adult and 110 were grilse, were counted passing upstream of that location, further indicting the degree of annual variability of salmon escapement in Auburn Ravine.

The results of the current two spawner surveys conducted during 2017 and 2018 spawning seasons were comparable to those performed by Friends of Auburn Ravine. Though the Friends of Auburn Ravine surveyed a slightly different area (Highway 65 to Hemphill Diversion Facility) from that surveyed during the current project, they also observed very few (about 10) spawners in 2017 and zero spawners in 2018. Reasons for the poor escapement in Auburn Ravine during both migratory periods are thought to be flow rated, especially a function of the lack of early fall storm events in both 2017 and 2018 that act to attract Chinook salmon into Auburn Ravine to spawn. In addition, drought conditions that had persisted during the previous few years likely contributed to poor production of smolt salmon from Auburn Ravine spawners due to unsuitable egg incubation and juvenile rearing conditions. Smolt refers to the process of smoltification, whereby young salmon undergo physiological changes for facilitating their transition from freshwater to salt water during active outmigration.

The cause of the extremely low escapement of Chinook salmon spawners in 2017 and zero spawners in 2018 into Auburn Ravine is primarily the result of the absence of storm events during the critical migratory period compounded with the negative effects of drought on Chinook salmon production during previous years. However, many other factors may secondarily affect the abundance and distribution of spawning Chinook salmon in Auburn Ravine, including the presence of beaver dams, log and debris jams, other passage barriers, and fish predators. A review of long-term salmon escapement datasets from other streams in Placer County (such as Dry Creek) and elsewhere indicates that natural annual variability in salmon escapement can be quite large.

Upstream passage of adult salmon in Auburn Ravine to upstream spawning grounds could be affected by the presence of beaver dams, especially during periods of low flow. North American beavers (Castor canadensis) construct dams and impound water throughout Auburn Ravine. Beavers were observed


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throughout all reaches, however were most abundant in AR 1 (Appendix B). Adult salmon that enter Auburn Ravine during higher streamflow levels after major storm events may become at least temporarily trapped in holding pools downstream of Hemphill Diversion Facility, and also downstream of beaver dams during a rapidly declining hydrograph, potentially causing delay in migration until the next large storm event occurs. It is generally assumed that streamflows high enough to attract salmon to ascend Auburn Ravine would cause enough damage to beaver dams to allow passage. However, results of the two years of survey indicated that this is not always the case. Four beaver dams were observed along Auburn Ravine during the 2018 survey season; two dams were substantial and could potentially block upstream migration of Chinook salmon (Beaver Dams 2 and 4, Figure 9). Beaver Dam 2 was more substantial but was washed out by the survey conducted on December 13, 2018 and likely passable by migrating salmon after the rain event on November 30, 2018. Beaver Dam 4 was the most substantial beaver dam in reach AR 1 and remained intact throughout the entire survey effort. However, Beaver Dam 4 was likely passable following major rain events that exceeded 200 cfs on January 6 and 7 and January 9 and 10. The other two dams (Beaver Dam 1 and Beaver Dam 3) were partially constructed and were washed out after the first rain event on November 23rd.

In summary, during the 2017 spawning season, beaver dams were present during the early migration period but were generally passable after the high flow event that occurred on November 18. During the 2018 spawning season, one major beaver dam (#4) located approximately 500 yards downstream of the Hemphill Diversion Facility in AR 1 was intact during most of the migration period, at least until the major storm event that occurred on January 6. Prior to this storm event, the dam would likely have prevented upstream migration. The remaining beaver dams and debris jams in AR 1 were at least partially washed out during the storms in November and early December 2018.

Other potential barriers to salmon migration, especially during periods of low flow, include large boulders and log jam debris. Ten large rocky outcrop complexes are present in the upper section of reach AR 1, approximately 0.25 mile downstream of the Hemphill Diversion Facility (see Appendix B). These rock outcrops do not necessarily prevent upstream passage over moderate streamflows, however, they alter the flow of the stream which results in the redistribution of materials and scour of the streambed and banks of Auburn Ravine. Most rock outcrops do not span the entire width of the stream but are situated on the edges of the stream and extend about halfway into the channel. Deeper sections of the stream are formed behind the rocks during periods of high flow and fine sediments are deposited in areas between the outcrops.

River otters (Lontra canadensis), otter slides, and otter tracks were observed during most surveys in 2017 and 2018. Other fish predators including raccoon (Procyon lotor), American mink (Neovision vison), great blue heron (Ardea herodias), and great egret (Ardea alba) were observed incidentally during surveys. In 2017, Chinook salmon fins were observed on gravel bars, indicating at least one or more Chinook salmon individuals had been preyed upon by otters or by other predators. No Chinook salmon parts were observed in 2018. Fish predators generally have a larger impact on Chinook salmon during low flow periods (as occurred in 2017 and 2018) when fish cover is reduced.

Chinook salmon escapement in other Central Valley streams was notably reduced during the two years of survey, further indictive of regional unsuitable passage flows in spawning tributaries during the critical upstream migratory period. Spawner data from Dry Creek is presented as a comparison of Chinook salmon spawning between two streams in Placer County. The Dry Creek Conservancy organizes an annual salmon spawner survey conducted by volunteers in Dry Creek (Placer County) and its major tributaries after the first major storm event of the season and lasting until fish are no longer observed.

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Figure 9Locations of Beaver Dams During 2018 Survey, Auburn Ravine

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There is a varied level of effort each year, however, these data give a good estimate of relative escapement (number of adult spawners in the river) size and timing of adult upstream migration and spawning in a nearby stream.

During 2017 (November 24 through December 1), 52 spawning Chinook salmon and 56 redds were observed in Dry Creek. In 2018 (November 26 through December 7), 40 spawning Chinook salmon and 49 redds were observed throughout the Dry Creek Watershed. Only 20 spawning salmon were observed in 2016 (November 4 through December 13) and 29 spawning salmon (December 18 through December 30) in 2015. The low number of spawners in Dry Creek in 2016 was notable because greater numbers were observed in Auburn Ravine that year by the Friends of Auburn Ravine, which indicates the high variability of salmon escapement by stream and among years.

In summary, six adult Chinook salmon were observed in 2017 along with one redd, and no Chinook salmon adults or redds were observed during the 2018 surveys in Auburn Ravine. Juvenile and adult rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), as well as Sacramento sucker (Catostomus occidentalis occidentalis) and Sacramento pikeminnow (Ptychocheilus grandis) were observed during all surveys throughout Auburn Ravine and often in abundance, further alluding to the suitability of water quality conditions in Auburn Ravine for fish production.


10

5.0 REFERENCES Duffy, Walter G. 2005. Protocols for Monitoring the Response of Anadromous Salmon and Steelhead to

Watershed Restoration in California. Prepared for: California Department of Fish and Game, Salmon and Steelhead Trout Restoration Account, Agreement No. P0210565.

Hoobler, Sean. 2015. Completion of the Auburn Ravine Chinook Salmon Redd Survey Report. State of California, Department of Fish and Wildlife, Memorandum to Ms. MaryLisa Lynch, dated September 14, 2015.

Gallagher, Sean P. and Colin M. Gallagher. 2005. Discrimination of Chinook Salmon, Coho Salmon, and Steelhead Redds and Evaluation of the Use of Redd Data for Estimating Escapement in Several Unregulated Streams in Northern California. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 25:284–300.

McKibbin, C.J., Healey, M.P., and H.S. Kubo. 2018. Auburn Ravine Video Monitoring Project, 2016/2017 Season Report. California Department of Fish and Wildlife, North Central Region, Rancho Cordova, California, 95670, USA

Ode, P.R., A.E., Fetscher, and L.B. Busse. 2016. Standard Operating Procedures for the Collection of Field Data for Bioassessments of California Wadeable Streams: Benthic Macroinvertebrates, Algae, and Physical Habitat. California State Water Resources Control Board Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP) Bioassessment SOP 004.

Appendix ARedd Pot, Tail and Depth

Measurements

Appendix A

Redd Pot, Tail and Depth Measurements

1 None 10/25/2017

2 11/8/2017

3 11/21/2017

4 AR 1_1206001 AR1 12/8/2017 2.3 3.2 1.4 26 25 3.5 1.9 1.4 26 25 5.8 2.2 3.2 No 1 0.57

5 AR 1_1206001 AR1 12/20/2017 3.2 3.2 1.3 25 26 3.2 1.9 1.3 25 26 6.4 2.1 3.2 No 3 1.3

6 AR 1_1206001 AR1 1/3/2018 4.2 2.9 1.5 24 25 2.7 2.2 1.6 24 25 6.9 2.2 2.9 No 5 0.89

7 AR 1_1206001 AR1 1/16/2018 buried 24 23 24 23 7

8 AR 1_1206001 AR1 1/31/2018

9 None 2/13/2018

Pot

Width

(ft)

Fishon

?Redd NumberWeek Reach Date

Pot

Length

(ft)

Notes:

4 salmon observed 11/21/17

2 salmon observed initiating redd construction, never finished; 12/8/17

Redd

Age

(weeks)

Head

Velocity

(cu. ft/s)

Tail Spill

Dom

Substrate

Tail Spill

SubDom

Substrate

Total

Length

(ft)

Avg.

Width

(ft)

Max

Width

(ft)

Pot Dom

Substrate

Pot

SubDom

Substrate

Tail Spill

Length

(ft)

Tail Spill

Width 1

(ft)

Tail Spill

Width 2

Pot

Depth

(ft)

A-1

Appendix BRepresentative Photos

Appendix B Representative Photos

B-1

Photo 1: View of the Hemphill Diversion Structure from the north. Date taken: January 23, 2019.

Photo 2: Looking downstream from the diversion structure. Date taken: January 23, 2019.


B-2

Photo 3: Beaver Dam 2 in Auburn Ravine, AR 1. Date taken: November 14, 2018.

Photo 4: Beaver Dam 3 (red arrow) in Auburn Ravine, AR 1. Date taken: November 14, 2018.


B-3

Photo 5: Beaver Dam 4 in Auburn Ravine, AR 1. Date taken: November 14, 2018.

Photo 6: Log jam feature and partial rock dam in Auburn Ravine, AR 1. Date taken: November 14, 2018.


B-4

Photo 7: Log jam feature in Auburn Ravine, AR 1. Date taken: November 14, 2018.

Photo 8: Log jam (red arrow) feature in Auburn Ravine, AR 1. Date taken: January 11, 2019.


B-5

Photo 9: Series of rock features in Auburn Ravine, AR 2. Date taken: January 11, 2019.

Photo 10: Cascading rock feature in Auburn Ravine, AR 2. Date taken: January 11, 2019.


B-6

Photo 11: Cascading rock features in Auburn Ravine, AR 3. Date taken: November 21, 2017.

Photo 12: Chinook salmon redd in Auburn Ravine, AR 1. Date taken: January 31, 2018.

salmon spawning and water quality surveys in auburn ravine · 2019-10-18 · salmon spawning and...

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