Oregon / Northern California Area Report, November 2016

Authors: Scheerer, Paul, Leal, Jimmy, Brandt, Tro, Smith, Terry, Markle, Doug, Divine, Paul, Banks, David, Reid, Stewart

Year: 2016 (xlviii)

Abstract

The northwestern extreme of the desert region includes several endorheic drainage subbasins in Oregon, northeastern California, and northwestern Nevada (Fort Rock, Chewaucan, Goose, Warner, Catlow, Alvord, Malheur Lakes, Coyote Lakes, and Quinn). This region supports remnant fish faunas that once inhabited extensive pluvial Pleistocene lakes.[PARAGRAPH]Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW): 1) estimated Warner sucker, Catostomus warnerensis, abundance in the Twentymile Creek subbasin (Warner basin) and monitored movement of PIT tagged suckers to assess passage at a newly constructed, sucker-friendly fish ladder, 2) obtained a population estimate and evaluated habitat conditions for Foskett speckled dace, Rhinichthys osculus ssp., in Foskett and Dace Springs (in cooperation with BLM), 3) obtained a population estimate and evaluated habitat conditions for Borax Lake chub, Gila boraxobius, at Borax Lake in the Alvord basin, 4) assessed fish assemblage structure (native and nonnative) in the Owyhee basin, 5) provided information for a range -wide redband trout conservation in the Upper Snake River basin, and 6) participated in a Lahontan cutthroat working group meeting in Reno, NV..[PARAGRAPH]The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), with help from ODFW, continued ongoing habitat restoration (manual) at Foskett Spring for Foskett speckled dace, including the thinning of aquatic vegetation from pools dug in 2013 and 2014 in the tule and catta il marshes. Permits are secured to conduct mechanical restoration next winter. BLM also secured additional funds ($215K) for the next phase of the Honey Creek passage and screening project to benefit Warner suckers and redband trout (6 unscreened and unladdered diversions remain to be completed). [PARAGRAPH]Doug Markle, retired Oregon State University professor, completed ‘A Guide to Freshwater Fishes of Oregon’, which includes detailed information on the taxonomy and distribution of Oregon’s desert fishes. [PARAGRAPH]The US Forest Service (USFS), with collaboration from USFWS and ODFW conducted population index surveys for Modoc suckers in Thomas Creek. Counts were down ~50% from 2015 counts, likely due to drought (low stream flows) in 2015, but within the range of variability observed over the past decade. [PARAGRAPH]The River Design Group, in collaboration with the Lake County Watershed Council, US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), BLM, USFS, and Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB): 1) conducted surveys and provided fish passage conceptual plans and prioritization to benefit redband trout in the Deep Creek subbasin of the Warner Basin, 2) completed surveys and provided design plans for channel realignment to address an eroding terrace and road ditch discharge in the Thomas Creek B asin to benefit Goose Lake redband trout, Modoc suckers, Pit-Klamath lamprey, and speckled dace (construction planned for Fall 2016), 3) conducted hydrologic/hydraulic analyses and fish passage alternatives associated with irrigation diversions in the Warner basin to benefit Warner sucker and redband trout, 4) conducted reconnaissance plan to prioritize fish passage barriers and habitat restoration in the Goose Lake basin, and 5) conducted fish passage and habitat restoration projects in the Chewaucan basin to benefit redband trout. [PARAGRAPH]The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFS) conducted drought monitoring on three streams in the Goose Lake basin (Lassen, Cold, and Willow Creeks) that provide habitat for Goose Lake redband trout, Goose Lake sucker, Goose Lake lamprey, and Pit sculpin) and six tributaries that provide habitat for Modoc sucker (Turner, Washington, Coffee Mill, Hulbert, Dutch Flat, and Johnson Creeks). Preliminary results indicated high stream temperatures and reduced flows affected both quantity and quality of available fish habitat due to extreme drought conditions, although conditions have improved since 2015. CDFW also received a grant to conduct genetic analysis of Eagle Lake Rainbow trout (samples will be collected in 2017 and 2018) to evaluate genetic diversity and inbreeding related to the effects of artificial propagation of this native strain. Stewart Reid, Western Fishes, 1) monitored Modoc sucker populations in Northern California including suppression of green sunfish in Turner Creek, 2) worked with Pit River Tribes to assess current and historical fish distribution in NF Pit River including a Tribal Ecological Knowledge component (questionnaires and interviews) and an historical/ethnographic component and outreach component to inform community of traditional food fishes.