White Sturgeon Egg Predation and Spawning Monitoring at Waneta – 2017 (Year 6) Investigation Results and Comprehensive Summary
Author: Golder Associates Ltd
This document reports on the 2017 study, the last year of the six-year post-pilot commitment to the Egg Predation Monitoring Study. As 2017 was the final study year, a comprehensive summary is also provided that reviews the pilot study and all six years of egg predator study data, in context with test hypotheses developed for the study, to assess the effect of WSFAP-PPE operations on White Sturgeon egg predation in the Waneta spawning and egg deposition/incubation area.
Through continued refinement of the study design based on lessons learned as the study progressed, the combined data from all study years successfully addressed the three primary Study Objectives. Intensive analysis of the study program results clearly showed:
– that there was no apparent relationship between flows from the Waneta facility and potential egg predator abundance;
– there was no detectable relationship between sturgeon spawning events and potential egg predator abundance, and;
– Waneta facility operations under the WSFAP-PPE do not have any discernable influence on White Sturgeon spawn timing or frequency; however, the minimum flows provided under the WSFAP-PPE are assumed to be sufficient to provide the necessary stimulus to sustain spawning activity in the Waneta area.
These findings supported the initial EACA assessment of low impacts of WAX and the resulting change in Waneta facility operations on White Sturgeon spawning activity and egg incubation success.
Through continued refinement of the study design based on lessons learned as the study progressed, the combined data from all study years successfully addressed the three primary Study Objectives. Intensive analysis of the study program results clearly showed:
– that there was no apparent relationship between flows from the Waneta facility and potential egg predator abundance;
– there was no detectable relationship between sturgeon spawning events and potential egg predator abundance, and;
– Waneta facility operations under the WSFAP-PPE do not have any discernable influence on White Sturgeon spawn timing or frequency; however, the minimum flows provided under the WSFAP-PPE are assumed to be sufficient to provide the necessary stimulus to sustain spawning activity in the Waneta area.
These findings supported the initial EACA assessment of low impacts of WAX and the resulting change in Waneta facility operations on White Sturgeon spawning activity and egg incubation success.
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Additional Info
Study Years: 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012
Published: 2019
Topics
Tags: Acipenser Transmontanus, Columbia River, Discharge, Egg Predation, Egg Predator, Flow, Micropterus Dolomieu, Monitoring, Pend DOreille River, Smallmouth Bass, Spawn Frequency, Spawn Timing, Spawning, Spawning Habitat, Spawning Intensity, Turbidity, Waneta, Water Temperature, White SturgeonWhite Sturgeon Egg Predation and Spawning Monitoring at Waneta – 2017 (Year 6) Investigation Results and Comprehensive Summary
Author: Golder Associates Ltd
Tags: Acipenser Transmontanus, Columbia River, Discharge, Egg Predation, Egg Predator, Flow, Micropterus Dolomieu, Monitoring, Pend DOreille River, Smallmouth Bass, Spawn Frequency, Spawn Timing, Spawning, Spawning Habitat, Spawning Intensity, Turbidity, Waneta, Water Temperature, White Sturgeon
This document reports on the 2017 study, the last year of the six-year post-pilot commitment to the Egg Predation Monitoring Study. As 2017 was the final study year, a comprehensive summary is also provided that reviews the pilot study and all six years of egg predator study data, in context with test hypotheses developed for the study, to assess the effect of WSFAP-PPE operations on White Sturgeon egg predation in the Waneta spawning and egg deposition/incubation area.
Summary
Through continued refinement of the study design based on lessons learned as the study progressed, the combined data from all study years successfully addressed the three primary Study Objectives. Intensive analysis of the study program results clearly showed:
– that there was no apparent relationship between flows from the Waneta facility and potential egg predator abundance;
– there was no detectable relationship between sturgeon spawning events and potential egg predator abundance, and;
– Waneta facility operations under the WSFAP-PPE do not have any discernable influence on White Sturgeon spawn timing or frequency; however, the minimum flows provided under the WSFAP-PPE are assumed to be sufficient to provide the necessary stimulus to sustain spawning activity in the Waneta area.
These findings supported the initial EACA assessment of low impacts of WAX and the resulting change in Waneta facility operations on White Sturgeon spawning activity and egg incubation success.