[env-trinity] Message from Arnold Whitridge transmitting message from Doug Schleusner

[Tom Stokely]

awhitridge at snowcrest.net wrote:

TAMWG and TMC,

My e-mail capabilities currently exceed those of some entire Interior 
Department agencies, so I've been asked to circulate a message from the 
TRRP office.  As background, there was concern that the recent rampdown of 
Lewiston releases from 2000 cfs to 300 cfs would strand some juvenile 
fish.  To minimize stranding, Central Valley Operations modified the 
rampdown schedule as suggested by scientists who were meeting to discuss 
the annual flow schedule, but there were nevertheless some reports of 
stranding, including stranding of young coho.  Doug Schleusner reports 
(March 19):

"Branch Chief Daryl Petersen and two other biologists (Mike Kelly, NOAA 
Fisheries; Loren Everest, Forest Service) floated the Trinity from the 
hatchery to Bucktail, and stopped at 5 sites where stranding had been 
reported or historically has occurred. Stranded salmon were observed at all 
sites, but most were chinook, with some coho (native) observed at one 
location. It appears that at these sites there is still enough surface flow 
to allow some fry to move back into the main channel, or the pools are 
large enough to allow fry to rear and survive until the spring flow 
releases begin to ramp up in late April or early May.  Mike Kelly will 
document their observations in more detail and contact other observers down 
river; a report is expected by next Monday or Tuesday. At this point it 
does not appear necessary to mobilize a rescue effort or take actions other 
than continuing to monitor the situation."


Arnold Whitridge
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