[env-trinity] Trinity River: Current Conditions

[Tom Stokely]

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Trinity River: Current Conditions
Posted on July 19, 2023 <https://www.trrp.net/4221-2/> by Kiana Abel
<https://www.trrp.net/author/jabel493751/>
Trinity River: *Current Conditions*

Concerning news of spring chinook infected with an undiagnosed gill
infection have been reported at higher rates than years prior and has the
attention of agencies, anglers and those on the river. Although the average
rates and the location of these reports have been concerning, some daily
rates of reported infections have been alarming and have definitely
garnered the attention of regulatory agencies. The evidence of disease is
somewhat surprising because upper river temperatures are not exceptionally
high. A key differentiating factor hypothesized by fish biologists, may be
that the heavy sediment and ash loads from thunderstorms in June may have
damaged the gills of the spring chinook that were making their way upriver
at that time, stressing them and thus making them vulnerable to disease.

It is helpful to know that there are several advisory groups that meet
regularly to discuss Trinity & Klamath River conditions. The KFHAT (Klamath
Fish Health Assessment Team) evaluates current conditions and meets weekly
and/or as needed throughout the summer and fall period.  The Klamath Flow
Augmentations Releases (FARs) group meets bi-weekly (or as needed) and are
meant to protect migrating salmon in the summer and fall months, when
conditions can become poor in the lower Klamath River. The flows, water
temperature, fish observations, and disease rates are all monitored using
data collected by several partnering agencies such as the California
Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), Hoopa Valley Tribe and Yurok Tribe
to determine if a FAR recommendation is needed.

Fish can catch disease if they are stressed and there are several factors
that play into this (water quality: including turbidity and temperature,
lamprey predation, being handled or caught, etc.). Experts are in agreement
that water temperatures at Lewiston are good, around 53 F, which is about
3-4 F cooler than last year. Overall, water temperatures and flows in the
upper Trinity River appear suitable for adults and would not be expected to
cause gill lesions alone.

To monitor temperatures, there are currently four locations that upload to
the USGS website located at Lewiston Dam, Douglas City*, North Fork Trinity
River, and in Hoopa. You can view all of these temperature readings by
clicking the corresponding links below. The links will also show last
year’s (2022) temperature readings for contrast. We see river temps rise
this time of year and should start to see them fall slowly down as
day lengths shorten – typically starting in August.

   - Trinity R a Lewiston CA – USGS Water Data for the Nation
   <https://waterdata.usgs.gov/monitoring-location/11525500/#parameterCode=00010F&period=P7D&compare=true>
   - Trinity R a Douglas City CA – USGS Water Data for the Nation
   <https://waterdata.usgs.gov/monitoring-location/11525854/#parameterCode=00010F&period=P7D&compare=true>
   - Trinity R AB NF Trinity R NR Helena CA – USGS Water Data for the Nation
   <https://waterdata.usgs.gov/monitoring-location/11526400/?fbclid=IwAR1_T7s-zXlRZd9bqlyMj1Qpub8wlk2HkKZpYOENqBpFk5AC2C3BR6h5TIc#parameterCode=00010F&period=P7D&compare=true>
   - Trinity R a Hoopa CA – USGS Water Data for the Nation
   <https://waterdata.usgs.gov/monitoring-location/11530000/#parameterCode=00010F&period=P7D&compare=true>

Those involved will continue to discuss any appropriate recommendations for
responses to this issue, should a response be warranted. They will continue
to monitor the situation and meet to discuss new information in the coming
days.

**The Douglas City temperature gauge is now functioning. A replacement from
USGS was administered and real time temperature readings came back on-line
the morning of July 18. While the gauge that uploads to the internet in
real time was damaged, data was still being collected at this site. *
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