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FRESHWATER HABITAT
RELATIONSHIPS
DOLLY VARDEN-SALVELINUS MALMA (WALBAUM)
ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF FISH & GAME
HABITAT PROTECTION SECTION
RESOURCE ASSESSMENT BRANCH
JULY, 1982
FRESHWATER HABITAT RELATIONSHIPS
DOLLY VARDEN CHAR (SALVELINUS HALMA (WALBAUM ))
By
e Steven W. Kru~er
Alaska Department of Fish and Game
Habitat Division
Resource Assessment Branch
570 West 53rd Street
Anchorage, Alaska 99502
May 1981
Acknowledgements
Fisheries biologists from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game,the U.S.
Forest Service.U.S.Fish and Wildlife Service,National Marine Fisheries
Service-Auke Bay Laboratory.Bureau of Land Management,and the Arctic
Environmental Information and Data Center provided insight into this
project and deserve recognition.The assistance of librarians at the
Alaska Resource Library,the U.S.Fish and Wildlife Service
Library-Anchorage and the Commercial Fisheries Library-Alaska Department of
Fish and Game-Juneau is heartily appreciated.
This project was funded by the U.S.Fish and Wildlife Service.Western
Energy and Land Use Team.Habitat Evaluation Procedure Group.Fort Collins.
Colorado.Contract No.14-16-0009-79-119.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
•Page
I.Introduction 1•A.Purpose 1
B.Distribution 2•C.Life History Sumnary 2
D.Economic Importance 14
II.Specific Habitat Requirements 15•A.Upstream Migration 15
I.Stream Flow 15•2.Water Temperature 15
3.light 16
4.Current Velocity 16•B.Spawning 16
l.Current Velocity 16
2.Substrate 16•3.Watpr Depth 17
4.Cover 17
•C.Inmigrant Migration to
Overwintering Areas 17
•D.Inmigrant Overwintering Areas 18
E.Egg and Alevin Development 18
l.Water Temperature 18•F.Summer Juvenile Rearing 18
l.Water Depth 18•2.Current Velocity 18
3.Instream Cover 19
4.Substrate 19•G.Juvenile Migration to
Overwintering Areas 20
l.Water Temperature 20•2.Stream Flow 20
H.Juvenile Overwintering'Areas 20•l.Water Temperature 20
2.Streanr Flow 21
3.Substrate 21•
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I.Juvenile Migration to
Summer Rearing Areas 22
I.Water Temperature 22
2.Stream Flow 22
J.Inmigrant Migration to Sea 22
I.Water Temperature 22
2.Stream Flow 22
3.Light 23
K.Smalt Migration to Sea 23
I.Water Temperatures 23
2.Stream Flow 24
3.Light 24
II I.Conceptual Suitability Index Curves 25
IV.Deficiencies in Data Base 26
V.Recommendations and Further Studies 29
VI.Literature Cited 33
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I.INTROOUCTION
A.Purpose
The purpose of this project is to describe how selected physical
and chemical features of lotic habitat within Alaska influence
the survival and behavior of the various life stages of
anadromaus 0011y Varden char (Sal.elinus malma (Walbaum».
Objectives of this project are:
1.to gather data from published and unpublished sources within
Alaska and from conversations with Alaskan fishery
biologists concerning the relationships between lotic
aquatic habitat.and anadromou5 Dolly Varden survival and
behavi or.
2.to develop an Alaska data base for habitat-anadromoU5 Dolly
Varden char relationships.Because there are not sufficient
data for the relationships between anadromou5 Dolly Varden
char and conditions of the habitat,habitat suitabil ity
index relationships were not developed.
3.to identify data gaps and recommend appropriate projects to
alleviate these gaps.
The following Life History Summary and Specific Habitat
Relationships/Requirements sections will identify the lotic
habitat relationships of the various life history and seasonal
behavior stages of the anadromous Dolly Varden char which
include:
upstream soawning migration,
spawning,
inmigrant migratio~to overwintering areas,
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inmi grant overwi nteri ng areas,
egg and alevin development,
summer juvenile rearing,
juvenile migration to overwintering areas,
juvenile overwintering areas,
juvenile migration to summer rearing areas,
inmigrant migration to sea,and
smelt migration to sea
B.Distribution
The taxon~of the Dolly Varden char,Sa1velinus malma (Wa1baum)
is quite complex and a topic of debate.Morrow (1980)recognizes
a northern and a southern form of Dolly Varden char,with the
northern form equivalent to the anadromous Arctic char,
Sa 1ve li nus a1pi nus (L i nnaeus),and the southern form compri sing
the Dolly Varden char.Dolly Varden char is separate from the
bull char.Salvel;nus confluentus,which occurs in British
Columbia.Washington.Oregon.Idaho and Hontana (Behnke;1980).
For purposes of this paper,Dolly Yarden char are defined as
those fish which occur south of the Arctic char and north of the
bull char.Anadromous and non~anadromous Dolly Varden char are
distributed within Alaska south of the Alaska Range.
C.Life HistOry S.......ry
Migration of eature and i ...ture 0011y Varden char from the ocean
to southeastern Alaska .ay be concurrent and can extend from July
through October.I_ture individuals may stay in streams as
long as spawners (two to three months)a1 though non-spawni ng
1rrmature Dolly Varden char seldom remain more than one month'
prior to emigrating to other stream and lake systems,probably to
overwi nter.About 80S of the non-spawn;ng inn1 grants 1eft Hood
Bay Creek,Alaska before the spawning fish (Armstrong and
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Winslow,1968).Dur~ng 1966,tagged inmature fish remained in
Hood Bay Creek for 14 days (Armstrong.1967).and mature fi sh for
85 days.
Age at maturity is variable,most Dolly Varden in southeast
Alaska reach maturity by age fOtU'or five.Hales may mature
before females (Armstrong and Blackett,1965).
Tagging studies in southeast Alaska (Annstrong,1965a and 1974;
Blackett,1968.Heiser,1966)indicated that mature.anadromou5
Dolly Varden char use their natal streams to spawn and lakes to
overwinter.Inmature f1sh or1 gi nati n9 '{n streams without lakes
may enter several streams prior to finding a lake for
~ve".,intering.Innature fish of lake-stream origin probably
re-enter the same system to overw1 nter.These taggi ng stud;es
indicate that inmature and spawned-out anadromous Dolly Varden
char from numerous stream systems may use the same lake for
ovent1ntering.
The Dolly Varden,like other chars,usually spawns between
September and NoveniJer (Scott and Crossman,1973).B1 ackett
(1968)determined that the peak of spawning activity in Hood Bay
Creek occurred be~~een late October and early November.Spawning
occurs in other southeastern Alaska streams from mid-September to
mid-October (Blackett,1968;Blackett and Annstrong,1965).Both
sexes display spawning coloration,although males are often
scarlet on the ventral side and have black snouts.
Selection of spawning sites by anadromaus Dolly Varden char
appears to be influenced by various physical factors including
curre;tt ve 1oei ty,water depth and substrate compositi on.Fi sh
have been reported spawning in sidechannel and mainstem
riffle/run and pool reaches of streams on Kodiak Island and in
southeast Alaska (Blackett,1968;Wilson,Trihey,Baldrige,
Evans,Thiele and Trudgen.1981).
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Limited observations indicate that ...,.~fish's spawning behavior
is similar to other chars (Blackett,1968;Scott and Crossman,
1973).Fish are usually paired.although more than one male may
accompany a female (the largest male is usually dominant).The
female is solely responsible for excavation of the redd (a
depression in the stream substrate where fish spawn and deposit
fertilized eggs).She forms the redd by turning on her side and
thrashing the substrate with her caudal fin.The completed redd
is typically oblong shaped.Dimensions of the redd .ary with the
size of the female and substrate and current velocities;redds
are generally 30 to 61 em (12-24 in)long and may be as deep as
30 em (12 in).The male spawner acti.ely defends the redd from
male intruders and will nip and bite other males,sometimes
grasping another male in the caudal peduncle for up to six
seconds.Female spawners are not aggressive.(Blackett,196B)
Fecundity of Dolly Varden char is variable among anadromous
Alaska stocks ~nd is greater with increasing female fish age and
length (Blackett,1968).For exa""1e,fema 1es about 300 mm f1
(fork length)from Hood 8ay Creek,Alaska contained less than
1000 eggs and females exceeding 450 mm f1 supported at least 2000
eggs.Ripe eggs are usually 0.45 to 0.6 em in diameter
(Blackett,1968).
The spawning pair descend into the redd and press against each
other laterally.After the pair completes spawning the female
may dig at the upstream end of the redd and displace gravel over
the ferti1 ized eggs.This gra.e1 layer probably protects the
eggs from sunlight and predation,reduces mechanical disturbance
by ice and other objects while allowing water to transport oxygen
to and metabolic wastes from the developing eggs.
Fish may spawn again with the same or a different partner and.
unlike salmon,are capable in subsequent years.Males are less
likely to survive spawning than females (Annstrong and Kissner,
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1969).Armstrong and Kissner (1969)estimated that post-spawning
mortality in Hood Bay Creek,Alaska was about 61%for male fish
and 4:for female fish in 1967 and about 49%for male fish and 9%
for fema 1e f;sh in 1968.Th i 5 di fferent;a1 morta 1i ty 15 not
understood"but the aggressive behavior of male spawners is
pr~bab'y a factor.
Emigration of spawned-out Dolly Varden char to the sea or to
overwintering areas usually occurs w1thin two weeks after
completion of spawning.Fish surveys in Hood Bay Creek indicated
that all spawned-out adults left the stream by late November
(Armstrong and Winslow,1968).These fish may have entered the
ocean to feed for several months or moved to overwintering areas
(Armstrong,1974).
longevity of Dolly Varden char is variable but fish in southeast
Alaska may live nine to twelve years (Heiser,1966;Annstrong.
1963).
Development of Dolly Varden eggs and alevins to the emergent fry
stage requires about 210 days (Blackett,1968).Hatching has
been documented from 129 to 136 days at 8.S·C.The 1.5 to 2.0 em
long alevin typically remains in the gravel for an additional 60
to 70 days.
Limfted research has focused on the survival of anadromous Dolly
Varden eggs and ale.ins.Blackett (1968)est1mated that egg to
alevfn survival ~fthfn an area of Hood Bay Creek,Alaska was
about 41 percent.
Intrag ..vel flow,dissolved oxygen and sed1ment cOll1llosition can
influence the development and sUl"'YiYal of salmonfd eggs and·
alevins.Little work has focused on egg and alevfn survival in
relation to physical and chemical factors.Inferences can be
made from work on other salmonid species.For example,transport
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of dissolved oxygen to and metabolic wastes from developing eggs
and a1evi ns by i ntragrave 1 flow is cruci a1 for surv;va 1 of
salmonid eggs and alevins (Vaux,1962;Wickett,1958).
Relatively low intragravel dissolved oxygen levels during the egg
development stage of various salmonids may increase egg
mortality,delay or hasten egg development or reduce the fitness
of alevins (Alderdice,Wickett and Brett,1958;Silver,Warren
and Quodoroff,1963).Coble (1961)and other investigators have
determined that salmonid egg survival 15 enhanced by increased
intragravel flow despite sufficient intragravel dissolved oxygen
levels.Factors wh"ich could reduce the quantity or quality of
intragravel water include reduced streamflow,sedimentation,and
acculrlJlation of organic debris (McNeil and Ahnell,1964;Koski,
1966;Reiser and Bjornn,1979).
Severt streamflow alterations can ham developing salmonid eggs
and embryos.Mechanical scouring of the redd could dislodge
substrate and destroy developing eggs and embryos.HeNei1 (1966)
observed damaged pink and chum salmon redds and displaced eggs of
both species in several southeastern Alaska streams following
autumn spates.Koski (1966)reported low survival of coho salmon
eggs subjected to freshets several days after 'Odd construction.
Low flows and cold winter temperatures could cause redds to
desiccate or to freeze.HeNei1 (1966)noted low survival of pink
and chum salmon eggs in streams with low winter flows during
harsh winter conditions in southeast Alaska.
Koski (1966)determined that significant accumulations of fine
sediments within chum salmon redds can retard or prevent the
emergence of fry.Deposition of fine sediments in anadromous
Dolly Varden char spawning areas could retard or prevent fry from .
emerging.
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Water temperature affects hatching rates of salmcnid eggs;warmer
than normal water temperatures can accelerate hatching and result
in earlier than normal fry emergence (Sheridan,1962).Black.ett
(1968)determined that Dolly Varden be9an hatching after 129 days
in water with a mean temperature of 8.5°C.No upper or lower
temperature tolerance limits of Dolly Varden char eggs or alevins
were found in the literature.
Upon emergence,anadromous Dolly Varden char occupy relatively
quiet stream reaches.Blackett (1968)and Armstrong and Ell iot
(1972)noted yoy fish in shallow stream margins of Hood Bay
Creek,Alaska.Armstrong and Elli ott also found yoy fi sh in
rivulets along Hood Bay Creek during early summer.These stream
margins were efte"only 1 m wide and 4 em deep.No evidence of
yay fish entrapment ~y dewatering within these stream margins was
detected in the literature.Yoy Dolly Varden,which feed
primarily from the benthos.characteristically remain on or near
the substrate.sometimes remaining motionless and occupying
gravel interstices.Yoy coho salmon.however.feed primarily
from the surface within these same areas (Blackett,1968).
Earlier research indicates that juvenile salmonids occupy areas
(Wickham,1967)with relatively slow current velocities often
adjacent to areas with faster current velocities and with higher
densities of drifting invertebrates (Everest and Chapman,1972).
A fish moves periodically into the areas of greater food
availability to forage and returns to resting positions in areas
of slower current.This minimizes energy expenditures and
maximizes foeding success (Chapman and Bjomn,1969).As fi sh
grow they a.=ten occupy deeper and faster areas of the stream
(Everest and Chapman,1972).This behavi or probab ly app1;es to
juvenile O<lly Varden char.Leggett (1969)suggested that the'
cyl1ndricai body shape of bull char,which is IIIllrphologically
similar to Dolly V.rden,probably enables these fish to occupy
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areas of faster current velocities than most other salmonids.
Other salmanids typically have laterally compressed bodies.
Habitat selection by older pre-smalt Dolly Yarden char is not
well documented 9 although the char are distributed in deeper.
sometimes faster habitat than yay fish.Heiser (1966)noted that
yearling and older pre-smalt Dolly Varden char occupied both
still and flowi ng reaches of severa 1 in 1et tri butaries of Eva
Lake.This lake was characterized by gravel and silt substrate!
with varying amounts of vegetation.Researchers studying Hooc
Bay Creek classified it into ten habitat types ranging frerl
sloughs.undercut bank margins.pools and riffles.Baited minn~1
traps were placed in each habitat type 9 and length and frequenc'
of pre-smalt coho salmon and Dolly Varden char were ;ompared fron
each habitat type during July and August 1971.Pre-smolt Dolly
Varden char and coho salmon were taken from all habitat types.
The smallest Dolly Varden char (41-50 am)were taken in sloughs
and sidechannel undercut bank a~as.and the largest Dolly VardE'
were found in riffles.
Yearling and older pre-smalt Dolly Varden char occupy "pools.
quiet sidechannels and sloughs and tributaries off the mainstem!
of both .••"the Terror and Kizhuyak Rivers.Alaska.althollgh
juvenile fish are occasionally found behind boulders in faster
water (Wilson.Trihey.Baldrige.Thiele and Trudgen.1981).
Minnow traps were found to give a biased indication of habitat
occupancy by fish because the bait may attract fish from a
considerable distance.Habitat conditions where the fish are
actually residing may be quite different from conditions
immediately around the trap.
Reed and Armstrong (1971)noted that juvenile coho salmon and
Dolly Varden char were capable of entering and exiting baited
mi nnow traps fi shed for 24 hours.The placement of two i engths
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of wire across the entrance to each trap resu'1ted in a higher
fish retention rate.
Distribution and abundance of pre-smalt Dolly Varden char may be
i nfl uenced by ;ntra and i nterspec;fi c fi sh interact;ons.
Observations of juvenile coho salmon,Oncorhynchus kisutch
(Walbaum).and D~1iy Varden char in Hood Bay Creek.and in
aquariums (Annstrong and Ell iott.1972)reveal ed that Dolly
Varden fry are aggressive among themselves and in association
with coho fry.Dolly Varden were frequently attacked by coho
sa 1mon fry but were never observed attack i n9 coho fry.More
Dolly Varden fry remained near the substrate when associated with
coho fry than when they were alone.Coho fry occupied the upper
half of the aquaria when alone and with Dolly V~rden char fry.
Aquaria tests with older~pre-smolt Dolly Varden char and coho
salmon indicated that Dolly Varden established and defended
territories when a lone and when with 'coho fi ngerl ings.Do 11 y
Varden fingerlings generally occupied positions within the
aquaria at or near the bottom,but when alone,they occupied more
mi d and sha 11 ow depth positi ons.Coho fi ngerl i ngs were
consistently found in the upper strata of aquaria ard seldom
attacked Dolly Varden char fingerlings (Annstrong and Elliott.
1972).
Juvenile.anadromous Dolly Varden char grow relatively slowly
during the three to four years prior to emigrating to the Pacific
Ocean.Young of the year fish from Hood Bay Creek.Alaska grew
about 10 rrm between July 7 and October I.1965.reachi ng a rr.ean
fork length of about 38 rrm (Blackett,1968).Growth rates of
pre-smelt fish may vary and length ranges of yoy and older age
classes often overlap.Pre-smolt fish in Alaska generally grow·
10 to 30 mm annually.primarily during the summer months
(Armstron9.1963;Heiser,1966;Blackett,1968).
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The summer diet of stream rearing pre-smolt Dolly Varden char is
influenced by food availabfl ity.fish size and stream habitat
selection (Armstrong and Elliott.1972).Gut analysis of
pre-smolt fish from Hood Bay Creek during the sumner rearing
period (April to November)showed that substantial nuRbers of
inrnature and adu1t aquatic insects were eaten throughout this
period.8mergent and emigrant yoy salmon consumed invertebrates
from April to June and sa lmon eggs from Ju ly to November.
Relatively large pre-smalt Dolly Var'den char ate more and larger
food iteDIs than smaller fish.Pre-smalt fish occupying stream
reaches characterized b)overhanging vegetation and relatively
low current velocities (such as sloughs and stream margins)
generally consumed more terrestrial and surface floating insects
than fish occupying mid-channel areas with moderate to fast
current velocities and with greater invertebrate drift.ho drift
samp 1es were taken to compare dri ft compos iti on with fi sh gut
contents.Prl!-smalt Dolly Varden char occupy areas at or very
near the substrate in streams with coho salmon.The char may
browse along the substrate Or consume drifting invertebrates
(Armstron9 and Elliott.1972).
Land practices which result in removal of vegetation along stream
margins and deposition of fine sediments in the stream channel
cou 1d pass;bly reduce the abundance and fitness of pre-sma It
Dolly Varden char (Armstron9 and Elliott.1972;Elliott and
Dinneford.1976).
The seasonal distribution of pre-smolt Dolly Varden char is
apparently influenced by fluctuating flows and declining water
temperatures during the late sumner and fall.Fish appeared to
be distributed evenly throughout Hood Bay Creek.Alaska from Juiy
through September.By November there were considerably fewer·
fi sh in the duwnstream reaches.Si gni fi cantly more pre-sma 1t
Dolly Varden char were captured in the upper stream reaches
during this time.Fish were observed schooling in mid-stream in
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October,behavior which had not been noted previously.Water
temperatures during July through September ranged from 5°to goe
(41".48°;:),and water temperatures during October and November
were substantially lower (Blackett.1968).Armstrong and Elliott
(1972)found substant;a1 nurrbers of pre-sma 1t Dolly Varden char
in the upper reaches of Hood Bay Creek in late winter where water
temperatures were consistently 6"C wanner than in downstream
reaches.Armstron9 and Elliott (1972)concluded that warm,
'I ce-free reaches of Hood 8ay Creek attract ovent;oteri n9
pre-smalt Dolly Varden char and that survival rates are higher in
the warmer regions.Downstream reaches of Hood Bay Creek become
frozen during the winter.
Elliott and Reed (1974)and Elliott (1975)determined that
pre-smolt Dolly Varden char leave Starrigavan Creek.Southeast
Alaska and enter spring-fed tributaries during autumn.The
tributaries are characterized by relatively wann winter water
temperatures and somewhat stable flows.Immigration of pre-smelt
Dolly Varden char and coho salmen to overwintering areas usually
corrmenced in September,peaked in early October,and ceased by
December.Spates and decreasing water temperatures within
Starrigavin Creek appeared to stiTrlJlate movement of fish into
these streams.
Selection of lotic overwintering habitat by juvenile Dolly Varden
char is not well documented.
Elliott and Reed (1974)noted that juvenile Dolly Varden char in
Spri ng Pond Creek burrowed into 1oggi ng slash and other debri s
when water temperatures decreased to 2°C.Fish reappeared when
water temperatures rose above about 2°C.
Other researchers have noted movement Qf juvenile salmonids when
stream wa~er temperatures decrease in the autumn.As water
temperatures decrease,fish activity levels and digestion rates
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drop (Reimers,1957;Chapman and Bjornn,1969).Chapman (1966)
stated that the distribution of winter rearing juvenile salmonids
in the Pacific Northwest and other temperate areas is probably
space related.Fish reduce feeding and seek overwintering areas
when water temperatures decrease to or below 5°C.Winter stream
conditions,including reduced flows,partial or complete
ice-cover and water temperatures at or near freezing do not
constitute suitable aquatic habitat for rearing salmonids.
Juvenile salmonfds reduce the risk of mechanical injury and
displacement by avoiding shallow,cold stream reaches by moving
to wanner and deeper stream reaches.burrowing into substrate
interstices,or associating with subn~rged logs and root masses.
Factors which could adversely affect the winter surviva I of
juvenile (pre-~,tlOlt)anadromous Dolly Varden include freezing
during streamflow reductions and displacement and injury from
dislodged substrate material during spates.The movement of
juvenile Dolly Varden to more suitable ove~intering habitat in
response to reduced winter streamflows has not been documented.
Bustard (1973)reported the ""vement of yay steel head trout
(Salmo gairdneri (Richardson))to ove~intering areas in response
to altered flows in Carnation Creek,British Colutrbia.Bustard
(1973)speculated that yay steel head trout ove~intering within
"small rubble,often less that 15 cm in diameter"could be
susceptible to injury from substrate movement during spates in
Carnation Creek,British Columbia.Hartmann (l96B)found that
stable .submerged log jams provide excellent winter habitat for
fish,althou9h loose 1099in9 debris which fs susceptible to
displacement by flood~is not suitable for salmon1d overwintering
habitat.
RelOOval of submerged logging debris,natur~lly occurring fallen
trees and root masses,and destruction of bankside vegetation and·
associated submerged roots could significantly reduce the
abundance of juvenile Dolly Varden char in streams where these
material s are used for oveniintering habitat.Bustard (1973)
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emphasized the need to identify and preserve
overwintering habitat.especially along small
intermittent streams that may be overlooked as
habitat during timber harvest operations.
quality
pennanent
valuable
fish
and
fish
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Food consumption by pre-smalt Dolly Varden char in overwintering
areas is much reduced from summer levels (Armstrong and Elliott,
1972;Elliott and Reed,1974).Annstron9 and Elliott (1972)
ascribed the difficulty 1n obtaining juvenile Dolly Varden char
by baited minnow traps in the headwaters of Hood Bay Creek to the
relatively low water temperatures,SoC to 6.1°C.which influence
fish activity.
Emigration of pre-smalt 00l1y Varden char from winter to sunrner
rearing areas appears to be influenced by water temperature and
flo.conditions (Elliott,1975 and 1976).Rising .ater
temperatures were assGciated with the emigration of pre-smolt
Dolly Varden from Spring Pond Creek.Alaska.Fish emigrated from
March or April through June.Floods appear to retard fish
emigration within Spring Pond Creek.
Emigration of irrmature and mature anadromous Dolly Varden from
lakes usually occurs after ice breakup in lakes.Factors.other
than the breakup of ice.which could influenc~the timing of fish
emigration from lakes include water temperature and streamflow
(Annstrong,1965b).
Behavioral and physiological changes,collectively tenned
smo1tification.and subsequent seaward migration of age 2 to 4
and sometimes older juvenile anadromous Dolly Varden typically
occurs in southeast Alaska streams from April to June.Non··lake
systems may support an additional autumn smelt migration
(Annstrong,1965 and 1970;Annstrong and Ki 55ner,1969).
Physiological changes for salinity tolerance.probably begin
before seaward migration (Conte and Wagner.1965).Factors
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affecting timing of smolt1fication are speculative but fish size
appears to be influential (Annstrong,1965a).For example.
Armstrong (1965)suggested that fish which reach migratory size
several months after spring leave streams without lakes.such as
Hood Bay Creek,and enter streams with lakes.such ~s Eva Creek.
where they overwinter until the following spring.Fish have not
been found to migrate seaward from lake-stream systems.such as
Eva lake durin9 autumn.Annstrong (1965)speculated that fish
that reach migratory size in lakes during the autumn probably
overwinter and migrate seaward the fol1owirg spring.Dolly
Varden smolts may range in length from about 100 to 180 nm fork
len9th (Heiser.1966).Annstron9 (1970)detennined that sprin9
smolts from Hood Say Creek.x·129-134 mm (fl)were considerably
smaller than autumn smolts.x •141-146 mm (fl)durin9 1967,1968
and 1969.
O.Economic Importance
Anadromous Dolly Varden char are an important and sought after
sport fish (Morrow.1980).
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II.SPECIFIC HA~ITAT REQUIREHENTS
A.Upstream Migration
Adult and immature anadromous Do"y Varden char leave the Pacific
Ocean and enter various lake and non-lake stream systems from
July through December.Various studies have indicated that lake
and non-lake streams may support spawning anadromous Dolly Varden
char although almost all fish (both spawning and non-spawning)
entering non-lake streams such as Hood Bay Creek,Alaska,leave
these streams and enter streams with lakes where they overwinter
(Armstrong,1963;Armstrong,1965b;Armstrong and Winslow,1968;
Annstrong and Kissner.1969).This section will discuss the
upstream migration of anadromous fish in non-lake streams.
1.Stream Flow
Adult and inmature anadromous Dolly Varden may migrate up
non-lake streams f'or varying distances from July through
November.Peak nuni:lers of fish have been reported during
spates in August and September in Hood Bay Creek (Armstrong,
1967j Armstrong and W~nslow,1968;Armstrong and Kissner,
1969).
Peak nulTiJers of fi sh have been recorded enteri ng selected
streams during periods of high water in August and September
(Armstron9 and Winslow,1968;Armstrong,1969).Upstream
fi sh mi grati on may be hi ndered by hi gh current velocities
resulting from rapids and culverts.low flows and shallow
water depths could also prevent upstream fish passage.
2.Water Temperature
Water temperatures coinciding with the corrrnencement,peak
and termination of the ;nmigr~tion of anadromous Dolly
-15-
Varden in Hood Bay Creek.Alaska during 1967.1968 and 1969
were about 4.4 0 to 12.6°C.6.1 0 to II.loC and 3.3 0 to 4.4°C
(Armstrong.1967;Armstrong and Winslow.1968;Armstrong and
Kissner,1969).Water temperature"s at the end of the
inmigration are slightly lower than those during the
beginning.
3.Liqht
Most Dolly Varden move upstream in Hood Bay Creek at night
(Armstrong and Kissner,1969).
4.Current Velocity
No information regarding the upstream swinming ability of
anadromous Dolly Varden was found in the literature.
B.Spawning
1.Current Velocity
There are only limited observations of anadromou5 Dolly
Varden spawning habitat with respect to current velocity.
Bla:kett (1968)reported fish spawning in a reach of Hood
Bay Creek,Alaska which had current velocities ranging from
0.3 to 1.2 mlsec (1.0-3.8 ft/sec).Blackett and Armstrong
(1965)noted fish (presumably spawning)in a reach of Rodman
Creek,southeast Alaska,with a current velocity estimated
to be about 0.63 mlsec (2 ft/sec).
2.Substrate
Anadromous Dolly Varden typically spawn in small gravels.
Blackett (1968)found fish spawning primarily in small
gravels,6 to 50 mm in diameter in Hood Bay Creek.Blackett
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and Armstrong (1965)observed what appeared to be fish
spawning in Rodman Creek,southeast Alaska,in substrate
composed of "25%sand and 75%rubble."No substrate
classification scheme was presented.Spawning anadromous
fish use gravels ranging from 2 to 32 mm in diameter in the
Terror and Kizhuyak Rivers,Kodiak Island,Alaska (Wilson et
al.,1981).
3.Water Depth
The relationship between spawning habitat and water depth is
speculative.Blackett (1968)observed spawning fish at
depths exceeding 0.3 m whereas Blackett and Armstrong (1965)
noted probable spawning activity in a different southeastern
Alaska stream in water depths of about 1.25 m.
4.Cover
There is little available infonnation on the influence of
stream cover on se 1ecti on of spawni ng habitat,however.
cover may be a requirement.
C.Inmigrant Migration to Overwintering Areas
Inmigrant.immature Dolly Varden in non-lake streams such as Hood
Bay Creek,A,laska usually leave within several weeks;however,
spawners may remain for up to three months (Armstrong.1967).
Periods of high water may enhance outmigration of immature and
spawned-out Dolly Varden in Hood Bay Creek (Armstrong and
Kissner,1969).
Immature and spawned-out adult Dolly Varden inmigrate to'
overwintering areas of Eva Lake at different times.Inmature
individuals entered primarily during July,August and September,
and spawned-out adu lts entered in 1ate October and November
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(Blackett and Armstrong,1965).Most fish passed upstream during
periods of darkness.
D.Inmi grant Dve"""i nteri ng Areas
Lakes,including turbid glacial lakes support ove"""intering
populations of juvenile and adult Dolly Varde.,char (Armstrong.
1965b;Schmi dt,Robards and McHugh,1973).The char typi cally
remain in Eva Lake from December through mid-March (Armstrong and
Blackett,1965).Their distribution within lakes may be quite
restricted (Armstrong,1965b;Schmidt et al.,1973).
E.Egg and Alevin Development
1.Water Temperature
Blackett (1968)determined that anadromaus Dolly Varden eggs
hatched in 129 days with 675 thermal units.Absorption of
the yolk sac was completed about 65 days later when water
temperatures were 2.2°to 2.8°C.
F.Summer Juvenile Rearing
1.Water Depth
Recently emerged Dolly Varden char typically occupy
extremely shallow rivulets.tributaries or streamside
margins (Blackett,1968;Armstrong and Elliott,1972).They
may occupy deeper stream reaches as they grow (Armstrong and
Elliot,1972).
2.Current Velocity
Recently emerged Dolly Varden char may occupy extremely
shallow.low current velocity stream reaches (Blackett,
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1968:Annstrong and Ell i ot.1972).Mi nnow traps captured
juvenile,pre~smolt Dolly Varden char in Hood Bay Creek from
a variety of lotic habitat types.The largest juvenile
char,about 150 l11l'i fork length,were captured in riffles
(Annstrong and Elliott.1972).
3.Instream Cover
Juvenile Dolly Varden have been observed in proximity to
various forms of instream cover including root balls.trees
and undercut banks (Annstrong and Elliott.1972;Wilson.et
a1..1981).
4.Substrate
Recently emerged fry have been found along stream margins
with varying sizes of substrate.shallow depths and very low
current velocities (Blackett,1968;Annstrong and Ell lott,
1972).Heiser (1966)noted juvenlle Dolly Varden char
occupying ~gravel or muddy substrata"within tributaries of
Eva Lake,Alaska.
Deposition of significant amounts of fine sediment 1n
streams with limited flushing abllities could reduce the
quality of juvenile anadromous Dolly Varden rearing habitat.
Laboratory stream channels containing unimbedded rubble
(0.30 m in diameter)consistently supported <nore juvenile
steelhead trout.Salmo gairdneri (Richardson).and chinook
salmon.Oncorhynchus tshawytscha (Walbaum).than stream
channels containing imbedded rubble and with water
temperatures exceedi ng SoC (Bjornn.Brusven t Mol nau.
Milligan.Klampt.Chacho and Schaye.1977).8jornn et al.
(1977)ascribed the reductions in fish abundance in the
channels with imbedded rubble to l~~s of intersticial cover.
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G.Juvenile Miqration to Overwintering Areas
1.Water Temperatur~
Juvenile (pre-smolt)Oolly Varden char have been reported
moving upstream in Starrigavin Creek when water temperatures
decreased from about 7·to 4·C.The fish entered Spring
Pond Creek,a spri ng-fed tri butary characteri zed by more
stable water temp~~atures and flows (Elliott and Reed,1974;
Elliott,1975).No fish movement into Spring Pond Creek was
noted after Starrigavin Creek water temperatures decreased
below 4°C.
2.Stream Flow
Freshets within Starrigavin Creek,Alaska appeared to
stilYlJlate inrnigration of juvenile Dolly Varden char to
Spring Pond Creek (Elliott and Reed,1974;Elliott,1975)
until water temperatures decreased below 4°C.
H.Juvenile Overwinterinq Areas
1.Water Temperature
Fry overwintering areas in southeast Alaskan streams usually
have relatively warm water temperatures.Spring Pond Creek,
a tributary of Starrigavin Creek,supports overwintering
Dolly Varden char.This stream usually has winter water
tellllleratures at or above 1.0·C (Elliott and Reed,1974;
Elliott,1975).
The headwater reaches of Hood Bay Creek also appear to
support overwintering juvenile Dolly Varden char.Armstrong
and Ell lott (1972)found the greatest numbers of juvenile
fish during March and April in headwater reaches of Hood Bay
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Creek where water temperatures were S°to 6.1°(.Downstream
reaches were characterized by water temperatures of 3.9°(.
Elliott and Reed (1974)noted that Dolly Varden fry hid
among substrate interst~ces as water temperatures in Spring
Pond Creek decreased to 4°C to 2°C.When water temperatures
rose above zoe in March.fish began to move about the
stream.
2.Stream Flow
Stable winter flow conditions such as those found in Spring
Pond Creek.are probably very important to winter survival
(Elliott and Reed,1974;Elliott,1975).
3.Substrate
Debris and large substrate material may enhance the quality
of fish o~erwintering areas.Elliott and Reed (1974)noted
juvenile Dolly Varden char burrowing into logging debris and
slash when water temperatures decl ined to 4°C or below in
SP"j n9 Pond Creek,Alaska.
Deposition of fine sediments in streams with 'I imited
sediment flushing capabilities could imbed substrate
material and significantly reduce the available
overwintering habitat for juvenile Dolly Varden char.
Experiments of overwinter habitat selection by juvenile
chinook and coho salmon and steel head and cutthroat trout.
(Salmo clark.i (Richardson»at water temperatures less than
SoC indicate that substrate OS-30 em in diameter)with
inter'stices devoid of fine sediment consistently supported
more fish than substrate imbedded with fine sediment
(Bustard,1973;Bjornn et a1.,1977).
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I.Juvenile Migration to Summer Rearing Areas
1.Water Temperature
Juvenile (pre-smolt)Dolly Varden char were found to
emigrate from Spring Pond Creek,a spring-fed stream
inhabited by overwintering juvenile and adult resident and
anadromous Dolly Varden,to Starrigavin Creek when water
tem~~ratures rose to 4°to 5°C 1n April 1974 (Elliott,
1975).
2.Stream Flow
Elliott (1975)sU9gested that floods in Sprin9 Pond Creek
depressed the downstream movement of juvenile Dolly Varden.
Fish emigration increased when flows decreased.
J.Inmigrant Migration to Sea
1.Water Temperature
Most inmature and mature Dolly Varden char (not including
smelts)emigrated from Eva Lake Creek,Alaska shortly after
ice-breakup.Wa ter temperatures ranged from 4.4°to 6.7°e
(Armstron9.1965b).
2.Stream Flow
Although ice-breakup in Eva Lake appeared to strongly
influence fish migration to the sea.peak numbers of
emigrants moved downstream during flood states (Armstrong,
1965b).
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K.
3.Light
Most Dolly Varden char emigrated from Eva Lake during
darkness.During the height of the migration individuals
were detected moving downstream during both night and day
(Armstrong,1965b).
Smalt Migration to Sea
1.Water Temperatures
Water temperatures coinciding with the initiation,peak and
the near-end of the spring Dolly Varden smolt migration in
Hood Bay Creale,Alaska were 3°.5°and 6°C,respectively.
during 1967,1968 and 1969 (Armstrong,1970).
Water temperatures at the beginning,peak and end of the
smalt migration during 1962 and 1963 were 3°,5°and SoC in
Eva Lake,and 6·and 10·C in Eva Creek (Armstrong,1970).
These values are somewhat similar to water temperatures
during the spring smalt outmigration from Hood Bay Creek,
Al aska.
Dolly Varden smalt stopped migration in mid-June 1957 in the
Anchor River,A1as.~a when the water temperature reached
13.3·C (Allin,1957).
The autumn smolt mig ation in Hood Bay Creek,Alaska began
when water temperatures were 8°C and ended when water
temperatures were 6~C during 1967,1968 and 1969 (Armstrong,
1970).
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2.Stream Flow
Floods apparently influenced the timing of the spring and
autumn Dolly Varden cnar sma1t migration in Hood Bay Creek,
Alaska.Peak nuni::lers of sma 1ts mi grated downstream duri ng
periods of high water (Ann,trang,1970).Smolts have also
been noted emigrating from Mendenhall Lake (near Juneau)
during the spring and early sunmer.Peak migration5 often
coincide with freshets (Bethers,1974).
3.Liqht
Most smelt migrate downstream in Hood Bay and Eva Creeks
duri"g darkness.a1 though the peak of sma 1t emi grati on i"
Eva Creek occurred during both night and day (Armstrong,
1970).
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III.CONCEPTUAL SUITABILITY INDEX CURVES
Habitat suitability index curves were not constructed for anadromous Dolly
Varden char.There were limited data relating the various Dolly Varden
1ife stages to the physi ca 1 and chern;ca 1 character;5ti cs of the hab;ta ts.
When data were available.they were often not in a form which could be used
to construct habitat suitability curves.
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1'1.DEFICIENCIES IN DATA BASE
A 1 imited number of lnvestigations indicate that juvenile anaCiromous
Dolly Varden char move to spring-fed reaches of streams with
relatively wann water temperatures during the fall and leave these
areas the following spring.as evidenced by baited minnow trap samples
from Hood Bay Creek (Blackett.1968;Armstron9 and Elliott.1972)and
by weir sampling in the Starr;gavin Creek watershed (Elliott and Reed,
19/4;Elliott.1975.1976 and 1977).The Starrigavin .atershed .as
affected by tirrber harvest and deposition and removal of logging
debris.
The relationships between upstream 5winming capabil Hies of juvenile
and adult anadromou5 Dolly Varden and current velocity,water
temperature,water depth and stream gradient have not been
sufficiently investigated.Excessive stream gradient and high current
velocities associated with natural stream features or culverts could
impede migration of juvenile and adult fish to sumner and winter
rearing and spawning areas.The upstream swinming perfonnance of
anadromous Dolly Varden is probably influenced by the above factors as
well as fish size,spawning condition and,possibly,sex.
Lotic habitat selection by spawning anadromous Dolly Varden char is
probably collectively influenced by current velocity,water depth,
substrate composition and iniJeddedness and instream and bankside
vegetation.Few studies have obJectively described the above 10tic
habitat condit1ons.If a specif1c area of a stream 1s character1zed
by ~ne unfavorable spawning habitat feature,such as excessive current
velocity or unsatisfactory substrate composition.that particular area
of stream will not be selected by spawning fish despite other
favorable habitat conditions.
Habitat conditions available for Dolly Varden
selection of spawning areas.although.
describing this habitat have varied.
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spawning sites influence
methods of objectively
For example.within a
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hypothetical stream.stream reach A may support one pair of spawning
fi sn and reach 8.four pa ;rs .These two reaches may conta i n equa t
amounts of ·spawning habitat"as defined by Current velocity,water
depth and substrate composition and imbeddedness.The difference
between the two reaches may be that "spawning habitat"within stream
reach A was concentrated in one area and "spawning habitat"within
stream reach B was scattered among relatively large substrate and fast
water.The non-contiguous distribution of spawning habitat in stream
reach B probably allows more fish to spawn because of increased cover
and visual isolation.This example illustrates the need to examine
entire stream reaches to better understand selection of spawning
habitat.
The influence of dissolved oxygen levels,rates of intragravel flow,
sediment compositions and water temperatures on the sur~ival and
development of anadromou5 Dolly Varden char is not understood.
Numercus research focusing on the eggs and alevins of other salmonids
indicate that the physical and chemical factors exert a substantial
and often interactive influence on the survival and fitness on the
development stages.
Adult and irrmature (post-smalt)Dolly Varden typically overw-inter in
lakes.although fish have been found in spring-fed reaches of streams
in southeast Alaska.The importance of glacial or glacial-influenced
lakes and streams has not been adequately examined.The r~lationships
between overwi nteri ng habitat and water depth,current vel oei ty.
substrate composition,water temperature and other variables has not
been determined.The distribution of overwintering Dolly Varden in
selected lakes may be quite restric~ed,although physical and chemical
factors which may limit the fish's distribution are not known.
Juvenile (pre-smalt)Dolly Varden have been documented moving to
spri ng-fed tri butari es and burrowi ng into 1oggi"g debri s when .....a ter
temperatures approached 4°C.There were no references found in the
literature of juvenile fish using mainstem reaches of rapid-runoff
-27-
streams for overwintering habitat.The apparent affinity of yoy ar:d
older juvenile fish to rapid run-off streams during the sunmer
indicates that this type of area could be used for overwintering
habitat.
There is little available information concerning the lotic sunmer
micro-habitat selection by juvenile (pre-smolt)anadromous Dolly
Varden char with respect to various physical and chemical lotic
habitat variables,food availability and the presence of other fishes.
Some investigators have attempted to describe juvenile fish habitat
Quantitatively by bankside observation.electro-shocking and baited
minnow traps with varying degrees of success.Apparently snorkel ing
has not been used for fish observation in clearwater streams.
Snorkeling has been shown to be a valuable fish observation technique
in clearwater streams of the Pacific Northwest and the midwest
(Everest and Chapman,1972;Fausch,1978).
Some work has focused on the feeding habits of juvenile (pre-smolt)
fish occupying mainstem versus stream margins but no drift or benthos
sampling was done to fOrrJIJlate "forage ratios.-Few observations of
the feeding behavior of juvenile Dolly Varden char have occurred in
streams except for yay fish in very shallow,low current veiocity
areas along stream margins.
Some observati ons of juvenil e coho sa 1mon and 00 11 Y Varden char have
occurred in aquariums and streams.The behavior of juvenile Dolly
Varden char and other salmoni~s occurring in the same regions has not
been studied adequately.
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V.RECOMMENDATIONS AND FURTHER STUDIES
Studies should be designed and conducted to detennine the survival,
movements and behavior of all life stages of anadromoU5 Dolly Varden
char with respect to physical,chemical and biological habitat
components within selected pristine Alaska drainages.The above
relationships should be examined thoroughly both within the drainage
and by supplemental laboratory and field studies prior to the
occurrence of any land use activities which could modify the habitat.
Several years of study could be required to meet this objective.
Investigations should continue during and after land use activities to
adequately man;tor the fi sh 1 ife stage-habitat relationshi ps.Such
research and 5UPP 1ementa 1 1abora tory and fi e 1d studi es cou 1d provi de
land managers with needed information to protect and enhance
anadromous Dolly Varden habitat.
Field and laboratory studies should be designed and conducted to
determine the upstream swimming capability of immature (pre and
post-smelts)and gravid and spawned-out adult anadromous Dolly Varden
char in relation to current velocity,water depth,water temperature,
stream gradient and length of potential migration barriers.Studies
could be similar to those described by iolacPhee and Watts (1976)for
testing Arctic grayling swimming performance.Results of these tests
could be used fer determining the best methods for installing culverts
to allow fish migration and to designs of culverts and other fish
passage facilities.
Str.dies should be designed and conducted to evaluate the influence of
wdter temperature.dissolved oxygen,rate of intragravel flow,
substrate composition and possibly other physical and chemical habitat
'I,ri ab 1es on the survi va 1 and deve 1opment of anadromous Dolly Varden
:har eggs .1nd alevins and the fitness and survival of emergent fry.
Controlled environmental laboratory tests should complement field
studies.
-29-
Standardized methods should be developed and evaluated to objectively
describe current velocity,water depth.substrate composition and
irrbeddedness.instream and banksid'e cover and water temperatures at
anadromous Dolly Varden spawning sites.The above 10tic habitat data
collected at a number of redds within a stream or stream reach could
be exami ned by frequency ana lys is for each loti c habitat component.
These frequency analyses would help describe lotic hillbitat selection
by spawning fish.in relation to current velocity.water depth.
substrate composition and imbeddedness and possibly other lotic
habitat -,arlables.The frequency analyses would not determine fish
spawning habitat preferences because streams and stream reaches are
characterized by a finite combination of acceptable habitat variables.
Readers are urged to consult Appendix III of the Terror Rher,Alaska
Instream Flow Report by Wilson et al.(198)which discusses fish
spa~ning habitat selection and the assumptions associated with habitat
suitability curve construction.
Standardized methods should be developed and refined to evaluate
current velocity.water depth.substrate composition and imbeddedness
and instream and bankside cover at anadromous char spawning sites to
better understand habitat selection within individual streams or
stream reaches.For examp 1e.loti c habitat types cou 1d be
characterized by current velocity,water depth,instream and banks ide
cover conditions within those ranges measured at redds.Measurements
of substrate composition and imbeddedness which were not used for
spawning habitat by anadromous llolly varden char could help us to,
better understand spawning habitat selection of this fish in various
streams.
Weirs should be used to monitor juvenile (pre-smelt)anadromous Dolly
Varden char movements in relation to streamflow.water temperature and
other phys ica 1 and chemi ca 1 habi tat variables in sma 11.i ntenni ttent
and larger streams within a drainage.Snortling and minnow trapping
could supplement sampling with weirs.
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Stud;es shou 1d be des i gned and conducted to desc:ri be sunmer habitat
selection by juvenile {pre-smalt}anadromous Dolly Varden char with
respect to a variety of physical and chemical habitat variables,food
ava il ab il i ty and the presence of other fi sh.Invest i 9a ti ons us;ng
snorkling for fish observation should be conducted in cleanotater
streams using techniques similar to Everest and Chapman (l972)and
Fausch (l978).Fish holding positions should be characterized by
water depth,distance to streambed.lighting,substrate composition
and ;mbeddedness,1nstream and banks 1de cover.current ve 1acity and
prox imity to other f1 sh •i ne 1udi n9 char and other spec;es.These
investigations would complement fish movement studies along streams
supporting weirs.
Studies of fish feeding behavior coupled with benthos and drift
sampling and fish gut analysis should be conducted to better
understand the feeding habits and apparent affinity of Dolly Varden
char to the substrate.
More investigations should occur to detect and characterize
overwi nteri ng habi tat se 1ecti on by va rious ages of juvenil e
(pre-smalt)anadr~mous Dolly Varden char with respect to ~ater depth,
current ve 1ocity,wa ter temperature.overhangi ng vegetati on.undercut
banks,substrate material and proximity to stream margins.
Identification of over\lintering fish habitat is required for the
protection of this fish species.Various land use activities could
significantly reduce the quality of this habitat (Bustard,1973).
Habitat enhancement efforts should be formulated with an understanding
of what constitutes good ove~intering habitat for various ages of
Dolly Varden char.
LfJOratory and field tests,somewhat similar to those conducted by
Bustard (l973).should be designed and conducted to complement studies·
of the distribution and behavior of overwintering anadromous Dolly
Varden in selected streams.These tests should provide juvenile fish
with a continuum of overwinter habitat types from no cover to total
-31-
riparian cover.unimbedded to totally imbedded substrate of sand to
large cobble substrate and a variety of water temperatures.Juvenile
fish of various ages should be tested because fish size may influence
overwinter habitat selection.
Studies should be designed and conducted to determine the presence of
overwintering immature (post-smolt)and adult anadromous Dolly Varden
char in clearwater and glacial lakes and streams.The distribution of
oveNi nteri ng fi sh in 1akes can be quite limited.Studi es of loti c
overwi nteri ng areas with respect to va rious phys i ca 1 and chemi ca 1
habitat conditions should be conducted to explain habitat selection
criteria and to predict fish overwintering areas by the character of
the habitat.
Radio telemetry should be considered as a viable technique to monitor
movements of immature and adult anadromous Dolly Varden char in
overwintering areas which are difficult to sample by gillnet or other
methods.
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VI.LITERATURE CITED
Alderdice.D.,W.Wickett and J.Brett.1958.Some effects of temporary
low dissolved oxygen levels on Pacific salmon eggs.J.Fish.Res.
Board Can.15(2):229-250.
Allin.R.1954.Stream survey of Anchor River.Game Fish Investigations
of Alaska.Quarterly Progress Report,Federal Aid in Fish Restoration
Project F-I-R-4.Alaska Game Commission 4:47-66.
Alt,K.1978.Inventory and catalogi~g of sport fish and sport fish
wate~s of western Alaska.Alaska Dept.of Fish and Game.Federal Aid
in Fish Restoration,Annual Progress Report,1977-1978.
19(G-I-P):36-60.
Armstrong,R.1963.Investigations of anadramous Dolly Varden populations
in the Lake Eva-Hanus Bay drainages,southeastern Alaska.Alaska
Dept.of Fish and Game.Federal Aid in Fish"Restoration.Annual
Pro9ress Report,1962-1963.Project F-5-R-4:7B-122.
Armstrong,R.Ig65a.Some feeding habits of the anadromous Dolly Varden,
Salvelinus malma (Walbaum)in southeastern Alaska.Alaska Dept.of
Fihs and Game Informational Leaflet 51:1-27.
Armstrong,R.1965b.Some migratory habits of the anadromous Dolly Varden,
Salvelinus malma (Walbaum)in southeastern Alaska.Alaska Dept.of
Fish and Game Research Report 3:1-26.
Armstrong,R.1967.Investigation of anadromous Dally Varden populations
in the Hood Bay drainages,southeastern Alaska.Alaska Dept.of Fish
and Game.Federal Aid in Fish Restoration.annual Progress Report.
1966.Project F-5-R-8:33-56.
Armstrong.R.1970.Age,food and migration of Dolly Varden smelts in
southeastern Alaska.J.F"ish.Res.Boerd Can.27:991-1004.
-33-
Armstrong,R.
malma)in
1974.Migration of anadromaus Dolly Varden (Salvelinus
southeastern Alaska.J.Fish.Res.Board Can.31:435-444.
Armstrong,Rand S.Elliott.1972.A study of Dolly Varden in Alaska.
Alaska Dept.of Fish and Game.Federal Aid in Fish Restoratio1,
Annual Progress Report,1971-1972.Project F·9-4-13:1-34.
Armstrong,R.and P.Kissner.1969.Investigations of anadromous Dolly
Varden populations in the Hood Bay,southeastern Alaska.Alaska De~t.
of Fish and Game.Federal Aid in Fish Restoration,Annual Pro9rf~ss
Report,1968-1969.Project F-5-R-l0:45-92.
Armstrong,R.and R.Winslow.1968.Investigation of anadromaus Dolly
Varden populations in the Hood Bay drainages,southeastern Alas<a.
Alaska Dept.of Fish and Game.Federal Aid in Fish Restorat;Jn,
Annual Progress Report,1967-1968.Project F-S-R-9:45-80.
Sethers,M.1974.Mendenhall Lakes salmon rearing facility.Alas5a De)t.
Fish and Game.Federal Aid in Fish Restoration,Annual Report of
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Blackett,~.and R.Armstrong.1965.Investigations of anadromous Dolly
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Schmidt.A.,S.Robards and M.McHugh.1973.Inventory and cataloging cf
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419 p.
-38-
STLAWRENCE
~AND
0
MAIN STUDY SITES
IIJ HOOD BAY CREEK
[i) RODMAN CREEK
00 EVA LAKE
~ STARRIGAVIN CREEK
ALEUTIAN ISLANDS
0 •
..,::?~
" 0 ~Jt:/)'
DISTRIBUTION OF DOLLY VARDEN -SAL VEL/NUS MALMA (WALBAUM)
FROM SCOTT AND CROSSMAN 1973, AND MAIN STUDY SITES.