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Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project Document
ARLIS Uniform Cover Page
Title:
SuWa 231
Study of fish distribution and abundance in the upper Susitna River (Study
9.5), proposed 2015 modifications to fish distribution and abundance study
plan implementation, technical memorandum
Author(s) – Personal:
Author(s) – Corporate:
R2 Resource Consultants Inc.
AEA-identified category, if specified:
September 17, 2014 technical memorandum filings
AEA-identified series, if specified:
Series (ARLIS-assigned report number): Existing numbers on document:
Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project document number 231
Published by: Date published:
[Anchorage, Alaska : Alaska Energy Authority, 2014] September 2014
Published for: Date or date range of report: Prepared for Alaska Energy Authority
Volume and/or Part numbers:
Final or Draft status, as indicated:
Attachment C
Document type: Pagination:
Technical memorandum iv, 28 p.
Related work(s): Pages added/changed by ARLIS:
Cover letter to this report: Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric
Project, FERC Project no. 14241-000; Initial filing of September
2014 technical memoranda. (SuWa 228)
Attachments A-B and D-J (SuWa 229-230 and 232-238)
Added cover letter
Notes:
All reports in the Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project Document series include an ARLIS-
produced cover page and an ARLIS-assigned number for uniformity and citability. All reports
are posted online at http://www.arlis.org/resources/susitna-watana/
September 17, 2014
Ms. Kimberly D. Bose
Secretary
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
888 First Street, N.E.
Washington, D.C. 20426
Re:Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project, Project No. 14241-000
Initial Filing of September 2014 Technical Memoranda
Dear Secretary Bose:
By letter dated January 28, 2014, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
(Commission or FERC) extended the procedural schedule for the preparation and review
of the Initial Study Report (ISR) for the proposed Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project,
FERC Project No. 14241 (Project).1 In particular, the Commission’s January 28 letter
established a deadline of June 3, 2014 for the Alaska Energy Authority (AEA) to file the
ISR, and provided a 120-day period for licensing participants to review the ISR prior to
the ISR meetings, which are scheduled to begin the week of October 13.2 The purpose of
this filing is to provide several technical memoranda to Commission Staff and licensing
participants prior to the ISR meetings.
As required by the Commission’s January 28 letter, AEA filed the ISR with the
Commission on June 3. Among other things, the ISR detailed AEA’s planned work
during the 2014 field season.3 As AEA was preparing this 2014 work plan, it recognized
that data gathered during the 2014 field season, together with other study work conducted
prior to the October 2014 ISR meetings,could assist Commission Staff, AEA, and other
licensing participants in developing the Project’s licensing study program for 2015. For
this reason, the ISR provided for AEA to prepare certain technical memoranda and other
information based on 2014 work.
AEA recognizes that Commission Staff and licensing participants need a
reasonable amount of time prior to the ISR meetings to review this additional
information. AEA and licensing participants consulted with Commission Staff on this
1 Letter from Jeff Wright, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, to Wayne Dyok, Alaska Energy
Authority, Project No. 14241-000 (issued Jan. 28, 2014)[hereinafter, “January 28 letter”].
2 The full schedule for the ISR meetings appears in Section 1.5 of the ISR, as well as on AEA’s
licensing website, http://www.susitna-watanahydro.org/meetings/.
3 E.g., Initial Study Report §1.3 & Table 3, Project No. 14241-000 (filed June 3, 2014) [hereinafter,
“ISR”].
2
matter, and Staff directed that any additional information should be filed with the
Commission and made available to licensing participants no later than 15 days prior to
the ISR meetings, consistent with the typically applicable deadline under the
Commission’s Integrated Licensing Process regulations.4
With this letter, AEA is filing and distributing the first set of technical
memoranda and other information generated during the 2014 study season, as described
below. As part of its continued implementation of the study plan, AEA expects to file
certain additional technical memoranda prior to October 1, 2014, in accordance with
Commission Staff direction.
This first set of technical memoranda and other information consists of the
following:
Attachment A: Proposal to Eliminate the Chulitna Corridor from Further
Study. As explained in the ISR, throughout the licensing process AEA has
continually evaluated its proposal for Project development based on
environmental review, technical feasibility, practical considerations, and other
factors. As part of this iterative process, AEA notified the Commission and
licensing participants in the ISR that it was evaluating whether to continue
study of the Chulitna Corridor.5 Attachment A details AEA’s conclusion that
development of the Chulitna Corridor is not a reasonable alternative, and
therefore AEA proposes to eliminate the corridor from further study. AEA
seeks any comments or information on this proposal from federal and state
resource agencies and other participants in the licensing process.
Attachment B: Ice Processes in the Susitna River Study (Study 7.6),Detailed
Ice Observations October 2013 –May 2014 Technical Memorandum. The
ISR indicated that AEA would provide a summary of the 2014 break-up
observations.6 This technical memorandum describes all field activities and
observations between October 16, 2013 and May 15, 2014 for the Ice
Processes in the Susitna River Study (Study 7.6).
Attachment C: Study of Fish Distribution and Abundance in the Upper
Susitna River (Study 9.5), Proposed 2015 Modifications to Fish Distribution
and Abundance Study Plan Implementation Technical Memorandum. Based
on AEA’s experience in implementing the study plan for the Study of Fish
Distribution and Abundance in the Upper Susitna River (Study 9.5)during
2014, this technical memorandum proposes to continue certain modifications
to the implementation of this study during 2015.
4 See 18 C.F.R. §5.15(c)(2).
5 See ISR, ISR Overview §1.4.
6 See id., Ice Processes in the Susitna River Study,Study Plan 7.6, Part C §7.2.
3
Attachment D: Study of Fish Distribution and Abundance in the Middle and
Lower Susitna River Study (Study 9.6), 2013-2014 Winter Fish Study
Technical Memorandum. At the time the ISR was filed, AEA was still in the
process of conducting data entry, quality control, and analysis of winter
sampling for this study. AEA reported in the ISR that it would develop plans
for completing this study in a technical memorandum to be filed with the
Commission.7 This technical memorandum fulfills this commitment and sets
forth AEA’s proposal for winter efforts, including proposed methodologies
and modifications.
Attachment E: Characterization and Mapping of Aquatic Habitats (Study
9.9), 2013 and 2014 Aquatic Habitat Mapping Field Season Completion
Progress Technical Memorandum. In the ISR, AEA reported that its 2014
activities for the Characterization and Mapping of Aquatic Habitats Study
(Study 9.9) would consist of various ground-truthing surveys and collection of
habitat information for the 12 lakes within the potential reservoir inundation
zone.8 This technical memorandum reports on these activities.
Attachment F: Eulachon Run Timing, Distribution, and Spawning in the
Susitna River (Study 9.16), 2015 Proposed Eulachon Spawning Habitat Study
Modifications Technical Memorandum.After reviewing the 2013 and 2014
results from the Cook Inlet Beluga Whale Study (Study 9.17) and discussing
the results with the National Marine Fisheries Service, AEA has determined
that additional data are needed regarding eulachon spawning habitats. This
technical memorandum describes a proposed modification to the Study of
Eulachon Run Timing, Distribution and Spawning in the Susitna River (Study
9.16)to include an assessment of eulachon spawning habitats.
Attachment G: Fish and Aquatics Instream Flow Study (Study 8.5),
Evaluation of Relationships between Fish Abundance and Specific
Microhabitat Variables Technical Memorandum. Consistent with the
Commission’s study plan determination,9 this technical memorandum
provides a detailed evaluation of the comparison of fish abundance measures
with specific microhabitat variable measurements where sampling overlaps.
This memorandum is used to determine whether a relationship between a
specific microhabitat variable and fish abundance is evident.
Attachment H: Fish and Aquatics Instream Flow Study (Study 8.5), 2013-
2014 Instream Flow Winter Studies Technical Memorandum.In the ISR,
AEA reported that it would distribute its finding concerning the 2013-2014
7 See id., Study of Fish Distribution and Abundance in the Middle and Lower Susitna River Study,
Study Plan 9.6, Part C §7.1.2.5.
8 See id., Characterization and Mapping of Aquatic Habitats, Study Plan 9.9, Part C § 7.1.
9 See Study Plan Determination on 14 Remaining Studies for the Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project,
Appendix B at B-84 to B-86, Project No. 14241-000 (issued Apr. 1, 2013).
4
winter activities in 2014.10 This technical memorandum describes the
methods applied, and data and information collected, as part of the Instream
Flow Study 2013-2014 winter studies.
Attachment I: Geomorphology Study (Study 6.5), Susitna River Historical
Cross Section Comparison (1980s to Current) Technical Memorandum. As
specified in Revised Study Plan Section 6.5.4.1.2.3, this technical
memorandum describes changes within the main and side channels of the
Susitna River by comparing historical survey data from the 1980s with survey
data from the current Project.
Attachment J: Geomorphology Study (Study 6.5), 2014 Update of Sediment-
Transport Relationships and a Revised Sediment Balance for the Middle and
Lower Susitna River Segments Technical Memorandum. The purpose of this
technical memorandum is to update the sediment load rating curves and
preliminary estimates of the overall sediment balance in the Middle and
Lower River segments under pre-Project conditions that were initially
provided in “Development of Sediment-Transport Relationships and an Initial
Sediment Balance for the Middle and Lower Susitna River Segments,” (Tetra
Tech, Inc. 2013a). This update is based on additional data collected by the
U.S. Geological Survey in 2012 and 2013.
AEA appreciates the opportunity to provide this additional information to the
Commission and licensing participants, which it believes will be helpful in determining
the appropriate development of the 2015 study plan as set forth in the ISR. If you have
questions concerning this submission please contact me at wdyok@aidea.org or (907)
771-3955.
Sincerely,
Wayne Dyok
Project Manager
Alaska Energy Authority
Attachments
cc: Distribution List (w/o Attachments)
10 See ISR, Fish and Aquatics Instream Flow Study, Study Plan 8.5, Part C §7.5.2.
Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project
(FERC No. 14241)
Study of Fish Distribution and Abundance
in the Upper Susitna River (Study 9.5)
Proposed 2015 Modifications to Fish Distribution
and Abundance Study Plan Implementation
Technical Memorandum
Prepared for
Alaska Energy Authority
Prepared by
R2 Resource Consultants, Inc.
September 2014
PROPOSED 2015 MODIFICATIONS TO FISH DISTRIBUTION
TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM AND ABUNDANCE STUDY PLAN IMPLEMENTATION
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Introduction ........................................................................................................................1
2. Sampling Decision: Increased Sampling of Rare Habitats in Upper River Mainstem
Surveys ................................................................................................................................1
2.1. Sampling in 2013 ...............................................................................................1
2.2. Rare Habitats ......................................................................................................2
2.3. Sampling Stratification ......................................................................................2
2.4. Implementation of Hybrid Mainstem Sampling in 2014 ...................................3
2.5. Recommendations for Mainstem Sampling .......................................................3
3. Sampling Decision: Increased Sampling Effort in Select Upper River Tributaries ....3
3.1. Sampling in 2013 ...............................................................................................3
3.2. Increased Sampling Effort .................................................................................4
3.3. Measures of Sampling Sufficiency ....................................................................4
3.4. Implementation of Increased Tributary Sampling Effort in 2014 .....................5
3.5. Recommendations for Tributary Sampling ........................................................5
4. Sampling Decision: Protocol Adjustment for Select Upper River Tributaries ............5
5. Sampling Decision: Rotary Screw Trap Locations .........................................................5
5.1. Sampling in 2013 ...............................................................................................5
5.2. Implementation of Rotary Screw Trap and Fyke Net Sampling in 2014 ..........6
5.3. Recommendations for Rotary Screw Trap Locations ........................................7
6. Literature Cited .................................................................................................................7
7. Tables ..................................................................................................................................9
8. Figures ...............................................................................................................................18
LIST OF TABLES
Table 2.2-1. Study 9.5 Fish Distribution and Abundance in the Upper River (FDA UP) sites
sampled in 2013 by habitat type. ............................................................................................ 9
Table 2.2-2. Study 9.5 FDA UP potential generalized random tessellation stratified (GRTS) fish
sampling sites based on line mapping of macrohabitats. ........................................................ 9
Table 2.3-1. Study 9.5 FDA UP hybrid sampling recommendations by habitat. ........................ 10
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PROPOSED 2015 MODIFICATIONS TO FISH DISTRIBUTION
TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM AND ABUNDANCE STUDY PLAN IMPLEMENTATION
Table 2.4-1. Study 9.5 FDA UP hybrid transect/GRTS sampling approach recommendations for
2015. ...................................................................................................................................... 11
Table 2.4-2. Study 9.5 FDA UP sampling approach implemented in Event 1 (July), 2014. ....... 12
Table 3.1-1. Summary of sampling sufficiency measures for tributaries with at least six GRTS
sampling sites in the Upper River in 2013. ........................................................................... 13
Table 3.1-2. 2013-2014 tributary sampling summary and proposed future Upper River tributary
sampling length targets. ........................................................................................................ 14
Table 3.4-1. Black River sample unit length (meters) by tributary channel /macrohabitat and
mesohabitat type for GRTS sampling approach 2013 and 2014. ......................................... 15
Table 3.4-2. Black River mesohabitat unit count (number of replicate mesohabitat units) by
tributary channel /macrohabitat and mesohabitat type for GRTS sampling approach 2013
and 2014. ............................................................................................................................... 16
Table 5.2-1. May-June rotary screw trap catch at Oshetna River (2013-14), Kosina Creek
(2013), Susitna River at PRM 200.3 (2014), and Fyke netting catch at Kosina Creek
mouth/Clearwater plume (2014). Data are preliminary. ...................................................... 17
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 2.4-1. Upper River mainstem sampling PRM 188.7 to 194.8 in 2014 using the
GRTS/transect hybrid approach. ........................................................................................... 19
Figure 2.4-2. Upper River mainstem sampling PRM 196.6 to 202.8 in 2014 using the
GRTS/transect hybrid approach. ........................................................................................... 20
Figure 2.4-3. Upper River mainstem sampling PRM 202.6 to 209.8 in 2014 using the
GRTS/transect hybrid approach. ........................................................................................... 21
Figure 2.4-4. Upper River mainstem sampling PRM 209.8 to 216.1 in 2014 using the
GRTS/transect hybrid approach. ........................................................................................... 22
Figure 2.4-5. Upper River mainstem sampling PRM 216.3 to 222.7 in 2014 using the
GRTS/transect hybrid approach. ........................................................................................... 23
Figure 2.4-6. Upper River mainstem sampling PRM 230.6 to 241.4 in 2014 using the
GRTS/transect hybrid approach. ........................................................................................... 24
Figure 3.1-1. Species accumulation among Upper River tributary GRTS sampling sites in 2013.
............................................................................................................................................... 25
Figure 5.1-1. Rotary screw trap installed and operating in a pool at Kosina Creek RM 2.2 on
June 14, 2013. ....................................................................................................................... 26
Figure 5.2-1. Kosina Creek mouth and clearwater plume fyke net locations May 20, 2014. ..... 27
Figure 5.2-2. Rotary screw trap on the Upper Susitna River, PRM 200.3. ................................. 28
Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project Alaska Energy Authority
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PROPOSED 2015 MODIFICATIONS TO FISH DISTRIBUTION
TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM AND ABUNDANCE STUDY PLAN IMPLEMENTATION
LIST OF ACRONYMS AND SCIENTIFIC LABELS
Abbreviation Definition
ADF&G Alaska Department of Fish and Game
AEA Alaska Energy Authority
AWC Anadromous Waters Catalog
CPUE Catch per unit effort
CW Channel width
FDA UP Study of Fish Distribution and Abundance in the Upper Susitna River
GRTS Generalized random tessellation stratified sampling
IP Implementation Plan
ISR Initial Study Report
km kilometer
m meter
PRM Project river mile
RSP Revised Study Plan
SPD Study Plan Determination
SR Species richness
TSR True species richness
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PROPOSED 2015 MODIFICATIONS TO FISH DISTRIBUTION
TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM AND ABUNDANCE STUDY PLAN IMPLEMENTATION
1. INTRODUCTION
In 2013, AEA’s study teams conducted the first year of data collection for the Study 9.5 Fish
Distribution and Abundance in the Upper Susitna River. Fish sampling in the Upper River
primarily supported Objective 1 of the Study of Fish Distribution and Abundance in the Upper
Susitna River: Fish Distribution, Relative Abundance, and Habitat Associations (RSP Section
9.5.4.3.1; AEA 2012). Sampling in 2013 was effective at documenting fish distribution (Task
A). Relative abundance estimates were effectively generated for all sampled habitats (Task B).
However, analysis of habitat associations (Task C) was limited by the low number of off-channel
habitats in the mainstem (see Section 2.1 below) and the low number of rare habitat types in the
tributaries (see Section 3.1 below). This technical memorandum describes the proposed
modifications to the Study of Fish Distribution and Abundance in the Upper Susitna River
(Study 9.5) based on information gathered during the 2013 study year, and limited sampling
during the 2014 field season.
Proposed modifications to the Study Plan were presented in Part C, Section 7 of the Initial Study
Report (ISR) filed with FERC June 3, 2014 (AEA 2014). AEA implemented the following
proposed modifications either in full or on a trial basis in 2014 to gather additional information;
to meet study plan objectives; and better inform the 2015 study year:
• Increased sampling of rare habitats (ISR Part C, Section 7.1.2.5.1; AEA 2014) and select
Upper River tributaries (ISR Part C, Section 7.1.2.4; AEA 2014) were proposed to better
meet the objective of characterizing fish abundance by mesohabitat type (RSP Section
9.5.4.3.1 Task C; AEA 2012), as described in Sections 2 and 3 below.
• Adjustment of the sampling approach for select Upper River tributaries was proposed to
obtain useful information about habitat associations (Section 4).
• Low catches in the Kosina Creek rotary screw trap provided limited information on the
size, timing, and movements of fishes in the tributary; thus, AEA proposed replacing the
rotary screw trap in Kosina Creek with fyke netting near the confluence of Kosina Creek
and siting a rotary screw trap in a mainstem Susitna River location near the proposed dam
site (ISR Part C, Section 7.1.2.2; 2014) to better meet the objective of describing seasonal
movements (described in Section 5).
AEA proposes to continue to implement these modifications during the 2015 study year.
2. SAMPLING DECISION: INCREASED SAMPLING OF RARE
HABITATS IN UPPER RIVER MAINSTEM SURVEYS
2.1. Sampling in 2013
Sampling in the mainstem Upper River in 2013 occurred along regularly spaced transects (20
planned, 16 sampled) within the four geomorphic reaches in the inundation zone. Because
remote habitat mapping for the Upper River was not available at the time of site selection for the
Study 9.5 Implementation Plan (IP Section 5.4; 2013), the transects were widened to 1 km (0.6
mi) in an attempt to intersect rarer, off-channel habitat types. Crews also were asked to look
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PROPOSED 2015 MODIFICATIONS TO FISH DISTRIBUTION
TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM AND ABUNDANCE STUDY PLAN IMPLEMENTATION
outside the transects for nearby tributary confluences that were accessible and could be sampled.
However, only one off-channel habitat unit was sampled in 2013, limiting the ability to evaluate
habitat associations in the mainstem Upper River.
2.2. Rare Habitats
Side-channels, upland sloughs, side sloughs, as well as tributary mouths, clearwater plumes and
backwaters all are relatively rare in the Upper River. The original 20 Upper River transect
placements resulted in targets of 8 side channels, 3 side sloughs, and 3 tributary mouths.
However, a combination of dry habitats and logistical constraints at some transects resulted in
sampling 2 side channels, 1 side slough, and 3 tributary mouths (Table 2.2-1). A review of
remote line mapping after the 2013 field season indicated that additional habitats of these types
were available for sampling as were other unsampled habitat types including upland sloughs,
clearwater plumes and backwaters (Table 2.2-2).
The ability to compare data across years is important for collection of baseline data and impact
analysis. Thus the modification proposed by AEA for fish sampling was a hybrid approach that
would facilitate analysis with 2013 data. This hybrid approach included fish surveys at a subset
of 2013 transects for main channel habitats and using generalized random tessellation stratified
(GRTS) sampling for rarer habitat types such as side channels, off-channel habitats and special
habitat features. Remote line mapping provided the necessary length information for application
of a spatially-balanced GRTS sampling approach to these habitats. The advantage of the GRTS
approach is that oversamples can be selected and provided to field crews for use in the event that
a selected site is not suited for sampling (e.g., dry or inaccessible).
2.3. Sampling Stratification
The ISR for Study 9.5 characterized fish distribution (ISR Section 5.1.1; AEA 2014) and relative
abundance (ISR Section 5.1.2; AEA 2014) nested within geomorphic reaches, following the
pattern of the Middle River analysis (ISR Study 9.6 Sections 5.1.1 and 5.1.2; AEA 2014).
Transect data were aggregated within Geomorphic Reaches for UR-3 through UR-6. Although
this geomorphic reach-based approach is helpful in the Middle River where impacts will likely
decrease longitudinally downstream from the dam and the impacts of flow changes are
dependent on channel form, a reach-based approach is not necessary within the Upper River
where the scale of inference will be on the future inundation zone that spans four Geomorphic
Reaches from near the upper extent of UR-3 (PRM 234.5) to the downstream extent of UR-6
(PRM 187.1). Therefore, additional sampling sites were not stratified by geomorphic reach. For
context, the summed length of habitats in the inundation zone (368,961 ft) is similar to MR-6
(349,877 ft). AEA proposed that it was not necessary to stratify targeted sampling or analysis of
fish distribution by Geomorphic Reach in the Upper River. Rather, the hybrid approach that
AEA proposed for the next year of sampling included an additional 4 side channel sites and 6
sites of each off-channel and special feature habitat type within the future reservoir inundation
zone, as well as repeating 21 mainstem and 2 side channel sites along 10 transects (Table 2.3-1).
This would increase the total number of planned sampling sites from 35 to 57 when implemented
in the next year of study.
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PROPOSED 2015 MODIFICATIONS TO FISH DISTRIBUTION
TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM AND ABUNDANCE STUDY PLAN IMPLEMENTATION
Implementing this modification will maintain the integrity of the data AEA collected in 2013. It
will minimize the risk of selecting sites impossible to sample by providing a list of oversample
sites to draw upon. It will also increase both the types of habitat as well as the overall area of
habitat sampled in the Upper River, and thereby improve AEA’s ability to characterize fish-
habitat associations in the Upper Susitna River.
2.4. Implementation of Hybrid Mainstem Sampling in 2014
During the 2014 field season and in order to confirm the feasibility of the proposed modification,
AEA implemented a modified version of the hybrid GRTS/transect sampling approach in the
Upper River. The hybrid approach was modified from that proposed for 2015 so as to provide
continuity between years and complement the 2013 dataset. Thus, three of the 16 transects
sampled in 2013 (or 10 proposed for 2015) were sampled in 2014 (Table 2.4.-1). A complete set
of GRTS sites were selected to fulfill targets of six replicates of the other macrohabitat types
(Figures 2.4-1, 2.4-2, 2.4-3, 2.4-4, 2.4-5, 2.4-6). During the early summer sampling event (July
2014), sampling took place at 35 macrohabitat locations (Table 2.4-2). Six replicates of off-
channel and side channel habitats were achieved for upland sloughs (6), tributary mouths (7),
clearwater plumes (7), and side sloughs (6), but not for side channels (5) or backwaters (2).
2.5. Recommendations for Mainstem Sampling
AEA recommends adopting the hybrid transect/GRTS approach for the 2015 study season. Ten
transects have been selected for repeat sampling (Table 2.4-1) and will be supplemented with
GRTS-based selection of off-channel and side channel sampling locations.
3. SAMPLING DECISION: INCREASED SAMPLING EFFORT IN
SELECT UPPER RIVER TRIBUTARIES
3.1. Sampling in 2013
The April 2013 FERC Study Plan Determination (SPD) recommended scaling sampling in
proportion to stream size (p. B-124). To achieve a spatially-balanced and random sample of fish
habitats within Upper River tributaries, the length of the tributaries were divided into GRTS
panels that were 200, 400, or 800 m long, depending on the tributary drainage area. However,
logistical constraints required sub-sampling 100 m (109 yd)-long units within GRTS panels.
Specifically, within a selected GRTS panel, fish sampling occurred in either a complete
mesohabitat unit or up to 100 m (109 yd) per mesohabitat for each mesohabitat type present.
Post-season analysis indicated that the 2013 tributary sampling program was effective at
documenting the fish species present and the distribution of these species within Upper River
tributaries (Table 3.1-1, Figure 3.1-1). The analysis consisted of comparing the total number of
species found in a tributary, referred as observed species richness (SR), and an estimate of true
species richness (TSR) in a tributary (Cochran 1977).
However, the 2013 sub-sampling resulted in a sampling effort that was inconsistent with the
intent of the April 2013 FERC SPD, with smaller basins receiving proportionally more effort,
and larger basins receiving proportionally less (Table 3.1-2). In addition, a post-2013 field
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PROPOSED 2015 MODIFICATIONS TO FISH DISTRIBUTION
TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM AND ABUNDANCE STUDY PLAN IMPLEMENTATION
season review of the remote video within each GRTS panel indicated that there were some
habitat types (pools, alcoves, percolation channels) that were under-represented in 2013 fish
sampling and would benefit from additional replicates. These two findings related to the 2013
fish sampling effort prompted AEA to modify the Upper River study by increasing the number
of sub-sampling units within the GRTS panels for the next year of study using an approach that
increases sampling proportional to stream width and increases the number of under-represented
fish habitats.
3.2. Increased Sampling Effort
Again because of AEA’s desire to analyze data across years, the proposed approach involves
sampling at all 2013 sampling units while allocating increased effort strategically among
tributaries. AEA reviewed a number of sampling sufficiency analyses based on stream size,
including a recent publication by ADF&G for sampling in Alaska streams (Kirsch et al. 2014).
AEA proposed to apply the recommendation from the ADF&G analysis to Upper River
tributaries and will use this approach during the next year of sampling to generate increased total
sample lengths by tributary. In applying the ADF&G approach, the sampling effort in most
tributaries AEA will be maintained or increased, as determined by sample length, beyond that
accomplished in 2013. This will allow for inclusion of additional mesohabitat replicates.
The sole exception to this proposed sampling approach is in Goose Creek. The Implementation
Plan incorrectly identified Goose Creek as having documented Chinook salmon presence and
being listed in the Anadromous Water Catalog (AWC). Therefore, sampling was intensive,
striving towards a goal of sampling up to 25 percent of the 80 GRTS panels generated for this
system. AEA proposes to scale back the effort in Goose Creek to sub-sampling in 12 panels to
be consistent with the sampling effort in other non-Chinook salmon bearing streams. The
stream-specific sample length changes are presented in Table 3.1-2.
3.3. Measures of Sampling Sufficiency
Sampling sufficiency for characterizing fish distribution is often evaluated in relation to channel
width (Paller 1995, Patton et al. 2000, Hughes et al. 2002, Maret and Ott 2003, Reynolds et al.
2003, Kirsch et al. 2014). Fish sampling and habitat surveys completed in 2013 provided
channel width information that was not available to incorporate into the Implementation Plan
(AEA 2013). The AEA study team has reviewed the 2013 sampling effort in the context of field
measurements of channel width in order to prioritize additional sampling. Kirsch et al. (2014)
recommended sampling lengths of 40 wetted channel widths for wadeable streams, 120 channel
widths for nonwadeable streams in basins with a watershed area of 100-300 km2 (38.6 – 115.8
mi2), and more than 140 channel widths in nonwadeable streams in larger drainage basins.
Applying these recommendations to Upper River tributaries, the study team developed revised
distance targets for future sampling (Table 3.1-2). AEA proposed to maintain the spatial
configuration of the original GRTS panel sampling and apportioned the additional sampling
length within the existing panels by increasing the number of replicates of mesohabitat units
sampled per panel.
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3.4. Implementation of Increased Tributary Sampling Effort in 2014
During the 2014 study season, AEA implemented the recommended increase in additional
sampling length within the existing panels with the aim of increasing the number of replicates of
mesohabitat units sampled per panel in the Black River. In 2013, the 100 m (109 yd) sub-
sampling approach in six GRTS panels (Panels 01, 02, 04, 06, 07, 09) resulted in sampling of 11
mesohabitat units within 1,050 m (1,148 yd) of sample unit length (Tables 3.4-1 and 3.4-2). In
2014, the same six panels resulted in sampling of 19 mesohabitat units along 2,724 m (2,979 yd)
of stream and off-channel unit length (Tables 3.4-1 and 3.4-2). Two additional panels (Panels 03
and 05) were added in to reach the target length (3,178 m [3,476 yd]), resulting in a total of 28
mesohabitat units sampled over a stream length of 3,619 meters (3,958 yd).
3.5. Recommendations for Tributary Sampling
After successfully implementing the increased sampling approach in the Black River, AEA
recommends adopting the tributary sampling approach and targets from the Initial Study Report
7.1.2.4 for the 2015 study year.
4. SAMPLING DECISION: PROTOCOL ADJUSTMENT FOR SELECT
UPPER RIVER TRIBUTARIES
In 2013, four tributaries that were selected for sampling were not sampled due to land access
considerations including Deadman Creek and unnamed tributaries 197.7, 204.5, and 206.3.
Deadman was proposed as a direct sample tributary and was partially sampled in 2013. All of
these streams are being sampled during the 2014 study season. After reconnaissance of unnamed
tributaries 197.7, 204.5, and 206.3 in 2014, it became clear that the proposed GRTS sampling
approach was not appropriate because the gradient and forested conditions preclude helicopter
landing andaccess to sampleable middle reaches of each of these streams. In addition, the small
length targets and number of replicate panels would not yield useful information about habitat
associations (Table 3.1-2). Thus, te 2014 sampling efforts used a direct sample approach with
two days of sampling effort allotted for each of these tributaries targeting a diversity of the
mesohabitats present. AEA recommends that unnamed tributaries 197.7, 204.5, and 206.3 also
be sampled with a direct sample approach with two days of effort during the 2015 study season
(Table 3.1-2).
5. SAMPLING DECISION: ROTARY SCREW TRAP LOCATIONS
5.1. Sampling in 2013
In 2013, final site selection for Upper River rotary screw traps used the following criteria: 1)
position downstream of documented Chinook salmon; 2) landowner permission to access; 3)
accessibility by helicopter; 4) a minimum depth of 1.25 m (4.1 ft) during low flow periods; and
5) consistent laminar flow with velocities in the range of 0.6 to 2 m/s (2 to 6.6 ft/s). In 2013, the
inability to access areas above ordinary high water mark along Cook Inlet Regional Working
Group (CIRWG) land restricted the placement of rotary screw traps (IP Section 5.7.1; AEA
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2013) in the Upper River to locations on State of Alaska or Federal land. A third rotary screw
trap could not be cited near the proposed dam site as recommend in the April 2013 FERC SPD
(B-134). Instead, AEA operated two rotary screw traps near the mouths of the only two known
Upper River tributaries that support Chinook salmon, Kosina Creek and the Oshetna River. For
the Oshetna River, a location just upstream of the confluence with the Susitna River (PRM
235.1) at Oshetna RM 0.1 was selected. At the time of planning and installation, this location
was downstream of the only documented observation of juvenile Chinook salmon in the Oshetna
basin at a side channel near Oshetna RM 1.7 (Buckwalter 2011). A second rotary screw trap site
was selected on Kosina Creek (PRM 209.1) near RM 2.2 (Figure 5.1-1). This location was the
only suitable site in Kosina Creek downstream of the Tsisi and Kosina creeks confluence where
Chinook salmon spawning had been documented upstream (HDR 2013). The Kosina trapping
site featured a deep, high velocity lateral scour pool next to an undercut vertical rock face with
strong eddies and clear water making trap operation difficult.
Rotary screw traps operated in Kosina Creek and the Oshetna River were used to document
seasonal fish movements of anadromous salmon and resident fish species out of these Upper
River tributaries between mid-June and early October, 2013. During this period, the Kosina
Creek trap caught 153 total fish while the Oshetna River trap caught 1,001 total fish (ISR Table
5.2-1). The Kosina Creek trap caught one anadromous fish, a juvenile Chinook salmon, and six
species of resident fish including Arctic grayling, Dolly Varden, longnose sucker, sculpin,
humpback whitefish, and round whitefish. The Oshetna trap also caught seven total fish species,
including juvenile Chinook salmon, Arctic grayling, burbot, longnose sucker, sculpin, humpback
whitefish, and round whitefish.
Because of such extremely low catch rates at Kosina Creek in 2013, AEA considered alternatives
to gather additional information on the seasonal fish movements of anadromous salmon and
resident fish species out of Kosina Creek. In the March 21, 2014 technical team meeting with
stakeholders, AEA proposed replacing the rotary screw trap in Kosina Creek with fyke netting
near the confluence of Kosina Creek. In addition, newly granted land access permission
facilitated siting a rotary screw trap in a mainstem Susitna River location near the proposed dam
site. These recommendations were proposed in Section 7 of the Initial Study Report (ISR
Section 7.1.2.2; AEA 2014).
5.2. Implementation of Rotary Screw Trap and Fyke Net Sampling in
2014
AEA then implemented these adjustments during 2014 study efforts: setting two fyke nets near
the confluence of Kosina Creek and the Susitna River (Figure 5.2-1) and operating a mainstem
rotary screw trap at PRM 200.3 (Figure 5.2-2). Fyke nets were fished on the same schedule as
rotary screw traps (2 days/nights on/three days off) beginning May 20th, 2014. To evaluate the
effectiveness of the fyke trapping, data from the first six weeks of fyke trap sampling are
compared to 2013 rotary screw trap data from Kosina Creek.
Preliminary catch numbers and catch-per-unit-effort from May and June, 2014 are higher for
fyke netting near the confluence than for the rotary screw trap at Kosina Creek RM 2.2 over the
same interval in 2013 (Table 5.2-1). CPUE has increased from 0.06 fish/trap/night to 1.06
fish/trap/night and catch increased from 1 fish to 34. Furthermore, the May-June 2014 fyke
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netting efforts have resulted in the capture of nine juvenile Chinook salmon, a species of interest
in the Upper River. To provide a perspective on interannual variability between 2013 and 2014
we also evaluated the first six weeks of catch from the Oshetna River rotary screw trap. The
Oshetna was fished in the same location in 2013 and 2014 and had similar catch rates, 7.88
fish/night and 8.24 fish/night, respectively (Table 5.2-1).
Preliminary catch data from the mainstem Susitna River rotary screw trap located at PRM 200.3
(Figure 5.2-2) indicate that the selected location is suitable and yielding valuable information on
the seasonal fish movements of anadromous salmon and resident fish species in the Upper
Susitna River. In May-June 2014, the mainstem Susitna River trap averaged 9.76 fish/night over
the same period that the Oshetna trap averaged 8.24 fish/night (Table 5.2-1). The composition of
the catch at the mainstem location also included 12 juvenile Chinook salmon.
5.3. Recommendations for Rotary Screw Trap Locations
Based on information collected in 2014, in 2015 AEA recommends operating rotary screw traps
at the mouth of the Oshetna River and a mainstem location, likely PRM 200.4, if fish collection
and trap operation continues to be reasonable over a range of flow conditions. AEA
recommends replacing the Kosina Creek rotary screw trap with fyke netting near the mouth as it
has proven to be a more effective technique in the drainage. These recommendations are
consistent with those developed in Section 7 of Part C of the Initial Study Report (AEA 2014).
6. LITERATURE CITED
Alaska Energy Authority (AEA). 2012. Revised Study Plan: Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric
Project FERC Project No. 14241. December 2012. Prepared for the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission by the Alaska Energy Authority, Anchorage,
Alaska. http://www.susitna-watanahydro.org/study-plan.
Alaska Energy Authority (AEA). 2013. Final Susitna River Fish Distribution and Abundance
Implementation Plan: Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project FERC Project No.
14241. March 2013. Prepared for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission by the
Alaska Energy Authority, Anchorage, Alaska. http://www.susitna-watanahydro.org/wp-
content/uploads/2013/03/Attachment-A.pdf.
Alaska Energy Authority (AEA). 2014. Initial Study Report: Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric
Project FERC Project No. 14241. June 2014. Prepared for the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission by the Alaska Energy Authority, Anchorage,
Alaska. http://www.susitna-watanahydro.org/type/documents.
Buckwalter, J.D. 2011. Synopsis of ADF&G’s Upper Susitna Drainage Fish Inventory, August
2011. November 22, 2011. ADF&G Division of Sport Fish, Anchorage, AK. 173 pp.
Cochran, W.G. 1977. Sampling Techniques. Third Edition. John Wiley & Sons, New York.
Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project Alaska Energy Authority
FERC Project No. 14241 Page 7 September 2014
PROPOSED 2015 MODIFICATIONS TO FISH DISTRIBUTION
TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM AND ABUNDANCE STUDY PLAN IMPLEMENTATION
Hughes, R.M., P.R. Kaufmann, A.T. Herlihy, S.S. Intelmann, S.C. Corbett, M.C. Arbogast and
R.C. Hjort. 2002. Electrofishing Distance Needed to Estimate Fish Species Richness in
Raftable Oregon Rivers. North American Journal of Fisheries Management. 22(4).
Kirsch, J.M., J.D. Buckwalter, and D.J. Reed. 2014. Fish inventory and anadromous cataloging
in the Susitna River, Matanuska River, and Knik River basins, 2003 and 2011. Alaska
Department of Fish and Game, Fishery Data Series No. 14-04, Anchorage.
Maret, T.R. and D.S. Ott. 2003. Assessment of fish assemblages and minimum sampling effort
required to determine biotic integrity of large river in southern Idaho, 2002: U.S.
Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 2003-4274, 16 p.
Paller, M.H. 1995. Relationships among number of fish species sampled, reach length surveyed,
and sampling effort in South Carolina Coastal Plain streams. North American Journal of
Fisheries Management. 15: 110–120.
Patton, T.M., Hubert, W.A., Rahel, F.J., and Gerow, K.G. 2000. Effort needed to estimate
species richness in small streams on the Great Plains in Wyoming. North American
Journal of Fisheries Management 20: 394–398.
Reynolds, L., A.T. Herlihy, P.R. Kaufmann, S.V. Gregory, and R.M. Hughes. 2003.
Electrofishing effort requirements for assessing species richness and biotic integrity in
western Oregon streams. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 23(2): 450-
461.
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7. TABLES
Table 2.2-1. Study 9.5 Fish Distribution and Abundance in the Upper Susitna River (FDA UP) sites sampled in 2013 by
habitat type.
Sites per Geomorphic Reach
Macrohabitat Type Reach
Length
UR-3
(PRM 234.5 - 224.9)
UR-4
(PRM 224.9 - 208.1)
UR-5
(PRM 208.1 - 203.4)
UR-6 (PRM 203.4 – 187.1) TOTAL
Main Channel Macrohabitats
Main Channel
500 m 2 (2) 6 (1) 2 6 (1) 16 (4) Split Main Channel
Multi-Split Main Channel
Side Channel - - - 2 2
Off-Channel Macrohabitats
Side Slough 200 m - - - 1 1
Upland Slough - - - - 0
Special Habitat Features
Tributary Mouth
200 m
- 3 - - 3
Clear Water Plume -
- - 0
Backwater
0
Total 2(2) 9(1) 2 9(1) 22 (4)
(#) indicates number of sites deemed unsafe for sampling
Table 2.2-2. Study 9.5 FDA UP potential generalized random tessellation stratified (GRTS) fish sampling sites based on
line mapping of macrohabitats.
Number of Potential Sites per Geomorphic Reach*
Macrohabitat Type Reach Length
UR-3
(PRM 234.5 - 224.9)
UR-4
(PRM 224.9 - 208.1)
UR-5
(PRM 208.1 - 203.4)
UR-6
(PRM 203.4 – 187.1) TOTAL
Main Channel Macrohabitats
Main Channel
500 m
101 155 45 169 470
Split Main Channel - 35 6 11 52
Multi-Split Main Channel - - - - -
Side Channel 11 80 15 246 352
Off-Channel Macrohabitats
Side Slough 200 m 6 70 - 25 101
Upland Slough - 15 - 3 18
Special Habitat Features
Tributary Mouth
200 m
3 7 1 4 15
Clearwater Plume 6 27 - - 33
Backwater - 6 - - 6
Total - 127 395 67 458 1,047
*Potential sites based on total lengths reported in Upper River line mapping. Total site numbers may be fewer based on habitat configuration.
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Table 2.3-1. Study 9.5 FDA UP hybrid sampling recommendations by habitat.
Sites per Geomorphic Reach
Macrohabitat Type Reach Length
UR-3 (PRM 234.5 - 224.9)
UR-4 (PRM 224.9 - 208.1)
UR-5 (PRM 208.1 - 203.4)
UR-6 (PRM 203.4 – 187.1) TOTAL
Main Channel Macrohabitats
Main Channel
500 m 2* 3* 2* 3* 10 Split Main Channel
Multi-Split Main Channel
Side Channel 6 6
Off-Channel Macrohabitats
Side Slough 200 m 6 6
Upland Slough 6 6
Special Habitat Features
Tributary Mouth
200 m
6 6
Clear Water Plume 6 6
Backwater 6 6
Total 46
*Transects may include more than one macrohabitat site, depending on habitat configuration. The ten mainstem transects include 21
mainstem sites.
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Table 2.4-1. Study 9.5 FDA UP hybrid transect/GRTS sampling approach recommendations for 2015.
Transect ID PRM Sampled
in 2013 Main Channel Side Channel Side Slough Tributary
Mouth/Plume Total Sampled
in 2014
Sample
in 2015
1 188.3 No 0 0 0 0 0 No No
2 190.7 Yes 1 0 0 0 1 No Yes
3 193.1 Yes 1 0 0 0 1 No No
4 195.5 Yes 1 0 1 0 2 No Yes
5 197.9 Yes 1 0 0 0 1 No No
6 200.3 Yes 1 1 0 0 2 Yes Yes
7 202.7 Yes 1 1 0 0 2 No No
8 205.1 Yes 1 0 0 0 1 No Yes
9 207.5 Yes 1 0 0 0 1 No No
10 209.9 Yes 1 0 0 0 1 Yes Yes
11 212.3 Yes 1 0 0 1 2 No No
12 214.7 Yes 1 0 0 0 1 No Yes
13 217.1 Yes 1 0 0 1 2 No No
14 219.5 Yes 1 0 0 1 2 Yes Yes
15 221.9 No 0 0 0 0 0 No No
16 224.3 Yes 1 0 0 0 1 No Yes
17 226.7 No 0 0 0 0 0 No No
18 229.1 No 0 0 0 0 0 No No
19 231.5 Yes 1 0 0 0 1 No Yes
20 233.9 Yes 1 0 0 0 1 No Yes
Total 16 16 1 1 3 22 3 10
Proposed Dam Site PRM 187.1
Proposed Reservoir Inundation Zone at Low Pool 222.5
Proposed Reservoir Inundation Zone at Maximum Pool 232.5
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Table 2.4-2. Study 9.5 FDA UP sampling approach implemented in Event 1 (July), 2014. 2014 sampling included all of
the GRTS sites and a subset of the transect sites that will be completed in 2015.
Site ID Transect/
GRTS
Project
River Mile
Mainstem
Habitat
Macrohabitat/
Special Mesohabitat
Site
Length
(m)
FDA-UR6-189.4-68-CWP GRTS 189.4 Main Channel Clearwater Plume- Deadman Creek 200
FDA-UR6-189.4-68-TM GRTS 189.4 Main Channel Tributary Mouth- Deadman Creek 38
FDA-UR6-193.1-72-CWP GRTS 193.1 Main Channel Clearwater Plume- Unnamed Tributary 16
FDA-UR6-193.1-72-TM GRTS 193.1 Main Channel Tributary Mouth- Unnamed Tributary 14
FDA-UR6-P48-SS GRTS 194.5 Off-Channel Side Slough 200
FDA-UR6-P51-SS GRTS 197.1 Off-Channel Side Slough-Backwater 200
FDA-UR6-200.3-SC Transect 200.3 Main Channel Side Channel 270
FDA-UR6-200.3-MC Transect 200.3 Main Channel Split Main Channel 500
FDA-UR6-P4-SC GRTS 202.1 Main Channel Side Channel 200
FDA-UR6-203.4-71-CWP GRTS 203.4 Main Channel Clearwater Plume- Unnamed Tributary 91
FDA-UR6-203.4-71-TM GRTS 203.4 Main Channel Tributary Mouth- Unnamed Tributary 25
FDA-UR5-204.5-67-CWP GRTS 204.5 Main Channel Clearwater Plume- Unnamed Tributary 35
FDA-UR5-204.5-67-TM GRTS 204.5 Main Channel Tributary Mouth-Unnamed Tributary 19
FDA-UR5-P2-SC GRTS 206.4 Main Channel Side Channel 500
FDA-UR4-P46-SS GRTS 208.1 Off-Channel Side Slough 200
FDA-UR4-209-69-CWP GRTS 209 Main Channel Clearwater Plume- Kosina Creek 262
FDA-UR4-209-69-TM GRTS 209 Main Channel Tributary Mouth- Kosina Creek 50
FDA-UR4-P50-SS GRTS 209.7 Off-Channel Side Slough Backwater 70
FDA-UR4-P50-SS GRTS 209.7 Off-Channel Side Slough 129
FDA-UR4-209.9-MC Transect 209.9 Main Channel Single Main Channel 500
FDA-UR4-P47-SS GRTS 210 Off-Channel Side Slough 200
FDA-UR4-210.5-93-US GRTS 210.5 Off-Channel Upland Slough 160
FDA-UR4-099-US GRTS 211.2 Off-Channel Upland Slough 120
FDA-UR4-214-90-US GRTS 214 Off-Channel Upland Slough 120
FDA-UR4-214-94-US GRTS 214 Off-Channel Upland Slough 120
FDA-UR4-214.4-91-US GRTS 214.4 Off-Channel Upland Slough 200
FDA-UR4-098-US GRTS 214.4 Off-Channel Upland Slough 160
FDA-UR4-O6-SC GRTS 215.9 Main Channel Side Channel 200
FDA-UR4-P49-SS GRTS 216.9 Off-Channel Side Slough 145
FDA-UR4-219.9-CWP Transect 219.9 Main Channel Clearwater Plume- Unnamed Tributary 112
FDA-UR4-219.9-MC Transect 219.9 Main Channel Single Main Channel 500
FDA-UR4-219.9-TM Transect 219.9 Main Channel Tributary Mouth- Unnamed Tributary 87
FDA-UR3-P1-SC GRTS 231 Main Channel Side Channel 200
FDA-UR3-P70-CWP GRTS 232 Main Channel Clearwater Plume- Goose Creek 200
FDA-UR3-P70-TM GRTS 232 Main Channel Tributary Mouth- Goose Creek 61
6,104Total
Proposed Dam Site PRM 187.1
Proposed Reservoir Inundation Zone at Low Pool 222.5
Proposed Reservoir Inundation Zone at Maximum Pool 232.5
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Table 3.1-1. Summary of sampling sufficiency measures for tributaries with at least six GRTS sampling sites in the
Upper River in 2013.
Upper River Tributary
Number of 2013
Sample
Sites
SRa
Site when SR
first observed TSR H-Tb
Site when
TSRH-T -1 first observed
TSRH-T minus SR
Oshetna River (PRM 235.1) 13 6 7 6.81 7 0.81
Black River 6 6 3 6.60 3 0.60
Goose Creek (PRM 232.8) 20 4 1 4.003 1 0.003
Kosina Creek (PRM 209.1) 6 4 2 4.10 1 0.10
Tsisi Creek 6 4 4 4.52 4 0.52
Watana Creek (PRM 196.9) 15 5 9 5.55 9 0.55
Watana Creek Tributary 13 4 7 4.58 7 0.58
a Observed species richness (SR) - the total number of species found in a Tributary
b Horvitz-Thompson estimate (Cochran 1977) of the true species richness (TSR) in a tributary
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Table 3.1-2. 2013-2014 tributary sampling summary and proposed future Upper River tributary sampling length targets.
GRTS Sampled Tributaries
Drainage
Basin
Area (km2)
Chinook
salmon
presence
GRTS
Sampling
Unit Size
(m)
Number of
GRTS
Population
Sample Units
Number
of 2013
Sample
Sites
Number of
mesohabitats
sampled 2013
Meters
Sampled
2013
% Sampled
2013
Number of
mesohabitats
sampled 2014
Meters
sampled
2014
Average
Wetted
width (m)
Channel
Widths
Sampled
2013
Kirsch et
al. 2014
target (CW)
Kirsch et
al. 2014
target (m)
Kirsch et
al. 2014
target (%)
Proposed
Change (m)
Oshetna River (PRM 235.1)1424.5 yes 800 52 13 28 2,604 6%----36 73 140 5,026 12%2,422
Black River NA no 400 24 6 11 1,050 11%28 3619 23 46 140 3,178 33%2,128
Goose Creek (PRM 232.8)269.1 no 200 81 20 38 3,107 19%----14 219 120 1,704 11%-1,403
Kosina Creek (PRM 209.1)1036.5 yes 800 24 6 10 1,000 5%----32 31 120 4,522 24%3,522
Tsisi Creek NA no 400 23 6 10 980 11%----14 69 140 1,988 22%1,008
Watana Creek (PRM 196.9)452.7 yes 400 60 15 30 2,561 11%----11 231 140 1,554 6%--
Watana Creek Tributary NA no 200 67 13 18 1,459 11%----10 154 140 1,330 10%--
Unnamed Tributary (PRM 194.8)321.2 no 400 32 2 4 300 2%----3 88 140 476 4%176
GRTS Total ------454 81 149 13,061 8%--------19,778 12%7,853
Jay Creek (PRM 211)160.1 no NA --NA 8 324 --14 ----------
Unnamed Tributary (PRM 206.3)<80.3 no NA --NA ------3 263 6.9 --------Direct
Unnamed Tributary (PRM 204.5)<80.3 no NA --NA ------2 330 4.5 --------Direct
Unnamed Tributary (PRM 197.7)<80.3 no NA --NA ------5 358 7.1 --------Direct
Deadman Creek (PRM 189.4)453.5 no NA --NA ------5 357 28.4 ----------
Direct Sample Total ----------8 324 --15 1,308 ------------
Direct sample Tributaries
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Table 3.4-1. Black River sample unit length (meters) by tributary channel /macrohabitat and mesohabitat type for GRTS sampling approach 2013 and 2014.
Trib Hab Type
Trib MC/OC HabType Secondary Secondary Tertiary
Mesohabitat
Boulder riffleRapidRun/GlideBoulder riffleRiffleRun/GlideRun/GlideBoulder riffleRun/GlideRiffleRun/GlideBoulder RifflePool Run/GlideBlack River: Panel 01 100 100 100 100 200
Black River: Panel 02 100 100 200 100 100 300
Black River: Panel 04 100 100 100
Black River: Panel 06 100 100 50 250 250
Black River: Panel 07 100 100 100
Black River: Panel 09 100 100 100
300 - 100 400 100 - 100 50 250 - 100 100 - 200 - - 100 100 200 1,050
Black River: Panel 01 104 296 400 127 127 527
Black River: Panel 02 100 245 345 55 55 140 140 540
Black River: Panel 03 43 282 75 400 51 44 95 495
Black River: Panel 04 90 90 310 310 40 40 440
Black River: Panel 05 400 400 400
Black River: Panel 06 150 100 250 100 100 50 50 400
Black River: Panel 07 210 190 400 17 17 417
Black River: Panel 09 280 280 120 120 400
787 562 471 1,820 100 100 555 17 772 520 50 55 - 625 51 44 127 180 402 3,619
Grand
Total
Primary Primary Tributary Upland Slough
Split Channel
Split
Total
Complex
Total
Complex Channel
Year
Off-Channel Habitat
OCH
Total
Single
Total
Main Channel
Single Channel
20132013 Total 20142014 Total
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Table 3.4-2. Black River mesohabitat unit count (number of replicate mesohabitat units) by tributary channel /macrohabitat and mesohabitat type for GRTS sampling
approach 2013 and 2014.
Tributary Habitat Type
Trib MC/OC HabType Secondary Secondary Tertiary
Mesohabitat
Boulder riffleRapidRun/GlideBoulder riffleRiffleRun/GlideRun/GlideBoulder riffleRun/GlideRiffleRun/GlideBoulder RifflePool Run/GlideBlack River: Panel 01 1 1 1 1 2
Black River: Panel 02 1 1 2 1 1 3
Black River: Panel 04 1 1 1
Black River: Panel 06 1 1 1 3 3
Black River: Panel 07 1 1 1
Black River: Panel 09 1 1 1
3 - 1 4 1 - 1 1 3 - 1 1 - 2 - - 1 1 2 11
Black River: Panel 01 1 1 2 1 1 3
Black River: Panel 02 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 4
Black River: Panel 03 1 2 2 5 2 1 3 8
Black River: Panel 04 1 1 1 1 1 1 3
Black River: Panel 05 1 1 1
Black River: Panel 06 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 4
Black River: Panel 07 1 1 2 1 1 3
Black River: Panel 09 1 1 1 1 2
5 4 4 13 1 1 2 1 5 2 1 1 - 4 2 1 1 2 6 28 201320142013 Total
2014 Total
Complex
Total
Off-Channel Habitat
OCH
Total
Grand
Total
Main Channel Primary Primary Tributary Upland Slough
Year
Single Channel
Single
Total
Split Channel
Split
Total
Complex Channel
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Table 5.2-1. May-June rotary screw trap catch at Oshetna River (2013-14), Kosina Creek (2013), Susitna River at PRM
200.3 (2014), and Fyke netting catch at Kosina Creek mouth/Clearwater plume (2014). Data are preliminary.
May June Total May June Total May June Total May June Total May June Total
6 11 17 0 16 16 10 22 32 0 16 16 6 11 17
Species Life Stage
Fry 1 1
Parr 1 1 2 1 1 1 1
Smolt 10 10 7 7 2 2
Adult
Juvenile 1 21 22 1 3 4 9 9 38 6 44
Juvenile/Adult 5 20 25 1 1 48 48 1 7 8
Adult 3 4 7 1 1 1 1 6 6 1 3 4
Unknown 1 1
Juvenile 1 1
Juvenile/Adult 1 1 1 1
Dolly Varden Juvenile/Adult
Juvenile 7 48 55 1 8 9 1 1 13 62 75
Juvenile/Adult 3 3
Adult 26 26 1 1
Juvenile 2 2
Juvenile/Adult 2 2 3 3
Adult 4 4 8 8 2 2
Juvenile 3 3
Juvenile/Adult 1 1
Juvenile 29 7 36 1 1 2 2
Juvenile/Adult 4 4 1 1
Juvenile 3 3 3 3
Juvenile/Adult 2 1 3 5 5 1 1
Adult 4 4
Unknown Juvenile 1 1
48 118 166 0 1 1 8 26 34 0 126 126 57 83 140
8.00 10.73 9.76 NAP 0.06 0.06 0.80 1.18 1.06 NAP 7.88 7.88 9.50 7.55 8.24
Total
CPUE Fish per Trap/Night
Location
Geomorphic Reach
Project River Mile
Collection Method
Year
Month
Effort (trap-nights)
Kosina Creek Oshetna RiverSusitna River
UR-4 UR-2UR-4
209.1 235.1200.3
2013 2014 2013 20142014
Rotary Screw Trap Fyke Net Rotary Screw Trap Rotary Screw TrapRotary Screw Trap
Whitefish, undifferentiated
Whitefish, round
Chinook Salmon
Arctic Grayling
Burbot
Longnose Sucker
Sculpin
Whitefish, humpback
Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project Alaska Energy Authority
FERC Project No. 14241 Page 17 September 2014
PROPOSED 2015 MODIFICATIONS TO FISH DISTRIBUTION
TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM AND ABUNDANCE STUDY PLAN IMPLEMENTATION
8. FIGURES
Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project Alaska Energy Authority
FERC Project No. 14241 Page 18 September 2014
PROPOSED 2015 MODIFICATIONS TO FISH DISTRIBUTION
TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM AND ABUNDANCE STUDY PLAN IMPLEMENTATION
Figure 2.4-1. Upper River mainstem sampling PRM 188.7 to 194.8 in 2014 using the GRTS/transect hybrid approach.
Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project Alaska Energy Authority
FERC Project No. 14241 Page 19 September 2014
PROPOSED 2015 MODIFICATIONS TO FISH DISTRIBUTION
TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM AND ABUNDANCE STUDY PLAN IMPLEMENTATION
Figure 2.4-2. Upper River mainstem sampling PRM 196.6 to 202.8 in 2014 using the GRTS/transect hybrid approach.
Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project Alaska Energy Authority
FERC Project No. 14241 Page 20 September 2014
PROPOSED 2015 MODIFICATIONS TO FISH DISTRIBUTION
TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM AND ABUNDANCE STUDY PLAN IMPLEMENTATION
Figure 2.4-3. Upper River mainstem sampling PRM 202.6 to 209.8 in 2014 using the GRTS/transect hybrid approach.
Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project Alaska Energy Authority
FERC Project No. 14241 Page 21 September 2014
PROPOSED 2015 MODIFICATIONS TO FISH DISTRIBUTION
TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM AND ABUNDANCE STUDY PLAN IMPLEMENTATION
Figure 2.4-4. Upper River mainstem sampling PRM 209.8 to 216.1 in 2014 using the GRTS/transect hybrid approach.
Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project Alaska Energy Authority
FERC Project No. 14241 Page 22 September 2014
PROPOSED 2015 MODIFICATIONS TO FISH DISTRIBUTION
TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM AND ABUNDANCE STUDY PLAN IMPLEMENTATION
Figure 2.4-5. Upper River mainstem sampling PRM 216.3 to 222.7 in 2014 using the GRTS/transect hybrid approach.
Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project Alaska Energy Authority
FERC Project No. 14241 Page 23 September 2014
PROPOSED 2015 MODIFICATIONS TO FISH DISTRIBUTION
TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM AND ABUNDANCE STUDY PLAN IMPLEMENTATION
Figure 2.4-6. Upper River mainstem sampling PRM 230.6 to 241.4 in 2014 using the GRTS/transect hybrid approach.
Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project Alaska Energy Authority
FERC Project No. 14241 Page 24 September 2014
PROPOSED 2015 MODIFICATIONS TO FISH DISTRIBUTION
TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM AND ABUNDANCE STUDY PLAN IMPLEMENTATION
Figure 3.1-1. Species accumulation among Upper River tributary GRTS sampling sites in 2013.
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20Cumulative Species Count Site Number
Oshetna River (PRM 235.1)Black River Goose Creek (PRM 232.8)
Kosina Creek (PRM 209.1)Tsisi Creek Watana Creek Tributary
Watana Creek (PRM 196.9)
Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project Alaska Energy Authority
FERC Project No. 14241 Page 25 September 2014
PROPOSED 2015 MODIFICATIONS TO FISH DISTRIBUTION
TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM AND ABUNDANCE STUDY PLAN IMPLEMENTATION
Figure 5.1-1. Rotary screw trap installed and operating in a pool at Kosina Creek RM 2.2 on June 14, 2013.
Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project Alaska Energy Authority
FERC Project No. 14241 Page 26 September 2014
PROPOSED 2015 MODIFICATIONS TO FISH DISTRIBUTION
TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM AND ABUNDANCE STUDY PLAN IMPLEMENTATION
Figure 5.2-1. Kosina Creek mouth and clearwater plume fyke net locations May 20, 2014.
Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project Alaska Energy Authority
FERC Project No. 14241 Page 27 September 2014
PROPOSED 2015 MODIFICATIONS TO FISH DISTRIBUTION
TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM AND ABUNDANCE STUDY PLAN IMPLEMENTATION
Figure 5.2-2. Rotary screw trap on the Upper Susitna River, PRM 200.3.
Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project Alaska Energy Authority
FERC Project No. 14241 Page 28 September 2014