PROGRAM INTRODUCTION

Scientists from the Western Fisheries Research Center conduct a variety of studies on fish populations throughout the West. Studies range from determining the effects of environmental influences on fish populations, describing the distribution and abundance of particular species, examining passage related behavior of juvenile salmonids at hydroelectric dams on the Columbia and Snake rivers, developing computer models to describe fish population viability and energy expenditure, and collecting information to assist with the restoration and possible enhancement of fish populations.

Examples of specific projects include:

• Contributing to a multi-agency effort to restore of steelhead populations in the Wind River, WA by assessing current populations and studying factors that contribute to steelhead production.

• Development of computer models for predicting rearing habitat, growth of fishes, and the response of fish to temperature and food availability. Model parameters are being developed for important species such as bull trout, juvenile salmon, and predators of juvenile salmon.

• Evaluating the behavior, passage efficiency, and survival of juvenile salmonids at lower Columbia and Snake River dams.

• Evaluating white sturgeon restoration and enhancement in the Columbia and Snake rivers.

• Monitoring of endangered suckers in Upper Klamath Lake, OR to determine changes to population structure and species-specific survival.

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