Box Canyon Creek Bull Trout Population

Overview

Box Canyon Creek originates in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area and flows into Kachess Reservoir from the northwest near its northern end. The reach accessible to migratory fish is about three miles downstream of the wilderness boundary and entirely within the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. This reach is relatively short with an impassable waterfall (Peekaboo Falls) located at its upstream end approximately 1.5 miles above the reservoir. No significant tributaries enter the creek in the accessible reach. Complete dewatering at the mouth of Box Canyon Creek has been known to occur in late summer during dry years when streamflow is low and the reservoir level has dropped significantly due to irrigation demands. There have been emergency fish passage flumes built in 2001, 2003, 2005, .......... to get fish past the dry section.

Population Information

Population Distribution and Life History

The Box Canyon Creek population displays an adfluvial life history type. It is possible that a resident component exists as well although this has not been confirmed.? The spawning area extends from Peekaboo Falls downstream to Kachess Reservoir. Juvenile rearing occurs in the entire 1.5-mile accessible reach. The lake provides FMO habitat for subadult and adult fish (MAP). Adult bull trout typically move into Box Canyon Creek in mid-July to mid-August, prior to spawning, and numerous fish migrate to and hold in the large pool directly below Peekaboo Falls. However, migration timing may be changing due to flow and temperature conditions in Box Canyon Creek (15+ C). Cite evidence (peekaboo adult snorkels 2022-2025).

Natural Barriers limiting distribution

There is an impassable waterfall (Peekaboo Falls) at 47.375791, -121.258198 about 1.5 miles upstream of the reservoir. There have been many discussions about the feasibility of introducing bull trout above Peekaboo Falls to increase spawning and rearing habitat. See Peekaboo Falls Fish Passage Discussion for more information.

Population Genetics

Results of genetic analyses show the Box Canyon Creek population is genetically distinct from all other populations in the Yakima Basin (Reiss 2003; Small et al. 2009). Genetic samples for the baseline were collected from juveniles during a snorkel survey in 2001 (Reiss 2003; Small et al. 2009). Connectivity and thus the potential for genetic exchange with downstream populations in the Yakima River fluvial system was eliminated by the construction of Kachess Dam in 1912.

Population Monitoring

The first known documentation of bull trout inhabiting Kachess Reservoir came in 1941 from creel data collected by WDFW (then known as the Washington Department of Game) between 1937 and 1966. Interestingly, very few bull trout (referred to as Dolly Varden) entered the creel during that time period. In 1982, four bull trout were captured by the agency in gillnets set in the lake (Mongillo 1982), and that same year the species was observed, apparently for the first time, by snorkelers in Box Canyon Creek. As noted above, spawning surveys were initiated two years later, beginning the period of consistent monitoring of the Box Canyon Creek bull trout population that continues today. In 1994, Plum Creek Timber Company conducted night snorkel surveys, observing cutthroat and bull trout (Plum Creek Timber Company 1995).

The Forest Service conducted snorkel surveys in Box Canyon Creek in 1991 and 1993, observing relatively small numbers of bull trout. CWU researcher Paul James unsuccessfully attempted to trap post-spawn bull trout near the mouth of the creek in 1999; the next year he observed adults while snorkeling in the summer to determine spawn migration timing (James 2002a).

CWU graduate students Yuki Reiss and William Meyer both spent time snorkeling Box Canyon Creek. Reiss captured 31 juvenile bull trout and collected genetic samples in 2001 (Reiss 2003), and Meyer observed both juveniles and adults in 2000 and 2001, ultimately electing not to use these data in his thesis work (William Meyer, WDFW, pers comm).

In 2011, the USBR conducted an entrainment study directly below Kachess Dam. A screw trap and a fyke net were deployed in the river channel to capture fish entrained through the outlet works of the dam and passed to the river below. The sampling was done over a range of flow releases from mid-June through mid-October. Nearly 2,700 fish were captured during the course of the study representing 16 species but no bull trout were collected (Arden Thomas, USBR, pers comm).

ADD DETAILS OF WDFW SNORKEL SURVEYS

USFWS/YN PIT TAGGING AND MONITORING

Redd Surveys

The spawning period for the Box Canyon Creek population begins in early September and can extend through mid-October. Complete bull trout redd surveys have been conducted since 1984 and cover the entire spawning area from just upstream of Kachess Reservoir to Peekaboo Falls. Redd counts have been highly variable (Figure X - REDD COUNT GRAPH). Over the first ten years of surveys, the counts were very low including three years when none were observed. This was probably due in large part to limited adult access to the creek as several years from the late 1980s through the mid-1990s were drought years in the Yakima Basin. The chronic passage problems that occur at the mouth were not yet fully recognized or monitored at that time. The first emergency fish passage flume was constructed on Box Canyon Creek in 2001. Since that time, passage near the mouth is monitored regularly and a flume is constructed if it is deemed necessary for bull trout passage. Since 1996 the average number of bull trout redds found in Box Canyon Creek has been 15 - UPDATE (excluding 2007 when surveys were curtailed due to high flows). Considerable variability is still evident, and the average is skewed by the counts from 2009-2011 the last three years, which were progressively the highest recorded. The population trend looks positive considering the last three years. Basin biologists, however, remain skeptical until this is sustained for a longer period of time. Redd surveyors attempt three passes in Box Canyon Creek, but high flows often thwart later survey attempts.

Other Distribution Data (eDNA, etc.)

There has not been any eDNA collected upstream of Peekaboo Falls. Aside from a couple years with fish passage at Peekaboo Falls in the 1990's (CITE PLUM CREEK???), there have not been any sign or reports of bull trout above the falls.

Population Status and Trend

The USFWS (1998) considered the Kachess subpopulation to be depressed, decreasing, and at risk of stochastic extirpation. At the time this subpopulation included only the Box Canyon Creek local population, as bull trout spawning had not been observed yet in the upper Kachess River nor was a local population recognized. WDFW rates the status of the Kachess Reservoir stock (which included the upper Kachess River population) as critical, further stating that it was very near extirpation (WDFW 2004).

Habitat

Habitat Overview

Elevations on Box Canyon Creek range from 2,270 feet at its mouth to 2,540 feet at the barrier waterfall. This reach is entirely within the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest although there are scattered private timber company holdings in the watershed. The current primary land use in the watershed is recreation. Logging has occurred in the past and timber harvest is possible in the future. FS Road 4930 runs parallel and fairly close (<100 yards) to the spawning reach for about two-thirds of its distance. In the past a lengthy section of this road (~600 feet) was a chronic source of sediment in the creek but this section was relocated and stabilized in 2006. Road density in the watershed increases further upstream but these former logging roads are not particularly close to the creek and do not appear to be problematic in terms of sediment contribution. Areas along the riparian corridor of Box Canyon Creek were negatively impacted by past timber harvest; these areas have regrown for the most part. Riparian disturbance also resulted from the presence of numerous dispersed campsites. The Forest Service has re-engineered or closed and rehabilitated many of these areas. A large campground is located near the mouth of Box Canyon Creek but is not believed to present significant habitat-related issues.

Overall, habitat conditions in Box Canyon Creek are generally considered good although they do not meet Forest Plan standards in some areas (i.e., LWD and pool depth). Bed and bank stability are good, sediment levels are low, and water temperatures are suitable for bull trout (Haring 2001). The area of the creek containing suitable gravels for spawning is adequate for the current population but might not be if the population increased in size.

The other major concern for this population is the dewatering that sometimes occurs in dry years directly upstream of the creek’s mouth. The time period this occurs coincides with the immigration of pre-spawn bull trout. With the reservoir level significantly lowered from irrigation water withdrawal, the mouth is located on the lakebed. Above this point the creek spreads out over unconsolidated sediments on the bed and can go dry up to several hundred yards upstream. These conditions were observed in three of the first six years of the last decade (2001, 2003, and 2005) and required implementation of remedial passage projects to allow pre-spawn bull trout to enter Box Canyon Creek.

FMO habitat for the Box Canyon Creek bull trout population is in Kachess Reservoir. Neither the sparse shoreline development or water sports activities on the lake are believed to influence habitat quality. The effects of reservoir depletion during the summer and early fall are less concerning in Kachess Reservoir than in any of the other Yakima basin impoundments. The reservoir has a conservation pool (i.e., dead storage) of well over 400,000 acre-feet that cannot be accessed for irrigation withdrawal.

Habitat Monitoring

Field Habitat Surveys

Some level of monitoring before or during spawning surveys is done to determine if there is an opportunity for pre-spawn adult bull trout to migrate upstream from the reservoir into Box Canyon Creek. A combination of low flows, low reservoir levels, percolation within the large alluvial fan on the reservoir floor, and channel configuration have historically impeded or blocked upstream bull trout migration. Thomas (2007) summarized dates, flows, and reservoir elevations when Box Canyon Creek was not passable to upstream migrating adult bull trout. USBR (2008) wrote an appraisal report on potential options for constructing permanent passage.

Sediment samples were collected and analyzed for Box Canyon Creek in 1990. The percent average fine sediment level was found to be 8.2% (Mayo 1998), which would qualify as “functioning appropriately” (USFWS 1999), although this data are from only one year. The Forest Service completed a stream survey on Box Canyon Creek in 2002 (USFS 2002b) using Hankin and Reeves protocol (Hankin and Reeves 1988). In this survey, data were collected on pool/riffle frequency, riparian and channel condition, substrate, LWD, and temperature. In 2004, a Federal Roads Analysis was completed for the Box Canyon watershed, including an aquatic rating. Mongillo (1982) measured water quality parameters and zooplankton densities for Kachess Reservoir.

There is a long-term monitoring site on Box Canyon Creek and temperature has been recorded via a thermograph deployed during the summer low flow period for most years from 1994-2011 (USFS 2011b).

WDFW RESERVOIR MONITORING

WOOD / HABITAT SURVEYS

Threats

Connectivity

Fish Passage Barriers

Threat Severity:

Entrainment

Threat Severity:

Dewatering due to flow management

Threat Severity:

Land-use Issues

Forestry

Threat Severity:

Agriculture and Grazing

Threat Severity:

Recreation

Threat Severity:

Roads and Development

Threat Severity:

Mining

Threat Severity:

Ecological Interactions

Brook Trout

Threat Severity:

Other Invasive Species

Threat Severity:

Diminished Prey Base

Threat Severity:

Disease

Threat Severity:

Water Quantity and Quality

Flow issues/dewatering

Threat Severity:

Current and modeled future temperature conditions

Threat Severity:

Fisheries Impacts

Angling Regulations/Fisheries Use/Poaching (Recreational)

Threat Severity:

Management/Monitoring (Research)

Threat Severity:

Other Threats

Low Population Resiliency

Climate Change

Limited habitat extent

Summary of Primary Limiting Factors and Threats

The highest severity threats to this population are passage barriers in the form of Kachess Dam at the outlet of the lake and from low water conditions at the mouth of the spawning tributary during the migratory period. This population also has a low population abundance, which increases the risk of extirpation. Other threats include illegal angling in Kachess Reservoir, entrainment at Kachess Dam, limited habitat due to inundation of lower reaches of Box Canyon Creek when the reservoir was created, lack of marine derived nutrients, recreation (large campsite at mouth of spawning reach), forest management (road densities), and the presence of brook trout.

Agriculture, altered flows, development, dewatering, grazing, transportation issues, and mining are not present in this population.

Recovery Strategy

Population-level Recovery Strategy

This population has been identified as a high priority “Action” population (see Prioritization of Actions). The highest priority threats involve creating passage at the broad scale (passage at Kachess Dam) and at the local scale through monitoring and ensuring passage at the creek’s mouth. Other actions that are identified as a priority are outreach to anglers and recreationists, riparian restoration as needed at campsites, and evaluating the feasibility of passage at Peekaboo Falls to provide additional spawning and rearing habitat. Available habitat was reduced when the reservoir was constructed and lower reaches were inundated. Addressing the threat of limited habitat should be considered with this population because it is physically possible and good quality habitat is available above the falls. This population is a good candidate for a pilot project that would place carcass analogs to address lack of marine derived nutrients. Salmon have been excluded from this system for ~100 years, there is suitable access for delivering carcasses, and the stream is short enough to allow for extensive data monitoring.

---

Actions

Future link/ iframe to PowerApp will go in this section.

Completed Bull Trout Recovery Actions

• Campsite next to Peekaboo Falls was closed to overnight camping by USFS in 2002.
• Approximately 15 dispersed campsites along the creek were either re-engineered or closed and rehabilitated to protect sensitive riparian areas by USFS in 1996. There has been ongoing maintenance at the sites.

·      With no flow at the mouth on August 23, 1996, USBR made channel modifications to provide passage.

·      A 623-foot segment of Box Canyon Road (FS Road 4930), which was a chronic source of sediment, was relocated upslope and stabilized by USFS in 2006.

·      Construction of a temporary straw bale and plastic flume near the confluence of Box Canyon Creek and Kachess Reservoir was required in 2001, 2003, and 2005 (Harvester 2001; Meyer 2001; Meyer 2005) to provide upstream bull trout passage.

• Fishing regulations have been implemented to protect bull trout in Box Canyon Creek (see Appendix F).

Update Notes

2012 BTAP text copied into Yakipedia and edited to match new format inXXXXXX by Aimee Taylor. ADD LINK TO 2012 BTAP pdf placemark

Additional edits proposed by Alex Conley, Aimee Taylor and XXXXXXX small group. Reviewed, and updated and approved by BTWG in XXXXXXXXXXXXX

Specific detail on out of cycle updates: