Genetic parentage analysis of north santiam river spring chinook salmonproject period: 09 23 2024 - 08 31 2025ABSTRACT summary: upper willamette river spring chinook salmon (oncorhynchus…

Genetic parentage analysis of north santiam river spring chinook salmonproject period: 09 23 2024 - 08 31 2025ABSTRACT summary: upper willamette river spring chinook salmon (oncorhynchus tshawytscha) are currently listed as threatened under the U.S. Endangered species act (nmfs 2008). To facilitate dispersal to historical habitats and increase the abundance and distribution of naturally produced fish, adult spring chinook salmon are released above dams throughout the upper willamette river basin. The north santiam river is a major tributary of the upper willamette river that supports both hatchery-origin (HOR adipose FIN removed) and natural-origin (nor adipose FIN intact) spring chinook salmon.for almost two decades, primarily HOR spring chinook salmon produced at the marion forks hatchery have been released above the detroit-big cliff DAM complex on the north santiam river with the goal of reestablishing natural spawning activity in historical habitats. Additionally, nor spring chinook salmon that enter the minto fish collection facility are released into the reach between minto and big cliff DAM, and, rarely, above detroit DAM. To evaluate the contribution of the outplanting program to adult salmon recruitment in the north santiam river, tissue samples for genetic parentage analysis have been collected from chinook salmon prior to release above detroit DAM since 2007, from nor carcass samples below big cliff DAM (2011 2019), and from nor salmon collected at the new minto fish collection facility since 2013. The proposed research will extend previous efforts to evaluate the contribution of chinook salmon released above detroit DAM and below big cliff DAM to adult salmon recruitment in the north santiam river. Activities to be performed - recipient will assign the 2021 2024 adult chinook salmon returns to salmon previously sampled in the north santiam river. For chinook salmon released above detroit DAM and below big cliff DAM in 2016 2019, recipient will estimate total lifetime fitness (TLF), cohort replacement rate, and the effective number of breeders. Recipient will also determine the effect of various aspects of release strategy on the TLF of adult chinook salmon released above detroit DAM and below big cliff DAM in 2016 2019, including timing and location of releases, SEX ratios, origin, and number of salmon released. Deliverables and expected outcomes -recipient will summarize all the results in a technical report. Intended beneficiary(IES) -USACE, oregon department of fish and wildlife, national marine fisheries service subrecipient activities, if known or specified at the time of award