The goal of the proposed research is to test and refine a predictive model for annelid hosts in the klamath river hydroelectric reach the annelid, manayunkia occidentalis, is the benthic…

The goal of the proposed research is to test and refine a predictive model for annelid hosts in the klamath river hydroelectric reach the annelid, manayunkia occidentalis, is the benthic invertebrate host of the myxozoan parasite ceratonova shasta, the most significant pathogen limiting salmon recovery in the klamath river high annelid host densities have been described in the j c boyle bypass and keno reaches of the klamath river hydroelectric reach understanding the factors driving annelid host distribution and density in the hydroelectric reach is critical to the success of salmon recovery and future habitat restoration efforts a predictive model was previously developed for annelids located in the current infectious zone, downstream from iron gate DAM the model has been used to predict the distribution and density of infected annelids and evaluate effects of managed flow events downstream from iron gate DAM this approach can be applied in the hydroelectric reach, however model performance should first be evaluated because the model may require refinement due to the unique hydraulic and sediment conditions that characterize the klamath river hydroelectric reaches the proposed work will build on the previous model to 1 test and refine our understanding of relationships between flow variability and the distribution and relative abundance of m occidentalis in various habitat types, 2 contribute to a long term data set quantifying the conditions leading to the presence of annelids and c shasta infection, and 3 provide a tool for evaluating the potential successes proposed of flow control or habitat restoration actions e g , gravel augmentation targeted toward salmon habitat in the klamath river hydroelectric reach we will build two dimensional hydraulic models for three sites relevant for salmon spawning and rearing in the hydroelectric reach and will test and refine our predictive model at each site to deliver a tool for predicting annelid distribution under various discharge scenarios e g , dams out, drought, flow manipulation from keno DAM data collection can begin immediately and will provide spatially GEO referenced baseline data on annelid host densities and prevalence of infection, which represent a current and important data GAP in these reaches accomplishing this work will be achieved through a collaborative research approach involving investigators from a long term partnership between oregon state university and the US fish and wildlife arcata office methods have been developed and protocols and teams are already in place, making this project shovel ready the results will advance restoration actions through the provision of currently lacking baseline data and a tool for use in evaluating the potential successes proposed of flow modification or habitat restoration actions