Presentation Abstract
Shortly after the construction of the Hansen Creek floodplain restoration project in 2010-2011, we conducted a pilot study of the initial use of the site by juvenile salmonids and the early development of invertebrate communities. We found that juvenile Coho salmon collected from the restored floodplain during periodic inundation events had higher instantaneous rations (a measure of feeding intensity) than Coho collected during regular monthly sampling in the creek channels. The floodplain site also had consistently higher insect abundances. Applying the data and lessons learned from the pilot study, we undertook a more comprehensive 13-month study of Hansen creek and its restored floodplain in 2012 and 2013. We conducted snorkel surveys and electrofishing in pools and riffles in both diked and newly restored habitats within the project site and at a reference area. Diets of juvenile Coho and Steelhead and Cutthroat trout were collected, as well as invertebrates from neuston net samples and fallout traps. In this talk we discuss salmonid distribution seasonally and by reach, compare salmonid diets (prey quantity and quality) among different creek reaches and floodplain habitat, and evaluate the relationship between salmonid diets and invertebrate results.
Session Title
Session S-05E: Managing Floodplain Rehabilitation Success to Inform Decision Making: A Case Study from Hansen Creek, Skagit County
Conference Track
Habitat
Conference Name
Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference (2014 : Seattle, Wash.)
Document Type
Event
Start Date
1-5-2014 10:30 AM
End Date
1-5-2014 12:00 PM
Location
Room 613-614
Genre/Form
conference proceedings; presentations (communicative events)
Contributing Repository
Digital content made available by University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Subjects – Topical (LCSH)
Salmonidae--Effect of habitat modification on--Washington (State)--Hansen Creek Watershed; Fish habitat improvement--Washington (State)--Hansen Creek Watershed; Stream restoration--Washington (State)--Hansen Creek Watershed; Floodplain management--Washington (State)--Hansen Creek Watershed
Geographic Coverage
Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.); Hansen Creek Watershed (Wash.)
Rights
This resource is displayed for educational purposes only and may be subject to U.S. and international copyright laws. For more information about rights or obtaining copies of this resource, please contact University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA 98225-9103, USA (360-650-7534; heritage.resources@wwu.edu) and refer to the collection name and identifier. Any materials cited must be attributed to the Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference Records, University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Type
Text
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
Included in
Fresh Water Studies Commons, Marine Biology Commons, Natural Resources and Conservation Commons, Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology Commons
Salmonid early response to restored freshwater floodplain
Room 613-614
Shortly after the construction of the Hansen Creek floodplain restoration project in 2010-2011, we conducted a pilot study of the initial use of the site by juvenile salmonids and the early development of invertebrate communities. We found that juvenile Coho salmon collected from the restored floodplain during periodic inundation events had higher instantaneous rations (a measure of feeding intensity) than Coho collected during regular monthly sampling in the creek channels. The floodplain site also had consistently higher insect abundances. Applying the data and lessons learned from the pilot study, we undertook a more comprehensive 13-month study of Hansen creek and its restored floodplain in 2012 and 2013. We conducted snorkel surveys and electrofishing in pools and riffles in both diked and newly restored habitats within the project site and at a reference area. Diets of juvenile Coho and Steelhead and Cutthroat trout were collected, as well as invertebrates from neuston net samples and fallout traps. In this talk we discuss salmonid distribution seasonally and by reach, compare salmonid diets (prey quantity and quality) among different creek reaches and floodplain habitat, and evaluate the relationship between salmonid diets and invertebrate results.
