puyullup tribe salmon, trout char report 2005-06 06 squally creek to wrong creek

8/14/2019 Puyullup Tribe Salmon, Trout Char Report 2005-06 06 Squally Creek to Wrong Creek

1/21140PUYALLUP TRIBAL FISHERIES2005 - 2006 ANNUAL SALMON, STEELHEAD AND BULL TROUT REPORT.

WRIA 10: PUYALLUP/WHITE RIVER WATERSHED

DESCRIPTION

Squally Creek is a small tributary to ClearCreek. Pioneer Way crosses Squally Creek

Northeast of Canyon Road. Upstream of where the creek

passes under Pioneer Way, the channel quickly becomes

braided and shallow with abundant hardwood debris and

moderate amounts of suitable spawning gravel. The

riparian along this section consist of mostly alder.

Downstream of Pioneer Way, the channel is deeply incised

with substrate consisting of moderately compacted graveland abundant fines (top photo). The riparian is sparse

along the lower 100 meters, consisting mainly of a few

small alders, blackberry, turf and reed canary grass. The

last 30 meters of the creek runs through a culvert which passes

under a set of railroad tracks, where Squally finally meets with

Clear Creek (below). Squally is mainly utilized by chum; although,

a few coho are occasionally observed spawning in the lower stretch

of the creek in December. Spawning often occurs within the

culvert where accumulations of gravel can be several inches deep.

No adult chinook or

steelhead usage has been

documented.

SQUALLY CREEKWRIA: 10.0024 - PUYALLUP RIVER 2005 - 2006

River miles surveyed: 0.0 to 0.2

Dates surveyed: 10/24/05 to 1/23/06

Species surveyed: Coho None Observed

Chum

Access

Mile 0.1: Pioneer Way crosses Squally

Creek East of Canyon Rd.

Chum salmon are often

observed spawning in

the lower 70 meters of

Squally Creek. A small

2 foot jump has

prevented passage

higher up the channel

for the last few years.




2005 SQUALLY CREEK CHUM COUNTS

SQUALLY CREEK CHUM SEASON COMPARISONS

(1997 - 2005)

2 3 3

32

20

76

6

35

1 2

9

1

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

SEASON SURVEYED

NUMB

EROBSERVED

LIVE

DEAD

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11/22/05 12/1/05 12/12/05 12/22/05 1/3/05 1/13/06 1/23/06

DATE SURVEYED

NUMBEROBSERVED

LIVE

DEAD




DESCRIPTION

Swan Creek is a moderate sized tributary to ClearCreek. Pioneer Way crosses the stream near the Swan

Creek Park trailhead. From RM 0.3 to 1.0 the stream

is pool-riffle in character and contains good spawning

gravel, riparian diversity and channel complexity. Swan

Creek is prone to high water events however, and the

substrate is only moderately

stable.A sediment detention pond is

located at RM 0.3 (left) and is

dredged annually or biannually by

Pierce county. Puyallup Tribal

Fisheries staff seines the pond

before dredging to remove the majority of fish present, and relocates them

downstream of the work site. Some restoration work has been completed in

the past on the lower reach of the creek. A side channel for overwintering

juveniles was constructed at approximately RM 0.3. The side channel

restoration was financed by the City of Tacoma as a result of mitigation.

Also, as part of a mitigation settlement, the City of Tacoma and Port of Tacoma

financed the restoration of a large wetland along Clear and Swan Creeks.Although Swan Creek is surveyed for all salmon species, only

chum are observed in relatively strong numbers. Although few coho

are observed spawning in the creek, substantial numbers of coho

juveniles are often observed. Swan also supports a large population

of cutthroat which can be observed spawning in the spring. Two

steelhead redds were observed during the April 2004 survey season.

They were the first steelhead redds seen in Swan Creek in several

years. Other species present in the creek include catfish, lamprey

and sculpins.

SWAN CREEKWRIA: 10.0003 - PUYALLUP RIVER 2005 - 2006



Species surveyed: Chinook None Observed

Coho, Chum,

SteelheadNone Observed

AccessMile 0.3: Pioneer way crosses the stream near

the Swan Creek Park trailhead. Follow trail

upstream through the park and along Swan

Creek.




2005 SWAN CREEK CHUM COUNTS

SWAN CREEK CHUM SEASON COMPARISONS

(1992 - 2005)

169

7

131

84

7 6

77

47

17

252

217

692

928

104

9

41

20

6

38

38

113

222

574

792

100

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

1000

1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

SEASON SURVEYED

NU

MBEROBSERVED

AUC: ESCAPEMENT ESTIMATE

LIVE

DEAD

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

10/24/05 11/3/05 11/22/05 12/1/05 12/12/05 1/3/06 1/20/06 2/3/06

DATE SURVEYED

NUMBEROBSERVED

LIVE

DEAD




SWAN CREEK STEELHEAD SEASON COMPARISONS

(1995 - 2006)

7

2

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

SEASON SURVEYED

NUMBEROBSERVED

STEELHEAD REDDS




SWIFT CREEKWRIA: 10.0697 - PUYALLUP RIVER 2005 - 2006


Date Surveyed: 10/13/04 to 11/15/04

Species surveyed: Coho

No adult coho were planted or observed

in 2004 or 2005.

Most of the coho planted move downstream to

spawn in the lower reach.

DESCRIPTION

Swift Creek is a small tributary of the

Upper Puyallup River. The creek is just under 3 miles in

length and enters the Puyallup River at RM 46.8, just below

the confluence of the North and South Fork. Most of the

creek consists of moderate to high gradient flows with a

cobble and boulder substrate. The first 150 to 200 yards of

stream contain good spawning gravels and low gradient. Theriparian consist of mature conifers and mixed deciduous

trees. There was no salmon utilization in Swift Creek prior to

1997 due to the streams location above the Electron Diversion

Dam (1904). Swift Creek is not regularly surveyed, but rather

it is the location of annual surplus adult coho plants from the

WDFW Voights Creek Hatchery. Adult plants were started in

1997 to reintroduce coho and jump-start the upper reach of

the Puyallup. Adult coho are planted from the 710 rd. bridge

which crosses Swift Creek approximately 0.3 miles from the

mouth, but most of the fish move downstream and spawn in

the lower 200 yards of the

creek. One or two surveys

are conducted to determine

how successful the adult

plants are. No adult coho

were planted or observed in

Swift during 2004 or 2005.

Swift Creek looking

upstream from the 710

road. This is the loca-

tion of adult coho

plants.




SWIFT CREEK SURPLUS ADULT COHO PLANTS(1997 - 2005)

53

245 2

57

29

2

250

9

8

53

208

256

194

134

72

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

YEAR PLANTED

NUMBEROFFISH

PLANTED

MALE COHO

FEMALE COHO




DESCRIPTION

Voights Creek is a tributary to the Carbon

River, entering the Carbon at RM 4.0. Voights

is currently only surveyed for steelhead due

to the presence of a state salmon hatchery

at RM 0.5. The hatchery has a chinook, coho

and steelhead program, making natural

escapement surveys unnecessary. However,

the weir designed to prevent fish passage

above the hatchery has proven to be ineffective for several

years, this has allowed hatchery fish to access the upper 3.4

miles of the creek to spawn naturally. Nevertheless,supplemental surveys are rarely conducted to determine

escapement for coho and chinook above the hatchery.

There are just under 4 miles of anadromous habitat

available in Voights Creek, an impassable falls at RM 3.9

(below) blocks any further upstream migration. Steelhead are

often observed spawning throughout the entire creek, right

up to the falls. Unfortunately, steelhead escapement in Voights

Creek has fallen dramatically over the past few years. During

higher Autumn flows, coho, and occasionally chinook, easily

bypass the hatchery and spawn

throughout the entire creek up to the

falls. The stream channel varies incomplexity from wide, braided channels, to confined narrow gorges. Nearly

the entire 3.9 miles below the falls contains excellent, although somewhat

sporadic patches of gravel within a moderate gradient stream channel.

However, below the water intake for the state hatchery at RM 1.0 (top) the

gradient decreases, the substrate size is more consistent although smaller

and somewhat compacted. The riparian zone is a mix of 2nd growth conifer

and deciduous trees. There is a moderate amount of small and medium

woody debris recruited (left), and minute amounts of LWD present, what

little is present is generally quite old.

VOIGHTS CREEKWRIA: 10.0414 - CARBON RIVER 2005 - 2006



Species surveyed: Steelhead

Access

Mile 0.5: The Voights Creek salmon

hatchery located approximately 1 mile

South of Orting on HWY 162.

Mile 3.4: Approximately 1.5 miles up

Patterson Rd. is a tank-trapped and

gated road on the right. Walk 15-20

minutes, taking two blue flagged left

turns till you reach the creek. Follow a

rough trail several hundred yards

downstream to the base of the bedrock

cascades to begin the survey.

Water diversion for

Voights Creek

hatchery.




2006 VOIGHTS CREEK STEELHEAD COUNTS

VOIGHTS CREEK STEELHEAD SEASON COMPARISONS

(1995 - 2006)

44

48

33

9

18

16

1

4

7

10

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

YEAR SURVEYED

NU

MBEROBSERVED

STEELHEAD REDDS

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

3/17/06 3/29/06 4/11/06 4/24/06 5/16/06

DATE SURVEYED

NUMBEROBSERVED

LIVE

DEAD

REDDS




WAPATO CREEKWRIA: 10.0017 - INDEPENDENT DRAINAGE 2005 - 2006

DESCRIPTION

Wapato Creek is an independent drainage from the Puyallup/WhiteRiver system. Wapato Creek starts just North of the city of Puyallupand East of Meridian Street North (Hyw. 161). The creek meanders

nearly 14 miles through agricultural, commercial, residential, and

industrial properties before flowing into the Port Industrial Waterwayin Commencement Bay.Wapato Creek is not surveyed on a consistent basis due to the fact

there is little or no salmon utilization, and issues regarding access tosurveyable sections of the creek. Spot surveys since 1991 have shown

that an extremely limited number of coho spawn in Wapato, as well as a small tributary (SimonsCreek) that enters around RM 9.2. In addition, chum salmon have been documented during someyears in the lower stretch of the creek (below RM 4). There are several former and current limitingfactors that are likely causes for such under-utilization such as, but not limited to; extremely lowsummer and fall flows, poor water quality and heavy siltation due to residential and commercialdevelopment, agricultural and storm runoff, heavy industry discharge, activities within the PortIndustrial Water Way and Commencement Bay. However, there have been some encouraging

restoration efforts along the creek, unfortunately they only cover a small fractionof the 13 plus miles of stream. The proposed SR 167 project may possibly restore

over a mile of habitat on Wapato; however, it is likely it will be several years beforethis may occur.

Most of Wapato Creek is a narrow, confined, and incised channel, devoid ofany real complexity such as wetland or off-channel habitat, woody debris, varyingflow and velocity regimes. Extensive lengths of the creek have been overtaken byinvasive nonnative vegetation such as Japanese knotweed, reed canary grass and

nightshade. The riparian cover is seriously inadequate or non existent alongmuch of the creek (top photo), and the substrate consist mostly of silt over

undersized embedded gravel and small cobble (upper left photo).

Wapato Creek

looking down-

stream from 58thAve. E. at

approximatly RM 5.




DESCRIPTION

The headwaters of the White River

originate from the Emmons andFryingpan glaciers on Mt. Rainier.

Significant tributaries of the White

include the West Fork White,

Huckleberry Creek, Clearwater River,

and the Greenwater River. All adult

salmon and steelhead that spawn in

the Upper White River and its

tributaries are initially captured in the

USACE fish trap in Buckley; then

transported above Mud Mountain dam

(RM 29.6). Since precise escapement

numbers for the Upper White River

drainage are known, surveys are

conducted to determine fish

distribution and spawning success. This is

especially important regarding spring chinook, since

adult production monitoring is part of the recovery

plan.

The main stem and West Fork White are

characterized by generally unconfined, often braided and

complex channels with abundant spawning gravels present

in pool tail-outs, margins and low velocity areas. Woody

debris is abundant although undersized; much of theriparian zone is either second growth conifer or hardwoods

except for the zone through Mt. Rainier National Park with

consist of mostly old growth. There is approximately 5 miles

between Mud Mountain Dam and the USACE Buckley trap at

RM 24.3, little spawning takes place due to lack of fish

access between the two facilities. Down stream of this point;

to approximately RM 11, there is frequent and concentrated

use by both chinook and steelhead. This reach has abundant and excellent spawning gravel.

There are two significant side channels in this reach that support spawning and rearing. One,

approximately a mile long, is located on the right bank directly below the Shaker Church access.

This channel supports both chinook and coho, as well as,

the highest recent documentation of chum salmonspawning. Another substantial side channel not surveyed

due to multiple debris jams blocking access, is located

several miles downstream on the left bank. Aerial surveys

have documented both chinook and steelhead spawning in

this reach.

From approximately RM 11 downstream the channel is

constrained by levees. The channel from this point loses

complexity and there is a marked decrease in both

spawning gravel and spawning activity of all species.



Species surveyed: Chinook, Chum, Steelhead

WHITE RIVERWRIA: 10.0031 - PUYALLUP RIVER 2005 - 2006




WHITE RIVER CHINOOK SEASON COMPARISONS

(1994 - 2005)

102

69

79

51

17

142

23

151

205

101

74

17

75

24

11 103

12

1

44

9498

14

5

44

17

26

104

99

0

36

117

36

80

7

0

50

100

150

200

250

1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

DATE SURVEYED

NUMBEROBSERVED

LIVE

DEAD

REDDS

510

184

255

301

42

367

120

147

188

17

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

SEASON SURVEYED

NU

MBEROBSERVED

LIVE

DEAD

WHITE RIVER CHUM SEASON COMPARISONS

(2001 - 2005)




WHITE RIVER STEELHEAD SEASON COMPARISONS

(2002 - 2006)

50

42

38

4

8

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

SEASON SURVEYED

NUMBER

OBSERVED

STEELEHEAD REDDSIt is highly likely, and assumed, that more steelhead

spawned in the White River in 2005 and 2006 than the

survey data indicates. Survey conditions and timing were

seriously affected by spring weather conditions on flow and

visibility.

2005 White River Temperatures (C*) at RM 38 (Bridge Camp)

5

7

9

11

13

15

17

19

7/15/05

7/22/05

7/29/05

8/5/05

8/12/05

8/19/05

8/26/05

9/2/05

9/9/05

9/16/05

9/23/05

9/30/05

DATE

Te

mperature(C*)

2005 WHITE RIVER TEMPERATURE @ RM 38

JULY 15 - OCTOBER 7




DESCRIPTION

Wilkeson Creek is a large tributary to lower

South Prairie Creek, entering South Prairie at

approximately RM 6.7. Wilkeson is a productive

creek, providing suitable spawning habitat for

chinook, coho, pink, chum and steelhead.

However, chinook use is often limited due to the

extremely low flows common in the creek during

late summer and early fall. A series of falls at

RM 6.2 marks the upper extent of adult salmon

and steelhead migration. Between RM 4.9 and

4.0 Wilkeson Creek meanders through the town of

Wilkeson, the banks along this stretch are generally

riprapped and confined. Coal Mine Creek (10.0432A)

is the only significant tributary entering Wilkeson near

RM 5.7. Below river mile 4.0, the creek travels through

mostly undeveloped property until it reaches South

Prairie. Wilkeson is a pool-riffle stream with a gravel/

cobble substrate. With a few exceptions, abundant

spawning gravel is present throughout the survey reach.

The riparian along Wilkeson consists of hardwoods andconifers with an understory of various native shrubs

and vegetation. Large swaths of Japanese knot weed

are also present along numerous sections of the creek.

In-stream woody debris is plentiful providing both

channel complexity and cover. The lower 3 miles are

very natural, with a heavily wooded riparian zone,

debris jams and several side channels offering

excellent overwintering habitat for juveniles.

WILKESON CREEKWRIA: 10.0432 - CARBON RIVER 2005 - 2006



Species surveyed:Chinook,Coho,Pink,Chum

Access

Mile 5.5: Follow Hwy. 165 to Wilkeson, take

Railroad Avenue to A turnout just short of

the Plum Creek gate.

Mile 3.2: Drive Hwy 165 past Burnett and

turn right on Johns Rd., follow to bridge over

Wilkeson

Mile 0.0: K.C. Crusaders paint ball at 13241

262nd Avenue E off Highway. 162. Wilkeson is

across South Prairie Creek.

The lower 3 miles are very natural,

with a heavily wooded riparian zone,

debris jams and several braided

sections.




2005 WILKESON CREEK CHINOOK COUNTS

WILKESON CREEK CHINOOK SEASON COMPARISONS

(1995 - 2005)

35

9

19

1 1

60

38

20

1111

6

12

1

1514

8 8

29

1718

3

30

1312

4

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

SEASON SURVEYED

NUMBEROBSERVED

LIVE

DEAD

REDDS

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

9/16/05 9/26/05 10/6/05 10/13/05 10/22/05

DATE SURVEYED

NUMBEROBSERVED

LIVE

DEAD

REDDS




2005 WILKESON CREEK PINK COUNTS

WILKESON CREEK PINK SEASON COMPARISONS

(1995 - 2005)

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

8/22/05 8/30/05 9/8/05 9/16/05 9/26/05 10/6/05 10/13/05 10/21/05 11/9/05

DATE SURVEYED

NUMBEROBSERVED

LIVE

DEAD

15,752

23 8 23

823

4,506

16,495

4 1 1 107

1,391

3,154

0

2,000

4,000

6,000

8,000

10,000

12,000

14,000

16,000

18,000

1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005

SEASON SURVEYED

NU

MBEROBSERVED

AUC: ESCAPEMENT ESTIMATE

LIVE

DEAD




2005 WILKESON CREEK COHO COUNTS

WILKESON CREEK COHO SEASON COMPARISONS

(1994 - 2005)

256

192

149

208

20

49

472

18

28

14 2

2

84

1 9 2

5

4

76

5 4

45

3 36 3

13

137

165

132

104

23

73

254

3

12

5

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

450

500

1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

YEAR SURVEYED

NUMBEROBSERVED

LIVE

DEAD

REDDS

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

10/6/05 10/13/05 10/21/05 11/9/05 11/18/05 11/28/05 12/8/05 12/19/05

DATE SURVEYED

NUMBER

OBSERVED

LIVE

DEAD




2005 WILKESON CREEK CHUM COUNTS

WILKESON CREEK CHUM SEASON COMPARISONS

(2001 - 2005)

219

409

127138

12

136

180 182

161

4

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

450

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

SEASON SURVEYED

NUMBER

OBSERVED

LIVE

DEAD

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11/18/05 11/28/05 12/8/05 12/19/05 1/4/06

DA T E SU RV EYED

NUMBEROBSERVED

LIVE

DEAD




2006 WILKESON CREEK STEELHEAD COUNTS

WILKESON CREEK STEELHEAD REDDS SEASON COMPARISONS

(1999 - 2006)

50

30

13

30

23

20

6

30

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

YEAR SURVEYED

NUMBEROBSERVED

STEELHEAD REDDS

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

3 /2 1/0 6 3/ 2 9 / 06 4 /7/ 0 6 4 /1 7/ 0 6 4/2 7 /06 5 / 3/0 6 5 / 1 1/ 0 6 5 /1 8 / 06 5 /26 / 0 6 6/ 2 7 /0 6

D A T E S U R V E Y E D

NUMBEROBSEREVED

LIVE

D E A D

R E D D S

2006 Wilkeson Creek steelhead

graphs were generated using

survey data collected by WDFW.




DESCRIPTION

Wrong Creek is a small tributary enteringPinochle Creek, approximately 0.3 miles above its

confluence with the West Fork White river. Wrong

Creek originates along Clear West Peak around 4,500

feet. The lower, approximately 2.5 miles, flows within

the West Fork White Rivers floodplain. There is no

development along Wrong Creek, with the exception

of the USFS bridge crossing at approximately RM 0.4.

There are small patches of suitable spawning gravelpresent primarily in the lower 0.5 miles of the creek.

The riparian zone consists of mature second growth

hardwoods and

conifers with an

understory of blueberry and salmonberry. Wrong Creek hosts

several sizable log jams containing numerous key components.

Low flow conditions during late summer and fall often restrict

chinook access. This stream is surveyed for coho and chinook,

the chinook observed are likely returns from the acclimation

pond located on Cripple Creek, another tributary of Pinochle

Creek. Pink and sockeye salmon have been observed in thecreek as well.

As with all upper White river surveys, adult salmon and

steelhead that spawn in Wrong Creek

were captured at the USACE fish trap in

Buckley, and transported above Mud

Mountain dam. Since precise

escapement numbers for the upper White

river drainage are known, surveys are

conducted to determine fish distribution

and spawning success.

WRONG CREEKWRIA: 10.0205 - WHITE RIVER 2005 - 2006



Species surveyed: Chinook None Observed

Coho

Access

Mile 0.3: Follow Forest Service road 74 Off of

Hwy 410 until the bridge over the West Fork White

river is reached. A short distance further is the

Wrong Creek bridge. It is easier to return to the

road via Pinochle Creek than double walk Wrong.

Winter coho survey

along Wrong Creek (RM

1.0). Wrong Creek is a

small stream entering

Pinochle Creek

approximately 0.3

miles above Pinochles

confluence with the

West Fork White river.


21/21


2005 WRONG CREEK COHO COUNTS

WRONG CREEK COHO SEASON COMPARISONS

(2000 - 2005)

4

68

14

73

329

183

17 5

18

49

17

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

SEASON SURVEYED

N

UMBEROBSERVED

LIVE

DEAD

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

9/29/05 10/7/05 10/17/05 10/26/05 11/7/05 11/16/05

DATE SURVEYED

NUMBEROBSERVED

LIVE

DEAD

Upper White River surveys show distribution,

actual escapement totals are known from the

USACE Buckley trap counts.

puyullup tribe salmon, trout char report 2005-06 06 squally creek to wrong creek

Documents