Streams fisheries management grant

              W 2800.3 P438
F-70-D-S 2010 c.l
FINAL PERFORMANCE REPORT
FEDERAL AID GRANT NO. F-70-D-5
STREAMS FISHERIES MANAGEMENT GRANT
OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE CONSERVATION
JANUARY 1, 2010 through DECEMBER 31,2010
State: Oklahoma Grant Number: F-70-D-5
FINAL REPORT
Grant Program: Sport Fish Restoration
Grant Title: Streams Fisheries Management Grant
Grant Period: January 1,2010- December 31,2010
Project Leader: William Ray
Project 1: Stream Sport Fisheries Management Operations and Maintenance
I. Objective: To plan, train, coordinate and administer management activities and operate
and maintain all support facilities and all other infrastructure for the stream fisheries
management crews in Oklahoma.
II. Summary of Progress: The Streams Fisheries Management Program maintained 3
building during this reporting period. In addition other infrastructure consisting of a
workshop at the Southcentral Regional Office and a trout rearing facility at the Lower
Mountain Fork River (lMFR) were also maintained. Staff held regular meeting regarding
safety and HRDS supervisor training. Stream fish transfers of native fish species were
performed according to HACCP procedures. Administration of management activities
through reports, time records and invoices were accomplished. Library materials were
processed for the South Central Regional library
III. Conclusions: All objectives achieved during the period
IV. Significant Deviations: None
Project 2: Stream Fisheries Management Surveys
I. Objective: To conduct fisheries management surveys and water quality sampling
appropriate to fisheries management in stream systems across Oklahoma. Data collected
from these activities will be entered and analyzed. Finally, survey reports with
management recommendations will be prepared and made available to other natural
resource managers and constituents.
II. Summary of Progress: Fisheries surveys and inventories were conducted on selected
streams periodically using the procedures described in the document "Standardized
Sampling Procedures for Lake, Reservoir and Streams Management Recommendations,
Oklahoma Fisheries Management Program" (SSP). The following waters were surveyed
during this reporting period;
Spring Creek
Illinois River
Barren Fork Creek
Flint Creek
Mountain Fork River
Glover River
Upper Mountain Fork
North Jack Fork Creek
Kiamichi River
Seine and Stream Reconnaissance
Seine and Stream Reconnaissance
Seine and electro fishing
Seine and Stream Reconnaissance
Seine and electro fishing
Seine and Stream Reconnaissance
Stream Reconnaissance
Stream Reconnaissance
Stream Reconnaissance
Five temperature loggers were installed in the lower Illinois River. And water samples
were collected from the lower Illinois River to evaluate water temperatures and DO
concentrations.
A project was initiated to improve Lower Mountain Fork stream temperatures using
bubble plume diffuser technology to selectively withdrawal and release colder water from
Broken Bow Reservoir. This included:
• Conducting project planning.
• Acquiring necessary permits.
• Coordination with reservoir controlling authorities.
• Contracting with project vendor.
• Overseeing installation of bubble plume diffuser system and subsequent diffuser
testing.
• Monitoring water quality and temperature response, both within Broken Bow
Reservoir and the IMFR, to evaluate diffuser effectiveness.
• Compiling water quality and temperature data and providing to project vendor for
development of final project report.
The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation's (ODWC) Fisheries Division
began development of its Standardized Sampling Procedures (SSP) in 1977. The results
of these sampling efforts are the basis for producing meaningful management decision
toward enhancement of Oklahoma sport fish populations. Since that time the SSP
protocol has and continues to undergo change based on regular evaluation. SSP
procedures are not specific to any single management region but are evaluated,
augmented and modified on a Division-wide basis to insure standardization at all levels
of sampling, data analysis and interpretation.
As Oklahoma's fisheries managers become more proficient with sampling techniques,
there arise questions regarding the efficiency and efficacy of the SSP protocol.
Subsequent to this there have been several research efforts during the past five years
aimed at evaluation and modification of SSP practices:
• Seasonal and Habitat-Specific Length Bias of Electrofishing for Blue Catfish F-
74-R
• Electrofishing for Largemouth Bass: An Evaluation of Oklahoma's Standardized
Sampling Procedures F-50-R, Project 29
• Gill net sampling: An Evaluation of Oklahoma's Standard Sampling Procedures
F-50-R, Project 30
With regard to implementation of results from these research efforts, all three are still
undergoing evaluation. It is expected that these research efforts will modify SSP
guidelines to produce more accurate and precise results for formulating future
management decisions.
III. Conclusions: All objectives attained during the period
IV. Significant Deviations: None
Project 3: Restoration or Enhancement of Fisheries Habitat in Streams, Rivers and
Tailwaters
I. Objective: Develop and initiate physical stream restoration plans, localized in-stream
or riparian habitat improvement projects, minimum flow standards and thermal and water
quality enhancement endeavors to benefit sport fisheries and fishing opportunity in
streams, rivers and tailwaters across Oklahoma.
II. Summary of Progress: A project was initiated to improve IMFR stream temperatures
using bubble plume diffuser technology to selectively withdrawal and release colder
water from Broken Bow Reservoir. Prepared for in-stream habitat enhancement project
at the lower Illinois River.
Planning began for future projects including:
• Continued working on project to improve IMFR stream temperatures using bubble
plume diffuser technology to selectively withdrawal and release colder water from
Broken Bow Reservoir
• Requested sluice and hydropower release changes from Broken Bow Reservoir
controlling authorities as needed to maintain suitable water temperatures and
hydraulics in the lMFR.
• Completed installation of woody vegetation and grass seed on exposed riparian soils
at the IMFR - Evening Hole restoration project area.
• Continued preparing for implementation of in-stream habitat enhancements at the
Simp and Helen Watts Management Unit section of the lower Illinois River
III. Conclusions: All objectives attained during the period
IV. Significant Deviations: None
Project 4: Maintenance of Restoration or Habitat Enhancement Projects in Streams,
Rivers and Tailwaters
I. Objective: Periodically maintain riparian, in-stream habitat and channel improvement
projects designed to benefit sportfish and angling in Oklahoma's streams, rivers and
tailwaters.
II. Summary of Progress:
The ODWC completed primary enhancements to a 2,800-foot portion of the Lower
Mountain Fork River. This project was periodically maintained during the current
reporting period. These activities included:
• Re-seeding high foot traffic areas with grass to maintain vegetation on riparian areas.
• Monitoring flows in the newly constructed Lost Creek tributary and making
adjustments as needed to maintain proper stream hydraulics.
• Making minor adjustments to in-stream habitat improvement structures as needed to
maintain their integrity.
• Conducting active beaver control measures to reduce damage to woody riparian
vegetation.
• Controlling vehicle access to the project area to eliminate tread wear on riparian
areas.
III. Conclusions: All objectives attained during the period
IV. Significant Deviations: None
Project 5: Assessment of Restoration or Habitat Enhancement Projects in Streams,
Rivers and Tailwaters
I. Objective: Periodically assess riparian, in-stream habitat and channel improvement
projects and associated techniques used to benefit sportfish and angling in Oklahoma's
streams, rivers and tailwaters so future efforts are more successful.
II. Summary of Progress: ODWC Streams Management staff completed a study
entitled "Impacts of Road Crossings on Stream Morphology and Fish Movement
Potential" and continued working on study to develop regional small watershed
hydrology curves for eastern Oklahoma streams. Results from this work will be used to
better design future stream restoration projects. Additional monitoring was conducted on
the Evening Hole restoration project using visual assessments and picture documentation
to assess project quality assurance and stability.
Staff monitored stream morphology, using visual assessments, stream surveys and photo
documentation, to assess stability and success of past restoration projects. Locations
where these activities occurred include:
• Evening Hole and Lost Creek portions of the lMFR
• Spring Creek
• Honey Creek
• Upper Illinois River
• Lower Illinois River
• Brush Creek
Additionally all necessary compliance documents were completed prior to habitat
improvements
III. Conclusions: All objectives attained during the period
IV. Significant Deviations: None
Project 6: Technical Assistance for Stream Fisheries Management, Stream
Restoration and In-stream Habitat Enhancement to a Public Agency, Organization
or Private Landowner
I. Objective: To provide technical assistance regarding stream management to public
entities and private land owners upon request, statewide.
II. Summary of Progress: Technical assistance was also provided regarding
miscellaneous stream restoration issues to 26 different entities including several federal
agencies, state universities, as well as numerous private landowners.
III. Conclusions: All objectives attained during the period
IV. Significant Deviations: None
Project 7: Stream Fishing Access Development
I. Objective: To construct and/or repair public fishing access facilities on stream
systems across Oklahoma.
II. Summary of Progress: The ODWC Streams Management Program staff assisted the
Oklahoma Department of Parks and Tourism staff with repairs to existing fishing access
facilities at the Lower Mountain Fork River. No charges associated with this project.
II. Conclusions: All objectives attained during the period
IV. Significant Deviations: None
Prepared by:
Date:
Approved by:
William Ray, Envirornnental Biologist
March 23,2011
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Fisheries Administration
Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation
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Federal Aid Coordinator
Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation