G23AC00674

Project Title: Klamath River Fish Health Studies
Project Period: 10 01 2023 - 12 31 2027

Project Abstract: Freshwater pathogens impact salmonids at different stages throughout their life histories in the Klamath River, Oregon California. These pathogens include protozoan and metazoan parasites. Several have been identified as significant contributors to morbidity and mortality of out-migrant juvenile and in-migrant adult Chinook (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and coho salmon (O. kisutch) in the lower Klamath River, with population level impacts.

Study will focus on process-related research and inter-annual pattern-based research from routine monitoring, to better understand the environmental variables responsible for variation in mortality as a result of disease in salmon. Recipient will monitor parasite abundance and predict associated disease risk for fishes, providing data for models and short and long term management under current and projected future river conditions.

Activities to be performed - monitoring studies include sentinel fish exposures (to determine infection severity), annelid sampling (to determine invertebrate host density and infection) and water sampling (to determine the amount of waterborne parasites). Monitoring will occur at established mainstem index sites throughout the basin, above and below the dams. Samples are analyzed using microscopy and molecular assays (PCR, qPCR and sequencing).

Data will be shared on a monitoring webpage, during conference calls with interested parties, at an annual Klamath River Fish Health Workshop and other scientific meetings, and in an annual report and scientific literature.

Deliverables and Expected Outcomes -
(A) Determine how interactions between water flow, temperature and adult salmon returns affect: (1) infection and disease in juvenile and adult salmon, (2) abundance of waterborne parasite stages, (3) annelid populations (density, structure), (4) annelid prevalence of infection.
(B) Provide real-time monitoring of parasite abundance in the river at established index sites to inform models and short- and long-term adaptive management.
(C) Determine what influences fluctuations in parasite genotype (Ceratonova shasta) and how this affects mortality in Chinook and coho.
(D) Develop a method to distinguish variants of C. shasta genotype II (relevant to coho) from the upper and lower basins.
(E) Investigate impact of access to the upper Klamath Basin on existing and reintroduced salmonids.
(F) Validate an epidemiological model of disease and interpret results for inclusion in the conceptual model for C. shasta disease in the lower Klamath Basin (current model for KBC) and parameterize data gaps remaining in current model (genotyping myxospores input from adult carcasses).
(G) Develop an epidemiological model of disease and interpret results for inclusion in the conceptual model for C. shasta disease in the upper Klamath Basin.
(H) Test annelid model and interpret results for inclusion in the conceptual model for C. shasta disease in the project reach.
(I) Develop a multi-faceted monitoring program for Ich.

Intended Beneficiary(ies) -
Klamath River communities, including Klamath Tribes, Karuk Tribe, Yurok Tribe and Hoopa Tribe, water users, fisherfolk (river and ocean), state and federal agencies (ODFW, CDFW, NOAA), Klamath salmon populations, killer whale populations (that depend on Klamath salmon for food).

Subrecipient Activities, if known or specified at the time of award - None.

Oregon State University

RESEARCH FOR NATURAL HAZARDS, ENERGY AND MINERAL RESOURCES, ECOSYSTEMS AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH, AND WATER RESOURCES.

15.812 - Cooperative Research Units

USGS Office of Acquisitions and Grants [DOI - USGS]

Oregon United States

State-Wide

Cooperative Research Units Program Department of the Interior Geological Survey (G23AS00034)

Amendment Since initial award the total obligations have increased 54% from $2,042,797 to $3,143,307.