In-Water Habitat Restoration and Juvenile Salmonid Stranding in the Lower Columbia River

by Robert L. Emmett, Point Adams Biological Field Station, Hammond, United States,
George T. McCabe, Jr., Point Adams Biological Field Station, Hammond, United States,
Susan A. Hinton, Point Adams Biological Field Station, Hammond, United States,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Coastal Zone '93

Abstract:

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE) is considering using an eroded area in the Columbia River estuary to dispose of dredged material from the navigation channel. We conducted baseline biological surveys in July and September 1992 to quantify benthic invertebrate and fishery resources and sediment characteristics associated with the eroded, deep subtidal area and an adjacent shallow subtidal habitat (control area). The goal of the project is to create stable shallow subtidal habitat in the eroded area, in return increase benthic invertebrate productivity and fish utilization of this area. Juvenile salmonids can become stranded on lower Columbia River beaches when deep-draft vessels wakes washes them onto a beach. Many beaches that the COE uses for dredged- material disposal have been documented. The type of ship traffic and physical attributes of each beach (slope, width, and shape) were measured from late June to September 1992 and the amount of juvenile stranding quantified. The goal was to identify the factors that contribute to juvenile salmonid stranding and suggest remedial actions (changes in beach configuration or dredged material placement) to reduce stranding.

Subject Headings: Dredged materials | Fish and fishery management | Rivers and streams | Ecological restoration | Beaches | Ships | Effluents | United States

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