Natal Origins Project (NO)

There is a low probability for an individual rainbow trout to move large distances. Abundance is a key factor: the more rainbow trout upstream in the Lees Ferry reach = more trout will move downstream to the LCR reach in search of unoccupied habitat Condition may be a secondary factor: when food resources become limited, rainbow trout will move downstream in search of food Recruitment in the reach below the LCR can be accounted for solely by immigrants from upstream sources Food limitation led to the collapse in the trout population, and by extension also likely happened in the downstream reaches. Inflow hydrology and reservoir limnology likely govern the quality and quantity of nutrients supplied to the downstream river segments. Nutrient limitation is hypothesized as being the “BIG HAMMER” to the riverine ecosystem, which needs to be evaluated in greater detail in future research.

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Updates [1] Episodic movement occurs under periods of high recruitment (lots of little trout looking for a place to live) [2] Episodic movement occurs under periods of environmental stress (poor conditions) [3] [4]

Links and Information The Lees Ferry Rainbow Trout Fishery Page Nutrients Page Background Initial investigations found: Efficacy of Mechanical Removal is dependent on immigration levels RBT abundance was high and variable, partially offset by trout immigration BNT were more predaceous than RBT RBT were more numerous than BNT Predation risk is a function of both density & predatory behavior Information Needs: What controls trout abundance? Where were RBT migrants originating from? What controls trout abundance? Where were RBT migrants originating from? How many sub-adult HBC move into the mainstem? How variable was subadult HBC survival? Was there a relationship between HBC survival & RBT abundance? Outcomes: Need to develop alternative sampling methods for determining trout and chub abundance and vital rates Natal Origin Project: Movement and trout dynamics NSE/JCM Projects: Juvenile HBC survival and other regulating factors Presentations and Papers 2017 Natal Origin Project PPT 2016 Natal Origins of Rainbow Trout Project, Years 1-4 (Nov 11 – Dec 15) 2015 Update on the 2015 decline in fish condition and abundance at Lees Ferry Natal Origins of Rainbow Trout: Glen Canyon and Marble Canyon Rainbow Trout Growth, Condition, Population Dynamics and Modeling in Glen Canyon 2014 New Insights on Trout from the Natal Origins Study Natal Origins update Natal Origins of Rainbow Trout: Glen Canyon and Marble Canyon 2013 Natal Origins update Natal Origins: Glen Canyon and Marble Canyon Other Stuff Local recruitment in Marble Canyon down to the LCR: There does appear to be some local trout recruitment in Marble Canyon down to the LCR but the numbers of trout at in the reach below the LCR is more associated with immigration from upstream sources (i.e. the Lees Ferry reach). [5] [6]