Studying Chinook Salmon in Big Creek

Dean Holecek, a fishery and wildlife resources student and a 2006 Taylor Ranch scholarship recipient, wanted to explore why Chinook salmon populations have declined throughout much of the Pacific Northwest. To do this, he looked at an area that is some of the highest quality rearing habitat available for salmon populations, the Big Creek drainage in the Middle Fork Salmon River. The overall goal of this project was to quantify key aspects of Chinook, including consumption, growth, survival and movements, and identify relationships between habitat availability and salmon performance.

It is well known that the mortality in Chinook salmon most often occurs during the early life of these populations. Yet despite its significance, it remains an under-studied portion of the Chinook life cycle. Dean felt this is a research area that should be emphasized and took action along with his faculty adviser, Dr. Kennedy, assistant professor in the College of Natural Resources.

Impact

Dean studied various characteristics of selected sections of the river while collecting attribute information, such as: water depth, water velocity, substrate, temperature cover, and more. The impacts of this research project and others like it are poised to have a profound effect on Chinook populations throughout the Northwest.

By working to identify habitat preferences for age-0 Chinook salmon, this research will help fisheries managers in the conservation, restoration, and quantification of suitable rearing habitat for juvenile Chinook salmon, with the potential to improve populations across the regions.

Funding Source

This project was funded by the DeVlieg Undergraduate Scholar award.The award provides funding for an "inquiry-based" learning experience for University of Idaho undergraduate students at Taylor Ranch Field Station.

Principal Contributors

Dean Holecek
Student, Fishery and Wildlife Resources

Brian Kennedy
Associate Professor
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