Habitats for juvenile chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) were
observed at a high flow during the spring of 1989 and at a low flow during the
spring of 1991 in the lower American River of California. Parameters of
microhabitats in eight macrohabitats were measured. Mean column water velocity
and total water depth variables were used to statistically compare juvenile chinook
salmon microhabitat distributions between and among macrohabitat type/reach and
flow combinations. Using mean column water velocity and total water depth as
independent variables, each macrohabitat type/reach appeared to be unique.
Mean column water velocity seemed to be a better descriptor of juvenile
chinook salmon habitat selection than was total water depth. Riffles appeared to
be the preferred macrohabitats for large non-schooling chinook salmon at both
flow levels. Root wads, woody debris, and submerged terrestrial vegetation were
utilized extensively and provided a significant cover for schooling chinook salmon
during the high flow period.
Habitat utilization by chinook salmon appears to be influenced by nonhydraulic
variables. Application of models in current instream flow studies need
to include factors such as water temperature and aquatic insect production. / Graduation date: 1993
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ORGSU/oai:ir.library.oregonstate.edu:1957/36397 |
| Date | 28 July 1992 |
| Creators | Jackson, Terry A. |
| Contributors | Tubb, Richard A. |
| Source Sets | Oregon State University |
| Language | en_US |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis/Dissertation |
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