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FOREST SERVICE PORTLAND, OREGON

USDA Forest Service Research Paper PNW- 220

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

. MEEHAN

ILLIAM R DOUGLAS N. SWANSTON

CONTENTS

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Short Term Fine Sediment Accumulation. . Long Term Fine Sediment Accumulation and Saulineia iMe66; Suiavalyewl 4 6 5 gh ee 6 Jone

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A

EFFECTS OF GRAVEL MORPHOLOGY ON FINE SEDIMENT ACCUMULATION AND SURVIVAL OF INCUBATING SALMON EGGS

Reference Abstract

Meehan, William R., and Douglas N.

Swanston

1977. Effects of gravel morphlogy on fine sediment accumulation and survival of incubating salmon

ECGs. WSIDVN INCIES SIE o INSISIG

PNW-220, 16 p.,

illus. Pacific Northwest Forest and Range Experiment Station, Portland, Oregon.

Rate of fine sediment accumulation and survival of pink salmon eggs were determined for three types of

stream gravels. At low stream flows,

round gravel

accumulated somewhat more sediment than other gravel types, while at higher discharges angular gravel accumu- lated more sediment. Survival of pink salmon eggs was

Slightly higher in angular gravel.

KEYWORDS: Sedimentation, gravel, fish habitat, salmon,

streamflow.

RESEARCH SUMMARY Research Paper PNW-220 IST Sediment entering streams aS a

result of natural or man-caused phenomena can result in decreased

salmon egg survival. The influences

of gravel shape and stream dis- charge on rate of sedimentation of gravels, and the effect of gravel shape on survival of pink salmon eggs were studied in East Creek and an adjacent artificial stream channel on Admiralty Island in southeast Alaska.

Two separate experiments were conducted, one to evaluate the short term accumulation of fine sediment under different waterflow conditions as affected by gravel shape, and the second to relate gravel shape to long term fine

sediment accumulation and to Survival of incubating salmon embryos. Angular and round gravel were tested as well as the natural gravel from East Creek which was somewhat platy.

The short term experiments were reba) Siig’ jela\e) Ghetealital@aleul) Cloeioiosil eke different stream discharges.

Known amounts of sediment were added to the channel water and accumulation in the various gravel types was determined. At very

low flows round gravel accumulated somewhat more sediment than did angular gravel, while at higher discharges the relationship was reversed.

The long term experiments were conducted in both the artificial channel and the adjacent natural stream. Wire-meshed baskets Simulating salmon "redds" were filled with gravel and a known number of fertilized pink salmon eggs. In these tests, which were run at fluctuating streamflows, more fine sediment accumulated in

the angular gravel type. Salmon egg survival in the early stages also appeared to be slightly higher in the angular gravel. Survival in all gravel types was considerably higher in the baskets located in the artificial stream channel than in baskets located

in the natural stream.

INTRODUCTION

Sediment entering streams is a consequence of natural geologic erosive processes and of certain disturbances due to man's activi- ties. Southeast Alaska is a geologically youthful topography in which mass soil movements and valley and stream development occur. These natural processes create sediment. Steep slopes and high rainfall make the land sensitive to accelerated sediment production from road construction and logging (Swanston 1974).

The main detrimental effect of fine sediment to fish habitat is due to the reduced permeability of gravel by water during the time of egg and fry development. As fine sediment accumulates in streambed gravels, the flow of water is reduced and the ability of water to carry away embryo metabolic wastes is decreased. In addition, fine sediment may form a physical barrier to emer- gence of fry from subsurface gravels to surface waters (GainatILilstjeys} IL) 7/IL))

Over the past 60 years, the basic concepts concerning mechanics of streamflow and the effects of various stream parameters (e.g. depth, gradient, velocity, bedload, channel configuration) on sediment transport and deposition have been developed (Gilbert 1914, Rubey 1938, Kalinske 1947, Brooks 1958, Colby 1961). Attempts have also been made to apply these concepts to an analysis of the effects of transported sediments on survival of salmon eggs and alevins (Cooper 1965, Gangmark and Bakkala 1960). The results of these studies indi- cate a direct relationship between stream sedimentation and decrease in salmon egg survival.

The principles relating stream variables to sediment transport and deposition were developed from observations and measurements of streams in watersheds much older

geomorphologically than those

common to southeast Alaska. The channel gradients and water veloci- ties were much lower and the flows more constant, and the sediment

loads were finer in particle size than in Alaskan streams. Consequently, the quantitative results cannot

be applied directly to conditions

in southeast Alaska.

DESCRIPTION OF STUDY AREA

The study was conducted in the East Creek watershed located on the northeastern shore of Admiralty islandsrne sSoutheasteAukasikal a(eaige) ul): East Creek flows through mature, old-growth Sitka spruce ( Picea sttchensts) and western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) forest, and empties into Young Bay.

An artificial stream channel (fig. 2) was constructed from fabricated black iron culvert material and located adjacent to East Creek. The channel is 30 m long and 2.1m wide at a distance of 30.5 cm from the bottom, tapering 10) fl WalChelsy Gne Ao) im EkS (ell Weoja The channel is 1.2 m deep and has a gradient of 3.3 percent. Gravel from the East Creek flood plain was used initially to fill the channel to a depth of 46 cm. A water control dam fabricated from rock-filled gabions and a wooden flume to transport water to the artificial channel were constructed on East Creek about 60 m above the GInginoil (sealefg Sic AY SrSslAlLsjeye; oye yssa oh was dug at the lower end of the wooden intake flume and lined with nylon-reinforced polyvinyl sheeting. A 120° V-notch sharp-crested weir was built into the intake box of the artificial channel at the lower end of the stilling basin so that waterflow into the channel could be measured (fig. 4). On the east Side of the stilling basin, another wooden flume transported excess water back into East Creek. A gage house was installed in the basin to house stage and water temperature BeECOLdeES) 1 Gilgen 4).

SOUTHEAST ALASKA

SCALE IN MILES 50 ie}

YOUNG BAY EXPERIMENTAL FOREST

DIXON ENTRANCE

Figure 2.--Artificial stream channel, looking downstream.

50

Figure 1.--Map of southeast Alaska showing location of Young Bay Experimental Forest.

Figure 3.--Gabion dam and intake flume.

SS Si

Figure 4.--Intake flume, stilling basin, and outlet to channel showing V-notch weir and gage house.

METHODS

Two separate experiments were conducted; one to evaluate the short term accumulation of fine sediment under different waterflow conditions as affected by gravel shape and the second to relate gravel shape to long term fine sediment accumulation and to sur- vival of incubating salmon embryos.

Short Term Fine Sediment Accumulation

Gravels varying from 2.54 to 10.16 cm in diameter were hand picked and separated into angular and round classes. The gravel came from a presently dry portion of the channel of East Creek. The selected dry gravels were placed in number 10 cans, weighed, and then buried just below the "gravel pavement" layer in the experimental stream channel. Water was then

A's

conducted into the channel and flows brought to designated levels until a steady flow was reached.

In 1971, four experimental runs were made at flow rates of OkiGbaame/s 0 Ones 0235) ome sp and 0.145 m3/s. Two additional runs were made in 1973 at 0.80 m3/s and 0.57 m?/s. Experimental procedure was as follows:

a) Flow rate to be sampled was allowed to stabilize in the test section and was allowed to run until erosion armor formed and observable bed- load transport ceased.

b) The flow was then stopped and 10 sample cans, 5 with angular gravel and 5 with round gravel, were buried in the test section with the can mouths below the armor and the gravel flush at the sur- face of the channel (fig. 5)-

Approximately 104 kg of fine

sediment <2.0 mm (in the short

~~ SAMPLE CANS WITH cotay ANGULAR GRAVEL

23°), SAMPLE CANS WITH ce5ee4 ROUND GRAVEL

Figure 5.--Diagram of test section showing dimensions and

location of sediment sample cans.

term experiments, fine sediment is less than 2.0 mm) were then added at the weir entrance, and the steady rate of flow maintained for 3 hours. The gravel-filled cans were then removed, oven-dried, and weighed to determine the amount of added sediment which accumulated during the duration of flow. Preliminary tests indicated that if these experiments were run at decreasing discharge rates, the "erosion pave- ment" or "rock armor" developed on the gravel surface was adequate to preclude fine sediment transport

in the channel and into the cans DElOrEtEO,addaton) Of Ehe) famen sediment. Disturbance resulting from burial of the sample cans was kept to a minimum and is not believed to have appreciably affected the sediment measurements.

Long Term Fine Sediment Accumulation and Salmon Egg Survival

Ten stainless steel-mesh cylinders,

each 45.7 cm deep and 30.5 cm in

diameter were fabricated to serve AS augtealiealenkall Yigeclelj¥ (Gries, )) 5

Three gravel types were used in this portion of the study:

1) Round, stream-washed gravel 2.54 to 10.16 cm in diameter, composed primarily of argillite and greenstone.

ZF EEO composed

2) Broken angular gravel, 10.16 cm in diameter, mainly of quartzite.

3) Natural gravel from East Creek, which was made up of the above types and which was somewhat jOuLeneNy alin, EOE

The round and angular gravels were the same type as those used in the short term fine sediment accumula- tion tests (in the long term experi- ments, fine sediment is less than ORS 3S mm)

Figure 6.--Basket used as artificial "redd" and outer casing for retaining sediment when basket was removed from streambed.

Enough pink salmon females to furnish 20,000 eggs were spawned in Auke Creek, a small stream about 24 km from the study area, in September, 1969, and again in September, 1970. The eggs, as well as milt from several males, were transported to Young Bay in insulated ice-packed chests. At the study site, the eggs were then fertilized and 2,000 eggs were added to each cylinder of gravel. Cylinders were identified by attaching stamped tags and were set into the artificial channel and the streambed so the tops of the cylinders were flush with the gravelbed surface. Continuous recording thermographs located in a gage house on East Creek (19'69=7/0)) and at Ehe aneriaciral: channel site (1970-71) were used to monitor accumulation of temperature units by the incubating

eggs.

During the winter of 1969-70, 10 samples of East Creek gravel had been taken from the streambed where egg cylinders were to be installed. A total of 10 baskets containing fertilized eggs and natural East Creek gravel (4 bas- kets), rounded gravel (3 baskets), or angular gravel (3 baskets) were then planted in the streambed.

During the winter of 1970-71, fine sediment which accumulated in the egg baskets in the artificial channel was evaluated by installing seven egg cylinders in the channel and three in East Creek to act as controls. One of the baskets in the channel contained natural East Creek gravel, three contained round gravel, and three contained angular gravel. The control baskets in East Creek consisted of one basket each of the three gravel types. Before the baskets were removed from the artificial channel to determine egg survival, the water to the channel was shut off and the intragravel water permitted to

drain out. This allowed the baskets to be removed without loss of fine sediments from flushing.

The material in the baskets dur- ing both tests was sorted by means of standard Tyler sieves and then each size class was weighed.

Percent Survival of eggs was determined by removing the cylinders from the streambed after sufficient temperature units had accumulated for the eggs to reach the eyed stage and be counted. Due to the diffi- culty of access to the study site during the severe winter months, the eggs could not be maintained through to hatching.

The data from the 1969-70 test were not subjected to analysis of variance due to missing observations and frequent zeros. Data from the 1970-71 test were subjected to an analysis of variance.

RESULTS

Short Term Fine Sediment Accumulation

The effects of the measured rate of discharge and gravel shape on fine sediment accumulation are summarized in table 1 and figures 7 and 8. At flows within the range of our experiment, 0.145 to 0.80 m? pers, it appears that accumu- lation of fine sediment increases in angular gravels with increasing discharge (fig. 7). Conversely, round gravels show a corresponding decrease (fig. 8). This can be the result of several factors. The greater amount of fine sediment accumulated in the rounded gravels at low flows may be a reflection of the relative ease with which water moves around and over rounded gravels. In such a low energy Situation, less tractive force is required to carry particles to fill interstices. As flow rates increase,

4 ce

the water can transport more materials

a— O eee SIS

462

In y (Sed. acc.) = -.458+4.353 In x (discharge) R?=.73

IN ANGULAR GRAVEL

O MEASURED VALUES 4 CALCULATED VALUES

PERCENT OF FINE SEDIMENT ACCUMULATED

O i can NALS Qe One Or eae e BY) 1e9 ert NO DISCHARGE ACROSS TEST SECTION (Q,) m>/sec.

Figure 7.--Accumulation of fine sediment vs. discharge across the test section for angular gravel.

_ €o = In y (Sed acc.) = -.879 -.248 In x (discharge) S110 = R*=.72 = 8 60 > 2a fe 50 oO We 40 ke) Za [Wie i> 30 S © MEASURED VALUES 5 20 A CALCULATED VALUES uJ te ed1O Of 2 Se ea a ee ee

DISCHARGE ACROSS TEST SECTION (Q,) m>/sec.

Figure 8.--Accumulation of fine sediment vs. discharge across the test section for round gravel.

Table 1--Impact of discharge, tractive force, and particle shape on movement of channel materials in test section

Qp Total weight accumulated sediment Total weight Total sediment accumulated

Tractive

atgeharse | "force ae m3/s watts/m? g g g Percent Percent 0.145 7.44 WT 1939.5 2667.2 20s pa) 0.235 12.06 1994.8 2516.3 4511.1 44.2 55.8 0.410 21.05 3005.0 2908.7 5913.7 50.8 49.2 O87 29.26 2887.5 2631.5 5519.0 5253 47.7 0.65 Wo si) 4331.9 3008.2 7340.1 59.0 41.0 0.80 41.07 5356.5 5622.6 10979.1 48.8 51.2 Greater turbulence, however, is term experiment were recorded as generated around angular gravels, 0.16 m*? per s. Higher flows, how- periodically producing local areas ever, and particularly storm flows of zero or negative velocity, trap- probably accounted for higher sedi- ping particles, and increasing fine ment deposition in angular gravel. sediment accumulation in the angular The natural East Creek gravels gravels. Above 0.41 m° per s, accumulated fine sediment in a more sediment accumulates in angu- direct relationship to size cillass, lar than round gravels although i.e., the finer the sediment, the there appears to be a leveling off less there was (both in weight and of the sediment accumulated in percent of total sediment). In the both gravel types. round and angular gravels, however,

more sediment between 0.208 and ; 0.104 mm was generally evident than Long Term Fine Sediment Accumulation were other size classes. and Salmon Egg Survival During both winters that fertil-

Weights and percentages by weight ized eggs were held in gravel bas- of fine sediments in size classes kets, problems were encountered <0.833 mm which accumulated in the which prevented them from living egg baskets are presented in until hatching time. During the tables 2-4 and in figures 9 and 10. winter of 1969-70, artificial redds From these data it is apparent that were placed in the streambed of East less fine sediment (<0.833 mm) Creek. A severe flood during accumulated in the natural East December 1969 scoured two baskets Creek gravel than in either round out of the streambed and washed or angular selected gravel. One them downstream and shifted several factor which probably contributed others. Most of the eggs in the to this result is that the natural baskets were killed at this time; creek gravel had more material however, many of the eggs had between 0.833 mm and 25 mm in size, survived through the eyed stage. and hence, less room for finer During the winter of 1970-71, seven sediments. It also appears that egg baskets were placed in the more sediment <0.833 mm accumulated artificial stream channel; three in angular gravel than in round were placed in East Creek adjacent gravel, again probably due to the to the channel. During this winter, availability of intragravel voids. debris blocked the entrance to the Low stream flows during this long water intake flume; and when the

" Table 2--Amount of bedload sediment by stze class in East Creek, 1969-70

Amount of sediment in size class

_ Percent! Percent Percent g Percent g Percent on Nl 44 13/0 32 0.95 6 0.18 3 0.09 3 0.09 | N2 208 Ih 5 bys) 166 4.43 Sis 0.83 9 0.24 2 0.05 } N3 150 6.06 122 4.93 20 0.81 6 0.24 2 0.08 ; N4 79 250 59 1.87 13 0.41 6 0.19 1 0.03 ] R1 ZA 6.89 177 Ba 7/83 26 0.85 5 0.16 3 0.10 R2 120 2.46 100 2205 14 0.29 4 0.08 2 0.04 | R3 72 1.58 60 eo 32 9 0.20 2 0.04 1 0.02 Z| Al 79 De ila 68 1.82 7 0.19 2 0.05 2 0.05 A2 334 7.34 238 55743} Wal 1.56 22 0.48 3 0.07 A3 138 3 50) 96 2.43 25 0.63 LS} (5333) 4 0.10 Mean 143.5 3.93 HHT ss 3.08 Zions, 0.60 U2 0.19 rs oh 0.06 1/

— Percentages are based on entire sample, not just that portion less than 0.833 mm.

Table 3--Amount of bedload sediment by size class accumulated in egg baskets in East Creek, 1969-70

Amount of sediment in size class Basket No.

g Percent! g Percent g Percent g Percent g Percent I Natural stream » gravel Nl 453 5.38 223 2.65 98 1.16 61 0.72 71 0.84 | N2 302 5.12 174 295) 72 1.22 30 0.51 26 0.44 N3 595 6.09 310 3.17 104 1.06 124 1.27 57 0.58 N4 365 3.84 128 1.35 82 0.86 67 0.70 88 0.93 | Mean W 428.8 5.11 208.8 2.58 89.0 1.08 70.5 0.80 60.5 0.70 Round gravel | Rl 468 4.24 124 Wo dg 167 1.51 142 1.29 35 0.32 R2 454 6.17 92 1.25 154 2.09 161 2.19 47 0.64 R3 620 7.30 159 1.87 212 2.50 143 1.68 106 1.25 Mean R 514.0 5.90 125.0 1.47 NA 2.08 148.7 1.72 62.7 0.74 Angular gravel Al 432 5.69 95 1.25 89 Wolk 7 115 1.51 133 1.75 A2 647 6.23 124 Loe 135 1.30 173 1.67 215 2.07 A3 581 6.48 204 2.28 112 1.125 186 2.07 79 0.88 Mean A 503.3 6.138 141.0 1.57 112.0 1.24 158.0 1.76 HAS ha OY

a NN ENE SS eae Le eNO et cece ee ee i ee ee 'Percentages are based on entire sample, not just that portion less than 0.833 mm.

Table 4--Amount of bedload sediment by size class accwnulated in egg baskets in artificial strean and in East Creek, 1970-71

Amount of sediment in size class

Total <0.833 mm 0.417 - 0.833 mm 0.208 - 0.417 mm 0.104 - 0.208 mm

Basket No.?!

g Percent? g Percent g Percent g Percent g Percent N 624 5.40 318 2.15 120 1.04 99 0.86 87 0.75 R 687 Bie 2 196 1.63 225 1.87 203 1.69 63 0.52 A 718 6.21 189 1163 166 1.44 197 1.70 166 1.44 Natural stream gravel Nl 2748 4.96 1469 2.65 593 1.07 287 0.52 399 0.72 Round gravel Rl 3927 7.87 984 1.97 1069 2.14 1056 2.12 818 1.64 R2 5351 9.907 936 1.74 1282 2.38 1588 2.96 1545 2.88 R3 5719 10.83 1216 2.30 1372 2.60 1725 3.27 1406 2.66 Mean R 4999 9.56 1045.3 2.00 1241.0 2.37 1456.3 2.78 1256.3 2.39 Angular gravel Al 6458 14.16 1428 3.13 1629 3.57, 1839 4.03 1562 3.43 A2 4610 10.02 1150 2.50 1178 2.56 1225 2.66 1057 2.30 A3 6128 13.60 1252 2.78 1353 3.00 1734 3.85 1789 3.97 Mean A 5732 12.59 1276.7 2.80 1386.7 3.04 1599.3 3.51 1469.3 3.23

lBaskets N,:R, and A were tested in East Creek. All others were tested in the artificial stream channel. 2Percentages are based on entire sample, not just that portion less than 0.833 mn.

flow decreased in the artificial artificial spawning process. In stream, the intragravel water, as some cases the baskets had been well as remaining surface water, forced open during severe shifting froze. Again, many of the eggs and some eggs were undoubtedly lost. which had survived to the eyed The assumption here is that there Stage died. As a result, the was no difference in the loss of Survival figures presented in eggs from the baskets between those tables 5 and 6 represent survival which had reached the eyed stage

to eyeing. For example, during and those which had not.

1969-70, out of 1,894 eggs which

were examined in basket N3, 775 The egg survival figures pre- (40.9 percent) reached the eyed sented in tables 5 and 6 are based Stage (table 5). Since in both not on the total number of eggs years the baskets were retrieved originally placed in the baskets before temperature units necessary (approximately 2,000 eggs per

for hatching had accumulated but basket) but rather on the percentage well after temperature units of the remaining eggs which had necessary for eyeing had accu- reached the eyed stage. For example, mulated, the discrepancies in in table 5 the number of remaining final numbers of eggs counted eggs which had reached the eyed

from those originally placed in stage in basket A2 is 206 out of a the baskets are open to speculation. total of 249 remaining eggs, or

Part of these discrepancies may be 82.7 percent. If, however, this explained by unfertilized or Survival to eyed stage had been otherwise dead eggs which broke up based on total number of eggs

and disintegrated soon after the

10

1600

BASKETS, ARTIFICIAL CHANNEL

1970/71

atural Stream ravel from

N G

East Creek

3 fo) a

S

S 9350

WVYS NI

WY

Wp Wry

S

rt - v SQ =F SAAS Y x 8 Z 1 il qx 4 iG 1 iS is Gee 0 JOR KR ak kb 3 i 1 4 Lj a oF wH J B a | ae) On (e) oO (oe) (©) (e) Oo oO (a) WN

LNASWIGSS JO LHSISM

NATURAL STREAM GRAVEL

, EAST CREEK

1969/70

<0.104

0.417- 0.208-0.104- 0.833 0.417 0.208

0.417- 0.208- 0.104- 0.833 0417 0.208 <9:!04

<0.104

0.417- 0.208- 0.104- 0.833 0.417 0.208

SIZE CLASSES OF SEDIMENT IN MILLIMETERS Figure 9.--Weight of bedload sediment which accumulated in egg baskets

containing various gravel types, located in East Creek (1969-70 and

1970-71) and in artificial stream channel (1970-71).

ital

12

BASKETS, ARTIFICIAL CHANNEL n=3

3.00 1970771 n=3 2.00 ce

n= | 1.00

ic 030)

=

r0 i BASKETS, WEASIMGREBK

2.00 De, n=! Be lee i \\ \ < : O Be \\\\ 7 e BASKETS, EAST CREEK 2 = 3.00 1969/ 70 5 E 2.00 Hig n=3 (op) vs N Wy 5 2 1.00 aan \W\\ Qa

S 300 a EAST eee Hl 1969/70 GRAVEL TYPES

oO 0 TOG

Vises 7 A) Gravel trom EAH

| na Round Q oe s N Angular O Walle 2S axes

0.417- 0.208- 0.104- 6g 194

0.833 0.417 0.208 0.833 0.417 0.208

SIZE CLASSES OF SEDIMENT

0.417- 0.208- 0.104-¢o 104

0.417- 0.208- 0.104- 0.833 0.417 0.208 <°:!04

IN| MILLIMETERS

Figure 10.--Percent by weight of bedload sediment which accumulated in egg

baskets containing various gravel types,

located in East Creek (1969-70

and 1970-71) and in artificial stream channel (1970-71).

Table 5-- Survival of remaining pink salmon eggs to eyed stage in arttfictal redds containing

Basket number

N1 N2 N3 N4

R1 R2 R3

Al A2 A3

round, angular, or natural stream gravels, East Creek, 1969-70

Gravel type

Natural Natural Natural Natural

Round Round Round

Angular Angular Angular

0

Number of eggs counted

stream 1,000 stream 3 -- stream 775 yp alas) stream 50 500 0 1,850

0 1,600

3 ae

0 900

206 43

43 24

lLive eggs are those which lived at least to eyed stage. 2Dead eggs are those which did not live to eyed stage. 3Basket washed out of streambed.

Percent survival to eyed stage

Table 6--Survival of remaining ptnk salmon eggs to eyed stage in artifictal redds containing round, angular,

Basket number

Pr ws

Nl

Rl

R2

R3

Al

A2

A3

East Creek East Creek East Creek

Artificial channel

Artificial channel.

Artificial channel

stream

or natural stream gravels, 1970-71

Natural stream Round Angular

Natural stream

Round Round

Round

Angular Angular

Angular

Number of eggs counted

24

1,615 1,360

1,444

lLive eggs are those which lived at least to eyed stage. 2Dead eggs are those which did not live to eyed stage.

273 393 520

355

235 320 420

240 325)

470

Percent survival to eyed stage

80.0

76.7

Boal 80.7

75.4

1S)

originally put into the basket (2,000), it would have been only 10.3 percent.

Results in table 6 show no sig- nificant difference among mean sur- vival in natural, round, and angular gGraveliss (7/3).507 0-h0 a sandiaciyOWe respectively). In the absence of a statistical analysis of the data in table 5, at dissnot iposs2bilesito draw any meaningful conclusions about the preferability of one gravel type over another for sur- vival of salmon embryos, although the angular gravel may have pro- vided slightly better survival. It is obvious from tables 5 and 6, however, that considerably higher survival was obtained in the arti- ficial channel than in the natural stream.

Table 7 compares egg survival with total amount of sediment <0.833 mm which accumulated in the baskets during the winter of 1969-70 in East Creek. Table 8 makes a Similar comparison for baskets tested during the winter of 1970-71 in East Creek and in the artificial stream channel. The most significant results are that the egg survivals in the baskets in the channel were almost 10 times those of eggs which incubated in baskets in East Creek, and the amount of fine sediments which accumulated in channel baskets was about 10 times greater than amount of fine sediment which accumulated in East Creek baskets (table 8).

14

Several factors may have contributed to these results. The much more even (controlled) water flow in

the artificial stream should be directly correlated with egg and alevin survival, primarily because of the reduced probability of shock particularly during the "tender" periods of egg development. The fact that more fine sediment accumulated in baskets in the artificial stream than in baskets in East Creek (in all three gravel types tested) may be explained in part by the fact that the gabion dam at the head of the artificial structure tended to promote deposi- tion of fine sediment in front of the dam in the area of the intake flume. During periods of high flow, this sediment accumulation may have been washed into the channel in comparatively greater quantities than passed down East Creek itself.

Much less dramatic results were obtained from comparing sediment accumulation and egg survival among gravel types, although it appears that, in general, the least amount of fine sediment accumulated in natural stream gravel and the most in angular gravel. This is probably due to space available for accumula- tion and also to the "paving" effect of natural East Creek gravel. Also it appears that somewhat higher Survival occurred in the angular gravel. The differences, however, in both fine sediment accumulation and egg survival between round and angular gravels are very small.

$$$ ee

Table 7--£gg survival and fine sediment accumulation in baskets in East Creek, 1969-70

Basket number Gravel type Fine sediment (<0.833 mm)

Percent! g Percent

Nl Natural stream 0 453 5.38

N2 Natural stream 2 302 5.12

N3 Natural stream 40.9 595 6.09

N4 Natural stream Veal 365 3.84 Mean N US 7 428.8 5g ILI R1 Round 0 468 4.24

R2 Round 0 454 6.17

R3 Round 2 620 7.30 Mean R 0 514.0 5.90 Al Angular 0 432 5.69

A2 Angular 82.7 647 6.23

A3 Angular 64.2 581 6.48 Mean A 49.0 Dodie 6.13

lsurvival of remaining eggs to eyed stage. 2Eggs washed out during flood.

Table 8--Egg survival and fine sediment accumulation in baskets in East Creek and in arttftctal

stream channel, 1970-71

Basket number! Gravel type Egg survival Fine sediment (<0.833 mm)

Percent2 g Percent

N Natural stream Srl 624 5.40

R Round 8.8 687 B62

A Angular ito 3 718 6.21 NL Natural stream iSite) 2748 4.96

Rl Round 83.6 3927 Toy

R2 Round 80.0 5s 997

R3 Round i Ovew; 5719 10.83 Mean R 80.1 4999 9.56 Al Angular (37/ qal 6458 14.16

A2 Angular 80.7 4610 10.03

A3 Angular UDoe) 6128 13.60 Mean A (shal dl 6782 12.59

lBaskets N, R, and A were tested in East Creek. All others were tested in the artificial stream channel. Survival of remaining eggs to eyed stage.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study suggest that in the absence of storm flows, gravel shape can have an appreciable effect on short term sediment accumulation in spawning gravels. This is particularly evident for flow rates <0.8 m° per s (rates within our experimental range).

At very low fllows, <052 m°? per s, round gravels tend to accumulate more fine sediment than angular gravels. This relationship is reversed as flow rates increase above approximately 0.4 m® per s and angular gravels tend to accumu- late more sediment.

When fertilized salmonid eggs

are "planted" in artificial containers,

survival appears to be potentially greater if they are placed ina structure in which streamflow can be controlled than when they are placed in a natural streambed sub- ject to storm flows and consequent gravel disturbance.

Survival of salmonid embryos, at least in the early stages of development, may be somewhat greater in angular gravels than in other gravel types. Since the amount of fine sediment which accumulates during a range of water flow con- ditions is somewhat greater in angular gravels than in other gravel types, embryo survival may at times be highest in those gravels containing the most fine sediment; this) situation) is \probabiliy, due to other factors such as amount of intragravel void space, water VEHOCIEYs, Mer

LITERATURE CITED

Brooks, N. H.

1958. Mechanics of streams with moveable beds of fine sand. Am. Gyoyele, (Galhyalal Wdevoj5, Ubeehyg ILASRiyAg— 549.

16

Colby, 1961.

discharge of bed material. U.S.

Geol. Surv. Water Supply Pap. AOS =) Sa lezaaoe

(oyojoyse 5 /No (Gc 1965. The effect of transported

stream sediments on the survival of sockeye and pink salmon eggs and alevins. Int. Salmon MalLSo4 Comming IealIL UM, Jor

Pace It}

Gangmark, H. A., and R. B. Bakkala. 1960. A comparative study of unstable and stable (artificial channel) spawning streams for incubating king salmon at Mill Creek. California Fish and Game 46 (2) :151-164.

Gilliberity Gs, Ke 1914° Transport Of debrasi by, running water. U.S. Geol. Surv. hehe, Dele wg BOS jo.

Kalinske, A. A.

1947. Movement of sediment as bedload in rivers. Trans. Am. Geophys. Union 28(4):615-620.

Pha ale Si en aie 1971. Effects of sediment on the gravel environment and fish production. 17) Proce OG aeoyaiper For. Land Uses and Stream Environ., 1970, p. 64-74, illus. Oregon SitakemUnwivAy, Comvalklmice

Rubey, W. W.

1938. The force required to move particles on a streambed. U.S. Geol. Surv. Prof. Pap. 189=—E.

PDAS D6

Swansitony, iD uNic 1974. The forest ecosystem of southeast Alaska. 5. Soil mass movement. USDA For. Serv. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-17. 22 °ph, satus Pac. Northwest For. and Range ExXp)., Stn), Ponteland, tOneqone

GPO 998-767

Bees Effect of depth of flow on

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‘

The mission of the PACIFIC NORTHWEST FOREST AND RANGE EXPERIMENT STATION is to provide the knowledge, technology, and alternatives for present and future protection, management, and use of forest, range, and related environments.

Within this overall mission, the Station conducts and stimulates research to facilitate and to accelerate progress toward the following goals:

1. Providing safe and efficient technology for inventory, protection, and use of resources.

2. Developing and evaluating alternative methods and levels of resource management.

3. Achieving optimum sustained resource productivity consistent with maintaining a high quality forest environment.

The area of research encompasses Oregon, Washington, Alaska, and, in some cases, California, Hawaii, the Western States, and the Nation. Results of the research are made available promptly. Project headquarters are at:

Fairbanks, Alaska Portland, Oregon Juneau, Alaska Olympia, Washington Bend, Oregon Seattle, Washington Corvallis, Oregon Wenatchee, Washington

La Grande, Oregon

Mailing address: Pacific Northwest Forest and Range Experiment Station P.O. Box 3141 Portland, Oregon 97208

eli

to the principle of multiples 2 ep ed ation’s forest resources for sustained yields } e i i

Ane forestry reséai and private forest

ational Grasslands, it

Applicants for all Debs without regard to race,