Summary

Description

This study examines the ecosystem response of the Elwha River to the removal of the Elwha River dams. We will measure the following attributes of ecosystem response: 1. Biological (primary and secondary productivity, juvenile and adult fish) 2. Physical (particle size distribution, habitat type, and habitat condition) 3. Chemical (nutrients and stable isotopes). This is part of a larger effort that includes NOAA, US Fish and Wildlife Service, USGS, Lower Elwha Tribe, WDFW, and NPS. Specific work includes drift samples, benthic samples, juvenile snorkel surveys, juvenile mark-recapture surveys, habitat surveys, pebble counts, longitudinal profiles, turbidity measurements, adult spawner surveys, and juvenile fish diet samples using gastric lavage. Products include several annual reports and published papers, future journal papers, and a database. The management audience includes those involved in salmon restoration projects, salmon habitat monitoring, NOAA's Open Rivers Initiative, and NOAA's Restoration Center. This is an ongoing project that compliments several other projects, and there is no firm deadline. All relevant biological data