Physicochemical Characteristics of the Hyporheic Zone Affect Redd Site Selection by Chum Salmon and Fall Chinook Salmon in the Columbia River

Abstract

Chum salmon Oncorhynchus keta and fall chinook salmon O. tshawytscha spawned at separate locations in a side channel near Ives Island, Washington, in the Columbia River downstream of Bonneville Dam. We hypothesized that measurements of water depth, substrate size, and water velocity would not sufficiently explain the separation in spawning areas and began a 2-year investigation of physicochemical characteristics of the hyporheic zone. We found that chum salmon spawned in upwelling water that was significantly warmer than the surrounding river water. In contrast, fall chinook salmon constructed redds at downwelling sites, where there was no difference in temperature between the river and its bed. An understanding of the specific factors affecting chum salmon and fall chinook salmon redd site selection at Ives Island will be useful to resource managers attempting to maximize available salmonid spawning habitat within the constraints imposed by other water resource needs.