SEPA REGION 10 DIVE TEAM www.epa.gov/region10/dive EPA Region 10 Dive Team Elwha Dam Removal Survey in the Strait of Juan de Fuca, near Port Angeles, WA What: The Region 10 dive team was asked to conduct a survey of algae, invertebrates, and fish present near the mouth of the Elwha River to baseline the species present prior to removal of the Elwha River dams, and the associated sediment deposition that will ensue. This is a repeat of the 1994 survey conducted by the team with US Fish and Wildlife Service due to the time that has elapsed between authorization and funding for dam removal. Why: The EPA Region 10 dive unit was asked to characterize the existing benthic community near the mouth of the Elwha River in partnership with USGS and the Elwha Tribe. A baseline study of the conditions will allow future monitoring to determine the level of success in the manner in which the Elwha dams are removed. Monitoring of sediment stakes placed at the site will also give information on the rate of accretion at sites nearby the Elwha mouth. Where: The survey was conducted around the mouth of the Elwha River, in the Strait of Juan de Fuca (see photo below). When: The original baseline survey was conducted in 1994. Due to the time that had elapsed between authorization for dam removal and funding of their removal by Congress, the USGS needed to do another survey. Starting in 2008, the USGS is used a study plan with updated methods and that does not replicate the 1994 study design. How: Divers used surface supplied diving equipment and drysuits to place the permanent sampling stations in July of 2011. Surveys were conducted with buddy teams using SCUBA during August of 2011. USGS led the surveys which included uniform point counts (PISCO method) conducted every V2 meter along 30 meters of a 50 meter transect (from the 10 meter mark to the 40 meter mark). Algal surveys were conducted along a 1 meter swath to one side of the transect, while invertebrate counts were conducted on the other side. Each location had two transects, one heading east and one heading west (magnetic). Equipment: EPA vessel Monitor was used as the dive platform. The USGS utilized a separate platform during the survey for their divers as well as the Elwha Tribe. Results: Photos, video, data sheets, and narrative descriptions were conveyed to the project team, including USGS and the Lower Elwha Tribe. ------- More details: 1994 survey: Seavev, F. and G. Gina. 1995. Marine resources of the Elwha River Estuary. Claiiam County, Washington. Rep, for Nat. Park Ser., prepared by U.S. Fish Wildlife Ser., W. WA Office, N. Pac. Cst. Ecoregion. 29 pp. + 3 Figs.. 10 Maps, 1 App. June 1995 (47 pp, 8 MB pdf) Video coverage of 2011 survey: King 5: http://www.king5.com/news/local/in-The-Mouth-Of-The-Elvvha-127278693.htmi Contact information: Rob Pedersen, (206) 553-1646, pedersen.rob@epa.gov Photos: Photo documentation was used to corroborate species identification, such as for tube worms, hvdroids, anemones, and algae. ------- EPA diver reeling out the tape from the center monument to the end pier block to begin conducting counts Example UPC (Uniform Point Contact) form Site: Date: Dive: Surveyor: Vis at Bottom: Start time: Heading: Buddy: Note Direction (degrees) Current Flows FROM Current at Bottom m/s @ Time: At 15ft: m/s @ Time: 10.5-20.0 m 20.5 - 30.0 m 30.5 - 40. m 0) 2 In •Q 3 w Bedrock Boulder (>25 cm = 10 in) Cobble (6-25 cm = 2 -10 in) Gravel (0.2 - 6 cm = 1/8 - 2 in) Sand (< 0.2 cm = 1/8 in) 0) DC 0-10 cm 10 cm-1 m 1-2 m >2m Super- 1 Layer | Drift algae (Unattached) Brown Algae Green Algae ------- Red Algae Other: (B/G, B/R, etc.) Inanimate | Bare rock Bare sand Fine Sediment/Mud Shell debris Dead Kelp Holdfast Red Algae Crustose Coraline Algae Articulated Coralline Algae BRANCH -branching flat blade LEAF-rounded blade >2cm BUSHY-cylindrical branches LACY-filamentous/dense ENCRUSTING RED (i.e Tar) TURF - reds <2 cm high Comments: Presence/Absence Fish Lis 10.5-20.0m 20.5- 30.0m 30.5-40.0m Pint Live Kelp Holdfast Eelgrass Animal Sponge Anemone Coral (zoanthids, cup, soft) Hydroids (Fan or Other) Tubeworm, calcareous tube Tubeworm, "soft" tube Colonial Tubeworm Solitary Tunicate Social Tunicate Colonial Tunicate Byrozoan (Staghorn or Other) Barnacle Bivalve Other Write-in Write-in Write-in Write-in ------- Example invertebrate form Site: Date: Dive: Heading: Surveyor: Buddy: Time Start: Transect width: Depth@40m: Depth@10m: Group 40 - 30 m 30 - 20 m 20-10 m 40-30m Status JELLY: Haliclystus Tunicate: Styela Sponge: Solitary Orange social tunicate Barnacle: Giant Compound Tunicate TUBE WORMS: Brittle Star Unknown soft Mysids Myxicola | Bispira Fan Hydroids E. van | E. poly White ukn tubes Schizobranch | Chone Bryozoans: Staghorn Spagetti | Dioptera Encrusting Sponge Spiochaetop | Pista 30 - 20m Status Ukn orange | Ukn Hard ANEMONE: Stubby | Sand-rose Orange social tunicate White-spot | Fish Eating Compound Tunicate Stomphia | Epiactis Brittle Star Halicampa 10-T | 12-T Mysids SNAILS: Fan Hydroids Hairy Triton | Moon White ukn tubes Leafy Hornmouth | Top Bryozoans: Staghorn Amphissa | Lrg snail Encrusting Sponge LIMPET: 20-10m Status Keyhole | Whitecap I I I I I I CHITON: Gumboot Lined | Mossy I I I I I I Orange social tunicate CLAMS: Compound Tunicate Geoduck | False Geod. Brittle Star Horse | Butter Mysids Mya | H. kennerley Fan Hydroids Cockle | Piddock White ukn tubes Scallop: Pink | Rock Bryozoans: Staghorn NUDIBRANCH: Encrusting Sponge Frosted Dironaj Lemon I I I I I I Status: Present = V Absent = — Abundant = A Leopard | Clown I I I I I I CRAB- Dungeness | Rd Rock Notes: Fish (Presence/Absence): C. graceful | C. oregon Helmet | Northern kelp P. gracilis! Ukn kelp Decorator | O. gracilis Ukn Hermit-sm | lrg P. armatus | kennerly Sponge | Wide claw SHRIMP: ------- Pandalus | Crangon I I I I I I STARS: Pycno | Cushion I 1 I 1 I 1 Blood | Fat Blood I 1 I 1 I 1 Rainbow | Vermillion I 1 I 1 I 1 CUCUMBERS: Giant Red | White I I I I I I URCHINS: Red Green | Purple I 1 I 1 I 1 P = photo documented ------- Example algae form Date : Dive: Surveyor: Site: Strttime: Heading: Buddy: Dpth@40m: Dpth(5)10m: Algae tra Flatfish Gunnel Rockfish Surfpercl C-O sole Crescent Black Pile Starry flounder Longfin Copper Striped Right eyed unk sp Penpoint Rockfish juv unk sp Surf perch Left eyed unk sp Saddleback Rockfish unk sp Other Flatfish unk sp Gunnel unk sp Sculpin Blackeye Greenling Prickleback Buffalo Pacific co Kelp Mosshead warbonnet Longfin Pacific sa Whitespotted Prickleback unk sp Manacled Spotted r£ Lingcod juv Write-in Red Irish Lord Write-in Lingcod adult Write-in Scalyhead Write-in Greenling unk sp Write-in Silverspotted Write-in Algae taxa (tally if >24 cm TL) 40-30 m 30-20 m Agarum fimbriatum Alaria marginata Costaria costata Cymathere triplicate Desmarestia aculeate Desmarestia spp. (flat blade) Laminaria setchelli Nereocystis luetkeana (bull k.) Pleurophycus gardneri Pterygophora californica Saccharina spp. (latis/subsim) Sargassum muticum Red - Branch (enter 1 if presnt) 40-35m 35-30m 30-25m 25-20m 20-15m Red - Leaf (enter 1 if presnt) 40-35m 35-30m 30-25m 25-20m 20-15m Red - Bushy (enter 1 if presnt) 40-35m 35-30m 30-25m 25-20m 20-15m Red - Lacy (enter 1 if presnt) 40-35m 35-30m 30-25m 25-20m 20-15m Green - Tissue (enter 1 if presnt) 40-35m 35-30m 30-25m 25-20m 20-15m Eelgrass shoots Write-in Write-in Write-in ------- ------- EPA Monitor docked at the Ediz Hook USCG Station ------- ------- ------- EPA diver preparing to enter the water with a quadrat during the 1994 survey Return to EPA Region 10 Dive Team homepage. ------- |