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Evaluating Spatial and Temporal Fine-Scale Movement of Kootenai River White Sturgeon

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By Idaho Water Science Center March 2, 2024

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has published a plan for recovering the endangered Kootenai River white sturgeon. This study supports the objectives of that plan by quantifying white sturgeon habitat preference within a recently restored reach of the Kootenai River. Fine-scale acoustic telemetry positioning data will be integrated with quasi-three-dimensional hydraulic model simulations for the spawning season to examine sturgeon habitat preference (near the substrate clusters, constructed spurs, behind the piers, and bedrock) at a fine scale (about 2 meters) within the reach.

This project combines multiple existing data sources and results including passive acoustic telemetry data and physical habitat data (streamflow, bathymetry and surficial sediment substrate) used to develop quasi-three-dimensional hydraulic model simulations for data collected in 2017. The modeling results, combined with the acoustic telemetry data, will be summarized to develop a complete microhabitat summary including habitat suitability curves and weighted usable area.

Below are other science projects associated with this project.

link
Kootenai River near Leonia, Idaho

Monitoring Mining Effects in the Kootenai River Watershed

The Kootenai River (Kootenay in Canada) rises from the Canadian Rockies and flows south in an arc through Montana and Idaho before swinging back into British Columbia and the Columbia River. The uplifted sedimentary rocks forming the southern Canadian Rockies have rich coal deposits that have been mined for many decades. The coal beds and associated rock layers are enriched with other minerals as...
By
Idaho Water Science Center
link

Monitoring Mining Effects in the Kootenai River Watershed

The Kootenai River (Kootenay in Canada) rises from the Canadian Rockies and flows south in an arc through Montana and Idaho before swinging back into British Columbia and the Columbia River. The uplifted sedimentary rocks forming the southern Canadian Rockies have rich coal deposits that have been mined for many decades. The coal beds and associated rock layers are enriched with other minerals as...
Learn More
link
Image: Bedload Sediment Sampling, Kootenai River

Kootenai River Sediment Studies

The Kootenai River white sturgeon ( Acipenser transmontanus ) and other native fish species are culturally important to the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho, but their habitat and recruitment have been affected by anthropogenic changes to the river. White sturgeon and burbot have not successfully spawned in the Kootenai River since the completion of Libby Dam upstream in Montana. In recent years, most...
By
Idaho Water Science Center
link

Kootenai River Sediment Studies

The Kootenai River white sturgeon ( Acipenser transmontanus ) and other native fish species are culturally important to the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho, but their habitat and recruitment have been affected by anthropogenic changes to the river. White sturgeon and burbot have not successfully spawned in the Kootenai River since the completion of Libby Dam upstream in Montana. In recent years, most...
Learn More

We thank our partners for their support of this study.

State Fish and Wildlife Agencies

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has published a plan for recovering the endangered Kootenai River white sturgeon. This study supports the objectives of that plan by quantifying white sturgeon habitat preference within a recently restored reach of the Kootenai River. Fine-scale acoustic telemetry positioning data will be integrated with quasi-three-dimensional hydraulic model simulations for the spawning season to examine sturgeon habitat preference (near the substrate clusters, constructed spurs, behind the piers, and bedrock) at a fine scale (about 2 meters) within the reach.

This project combines multiple existing data sources and results including passive acoustic telemetry data and physical habitat data (streamflow, bathymetry and surficial sediment substrate) used to develop quasi-three-dimensional hydraulic model simulations for data collected in 2017. The modeling results, combined with the acoustic telemetry data, will be summarized to develop a complete microhabitat summary including habitat suitability curves and weighted usable area.

Below are other science projects associated with this project.

link
Kootenai River near Leonia, Idaho

Monitoring Mining Effects in the Kootenai River Watershed

The Kootenai River (Kootenay in Canada) rises from the Canadian Rockies and flows south in an arc through Montana and Idaho before swinging back into British Columbia and the Columbia River. The uplifted sedimentary rocks forming the southern Canadian Rockies have rich coal deposits that have been mined for many decades. The coal beds and associated rock layers are enriched with other minerals as...
By
Idaho Water Science Center
link

Monitoring Mining Effects in the Kootenai River Watershed

The Kootenai River (Kootenay in Canada) rises from the Canadian Rockies and flows south in an arc through Montana and Idaho before swinging back into British Columbia and the Columbia River. The uplifted sedimentary rocks forming the southern Canadian Rockies have rich coal deposits that have been mined for many decades. The coal beds and associated rock layers are enriched with other minerals as...
Learn More
link
Image: Bedload Sediment Sampling, Kootenai River

Kootenai River Sediment Studies

The Kootenai River white sturgeon ( Acipenser transmontanus ) and other native fish species are culturally important to the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho, but their habitat and recruitment have been affected by anthropogenic changes to the river. White sturgeon and burbot have not successfully spawned in the Kootenai River since the completion of Libby Dam upstream in Montana. In recent years, most...
By
Idaho Water Science Center
link

Kootenai River Sediment Studies

The Kootenai River white sturgeon ( Acipenser transmontanus ) and other native fish species are culturally important to the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho, but their habitat and recruitment have been affected by anthropogenic changes to the river. White sturgeon and burbot have not successfully spawned in the Kootenai River since the completion of Libby Dam upstream in Montana. In recent years, most...
Learn More

We thank our partners for their support of this study.

State Fish and Wildlife Agencies

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