Mikaeli E. Dirling
Mikaeli is a Fish Biologist at the Western Fisheries Research Center’s Columbia River Research Lab. Her work examines salmon behavior, physiology, and dam passage.
Mikaeli’s research focuses on understanding salmon behavior, physiology, and survival in impounded river systems. Her work investigates dam passage and the factors shaping migratory outcomes for both juvenile and adult salmon using a combination of field studies and physiological assessments. By integrating behavioral data, physiological metrics, and passage outcomes, this research informs recovery and reintroduction efforts throughout the Pacific Northwest.
Professional Experience
2024-Present: Fish Biologist, US Geological Survey, Western Fisheries Research Center, Columbia River Research Lab, Cook, WA
Education and Certifications
B.S. 2020. Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
Science and Products
Acoustic-tagged juvenile Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) detections in Lookout Point Reservoir and downstream in the Middle Fork Willamette River, Oregon, 2024-25 Acoustic-tagged juvenile Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) detections in Lookout Point Reservoir and downstream in the Middle Fork Willamette River, Oregon, 2024-25
Federally-threatened ago-0 spring Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) were acoustic tagged and released near Lookout Point Reservoir to estimate passage and survival during the second year of an experimental reservoir drawdown operation that was designed to facilitate downstream passage through two reservoirs and dams. The experimental operation consisted of lowering the water...
Response of juvenile Chinook Salmon to an experimental reservoir operation to facilitate downstream migration Response of juvenile Chinook Salmon to an experimental reservoir operation to facilitate downstream migration
Objectives High-head dams and storage reservoirs impact ecological processes, impeding recovery efforts of Pacific salmon Oncorhynchus spp. in the western United States. These projects can delay migration, increase risks of predation and disease, and induce mortality for juvenile Pacific salmon during downstream passage. To mitigate these negative effects, large-scale changes to dam...
Authors
Dalton J. Hance, Mikaeli Elizabeth Dirling, Claire E. Couch, Amy C. Hansen, Russell W. Perry, Tobias J. Kock
Evaluating reservoir passage and survival of juvenile Chinook Salmon to support reintroduction upstream of Shasta Dam, California Evaluating reservoir passage and survival of juvenile Chinook Salmon to support reintroduction upstream of Shasta Dam, California
Objective Juvenile Chinook Salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha that are released upstream of Shasta Reservoir migrate more than 35 km to reach Shasta Dam, although survival through this system is poorly understood. We conducted a reservoir-scale acoustic telemetry study to quantify downstream movement and survival under seasonally variable environmental conditions to inform decisions about...
Authors
Caitlin Louise Stockwell, Joseph Mitchell Morse, Mikaeli Elizabeth Dirling, Claire E. Couch, Cyril J. Michel, Jeremy J. Notch, Tobias J. Kock
Science and Products
Acoustic-tagged juvenile Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) detections in Lookout Point Reservoir and downstream in the Middle Fork Willamette River, Oregon, 2024-25 Acoustic-tagged juvenile Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) detections in Lookout Point Reservoir and downstream in the Middle Fork Willamette River, Oregon, 2024-25
Federally-threatened ago-0 spring Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) were acoustic tagged and released near Lookout Point Reservoir to estimate passage and survival during the second year of an experimental reservoir drawdown operation that was designed to facilitate downstream passage through two reservoirs and dams. The experimental operation consisted of lowering the water...
Response of juvenile Chinook Salmon to an experimental reservoir operation to facilitate downstream migration Response of juvenile Chinook Salmon to an experimental reservoir operation to facilitate downstream migration
Objectives High-head dams and storage reservoirs impact ecological processes, impeding recovery efforts of Pacific salmon Oncorhynchus spp. in the western United States. These projects can delay migration, increase risks of predation and disease, and induce mortality for juvenile Pacific salmon during downstream passage. To mitigate these negative effects, large-scale changes to dam...
Authors
Dalton J. Hance, Mikaeli Elizabeth Dirling, Claire E. Couch, Amy C. Hansen, Russell W. Perry, Tobias J. Kock
Evaluating reservoir passage and survival of juvenile Chinook Salmon to support reintroduction upstream of Shasta Dam, California Evaluating reservoir passage and survival of juvenile Chinook Salmon to support reintroduction upstream of Shasta Dam, California
Objective Juvenile Chinook Salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha that are released upstream of Shasta Reservoir migrate more than 35 km to reach Shasta Dam, although survival through this system is poorly understood. We conducted a reservoir-scale acoustic telemetry study to quantify downstream movement and survival under seasonally variable environmental conditions to inform decisions about...
Authors
Caitlin Louise Stockwell, Joseph Mitchell Morse, Mikaeli Elizabeth Dirling, Claire E. Couch, Cyril J. Michel, Jeremy J. Notch, Tobias J. Kock