Patrick Connolly, Ph.D.
Patrick is a Scientist Emeritus and Research Fish Biologist working for the Columbia River Research Laboratory.
Research Interests:
Projects investigating life history diversity of fish and effectiveness of habitat restoration.
Professional Experience
1997 to Present - Lead Research Fish Biologist, USGS, WFRC, Columbia River Research Laboratory, Cook, WA
1990-1996 - Research Assistant, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
1988-1991 - Fish Biologist--Sub basin Planner, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Corvallis, OR
1987-1988 - Fish Biologist--Research, Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife, Columbia River Research, Clackamas, OR
1985-1987 - Fish Biologist, Beak Consultants Inc., Portland, OR
1984-1985 - Fishery Biologist, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Fisheries Research Center, Columbia River Field Station, Cook, WA
1983 - Fish Habitat Surveyor, Idaho Transportation Department, Coeur d’Alene, ID
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. 1996. Fisheries Science, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
M.S. 1983. Zoology, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID
B.S. 1977. Biology, Center College of Kentucky, Danville, KY
B.S. 1977. Biology, Center College of Kentucky, Danville, KY
1984-1985 - Fishery Biologist, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Fisheries Research Center, Columbia River Field Station, Cook, WA
1983 - Fish Habitat Surveyor, Idaho Transportation Department, Coeur d’Alene, ID
Science and Products
Methow and Columbia Rivers studies: summary of data collection, comparison of database structure and habitat protocols, and impact of additional PIT tag interrogation systems to survival estimates, 2008-2012
Distribution and movement of Big Spring spinedace (Lepidomeda mollispinis pratensis) in Condor Canyon, Meadow Valley Wash, Nevada
Spatio-temporal variability in movement, age, and growth of mountain whitefish (Prosopium williamsoni) in a river network based upon PIT tagging and otolith chemistry
The impact of small irrigation diversion dams on the recent migration rates of steelhead and redband trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
Modeling effects of climate change on Yakima River salmonid habitats
Using broad landscape level features to predict redd densities of steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) in the Methow River watershed, Washington
Wind River watershed restoration. Annual report. November 2011 through October 2012
Theoretical life history responses of juvenile Oncorhynchus mykiss to changes in food availability using a dynamic state-dependent approach
Colonization of steelhead in a natal stream after barrier removal
Potential effects of changes in temperature and food resources on life history trajectories of juvenile Oncorhynchus mykiss
The floodplain food web mosaic: a study of its importance to salmon and steelhead with implications for their recovery
Fluvial rainbow trout contribute to the colonization of steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in a small stream
Science and Products
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Filter Total Items: 84
Methow and Columbia Rivers studies: summary of data collection, comparison of database structure and habitat protocols, and impact of additional PIT tag interrogation systems to survival estimates, 2008-2012
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) received funding from the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) to provide monitoring and evaluation on the effectiveness of stream restoration efforts by Reclamation in the Methow River watershed. This monitoring and evaluation program is designed to partially fulfill Reclamation’s part of the 2008 Biological Opinion for the Federal Columbia River Power System thatAuthorsKyle D. Martens, Wesley T. Tibbits, Grace A. Watson, Michael A. Newsom, Patrick J. ConnollyDistribution and movement of Big Spring spinedace (Lepidomeda mollispinis pratensis) in Condor Canyon, Meadow Valley Wash, Nevada
Big Spring spinedace (Lepidomeda mollispinis pratensis) is a cyprinid whose entire population occurs within a section of Meadow Valley Wash, Nevada. Other spinedace species have suffered population and range declines (one species is extinct). Managers, concerned about the vulnerability of Big Spring spinedace, have considered habitat restoration actions or translocation, but they have lacked dataAuthorsIan G. Jezorek, Patrick J. ConnollySpatio-temporal variability in movement, age, and growth of mountain whitefish (Prosopium williamsoni) in a river network based upon PIT tagging and otolith chemistry
Connectivity of river networks and the movements among habitats can be critical for the life history of many fish species, and understanding of the patterns of movement is central to managing populations, communities, and the landscapes they use. We combined passive integrated transponder tagging over 4 years and strontium isotopes in otoliths to demonstrate that 25% of the mountain whitefish (ProAuthorsJoseph R. Benjamin, Lisa A. Wetzel, Kyle D. Martens, Kimberly Larsen, Patrick J. ConnollyThe impact of small irrigation diversion dams on the recent migration rates of steelhead and redband trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
Barriers to migration are numerous in stream environments and can occur from anthropogenic activities (such as dams and culverts) or natural processes (such as log jams or dams constructed by beaver (Castor canadensis)). Identification of barriers can be difficult when obstructions are temporary or incomplete providing passage periodically. We examine the effect of several small irrigation diversiAuthorsDana E. Weigel, Patrick J. Connolly, Madison S. PowellModeling effects of climate change on Yakima River salmonid habitats
We evaluated the potential effects of two climate change scenarios on salmonid habitats in the Yakima River by linking the outputs from a watershed model, a river operations model, a two-dimensional (2D) hydrodynamic model, and a geographic information system (GIS). The watershed model produced a discharge time series (hydrograph) in two study reaches under three climate scenarios: a baseline (198AuthorsJames R. Hatten, Thomas R. Batt, Patrick J. Connolly, Alec G. MauleUsing broad landscape level features to predict redd densities of steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) in the Methow River watershed, Washington
We used broad-scale landscape feature variables to model redd densities of spring Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in the Methow River watershed. Redd densities were estimated from redd counts conducted from 2005 to 2007 and 2009 for steelhead trout and 2005 to 2009 for spring Chinook salmon. These densities were modeled using generalized linear mAuthorsJason G. Romine, Russell W. Perry, Patrick J. ConnollyWind River watershed restoration. Annual report. November 2011 through October 2012
Introduction This report summarizes work by U.S. Geological Survey’s Columbia River Research Laboratory (USGS-CRRL) in the Wind River subbasin, from November 2011 through October 2012. Funding was provided by Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) under contract 55275. The primary focus of USGS activities during this time was tagging of parr steelhead Oncorhynchus mykiss with Passive Integrated TraAuthorsIan G. Jezorek, Patrick J. ConnollyTheoretical life history responses of juvenile Oncorhynchus mykiss to changes in food availability using a dynamic state-dependent approach
Marine subsidies can play an important role in the growth, survival, and migratory behavior of rearing juvenile salmonids. Availability of high-energy, marine-derived food sources during critical decision windows may influence the timing of emigration or the decision to forego emigration completely and remain in the freshwater environment. Increasing growth and growth rate during these decision wiAuthorsJason G. Romine, Joseph R. Benjamin, Russell W. Perry, Lynne Casal, Patrick J. Connolly, Sally S. SauterColonization of steelhead in a natal stream after barrier removal
Colonization of vacant habitats is an important process for supporting the long-term persistence of populations and species. We used a before–after experimental design to follow the process of colonization by steelhead Oncorhynchus mykiss (anadromous Rainbow Trout) at six monitoring sites in a natal stream, Beaver Creek, after the modification or removal of numerous stream passage barriers. JuveniAuthorsDana E. Weigel, Patrick J. Connolly, Kyle D. Martens, Madison S. PowellPotential effects of changes in temperature and food resources on life history trajectories of juvenile Oncorhynchus mykiss
Increasing temperatures and changes in food resources owing to climate change may alter the growth and migratory behavior of organisms. This is particularly important for salmonid species like Oncorhynchus mykiss, where some individuals remain in freshwater to mature (nonanadromous Rainbow Trout) and others migrate to sea (anadromous Steelhead). Whether one strategy is adopted over the other may dAuthorsJoseph R. Benjamin, Patrick J. Connolly, Jason G. Romine, Russell W. PerryThe floodplain food web mosaic: a study of its importance to salmon and steelhead with implications for their recovery
Although numerous studies have attempted to place species of interest within the context of food webs, such efforts have generally occurred at small scales or disregard potentially important spatial heterogeneity. If food web approaches are to be employed to manage species, studies are needed that evaluate the multiple habitats and associated webs of interactions in which these species participateAuthorsJ. Ryan Bellmore, Colden V. Baxter, Kyle Martens, Patrick J. ConnollyFluvial rainbow trout contribute to the colonization of steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in a small stream
Life history polymorphisms provide ecological and genetic diversity important to the long term persistence of species responding to stochastic environments. Oncorhynchus mykiss have complex and overlapping life history strategies that are also sympatric with hatchery populations. Passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags and parentage analysis were used to identify the life history, origin (hatcheAuthorsDana E. Weigel, Patrick J. Connolly, Madison S. Powell - News