Marty Liedtke is a Project Leader at the Columbia River Research Laboratory with 25+ years of experience focused on movement, behavior, and performance of fishes in both freshwater and marine systems.
My research is currently focused on Pacific Lamprey and other native lampreys in the Columbia River Basin and forage fishes in Puget Sound. My team evaluates juvenile and larval lamprey performance under controlled laboratory conditions to address management needs such as dewatering of lamprey habitat, interactions with screens at water diversions, and dredging impacts. A newly developed, prototype acoustic telemetry transmitter, designed for use in lamprey and eels allowed us to conduct one of the first acoustic telemetry studies of juvenile Pacific lamprey migration movements. Prior to the development of this transmitter such studies were not possible due to the small size of these fish. In Puget Sound we have focused on Pacific sand lance and surf smelt and have evaluated spawning site selection, responses to climate change, food habits, and rearing habitats. Most recently we are investigating linkages between forage fishes and legacy and current use contaminants in both field and laboratory settings.
Historically my team has conducted radio and acoustic telemetry studies to evaluate juvenile salmon passage and survival at hydroelectric dams in the Columbia River Basin. We have used telemetry to monitor the behavior and movements of many fishes, including adult salmonids using transmitters with sensors (temperature, motion). I have developed standard operating procedures for surgical implantation of transmitters and regularly train others to design tagging operations and conduct tagging for telemetry studies. I am interested in the performance of fish equipped with telemetry transmitters, specifically comparing the stress response, swimming performance, buoyancy compensation, and predator avoidance ability of tagged fish to untagged fish.
Professional Experience
1994 to Present - Research Fish Biologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Western Fisheries Research Center, Columbia River Research Laboratory, Cook, WA
Education and Certifications
M.S. Zoology/Marine Biology, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI
B.S. Biology, Illinois State University, Normal, IL
Science and Products
Contaminants in Puget Sound Forage Fishes and Impacts to the Marine Food Web
Evaluating injury and mortality to larval lamprey collected out of sediment using a portable suction dredge
Counts, Fish Weights, and Spectral Data from a Juvenile Chinook Salmon Polyester Microplastic Fiber Exposure Study
Data collected in 2010 to evaluate habitat availability for surf smelt and eelgrass in response to sea level rise on Bainbridge Island, Puget Sound, Washington, USA
Maternal transfer of PCBs in Pacific sand lance in Puget Sound, Washington
Synthesis of larval lamprey responses to dewatering: State of the science, critical uncertainties, and management implications
First investigations on lamprey responses to elevated total dissolved gas exposure and risk of gas bubble trauma
Influence of lamprey rearing type on measures of performance
Salvage using electrofishing methods caused minimal mortality of burrowed and emerged larval lampreys in dewatered habitats
Potential effects of sea level rise on nearshore habitat availability for surf smelt (Hypomesus pretiosus) and eelgrass (Zostera marina), Puget Sound, Washington
Monitoring the movements of juvenile Pacific Lamprey (Entosphenus tridentatus) in the Yakima River, Washington, using acoustic telemetry, 2019–20
Evaluation of larval lamprey survival following salvage: A pilot study
Larval lampreys (Entosphenus tridentatus and Lampetra spp.) are vulnerable to anthropogenic water-level fluctuations that can dewater their habitat. Dewatering events occur regularly in the Columbia River Basin for operation and management of hydropower facilities, seasonal or maintenance closures of irrigation diversions, and in-water construction projects, including for habitat restoration. Salv
Behavior and survival of hatchery rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in the upper Cowlitz River Basin, Washington, 2013 and 2017
2011 Georgiana Slough non-physical barrier performance evaluation project report
Collection of larval lampreys (Entosphenus tridentatus and Lampetra spp.) using a portable suction dredge—A pilot test
Fish assemblages in eelgrass beds of Bellingham Bay, Washington, Northern Puget Sound, 2019
Maternal transfer of polychlorinated biphenyls in Pacific sand lance (Ammodytes personatus), Puget Sound, Washington
Non-USGS Publications**
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
Science and Products
- Science
Contaminants in Puget Sound Forage Fishes and Impacts to the Marine Food Web
Toxic chemical pollutants have been released into Puget Sound for decades by human activities. There’s a wide range of contaminants, from persistent compounds like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and flame retardants to contaminants of emerging concern. Aquatic species can be exposed to and accumulate contaminants, causing disease or disruption of biological processes like growth or reproduction... - Data
Evaluating injury and mortality to larval lamprey collected out of sediment using a portable suction dredge
Dataset describes the findings of a combination of field and laboratory tests to see if larval lamprey were injured or killed after they were collected from their burrows in sediment using a portable suction dredge.Counts, Fish Weights, and Spectral Data from a Juvenile Chinook Salmon Polyester Microplastic Fiber Exposure Study
This release includes all data collected in support of a juvenile Chinook salmon exposure study designed to understand the retention of microplastic clothing fibers (hereon referred to as "microfibers") after feeding. To understand the potential impacts of microfiber ingestion to fish, we ran a feeding experiment with juvenile Chinook salmon to determine if ingested fibers are retained and/or digeData collected in 2010 to evaluate habitat availability for surf smelt and eelgrass in response to sea level rise on Bainbridge Island, Puget Sound, Washington, USA
This dataset includes biological variables showing surf smelt spawning presence, geological variables describing beach composition, and sample locations using RTK-GPS. This field data was also used to run the Sea Level Affecting Marshes Model (SLAMM; Warren Pinnacle Consulting, Inc., Warren, Vt)) to predict the changes to beaches over time, and under different sea level rise scenarios. Field samplMaternal transfer of PCBs in Pacific sand lance in Puget Sound, Washington
Data included in this release are from Pacific sand lance and water, sediment and suspended particulate matter collected at two sites in Puget Sound, Washington, which were evaluated for PCB concentration. PCB congener data are stored in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Environmental Contaminant Data Management System (ECDMS), accessible through the Wildlife & Environmental Contaminants Mapper - Multimedia
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Filter Total Items: 70
Synthesis of larval lamprey responses to dewatering: State of the science, critical uncertainties, and management implications
Dewatering of fine sediments in rivers and streams can kill many thousands of larval lampreys (Order Petromyzontiformes) burrowed in these habitats. The larval life stage for lampreys lasts 3- 10 years, and because larvae often aggregate in large numbers, negative impacts from dewatering could potentially deplete local populations and affect multiple year classes. Larval lampreys have not traditioAuthorsTheresa L. Liedtke, Julianne E. Harris, Monica R. Blanchard, Joseph J. Skalicky, Ann B. GroteFirst investigations on lamprey responses to elevated total dissolved gas exposure and risk of gas bubble trauma
A flexible spill program in the federal Columbia River power system increased the total dissolved gas (TDG) water quality standards (i.e., the gas cap) from 120% to 125%. Spill is used to pass juvenile salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.) over dams, but it can generate elevated TDG, and exposed fish can develop gas bubble trauma (GBT) or experience mortality. Juvenile salmon are monitored for GBT through thAuthorsTheresa L. Liedtke, Kenneth Tiffan, Lisa K. Weiland, Brian K. EkstromInfluence of lamprey rearing type on measures of performance
Declines in populations of Pacific Lamprey (Entosphenus tridentatus) have raised concerns by the Columbia River tribes, who then initiated efforts to protect and restore them throughout their historical range. The Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission (CRITFC) devised a restoration plan for lamprey in the Columbia River Basin which highlights the significance of lamprey to the tribes and recAuthorsTheresa L. Liedtke, Lisa K. Weiland, Mary L. Moser, Kinsey Frick, Ralph Lampman, Aaron D. Jackson, Ann Gannam, James Baron, Brian K. EkstromSalvage using electrofishing methods caused minimal mortality of burrowed and emerged larval lampreys in dewatered habitats
Human-induced dewatering of freshwater habitats causes mortality of larval lampreys. Salvage by electrofishing at dewatering events is assumed to reduce this mortality, but to our knowledge this assumption remains unassessed. We estimated mortality of salvaged larval lampreys (Lampetra spp. and Entosphenus tridentatus) within 24 h following collection at field dewatering events in July and OctoberAuthorsJulianne E. Harris, Theresa L. Liedtke, Joseph J. Skalicky, Lisa K. WeilandPotential effects of sea level rise on nearshore habitat availability for surf smelt (Hypomesus pretiosus) and eelgrass (Zostera marina), Puget Sound, Washington
In this study we examine the potential effects of three predicted sea level rise (SLR) scenarios on the nearshore eelgrass (Zostera marina L.) and surf smelt (Hypomesus pretiosus) spawning habitats along a beach on Bainbridge Island, Washington. Baseline bathymetric, geomorphological, and biological surveys were conducted to determine the existing conditions at the study site. The results of theseAuthorsCollin D. Smith, Theresa L. LiedtkeMonitoring the movements of juvenile Pacific Lamprey (Entosphenus tridentatus) in the Yakima River, Washington, using acoustic telemetry, 2019–20
Anthropogenic barriers to main-stem and tributary passage are one of the primary threats associated with declining populations of Pacific Lamprey (Entosphenus tridentatus) in the Columbia River Basin. Juvenile lamprey are of special interest because their downstream migration to the ocean may be affected by barriers such as dams or water diversions. Telemetry studies that describe the movement andAuthorsTheresa L. Liedtke, Ralph T. Lampman, Patrick Monk, Amy C. Hansen, Tobias J. Kock, Tyler E. Beals, Daniel Z. Deng, Michael S. PorterEvaluation of larval lamprey survival following salvage: A pilot study
Larval lampreys (Entosphenus tridentatus and Lampetra spp.) are vulnerable to anthropogenic water-level fluctuations that can dewater their habitat. Dewatering events occur regularly in the Columbia River Basin for operation and management of hydropower facilities, seasonal or maintenance closures of irrigation diversions, and in-water construction projects, including for habitat restoration. Salv
AuthorsTheresa L. Liedtke, Julianne E. Harris, Joseph J. Skalicky, Lisa K. WeilandBehavior and survival of hatchery rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in the upper Cowlitz River Basin, Washington, 2013 and 2017
A two-year study (2013 and 2017) was conducted to determine if annual releases of hatchery rainbow trout (resident Oncorhynchus mykiss) in the upper Cowlitz River Basin, Washington adversely affected anadromous fish in the basin. Rainbow trout tagged with radio transmitters were monitored after release to describe movement patterns, entrainment rates at Cowlitz Falls Dam, and survival. AdditionallAuthorsAmy C. Hansen, Tobias J. Kock, Brian K. Ekstrom, Theresa L. Liedtke2011 Georgiana Slough non-physical barrier performance evaluation project report
The Sacramento River and its tributaries support populations of anadromous fish species including winter-run, spring-run, fall-run, and late fall–run Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha); and steelhead (O. mykiss). Several of these species are listed as threatened or endangered under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA), federal Endangered Species Act (ESA), or both. These species spaAuthorsJason G. Romine, Russell W. Perry, Theresa L. LiedtkeCollection of larval lampreys (Entosphenus tridentatus and Lampetra spp.) using a portable suction dredge—A pilot test
A portable suction-dredge and sluice-box system were used to collect larval lampreys (Entosphenus tridentatus and Lampetra spp.) from fine and coarse sediment in field and laboratory tests. We evaluated the injury rate, survival, and burrowing capability of lamprey following passage through the dredge system and used collection of lamprey from water without sediment as a control. The system used aAuthorsTheresa L. Liedtke, Joseph J. Skalicky, Lisa K. WeilandFish assemblages in eelgrass beds of Bellingham Bay, Washington, Northern Puget Sound, 2019
Puget Sound is a critical part of the Pacific Northwest, both culturally and economically. Eelgrass beds are an important feature of Puget Sound and are known to influence fish assemblages. As part of a larger site-characterization effort, and to gain a better understanding of the fish assemblages in Bellingham Bay, Washington, four eelgrass beds (Zostera marina) along the shoreline were surveyed.AuthorsMorgan I. Andrews, Theresa L. LiedtkeMaternal transfer of polychlorinated biphenyls in Pacific sand lance (Ammodytes personatus), Puget Sound, Washington
We measured polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in multiple age and size classes of Pacific sand lance (Ammodytes personatus), including eggs, young-of-the year, and adults to evaluate maternal transfer as a pathway for contaminant uptake and to add to the limited information on the occurrence of PCBs in sand lance in Puget Sound. Sampling was replicated at an urban embayment (Eagle Harbor) and a staAuthorsTheresa L. Liedtke, Kathleen E. ConnNon-USGS Publications**
Allen, B., T.L. Liedtke, A. Daniel, J. Begala, M. Salway, and J. Beeman. 2001. Monitoring tailrace egress in the stilling basin, the ice-trash sluiceway, and the powerhouse of The Dalles Dam, 2000. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland, OR. Contract No. W66QKZ00391996Duran, I.N., T.L. Liedtke, and J.H. Petersen. 2002. Predator-prey interactions in The Dalles Dam tailrace. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland, OR.Smith, C.D., T.L. Liedtke, B.J. Hausmann, J.L. Schei, J.R. Lyng, L.P. Gee, and J.W. Beeman. 2004. Tailrace Egress of yearling and subyearling Chinook salmon and juvenile steelhead following juvenile bypass system passage at John Day Dam, 2002. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District, Portland, OR.**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
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