Contributors (in alphabetical order)
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TributariesSteelheadSome natural production of steelhead occurs in minor tributaries such as Alpowa Creek, Alkali Flat Creek, Almota Creek, Steptoe Creek., Deadman and Meadow creeks, etc. Steelhead are also produced from the Tucannon River (see Tucannon subbasin). Most minor tributaries of the mainstem Snake River that maintain summer water flows and do not have barriers are suspected of being used by steelhead. Alpowa CreekSteelhead trout presently use Alpowa Creek, although spawning is probably limited to the upper reaches. A survey of the stream on April 29, 1999, confirmed the presence of three steelhead spawning redds within the upper watershed and numerous juvenile steelhead/rainbow trout were observed during surveys in 1981 (Mendel and Taylor 1981) and 1998 (Mendel 1999). Deadman CreekSteelhead trout are known to have used Deadman Creek, although spawning was probably limited to the upper reaches. Anecdotal information from local residents suggest that steelhead still spawn in this stream system. Habitat in the upper reaches of the South Deadman are ideal for spawning and rearing and angler reports suggest steelhead were caught at the Deadman Creek Bridge at the base of Wildhorse Hill. Area on northside of Snake River in Whitman County and the Small Area North of Tucannon and Pataha Creek in Columbia CountyIt is assumed that at populations of Steelhead have been present in the past. WhitefishJuvenile whitefish were observed during the fall of 1998 in the lower reach (approximately Wilson Banner Ranch) of Alpowa Creek (Table 39). Juveniles are thought to move from the Snake River into Alpowa Creek where they may overwinter (Mendel 1999). Alpowa CreekSculpins and crayfish are abundant in the upper Alpowa watershed where dace are also found, though relatively uncommon. Further downstream (from about one mile above Highway 12 to near the mouth), sculpins, speckled dace and longnose dace, and crayfish exist. Just below Clayton Gulch and downstream are bridgelip suckers, in addition to the above species. Northern pikeminnow and chiselmouth are found in the lower reach of Alpowa Creek (Mendel 1999). Table 39. Salmonid densities (#/100 m2) in Alpowa Creek, September and October 1998. Sites are listed in order from upstream to downstream (Mendel 1999).
bCalculated using the sum of the passes because of poor reduction between passes, minimum estimates only cTrout of hatchery origin WildlifeThe subbasin contains large and small mammals, passerines, waterfowl, upland birds, raptors, reptiles, and amphibians (Table 40). Population status varies by area and species. Some species are doing well, while others are listed as state threatened, candidate, or species of concern (Table 41). Big game, upland birds, diversity species, furbearers, and waterfowl are managed by state and federal agencies. Mule deer are the primary big game species within the subbasin. Table 40. Wildlife species found in the Lower Snake River subbasin. Common Name Scientific Name FROGS AND TOADS Tailed Frog Ascaphus truei Tailed Frog Ascaphus truei Western Boreal toad Bufo boreas boreas Western Boreal toad Bufo boreas boreas Woodhouse’s Rocky Mountain toad Bufo woodhousei woodhousei Pacific treefrog Hyla regilla Boreal chorus frog Pseudacris triseriate maculata Bullfrog Rana catesbeiana Western leopard frog Rana pipiens brachycephala Leopard frog Rana pipiens pipiens Spotted frog Rana pretiosa Great Basin spadefoot toad Scaphiopu intermontanus
Northern long-toed salamander Abystoma macrodactylum karusel Blotched tiger salamander Abystoma tigrinum melanostrictum Northern rough-skinned newt Taricha granulosa granulosa LIZARDS Western Great Basin whiptail Cnemidophorus tigris tigris Long-nosed leopard lizard Crotaphytus wislizenii wislizenii Collared lizard Crotaphytus collaris Western skink Eumes skiltonianus skiltonianus Western Great Basin skink Eumes skiltonianus utahensis Northern Alligator lizard Cerrhenotus corcrulens principis Short-horned pygmy lizard Phrynosoma douglassi douglassi Northern desert horned lizard Phrynosoma platyrhinos platyrhinos Northern sagebrush lizard Scelopor ous gracious graciosus Northern Great Basin fence lizard Sceloporous occidentalis biseriatus Northern side-blotched lizard Uta stansburiana stansburiana SNAKES Rocky Mountain rubber boa Charina bottae utahensis Western yellow-bellied racer Coluber constrictor mormon Western Northern Pacific rattlesnake Crotalus viridis oreganus Northwestern ringneck Diadophis punctatus occidentalis Desert night Hypsiglena torquata deserticola Great Basin gopher snake Pituopis melanoleucus deserticola Western ground snake Sonora semiannulata Western terrestrial wandering snake Thamnophis elegans vagrans Common valley garter Thamnophis sirtalis fitchi TURTLE Western Painted turtle Ghrysemys picta LOONS Common loon Gavia immer GREBES Western grebe Aechmophorus occidentalis Horned grebe Podiceps auritus Earned grebe Podiceps caspicus Pied-billed grebe Podilymbus podiceps
Double crested cormorant Phalacrocorax auritus WATERFOWL Wood duck Aix sponsa Pintail Anas acuta Common teal Anas crecca Green-winged teal Anas carolinensis Blue-winged teal Anas discors Mallard Anas platyrhynchos Gadwall Anas strepera White-fronted goose Anser albifrous Lesser scaup Aythya affinis Redhead Aythya americana Ring-necked duck Aythya collaris Greater scaup Aythya marila Canvasback Aythya valisineria Canada goose Branta canadensis Bufflehead Bucephala albeola Common goldeneye Bucephala clangula Barrows goldeneye Bucephala islandica Snow goose Chen hyperborea Ross’ goose Chen rossil Hooded merganser American widgeon Mareca Americana European widgeon Mareca penelope Common merganser Mergus merganser Red-breasted merganser Mergus serrator Whistling swan Olor columianus Ruddy duck Oxyura jamaicensis Shoveler Spatula clypeata HAWKS, FALCONS, EAGLES Cooper’s hawk Accipiter cooperii Goshawk Accipiter gentilis Sharp-shinned hawk Accipiter striatus Golden eagle Aguila chrysaetos Red-tailed hawk Buteo jamaicensis Rough-legged hawk Buteo lagopus Ferruginous hawk Buteo regalis Swainson’s hawk Buteo swainsoni Turkey vulture Carthartes aura Marsh hawk Circus cyaneus Pigeon hawk Falco columbarius Prairie falcon Falco mexicanus Peregrine falcon Falco peregrinus American kestral Falco sparverius Bald eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus Osprey Pandion haliaetus
Chukar Alectoris graeca Ruffed grouse Bonasa umbellus California quail Loportyx californicus Grey partridge Perdix perdix Ring-necked pheasant Phasianus colchicus HERONS, CRANES & ALLIES Great Blue heron Ardea herodias American coot Fulica americana Sora rail Porzana carolina SHOREBIRDS & GULLS Spotted sandpiper Actitis macularia Semi-palmated plover Charadrius semipalmatus Killdeer Charadrius vociferus Sanderling Crocethia alba Common snipe Capella galinago Western sandpiper Ereunetes mauri Caspian tern Hydroprogne caspia Herring gull Larus argentatus California gull Larus californicus Ring-billed gull Larus delawarensis Long-billed curlew Numenius americanus American avocet Recurvirostra americana Wilson’s phalarope Steganopus tricolor Forster’s tern Sterna forsteri Common tern Sterna hirundo Greater yellowlegs Totanus melanoleucus
Rock dove Columba livia Morning dove Zenaidura macroura
Short-eared owl Asio flammeus Long-eared owl Asio otus Great horned owl Bubo virginianus Burrowing owl Spectyto cunicularia Barn owl Tyto alba GOATSUCKERS Common nighthawk Chordeiles minor SWIFTS Vaux’s swift Chaetura vauxi CORACIIFORMES Belted kingfisher Megaceryle alcyon WOODPECKERS Common flicker Colaptes auratus Downy woodpecker Dendrocopos pubescens Hairy woodpecker Dendrocopos villosus PASSERINES White-throated swift Aeronautes saxatlis Red-winged blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus Grasshopper sparrow Ammodramus savannarum Cedar waxwing Bombycilla cedrorium House sparrow Carpodacus mexicanus Purple finch Carpodacus purpureus Canyon wren Catherpes mexicanus Lark sparrow Chodestes grammacus Western wood pewee Contropus sordidulus Common crow Corvus brachyrhynchos Common raven Corvus corax Yellow- rumped warbler Dendroica coronata Yellow warbler Dendroica petechia Townsend’s warbler Dendroica townsendi Willow flycatcher Empidonax trailli Horned lark Eremophila alpestris Brewer’s blackbird Euphagus cyanocephalus Common yellowthroat Geothlypis trichas Evening grosbeak Hesperiphona vespertina Barn swallow Hirundo rustica Hermit thrush Hylocichla guttata Yellow-breasted chat Icteria virens Northern oriole Icterus galbula bullockii Tree swallow Iriduprocne bicolor Varied thrush Ixoreus naevius Dark-eyed junco Junco hyemalis Northern shrike Lanius excubitor Loggerhead shrike Lanius ludovicianus Gray crowned rosy finch Leucosticte arctoa tephrocotis Lincoln’s sparrow Melospiza lincolnii Song sparrow Melospiza melodia Brown-headed cowbird Molothrus ater Townsend’s solitaire Myadestes townsendii Macgillivary’s warbler Oporornis tolmiei Black-capped chickadee Parus atricapillus House sparrow Passer domesticus Savannah sparrow Passerculus sandwichensis Fox sparrow Passerella iliaca Lazulli bunting Passerina amoena Cliff swallow Petrochelidon pyrrhonota Black-headed grosbeak Pheucticus melanocephalus Black-billed magpie Pica pica Pine grosbeak Pinicola enucleator Western tanager Piranga ludoviciana Ruby-crowned kinglet Regulus calendula Golden-crowned kinglet Regulus satrapa Bank swallow Riparia riparia Rock wren Salpinctes obsoletus Say’s phoebe Sayornia saya Pine siskin Spinus pinus American goldfinch Spinus tristis Tree sparrow Spizella arborea Chipping sparrow Spizella passerina Rough-winged swallow Stelgidopteryx ruficollis Western meadowlark Sturnella neglecta Starling Sturnus vulgaris Long-billed marsh wren Telmatodytes palustris Bewick’s wren Thryomanes bewickii House wren Troglodytes aedon Winter wren Troglodytes troglodytes American robin Turdus migratorius Eastern kingbird Tyrannus tyrannus Western kingbird Tyrannus verticalis Solitary vireo Vireo solitarius Wilson’s warbler Wilsonia pusilla Yellow headed blackbird Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus White-crowned sparrow Zonotrichia leucophrys SHREWS & MOLES Vagrant shrew Sorex vagrans BATS Pallid bat Antrozous pallidus Big brown bat Eptesicus fuscus Silver-haired bat Lasionycteris noctivagans California bat Myotis californicus Long-eared bat Myotis evotis Little brown bat Myotis lucifugus Small-footed bat Myotis subulatus Fringed bat Myotis thysanodes Long-legged bat Myotis volans Yuma bat Myotis yumanensis Western pipistrel Pipistrellus hesperus Western big-eared bat Plecotus townsendi
Beaver Castor candensis Ord’s kangaroo rat Dipodomys ordi Porcupine Erthizon dorsatum Yellow-bellied marmot Marmota flavivententris Long-tailed meadow vole Microtus longicaudus Mountain meadow vole Microtus montanus House mouse Mus musculus Bushy-tailed rat Neotoma cinerea Muskrat Ondatra zibethica Northern grasshopper mouse Onychomys leucogaster Great Basin pocket mouse Perognathus parvus Deer mouse Peromyscus maniculatus Norway brown rat Western harvest mouse Reithrodontomys megalotis Fox tree squirrel Sciurus niger Golden-mantled ground squirrel Spermophilus lateralis Townsend’s ground squirrel Spermophilus townsendii Red tree squirrel Tamiasciurus hudsonicus Northern pocket gopher Thomomys talpoides HARES & RABBITS Black-tailed jackrabbit Leous californicus White-tailed jackrabbit Lepus idahoensis Nuttall’s cottontail rabbit Sylvilagus nuttali UNGULATES Elk Cervus canadensis Mule deer Odocoileus hermionus White-tailed deer Odicoileus virginianus PREDITORS Coyote Canis latrans River otter Lutra canadensis Bobcat Lynx rufus Striped skunk Mephitis mephitis Long-tailed weasel Mustela frenata Mink Mustela vison Raccoon Procyon lotor Badger Taxidea taxus Black bear Ursa americanus Red fox Vulpes fulva Table 41. Status of Priority Habitat Species (PHS) within the Lower Snake River sub-basin (WDFW data).
* 1988 survey State Status: E = endangered, C = candidate, T = threatened, SC = species of concern, G = game species. PHS = Priority Habitat Species Ferruginous HawkFerruginous hawks exist in low number in shrubsteppe and grassland regions of several eastern Washington counties. The state population is estimated at between 50 and 60 nesting pairs (WDFW 1996). The Lower Snake River Subbasin contains portions of the north and central Ferruginous hawk recovery zones (WDFW 1996). Isolated rock outcrops, and other platforms that provide unobstructed views are used as nest sites by these hawks. Their diet consists primarily of small to medium-sized mammals, such as pocket gophers, mice, and ground squirrels, but often includes birds, reptiles, and insects. Persecution by early settlers reduced the number of ferruginous hawks in the West. Recent pressures are frequently related to land-use practices. Conversion of shrub-steppe for agriculture or grazing has broadened the influence of human activity, reduced nesting opportunities, and lowered the diversity and abundance of prey species. Burrowing OwlOnce widespread across grasslands and shrub steppe of North America, the burrowing owl is declining throughout much of its range in the Western States and Canada (Sheffield 1997). Burrowing owls depend on burrows excavated by other animals such as marmots, ground squirrels, and badgers. Agriculture and other land conversion has reduced available habitat by eliminating burrows used by these owls, and also by eliminating habitat for mammals that create burrows. Prairie FalconPrairie falcons use the basalt cliffs along the Lower Snake River for nesting. A survey conducted by the WDFW in 1988 located 13 active eyries along the Snake River. Peregrine FalconHistorically, peregrine falcons nested along the Lower Snake River, but no active nests have been reported recently. One active nest site was documented 6 miles upstream from Asotin, Washington in 1992, and remains active today. Bald EagleBald eagle populations use the Lower Snake River subbasin primarily for winter habitat and foraging, depending on the severity of the winter weather. Although no nesting has been recorded in this subbasin it is anticipated in the future. Maintaining high quality habitat for prey species, fish, and waterfowl and protecting potential nesting and winter roost sites are critical to encourage and perpetuate eagle use of the area. Golden EagleGolden eagles nest in limited numbers in this subbasin. Usually the golden eagles are found in proximity of shrub-steppe habitat and feed on rabbits, ground squirrels and marmots. The Golden eagles are not tied so closely to the riparian areas of the subbasin as are bald eagles. WaterfowlWaterfowl are seasonally abundant in the Lower Snake River subbasin. Nesting, staging, and pair formation all take place in the streams and lakes of this area and in the temporary ponds, vernal pools and permanent lakes of the Channeled Scablands (WDFW 1999). Agricultural lands are important food sources for these birds especially during the fall and winter. Protection of wetlands habitat is critically important in this subbasin if waterfowl production is to remain at an acceptable level (WDFW 198?). WDFW has protected, enhanced and created waterfowl habitat in this area with funds from the Washington State Duck Stamp program each biennium on WDFW lands, other public lands (BLM, DNR) and on private acreage. Neo-tropical Migratory BirdsNeo-tropical migratory birds are dependent on wetlands, grassland (shrub-steppe), riparian, and timbered habitats in this subbasin. The distribution and abundance of these songbirds is determined by the mosaic of the landscape. Agricultural lands have had a huge impact on native migratory species in this area. Any habitat enhancements to wetlands, riparian-floodplain, timber, and agriculture lands of the Lower Snake River subbasin will benefit migratory and resident Neo-tropical migrants. The WDFW continues to study these species using the area search and point-count methods of survey. Riparian vegetation is the limiting factor on many Snake River tributaries for passerines and neo-tropical migrant species. During the breeding season, 15 or more species of birds will use the Lower Snake River subbasin and during migration 75 to 80 species will stop, rest, feed and stage in these types of habitats. Wetland Dependants/ ShorebirdsLoss of wetlands, spring creeks and ephemeral waters to agriculture and cattle grazing and resting has impacted all shorebirds and wetland dependant species (e.g., Avocets, Black-necked Stilts, Sandpipers, and Marsh Wren) in the Lower Snake River subbasin Ringneck PheasantThe ringneck pheasant is the primary upland game bird species in southeast Washington. The annual pheasant harvest peaked in Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield, Asotin, and Whitman counties at approximately 108,000 during the early 1980’s, but had declined 66% by 1999 to approximately 36,800 birds (WDFW 1999). A number of factors can impact the pheasant harvest. First and foremost is the abundance of the pheasant population, hunter participation, and weather during the hunting season. The dramatic decline in the pheasant harvest is a direct reflection of pheasant abundance. Hunter numbers decline and effort increases as pheasant populations decline. Inundation of riparian habitat along the Snake River and the loss of shrub steppe/grassland habitat has resulted in a tremendous decline in the pheasant population within the subbasin. Columbian Sharp-tailed GrouseHistorically the Columbian Sharp-tailed grouse was found in the Snake River subbasin until as recently as the 1940’s and 1950’s. The Columbian Sharp-tailed grouse is declining throughout most of its range and is highly vulnerable to extirpation in Washington. Two populations remain in the eastern Washington. One of these is in central Lincoln County and the other is in Douglas/Okanagan counties. The Lincoln County population is estimated at only 250-350 individuals. As a result, the Columbian Sharp-tailed grouse has been listed as endangered by Washington State. Whitetail JackrabbitThe whitetail jackrabbit is listed as a PHS and state candidate species. Historically, whitetail and blacktail jackrabbit populations were quite high. The loss of shrub steppe habitat has contributed to the dramatic decline in jackrabbit populations. Agricultural development and livestock grazing have modified and destroyed much of the shrub steppe habitat on which the whitetail jackrabbit was dependent. Washington Ground SquirrelThe Washington ground squirrel is PHS and state candidate species. The loss of shrub steppe and grassland habitats to agricultural development and livestock grazing has resulted in the loss of Washington ground squirrel colonies. Historical colonies were surveyed in 1997, but no ground squirrels were observed. Rocky Mountain Mule DeerRocky mountain mule deer are a PHS and primary big game species within the subbasin. Portions of game management units 142, 145, and portions of units 149 lie within the subbasin. Mule deer populations in the subbasin have increased significantly over the last 15 years. Whitetail deer in the subbasin are susceptible to EHD, and outbreaks occur with varying severity every four to five years. A severe outbreak in 1998 resulted in a significant decline in whitetail deer numbers. Surveys in COE habitat areas along the Snake River revealed as many as 15-20 dead whitetail deer within a 20-40 acre plot. Due to the susceptibility of whitetail deer to EHD and periodic die-offs, inter-specific competition between whitetail deer and mule deer may be insignificant within the subbasin. ElkElk were undoubtedly present in the shrub steppe habitats of eastern Washington prior to the arrival of settlers (McCorquodale 1985; Dixon and Lyman 1996; L. Lyman personal communication., G. Cleveland, personal communication). The current Selkirk elk population in the Snake River came from natural immigration from north central Idaho. Elk of the Selkirk herd farther north developed from the reintroduction of 100 Rocky Mountain elk from Yellowstone National Park before 1920. The Selkirk Elk Herd is among the top three herds, in terms of harvest, identified in Washington State. The Hangman sub- herd is an important resource that provides significant recreational, aesthetic and economic benefit to the people and is the southern portion of the Selkirk herd. This herd ranges over several thousand acres in portions of Lincoln, Whitman and south Spokane counties. The breaks of the Snake River in Whitman County have provided elk habitat for this population in small numbers since the 1970’s and only recently have we seen an increase and change in distribution in south Whitman County (WDFW 1999). Recently the herds have emigrated to agriculture lands along the river as well as the fields near the breaks on top of the Snake River in Whitman county. During the 2000 hunting season, at least 7 bulls and one cow were harvested by hunters (Morgan Grant, wildlife officer, WDFW, personal communication). Management of this subherd is complicated by a lack of public lands in the subbasin to allow habitat improvement. It is difficult to manage a public resource on private lands in this subbasin (WDFW, 1999). BatsTen species of bats are found in this area (H Ferguson, WDFW, personal communication,). Basalt cliffs and talus slopes provide both maternity and hibernaculum opportunities. The crepuscular feeding habit of the bats is most common near riparian areas and waterways. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||