STREAMNET NEWS

A Newsletter from StreamNet
The Fish Data Delivery Project for the Pacific Northwest
Issue #4 - February 10, 2005

Welcome to the fourth StreamNet News!

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Table of Contents

1. New Data in the StreamNet Database
2. Downloadable Access Database Updated
3. New "Independent Data Sets" Page (Part I)
4. New "Independent Data Sets" Page (Part II)
5. Oregon Subbasin Planning Data Archives
6. Improvements Made to the On-Line Data Query System
7. Salmon Critical Habitat Designation Interactive Mapper
8. Pacific Northwest Freshwater Fishes List Updated
9. US District Court Pesticide Ruling
10. Montana Fishing Guide
-----------------------------------------------------------------

1.  NEW DATA IN THE STREAMNET DATABASE
The main StreamNet database has had many updates since the last
StreamNet News.  Significant updates are available for time
series data such as spawning population estimates, adult return
indexes (spawner counts, redd counts, dam counts), hatchery
returns, and freshwater harvest rates.  Significant updates are
also available for dam facilities and fish migration barriers.

To query the StreamNet database, point your browser to
http://www.streamnet.org/online-data/query_intro.html and click
on the "Standard Query Method" link.

2.  DOWNLOADABLE ACCESS DATABASE UPDATED
The downloadable version of StreamNet’s database was updated
September 17, 2004.  The entire database can be downloaded in
MS-Access format; individual tables may be downloaded as
comma-delimited ascii text files.  The downloadable version of
the database is updated only periodically -- the most up to date
data are always available through the on-line data query system.

3.  NEW "INDEPENDENT DATA SETS" PAGE (PART I)
For several years StreamNet has housed a small number of data
sets created by other people, and we make them available on the
StreamNet web site.  These are not incorporated into the main
StreamNet database, but are instead stand-alone data sets stored
in their original formats.  (Thus the term "independent data
sets.")  Previously we used a simple html links page to make
these data sets available, but recently we've improved the
concept.  Rather than reading through a list of links, you now
can search for data sets of interest, and see information about a
data set before deciding whether to download it.

The independent data sets page is at
http://www.streamnet.org/online-data/ids.cfm.  Currently
available are several water temperature data sets, including one
from the Nez Perce Soil and Water Conservation District (Nez
Perce County, Idaho) that includes an Excel-based program for
determining if temperatures meet water quality criteria.  Also
available are data sets on the genetic purity of trout in
Montana, resident fish stock status above Chief Joseph and Grand
Coulee dams, three-dimensional hydrodynamic (ADCP) and thermal
conditions in Lower Granite Reservoir related to releases from
Dworshak Reservoir, the reports and supporting data and GIS
coverages for the 2001 Yellowstone cutthroat trout range-wide
status assessment (May et al. 2003) and the 2002 westslope
cutthroat trout range-wide assessment (Shephard et al. 2003), and
more.  Just today we added the report and data sets for the
Idaho Department of Fish and Game's "Bull Trout Status Review and
Assessment in the State of Idaho" which was published December 20,
2004.

While the number of data sets currently available is under 20
because this is a new initiative, StreamNet users have already
discovered the Independent Data Sets page, and hundreds of
downloads have been done in the past few months.  We encourage
fisheries researchers and managers to contribute additional data
sets.  We can easily store thousands of data sets, making them
searchable and available to other researchers and managers, thus
providing an additional way for fisheries professionals to share
information.  We invite you to contribute data sets to this
archive (See Item #4, below.)

4.  NEW "INDEPENDENT DATA SETS" PAGE (PART II)
We can host your data.

Has BPA or another funder asked you to provide your data on-line
or otherwise make data available?  Do you have a fisheries or
aquatic resources data set that's useful or interesting and you
want to preserve and share it?  If so then StreamNet's
"Independent Data Sets" page may be appropriate.

As described in Item #3 above, we can warehouse data sets from
any source and make them searchable and available for download.
Data are kept in their original formats, as established by you.

We provide a small program that leads you through the short
(15-20 minute) process of sending us a data set.  When ready,
simply click a button and the data set will be sent to us.  It
should be up on our site within a day.  (As an alternative for
people who can't install programs on their computer, we provide
an Excel spreadsheet that can be filled in.  But this may require
a bit more effort.)

We welcome data sets from outside StreamNet, particularly from
projects funded as part of the Fish and Wildlife Program of the
Northwest Power and Conservation Council, from fish and wildlife
agencies, and from subbasin planning groups and watershed
councils.

To learn how to send a data set to StreamNet, go to
http://www.streamnet.org/online-data/submitdatasets.html.  If you
have any questions, call us at 503-595-3100, or email us at
project@streamnet.org.

5.  OREGON SUBBASIN PLANNING DATA ARCHIVES
StreamNet and the Technical Outreach and Assistance to Subbasins
Team (TOAST) have captured and archived data and other materials
provided for or created by the recent Subbasin Planning process.
These materials can be found at
http://www.streamnet.org/subbasin/2001-subbasin-data.html.
Included for most subbasins in Oregon are the EDT/QHA modeling
input and output, GIS layers, data sets, tools, maps, and more.
While we have captured this information for most Oregon
subbasins, we hope to do so for all 62 subbasins.  Contact
StreamNet at 503-595-3100 or via email at project@streamnet.org
if you would like to discuss archival of information for other
subbasins.

Another fix of this same problem was implemented by providing
additional output options.  You can now download data in Excel
spreadsheets or in xml format and bypass the delimited file.

If you ever encounter a problem of any kind with the query
system, please let us know and we'll get the problem fixed and
make sure you get the data you need.

7.  SALMON CRITICAL HABITAT DESIGNATION INTERACTIVE MAPPER
StreamNet recently developed a new web-based mapping application
in cooperation with the Northwest Regional Office of NOAA
Fisheries.  The Critical Habitat Interactive Mapper is a tool for
displaying the areas that NOAA Fisheries is proposing to
designate (or exclude) as Critical Habitat under the U.S.
Endangered Species Act for 13 evolutionarily significant units of
Pacific salmon and steelhead (Oncorhyncus spp.) in Oregon,
Washington, and Idaho.  The mapper is available at
http://www.nwr.noaa.gov/1salmon/salmesa/crithab/gisdata/disclaimer.html.
(California ESUs are not included.)

For news and information regarding the proposed designations,
upcoming public hearings, and the public comment process, visit
the NOAA Fisheries Critical Habitat website at
http://www.nwr.noaa.gov/1salmon/salmesa/crithab/CHsite.htm.  NOAA
Fisheries has extended the deadline for public comments until
March 14, 2005

8.  PACIFIC NORTHWEST FRESHWATER FISHES LIST UPDATED
In the Public Education section of our web site, at
http://www.streamnet.org/pub-ed/ff/Species/index.html, we have
updated and corrected the state-by-state list of fish species
present in the fresh waters of Montana, Idaho, Oregon,
Washington, and British Columbia.  The new species lists are
based on recent authoritative publications.  No longer included
are non-native species which were stocked in the past but did not
result in self-sustaining naturalized populations.  Latin names
are taken from "Common and Scientific Names of Fishes from the
United States, Canada, and Mexico, Sixth Edition" from the
American Fisheries Society and the American Society of
Ichthyologists and Herpetologists.  Latin names from the
Integrated Taxonomic Information System (as of August 2004) are
also included where they do not agree with, or add detail to, the
AFS/ASIH names.

9.  US DISTRICT COURT PESTICIDE RULING
In January 2004, StreamNet was cited in a federal court ruling,
regarding spraying of certain pesticides near streams, as the
source of fish distribution information for "Salmon Supporting
Waters" in Washington and Oregon.  While this item is from last
year, we thought it still valuable to include in the newsletter
at this time.  The list of streams the court order applies to can
be found at http://www.streamnet.org/about-sn/whatsnew.html,
where we have provided several different ways to find the
streams, including as a GIS layer and as a spreadsheet pre-sorted
by stream, by county, and by 4-th field HUC.

Further information can be found on the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency web site at
http://www.epa.gov/oppfead1/endanger/wtc/maps.htm.

10. MONTANA FISHING GUIDE
Montana Fish Wildlife & Parks puts a recreational spin on their
StreamNet data with their on-line "Montana Fishing Guide" at
http://fwp.mt.gov/fishing/guide.  The Fishing Guide is easy to
use and packed with information for anglers.  It offers angling
and recreation information for hundreds of fishable waters in the
state, including lakes, reservoirs, and streams.

The quickest route into the guide is by the name of a specific
lake, stream, or fishing district.  For each body of water, you
can view a description of the water, a map, or a list of other
water bodies in that drainage.  The descriptions include river
miles, lake size, fishing district, MFWP Region, special
regulations, and more.  Game fishes and other species in the
water are listed, with direct links to the on-line "Montana Field
Guide" for specific information about each species.  Distribution
data were provided by Montana's StreamNet database, which is part
of the Montana Fisheries Information System.

The Fishing Guide was designed to put everything anglers need to
know at their fingertips, including fishing access sites,
directions for getting there, and details about boat ramps,
camping, and other facilities.  The past five years of stocking
records are available for lakes, as are reports on angling
pressure if they exist for that water body.  For those who enjoy
planning a trip nearly as much as taking it, the MFWP's Montana
Fishing Guide is a good way to learn about Montana's water
bodies.

The Montana Fishing Guide is a product of Montana Fish, Wildlife
& Parks and the Montana Natural Resource Information System.

-----------------------------------------------------------------
The end.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Edited by Michael Banach

If this newsletter was forwarded to you and you want to be added
to the list of 1090 people who receive occasional email notices
of new features and developments at the StreamNet Project, click:
http://query.streamnet.org/newsletter.cfm.

COMMENTS on the StreamNet project, its web site, its data
products, or your data needs are encouraged and appreciated.
Email us at project@streamnet.org, or click FEEDBACK on any page
of the StreamNet web site, http://www.streamnet.org.

ABOUT THE STREAMNET PROJECT StreamNet is a cooperative,
multi-agency effort among the Columbia River Basin's state,
tribal and federal fisheries agencies, the Northwest Power and
Conservation Council (NPCC), the Bonneville Power Administration,
and the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission to compile
fish-related data.  We compile and make available on our web site
information intended to be useful to fisheries managers and
researchers, land managers, planners, and others.  We acquire,
regionally standardize, and georeference data from multiple
sources on a number of topics, including:  fish distribution,
fish abundance trends, hatchery releases and returns, harvest
levels, migration barriers, hatcheries, and dams.  We provide a
catalog of photographs relevant to fish species and facilities in
the region.  We also archive and provide stand-alone "independent
data sets" created by other entities.  We maintain the official
list of stream reaches the NPCC has recommended be protected from
dam construction, and we are the official keepers of the Pacific
Northwest's 1:100,000 scale GIS streams layer.  We provide
pre-made maps and let you make maps interactively from data in
the StreamNet database to meet your needs.  We continually work
to update these resources, so new information becomes available
several times each year.  We also provide customized data related
services for participants in the NPCC's Fish and Wildlife
Program.  When significant changes are made at StreamNet (new
data or new ways to display them), we will email another short
StreamNet News to those on the mailing list.

You can learn more about StreamNet at
http://www.streamnet.org/about-sn.html.  We exist in order to
bring useful information to people such as you, and we welcome
your questions and feedback.  We also hope you will inform your
colleagues about the resources available at StreamNet
(http://www.streamnet.org).

---
Signed up for StreamNet News but no longer want to be?  We hope
you won't, but you can take your name off the list by clicking
here -- http://query.streamnet.org/newsletter.cfm?Action=Remove.