Development and Application of Spawning Velocity and Depth Criteria for Oregon Salmonids

Abstract

Water velocity and depth criteria were developed to formulate recommended stream flows for spawning of Oregon salmonids. Criteria have additional application in the design of artificial spawning channels. About 1,170 redd measurements of 10 species and races were made during a 10-year period. Mean redd velocities ranged between 0.11 and 0.73 m/sec and depths between 0.22 and 0.43 m for all species. A velocity range and minimum depth were found for each species which included 80% of the measurements with 95% confidence. The resulting criteria were compared with data and recommendations from Oregon and elsewhere.