Establishing Baseline Information for Assessment of Flow Management Alternatives for Mitigating Effects of Myxozoan Pathogens in the Klamath River

.............................................................................................................................................. ix Executive Summary........................................................................................................................... 1 1.0 Introduction.......................................................................................................................... 5 1.1. Background and Overview............................................................................................5 1.2. Project Objectives ............................................................................................................7 1.3. Report Organization .......................................................................................................7 2.0 Methods ................................................................................................................................ 9 2.1. Determination of the Survival of the Polychaete Host, M. Speciosa, and the Actinospore Stage of the Parasite, at Three Different Temperatures.......................9 2.1.1. Collection and Maintenance of Polychaetes.......................................................... 9 2.1.2. Temperature Effects on Manayunkia Speciosa..................................................... 9 2.1.3. Temperature Effects on Actinospore Longevity................................................... 10 2.2. Measurement of the Effects of a Simulated Low Flow Event, or Draw‐down, on Polychaete Survival in the Two Habitats.....................................................................10 2.2.1. Effects of Dewatering on Manayunkia Speciosa .................................................. 10 2.3. Determination of How Water Flow Affects Polychaete Population Density and the Prevalence of Infection in the Polychaete and Fish Host...........................................10 2.3.1. Effects of Flow ........................................................................................................... 10 2.3.2. Polychaete Density Determination......................................................................... 13 2.4. Statistical Analysis ..........................................................................................................15 3.0 Project Results ...................................................................................................................... 17 3.1. Determination of the Survival of the Polychaete Host, M. Speciosa, and the Actinospore Stage of the Parasite at Three Different Temperatures........................17 3.1.1. Temperature Effects on Manayunkia Speciosa..................................................... 17 3.1.2. Temperature Effects on Actinospore Longevity................................................... 18 3.2. Measurement of the Effects of a Simulated Low Flow Event, or Draw‐down on Polychaete Survival in the Two Habitats in Which It Is Found ...............................18 3.2.1. Effects of Dewatering on Manayunkia Speciosa .................................................. 18 3.3. Determination of How Water Flow Affects Polychaete Population Density and the Prevalence of Infection in Both the Polychaete and Fish Host .................................19 3.3.1. Effects of Flow ........................................................................................................... 19