Abundance and timing of summer run chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) and water quality in Clear Creek-Hogatza River, northwest Alaska

Abstract

Biological, climatological, and hydrological data were collected from Clear Creek-Hogatza River from 1995 to 1997. A counting tower and partial weir were constructed to estimate chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta). Partial hour counts were tested to see if they adequately estimated full hour counts. Chi-square tests indicated all estimates based on partial hour counts differed significantly from hour counts. ANOVA indicated no partial hour count differed significantly from the hour counts. Relative error analysis showed counts greater than 20 minutes produced unbiased estimates of hour counts. The three year estimated average was 96,932 salmon with the average peak occurring on 3 July. A 1:1 sex ratio existed with the average female length being 566 mm and male length being 599 mm. Climatological and hydrological conditions had minimal effect on the outcome of the project.