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DRONES: A NEW TECHNIQUE FOR MONITORING SALMON ESCAPEMENTS
Project Overview
The goal of this project was to apply a novel methodology using unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and photogrammetry to enumerate Chinook salmon redds in the Salcha River in Interior Alaska. Project objectives were to document Chinook salmon spawning areas, capture aerial imagery to create two-dimensional orthomosaic maps of spawning areas, and to enumerate Chinook salmon redds using the digital orthomosaics. Results from the digital UAS redd surveys provided a stock specific index of spawning escapement and estimate of population size for Chinook salmon spawning in the Salcha River.
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This novel methodology proved successful for identifying, mapping, and enumerating salmon redds in clear water spawning streams. This technique and approach can be tailored to fit your specific research objectives. Examples of variations can include spatially rectified full-motion video (FMV), 3D models of spawning sites, bathymetric profiling, and timelapse spatial overlay. This approach can be used to map and enumerate redds, monitor and estimate fish passage and migrations, monitor riverine habitats, and record baseline habitat conditions for in-stream improvements and project planning.