Native Lampreys of Oregon
NOTE: The information presented in this story map is intended for education of general audiences. Those interested in particular information or data for the purposes of research and management are encouraged to contact the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Statewide Lamprey Coordinator: Benjamin Clemens ( Benjamin.J.Clemens@odfw.oregon.gov ; 541-757-5113)
Introduction
Lampreys have one of two types of life cycles: “parasitic” and “non-parasitic”
You can learn more about lampreys from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Beaver State Podcast, episode #73.
Lampreys of Oregon
The relative adult size of the ten known lamprey species found in Oregon
Mapped distribution of lampreys with conservation plans
All interactive maps presented from here forward can be expanded, zoomed, panned, and the features clicked on for more information.
Note: Both current and historical distributions for lampreys shown in the maps consist of the best available information. The historical distribution information is not comprehensive. Historical habitat is defined as the absence of the species for 5 generations, or 50 years, or by the presence of a known non-passable barrier.
Lamprey species about which less is known
Research, Monitoring and Evaluation
ODFW staff have been working and continue to work on various aspects of research and monitoring on the distribution, abundance, diversity, biology, and applied management necessary to understand the status and needs of the native lampreys of Oregon. Some examples include marking and tracking adult Pacific Lamprey to assess their passage at dams and migration behavior in rivers and streams, and stream surveys of larval lamprey presence and adult spawners.
A list of technical publications for completed work that ODFW staff have conducted on lampreys is available here .
Challenges and Solutions
Challenges are factors that constrain lamprey populations. There are five general types of challenges for lampreys:
Biologists and managers are working hard on many different solutions to address these challenges.
Solutions for Habitat Access
Providing passage at dams and fish hatcheries is an important solution, and requires passage structures designed to accommodate lampreys. The following images present examples of some lamprey passage structures in Oregon.
2. Physical Habitat
Abundant, high-quality physical habitat - reflected in complex and diverse stream conditions - is a fundamental aspect of thriving fish communities, including lampreys. The components of physical habitat important to lampreys are:
- In-stream structure such as boulders and large wood. Lampreys use in-stream structure as holding habitat and cover from predators.
- Streambed substrate such as gravel and sandy sediment. Lampreys require gravel for spawning and sandy sediment for larval rearing.
- Stream connectivity to off-channel wetted habitat such as estuaries, wetlands, and side channels. Access to these habitats provide many benefits for lampreys.
- Streamside vegetation such as trees, shrubs, and grasses provide shade, which keeps water temperatures from rising. Furthermore, streamside trees eventually provide habitat structure to streams when they fall.
Degraded physical habitat, such as shown in this photo, can pose significant challenges and is detrimental for lampreys.
Solutions to Physical Habitat Degradation
Habitat restoration that considers the needs of the entire stream system can address degraded physical habitat.
- Placing large wood structures in the stream adds habitat complexity, traps gravel and sandy sediment substrates, and provides cover from high stream flows and predators.
- Leaving or planting streamside native vegetation (riparian buffers) provides shade and a source of large wood.
- Other types of restoration reconnect the floodplain with the stream channel, providing important off-channel habitat.
3. Water Quantity
Lampreys need lots of cold, clean water; therefore, low water availability is a challenge for lampreys. Stream flows are expected to become more episodic in the future. Drought, legal water use, and illegal diversions may result in little to no flow in parts of some river basins.
Water availability is also affected by dams, which may result in dampened flows or rapid dewatering and rewatering for their operations and maintenance. Dewatering can significantly, albeit temporarily, limit water quantity in particular river reaches. Without the use of best management guidelines, dewatering can result in potential drying of lamprey nests and their larvae, whereas rewatering can remove rearing habitat by scouring.
Solutions to Water Quantity Challenges
Actions to assure there is enough water for lampreys, other fishes, and wildlife include:
- Restoring habitat to achieve natural hydrogeological function that keeps water instream throughout the year.
- Leaving water instream rather than being diverted through voluntary water right leasing or permanent transfer and acquisition programs.
- Working towards water infrastructure efficiencies.
- Protecting existing instream flow through instream water rights.
4. Water Quality
Reduced water quantity is often associated with decreased water quality. Lampreys need lots of cold, clean water; therefore, low water quality is a challenge for them.
High water temperature is a problem in many areas throughout Oregon. Particles suspended in the water (turbidity) and toxic pollutants from various land uses can also be a problem. Turbidity can be caused by erosion of stream banks, runoff from land, and dredging to deepen shipping channels. Toxic pollutants from various sources include pesticides, herbicides, and industrial toxins.
Solutions to Poor Water Quality
Solutions to ensuring high water quality for lampreys, other fishes, and wildlife include:
- Restoring habitat and water quantity.
- Maintaining and protecting good habitat and water quantity.
- Leaving native streamside vegetation (riparian buffers), which provide shade and inhibits warming of the water by the sun, filters toxic pollutants, and stabilizes stream banks.
- Replacing streamside invasive species with native shrubs and grasses.
- Reducing or eliminating the use of toxic chemicals such as herbicides, pesticides, and fertilizers.
5. Predation
Predation occurs on all life stages of all lampreys by many different native and non-native species of freshwater, marine, and land-based animals. Predation by native animals is a natural occurrence of balanced ecosystems that can become unbalanced in degraded habitats, which tend to have more non-native fishes.
Solutions to Increased Predation
Habitat conservation and strategic restoration allow for healthy, complex aquatic habitats that provide an abundance of cold, clean water that is essential for lampreys to thrive and to find shelter from predators. Additionally, where feasible ODFW directly manages predators through targeted removal, dispersal, or angling regulation modifications. For example, size and bag limits have been eliminated for non-native fishes in flowing waters (many of which have been found to prey on lampreys) to help control them.
Key Threats and Solutions
Key threats are human-induced or natural processes and actions that create or exacerbate the five challenges to lampreys presented above (habitat access, physical habitat, water quantity, water quality, and predation). Therefore, solutions to key threats include actions to address these five challenges. Two key threats are:
- Climate Change
Climate change is a key threat to coldwater fishes, including lampreys. Abundant evidence suggests that many environmental and ecological changes will occur in Oregon in the 21st century. Climate change will exacerbate existing challenges to lampreys in Oregon in many indirect and direct ways. The effects of climate change can have complex, cumulative, and potentially synergistic effects that are difficult to predict. Lampreys have evolved to thrive in Oregon’s streams and rivers over the course of hundreds of millions of years; however, unmitigated challenges and threats affect their conservation status. ODFW continues to work with partners to help conserve its lampreys for present and future generations.
The chart to the left displays observed and projected changes (compared to the 1901–1960 average) in near-surface air temperature for Oregon. For more information refer to this Oregon State Climate Summary .
2. Development Due to Population Growth
Human population is increasing in Oregon, which has the potential to degrade lamprey habitats. More people will mean greater demands for water and land development, which will further impact lamprey habitat. Data from Department of Administrative Services , Portland State University , and World Population Review were used to create the chart on the left.
See the Conservation Plan for Lampreys for further information:
Education and Outreach
ODFW performs education and outreach on lampreys in a variety of ways, including in partnership with Tribes, non-governmental organizations, and other agencies. These include:
Workshops and Short Courses
ODFW routinely partners with other organizations to conduct lamprey species identification workshops and lamprey biology and management short courses.
Outreach Materials
ODFW creates outreach materials to educate people about the lampreys of Oregon. Examples include the “ Native Lampreys of Oregon ” brochure, and in partnership with Tribes and other organizations, an educational flyer and signage associated with an adult lamprey passage structure at Eel Lake.
Informational brochure
Educational flyer
Eel Lake passage structure signage
News, Interviews, and Press Releases
ODFW participates in news media requests and provides press releases that reach a large number of Oregonians.
Educational Programming and Podcasts
Lampreys have been a popular theme on some podcasts and television shows, which range from specific coverage of the Miller Lake Lamprey to broader coverage of Oregon’s lampreys in general.
In-water Best Management Practices
Knowledge of the biology of lampreys in various habitats is essential to minimize impacts on them from in-water work activities. The guidelines established in the document below aim to minimize impact to lampreys from in-water work.
Best management guidelines for native lampreys during in-water work
Additional Education and Outreach Work by ODFW
ODFW staff participate in many other activities related to education and outreach. Some examples are presented below.
- Mentoring graduate students at various universities
- Giving presentations at scientific conferences
- Organizing and moderating sessions focused on lampreys at various venues
- Creating and maintaining a public-facing website
- Answering public requests for information, in-person, by phone and email
- Working with a team of individuals from the Great Lakes, East Coast, and Pacific Northwest to improve communication on the differences of invasive Sea Lamprey from the Great Lakes and the native lampreys of Oregon to promote native fish communities
Thank you for taking the time to explore the Native Lampreys of Oregon!
Interested readers that have specific questions are encouraged to contact the Statewide Lamprey Coordinator, Dr. Benjamin Clemens via Benjamin.J.CLEMENS@odfw.oregon.gov or by phone: 541-757-5113.
