Phaedra Budy - Curriculum Vitae
Department of Aquatic, Watershed, and Earth Resources
USGS Utah Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit
5210 Old Main Hill
Utah State University
Logan, UT 84322-5210
Phone: 435-797-7564, FAX: 435-797-4025, email Phaedra.Budy@usu.edu
http://www.usu.edu/fw/pages/faculty/Budy/Budy.htm
______________________________________________________________________________
EDUCATION
Ph.D.- Aquatic Ecology. Utah State University, Logan, UT. December 1996. Dissertation: “Adding
nutrients to enhance the growth and production of endangered sockeye salmon: trophic
transfer in an oligotrophic lake.”
B.S. - Limnology. University of California, Davis, CA. June 1991.
EMPLOYMENT
2000-present. USGS, Utah Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit , Utah State University,
Logan, UT. Asst. Coop Leader, and Asst. Professor in the Department of Aquatic,
Watershed, and Earth Resources, College of Natural Resources.
1997-2000. US Fish and Wildlife Service. Columbia River Fisheries Program Office, Vancouver, WA.
Quantitative Fishery Biologist, GS12-02, Conservation Assessment Team Leader.
1996-1997. Utah State University, Colorado State University, Puerto Rico LTER site - Postdoctoral
position. Atyad shrimp population dynamics and conservation genetics.
1996-1997. Ecology Center, Utah State University, Logan, UT. Assistant Program Chair for
Ecological Society of America Conference.
1992-1996. Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Utah State University, Logan, UT. Research
Assistant- Ph.D. Dissertation: Adding nutrients to enhance the growth and production of
endangered sockeye salmon: trophic transfer in an oligotrophic lake.
1991-1996. B&B Enterprises, Environmental Consultant, subcontractor. Sierra Planning, Vail
Engineering, Ecosystems Research Inc., Sierra Nevada College.
1993-1996. Utah State University, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Teaching AssistantAquatic Ecology (FW490), Fish Systematics Practicum (FW271). Assistant Lecturer- Fisheries
and Wildlife Undergraduate Summer Field course -Lake Ecology Section, Lecturer- Fish
Systematics (FW270) and Fish Systematics Practicum (FW271).
1991. Tahoe Research Group, U.C. Davis, Post Graduate Researcher.
1991. Sierra Nevada College, Field biologist.
1991-1993. Basin Strategies, Planning and Consulting Services. Environmental Assessment, Pier
Relocation and Expansion Projects
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1990-1991.
California Department of Water Resources, Environmental Studies Branch, BayDelta Ecological Studies Unit. Assistant to biologist and computer analyst.
PUBLICATIONS
Beauchamp, D. A., P. Budy, B. C. Allen, and J. M. Godfrey. 1994. Timing, distribution, and
abundance of kokanees spawning in A Lake Tahoe tributary. Great Basin Naturalist
54(2):130-141.
Budy, P., C. Luecke, W. Wurtsbaugh, and H. Gross. 1994. Effects of nutrient enhancement on
juvenile sockeye salmon growth. Lake and Reservoir Management 9(1):140-145.
Budy, P., C. Luecke, W. Wurtsbaugh, and H. Gross. 1995. Limnology of Sawtooth Valley Lakes with
respect to potential growth of juvenile Snake River sockeye salmon. Northwest Science
69(2):133-150.
Luecke, C., W. Wurtsbaugh, P. Budy, and G. Steinhart. 1995. Simulated growth and production of
endangered Snake River sockeye salmon: assessing management strategies for nursery
lakes. Fisheries 26(6):18-25.
Gross, H. P., W. A. Wurtsbaugh, C. Luecke, and P. Budy. 1997. Fertilization of an oligotrophic lake
with a deep chlorophyll maximum: predicting the effect on primary productivity. Canadian
Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 54:1177-1189.
Wurtsbaugh, W. A., H. P. Gross, C. Luecke, and P. Budy. 1997. Nutrient limitation of oligotrophic
sockeye salmon lakes of Idaho (USA). Verh. Internat. Verein. Limnol. 26: 413-419.
Beauchamp, D. A., P. Budy, and 6 others. 1997. Hydroacoustic assessment of abundance and diel
distribution of sockeye and kokanee salmon in the Sawtooth Valley Lakes, Idaho. North
American Journal of Fisheries Management 17:253-267.
Budy, P., C. Luecke, and W. A. Wurtsbaugh. 1998. Adding nutrients to enhance growth and
production of endangered sockeye salmon: Trophic transfer in an oligotrophic lake.
Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 127:19-34.
Petrosky, C. E., H. A. Schaller, and P. Budy. 2001. Evaluation of survival trends in the freshwater
spawning and rearing life stage for Snake River spring/summer chinook. Canadian Journal of
Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 58:1196-1207.
Wurtsbaugh, W. A., H. P. Gross, P. Budy, and C. Luecke. 2001. Effects of epilimnetic versus
metalimnetic fertilization on the phytoplankton and periphyton of a mountain lake with a
deep chlorophyll maxima. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 58:21562166.
Budy, P., G.P. Thiede, N. Bouwes, C. Petrosky, and H. Schaller. 2002. Evidence linking delayed
mortality of Snake River Salmon to their earlier hydrosystem experience. North American
Journal of Fisheries Management 22:35-51.
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McHugh, P., and P. Budy. 2004. Patterns of spawning habitat selection and site suitability for two
populations of Snake River spring chinook salmon. Transactions of the American Fisheries
Society 133: 89-97.
McHugh, P., P. Budy, and H. Schaller. 2004. A model-based assessment of the potential response
of Snake River spring/summer chinook salmon to habitat improvements. Transactions of the
American Fisheries Society 133:622-638.
De la Hoz Franco, E.A., and P. Budy. In Press. Linking environmental heterogeneity to the
distribution and prevalence of Myxobolus cerebralis: a comparison across sites in a northern,
Utah. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society, January, 2004, Accepted April 2,
2004.
De la Hoz Franco, E.A., and P. Budy. In Press. Effects of biotic and abiotic factors on the distribution
of trout and salmon along a longitudinal stream gradient. Environmental Biology of Fishes,
Accepted July 18, 2004.
PUBLICATIONS IN REVIEW
Haddix, T., P. Budy, and R. Schneidervin. In review. Factors affecting prey selection and feeding
efficiency of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) The relative influence of morphological
and behavior in prey selection by rainbow trout. Transactions of the American Fisheries
Society Submitted September 14, 2004.
Haddix, T. and P. Budy. In review. Determining the factors that limit growth and abundance of
rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in Flaming Gorge Reservoir, Utah-Wyoming. North
American Journal of Fisheries Management. Submitted September 22, 2004.
Al-Chokhachy, R. and P.Budy. In review. Understanding the demography and significance of redd
counts for freshwater salmonid species. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic
Sciences- Rapid Response Article.
TECHNICAL REPORTS
Budy, P., E. A. de la Hoz Franco Franco, and G. P. Thiede. 2002. Logan River whirling disease study:
factors affecting trout population dynamics, abundance, and distribution in the Logan River,
Utah. Project XIII, Annual Report to Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. 67 pages.
Budy, P., T. Haddix, and G. P. Thiede. 2002. Rainbow trout growth and survival in Flaming Gorge
Reservoir. Project XIV, Annual Report to Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. 61 pages.
McHugh, P., and P. Budy. 2002. Snake River spring/summer chinook habitat improvement feasibility
and validation study. Annual Progress Report to US Fish and Wildlife Service. 104 pages.
McHugh, P., and P. Budy. 2002. A model-based approach to assessing the potential response of
chinook salmon to habitat improvements. Project Report No. 6. Cooperative Fish and
Wildlife Research Unit, Utah State University, Logan Utah. 2001(6):1-137.
Budy, P., G. P. Thiede , E. A. de la Hoz Franco, and S. Vatland. 2003. Logan River whirling disease
study: factors affecting trout population dynamics, abundance, and distribution in the Logan
River, Utah. Project XIII, Annual Report to Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. 50 pages.
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Budy, P., G. P. Thiede , and T. Haddix. 2003 & 2004. Rainbow trout growth and survival in Flaming
Gorge Reservoir. Project XIV, Annual Reports to Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.
Budy, P., R. Al-Chokhachy, and G. P. Thiede. 2003 & 2004. Bull trout population assessment and
life-history characteristics in association with habitat quality and land use in the Walla Wall
River Basin: a template for recovery planning. Annual Progress Reports to US Fish and
Wildlife Service.
Budy, P., P. McHugh , and G. P. Thiede. 2004. Logan River study: factors affecting trout population
dynamics, abundance, and distribution in the Logan River, Utah. Project XIII, Annual Report to
Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. 63 pp.
Budy, P., S. Vatland, and G.P. Thiede. 2004. Lake Powell food web dynamics. Annual Report to Utah
Division of Wildlife Resources. Project XIV. Grant Number F-47-R. Salt Lake City, Utah. 88 pp.
PRESENTATIONS
Budy, P., and C. Luecke. 1993. Modeling juvenile sockeye salmon growth potential. American
Fisheries Society, British Columbia. Special Meeting: "Sockeye Salmon".
Budy, P., and C. Luecke. 1993. Modeling juvenile sockeye salmon growth potential. American
Fisheries Society, National, Portland, OR.
Budy, P., C. Luecke, and W. Wurtsbaugh. 1994. Nutrient enhancement of juvenile sockeye salmon
growth. North American Lake Management Society, National, Seattle, WA.
Budy, P., and C. Luecke. 1994. Food dependent effects of temperature on growth of endangered
sockeye salmon. Ecological Society of America, National, Knoxville, TN.
Budy, P., C. Luecke, and W. Wurtsbaugh. 1995. Assessing the addition of nutrients at three trophic
levels in high mountain, oligotrophic lakes. American Society of Limnology and
Oceanography, National, Reno, NV.
Budy, P., C. Luecke, and W. Wurtsbaugh. 1995. Assessing lake fertilization plans to enhance growth
of juvenile endangered sockeye salmon. Ecological Society of America, National, Snowbird,
UT.
Budy, P., C. Luecke, and W. Wurtsbaugh. 1995. An investigation of the effects of lake fertilization on
primary and secondary production and on the growth and survival of endangered sockeye
salmon. Ecological Society of America, National, Providence, RI.
Budy, P., and T. A. Crowl. 1996. Population structure and genetic differentiation among tropical
diadromous shrimp (Atya lanipes). North American Benthological Society, National, Kalispell,
MT.
*Budy, P., C. Luecke, and W. Wurtsbaugh. 1996. An investigation of the effects of lake fertilization
on three trophic levels aimed at enhancing the growth and survival of endangered sockeye
salmon. American Fisheries Society, National, Dearborne, MI. Best Student Paper Award.
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Budy, P. 1999. PATH - The Plan for Analyzing and Testing Hypotheses: The approach, limitations,
and key findings of a salmon life cycle model developed for the 1999 Decision regarding the
removal of the Snake River hydroelectric dams. USFWS Director and Department of Interior
Briefing, Washington, DC.
Budy, P. 1999. The scientific soundness of and credibility of the Biological Decision Analysis
recently completed by PATH, The Plan for Analyzing and Testing Hypotheses. Testimony for
the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission. Portland, OR.
Budy, P., and H. Schaller. 1999. Similarities and Differences of the multi-agency PATH modeling
results and conclusions and the NMFS modeling evaluation and summary to be used to
develop a recovery strategy for Snake River salmon and steelhead FWS Director and
Department of Interior Briefing, Washington, DC.
Budy, P. 2000. Resolving differences between two alternative modeling approaches: The NMFS
Leslie Matrix Model and the PATH Biological Decision Analysis. Congressional Briefing,
Washington, DC. Co-presented with Peter Kareiva, NMFS.
*Budy, P. 2000. To breach or not to breach: uncertainty and dueling models in Snake River salmon
decision analysis. Invited Seminar. College of Natural Resources, Seminar Series, Utah
State University.
Budy, P., G. P. Thiede, N. Bouwes, C. Petrosky, and H. Schaller. 2001. Linking earlier hydrosystem
experience of endangered chinook salmon to mortality in the estuary and ocean. American
Fisheries Society, National, Phoenix, AZ.
Petrosky, C.E., H. A. Schaller, and P. Budy. 2001. Productivity and survival rate trends in the
freshwater spawning and rearing stage of Snake River chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus
tshawytscha). American Fisheries Society National Meeting, AZ.
Bouwes, N., P. Budy, C. Petrosky, and H. Schaller. 2001. An analysis of differential delayed mortality
experience by chinook salmon of the Snake River. American Fisheries Society, National,
Phoenix, AZ.
*McHugh, P., P. Budy, and H. Schaller. 2001. A model-based approach to assessing the potential
response of selected Snake River spring/summer chinook salmon populations to spawning
and rearing habitat improvements. American Fisheries Society, National, Phoenix, AZ.
Outstanding student paper award ($500).
Budy, P. 2002. Overview of current research in trout and salmon population dynamics and
conservation. Invited Seminar. USFWS Research Seminar Series, Columbia River Fisheries
Program Office, Portland, OR.
McHugh, P. and Budy, P. 2002. Habitat assessment for spring/summer chinook salmon, parts I and
II. Invited Seminar. USFWS Research Seminar Series, Columbia River Fisheries Program
Office, Portland, OR.
McHugh, P., P. Budy, and H. A. Schaller. 2002. An assessment of Snake River spring/summer
chinook salmon spawning habitat suitability using logistic regression techniques. Bonneville
Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, Pocatello, ID.
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McHugh, P., and P. Budy. 2002. A model-based assessment of the potential response of selected
Snake River spring/summer chinook salmon populations to habitat improvements. North
American Benthological Society, National, Pittsburgh, PA.
Haddix, T., P. Budy, and G. P. Thiede. 2002. Factors affecting rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
growth and survival in Flaming Gorge Reservoir, Utah-Wyoming. Bonneville Chapter of the
American Fisheries Society, Pocatello, ID.
Haddix, T., P. Budy, and G. P. Thiede. 2002. Factors affecting rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
growth and survival in Flaming Gorge Reservoir, Utah-Wyoming. American Fisheries Society,
Baltimore, MD.
de la Hoz Franco, E.A., and P. Budy. 2002. Distribution of Myxobolus cerebralis in the Logan River,
Utah: effects on salmonid populations. Bonneville Chapter of the American Fisheries Society,
Pocatello, ID.
de la Hoz Franco, E.A., and P. Budy. 2002. Distribution of Myxobolus cerebralis in the Logan River,
UT: effects on salmonid populations. American Fisheries Society, National, Baltimore, MD.
*de la Hoz Franco, E.A., and P. Budy. 2002. Assessing the effects of disease and other
environmental factors on the dynamics, abundance, and distribution of endemic trout
populations in the Logan River, Utah. Society for Conservation Biology. Canterbury, United
Kingdom. International travel scholarship ($1000).
de la Hoz Franco, E. A., and P. Budy. 2002. Distribution of Myxobolus cerebralis in the Logan River,
UT: effects on salmonid populations. Poster. 8th Annual Whirling Disease Symposium.
Denver, CO.
de la Hoz Franco, E. A., and P. Budy. 2003. Distribution of Myxobolus cerebralis in salmonid
populations in the Logan River, UT: Potential effects of habitat heterogeneity on differences
in prevalence. 9th Annual Whirling Disease Symposium. Seattle, WA.
*Al-Chokhachy, R., and P. Budy. 2003. Assessing bull trout population abundance and trend using
a double mark/recapture/resight technique in combination with passive PIT tag antennae in
the South Fork of the Walla Walla River. Invited presentation, Symposium, Oregon Chapter of
the American Fisheries Society, Eugene, OR.
Vatland, S., R. Al-Chokhachy, and P. Budy. 2003. Bull trout population and habitat assessment: A
template for recovery planning. Walla Walla Watershed Conference, Walla Walla,
Washington.
de la Hoz Franco, E. A., G. P. Thiede, and P. Budy. 2003. Linking environmental factors to the
distribution and prevalence of Myxobolus cerebralis among trout in the Logan River, UT.
Bonneville Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, Grand Junction, CO.
Hadley, M. J., and P. Budy. 2003. Comparison of growth of stocked rainbow trout in Flaming Gorge
Reservoir, Utah-Wyoming to potential maximum growth. Poster. Bonneville Chapter of the
American Fisheries Society, Grand Junction, CO.
Al-Chokhachy, R., and P. Budy. 2003. Assessing bull trout population abundance and trends in the
South Fork of the Walla Walla River, Oregon. American Fisheries Society, Quebec, Canada.
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Budy, P., R. Al-Chokhachy, and G. Thiede. 2003. Using PIT tag data to parameterize simple and
elaborate mark/recapture models: tools for conservation and recovery planning. Invited
presentation, Symposium. American Fisheries Society, Quebec, Canada.
McHugh, P., Budy, P., Thiede, G., and de la Hoz Franco, E. 2003. Evaluating the demographic
effects of disease on Bonneville cutthroat trout in the Logan River, Utah: a PVA approach.
American Fisheries Society, Quebec, Canada.
Thiede, G.P., P. Budy, P. McHugh, and E. A. de la Hoz Franco. 2003. Evaluating the effects of fish
movement on the spread and prevalence of disease in the Logan River, Utah, USA. American
Fisheries Society, Quebec, Canada.
*Vatland, S., and P. Budy. 2003. Using present and past data to model predator-prey dynamics in
Lake Powell, Utah-Arizona: A bioenergetics approach. Invited Seminar for Reservoir
Management Symposium. Western Chapter of American Fisheries Society, Salt Lake City, UT.
March 3, 2004, Best Student Paper Award ($100).
Al-Chokhachy, R. and P. Budy. 2003. A hierarchical examination of bull trout habitat relationships in
streams of northeast Oregon. Western Chapter of American Fisheries Society, Salt Lake City,
UT.
McHugh, P. and P. Budy. 2003. Evaluating the potential for competition between introduced brown
trout and native Bonneville cutthroat trout in the Logan River, Utah. Western Chapter of
American Fisheries Society, Salt Lake City, UT. 25 March 2004.
*Vatland, S., and P. Budy. 2004. Using present and past data to model predator-prey dynamics in
Lake Powell, Utah-Arizona: A bioenergetics approach. Utah State University - Water Initiative:
Spring Runoff Conference, Logan, UT. March 26, 2004, Best Student Paper Award ($250).
Al-Chokhachy, R. and P. Budy. 2003. A hierarchical examination of bull trout habitat relationships in
streams of northeast Oregon. Utah State University - Water Initiative: Spring Runoff
Conference, Logan, UT.
McHugh, P., and P. Budy. 2003. Evaluating the potential for competition between introduced brown
trout and native Bonneville cutthroat trout in the Logan River, Utah. Poster. Utah State
University - Water Initiative: Spring Runoff Conference.
de la Hoz Franco, E. and P. Budy. 2003. Effects of biotic and abiotic factors on the distribution of
native cutthroat trout along the Logan River, Utah. Western Chapter of American Fisheries
Society, Salt Lake City, UT.
McHugh, P and P. Budy. 2004. An experimental evaluation of altitudinal species-zonation patterns
in montane streams: do abiotic or biotic factors determine the distribution of native and
nonnative trout in Utah, USA, rivers? Utah State University Spring 2004 Runoff Conference,
Logan, UT. Poster. 2 March 2004.
*McHugh, P. and P. Budy. 2004. An experimental evaluation of altitudinal species-zonation
patterns in montane streams: do abiotic or biotic factors determine the distribution of native
and nonnative trout in Utah, USA, rivers? VI International Congress on the Biology of Fish.
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Manaus, Brazil. 2 August 2004. Award: Best Oral Presentation in the Fish Communities and
Fisheries Symposium at the VI International Congress on the Biology of Fish.
Budy, P., G.P. Thiede, and P. McHugh. Modeling the synergistic effects of physical factors, disease,
and species interactions on the survival and status of endemic cutthroat trout. Ecological
Society of America, National, Portland, OR. August 4, 2004.
Al-Chokhachy, R., P. Budy, and G.P. Thiede. Monitoring population trends and assessing limiting
factors of aquatic species in decline: a bull trout case study. Ecological Society of America,
National, Portland, OR. August 4, 2004.
Vatland, S., P. Budy, and G. Thiede. 2004. A bioenergetics approach to modeling predator-prey
dynamics in Lake Powell, Utah-Arizona. Ecological Society of America, National, Portland, OR.
August 4, 2004.
Thiede, G.P., S. Vatland, and P. Budy. 2004. Predator-prey dynamics in Lake Powell: a bioenergetics
approach. American Fisheries Society, National, Madison, Wisconsin. August 25, 2004.
ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES
The American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists
Society for Conservation Biology
Bonneville Chapter of American Fisheries Society, (2003, Elected Vice President, Four-year
commitment in total)
American Fisheries Society, National Chapter
Ecological Society of America (1997, Assistant Program Chair)
Trout Unlimited - Cache Anglers (participation is in an educational capacity)
Board of Directors (BOD) for the Western Regional Aquaculture Center.
External Reviewer, University of Nebraska-Lincoln School of Natural Resources program review for
the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Services (CSREES).
USFWS Bull Trout Research, Monitoring, and Evaluation Technical Team. 2003-2005.
Workshop I, Welches, Oregon, 2001
Workshop II, Portland, Oregon, 2003
COURSES TAUGHT
Graduate Population Assessment (AWER 6550 and local chapter AFS short course). Utah State
University, Department of Aquatic, Watershed, and Earth Resources. 2001 and 2003
Large River Management (Watershed Science 6330). 2002
Graduate Fish Ecology (AWER 6230/7230). Utah State University, Department of Aquatic,
Watershed, and Earth Resources. 2002 and 2004.
GRADUATE STUDENTS ADVISED
THESES AND DISSERTATIONS COMPLETED
McHugh, P. 2002. A model-based approach to assessing the potential response of chinook
salmon to habitat improvements. MS Thesis. Utah State University.
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De la Hoz Franco, E.A. 2003. Assessing the effects of Myxobolus cerebralis and other
environmental factors on the dynamics, abundance, and distribution of endemic
trout populations in the Logan River, Utah. MS Thesis. Utah State University.
Haddix, T. 2004. Factors affecting growth of rainbow trout in Flaming Ggorge Reservoir, UtahWyoming. MS Thesis. Utah State University, 81 pp.
IN PROGRESS
McHugh. P. PhD in progress. A multi-scale assessment of brown trout (Salmo trutta) – cutthroat
trout (Oncorhynchus clarki utah) interactions in Bonneville Basin streams. Utah State
University, Logan UT.
Al-Chokhachy, R. PhD in progress. Understanding and quantifying the factors that limit bull trout
abundance and survival. Utah State University, Logan UT.
Vatland, S. MS in progress. Food web dynamics and predator-prey cycles in Lake Powell, AZ-UT.
Utah State University, Logan UT.
Birchell, G. MS in progress. The effects of non-native Colorado River cutthroat trout following the
removal of invasive brook trout from a small headwater stream in Utah. Utah State
University, Logan UT.
Homel, Kris. MS in progress. Understanding differences in genetic and environmental determinants
of life history stage in threatened bull trout. Utah State University, Logan UT.
GRADUATE COMMITTEE ADVISEMENT- CURRENT
Steve Bennett, AWER, PhD
Kim Berger, FWRS, PhD
Eric Billman, AWER, MS
Kris Buelow, AWER, MS
Greta Burkart, AWER, PhD
Brian Cardall, FWRS, MS
Dave Cole, AWER, PhD
Shannon Harstein, AWER, MS
Tamara Heartsill, AWER, PhD
Martin Koenig, AWER, MS
Mark Novak, AWER, PhD
Kevin Young, Biology, PhD
COMMITTEE PARTICIPATION
USU, Department of Aquatic, Watershed, and Earth Resources, Graduate Academic Review
Committee.
USU, College of Natural Resources, Educational Policy Committee.
USU, College of Natural Resources, Graduate Fellowship Advisory Committee.
USU, College of Natural Resources, Computer Technical Oversight Committee.
USU, Water Initiative Seminar Series Committee
TECHNICAL TRAINING PROVIDED
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Continuing Education Short Course, for Bonneville and WY/COL chapters of American Fisheries
Society 2003. Animal Population Assessment.
Continuing Education Short Course, for Bonneville Chapters of American Fisheries Society and the
Wildlife Society, 2001. Animal Population Assessment.
Coordinator- Continuing Education Short Course, USU, Dept.s of AWER and FWRS. May 5-7, 2004.
MARK Mark-Resight Workshop. Mary Conner- Instructor.
Coordinator and Co-Instructor- Continuing Education Short Course, USU, Dept. of AWER. August 1727, 2004. The principles and practice of stream restoration. Jack Schmidt- Co-Instructor.
OUTREACH
Bear River Watershed Festival, American West Heritage Center, April, 2002 and 2003. Booth with a
live exhibit of native and introduced fishes of the Bear River, undergraduate poster
presentation of the fishes of the Bear River, and Fish Jeopardy for children.
Trout Unlimited- Cache Anglers. Annual presentation on the ecology of Logan River native trout,
2003, 2004.
HONORS, AWARDS, and RECOGNITION
Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Utah State University, Faculty Advisor of the Year, 2002.
Department of the Interior, Star Award awarded for outstanding contribution on Washington D.C.
briefings and presentations ($2000.00).
Department of the Interior, On the Spot Award awarded for outstanding contribution (May
1998)($1000.00).
TECHNICAL TRAINING RECEIVED
Utah State University, Colorado State University, Puerto Rico LTER (NSF Long Term Ecological
Research Site) - Postdoctoral position. Atyad shrimp population dynamics and conservation genetics.
May 20, 1998. U.S.D.O.I Motorboat operator certification course.
May 7, 1999. Mastering Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0 Fundamentals.
June 4-8, 2001. Program MARK Workshop. Sponsored by the Wildlife Management Ins. & taught by
Dave Anderson, Ken Burnham, Colorado Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Unit, and Gary White,
Colorado State University.
CURRENT RESEARC PROJECTS
Lake Powell (Utah- Arizona) food web dynamics.
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Lake Powell supports one of the most popular sport fisheries in the U.S., and provides an
important economic base for the region. The primary goals of this project are to investigate
the mechanisms driving the cyclic abundance of threadfin shad and striped bass in Lake
Powell and to track, evaluate, and predict the expansion of gizzard shad into the reservoir.
Understanding the mechanisms driving the cyclic abundance of threadfin shad and striped
bass will require an evaluation of the different components of the food web, from lake
productivity up through predator consumption, growth, and abundance. The scientist is
developing and calibrating a bioenergetics-based food web model to evaluate the cyclic
abundances of striped bass and threadfin shad and to predict the impact of gizzard shad.
Enhanced understanding of Lake Powell food web dynamics will aid future fisheries
management decisions. The scientist is the sole Project Investigator and in charge of all
aspects of project implementation and completion, employee and student supervision, and
responsible for securing and managing funding. 2003-2004, Utah Division of Wildlife
Resources (UDWR), $123,481.
Limiting factors affecting trout population dynamics, abundance, and distribution in the Logan River,
Utah.
Population dynamics and disease: The research focus is on evaluating the present and
future status of this population with respect to the combined effects of abiotic and biotic
factors, and disease. Research on whirling disease indicates that the parasite has spread
throughout the drainage and increases in prevalence 10-15% per year. Variation in
prevalence can be explained largely by variation in temperature and discharge across sites
(de la Hoz Franco Franco and Budy 2004). Creel surveys suggest that the river provides a
popular fishery for catch-and-release anglers of all ages; the experience in the river appears
to matter more than catch rates. Movement studies show that fish generally demonstrate
high rates of site fidelity; however, the few fish who do move, move great distances. The
highest rates of movement correspond with areas of greatest disease prevalence.
Monitoring and experiments in the Logan River continues each year, and on-going work
involves tying these factors together into a mathematical, predictive PVA model. The
scientist is the sole Project Investigator and in charge of all aspects of project
implementation and completion, employee and student supervision, and responsible for
securing and managing funding. 2001-2004, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, $205,804.
Species Interactions: This project is aimed at evaluating the effects of introduced trout on
native Bonneville cutthroat trout in the Logan River. The project is based on (a) common
garden experiments where growth and survival are compared among both species reared
together and apart in various locations of the Logan River where they currently co-occur and
are separate, (b) diagnostics that describe diet overlap, (c) comprehensive population-level
field removal experiments in local streams that currently have both species. The scientist is
the sole Project Investigator and in charge of all aspects of project implementation and
completion, employee and student supervision, and responsible for securing and managing
funding. These (CURI) funds are designed to improve the lives of citizens in the State of
Utah. Given the land-grant mission of Utah State University, these funds are provided to
continue fostering research projects that are important to Utah and its communities. 20022004, Utah State University, Community/ University Research, Initiative (CURI), and the
Quinney Foundation, $53,510.
Anthropogenic Impacts: The contrast between the Logan and Bear rivers provides an ideal
situation for evaluating and understanding the complex and synergistic effects of biotic and
abiotic factors, anthropogenic impact, and species interactions on the distribution,
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abundance, and health of Bonneville cutthroat trout in the Great Basin. The overall objective
of this project is to understand the effect that varying degrees of anthropogenic impacts on
stream ecosystems has in determining fish health and population dynamics. There are three
primary objectives to this project: 1) Document and understand the abundance and
distribution of trout in the two rivers (expanding a previous project from the Logan River into
the Bear River proper), 2) Measure and evaluate the physical factors that act to determine
fish abundance, distribution, and health, and 3) Use stable isotope ratios to develop an index
of anthropogenically derived nitrogen available at all trophic levels and to provide
information on food web dynamics. Abiotic and biotic factors will be related to fish
abundance, distribution, and health as well as land use and stream habitat quality. A
mathematical model is being developed to summarize the combined effects of biotic and
abiotic factors in determining the present and future status of endemic cutthroat trout in
these rivers and throughout their range. This work will be used identify bottlenecks for
cutthroat trout persistence and recovery and to prioritize management strategies. The
scientist is the lead Project Investigator (with one Co-PI) and in charge of all aspects of
project implementation and completion, employee and student supervision, and responsible
for securing and managing funding. 2003-2004, Utah State University, Water Initiative,
$15,035.
Bull trout population assessment and life history characteristics in association with habitat quality
and land use: template for recovery planning.
The goal of this project is to understand and document population abundance and rates of
population change for threatened bull trout, and to relate population and life history
characteristics to habitat quality and land use, in the Walla Walla, Umatilla and Wenaha river
subbasins. The necessary data are currently being collected to do a comprehensive
population assessment for all life stages of bull trout in combination with detailed habitat
assessments for the streams identified. This assessment will provide information on
survival, growth, densities, population abundance and structure, movement, and habitat
quality. Basic population abundance and density information is crucial for determining
population status, for monitoring population size and trends, and to evaluate opportunities
for, and the effectiveness of, management activities aimed at bull trout recovery. Based on
established mark and recapture techniques, the Pradel-type model proposed provides a
simple response variable, lambda, which can be used to evaluate how each sub-population is
responding to current habitat conditions or would likely respond to future habitat
improvements. A population life-cycle model is being developed based on bull trout
abundance data and life history characteristics combined with information on habitat quality
and land use patterns. The results from this project will be used to guide recovery planning
for bull trout throughout their range. The scientist is the sole Project Investigator and in
charge of all aspects of project implementation and completion, employee and student
supervision, and responsible for securing and managing funding. 2002-2004, US Fish and
Wildlife Service (USFWS), $426,179.
Snake River spring/summer chinook salmon habitat improvement feasibility and validation.
The goal of this project is to address the need for a habitat quality validation and the
feasibility of habitat improvement for endangered chinook salmon in the Snake River from a
biological and practical standpoint using a combination of field ground-truthing, a literature
review, and life-cycle modeling of predicted fish survival. The first step was a comprehensive
review of the fisheries/habitat literature in an attempt to document and quantify the
relationship between fish survival and habitat quality. The second stage is a field study
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where reported habitat quality and quantity descriptions are validated. A model quantifies
the expected benefits to fish survival based on the previous steps and incorporates the
feasibility and timing of expected habitat improvements (McHugh and Budy 2004a, 2004b).
The final step is to extend the scope and validity of the model predictions to cover the Snake
River Basin for the spring/summer chinook salmon Evolutionary Significant Unit (ESU). This
goal will be achieved by a comprehensive literature review for model inputs from as many
streams as possible, across a wide range of habitat types and quality, and subsequent
modeling exercise. The scientist is the sole Project Investigator and in charge of all aspects
of project implementation and completion, employee and student supervision, and
responsible for securing and managing funding. 2001-2004, USFWS and USGS, $76,736.
The effects of removal of invasive brook trout on native Colorado River cutthroat trout in a small
headwater stream in Utah.
Invasive species have impacted native fishes throughout the world and have been
responsible for severe economic and ecological losses. The goal of this project is to 1)
evaluate the impacts of invasive brook trout removal on native Colorado River cutthroat
trout, and 2) assess the effectiveness of mechanical removal in eliminating or suppressing
brook trout, in a typical, headwater Bonneville Basin stream. Relevant demographic
parameters for the cutthroat trout population will be measured before and after brook trout
removal including diet, growth, survival, distribution, and abundance. Brook trout will be
removed during the spring and summer months of 2003 and 2004 (e.g., mechanically
through electro-shocking), and abundance estimates for both species will be assessed based
on four pass depletion estimates. The impacts of removal will be evaluated using a BACItype (before after control impact) analysis. This project will provide key information on the
effect of invasive trout species on native cutthroat trout and will allow managers to evaluate
the effectiveness of mechanical removal of brook trout as a conservation effort. The
scientist is the graduate student advisor and a co- Principle Investigator. The project is
internally funded by UDWR, and the graduate student is a full–time UDWR employee
participating in a continuing education program. 2003-2004, UDWR internally funded,
$65,900.
PAST RESEARCH PROJECTS
Evaluating differences in post out-migration growth of spring chinook salmon from different areas in
the Columbia Basin through differences in scale patterns.
Rainbow trout growth and survival in Flaming Gorge Reservoir, Utah-Wyoming.
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