Current Research

• Spatial and temporal variation in Chinook salmon populations.
• Bias and precision of aerial and ground-based Chinook salmon redd counts.
• Demographic and genetic structuring of Chinook salmon populations.
• Exploring the application of otolith microchemistry to describe life history variation, measure dispersal, and assess climate effects on Chinook salmon.
• Response of Chinook salmon to post-fire debris flows and gravel deposition.
• Geomorphic controls on salmonid habitat at watershed scales.
• Fluvial bull trout movements, spawning, and habitat use.
• Fine-scale characteristics of fluvial bull trout spawning sites and redds.
• Development of protocols for sampling stream dwelling salmonids.
• Effects of environmental and habitat characteristics on sightability of juvenile bull trout.
• Assessing climate effects on bull trout phenology.
• Assessing climate effects on the timing and distribution of Chinook salmon spawning.

2017 presentation - Born to be wild: How science can inform recovery of Idaho salmon and steelhead

Spatial Dynamics of Chinook Salmon Redds - Science Briefing

Idaho Public Television: Salmon Recovery 2011

RMRS Scientist Profile Video (YouTube) - Russ Thurow talks about how his father inspired his career and his research to understand the linkages between aquatic species, their habitat, landscape processes and human activities - specifically with native salmon, trout and steelhead.

Research Interests

Research Program: The status of aquatic and terrestrial resources in the diverse, large, and dynamic landscapes of the interior west offer unique challenges. Aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems in this region share a management history that has extensively altered both. For example, 45 of 88 native fish taxa within the Interior Columbia River basin are considered sensitive or of special concern, 14 are federally listed under the Endangered Species Act, and more are proposed for listing. A growing human population and economy are expanding demands on limited resources and increasing challenges for biologists and land managers. Simplification of habitat, initiatives for the restoration of forest health, concerns about wildfire, and a changing climate have precipitated debate about conservation and restoration approaches. By advancing understanding of ecological processes and functions, my research will play a central role in helping strategically guide the complex and challenging management of sensitive native species and in realizing opportunities to conserve and restore functional aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.

Within this context, I conduct a broad range of studies over multiple spatial and temporal scales to improve our understanding of aquatic species and the ecosystems they depend upon. Research topics include:

A.) Patterns of species and life stages

• There is a need to Integrate Disciplines and Broaden the Scales at which we investigate the physical and biological processes influencing aquatic habitat and the distribution, diversity, and persistence of fish.
• New knowledge is required to describe Temporal and Spatial Habitat Requirements for poorly understood life stages of native fishes.
• As Landscape Analyses assume a more central role in ecosystem management, it is critical to understand the Influence of Landscape Features and Processes on the Distribution of Critical Fish Habitats.
• Improved analytical frameworks and guidelines are essential for interpretations of Species Status and Occurrence at large scales.

B.) Structure of populations

• Patterns in the distribution and spatial structure of populations may be important to their persistence in stochastic environments. There is a need to understand how Habitat Geometry and Spatial Structuring influence fish population dynamics and persistence.
• Metapopulation Theory suggests that dispersal and recolonization will influence the dynamics and persistence of populations. Empirical evidence is limited, however, and additional understanding of salmonid dispersal and recolonization mechanisms is needed.

C.) Sampling protocols

• Biologists and managers need reliable methods to assess the Status of fish populations, to monitor Population Responses to Management Activities, and to measure Fish Responses to Temporal and Spatial Changes in habitat.

D.) Climate affects

• There is a critical need to understand the Effects of a Warming Climate on the phenology, distribution, abundance, and persistence of native western fishes.

Past Research

• The biology, habitat utilization, and critical habitat requirements of sensitive native fishes.
• Landscape level models of species distribution and status.
• Effects of fine sediments on salmonid spawning and incubation.
• Methods for assessing the effects of watershed disturbance on species occurrence.
• Methods for monitoring characteristics of spawning substrates.
• The influence of landscape features on critical habitats.
• The relevance of spatial structure to the persistence of aquatic species.
• Demographic and genetic structuring of populations.
• The importance of metapopulation processes to population persistence.
• Bias and precision of sampling methods and development of improved sampling protocols.
• Effects of angling regulations on native trout populations.

As one of three scientists with the Aquatic Science Team and the Science Integration Team for the Interior Columbia River Basin Ecosystem Management Project, we helped developed an assessment of the distribution, status, and ecology of native fishes in the Interior Columbia River basin and portions of the Klamath River and Great basins, an area encompassing 58.3 million ha and portions of six western states. The aquatic resource report for the ICBEMP represents a contribution to fisheries science and management of regional and national significance. The aquatic assessment of native fishes represents the most comprehensive and spatially explicit evaluation ever attempted in the Intermountain and Pacific Northwest.

Why This Research is Important

The status of aquatic and terrestrial resources in the large and dynamic landscapes of the interior west offer unique challenges. Aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems in this region share a management history that has extensively altered both. For example, 45 of 88 native fish taxa within the Interior Columbia River basin are considered sensitive or of special concern, 14 are federally listed under the Endangered Species Act, and more are proposed for listing. A growing human population and economy are expanding demands on limited resources and increasing challenges for biologists and land managers. Simplification of habitat, initiatives for the restoration of forest health, concerns about wildfire, and a changing climate have precipitated debate about conservation and restoration approaches. By advancing understanding of ecological processes and functions, my research will play a central role in helping guide the complex and challenging management of sensitive native species and in realizing opportunities to conserve and restore functional aquatic and terrestrial systems.

Education

• University of Idaho, M.S. Fisheries Resources. "The Effects of Closure to Angling on Westslope Cutthroat Trout Populations in Tributaries to the St Joe River, Idaho". 1976
• University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point, B.S. Fisheries 1973

Professional Experience

Professional Organizations

• Idaho Chapter American Fisheries Society, Member (1973 - Current)
  * IDAFS Secretary-Treasurer (1980) * IDAFS Vice President (1981) * IDAFS President (1982)
• American Fisheries Society, Member (1972 - Current)
  * Western Division AFS Arrangements Chair for EXCOM Meeting (1990) * Associate Editor, Transactions of the American Fisheries Society (1997-1999)
• Idaho Herpetological Society, Member (1992 - 2003)

Awards & Recognition

Featured Publications & Products

• Williams, Jack E.; Williams, Richard N.; Thurow, Russell F.; Elwell, Leah; Philipp, David P.; Harris, Fred A.; Kershner, Jeffrey L.; Martinez, Patrick J.; Miller, Dirk; Reeves, Gordon H.; Frissell, Christopher A.; Sedell, James R. 2011. Native fish conservation areas: a vision for large-scale conservation of native fish communities.
• Thurow, Russell F.; Rieman, Bruce E.; Lee, Danny C.; Howell, Philip J.; Perkinson, Raymon D. 2007. Distribution and status of redband trout in the interior Columbia river basin and portions of the Klamath river and great basins.
• Isaak, Daniel J.; Thurow, Russell F.; Rieman, Bruce E.; Dunham, Jason B. 2007. Chinook salmon use of spawning patches: Relative roles of habitat quality, size, and connectivity.
• Thurow, Russell F.; Peterson, James T.; Guzevich, John W. 2006. Utility and validation of day and night snorkel counts for estimating bull trout abundance in first-to-third order streams.
• Isaak, Daniel J.; Thurow, Russell F. 2006. Network-scale spatial and temporal variation in Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) redd distributions: patterns inferred from spatially continuous replicate surveys.
• Isaak, D. J.; Thurow, R. F.; Rieman, B. E.; Dunham, J. B. 2003. Temporal variation in synchrony among chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) redd counts from a wilderness area in central Idaho.
• Lee, Danny C.; Sedell, James R.; Rieman, Bruce F.; Thurow, Russell F.; Williams, Jack E. 1997. Broadscale assessment of aquatic species and habitats Chapter 4.
• Thurow, Russell F.; Lee, Danny C.; Rieman, Bruce E. 1997. Distribution and status of seven native salmonids in the interior Columbia River basin and portions of the Klamath River and Great basins.
• Thurow, R. F. 1997. Habitat utilization and diel behavior of juvenile bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) at the onset of winter.
• Rieman, Bruce; Lee, Danny; McIntyre, Jack; Overton, Kerry; Thurow, Russ. 1993. Consideration of extinction risks for salmonids.

Publications

• Cooke, Brian ; Watson, Alan ; Thurow, Russ . 2018. Research runs through it: A fresh look at wild and scenic rivers.
• Guzevich, John W.; Thurow, Russell F. 2017. Fine-scale characteristics of fluvial bull trout redds and adjacent sites in Rapid River, Idaho, 1993-2007.
• Rothlisberger, John D.; Scalley, Tamara Heartsill; Thurow, Russell F. 2017. The role of wild and scenic rivers in the conservation of aquatic biodiversity.
• Thurow, Russell F. 2016. Life histories of potamodromous fishes Chapter 4.
• Thurow, Russ; Buffington, John M. 2016. Wild salmon response to natural disturbance processes.
• Thurow, Russell F. 2015. Accountability across resources Salmon and Wilderness: Sharing the responsibility, sharing the benefits.
• Goode, Jaime R.; Buffington, John M.; Tonina, Daniele; Isaak, Daniel J.; Thurow, Russell F.; Wenger, Seth; Nagel, David; Luce, Charlie; Tetzlaff, Doerthe; Soulsby, Chris. 2013. Potential effects of climate change on streambed scour and risks to salmonid survival in snow-dominated mountain basins.
• Thurow, Russell F.; Dolloff, C. Andrew; Marsden, J. Ellen. 2012. Visual observation of fishes and aquatic habitat Chapter 17.
• Dunham, Jason B.; Rosenberger, Amanda E.; Thurow, Russell F.; Dolloff, C. Andrew; Howell, Philip J. 2009. Coldwater fish in wadeable streams Chapter 8.
• Courbois, Jean-Yves; Katz, Stephen L.; Isaak, Daniel J.; Steel, E. Ashley; Thurow, Russell F.; Rub, A. Michelle Wargo; Olsen, Tony; Jordan, Chris E. 2008. Evaluating probability sampling strategies for estimating redd counts: an example with Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha).
• Banish, Nolan P.; Peterson, James T.; Thurow, Russell F. 2008. Physical, biotic, and sampling influences on diel habitat use by stream-dwelling bull trout.
• Neville, Helen; Isaak, Daniel; Thurow, Russell; Dunham, Jason; Rieman, Bruce. 2007. Microsatellite variation reveals weak genetic structure and retention of genetic variability in threatened Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytcha) within a Snake River watershed.
• Neville, H. M.; Isaak, D. J.; Dunham, J. B.; Thurow, R. F.; Rieman, B. E. 2006. Fine-scale natal homing and localized movement as shaped by sex and spawning habitat in Chinook salmon: Insights from spatial autocorrelation analysis of individual genotypes.
• Peterson, James T.; Banish, Nolan P.; Thurow, Russell F. 2005. Are block nets necessary Movement of stream-dwelling salmonids in response to three common survey methods.
• Peterson, James T.; Thurow, Russell F.; Guzevich, John W. 2004. An evaluation of multipass electrofishing for estimating the abundance of stream-dwelling salmonids.
• Thurow, R. F.; Peterson, J. T.; Larson, C. A.; Guzevich, J. W. 2004. Development of bull trout sampling efficiency models.
• Nelson, M. Lee; McMahon, Thomas E.; Thurow, Russell F. 2002. Decline of the migratory form in bull charr, Salvelinus confluentus, and implications for conservation.
• Peterson, James; Dunham, Jason B.; Howell, Philip; Thurow, Russell; Bonar, Scott. 2002. Protocol for determining bull trout presence.
• Thurow, R. F.; Peterson, J. T.; Guzevich, J. W. 2001. Development of bull trout sampling protocols.
• Rieman, Bruce; Peterson, James T.; Clayton, James; Howell, Philip; Thurow, Russell; Thompson, William; Lee, Danny. 2001. Evaluation of potential effects of federal land management alternatives on trends of salmonids and their habitats in the interior Columbia River basin..
• Jakober, Michael J.; McMahon, Thomas E.; Thurow, Russell F. 2000. Diel habitat partitioning by bull charr and cutthroat trout during fall and winter in Rocky Mountain streams.
• Thurow, Russell F. 2000. Dynamics of chinook salmon populations within Idaho's Frank Church Wilderness: implications for persistence.
• McIntosh, Bruce A.; Sedell, James R.; Thurow, Russell F.; Clarke, Sharon E.; Chandler, Gwynn L. 2000. Historical changes in pool habitats in the Columbia River basin.
• Thurow, Russell F.; Lee, Danny C.; Rieman, Bruce E. 2000. Status and distribution of chinook salmon and steelhead in the interior Columbia River basin and portions of the Klamath River basin Chapter 12.
• Rieman, Bruce E.; Lee, Danny C.; Thurow, Russell F.; Hessburg, Paul F.; Sedell, James R. 2000. Toward an integrated classification of ecosystems: Defining opportunities for managing fish and forest health.
• Lee, Danny C.; Sedell, James R.; Rieman, Bruce E.; Thurow, Russell F.; Williams, Jack E. 1998. Aquatic species and habitats.
• Garrett, James W.; Bennett, David H.; Frost, Frank O.; Thurow, Russell F. 1998. Enhanced incubation success for kokanee spawning in groundwater upwelling sites in a small Idaho stream.
• Jakober, Michael J.; McMahon, Thomas E.; Thurow, Russell F.; Clancy, Christopher G. 1998. Role of stream ice on fall and winter movements and habitat use by bull trout and cutthroat trout in Montana headwater streams.
• Rieman, Bruce E.; Lee, Danny C.; Thurow, Russell F. 1997. Distribution, status, and likely future trends of bull trout within the interior Columbia River and Klamath River basins.
• Sedell, James R.; Lee, Danny C.; Rieman, Bruce E.; Thurow, Russell F.; Williams, Jack E. 1997. Effects of proposed alternatives on aquatic habitats and native fishes Chapter 3.
• Thurow, Russell F.; Schill, Daniel J. 1996. Comparison of day snorkeling, night snorkeling, and electrofishing to estimate bull trout abundance and size structure in a second-order Idaho stream.
• Clayton, James L.; King, John G.; Thurow, Russell F. 1996. Evaluation of an ion adsorption method to estimate intragravel flow velocity in salmonid spawning gravels.
• Magee, James P.; McMahon, Thomas E.; Thurow, Russell F. 1996. Spatial variation in spawning habitat of cutthroat trout in a sediment-rich basin.
• Bonneau, Joseph L.; Thurow, Russell F.; Scarnecchia, Dennis L. 1995. Capture, marking, and enumeration of juvenile bull trout and cutthroat trout in small, low-conductivity streams.
• McIntosh, Bruce A.; Sedell, James R.; Thurow, Russell F.; Clarke, Sharon E.; Chandler, Gwynn L. 1995. Historical changes in pool habitats in the Columbia River basin.
• Thurow, Russell F.; King, John G. 1994. Attributes of Yellowstone cutthroat trout redds in a tributary of the Snake River, Idaho.
• Thurow, Russell F.; Schill, Daniel J. 1994. Conflicts in allocation of wild trout resources: An Idaho case history.
• Thurow, Russell F. 1994. Underwater methods for study of salmonids in the Intermountain West.
• Havis, Robert N.; Alonzo, Carlos V.; Woeste, Keith E; Thurow, Russell F. 1993. A mathematical model of salmonid spawning habitat.
• Thurow, Russ; King, Jack. 1991. Effects of fine sediment on fish populations.