Alternative Salmon Assessment Studies

Dr. Daniel Auerbach (left) and Avery Hoffman (right) fly a drone to survey the Kwethluk River in July 2024. Credit Andrew Magel/KRITFC.

One of the most critical aspects of effective fisheries management is estimating spawner escapement, the number of fish returning to spawn. Traditional survey methods used to obtain these estimates, such as weirs and aerial surveys, can be subject to weather, such as high-water events, and high operational costs that hinder the consistent collection of this data. KRITFC is exploring the use of new, technologically-based methods as an alternate approach to count salmon spawners. This has become our camera-based escapement monitoring project suite.

Providing high-resolution imagery and having the ability to navigate remote waterways, camera-based systems have the potential for more accurate and efficient data collection. They are cost-effective compared to traditional spawner assessment projects, and their uses are multifold. While the data collected can be used to estimate salmon spawner abundance, it can also evaluate habitat quality and analyze larger environmental trends related to the fisheries.

Camera-based systems require less upkeep and leave less of an impact on the surrounding environment than older collection methods. The opportunity to pair camera-based systems with deep learning (i.e. AI) models could increase efficiency in data collection, storage, and analysis, thus providing more timely data for in-season management decision making. Our goal is to supplement current monitoring techniques with the creation of a camera-based system that will provide reliable, accurate population estimates. By training community-based weir crews in currently monitored systems, we intend to expand surveys into previously unmonitored waterways and provide workforce training in a rapidly developing technological field.

These are ongoing, evolving projects. In 2024, the camera-based escapement monitoring project tested drones as a means for alternative salmon counting. Since 2025, the project has pivoted to using stationary cameras.

Stationary camera systems (2025–present)

In July of 2025, KRITFC, in partnership with Dr. Danny Auerbach of Washington State University and the Native Village of Napaimute sought to identify the technical requirements for operating camera-based systems to assess salmon spawner passage in the Kuskokwim Basin. The first prototype, version 1, was developed over the winter of 2025 and tested during the 2025 field season. In addition to building all necessary components for the camera system, we also developed standard operating procedures for running the camera and purchased additional items such as flash paneling and lights to help with salmon observation. The procedural manuals were created to aid in troubleshooting during the field season. These manuals will be continually updated as technological changes to the system occur and will be open source as the project expands.

The camera system, version 1, deployed just upriver of the Salmon (Aniak) River weir in July 2025. Credit: Danny Auerbach/WSU.

Working in conjunction with the Native Village of Napaimute and its Environmental Director, Dan Gillikin, the camera system was deployed upstream of the Salmon (Aniak) weir. This location was selected for initial testing for multiple reasons, including: an existing operational weir to compare to camera-based assessments, relatively clear and consistent flow, and a multispecies run, among others. Over the course of 15 days, the camera system was constructed and tested. The goal for the 2025 field season was to test the engineering and operability of the system, not necessarily to count individual salmon. The  system ran successfully, and the data collected by the camera system will be used to compare to weir counts. In 2026, the team plans to improve upon the existing camera system and deploy Version 2 at three additional locations. Analysis of this data is ongoing, and we look forward to sharing findings from the 2025 season as they become available.

Project reports and information:

Check back soon for more information, including presentations on findings and official proposals.

Drone-based spawner assessments (2024)

During July of 2024, KRITFC and its partner, Washington State University conducted a drone study on the Kwethluk River to evaluate the feasibility of drone use for fisheries population monitoring and habitat stability. This was the initial phase in a broader project aiming to enhance data collection and improve the quality of escapement estimates. In just under two weeks, the drone survey method produced over 60,000 images of salmon spawners, habitat, and river conditions across 60+ miles of the Kwethluk River. 

This series of images shows the power of drone imagery.The background image in this photo is actually multiple images of the Kwethluk River stitched together. The photo outlined in red shows the image at reach scale, while the photo outlined in blue is an example on what the images look like when zoomed in on a school of salmon. Observers can use these zoomed in images to derive their counts and identify salmon to the species level.

A key piece in KRITFC’s drone exploration program––and with all of our salmon monitoring projects––is to involve and employ local people to help build Tribal capacity and develop Tribal workforces for fisheries monitoring and management. We hope to develop a drone educational course for local Tribal citizens to achieve their FAA Part 107 drone pilot’s license, learn how to use drones to monitor fisheries, and have a pathway to employment in this field. 

Note: As of 2025, further development of our drone-based salmon assessment work is on pause while we pivot to exploring the use of stationary camera systems.

Project reports and information:

Initial funding for this project was provided by the Kuskokwim River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission and is now funded under a grant provided by the Arctic-Yukon-Kuskokwim Sustainable Salmon Initiative (#16251). KRITFC and WSU thank Dan Gillikin and the Native Village of Napaimute for their support during the 2025 field season.

Information last updated Sept. 15, 2025.