Monitoring steelhead spawner escapement in upper Klamath River basin tributaries is essential to determine the relative contribution of these systems to total estimated escapement of the Klamath River. Escapement into three tributaries has been monitored annually since 1983.

The principal objective of this work is to determine habitat use rates so conclusions may be drawn relative to the efficiency of instream habitat restoration techniques.

Continuation (possibly expansion) of this work is critical to prove or disprove success of the habitat restoration and enhancement program on the ranger district. Results may aid in securing future funding for habitat work as well as help direct habitat prescriptions and prevent prescription errors. Knowledge about the relative contribution of tributary systems to overall production can be helpful in addressing difficult land management situations. This information paper is not intended to be all-encompassing, because it does not provide answers to many other significant habitat related questions (eg: what is the condition of rearing habitat). However it should be viewed as a first step in a direction which may result in better steelhead management and more informed resource management decisions.