KEITH LAWRENCE

Aquatic Biologist

Keith has been a staff biologist at ERI since 1990. His early work involved linkages between hydrology, habitat, and productivity associated with the recovery of listed fishes in the San Juan River including Colorado pikeminnow and razorback sucker. More recently, he has been involved with aquatic resource issues surrounding Federal Energy Regulatory Commission licensing of proposed hydroelectric projects in Idaho, Montana, and Oregon.

As ERI's aquatic biologist Keith is responsible for design, analysis, and both written and oral presentations of ERI's aquatic studies. He has a BS in Zoology from the University of New York and Masters degree in fisheries and wildlife from Utah State University. He enjoys spending time in the outdoors hiking, biking, and scuba diving. Keith is married with one son, Derek, whose chief ambition is to own a puppy.

Current Projects

  • Aquatic resource investigations for licensing of a proposed hydroelectric plant on the Applegate River below Applegate Lake, Oregon. Investigations include spawning/rearing habitat assessment, snorkel surveys of juvenile salmonid abundance, reservoir fish entrainment by rotary screw trap, benthic aquatic invertebrates, and water quality, 2003- present.
  • Aquatic resource investigations for licensing of a proposed hydroelectric plant on the Row River below Dorena Lake, Oregon. Investigations include spawning/rearing habitat assessment, juvenile salmonid monitoring, mercury in sediments and biota, benthic aquatic invertebrates, and water quality, 2003-present.
  • Aquatic resource investigations for licensing of a proposed hydroelectric plant on the Crooked River below Prineville Reservoir, Oregon. Investigations include reservoir fish entrainment by rotary screw trap, juvenile salmonid monitoring, benthic aquatic invertebrates, and water quality, 2003-present.
  • Aquatic resource investigations for licensing of a proposed hydroelectric plant on the Madison River below Hebgen Reservoir, Montana. Investigations included adult and juvenile trout abundance, reservoir fish entrainment, rainbow and brown trout spawning redd surveys, benthic aquatic invertebrates, and water quality, 2002-present.
  • Aquatic resource investigations for licensing of a proposed hydroelectric plant on the Henrys Fork of the Snake River at Chester Dam, Idaho. Investigations included adult and juvenile trout abundance, rainbow trout spawning redd surveys, benthic aquatic invertebrate sampling, and water quality, 2002-present.
  • Field mapping of aquatic habitat using aerial videography in flow studies concerning endangered fishes in the San Juan River, New Mexico-Utah, 1992-present.

Abbreviated List of Technical Reports and Journal Publications

  • Lawrence, K.P. 1991. Simulated stress exercises. In T. Modde, D. Young, and D. Archer (eds.). Flaming Gorge tailwater fisheries investigations: factors influencing population characteristics and habitat utilization of trout in the Flaming Gorge tailwater, 1987-1989. Contract Report No. 6-FC-40-04720. Utah Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Logan, Utah.
  • Lawrence, K.P. 1991. Effects of fish size and temperature on the condition and survival of fat-depleted rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) following long-term swimming. M.S. Thesis, Utah State University. 74 pp.
  • Lawrence, K.P. 1993. Assessment of the macroinvertebrate community in the North Fork Humboldt River, Foreman Creek, Winter Creek, and Mahala Creek, Elko County, Nevada, 1991-92. Prepared for Independence Mining Company, Elko, Nevada.
  • Lawrence, K.P. 1994. Results of qualitative surveys of the aquatic biota in streams of the Upper North and South Fork Wailua River drainages, Kauai, Hawaii. Prepared for Bingham Engineering, Salt Lake City, Utah.
  • Lawrence, K.P. 1994. Assessment of the macroinvertebrate communities in the North Fork Humboldt River, Foreman Creek and Winter Creek, Elko County, Nevada, 1993. Prepared for Independence Mining Company, Elko, Nevada.
  • Ecosystems Research Institute (contributing author, Fisheries and Aquatic Invertebrate sections). 1995. Island Park Hydroelectric Project FERC No. 2973 Environmental report for the proposed spillway modification. Prepared for Fall River Rural Electric Cooperative, Fall River, Idaho. 135 pp.
  • Lawrence, K.P. 1995. Assessment of the macroinvertebrate communities in the North Fork Humboldt River, Foreman Creek and Winter Creek, Elko County, Nevada, 1994-95. Prepared for Independence Mining Company, Elko, Nevada.
  • Holden, P.B. (ed.). 1999. Flow recommendations for the San Juan River: Final draft report. Prepared by the San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program Biology Committee (contributing author, Flannelmouth and Bluehead Sucker sections). Bio/West, Logan, Utah.
  • Bliesner, R., and V. Lamarra. 1999. Hydrology, geomorphology and habitat studies. Draft final report. San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program (contributing author, Physical Habitat and Backwater Productivity Sections).
  • Lawrence, K.P. 2001. Effects of temperature and flow on Age-0 rainbow trout, Box Canyon of the Henrys Fork of the Snake River, 1995-2001. Prepared by Ecosystems Research Institute for Idaho Department of Fish and Game. Logan, Utah. 37 pp.
  • Symbiotics. 2001. Chester Diversion FERC No. 11879, First Stage Consultation Document. Prepared by Ecosystems Research Institute and Northwest Power Services (author, Aquatic Resources Section). 59 pp.
  • Symbiotics. 2002. Hebgen Dam FERC No. 11882, First Stage Consultation Document. Prepared by Ecosystems Research Institute and Northwest Power Services (author, Aquatic Resources Section).
  • Symbiotics. 2002. Applegate Dam FERC No. 11910, First Stage Consultation Document. Prepared by Ecosystems Research Institute and Northwest Power Services (author, Aquatic Resources Section).
  • Symbiotics. 2003. Dorena Lake FERC No. 11945, First Stage Consultation Document. Prepared by Ecosystems Research Institute and Northwest Power Services (author, Aquatic Resources Section).
  • Symbiotics. 2003. Arthur R. Bowman FERC No. 11925, First Stage Consultation Document. Prepared by Ecosystems Research Institute and Northwest Power Services (contributing author, Aquatic Resources Section).
  • Symbiotics. 2004. Chester Diversion FERC No. 11879, Stage 3 Consultation Document: Final License Application. Prepared by Ecosystems Research Institute and Northwest Power Services (contributing author, Aquatic Resources Section).
  • Symbiotics. 2004. Hebgen Dam FERC No. 11882, Stage 3 Consultation Document: Final License Application. Prepared by Ecosystems Research Institute and Northwest Power Services (author, Aquatic Resources Section).
  • Symbiotics. 2004. Applegate Dam FERC No. 11910, Stage 3 Consultation Document: Final License Application. Prepared by Ecosystems Research Institute and Northwest Power Services (author, Aquatic Resources Section).
  • Symbiotics. 2004. Dorena Lake FERC No. 11945, Stage 3 Consultation Document: Final License Application. Prepared by Ecosystems Research Institute and Northwest Power Services (author, Aquatic Resources Section).

Presentations

  • Lawrence, K. P., and W. T. Helm. Effects of fish size and temperature on the condition and survival of "low-fat" rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) following long-term swimming activity. July 10, 1990. Western American Fisheries Society meeting, Sun Valley, Idaho.
  • Lawrence, K.P., V.A. Lamarra, L.A. Alder, and E. Teller. A comparison of the productivity of Colorado squawfish (Ptychocheilus lucius) nursery habitat in the San Juan and Colorado Rivers. November 9, 1996. Annual Meeting of Desert Fishes Council, La Paz, Baja California Sur.
  • Lawrence, K.P. (contributing presenter, Aquatic Resources). Hebgen Lake Hydroelectric Project environmental studies final presentation to federal and state agency representatives and private interests. April 20, 2004. West Yellowstone, Montana.
  • Lawrence, K.P. Symbiotics LLC Oregon hydroelectric project aquatic resource investigation updates to federal and state agency representatives. July 30, 2004. Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Office, Salem, Oregon.
  • Lawrence, K.P. Symbiotics LLC Oregon hydroelectric project aquatic resource investigation updates to federal and state agency representatives. September 28, 2004. Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Office, Prineville, Oregon.
  • Lawrence, K.P. Symbiotics LLC Oregon hydroelectric project aquatic resource investigation updates to federal and state agency representatives. January 11, 2005. Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Office, Portland, Oregon.

Professional Societies and Certifications

American Fisheries Society (1987-present)
Fish Necropsy Workshop (Experimental Fish Hatchery, Logan, Utah-1987)
Desert Fishes Council (1992-present)
Open Water Diver (Scuba Schools International, 1994)
CPR certification and River Rescue training (Canyonlands Field Institute, Moab, Utah - May, 1996)
Army Corps of Engineer Wetland Delineation and Management Training Program (Salt Lake City, Utah-2005)

Abbreviated List of Past Projects

  • Field studies and bioenergetics modeling of San Juan River food web to determine population goals and management alternatives for recovery of Colorado pikeminnow and razorback sucker, New Mexico-Utah, 1998-2002.
  • Environmental assessment of the Island Park Hydroelectric Project on water quality, channel hydrology, and aquatic biota in the Henrys Fork River, Idaho, 1993-2002.
  • Examination of potential habitat on the San Juan River for threatened southwestern willow flycatcher, New Mexico-Utah, 2001.
  • Assessment of rainbow trout young-of-year population in Box Canyon of the Henrys Fork of the Snake River, Idaho, 1999-2001.
  • Water quality assessment, productivity measurements, and modeling of selected reservoirs for application to the Animas-LaPlata Project, Colorado-New Mexico, 1999.
  • Investigations of potential correlation between habitat quality and productivity (primary and secondary) of riffle and run habitats and the spatial distribution of native and non-native fishes in the San Juan River, New Mexico-Utah, 1997-98.
  • Integration of fisheries and physical habitat databases collected on San Juan River from 1991-1997 to develop a flow management program for endangered, native, and non-native fishes, New Mexico-Utah, 1997-98.
  • Investigation of primary production/respiration and nutrient cycling in reservoirs and tributaries of the Snake River, Idaho, 1997.
  • Investigation of potential impacts of a fish ladder constructed in St. Charles Creek on water quality in Bear Lake, Idaho, 1996.
  • Comparative study of water quality, nutrients, primary (periphyton/phytoplankton) and secondary productivity (zooplankton and invertebrates) of endangered Colorado pikeminnow nursery habitat in the San Juan, Colorado, and Green Rivers, New Mexico-Utah, 1995-97.
  • Cooperative study with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to determine correlations between habitat quality and productivity (primary and secondary) with longitudnal distribution of the endangered Colorado pikeminnow and potential prey fishes in the Colorado River, Colorado-Utah, 1994-96.
  • Environmental assessment of a proposed spillway modification in Island Park Reservoir on temperature regimes and aquatic invertebrates and fishes in the Henrys Fork River, Idaho, 1995.
  • Environmental assessment of the Horseshoe Bend Hydroelectric Project and proposed habitat enhancement on resident fishes, aquatic invertebrates, water quality, and channel hydrology in the Payette River, Idaho, 1994-95.
  • Monitoring movements and habitat use of adult Colorado pikeminnow and razorback sucker in the San Juan River via radiotelemetry, New Mexico-Utah, 1993-95.
  • Investigation of fish populations, trout spawning habitat, and potential for spawning habitat improvement in Shafer Creek, Idaho, 1994-95.
  • Investigation of potential effects of siltation resulting from gold-mining activities on aquatic invertebrate communities and native Lahontan cutthroat trout in the North Fork Humboldt River, Nevada, 1991-95.
  • Environmental impact study of the Upper Wailua Hydroelectric Project on native Hawaiian fishes, invertebrates, and water quality in the Wailua River, Kauai, 1990, 94.
  • Investigation of potential heavy metal and petroleum contamination of water and biota (periphyton, invertebrates, fishes) in the San Juan River, New Mexico-Utah, 1991-94.
  • Evaluation of fish abundance and diversity in the Bear River below the Soda Springs Hydroelectric Project, Idaho, 1991.
  • Evaluation of fish communities and habitat in Cutler Reservoir, Utah, 1990-91.
  • Investigation of potential impacts of coal mine discharge on aquatic invertebrates in Deer, Eccles, and Huntington Creeks, Utah, 1990-93.
  • Laboratory assessment of sodium azide toxicity to fathead minnow larvae, 1991.
  • Investigation of grazing impacts and the effectiveness of in-stream habitat improvement on riparian vegetation and aquatic invertebrate and fishes in Teton Creek, Idaho, 1991-92.
  • Riparian re-vegetation project on Rock and Teton Creeks, Idaho, 1991.
  • Bear River water quality investigations, Utah, 1991-present.
  • Bear Lake water quality investigations, Utah-Idaho, 1991-present.
  • Laboratory identification of aquatic invertebrates from Western U.S. rivers, 1990-93.