Salmon Returns in the Columbia & Snake Rivers
As projections and reality fluctuate, and the federal agencies’ baseline for what salmon “recovery” means shifts, it’s important not to lose sight of the dramatic decline of wild salmon populations over the last several decades.
If you’ve followed the news in the Pacific Northwest lately, you’ve probably heard a lot about “record salmon returns” in the the Columbia and Snake rivers. Unfortunately, while some stocks are doing relatively well in terms of their overall numbers (including huge percentages of hatchery fish), not all the runs are even meeting the pre-season projections. Spring chinook and summer returns on the Columbia River were barely half of the pre-season projections and were well below the 10-year average. Below is a recent graph of the chinook returns over Bonneville Dam.
Graph © Fish Passage Center Posted August 20, 2009.
Snake River spring/summer chinook returned at levels somewhat below last year’s numbers, but slightly above the 10-year average:
Graph © Fish Passage Center Posted August 20, 2009.
Scientists say that U.S. District Court Judge James Redden's order to spill extra water over the lower Snake and Columbia River dams has been a key factor in the increased returns this year; fishermen have taken to calling this the "Redden effect."
However, most of these fish are no closer to recovery today than when the first Snake River populations were listed for protection under the ESA almost 20 years ago.
After decades, the cause remains clear: it’s the dams.
The dams on the lower Snake and mainstem Columbia are by far the biggest killer of endangered wild salmon and steelhead, yet NOAA and BPA have consistently downplayed those impacts and instead have attributed both good and bad returns to ocean conditions. The best science shows us that the most effective way to ensure strong salmon returns in variable ocean cycles is to fix their freshwater habitat — and that begins with the removal of the four lower Snake River dams. With strong actions like dam removal, salmon populations will be able to weather poor ocean cycles in good health and truly thrive when ocean conditions are good.
The bottom line:
We need long-term, meaningful recovery for wild salmon in order to recover populations to self-sustaining, harvestable numbers. The bigger picture clearly shows severe declines for wild salmon in the Columbia and Snake Rivers since the dams went in. To date the federal agencies have been unwilling to acknowledge the elephant in the room: the four lower Snake River dams.
That is why a legislative solution, in addition to leadership from the Obama administration, is so crucial. In July, Congressman Jim McDermott (D-WA) and Congressman Tom Petri (R-WI), joined by 23 additional co-sponsors from across the nation, introduced the Salmon Solutions and Planning Act (HR 3503) in the House of Representatives. The bill would provide Congress and federal agencies with up-to-date, thorough information about how best to protect and restore wild salmon and steelhead in the Pacific Northwest’s Columbia and Snake River Basin.
More on the Salmon Solutions and Planning Act
Scientists say that U.S. District Court Judge James Redden's court-order to spill extra water over the lower Snake and Columbia River dams has been a key factor in their return this year. It’s scary to imagine what this year’s runs would be like without these protective measures, which fishermen have taken to calling the "Redden effect."
Most of these fish are no closer to recovery today than they were when the first Snake River stocks were listed for protection under the ESA almost 20 years ago. While many Bush-era policies and perspectives remain in place, the Obama administration’s vow to restore scientific integrity and protect the Endangered Species Act is a positive change.
By far the biggest killer of endangered wild salmon and steelhead are the dams on the lower Snake and mainstem Columbia, yet NOAA and BPA have consistently downplayed those impacts and instead have attributed both good and bad returns to ocean conditions. The best science shows us that the most effective way to ensure strong salmon returns in variable ocean cycles is to fix their freshwater habitat — and that begins with the removal of the four lower Snake River dams. With strong actions like dam removal, salmon populations will be able to weather poor ocean cycles in good health and truly thrive when ocean conditions are good.
The bottom line.
We need long-term, meaningful recovery for wild salmon in order to recover populations to self-sustaining, harvestable numbers. The bigger picture clearly shows severe declines for wild salmon in the Columbia and Snake Rivers since the dams went in. To date the federal agencies have been unwilling to acknowledge the elephant in the room: the four lower Snake River dams. The Obama administration’s recent request to take a hard look at the Bush-era salmon plan is a welcome sign. Northwest communities are thankful for their engagement and believe, if they follow the science, we will come to a comprehensive and long-lasting salmon solution.
