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Highest river temperature of 2013 – 72.7 F at John Day Dam

Memo to Northwest writers, reporters, editorialists, and columnists – Aug. 27, 2013

At week’s end, August 25, river temperatures at John Day Dam have been above 72 degrees five straight days, and on August 22 reached 72.7 degrees, the highest reading of 2013. Temperatures at The Dalles and John Day Dams have been 70 F or higher for 32 straight days, and above 70 F at all four mainstem Columbia dams 17 straight days. At Ice Harbor Dam on the Snake River, temperatures have been above 70 F for 38 straight days. These month-long hot water temperatures are disrupting salmon and steelhead migrations. This week’s specifics:

Forebay reading (above dam), followed by Tailrace reading (below dam)

Bonneville Dam
Aug 19    71.8 F     71.9 F
Aug 20    71.6 F     71.6 F
Aug 21    71.4 F     71.5 F
Aug 22    71.4 F     71.4 F
Aug 23    71.3 F     71.3 F
Aug 24    71.4 F     71.4 F
Aug 25    71.4 F     71.3 F 

The Dalles Dam
Aug 19    71.7 F     71.8 F
Aug 20    71.5 F     71.7 F
Aug 21    71.9 F     71.9 F
Aug 22    72 F        72.1 F
Aug 23    72.1 F     72.1 F
Aug 24    71.8 F     71.9 F
Aug 25    71.7 F     71.7 F 

John Day Dam
Aug 19    71.7 F     71.7 F
Aug 20    71.8 F     71.9 F
Aug 21    72.5 F     72.4 F
Aug 22    72.7 F     72.5 F
Aug 23    72.4 F     72.3 F
Aug 24    72.3 F     72.3 F
Aug 25    72.3 F     72.3 F

McNary Dam (tailrace only)
Aug 19    71.4 F
Aug 20    71.5 F
Aug 21    71.5 F
Aug 22    71.3 F
Aug 23    71.2 F
Aug 24    70.8 F
Aug 25    70.4 F

Ice Harbor Dam
Aug 19    70.1 F     70.6 F
Aug 20    70.2 F     70.8 F
Aug 21    70.1 F     70.7 F
Aug 22    70.1 F     70.4 F
Aug 23    70.1 F     70.2 F
Aug 24    70 F        70.1 F
Aug 25    70.3 F (tailrace only)

On September 9, the federal government will release its fourth attempt since 2000 at a lawful plan to protect and help restore Columbia and Snake River salmon. The previous three plans have been ruled illegal in federal court. How the pending plan responds to rising river temperatures and other harmful effects of climate change is a main indicator of its scientific soundness and legality. Our weekly reports make clear that hot water is not a future problem for salmon and people. Hot water is a problem today.

Columbia-Snake temperatures are at: http://www.fpc.org/tempgraphssl/NETFullYear_tempgraph.aspx 

For more information, please contact:

Gilly Lyons, SOS policy director, at (503) 975-3202 or gilly@wildsalmon.org

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