Protecting Salmon in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area

If you spend time in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area (SNRA) in the summer, chances are you’ve noticed an uptick in visitor numbers. Crowded trailheads, full campgrounds, busy restaurants, and even traffic are tell-tale signs of increased use. According to a survey by the Wood River Valley Chamber, visitation to the SNRA was up 500% from 2016-2020.

The Sawtooths contain some of the most majestic mountains in the world (*author’s opinion!). Paired with the headwaters of the Salmon River, the United States’ only International Dark Sky Reserve, over 700 miles of trails, and more than 300 high alpine lakes, it’s no surprise that people are drawn to this spectacular place.

As visitation increases in the SNRA, so do human impacts on the environment. New rules and regulations, such as food storage orders and primitive camping limits, are often introduced to protect the SNRA. These orders help to manage and reduce human and wildlife conflicts, negative impacts on native wild animals, and disturbance to certain species during nesting seasons.

This summer, Idaho Rivers United and the Sawtooth National Forest are introducing a new program aimed at protecting one population whose visitation to the SNRA is not increasing: native fish (salmon, steelhead, trout). Endangered native salmon migrate upstream and spawn during the summer months, making their 900-mile journey from the Pacific ocean to build nests and lay eggs in Idaho’s riverbeds. Salmon are weakened and vulnerable during this time, and human activity can have a major impact on spawning success. Of the salmon populations in the Columbia River Basin, Idaho’s salmon populations are the most capable of resisting the impacts of climate change, so spawning success is imperative.

The Sawtooth River Stewards volunteer program, piloting summer 2021, will pair volunteers with the SNRA River Ranger to work on issues impacting the Salmon River in the SNRA and the native (endangered) fish that call the river home.

Volunteers will complete a virtual training and then sign up to volunteer on-site in the SNRA on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday in the summer. They will be tasked with educating the public about protecting migrating and spawning salmon, their redds, and general river-related issues.

As more and more people flock to the Sawtooths for recreation and tourism, we hope to steward those who may be unfamiliar with Idaho’s iconic fish and rivers and inspire a collective mission of conservation and care for our natural resources.

If you are interested in volunteering for this new program, please sign up here or contact caitlin@idahorivers.org.