2021 Salmon Run Recap: Warm Water Spelled Trouble for Migrating Fish
In 2021, Idaho’s salmon and steelhead returns continued to follow the declining population trends of the last few years, resulting in another year of very low abundance.
Idaho's 2021 salmon and steelhead returns are abysmal. What is happening?
Columbia Basin steelhead returns are the lowest ever recorded since salmon run counts began at Bonneville Dam in 1945. A desperate attempt was made to capture a few sockeye and bring them to Idaho fish hatcheries because returns were so low. What is happening?
Drought and Hot Water Spell Trouble for Native Fish
A low winter snowpack that melted off more rapidly than normal, followed by extreme temperatures, has left much of the state hot and dry. Our river systems and lakes are no exception, with this summer’s warm water conditions hurting native fish populations.
Small increase in Chinook runs are a far cry from recovery - despite what legislators may say.
Eastern Washington legislators are using small fluctuations in spring Chinook to tout that dams and fish can coexist, but these arguments miss the reality that salmon populations are still far below recovery goals and on a downward trend.
Low Water Years Spell Trouble for Salmon: 2021 is no exception
Drought conditions across much of the West mean it is an extremely low-water year, which spells trouble for salmon migrating back to Idaho.
Losing through Winning
It is our uncompromising mission to ensure that salmon and steelhead do not go extinct. The science, empirically and unequivocally, shows us that the required path to recovery of Idaho’s salmon and steelhead is through restoring the Snake River to a free-flowing, natural river. We will go to court to ensure that our fish are not relegated to a history book, but let me be clear, we would rather be working together with the Tribes, farmers, and regional representatives on the proposal from Congressman Simpson that benefits each stakeholder group. A path forward that benefits every Idahoan has been offered, and it is our hope that we can move forward within this framework to achieve long-term salmon recovery and regional prosperity.
Idaho’s salmon are poised to thrive in a warmer world….if they can be recovered first
Climate change poses a range of threats to river systems across the globe; the Northwest is no exception. However, Idaho’s salmon are uniquely positioned to be quite resilient to living in a warmer world, and may be the key to reestablish salmon throughout the Columbia River Basin.
Predictions suggest another year of low salmon returns for 2021
Official predictions for 2021 Columbia Basin Chinook and sockeye returns were released late last year by regional fishery managers. The outlook for Idaho’s Snake River species in 2021 follows similar trends from the last few years: a very low abundance of wild salmon.
Press Release: NW conservation and fishing organizations praise governors’ salmon agreement; press for urgency and action
SEATTLE—Conservation organizations throughout the Pacific Northwest today praised an Agreement issued by Governors Brad Little of Idaho, Kate Brown of Oregon, Jay Inslee of Washington and Steve Bullock of Montana outlining goals for a regional initiative to restore salmon in the Columbia-Snake River basin.
EPA Releases Overdue Plan for Hot Water Killing Salmon in Columbia-Snake Rivers
After two decades, the EPA has released a long-overdue plan to address hot water killing salmon in the Columbia and Snake River.