The 2017 spring adult migration to the Columbia River basin has begun. Bonneville dam is the first dam encountered by salmon and steelhead adults as they return to their natal waters to spawn. Fish destined for the middle and upper Columbia and Snake Rivers will encounter 3 more dams (The Dalles, John Day, and McNary). Fish entering the Snake will encounter another 4 dams (Ice Harbor, Lower Monumental, Little Goose, and Lower Granite). Fish destined for the upper Columbia could encounter an additional 5 dams. No fish passage is available at Chief Joseph dam, so that is as high in the Columbia that they can reach. Prior to dam construction on the Columbia, salmon migrated all the way into Canada.
As of 4/9, the current and recent past counts of Spring Chinook Salmon that have passed Bonneville dam and entered the
Photo courtesy of Colchuck Media
Columbia River system are:
2017: 201
2016: 1462
10-yr avg: 1533
It is not known if runs are actually down this year or if the run just started later than normal.
The current and recent past counts of Steelhead are:
2017: 2032
2016: 3142
10-yr avg: 2849
The current and recent past counts of Wild Steelhead are:
2017: 708
2016: 1363
10-yr avg: 1032
While what seem to be impressive numbers of fish return to the Columbia River basin today, be aware that historically 17 MILLION salmon returned to the Columbia River each year.
Lower Granite dam is located 40 miles downstream from Lewiston, Idaho.
The US Army Corps of Engineers is revising the Lower Granite Master Plan (LGMP). Public scoping is taking place until April 22nd, 2017 and comments received during this process will be considered during development of the draft LGMP.
THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS SHOULD NOT BE DRAFTING A NEW LOWER GRANITE MASTER PLAN, UNLESS IT IS PREMISED ON A FREE-FLOWING LOWER SNAKE RIVER.
Breaching the dams beginning this year is the only salmon recovery measure that will work. If the Master Plan is not premised on a free-flowing lower Snake River, the Corps should draft the plan after the CRSO process is finished, or the dams are otherwise breached.
This is YOUR opportunity to let the US Army Corps know that you value a free-flowing Snake River because it has much greater Recreational, Natural, Cultural and Economic value than a stagnant, fish killing, methane emitting reservoir. Removal of the earthen berm at each dam will return the river to it’s free-flowing state.
These steelhead in the lower Snake River most likely did not migrate up from the ocean this spring, they spent the winter in the river. The majority of the migrating fish show up in September/October.
Steelhead Total Counts, 2017: 6805
Steelhead Total Counts, 2016: 4879
Steelhead Total Counts, 10 yr avg: 7647
Wild Steelhead Total Counts, 2017: 2749
Wild Steelhead Total Counts, 2016: 2665
Wild Steelhead Total Counts, 10 yr avg: 2763
Steelhead, unlike Chinook salmon, can spawn multiple times before dying. By the time steelhead reach Lower Granite dam, they have traveled over 400 miles and have successfully passed 7 other dams on the Columbia and Snake Rivers. These are truly amazing fish.
The 2017 spring adult migration to the Columbia River basin has begun. Bonneville dam is the first dam encountered by salmon and steelhead adults as they return to their natal waters to spawn. Fish destined for the middle and upper Columbia and Snake Rivers will encounter 3 more dams (The Dalles, John Day, and McNary). Fish entering the Snake will encounter another 4 dams (Ice Harbor, Lower Monumental, Little Goose, and Lower Granite). Fish destined for the upper Columbia could encounter an additional 5 dams. No fish passage is available at Chief Joseph dam, so that is as high in the Columbia that they can reach. Prior to dam construction on the Columbia, salmon migrated all the way into Canada.
As of 4/17/17, the current and recent past counts of Spring Chinook Salmon that have passed Bonneville dam and entered the Columbia River system are:
2017: 503
2016: 4296
10-yr avg: 7634
It is still not known if runs are actually down this year or if the run just started later than normal.
The current and recent past counts of Steelhead are:
2017: 2207
2016: 3341
10-yr avg: 3153
The current and recent past counts of Wild Steelhead are:
2017: 784
2016: 1460
10-yr avg: 1146
While what seem to be impressive numbers of fish return to the Columbia River basin today, be aware that historically 17 MILLION salmon returned to the Columbia River each year.
Steelhead (hatchery and wild) movement in the lower Snake River, over Lower Granite Dam are as follows:
Totals on 4/23/17.
2017: 7009
2016: 5155
10-yr avg: 8247
Wild Steelhead:
2017: 2875
2016: 2876
10-yr avg: 3074
While high flows help juveniles to return to the ocean quicker, which helps their survival, it also means that more water needs to be spilled. Currently there is more water flowing than the turbines can handle, so quite a bit of flow is being spilled. Spill produces dissolved gases in the river which are toxic to juveniles and adults. The US Army Corps tries to manage the Total Dissolved Gases (TDG) at each dam and keep it below 120%. Lower Granite Dam is currently producing levels around ~109%. Ice Harbor is ~119% and sometimes up to 122%. Smolt mortality can be expected because of this.
The 2017 spring adult migration to the Columbia River basin has begun. Bonneville dam is the first dam encountered by salmon and steelhead adults as they return to their natal waters to spawn. Fish destined for the middle and upper Columbia and Snake Rivers will encounter 3 more dams (The Dalles, John Day, and McNary). Fish entering the Snake will encounter another 4 dams (Ice Harbor, Lower Monumental, Little Goose, and Lower Granite). Fish destined for the upper Columbia could encounter an additional 5 dams. No fish passage is available at Chief Joseph dam, so that is as high in the Columbia that they can reach. Prior to dam construction on the Columbia, salmon migrated all the way into Canada.
As of 4/23/17, the current and recent past counts of Spring Chinook Salmon that have passed Bonneville dam and entered the Columbia River system are:
2017: 1,517
2016: 13,947
10-yr avg: 25,392
The 2017 returns are only 6% of the 10 year average, which is worrisome. It is not known if the runs are just delayed due to high flows or if returns are significantly down. They were predicted to be down only 20% from the 10 year average.
The current and recent past counts of Steelhead are:
2017: 2354
2016: 3547
10-yr avg: 3447
The current and recent past counts of Wild Steelhead are:
2017: 833
2016: 1537
10-yr avg: 1238
While what seem to be impressive numbers of fish return to the Columbia River basin today, be aware that historically 17 MILLION salmon returned to the Columbia River each year.
In the end, a multitude of other species end up being targeted for elimination to keep the salmon-killing dams in place. The wildlife carnage takes place above and below the water surface.
Sea lion task force says lethal removal of sea lions at Bonneville Dam is likely not reducing predation on salmon and steelhead at the dam by California sea lions.
Starting May 1 on the Snake and Columbia , the program funded by the Bonneville Power Administration and administered by the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission, pays anglers for each northern pikeminnow they catch that is 9 inches or longer.
Steelhead (hatchery and wild) movements in the lower Snake River, over Lower Granite Dam are as follows:
Totals on 4/30/17.
2017: 7141
2016: 5306
10-yr avg: 8611
Wild Steelhead:
2017: 2953
2016: 2995
10-yr avg: 3297
Flows are still very high in the lower Snake River, averaging about 125,000 cfs for the past week. All 4 lower Snake dams are currently spilling water to help the juvenile salmon return to the ocean quicker. Prior to dam construction, juveniles could make the journey from Idaho to the Pacific Ocean in a matter of days. After dam construction, that trip took weeks because the reservoirs behind the dams slowed the river velocity. Juvenile mortality increases as their travel time increases. Mortality also increases if the juveniles pass through the turbines. Spilling them over the top of the dam, while still causing trauma and death to many fish, is the preferred method of fish passage.
The 2017 spring adult Chinook salmon and Steelhead migration to the Columbia River basin has begun. Bonneville dam is the first dam encountered by salmon and steelhead adults as they return to their natal waters to spawn. Fish destined for the middle and upper Columbia and Snake Rivers will encounter 3 more dams (The Dalles, John Day, and McNary). Fish entering the Snake will encounter another 4 dams (Ice Harbor, Lower Monumental, Little Goose, and Lower Granite). Fish destined for the upper Columbia could encounter an additional 5 dams (Priest Rapids, Wanapum, Rock Island, Rocky Reach, and Wells) . No fish passage is available at Chief Joseph dam, so that is as high in the Columbia that they can reach. Prior to dam construction on the Columbia River, salmon migrated all the way into Canada.
Chinoook
As of 4/30/17, the current and recent past counts of Spring Chinook Salmon that have passed Bonneville dam and entered the Columbia River system are:
2017: 3,347
2016: 34,540
10-yr avg: 56,644
The 2017 returns are only 6% of the 10 year average, which is worrisome. It is not known if the runs are just delayed due to high flows, low river temperatures or if returns are significantly low this year They were predicted to be down only 20% from the 10 year average. Historically, the spring run is half over by now.
Steelhead
The current and recent past counts of Steelhead are:
2017: 2,449
2016: 3,697
10-yr avg: 3,709
Wild Steelhead
The current and recent past counts of Wild Steelhead are:
2017: 864
2016: 1,574
10-yr avg: 1,309
All data is from the Fish Passage Center website (fpc.org)
While what seem to be impressive numbers of fish return to the Columbia River basin today, be aware that historically 17 MILLION salmon returned to the Columbia River each year.
Re: Comments to the US Army Corps of Engineers for the CRSO EIS
Dear Sirs,
I read with interest your comments submitted to the US Army Corps of Engineers for the Columbia River Systems Operation process on January 31st, 2017. You declared your opposition to the breaching of the four lower Snake River dams due to socio-economic issues that would affect the citizens of Nez Perce County. While I agree that there would be negative aspects of breaching, I have to wonder if you considered the benefits and weighed them against the negatives. I think if you did, you would see that Nez Perce County would be far better off without the dams than with them.
One of the major benefits of breaching the dams and lowering the reservoirs is the potential to develop a thriving riverfront in downtown Lewiston. The 30 foot high levee walls that are necessary to hold back “Lake” Herbert G. West, block what could be an amazing view of 2 great free flowing rivers. You can see the City of Lewiston’s desire to do this in their Waterfront Future Planning graphics. This development is something that could change the whole dynamic of downtown, from a dreary industrial look to a beautiful, vibrant community that enhances the current resident’s quality of life and attracts new residents. Other potential additions are beaches (as Lewiston once had) and possibly a whitewater park (or 2) as there are rapids beneath those stagnant waters. Both have the potential to draw in millions of dollars per year of positive economic impact. One only has to look south to Boise to see what a riverfront can do for a city. The Boise River is a key component in local growth and has provided incredible benefits to residents and local businesses. Residents live, float, fish, kayak, surf, bike, run, walk or just hang out along the river.
Another major benefit that Nez Perce County could see is the increase in tourism made possible by 140 additional miles of free flowing, shallow, narrow Snake River, perfect for the jet boats that the Lewis-Clark Valley is so famous for manufacturing. One could potentially take a jet boat from the Tri-cities on the Columbia all the way into the heart of Idaho’s wilderness. And Lewiston’s new waterfront would be a great stopping-off point along the way. The increase in jet boat “habitat” could also drive further jet boat sales in the area, which would benefit the manufacturing sector. Lewiston would become the starting point for 140 mile long float trips all the way to the Columbia River through the once-scenic, but now flooded, Snake River canyon white water. And that canyon would once again be teeming with wildlife in its riparian areas as it once was. Yet another benefit for local sportsmen.
Lastly, breaching of the lower Snake River dams would cause an immediate improvement in salmon and steelhead survival. For decades, the mortality rate for smolts traveling from Lewiston to the Columbia River has hovered around 30% with no improvement despite nearly a billion dollars being invested in fish passage improvements. Breaching would surely prevent the extinction of the 4 ESA listed species of salmon and steelhead, which is still a very real possibility. A study of the 2001 fishing season found that Lewiston benefited from direct and indirect angler spending of $8.8 million per year. A 2005 study predicted that should the salmon and steelhead recover, which the US Army Corps predicted breaching would have the best possibility of doing, Lewiston could see economic returns of $52 million per year. The whole state of Idaho could see $544 million in fishing-related expenditures (vs. only $90 million in 2001). This could be critical to assisting Idaho river communities upstream of Lewiston who rely on fishing/recreation and have been suffering through rapidly declining fish returns. The 2017 steelhead season is now predicted to be the worst in nearly 20 years. If recovery of salmon and steelhead was taking place, this would not be the case.
The negatives that you mentioned are fairly minor in comparison to the positives that Nez Perce County and the State of Idaho could experience.
Transportation on the slack water has continued to decline, yet millions are still being spent on costly lock maintenance on the dams and dredging of the confluence of the Snake and Clearwater Rivers. Goods will still get to market in a cost effective manner without barging. They have been for the past 4 months during the lock closures. Utilizing rail and truck between Lewiston and the Tri-cities, and barges for the rest of the journey down the Columbia River would provide more jobs for Lewiston.
Hydropower from the 4 lower Snake River dams is some of the most expensive in the Columbia River hydrosystem due to nearly a billion dollars in fish mitigation spending to keep all the Snake River salmon and steelhead from going extinct. Rates could potentially go down if the dams were breached and the salmon recovered.
Infrastructure damage from breaching can be minimized by a slower drawdown than what was done in 1992. In addition, the flood risk to Lewiston (caused by the reservoir that makes the Port of Lewiston possible) will be minimized by lowering the reservoir and little if any dredging will be required in the future.
I invite you to think about the potential revitalization of Nez Perce County that could be enabled by breaching the 4 lower Snake River dams instead of trying to protect the status-quo that seems to be going nowhere.
