|
|
|
Fish and wildlife
- Five species of Pacific salmon -- pink, chum, sockeye, coho and
chinook; and two anadromous trout -- steelhead and sea-run cutthroat -- are
found in the Columbia River Basin.
- Historic annual runs of adult salmon and steelhead were believed to
have measured between 11 and 16 million fish, but declined to about
one million by the 1990s.
- In 1988, the Council designated 44,000 miles of river reaches in the
basin as ?protected areas? where hydroelectric development is
prohibited in order to protect fish and wildlife and their habitat.
- Since 2000, above average returns of adult salmon and steelhead have
occurred, setting records for many different populations.
- Columbia River Basin resident fish spend their entire life cycle in
freshwater and include: warm water species, bass and walleye; and
coldwater species, cutthroat, bull trout and kokanee. Other wildlife
includes song birds, deer, elk, moose, caribou, squirrels and rabbits.
The Council's program is intended to mitigate the impact of
hydropower on these species, as well as on anadromous fish such as
salmon and steelhead that migrate to the ocean and return to the river
to spawn.
- Salmon and steelhead have existed in the river for about 12 million
years.
- By the early 20th century, spring and summer runs of Chinook salmon
had been depleted through overharvest and habitat degradation.
Regional power system >
|
|
home