For the first time in 80 years, salmon has been found in the upper Columbia River system. Colville Tribal biologists have found that, despite the river system being blocked by the Grand Coulee Dam, 36 nests (or redds) in which female salmon lay their eggs have appeared along an 8-mile stretch of the Sanpoil River. This defies biologists’ expectations, who have been wanting to reintroduce salmon into Columbian rivers for decades.
Releasing Fish in the River
In the 1930s and 1950s, the Grand Coulee and Chief Joseph dams were built, respectively, blocking salmon and other migratory fish from the spawning beds in the upper Columbia River. Tribes in the area have been working tirelessly to bring fish back into their rivers, and in 2019, they succeeded when 60 salmon were reintroduced above the dams in a cultural event.
Continuing the Project
Since the reintroduction event, biologists have observed that the river contains miles of spawning and rearing habitat suitable for increased salmon reproduction and survival. As a result, more fish (around 100) were released into the Sanpoil River to see how well they survived. Biologists are tracking the fish with PIT tags and have confirmed that the fish has spread out and begun to spawn within a few months.
Facing Challenges
The release of the fish brings with it some challenges. For one, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) had to ensure the fish were disease-free. They particularly tested for a strain of infectious hematopoietic necrosis that can kill trout. Other challenges are likely to be observed later. When juvenile offspring migrate downstream, their safe passage through the reservoirs and dams is uncertain.
Spawning Habits
Salmon migrate from the ocean to freshwater streams, where they are born to spawn or lay eggs. Females find safe nesting sites, usually in gravel beds, where they dig pits (known as redds) and lay eggs in them. Sometimes, salmon have been seen moving the gravel with their tails to cover and protect the eggs until they hatch.
Our Effect on Salmon
A 2024 study by Joseph E. Merz et al., published in the journal Ecosphere, indicated salmon have faced challenges due to human activity. Salmon uses a variety of ecosystems during its life cycle, and human activity has effectively sliced up those ecosystems to manage them separately. Therefore, ocean harvests, artificial propagation, and reservoir construction have reduced the size of salmon as well as disrupted their ability to reproduce
Biological Adaptations of Salmon
As a result, Salmon have developed unique biological adaptations and evolutionary processes that allow them to navigate and spawn in challenging environments. For example, salmon can move gravel and create spawning nests. Additionally, research shows that female salmon will move to areas with smaller gravel to create their redds. This behavior change is a testament to their biological resilience.
Ecosystem Dynamics and Salmon
Salmon are known to play a vital role in maintaining ecosystem balance, and their presence can lead to positive changes in river habitats. This is because they are a keystone species that significantly influences the health and productivity of both aquatic and terrestrial environments around them. For example, salmon transport nutrients from the ocean to freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems, which enrich soil and water, supporting plant growth and enhancing biodiversity.
Socio-economic Impact of Salmon Recovery
Salmon has a socio-economic impact as well. Recovery projects offer job opportunities that stimulate economic activity and growth. For example, a substantial investment of roughly $1 million into watershed restoration projects can generate between 13 and 32 jobs, leading to roughly $2.2 to $3.4 million in economic activity. Additionally, salmon populations support tourism and recreational activities like fishing, which contribute significantly to local economies.
Conservation Efforts
Efforts to conserve and restore salmon populations would likely require habitat restoration, policy changes in the fishing industry, and community engagement—such as that seen in the upper Columbia River, where tribal communities came together to help restore salmon populations that were previously blocked due to the construction of two dam walls. By providing suitable habitats for spawning and rearing activities, we can increase population sizes and help freshwater biodiversity.
Challenges to Conservation
The balance between economic development and conservation goals remains a challenge. Additionally, climate change is not on our side as it poses ongoing threats to salmon habitats and populations. By increasing funding and using technological advancements, we may be able to combat challenges to conservation. Community-led initiatives can also enhance support for salmon conservation through educational programs and awareness campaigns.
Other Successful Salmon Restoration
Other successful Salmon Restoration projects have been found in the Cedar River Municipal Watershed, Washington State, where fish ladders were installed into Landsburg Dam, allowing salmon to migrate upstream. The project saw increases in the Coho salmon populations. Other examples include projects in the Yakama Basin and Puget Sound, as well as the removal of the Pilchuck River Diversion Dam. There has even been some success in the UK in increasing salmon populations in the River Derwent.
The Future of Salmon
The spawning of salmon in the Columbian upper river for the first time in 80 years has brought immense joy to the tribes in the area. It has helped to restore their traditions, stimulate biodiversity, and improve water quality by enhancing nutrient cycling. These projects can help defy the conventional beliefs that human activity has little effect on the ecosystems in which we operate.
