Investigations Upstream of Chief Joseph and Grand Coulee Dams
In May 2019, the UCUT completed Phase 1 of our phased approach to Fish Passage and Reintroduction into the U.S. and Canadian Upper Columbia Basin.
The Phase I Report confirms the reintroduction of salmon to the U.S. portion of the upper Columbia River upstream of Chief Joseph Dam is likely to achieve identified tribal goals given the following:
- Current dam operations
- Existing riverine and reservoir habitat conditions
- Donor stock availability and risks to resident fish species
- The likely effectiveness of state-of-the-art juvenile and adult passage technologies that could be built at both Chief Joseph Dam and Grand Coulee Dam.
Results from the investigations have shown that reintroduction is viable for the species evaluated.
Additional Resources
- Phase 2 Implementation Plan
- Phase 1 Report
- Report FAQs
- Cultural and Educational Releases Peer-Reviewed Publication
Additional Resources
Supporting Documents. Following are technical analyses that have directly contributed to the Phase 1 Report (listed in alphabetical order).
- Baldwin 2018 – Assessment of Sockeye Spawning Habitat in Sanpoil
- Baldwin and Bellgraph 2017 – Above Chief Joseph Redd Capacity Tech Memo
- Bellgraph, B.J., C. Baldwin, L. Garavelli, Z. Haque, W. Perkins, M. Richmond, M. Howell, J. McLellan. In Review. Estimates of Chinook Salmon Spawning Habitat in a Blocked Reach of the Columbia Upstream of Grand Coulee Dam. Submitted to Northwest Science.
- Giorgi 2018 – Potential Habitats for Reintroduction
- Giorgi and Kain 2018 – Sockeye Rearing Capacity of Roosevelt
- Hanrahan et al. 2004 – Rufus Woods Chinook Spawning Habitat
- Hardiman et al. 2017 – Reintroduction Risk and Donor Stock
- ICF 2017 – Reintroduction Potential for Sanpoil and Roosevelt
- ICF 2018 – Reintroduction Potential for Spokane and Roosevelt
- Kock et al. 2019 – Factors Influencing Fish Collector Performance at High-Head Dams
- NPCC 2016 – Review of Fish Passage Technologies at High-Head Dams
Related Analyses: The following informative works were not incorporated into the Phase 1 Report (listed in alphabetical order).
- Bussanich et al. 2017 – Tributary Assessment of Potential Salmon Spawning Habitat
- Golder 2016 – Salmon Habitat Availability in CA Transboundary Reach
- Golder 2017 – Salmon Habitat Availability in CA Transboundary Reach
- ICTRT 2005 – Updated Population Delineation
- ICTRT 2007 – Role of Extirpated Areas in Recovery
- USACE 2002 – Chief Joseph Fish Passage Alternatives
- Warnock et al. 2016 – Chinook donor stock assessment in Transboundary Reach
Cover Letter and Resolutions: The following documents include UCUT’s cover letter, as well as resolutions from all the UCUT.
