What happened to the salmon?
The Columbia River once produced salmon runs estimated at 10 to 16 million fish — among the largest runs on earth. Nearly half of these fish called our region, and rivers upstream, home. Today, only a fraction return to spawn in the basin. None return to our waters. Salmon populations have dwindled for a number of reasons:





Healthy donor stocks for reintroduction
Based on assessments of donor stocks, we will pursue summer Chinook and Sockeye Salmon for reintroduction efforts. We plan to use healthy stocks from downstream sources, rather than using struggling populations that are listed under the Endangered Species Act.

Habitat awaits the return of salmon
Our evaluation work shows there are hundreds of miles of streams with habitat that is available for the return of salmon. This habitat is able to support tens of thousands of adult salmon and millions of rearing juveniles. As water temperatures continue to rise, salmon populations will depend on these cooler habitats in the upper Columbia basin to survive.

Advancements in fish passage technology
Fish passage technology has improved significantly in the past several years. There are a number of options for getting fish, juveniles and adults, safely over dams that can work with existing infrastructure.
Support salmon reintroduction
UCUT, our member tribes, and our partners are planning and advocating for a future with salmon. We need to restore the Columbia River for future generations — for the benefit of all.
And you can help. Reach out to your local elected officials and let them know restoring salmon into the upper Columbia is important to you.
3 things to ask your elected officials to do:
- Support best science, research, habitat studies, climate change
- Support fish-friendly power sources and fish passage technology
- Support adding Columbia River Systems Operations in the Columbia River Treaty
Questions?
Contact a member of UCUT staff at 509.838.1057 or info@ucut-nsn.org
Check out our Frequently Asked Questions section.