Fish

UCUT Fish Restoration Projects: Reintroducing Salmon, Protecting Native Species, and Revitalizing Columbia River Fisheries

Restoring Native Fish Populations and Revitalizing River Ecosystems Through Tribal-Led Projects in the Upper Columbia Basin

The Upper Columbia United Tribes (UCUT) are dedicated to restoring native fish populations and reconnecting aquatic ecosystems throughout the Columbia River Basin. Tribal efforts focus on fish passage, habitat improvement, and reintroduction of culturally significant species such as salmon, steelhead, and white sturgeon. These initiatives are vital to tribal lifeways, food sovereignty, and long-term ecological health.

Goals and Outcomes

Reintroduce salmon to historical spawning grounds above Grand Coulee and Chief Joseph Dams
Protect and enhance fish habitat across rivers, tributaries, and lakes
Monitor and manage fish populations using science-based and culturally guided methods
Collaborate regionally with tribal, federal, and state partners to restore and protect fisheries
Support tribal food systems and cultural traditions through sustainable fish recovery

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Fish Reintroduction into the U.S. And Canadian Upper Columbia River

The U.S. Columbia Basin Tribes, which includes UCUT, and Canadian First Nations of the Columbia River Basin have produced a paper that provides a much-needed proposal for restoring fish passage and reintroducing anadromous fish as an essential element in modernizing the Columbia River Treaty. This document is meant to inform the U.S. and Canadian governments and other regional sovereigns …

Upper Columbia River Basin Fish Passage and Reintroduction Project – Phase 1

When the Grand Coulee Dam and later the Chief Joseph Dam were built on the Columbia River, they blocked salmon from thousands of miles of Upper Columbia Basin habitat. This action decimated salmon populations for several generations. In October 2014, the Northwest Power and Conservation Council amended its Columbia River Basin Fish and Wildlife Program to investigate reintroducing …

Treaty Talks: A Journey up the Columbia River for People and Salmon

UCUT and other Tribes and First Nations are pleased to release Treaty Talks, a video intended to start public discussion about the feasibility of fish passage above Grand Coulee Dam. The video follows the salmons’ ancestral journey up the Columbia River. Treaty Talks raises awareness about the damage to the Columbia River by industry, Grand Coulee and other dams, and the …

Columbia River Listed among Most Endangered Rivers of 2015

American Rivers named the Columbia River among America’s Most Endangered Rivers® of 2015. American Rivers is a nonprofit conservation organization dedicated to protecting and restoring America’s rivers. Currently, the Columbia River Treaty between the U.S. and Canada has just two purposes: hydropower and flood control. UCUT insists the Columbia River Treaty include ecosystem function and …

20 Year Report

Over the past 20 years, the UCUT have developed and implemented hundreds of projects on issues of common concern: to protect, preserve, and enhance Treaty and Executive Order tribal rights, sovereignty, culture, fish, water, wildlife, habitat and other interests and issues for the benefit of all people. The natural resources managed by the UCUT yield millions of dollars annually to the …

United for the Benefit of All

To ensure a healthy future for the traditional territorial lands of our ancestors through a proactive and science-based approach to promoting Indian culture, fish, wildlife, and habitat, the UCUT provide one voice for our region. Together, the UCUT have worked hard to create a better environment for future generations. In order to continue, we need the support of regional lawmakers and …

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Explore More of Our Work

Want to see what else we’re doing across the Upper Columbia region? Browse all of our ongoing and completed projects.

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Meet the Tribes Behind the Work

Our projects are made possible by the leadership and collaboration of five sovereign tribal nations. Learn more about the Member Tribes that make up UCUT and their connection to this land.

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Have a Question or Want to Learn More?

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