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

View our Fish Projects

Grand Coulee and the Forgotten Tribe

For thousands of years, the Spokane River was the lifeblood of the Spokane Tribe. When Grand Coulee Dam was completed in 1942, Lake Roosevelt was created, raising the waters of the Columbia and Spokane Rivers some 70 feet. Traditional fishing sites, burial grounds, and sacred cultural gathering places lay beneath Lake Roosevelt. There were no options for the people of the Spokane Tribe …

UCUT and Bonneville Power Administration Partnership

Memorandum of Understanding A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) and UCUT and its five member tribes was signed in 2005. It is intended to further the mutual interests of the parties and improve relationships and communications in an effort to better manage, coordinate, and carry out fish and wildlife protection and mitigation …

Tribal Salmon Management, Harvesting and Sharing

We Are Salmon Nations For thousands of years, the UCUT were salmon nations and managers of salmon resources, and we still are today. Despite the blockage and extirpation of all salmon and steelhead runs throughout the Upper Columbia River system due to hydropower dam construction and agricultural irrigation projects, the UCUT are still engaged in harvesting and sharing of fisheries’ …

Forests and Fish Report

The Forests and Fish Report, in conjunction with its Habitat Conservation Plan and Adaptive Management Program, is the implementation of a 50-year one-of-a-kind statewide program that covers over nine million acres of state and private forest lands. This program provides coverage and an Incidental Take Permit for Endangered Species Act-covered species like fish and for federal Clean Water …

Drumheller Springs Natural Park

The economy and quality of life for residents of the greater Inland Northwest region are directly tied to our natural environment. With this in mind, the UCUT formally adopted an urban, north-side Spokane Park called Drumheller Springs in 2005.

No results found.

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.

All Projects

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.

Discover The Tribes

Have a Question or Want to Learn More?

We’re here to connect. Reach out to our team for more information about this project or to explore ways to get involved.

Contact UCUT