Draft 2023 Survival Study Says Substantial Gains In Adult Returns Of Imperiled Salmon, Steelhead Will Require Breaching Lower Snake River Dams
September 15th, 2023
A long-running annual report that evaluates salmon and steelhead survival in the Columbia and Snake rivers again this year concluded that removal of the lower Snake River dams poses less of a risk to recovery than allowing the four dams to remain in place.
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As Measures Implemented To Aid ESA Salmonids At Willamette Valley Dams, Corps Studying Whether To End Hydro Production
September 15th, 2023
By legislative requirement, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Portland District is assessing whether it should continue to produce hydroelectric power at its Willamette Valley project dams.
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More Recreational Salmon Fishing Days Added Below Bonneville; With New Washington Policy, States Disagree On Gillnetting Periods
September 15th, 2023
With an upgraded fall chinook run, fishery managers from Oregon and Washington added more recreational salmon fishing opportunity on the Columbia River below Bonneville Dam during a joint Columbia River Compact hearing Wednesday. But the hearing took an unusual turn when Washington and Oregon diverged on how much more commercial gillnetting should be allowed, and where.
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Researchers Use Models To Estimate Where West Coast Salmon Habitat Will Remain Favorable With Warming Climate
September 15th, 2023
With climate change, some spawning habitat in British Columbia could actually expand, peaking in area around 2060, according to a recent study that looked at current stream habitat and projected future favorable spawning habitat as the climate warms.
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UW Researchers Find That Fall Snow Levels (December) In Oregon, Washington Can Predict Total Snowfall An Area Will Get
September 15th, 2023
Researchers who study water resources want to know how much snow an area will get in a season. The total snowpack gives scientists a better idea of how much water will be available for hydropower, irrigation and drinking later in the year.
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Columbia Riverkeeper, Vancouver Port Reach Agreement To Reduce Water Pollution Into Columbia River; Port To Spend Over $25 Million
September 15th, 2023
Columbia Riverkeeper and the Port of Vancouver USA this week reached an agreement settling a Clean Water Act lawsuit challenging years of alleged unlawful water pollution from the public port. In the settlement, the port committed to make significant changes to reduce the amount of water pollution that flows off the 1643-acre property and into the Columbia River.
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ODFW Distributing Salmon Carcasses In Willamette Valley Rivers For Stream Nutrient Enhancement, Keep Dogs Away
September 15th, 2023
If you live or recreate close to a river or stream in the Willamette Valley, you might come across salmon carcasses or see Oregon Department Fish and Wildlife staff and volunteers slinging carcasses into the water during September and October.
Avian Influenza Found For First Time In West Coast Marine Mammals; Three Puget Sound Adult Harbor Seals Stricken, Stranded
September 15th, 2023
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Services Laboratories has confirmed that three adult harbor seals in Puget Sound have tested positive for the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 strain. The seals stranded on Marrowstone Island on August 18 and 25. This confirms initial testing by the Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, which indicated the presence of H5N1 in these seals. No seal pups have tested positive.
NOAA Announces $24 Million To Research Ways To Remove Carbon Dioxide From Ocean
September 15th, 2023
The Department of Commerce and NOAA announced $24 million for projects that will address climate change by researching marine carbon dioxide removal strategies, with $14 million going toward 10 projects that examine how effectively and safely strategies like enhancing ocean alkalinity or sinking seaweed remove carbon from the atmosphere.