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Columbia River Fall Chinook Return Setting Records

by | Oct 21, 2015 | Fishing

This year’s fall chinook run has been a good one. In fact, it has been setting records. The present passage count at McNary Dam on the Columbia River is over 456,000 salmon, and has broken the previous record of 454,000 passing chinook, set in 2013. The Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission (CRITFC) suggests that the success of this year’s fall chinook can be attributed to a variety of factors, both environmental and human related. Environmentally, both ocean and migration conditions were favorable. Additionally, human efforts to improve fish habitat, implement harvest management practices, protect water flow, and restore chinook populations in the Snake River basin have also contributed to this record-breaking year. This milestone chinook run is important and rewarding for Columbia River salmon restoration efforts that CRITFC focuses on:

“Reaching this milestone is something that the region can truly celebrate,” said Paul Lumley, Executive Director of the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission. “The success of this fall chinook run reflects the region’s commitment to healthy salmon runs and the collaborative spirit that has made it possible. While we can celebrate this year’s return, our protection and restoration work will continue. The lessons the region has learned in achieving the success we’ve seen so far will help us address upcoming impacts such as the predicted El Niño this winter and the long-term effects of climate change.”

The 2015 Bonneville Fish Count on CRITFC’s website presently reads that over 938,700 have passed on their journey up the Columbia.

SRC: Read more about this record and fall chinook here: www.critfc.org/fall-chinook-set-new-mcnary-dam-record/

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