Coho Salmon Production Potential in the Bumping River Basin Storage Dam Fish Passage Study Yakima Project, Washington

摘要

The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) is leading a cooperative investigation with the Yakama Nation (YN), state and Federal agencies, and others, to study the feasibility of providing fish passage at the five large storage dams of the Yakima Project. These dams Bumping Lake, Kachess, Keechelus, Cle Elum, and Tietonwere never equipped with fish passage facilities. Four of the five reservoirs were originally natural lakes and historically supported Native American fisheries for sockeye salmon and other anadromous and resident fish. Implementation of passage features at the dams has the potential to reintroduce sockeye salmon to the Yakima River basin; increase populations of upper basin steelhead, coho salmon, and Chinook salmon; restore life history and genetic diversity of salmon; and reconnect isolated populations of bull trout. Two species in the basin, bull trout and Mid-Columbia steelhead, are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).