Columbia Basin Bulletin - April 22, 2025

Corps Final EIS For Willamette Valley Dams, Ocean Conditions For Salmon Returns, Spring Spill Helps Salmon Passage... and more

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Columbia Basin Bulletin
April 22, 2025

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has released the first environmental impact statement since 1980 for its Willamette Valley system of 13 dams. The final EIS analyzes several alternatives and selects the preferred alternative the Corps says will be best for spring Chinook and winter steelhead listed under the Endangered Species Act. The Corps expects to release its Record of Decision in May.

Mixed ocean conditions for Columbia River salmon and steelhead juveniles entering the ocean in 2023 translate to average runs of spring and fall Chinook when they return as adults in 2025, according to information from NOAA Fisheries presented to a changing Northwest Power and Conservation Council last week.

Spring spill at Columbia/Snake River dams to aid juvenile salmon and steelhead in their migration through the hydro projects and out to the ocean is in full motion with all of the lower eight dams on the two rivers initiating full spill by April 10.

Oregon’s wolf population grew by 15% in 2024, marking the first year of double-digit growth since 2019, according to a report released by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Anglers in Washington can expect similar salmon fishing opportunities in 2025-2026 compared to last season, that also includes a strong Puget Sound pink forecast, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife fishery managers announced this week.

California Salmon Still In Trouble: PFMC Offers Limited Rec Fishing First Time Since 2022, Repeat Closure Of Commercial Fishing

The Pacific Fishery Management Council this week recommended limited fishing opportunities for California’s recreational ocean salmon fisheries through the end of 2025. This decision will allow for the first recreational salmon fishing in California since 2022. The PFMC also recommended a repeat year of closure for California’s commercial salmon fisheries, the third year in a row.

American Rivers this week announced America’s Most Endangered Rivers in its 40th annual listing, with Idaho’s Clearwater River Basin ranked the seventh most endangered.

Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick has named Eugenio Piñeiro Soler as Assistant Administrator for NOAA Fisheries. Piñeiro Soler has assumed his new position, taking the helm from Acting Assistant Administrator Emily Menashes, who will return to her previous position as Deputy Assistant Administrator for Operations.