Columbia Basin Bulletin - June 14, 2025

Low Water Supply at Dalles Dam, Invasive Mussel Threat, Increasing Wildfires in Canada, Siberia Will Slow Global Warming... and more

Due to lower-than-normal precipitation in May and an early snowmelt in the Northwest, there will be less water available for salmon and steelhead this summer in the Columbia and Snake river basins as water supply forecasts are continuing their downward slide.

Washington and Oregon are expanding efforts to prevent invasive mussels from entering the two states and the Columbia River basin. If they get a foothold in the basin, invasive zebra, quagga and golden mussels would cause considerable economic and environmental damage that could slow recovery of the basin’s federally listed salmon and steelhead runs, according to each state’s invasive species manager speaking at the May Northwest Power and Conservation Council meeting.

A new University of Washington–led study projects that in the next 35 years increasing boreal fires will actually slow global warming by 12% globally and 38% in the Arctic. Because the aerosols in smoke reflect more sunlight and make clouds brighter, summer temperatures during fire season drop, leading to reduced sea ice loss and cooler winter temperatures.

Across the western U.S., wildfires are becoming larger and more severe — and even trees that initially survive are dying in subsequent years, making it harder for forests to regenerate, according to new research from Portland State University.

California Launches ‘Strike Team’ To Combat Livestock Depredations By Gray Wolves, GPS Wolf Location Map For Ranchers, Public

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife announced that it is launching a summer strike team in partnership with federal and local agencies to combat livestock depredations by gray wolves in Siskiyou County and the Sierra Valley (spanning both Sierra and Plumas counties).

Riley Farden of New Plymouth was bow fishing for carp on the Snake River when he shot an arrow that not only hit its mark, it set a new state record for grass carp.

Montana Wild Wings Recovery Center in Kalispell has treated six bald eagles and one golden eagle with elevated lead levels in 2025.

New research strongly suggests policymakers should view outdoor recreation spaces not as luxuries but as essential public health infrastructure.