Columbia Basin Bulletin - June 7, 2025

Washington Salmon Face Extinction, Links Between Changing Ocean Conditions and Declining Steelhead Survival, Southeast Alaska Waters Buffers... and more

Six of fourteen salmon and steelhead species in the state of Washington that are listed under the federal Endangered Species Act are showing modest improvement. However, according to the 2024 State of Salmon report by the Washington Governor’s Salmon Recovery Office, eight species are still struggling and face extinction.

New WDFW Study Shows Links Between Changing Ocean Conditions, Declining Survival Of Coastal Winter Steelhead

New Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife research sheds light on the link between a changing climate and ocean and ecosystem conditions; and winter steelhead survival on the Washington coast.

New research found that the cold, low salinity inshore waters of Icy Strait in Southeast Alaska may have provided a temporary buffer from marine heatwave conditions in the Gulf of Alaska for four species of migrating juvenile salmon.

At a June 4 hearing, U.S. Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, questioned Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on the decision to eliminate the Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund. The proposal is included in President Trump’s fiscal year 2026 budget request for the department.

Higher flows from Libby Dam designed to encourage endangered white sturgeon to move up into spawning areas on the Kootenai River downstream in Idaho and British Columbia began last week, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced.

More Lower Columbia Spring Chinook Fishing; Summer/Fall Seasons Set With Low Summer Chinook, Steelhead Numbers

Although biologists downgraded their upriver spring Chinook salmon run size forecast this week, lower than expected catch and a continuing passage of the fish at Bonneville Dam is allowing Washington and Oregon to extend by two days recreational angling downstream of Bonneville Dam to June 15.

With summer boating and fishing seasons ramping up, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is reminding boaters of new laws requiring vessels to stay 1,000 yards away from endangered Southern Resident killer whales in Washington waters.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has captured invasive European green crabs (EGC) at two new locations between northern Hood Canal and Admiralty Inlet during an early detection trapping effort.

A public comment period for ending hydropower production at federal dams in the Willamette River basin, and thoughts on deep drawdowns at Detroit Reservoir on the North Fork Santiam River, has been extended from June 6 to June 21.

What do western Oregonians think about the five iconic protected areas, known as marine reserves, that dot the state’s coastline? A new study shows the answer depends on when and where the question was asked.

Energy Northwest and the Bonneville Power Administration say they are taking a significant step toward strengthening the Pacific Northwest’s supply of energy by increasing the output of the region’s only nuclear facility.

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is ramping up its efforts to protect the state’s lakes, rivers, and streams from aquatic invasive species. Seasonal boat inspection stations are now open, and roving crews will be out this year at boat ramps offering watercraft inspections and decontamination.

Oregon State University scientists have improved artificial intelligence’s ability to identify wildlife species in photos taken by motion-activated cameras.