by Carlotfa Collette 1... ~t}.. • ,- • To understand the program it is helpful to know so.~_ething about the life cycles of anadromous fish. Salmon and steelhead begin their lives in graveled freshwater streambeds and lakeshores far upriver from the ocean. Before the dams blocked passage and slowed the river, they would drift with the fast-moving spring runoff for anywhere from one week to 30 days until they made it to the ocean. · Along .the way, these remarkable fish must undergo a biological transformation that allows them to spend the J'.lext several years in saltwater. When they have grown to maturity in the ocean, if they are not caught at sea, they will attempt to return to thdr original spawning grounds in the freshwater streams upriver. Before the dams this was a difficult, heroic journey up waterfalls and against a powerful current. After the dams, it became almost impossible. Natural arid Artificial Production The dams transformed the Columbia from a freeOowing river into a series of highly regulated lakes with controlled flows. The first dams afforded no passage at all, cutting off about half of the favored spawning · grounds. In the council's program, remaining natural spawning areas are being improved, replacement spawning grounds are developed where possible, and hatchery facilities are _being upgraded. · Downstream Migration Salmon 'smolts would wait for the streams to rise and the rush of water to carry them down to the ocean, but March/April 1985 RAIN Page 23 The Columbia River Basin Fish and Wildlife Program (In a·Nutshell) the dams stored the runoff to generate electricity. The young salmon, racing their internal clocks, were swept into the huge turbines. The stunned ones who survived could be quickly picked off by predators who had taken - up residence below the dams for just such feasts. The council's Fish and Wildlife Program called for a "water budget." The water budget creates artificial freshets by releasing water at the dams when the spring salmon run is on. The salmon can then pass through the dams via bypass.facilities that divert the fish from the turbines. Some of the extra power generated by this operation is being sold at reduced rates to irrigating farmers to help keep their production costs qown. Ocean Survival Once the surviving salmon hit the ocean, they begin huge circling migrations that can last .several years. During that part of their lives they are threatened by. changing weather conditions like our recent "El Nino," ocean predators, lack of food, and increasingly sophisticated offshore fishing operations. The council recommended withholding certain funding for enhancemen.t programs until harvest limits are set between the United States and Canada. If the treaty that was negotiated in December 1984 is ratified by both governments, the rntepayer investment upriver will be protected from overfishing at sea. · Upstream Migration If the salmon have made it this far, they have their greatest struggle ahead of them. They must store in their tissues enough energy for their return up the river
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