On Washington’s White Salmon River, TU volunteers are partnering with WDFW to collect steelhead and salmon spawning data above the former site of Condit Dam
When the Condit Dam was breached on Washington’s White Salmon River in 2011, steelhead and salmon regained access to spawning and rearing habitat that had been blocked for nearly a century. At the time, it was the largest dam removal in history until the Elwha River dams were removed a few years later.
While some dam removal projects have had budgets available to track the return of salmon and steelhead, funding for monitoring on this important Lower Columbia Basin watershed has been inconsistent.
To help fill this critical data gap and provide insight into how fish are utilizing reconnected habitat, teams of dedicated volunteers spend the winter and spring counting spawning coho and steelhead on several White Salmon River tributaries. To ensure the information gathered is consistent and rigorous, the volunteers receive training in the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (WDFW) spawning survey protocols and data management systems.
When she learned about the need for the spawning surveys, Trout Unlimited’s J. Michelle Swope saw the opportunity for local volunteers to partner with the WDFW and contribute to the river’s recovery. The White Salmon Project was born. Today she leads the program and helps train the teams of dedicated community members tracking spawning coho and steelhead each season.
How to get involved
If you’re interested in volunteering for the spawning surveys or donating to support this valuable community science effort, you can learn more at: washingtontu.org/white-salmon-project
The White Salmon Project is supported by the Washington Council of Trout Unlimited with generous support from the Clark/Skamania Fly Club, pFriem Family Brewing, Friends of the White Salmon, Grundéns, and Trout Unlimited’s Wild Steelheaders United.
The White Salmon Project video was filmed and edited by our friend Liam Gallagher.