Drought may hurt future salmon runs

The Associated Press

YAKIMA — Good water years in the late 1990s likely mean good migratory fish runs in state rivers next year.

"Things are looking really favorable for a lot of different species in a lot of different watersheds," Doug Williams, a spokesman for the state Department of Fish and Wildlife in Olympia, said Friday.

In the Yakima River Basin, biologists are anticipating a large return of spring chinook salmon in 2002, which would be the third consecutive year.

"There is no question the last two runs are the result of some really good water years in the mid- to late 1990s," said Jeff Thomas, a biologist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service here.

The chum run in the Puget Sound area looks potentially strong for next year, based on the numbers of 3-year-olds, or chum jacks, returning this year, Williams said. Most chum return from the Pacific Ocean at age 4.

"We had really good freshwater survival conditions in 1998 and 1999 just about everywhere in Western Washington — fairly mild winters without a lot of flooding, plenty of water, a lot of excellent habitat and a lot of good conditions for fish to grow up in," Williams said.

The number of juvenile fish, or smolts, migrating to the Pacific in 1998 and 1999 was high, and they found good marine conditions — a lot of food and few of the predators that are sometimes drawn by ocean currents pushing warm water north.

In the Columbia River Basin, "the big question is always water over the dams — how much water do we have to flush smolts over the dams?" Williams said.

Again, there were good water years in Eastern Washington, beginning in 1995.

"If you can get the fish down the river and into those favorable ocean survival conditions, that would indicate we should have decent returns on everything — chinook, coho and steelhead," Williams said.

In the Yakima River, about 21,000 adult spring chinook crossed the Prosser Dam this year, headed upstream to spawn. It was the largest return run since the 1950s. Last year, the run topped 19,000 adults.

Most of the chinook returning this year were hatched in early 1998.

But there is concern that should the drought of 2001 persist, it could affect future fish runs.

The Yakima basin had drought from 1992 through 1994, and the number of salmon nests counted by biologists dropped to 221 in 1995, the fewest since the counts began in 1981.

Preliminary statistics from the Yakama Nation show the number of nests this year dropped to 4,179 from 4,723 last year, and low water flows and higher river temperatures are probably to blame, said John Easterbrooks, a regional fish program manager for the state Department of Fish and Wildlife here.

The conditions probably increased the rate of fish deaths that occurred before spawning, he said.

"Warm water delays the onset of spawning and causes the metabolic rate to be higher, and they use up their energy supplies faster. It also worsens disease problems," Easterbrooks said.

Copyright ©2001 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Hundreds rally against Trump on Presidents Day in Everett

People lined Broadway with signs and flags, similar to other protests across the country

Alina Langbehn, 6, center, and Vera A., 6, right, sit on a swing together at Drew Nielsen Neighborhood Park after school on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett council votes to renovate Drew Nielsen Park

Construction on the $345,000 upgrade could start as early as this fall.

Northshore School District bus driver Stewart O’Leary pictured next to his buses shattered drivers side windshield on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Put me in, coach’: Bus driver back at work after struck by metal bar

Stewart O’Leary, a Northshore employee, has received national attention for his composure during a frightening bus trip.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Lynnwood councilor Joshua Binda speaks during a Lynnwood City Council meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Does the Lynnwood Council VP live in Lynnwood? It’s hard to say.

Josh Binda’s residency has been called into question following an eviction and FEC filings listing an Everett address. He insists he lives in Lynnwood.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

An American Robin picks a berry from a holly tree on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Calling all birders for the annual Great Backyard Bird Count

The Audubon Society will hold its 28th annual Great Backyard… Continue reading

A view of one of the potential locations of the new Aquasox stadium on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024 in Everett, Washington. The site sits between Hewitt Avenue, Broadway, Pacific Avenue and the railroad. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Initial prep work for AquaSox stadium to start, with $200k price tag

The temporary agreement allows some surveying and design work as the city negotiates contracts with designers and builders.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.