Background:

Historically, the river had strong runs of anadromous native spring and fall Chinook, Coho, steelhead, sea-run cutthroat, and pacific lamprey. There is also a remnant population of ESA listed bull trout. Currently, summer steelhead and both Chinook runs are listed with very high extinction risks.

Various factors that limit these populations include stray hatchery fish interbreeding with wild fish and degradation of tributary habitat. Irrigation withdrawals and impaired habitat diversity and complexity are results of various land use practices in the watershed. Fish passage at a larger dam, Powerdale, will be alleviated soon, as its removal is expected to be completed by November 2010. Other threats include fine sediment from rural roads, competition from hatchery fish, elevated water temperatures due to land use, toxins from agricultural practices, altered hydrology due to low-head hydro diversions and upslope land use.

Hood River Updates

River Steward Program Newsletter Winter 2018

We are starting to see rains show up earlier in southern Oregon than I can remember in the past couple of years, and I hope that this is the beginning to a long wet winter here in the Northwest. ...

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Join Us for a Guaranteed Good Time for a Great Cause! We are excited to welcome you on Saturday, April 13th, 2024 for THE BIGGEST PARTY FOR WILD FISH IN THE UNIVERSE! When: Saturday, April 13th, 2024 | 5pm - 9pm | Where: The Loft at 8th Avenue - Portland, OR | What: A banquet and auction supporting the revival of wild, native fish, free-flowing rivers, and thriving local communities.