Salmon

The groups argued the dam, located about 70 miles east of Eugene on the McKenzie River, has prevented endangered Chinook salmon and bull trout from migrating and blocked access to cold water.

Eighty-eight years after its creation by an act of Congress, Bonneville Power is widely viewed as both an engine of prosperity in the Northwest, and — at times — an obstacle to environmental goals and economic growth.

The rolling 10-year average return has gone up since the 1990s, but is still well short of goals set by the Northwest Power and Conservation Council.

The newly signed legislation follows reporting from Oregon Public Broadcasting and ProPublica that underscored the risks and costs associated with a plan to migrate salmon past hydroelectric dams using a giant fish collector and tanker trucks.

We’re sharing an episode from another OPB podcast: “Salmon Wars.” It tells the story of salmon in the Northwest in a way you haven’t heard before — through the voices of one Yakama Nation family who have been fighting for salmon for generations.

The tribe’s Winter Moon Celebration brings the community together to honor their sacred connection to salmon, reflect on environmental challenges, and pass down cultural traditions to future generations.

The Benton County Salmon Watch program has helped students learn about one of Oregon’s key migrations with hands-on experience for decades.

Average salmon and steelhead counts in the Columbia River Basin over the last decade are still well below officials’ goal of five million fish per year.

Researchers are using advanced technology and creative methods to study how migrating salmon and steelhead are returning to the river after the removal of four dams.

Chinook salmon are spawning in streams above four former dam sites on the Klamath River in numbers that are astounding biologists. Now, a network of tribes, agencies, university researchers, and conservation groups is working together to track the fish as they explore the newly opened habitat.