Deschutes Water Temperature

This has been a hot topic. One that takes some serious research to figure what is going on with the changes in the Deschutes River and why. What is in the future of how water temperatures are managed? Is there a balance of having a successful reintroduction of anadromous fish above Lake Billy Chinook and a healthy river below? Here, we have chronologically linked related articles. With the overwhelming theme being healthy fish/river VS healthy fish/river. Confusing? Yes. We are hoping that all groups and agencies will, in short time, find the balance that is ideal for the fish passage, trout/bug health, angling opportunities, and a healthy river.


Links in the news:

July 22, 2010. "Recently, there has been considerable concern regarding the warm water temperatures on the Deschutes River. Our friend Matt, recently received information from Don Ratliff, senior fish biologists at the Pelton Round Butte Project, regarding the temperature change of the river."

http://oregonsteelhead.blogspot.com/2010/07/deschutes-river-water-temputures.html

July 29 2011. "The selective water withdrawal facility is now in its second year of operation, and we’re getting questions about how we’re managing water temperatures in the Lower Deschutes. Here are some answers for you:"

http://www.deschutespassage.com/news/?p=80

August 18, 2011. "This article explores keeping releases within state temperature guidelines, The difference noticed by fishermen on the lower 100 miles of the river, and its dramatically changing temperatures with fish behavior:"

http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2011/08/pge_cools_water_flows_in_deschutes_river_below_lake_bill_chinook.html

July 13, 2012."Many anglers know that temperatures on the Deschutes below the Pelton Round Butte Project are now being managed to reflect what they would be if the dams were not here. That is still the case:"
http://www.deschutespassage.com/news/?p=87

July 23, 2013. "After three years of complaints that a $130 million mixing tower in Round Butte Reservoir is raising water temperatures in and changing the nature of the lower Deschutes River, Portland General Electric is starting two studies to help determine if there is any scientific basis for the fears:" 
http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2013/07/in_the_hot_deschutes_river_por.html


August 12, 2013. "Dams hurt rivers. They block a river’s flow and harm water quality, fish and wildlife, and recreational opportunities. In some cases where a dam is outdated, unsafe, or has outlived its usefulness, American Rivers advocates for dam removal. But in many cases, keeping a working hydropower dam in place makes sense. And with some upgrades to the dam and its operations, we can make hydropower safer for rivers." - See more at: 
http://www.americanrivers.org/blog/improving-hydropower-dams-benefits-rivers/#sthash.K8WzU2Ad.dpuf

The current water temperature can be read by visiting the USGS link.

Occupy Skagit Update

photo by Sozinho Imagery

Yesturday 80 people showed their support for a Catch and Release fishery on the Skagit. OS is not advocating fishing over low returns -  it is about having a CnR season when numbers return to the 6,000 escapement level. Winter Steelhead numbers have declined over the last decade on the Skagit and other Washington Rivers. In 1988 there was 13914 spawners in the Skagit, in 2010 there was 4887. 

Chris Deleone a long time steelheader on the Skagit and OS participent shared this with me. "The Skagit did make escapement in 2012 with a total run size of 6,185.  Since a large percentage of Skagit fish are on a four cycle our hope is that we see over 4,500 fish this year - as you know in 2009 we had a very low return of 2,502 (we had a CnR season in 2009), if numbers are good that will show that even a CnR season on low returns does not hinder the long term recovery of Skagit Steelhead. Because of NOAA's current management plan - they will not open a specific river meeting escapement in Puget Sound, they are advocating a total Puget Sound Recovery - which in great, but if the Skagit has 6,000 to 9,000 fish returning and the Puyallup or Green are not meeting escapement - it make no sense to us that the Skagit should not have a regulated Catch and Release season on it.

So putting in place a basin by basin abundance management plan with WDFW and NOAA - when returns are strong say 2014 and after - it will not be a huge fight with government to open a river meeting escapement. Our goal is to be proactive and have a plan in place when things are good - we are all Steelheader's so being optimistic is in our blood."


There is a fishery management issue that needs to be addressed in Washington state and I commend the people who advocated for a catch and release fishery on the Skagit yesterday. This can only open the door to putting pressure on Washington Department of Fish and Game to address other management issues such as  the wild steelhead take regulation on the Olympic Peninsula, a single,barbless regulation and tribal netting. 

It isn't just sports fisherman suffering from the closer, rural businesses depend on the dollars that we spend, hotel cost, food and gas, it all adds up.

Occupy Skagit is bringing awareness to rivers such as the Skagit and advocating for catch and release of threatened, wild fish. I hope the movement keeps growing and will put pressure on agency's to mange a fishery for all stakeholders. Read more about the event here and if you can make it, Occupy Skagit will be going to Olympia next Saturday to a commissioner's meeting and voice their concerns. You can also participate by emailing your name and hometown with a message and they will carry them to Olympia for you. cr_skagit@yahoo.com

OS is not advocating fishing over low numbers of wild steelhead, when runs get over the escapement that a management decision is made to open a CnR fishery.

photo by Marty Howard