Tribes Worry Over Lower Columbia Gorge Coho Runs With Forest Fires
Listen
The forest fires raging in the Columbia River Gorge are unlikely to disturb adult coho salmon right now. But Northwest tribal fishers are worried about what will happen in the fall.
Tribes are particularly concerned with a distinct group of coho salmon that spawn on the Oregon side of the Gorge, especially those that use the tributaries of the Columbia and Sandy rivers. Numbers wise, they say the fires are not going to decimate all Columbia coho. But for this small population of threatened fish, it’s a major upset.
Seth White, a watershed ecologist for Northwest tribes, said spawning time and fall rains could be a deadly match-up this autumn.
“Because what’s going to happen is that rain is going to bring down a lot of the ash and the sediments and the woody debris and a lot of the other things that have gotten into the stream from the fire,” White said.
These fish may use nearby streams for decades while the affected watersheds recover—that’s what happened after Mt. St. Helens. White said some streams could take up to 50 years to recover.
The tribes are also concerned that several of their traditional fishing sites are under evacuation or close watch. And some tribal fishers have put down their nets to fight the fires.
Copyright 2017 Northwest News Network. To see more, visit Northwest News Network.
Related Stories:
Unpacked: Giving spiritual meaning to food during Lent
For Lent this year, the Rev. Rene’ Devantier of Spokane’s Fowler United Methodist Church uses real food and drink elements. (Credit: Cody Wendt / FāVS News) Listen (Runtime 1:47) Read
United Farms Workers call for boycott of Windmill Farms products at Tacoma rally
People traveled from across Washington state to rally outside of a Tacoma Safeway store in support of farm workers Monday afternoon.
The United Farm Workers and their supporters are calling on Windmill Farms in Sunnyside to recognize the unionization efforts and give workers a contract. The union said workers have been trying to get recognition for two years.
Flatt named in 2025 WSU Tri-Cities Women of Distinction class
Courtney Flatt, Northwest Public Broadcasting’s senior environment and energy correspondent. (Credit: Washington State University Tri-Cities) Read Courtney Flatt, Northwest Public Broadcasting’s senior environment and energy correspondent, was named a Woman
