85 



Salmon returning upstream to spawn. 

 (NMFS Photo; 



Cluster of salmon redds. 

 (NMFS Photo) 



grow and mature. Snake River salmon usually spend two to 

 three years in the ocean before they return to freshwater. 

 Snake River sockeye salmon enter the Columbia River in 

 June and July and return to Redfish Lake to spawn. Spring/ 

 summer Chinook salmon enter the Columbia River from 

 March through July and return to their natal streams to 

 spawn. The spnng/summer chinook that migrate early in 

 the year tend to spawn in the upstream reaches of the 

 tributary streams, while those arriving later spawn in the 

 lower reaches. Fall chinook salmon enter the Columbia 

 River from August through October and return to the 

 mainstem Snake River and lower reaches of major tributary 

 streams to spawn. 



WHAT IS THE PROBLEM- 

 WHY ARE THE SNAKE 

 RIVER SALMON IN 

 TROUBLE? 



There are many causes of the salmon stocks' decline in 

 abundance: dams, water use, overharvest, habitat 

 destruction, hatchery impacts, and other human-induced 

 factors all play roles in reducing the Snake River salmon 

 populations. No single factor is responsible for the full 

 extent of the decline, and no single action will restore them. 

 No "magic bullet" or single-purpose "fix" exists to recover 

 these salmon populations. 



