26 
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
LOWER COLUMBIA RIVER. 
It being the desire of tlie Commissioner to establish a station for the hatching of 
salmon in the Lower Columbia Eiver basin, we were directed to visit and examine 
varions streams, particularly in the vicinity of The Dalles and Cascades, and select a 
site suitable for such purposes. 
The conditions requisite for such fish-cultural operations as were contemplated 
are essentially as follows: (1) An abundant supply of salmon easily obtainable when 
ripe, or nearly so; (2) water of proper quality as to purity and temperature and in 
sufficient quantity; (3) suitable land upon which to locate the hatchery building, and 
so situated as to permit the water to be brought to the hatching-troughs by means of 
gravity; (4) proximity of building materials and good railroad facilities. 
Upon taking up this inquiry it became at once evident that no definite informa- 
tion existed concerning the location of salmon-spawning beds anywhere in the Lower 
Columbia Eiver basin and information regarding the spawning time was equally 
uncertain and unreliable. It was therefore necessary to visit as many streams as 
possible and determine the facts by personal inspection and by interviews with people 
living on or near them. 
The telegraphic instructions dated August 1 directed that a site be definitely 
selected, and as soon as possible, in order that the station might be operated during 
the season of 1896. In order to be able to examine as many streams as possible in 
the brief time at our disposal Messrs. Cox and Alexander were ordered from 
Puget Sound to examine the Lewis Eiver and other streams below Vancouver, while 
Messrs. Evermann and Hubbard made examinations at the Cascades, The Dalles, 
Hood Eiver, Big White Salmon, and Celilo. These inquiries were made during the 
first ten days of August. Later (August 28 to September 6) Messrs. Evermann and 
Meek examined the Des Chutes, John Days, Hood, Big White Salmon, and Little 
White Salmon rivers, and on September 7 and 8 Messrs. Evermann and Hubbard 
reexamined Little White Salmon Eiver and examined Tanner and Eagle creeks near 
Bonneville. Mr. Hubbard also visited Hamilton and Eock creeks across the river 
from Cascades, and Mr. Alexander made an examination of Toutle Eiver, Wash- 
ington. Only the more important results of these various inquiries are given here, 
detailed reports having been made at the time to the Commissioner. 
LEWIS RIVER. 
This river forms the boundary between Clarke and Cowlitz counties, Wash., and 
flows into the Columbia between Vancouver and Kalarna. Two main branches, known 
as the North Fork and South Fork, unite only a few miles above the mouth of the river 
The North Fork has its headwaters on the eastern slopes of Mount St. Helens; the 
South Fork rises in Skamania County, southeast of Mount St. Helens. No salmon 
were seen in the North Fork at the time of Mr. Alexander’s visit, during the first 
week in August. It is said that the salmon of the spring run do not enter the river, but 
that large numbers of chinook salmon of the fall run enter it; also a good many silver 
salmon and steelheads. The Chinooks are said never to run in until after the 10th of 
August, when the close season begius. When the close season ends (September 10) 
fishing with gill nets and seines is carried on to some extent in this river. Some 
logging is carried on in this stream during the spring, but it ceases long before the 
salmon arrive. 
