Clearwater Coho Restoration originated with the Nez Perce Tribe in 1994 thru the U.S. V. Oregon process. The Tribe took 800,000 eggs declared surplus by state and federal managers. In 1997, the first adult coho returned over Lower Granite Dam in over 20 years of absence. Monitoring of fish shows that natural spawning has begun to occur. Restoring natural spawning populations is the Tribe's primary goal. Secondly, coho harvest by tribal members could once again become a reality in local rivers and streams.

This project is funded by the NOAA Fisheries Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund. Yearly releases since 1999 have been 1.1 million juveniles consisting of 830,000 smolts and 270,000 parr (100% of goal for all but one year). In 2004, adult returns reached a high of 3,898 at Lower Granite Dam and 2,104 were trapped at Clearwater weirs with 419 females spawned to produce almost 900,000 eggs. At least 35 redds were counted in tributary streams; 498 adults were passed at weirs to spawn naturally. A master plan for expanding the program was submitted to BPA in September 2004 that would release acclimated smolts to achieve higher adult numbers.

 

Project Staff
Staff Person	Title	Phone	E-Mail
Zachary Penney	Project Leader	(208) 843-7320 Ext. 2431	zachp@nezperce.org
William Coomer	Technician II	(208) 476-4591

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