Data from the Elwha River – and from several other rivers where dams have been removed – are consistent in their story: restoring and improving connectivity benefits migratory fish species.
Science Friday: Rapid diversification in Salmon and Steelhead Populations Following Dam Removal
In this week’s Science Friday post, John McMillan is back with a breakdown of a recent study looking at how steelhead, chinook, and coho are re-establshing their populations and diversity, on a pair of Elwha River tributaries between the former dam sites.
Seven years of science, advocacy, and marching with the steelhead army
Today is Science Director John McMillan’s last day with Wild Steelheaders United and in his final post, he reflects back on seven years of his work alongside a mighty steelhead army.
Science Friday: The shifting baseline of Olympic Peninsula steelhead
Much of the original evolutionary fabric of wild steelhead populations in the Pacific Northwest has been lost to history. But how much, exactly? A new report examining Olympic Peninsula steelhead sheds some light on that.
Living through highs and lows as a steelheader: Making the best of our bad situation
Western Washington steelheaders are faced with some tough decisions this year as runs on the Olympic Peninsula are forecast to be low but a reduced fishery is being allowed by WDFW. Here are some considerations before hitting the water.
A new normal for steelheading
In Washington, co-managers of coastal winter steelhead fisheries were faced with the difficult task this year of balancing angling opportunity and conservation. We break down the new emergency regulations and what the future may hold.
Field Day Friday: A peek into the former reservoirs of the Elwha River
We’re back with another Science Friday, this one an update on a recent Elwha River Field Day from our Science Director, John McMillan.
Field Day Friday: Elwha summer steelhead survey
Fall means another field season of studying steelhead in the Elwha River is over and this is the fourth consecutive year we have counted steelhead in the Elwha by snorkeling various river reaches.
Elwha River: Ten Years Later
Washington’s Elwha River is celebrating an important anniversary today. It’s been ten years since the start of deconstruction of two dams in the Elwha that blocked salmon and steelhead from returning to the majority of habitat in this remarkable watershed.
Field Day Friday: Releasing rescued steelhead into the Pacific Ocean
For this week’s Field Day Friday, we have a guest scientist, Riley Gallagher, providing us an update on his work with steelhead in the Carmel River on the central coast of California.