Colville Confederated Tribes and the Okanagan Nation Fisheries
Colville Confederated Tribes and the Okanagan Nation Fisheries Commission
SALMON RECOVERY ISSUES ôThe Okanagan basin once supported yearround Okanagan salmon fisheries ôSockeye migration is terminated at Mc. Intyre Dam ôIf passage is provided at Mc. Intyre Dam, the next impedance is Skaha Lake Outlet Dam ôBoth dams could be bypassed, laddered or removed
Okanagan Sockeye ôLast of Upper Columbia River’s wild salmon ôOne of only 2 remaining viable Columbia Sockeye populations ôAccess above Mc. Intyre Dam will provide spawning area for 9000 pairs ôReturning Okanagan Sockeye to their historic range would substantially increase the amount of rearing habitat
HISTORY OF PROJECT ô BPA Project 20000 -1300 Evaluation of an Experimental Reintroduction of Sockeye Salmon into Skaha Lake ô CCT and ONFC are presently evaluating the risks associated with extending the run further into its historic range ô At the completion of the risk assessment, Canadian Fisheries Authorities will decide whether to provide sockeye passage into Skaha Lake ô At this time, passage past Mc. Intyre Dam occurs on a limited basis
Project Description ôDesign and construct fish passage facilities at Mc. Intyre dam and Skaha Lake outlet Dam (options include laddering, bypassing or removal of the dam) ôScreening of South Okanagan Land Irrigation District (SOLID) irrigation intake – Screens will prevent loss of sockeye smolts migrating downstream – Town of Oliver will maintain and operate the screens once they have been installed
Objectives ô Year 1: Planning and consultation to determine the benefits, costs and risks of dam removal, ladders and bypasses and the most appropriate option chosen ô Year 2: Preferred option implemented and conduct sockeye enumeration and distribution above and below Mc. Intyre Dam ô Year 3: Post construction, ONFC will conduct fry migration, and spawner enumeration and distribution for three years
Rationale ô Removing passage barriers will provide access for an additional 6. 8 miles/11 kilometers of the Okanagan River ô Will provide additional rearing areas in Vaseux and Skaha Lakes (areas are currently being quantified) ô Ensure the viability of Okanagan River sockeye population
Partnerships ôONFC and CCT are working cooperatively to restore salmonid populations in the Okanagan Basin ôHave the support of Ministry of Water Land Air Protection, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and the Town of Oliver
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