Warm Springs Salmon Restoration Plan

No Description entered.

The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs manages 100% of the Deschutes population of the Mid Columbia spring Chinook. All spawning and rearing of this population occurs on the Tribes Reservation. Also 100% of the westside Deschutes population of the East Cascades MPG occurs on the reservation. Recently, coho have started to migrate into Warm Springs River tributaries in greater numbers. Unknown is the potential impacts of coho and the history of coho in the basin. Currently, the CTWSRO does not have a plan for coho in the basin.


There is a great pressure and need to manage these species for multiple uses in the basin. Currently, the Pelton Round Butte complex Chinook and Steelhead Reintroduction Plan identifies the use of wild stocks of spring Chinook and summer steelhead as the preferred choice, believing the wilds would have the greatest success. This can only occur if populations achieve management objectives and demonstrate the populations can be used to support reintroduction. Similarly, bull trout is currently being used as starter populations in the Clackamas system where they have been extirpated. The Deschutes River fall Chinook is identified in the Pacific salmon treaty as an indicator stock and the spawning population number are reported each year for determining ocean harvest impacts. The current spawner number needs to be evaluated and updated to ensure we are managing for the species and provide statistical back up for the Pacific Salmon Treaty that the spawning numbers are appropriate. The current spawner threshold is set at 2,500 redds.


The plan will benefit each species by including updated current population escapements, habitat use, and the development of a carrying capacity for each species. This information will provide guidance to potential habitat opportunities in coordination with watershed assessments and current watershed restoration plans to address the threats associated with limiting factors impacting each species population health. The document would provide policy leaders with opportunities and tools to guide the management and recovery of the culturally significant species occurring on CTWSRO reservation lands.