Wallowa Lake Sockeye Reintroduction: Operation and Maintenance Planning

Sockeye salmon, historically abundant in Wallowa Lake, were extirpated in the early 1900s. Wy-Kan-Ush-Mi-Wa-Kish-Wit identified the reintroduction of sockeye salmon as a high priority project in 1992. Estimate peak production of adult sockeye salmon from Wallowa Lake reached 24,000 to 30,000 fish prior to 1900. The U.S. vs. Oregon 2018-2027 Management Agreement also has identified a desire and commitment to work toward Wallowa Lake sockeye reintroduction. The Nez Perce Tribe (lead), in collaboration with Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, Idaho Department of Fish & Game, and federal partners, initiated a pilot project to reintroduce Sockeye Salmon in Wallowa Lake. The goal of the pilot project is to develop a donor stock source of sockeye adults for reintroduction. The actual reintroduction effort (putting sockeye back in Wallowa Lake), plan, and associated permits still need to be developed.



This proposal will support implementation of the multiple permitting and planning steps required to initiate and start and implement this historical sockeye project. Planning and coordination will include development of a comprehensive reintroduction plan, moving all required permitting applications through necessary process towards permitting approvals, providing support toward broodstock development, rearing and release strategies of fish from the project, and begin transition from a pilot project to a full hatchery production program. This is a Priority 1 project that will reintroduce and restore a population of salmon necessary for the exercise of treaty-reserved tribal fishing rights.



Sockeye reintroduction planning will occur under this project for two worksites:



#1 - Wallowa Lake Basin – Wallowa Lake, at elevation 4,383 ft and 792 river miles from the ocean, lies at the base of the Wallowa Mountains and is a classic example of a glacial moraine lake. The lake was formed by damming of the Wallowa River by two lateral moraines about 900 ft high and a lower terminal moraine at the north end of the lake. The Lake is approximately 3.5 miles long and 0.75 miles wide. The cross section of the lake is bowl shaped, with a maximum depth of 299 ft, and only 3% of the lake as littoral zone. The lake is fed by the Wallowa River, which branches into a West Fork and East Fork about 1 mile above the lake. The inflowing river has deposited a substantial alluvial plain that has been used by sockeye and kokanee for spawning.



#2 – Grande Ronde River Basin - The mainstem Grande Ronde River extends 212 mile from its headwaters in the Blue Mountains in Northeastern Oregon to its confluence with the Snake River in Washington. The Grande Ronde River enters the Snake River at river mile (RM) 168.7 and 493 miles above the mouth of the Columbia River. The Grande Ronde River is located above eight dams, four in the Columbia River and four in the Snake River.



The Grande Ronde is fed by four major tributaries, the Wallowa River, the Minam River and the Wenaha River. Mean monthly flows peak in April-June and the period of lowest flow extends from August through November, typical of a stream that is fed primarily by snow melt. The annual flow pattern in the Wallowa River is influenced by flow regulation at Wallowa Lake where a dam at the outlet, completed in 1929 to its present height, enables storage of up to 40,000 acre-feet of water. Water is stored in the lake primarily during April and May, thus reducing outflows, and is released during July-September to augment flow for irrigation.



Irrigation withdrawals during summer are a major influence on minimum streamflow. Water diversion rights for the Grande Ronde River, Catherine Creek, and Wallowa River total about 3,000 cfs. About 60% of these water rights are for irrigation. All three areas are over-appropriated so that not all rights can be filled, due to low natural streamflows. These water rights may pose a formi

The primary benefit of the program is that sockeye salmon will be restored to sufficient numbers in the Wallowa Lake Basin to support natural production, as well as tribal and non-tribal harvest. This level of production would provide for the Wallowa Lake broodstock to be naturally, self-sustaining and to provide a run sustaining hatchery supplementation. This program with require a substantial hatchery production component and the establishment of highly productive naturally spawning sockeye salmon to become self-sustaining. In addition reintroduction of Snake River Sockeye in Wallowa Lake will Increase spatial structure of an ESA listed (Endangered) species – Snake River Sockeye Salmon. Restoring salmon to Wallowa Lake and caring for the waters of this valley is of deep cultural importance to the Nimiipúu. This project will aid in fulfilling the Tribe’s duty and obligation to carefully manage Wallowa Lake, its watershed, and its fish. The ecological benefits of reestablishing anadromous fish could be substantial; the system has lacked what used to be significant marine-derived nutrients for more than a century. The project benefits will extend to several communities, tribal and non-tribal, that care for Wallowa Lake and its fish. Accordingly, this project will help to further integrate tribal knowledge and perspectives into Wallowa Lake’s management and provide several outreach opportunities as the program progresses.