Salmon and Steelhead in the White Salmon River after the Removal of Condit Dam – Planning Efforts and Recolonization Results

Condit Dam, at river kilometer 5.3 on the White Salmon River, Washington, was breached with an explosive blast in 2011, and completely removed in 2012. This action released 1.8 million m³ of sediment and opened habitat to migratory fish for the first time in 100 years. The White Salmon Working Group was formed to create plans for fish salvage in preparation for fish recolonization and to prescribe the actions necessary to restore anadromous salmonid populations in the White Salmon River after Condit Dam removal. Studies conducted by work group members and others served to inform management decisions. Management options for individual species were considered, including: natural recolonization, introduction of a neighboring stock, hatchery supplementation, and monitoring natural recolonization for some time period to assess the need for hatchery supplementation. Fall Chinook Salmon were transported above the dam during the year of removal and natural recolonization has occurred with no supplementation planned as of 2015.  Monitoring to date indicates that multiple species and stocks of anadromous salmonids are finding and spawning in the now accessible and recovering habitat.