Helping Lewis River Salmon Come Home
Hold PacifiCorp Accountable for its Promise to Restore Salmon Runs
The Lewis River basin is famous for salmon, stunning waterfalls, big trees, blurry bigfoot sightings, and hydroelectric power. On its way to the mighty Columbia, the Lewis River flows through three large reservoirs: Yale, Swift, and Merlin. These reservoirs provide electricity and recreational opportunities. But the dams also stop Lewis River salmon and steelhead from reaching their native spawning streams.
In 2004, PacifiCorp (the company that owns the Lewis River dams, and a Berkshire-Hathaway subsidiary) promised the Cowlitz Indian Tribe, Yakama Nation, and the State of Washington that the dams would be improved to let salmon reach their spawning areas. Then, PacifiCorp tried to renege on its promise. Why? Building and running fish passage facilities costs money. If PacifiCorp breaks its promise, the company could pocket over $100 million.
“PacifiCorp seek[s] to avoid their fish passage obligations at the expense of the affected resources and the Cowlitz people, solely to obtain significant financial gain.”
-Cowlitz Indian Tribe
We can have salmon recovery and hydropower in the Lewis River—if PacifiCorp keeps its promises. Scientists agree that re-connecting salmon with existing, high-quality spawning habitat is the best way to recover the Lewis River’s spring Chinook, coho, steelhead, and bull trout.
“Full fish passage . . . is key to recovery for Lewis River anadromous populations of spring Chinook, winter steelhead, coho and bull trout.”
-Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife
Here’s what’s happening now:
Things are looking up for Lewis River salmon! During the fall of 2023, the Tribal, state, and federal agencies reached an agreement with PacifiCorp providing for new and aggresive timelines for the construction of fish passage. This is great news! But until PacifiCorp finishes building the fish passage facilities it promised to construct long ago, Columbia Riverkeeper will continue holding PacifiCorp accountable.