salmon migration
Credit: Susan Montgomery/Big Stock Photo
Hot weather poses new threat to salmon migration
Record-high temperatures in Washington state threaten the migration of sockeye salmon in the Columbia River Basin, raising concerns among fisheries managers about the future of these fish.
In short:
- A heat wave has pushed water temperatures in the Columbia River Basin above the 68-degree threshold preferred by sockeye salmon.
- The Okanogan River, a critical path for migrating sockeye, has seen temperatures near 83 degrees, risking the fish's journey to spawning grounds.
- Fisheries managers are considering interventions like trucking fish upstream to help them bypass dangerous thermal barriers.
Key quote:
“Those water temperatures are warmer than ever this year. Literally, they’re almost too warm to swim in.”
— Tom Iverson, regional coordinator for the Yakama Nation Fisheries
Why this matters:
Warmer water can severely impede salmon migration, threatening the species' survival and impacting ecosystems. Long-term climate trends could make these heatwaves more frequent, challenging conservation efforts.
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