CRT Library
Salmon vs. Hydropower: Striking a balance in the Pacific Northwest
This article discusses the impacts of the CRT and interrelated agreements on salmon and suggests the use of treaty and non-treaty storage to assist in improving Columbia River salmon populations.
“In the Pacific Northwest, dams on the Columbia and Snake rivers have ravaged the salmon runs, once the most bountiful in the conterminous United States. Most of the dams were built primarily to generate hydroelectricity. Historically, hydropower interests have prevailed because it is widely believed that abundant, low-cost hydroelectric energy offers a means of economic diversification. Already, 92 percent of the basin’s potential hydropower capacity has been realized. This development has cut annual fish runs from an estimated 10 to 16 million to fewer than 3 million. Since passage of the Pacific Northwest Electric Power Planning and Conservation Act in 1980, however, the pendulum in the salmon versus power controversy has begun to swing toward a more equitable treatment of fish. Most of the fish-related activities under the act have been directed toward restoration of anadromous salmonids, such as Pacific salmon and steelhead trout, in the Columbia River system. Historical aspects of the problem, data on water budgets, installation and operation and operation of spillway fish passage facilities, and plans for future improvements are described.” (Taken from abstract)
Note: the full text is not available in the CRTDL. For library availability, check: http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/21223737
For online availability, check http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00139157.1990.9928996
Author: Muckleston, Keith W.
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
Date: 1990
