Efforts to expand the channel at the mouth of the Salmon River, allowing more Salmon to reach their spawning grounds appear to have succeeded in the face of challenging conditions.
Department of Fisheries and Oceans resource restoration biologist Sarah Ostoforoff says 82 chinook salmon passed a counting gate in Silver Creek with more spawning below the gate.
“The chances for the coho that will be coming up the river soon are good as well,” she said.
Higher water levels from increased rain and decreased irrigation in the area helped the salmon negotiate the shallow Salmon River delta but efforts by volunteers to widen the channel also assisted the fish.
Volunteers and employees of various government agencies worked to improve the channel Sept. 7 and 14. Members of the local fish and game club, the Ministry of Forests Lands and Natural Resources, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, the BC Wildlife Federation (BCWF) and the Neskonlith Indian Band participated in the stream consolidation.
The group used shovels, sandbags and biodegradable burlap fences to make the channel deep enough for the large chinook salmon to make their way up the river.
The channel, which was as shallow as a few inches in places was deepened to nearly two feet in places.
Ostoforoff said the smaller-bodied coho salmon could easily negotiate any channel deep enough for the chinook.
This year’s run was particularly small as it is a sub-dominant run and ocean temperatures have been warm which is detrimental to fish health.
“We’re happy to see that some did get through, but we’re always working to improve it,” Ostoforoff said.