Salmon may yet swim in Whychus Creek

Salmon may soon swim in the waters of Whychus Creek (formerly Squaw Creek).

Closing out Central Oregon Community College’s winter Lunch and Learn program, Scott McCaulou outlined plans to reintroduce salmon to the Sisters waterway.

McCaulou, a researcher for the Deschutes River Conservancy, spoke at the Sisters Library and described several events that will take place over the next five years.

“Steelhead and Chinook fry will be planted in the creek during 2007,” he said. “By 2009 they should reach Round Butte dam, be removed there, and trucked for release into the Columbia River. After maturing the adults are expected to return during 2010-2011.

Since the early 1960s, these wild runs have been absent from the upper Basin. A $120 million project sponsored by PGE and the Warm Springs tribes will construct a 270-foot tower at the dam for removing salmon from Lake Billy Chinook and assisting in the trucking operation.

There are several concurrent actions that will improve chances for success of this project. Water flow and conservation in Whychus Creek will be important. Stream-side plant restoration will also improve chances of success.

Typical Whychus Creek August water flow averages 103 cubic feet per second at Pole Creek, before reaching Sisters, and 95 cfs at Alder Creek after Sisters, according to McCaulou. In the middle, going through town, Whychus Creek averages about 9 cfs.

This middle section has a poor flow rate and may affect overall success of reintroducing salmon. To ameliorate this problem and restore a better flow rate, water conservation efforts are needed, McCaulou said.

Reduction of water loss during flow would help, as would taking less water from the creek.

Ironically, the rapid growth in the area will actually contribute to restoration of the Middle Deschutes water flow according to Roger Prowell, assistant water supervisor for Bend.

“An acre of alfalfa takes about 10 acre-feet of water. An acre subdivision takes one acre-foot,” said Prowell.

Working to further these environmental objectives are the Deschutes River Conservancy, the Upper Deschutes Watershed Council, and the Deschutes Basin Land Trust.

Survival of the fry and success of the program is no sure thing. Earlier attempts (a $50 million dollar program) by PGE and Warm Springs Confederated Tribes to reintroduce salmon fry in Metolius River tributaries have not been overly successful (see The Nugget, March 22, 2000).

Part of the problem is that the fish become “confused” by the differing water temperatures from river mixing (Crooked, Deschutes, and Metolius Rivers) entering Lake Billy Chinook.

Spring Lunch and Learn returns on Wednesday, April 12. Call 383-7270 for information.