FAQs
About The Snake river dams
Where does the Snake River Flow?
The Snake River is the biggest tributary to the Columbia River. It begins in Wyoming and moves across into southern Idaho. From Idaho, the Snake turns north along the Idaho-Oregon border. The river then goes into Washington state where it flows west to the Columbia River.
Snake River – Yellow
Columbia River – Blue
Snake River Meets Columbia River – AmericanRivers.org
Where are the lower Snake River dams and when were they built?
The four dams on the lower Snake River were built between the 1950s and 1980s by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The four dams were built along the Snake River in Washington State. Known as the Lower Snake River Dams, these four dams are:
- Ice Harbor
- Lower Monumental
- Little Goose
- Lower Granite
Lower Snake River Dams – ColumbiaRiverKeeper.org
Why were the lower Snake River dams built?
The lower Snake River dams were built for a few reasons. Railroad transportation of goods was expensive and people were looking for cheaper ways to move their goods. Farmers and other businesses could use the river to move their goods on barges that were inexpensive. Generating electricity via hydroelectric power for a growing Northwest population was a key reason that the lower Snake River dams were built. Irrigation of crops was also reason that the dams were built.
How many Snake River dams are there?
There are a total of 22 dams on the Snake River. These dams are:
- 5 dams in Idaho
- 3 dams on the Idaho/Oregon border
- 4 dams in Washington.
FAQs
About The FISH
What fish are in the Snake River?
The Snake River is home to a variety of fish and other aquatic species. The fish species include:
- Steelhead Trout (Ocean Trout)
- Rainbow Trout
- Cuthroat Trout
- Wide-mouth Bass
- Chinook Salmon
- Sockeye Salmon
Which fish are the most threatened along the Snake River and the Columbia Basin?
The Upper Columbia spring Chinook and the Snake River sockeye are among
the most imperiled stocks, holding on in small numbers, while Snake River fall Chinook salmon have moved further towards recovery.
Why are the salmon negatively impacted by the lower Snake River dams?
Salmon and Steelhead cannot safely and quickly reach their spawing grounds. Born in Idaho, Oregon, Washington state and Wyoming, Salmon and steelhead salmon (ocean trout) make a run to the ocean and then a return to their birthplace and spawning grounds some 900 miles from the mouth of the Columbia River. They swim through a dangerous and unforgiving gauntlet of dams to reach their spawning grounds located in Idaho and Wyoming.
How do the salmon stocks affect the Southern Resident Killer Whales?
The Southern Resident Killer Whales rely on the annual returns of chinook salmon to feed and sustain them. With the continued collapse of the salmon runs, the Southern Resident Killer Whales find themselves in a precarious situation where starvation is always knocking at the door.
Are the orcas the only ones that rely on the chinook salmon?
Salmon and steelhead support other animals in the Pacific Northwest ecosystem, including California sea lions, seals, and seabirds.
