Water Stewardship Information Sources
| ID | 59 |
|---|---|
| Citation | Arterburn, J, Kistler, K and Fisher, C. 2007. Anadromous Fish Passage Barriers in the Okanogan Basin. Prepared for Colville Tribes Department of Fish and Wildlife. |
| Organization | Colville Confederated Tribes |
| URL | http://colville.whydevelop.com/media/files/Barriers%20to%20anadromous%20fish%20in%20the%20Okanogan%20River.pdf |
| Abstract/Description or Keywords | The Okanogan River Basin is large, spanning over 8,000 square miles and is located within north central Washington State and south central British Columbia (Figure 1). Tributary habitat for anadromous salmonids was historically limited because of the geographic features of the Okanogan river valley. Anthropogenic changes such as irrigation diversion and road culverts have further reduced the amount of tributary habitats accessible to anadromous fish for both spawning and rearing. Basic information on both historic and current habitats accessible to anadromous salmonids can be determined relatively easily by experienced biologists. For most streams the terminus for anadromous fish is defined by a substantial geomorphic or man-made feature such as falls, dams, culverts, gradients, diversions, etc... Little information exists for several streams most importantly in reaches accessible by anadromous salmonids. In an effort to evaluate current habitat conditions of tributaries of the Okanogan River Basin as associated with the anadromous salmonids, primarily summer steelhead, surveys were conducted in Antoine Creek, Ninemile Creek, Loup Loup Creek, Tonasket Creek, Bonaparte Creek, Wanacut Creek, Whistler Canyon Creek and Wildhorse Spring Creek in the United States (Figure 2) and along major tributaries in Canada. These surveys provide important information that can be utilized by agencies, managers, planning group, tribes, and the public. Factors that are limiting summer steelhead production will help address recovery needs for the entire upper Columbia ESU that has been listed as endangered since 1997. This document is organized in an upstream direction with information from Chiliwist Creek first and streams in Canada last. |
| Information Type | report |
| Regional Watershed | Okanagan, Similkameen |
| Sub-watershed if known | Inkaneep Creek, Vaseux Creek, Park Rill Creek |
| Aquifer # | |
| Comments | primarily US streams |
| Project status | complete |
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