Salmon vs. hydropower: Striking a balance in the Pacific Northwest

Journal Article · · Environment; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/00139157.1990.9928996· OSTI ID:6160305

Muckleston, K W

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.

• OSTI ID: 6160305
• Journal Information: Environment; (USA), Journal Name: Environment; (USA) Vol. 32:1; ISSN 0013-9157; ISSN ENVTA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

13 HYDRO ENERGY
130600* -- Hydro Energy-- Environmental Aspects
ANADROMOUS FISHES
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
CONTROL
DAMS
ELECTRIC POWER
ENERGY SOURCES
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
FEDERAL REGION X
FISH PASSAGE FACILITIES
FISHES
HABITAT
HISTORICAL ASPECTS
HYDROELECTRIC POWER
HYDROELECTRIC POWER PLANTS
INSTALLATION
MANAGEMENT
MAPS
NORTH AMERICA
OPERATION
PLANNING
POWER
POWER GENERATION
POWER PLANTS
PROCESS CONTROL
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
RESOURCES
RIVERS
SALMON
STREAMS
SURFACE WATERS
USA
VERTEBRATES
WATER RECLAMATION
WATER RESOURCES