Snake River Basin Adjudication
Dworshak Hatchery Co-Management: Partnering for a new era of cultural and resource enhancementIn 2007, Dworshak National Fish Hatchery became a 'co-managed' facility as a result of the 2005 Snake River Basin Adjudication (SRBA) settlement agreement (PL108-447). This law established the Nez Perce Tribe of Idaho as Managers of Kooskia National Fish Hatchery, and as co-manager of Dworshak National Fish Hatchery. Both hatcheries are within the 1863 reservation boundaries, near the center of the original 1855 Treaty area that substantiates the Tribe's management authority.Coho Salmon RestorationThe Nez Perce Tribe began a Coho salmon restoration program under a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at Dworshak National Fish Hatchery in 1995. The program hopes to restore a viable population of these fish once extirpated by the Lewiston Dam built on the Clearwater River in 1927 (since removed in 1976). Coho salmon are collected and spawned at Dworshak National Fish Hatchery in the fall, between October and early December. The eggs are incubated until hatching into fry, which are then moved to indoor nursery tanks, and eventually outside raceways for a total of 17 months of rearing at the hatchery. Prior to release, the young salmon are trucked to Kooskia National Fish Hatchery in March/April for acclimation and eventual release into Clear Creek. Coho adults return 1-2 years after release. At present, 2-4 adults return for each female fish spawned at the hatchery. Approximately one-half of the returning Coho adults, also called Silver salmon, spawn naturally in the Snake River basin streams and tributaries, creating new wild populations.For more information, please visit the Nez Perce Tribe fisheries programs website or call (208) 843-7320. |
Last updated:
August 26, 2009
