Instream Flow Characterization of Upper Salmon River Basin Streams, Central Idaho
Status: Completed
Historically, upper Salmon River Basin rivers, streams, and lakes have provided migration corridors and significant habitat for anadromous chinook salmon, sockeye salmon, and steelhead trout. Bull trout also inhabit many of these rivers and streams. However, human development has modified the original flow in a number of key stream reaches. Reduced flow caused by diversions has:
- affected the quantity and quality of fish habitat
- limited the migration and/or access to suitable spawning and rearing habitat
- increased water temperatures (which may prove to be unsuitable for native salmonids)
Flow restoration projects in the headwaters of the upper Salmon River will provide immediate localized benefits by restoring quality, quantity, and access to important spawning and rearing habitats. As more streamflow characterization studies are completed and more flow-restoration projects are implemented, streamflows needed for migration, spawning, and rearing for all fish will be systematically improved. Furthermore, the restored streamflows have the potential for improving spawning and rearing habitat within downstream reaches of the main stem of the Salmon River. If the restored streamflows are protected from downstream diversion, conditions for survival throughout the Salmon River migration corridor and long-term productivity of the stocks could improve.
