Prior to Euro-American development, there was one huge salmon run with the largest number of salmon returning during the summer. Unfortunately, water development projects on the tributaries of the Yakima, as well as the mainstem, have eliminated those runs that migrated during the summer, or utilized habitat in areas that are now unsuitable because of floodplain habitat alterations or water temperature. 
Thus we are left with species and runs whose migration timing and habitat areas are compatible with our water development. Fall Chinook migrate, spawn, and rear in the Lower Yakima River during times of the year when water temperatures are not excessive. Spring Chinook avoid high water temperatures by migrating through the lower river during the spring, and spawn and rear in the upper watershed where water temperatures are not normally a concern. Steelhead hold in the Columbia River and do not enter the Yakima River until water temperatures have moderated in the early fall, and complete their migration in the spring.
Historic Fish Runs in the Yakima Basin Video
Each species and run has different habitat requirements. Spring Chinook spawn in smaller streams, such as the upper Yakima, Cle Elum, Teanaway, American and Little Naches rivers. Juvenile spring Chinook spend 1 year in freshwater and then migrate to the ocean. Fall Chinook are big river spawners; the Columbia and Snake rivers and the lower Yakima River. Juvenile fall Chinook only rear in fresh water for approximately 3 months and then go to the ocean; which means their juveniles migrate during late spring and early summer, thus avoiding high water temperatures in most years. Summer Chinook are in between, literally; they return during the summer and exhibit life cycles similar to both fall Chinook and spring Chinook. Summer Chinook spawn primarily in the Wenatchee and Okanogan Rivers in Washington, as well as the Snake River drainage in Idaho. Washington juvenile summer Chinook migrate to the ocean during the spring and summer of their first year, much as fall Chinook, while Snake River summer Chinook behave more like spring Chinook, in that the juveniles rear in freshwater for a full year before migrating to the ocean.
Historically, The Chinook run in the Columbia River was one long silvery parade, beginning in February in the Lower Columbia River and lasting into November. Summer Chinook constituted the majority of this enormous bounty. Now we have 3 much-reduced humps on the graph representing small numbers of salmon in the spring, summer, and fall migration periods, instead of one big continuous curve.
Summer Chinook, along with sockeye and coho are extinct in the Yakima Basin. The Yakama Nation is in the process of re-introducing coho and sockeye. In 2010, approximately 13,000 Spring Chinook were counted at Prosser Dam, along with several thousand fall Chinook, coho, and steelhead.
A female Salmon digs a redd, or nest, in the gravel in the bottom of the river to deposit her eggs. When she is ready to lay a portion of her eggs, she releases pheromones to attract the male. Once the male 
joins her in the bottom of the redd, she releases some of her eggs and the male fertilizes them. The male then departs, while the female digs on the upstream edge of the redd, which covers the eggs while she excavates a new depression. When this depression is ready, she releases pheromones and repeats the process of laying eggs while a male fertilizes them. Each female will engage in 5-7 egg-laying episodes before she has deposited all of her 3000 to 5000 eggs in the gravel. When she completes her task, all of the eggs will be covered by 12-16 inches of gravel, which provides protection for the eggs. After spawning is completed, all Pacific salmon die; this final sacrifice provides essential nutrients for the food chain that will support the juvenile salmon during their time rearing in freshwater.
Life Cycle of Spring Chinook on the Cle Elum River Video
In December, the eggs hatch. The alevins, or sac fry, stay in the gravel and gradually absorb the orange-colored yoke sac. The fry remain in the gravel through the winter and into the spring. In May, when the water is warming up and food production in the river accelerates, the yolk is completely absorbed and the fry have to emerge from the gravel and begin to feed on their own. Spring Chinook spend a full year in freshwater before migrating to the ocean the following spring. Instead of swimming to the ocean, they ride the high water, or “freshet”, created by the melting mountain snow-pack. This high water is equivalent to a human catching a bus and riding to the mouth of the Columbia River.
"The Bus" Catching the High Water Video
Research results indicate that the survival of spring Chinook in the Yakima Basin from the egg phase to migrating to the ocean as smolts averages approximately 5%. When they return, the surviving adults will spawn in the same area of the river that they themselves came from. The ability to locate their natal gravel is one of the marvels of the natural world.
Return to Natural Production Video
The best basin to do significant restoration of natural production in the Columbia River system is in the Yakima Basin. To be sure, we have challenges in water management and flows. But, if we provide a large quantity of water in the Yakima River basin dedicated to salmon restoration, there is no reason we can’t produce greatly increased salmon runs. There is a lot of potential in this Basin but we must have a vision as big as the potential.
Yakima Basin Low Flow Problems Video
We can’t maintain agriculture at the current acreage, provide that acreage with sufficient water during droughts, and produce greatly increased salmon runs with the water supplies from the Yakima Basin. There is only one place to get the large quantity of water to provide for both irrigation and fish restoration, and that is from the Columbia River.
How to Save Agriculture and Fish in the Yakima Basin Video
Bring water out of the Columbia River and put it in the Roza and Sunnyside canals and then unhook those districts from the Yakima River. The Yakima Basin water supply formally used by those two districts could then be utilized to support salmon restoration throughout the basin, while still providing the water needed for irrigation from the Columbia River. In addition, we need to build passage at the storage dams, and purchase, protect, and restore floodplain and riparian habitat. Central to this restoration strategy is the restoration of the 100 miles of the lower Yakima River.
We had a vision 30 years ago; what was once only a vision, a dream, is not reality. We can go see this new reality, we can stand on it; most importantly, we can watch it spawn in the river. We have constructed fish ladders and fish screens throughout the Yakima Basin; we have modified water management to protect redds and aid migrating fish.
Yakima Basin Flip Flop Process for Fish Video
We now need to move on to a new vision, so that 30 years from now that, too, will be reality. That vision is a secure and prosperous agricultural economy, and vastly increased salmon runs in the Yakima Basin. That vision requires new solutions and bold approaches. The idea of pumping water out of the Columbia River is not new. It is already being done on the Umatilla River, and planning to implement a similar project in the Walla Walla River is well underway. The Umatilla Project has been successful in supplying the irrigation water needed while providing water for fish. In addition, pumping out of the Columbia River is the probable solution to declining groundwater in the Odessa area.
Pattern of Water Exchange in River Basins Video
Twenty years from now climate change is really going to be a driver of our water supply in the Yakima Basin. It will affect either the timing or total amount, or both. The water exchange project with the Columbia River would allow us to meet this unprecedented challenge without causing economic and social upheaval.
Climate Change Video
Sockeye above Lake Cle Elum Video
The choice is ours: Boldly prepare for the future, or be prisoners of the future. Control our own destiny, or have our destiny determined by outside forces and decisions.
By Bob Tuck
