The Columbia Basin Circa 1940

"To build an industrial empire from the wasted power of the Columbia...They moved mountains and froze a land slide...Bonneville and Grand Coulee are only the beginning. Ten million horsepower of new energy swiftly can be harnessed on America's mightiest stream. Tame the hazardous rapids. Open the Columbia waterway to navigation 500 miles inland. Provide endless water power...Reclaim another million acres of dry but fertile land." --Bonneville Power Administration film The Columbia, circa 1950

Salmon Mortality in 1940:

The ratio of natural mortality declines due to commercial fishing.
Trapping of beaver reduces rearing habitat in beaver ponds.
Over-grazing damages streamside vegetation.
River corridors, estuaries and wetlands are affected by urbanization.
The use of splash dams for logging destroys stream beds.
Hydroelectric facilities and irrigation dams on tributaries block access to spawning areas.
Water drawn for irrigation, industry, cities and towns reduces river flow.
Water quality is degraded by a wide variety of causes.

Introduction
The Columbia Basin in 1770
The Columbia Basin in 1940
The Columbia Basin Now
Other Salmon Links


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Salmon Mortality in 1940:

Updated:Thursday, 04-Feb-2010 21:20:27 PST URL is http://www.orst.edu/instruction/anth481/sal/cr1940.htm

Updated:Thursday, 04-Feb-2010 21:20:27 PST
URL is http://www.orst.edu/instruction/anth481/sal/cr1940.htm