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THE LOCATION

The Upper Salmon Basin Watershed Project encompasses the Salmon River and its tributaries, from the mouth of the Middle Fork of the Salmon River to the headwaters near Stanley, Idaho.  This includes the North Fork Salmon River, Lemhi River, Pahsimeroi River, East Fork Salmon River, and the Yankee Fork Salmon River drainages, which have a combined drainage area of over 4 million acres (see map below).

THE PROBLEM

Chinook salmon redd counts have occurred throughout the upper Salmon River basin since about 1960. These counts are an indication of the numbers of fish returning to each drainage. In 1992, only 15 redds were counted in the Lemhi River as compared to nearly 1,300 in 1961. This has occurred proportionately in all drainages of the Salmon River.

THE VISION

To provide a basis of coordination and cooperation between local, private, state, tribal, and federal fish and land managers, land users, land owners and other affected entities to manage the biological, social, and economic resources to protect, restore, and enhance anadromous and resident fish habitat.

Ranchers and community members tour the Upper Salmon River Watershed.

Project Objective:

To maintain, enhance and restore anadromous and resident fish habitat, while also achieving and maintaining a balance between resource protection and resource use on a holistic watershed management basis.

A chinook salmon creating a redd (nest) on Camas Creek.

Read about us in an article by the Northwest Power and Conservation Council