Due to the most extreme drought conditions recorded in BC history, streams and side channels along rivers are drying up putting salmon survival and reproductive success at risk. Multiple projects supported by the Pacific Salmon Foundation (PSF) are underway. Varying from digging dry gravel bars to narrowing channel widths, the projects aim to ensure that the salmon have easy access to spawning grounds and migration paths. Current projects are as follows:

• the Coldwater River near Merritt led by Scw’exmx Tribal Council and Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO);
• the Simpcw (Dunn Creek) Hatchery in the North Thompson watershed led by Simpcw; and
• Tranquille River near Kamloops led by DFO with support from Secwepemc Fisheries Commission.

With funding support from the Province of BC kickstarting a Climate Adaptation Fund at PSF, the collaborative rapid response group has approved $76,000 to activate these four projects to help combat the adverse impacts of climate change on salmon.

Featured Image: jim22lawrence, iNaturalist CC-BY-NC

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