A review of potential conservation and fisheries benefits of breaching four dams in the Lower Snake River (Washington, USA)

Abundances of important and imperiled fishes of the Snake River Basin continue to decline. We assessed the rationale for breaching the four lower Snake River Basin dams to prevent complete loss of these fishes, and to maximize their likelihood of recovery. We summarize the science surrounding Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka), Chinook Salmon (O. tshawytscha), steelhead (O. mykiss), Bull Trout (Salvelinus confluentus), White Sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus), and Pacific Lamprey (Entosphenus tridentatus). From this, we drew ten conclusions: (1) development of the Columbia River System (including the Snake River Basin) has converted mainstem rivers into reservoirs, altering fish behavior and survival; (2) most populations currently record their lowest abundance; (3) the Columbia River System dams reduce productivity of diadromous fishes in the highest-quality spawning grounds that could buffer against future climate dynamics; (4) past actions have done little to reduce impacts or precipitate recovery; (5) the Columbia River System constrains survival and productivity of salmon, steelhead and Bull Trout; (6) Snake River Basin salmon and steelhead remain at high extinction risk; (7) eliminating migration impediments and improving mainstem habitats are essential for maintaining genetic diversity and improving Bull Trout persistence; (8) the lower Snake River Basin dams preclude passage of adult White Sturgeon, constraining gene flow and recruitment; (9) the lower Snake River Basin dams impede dramatically passage of adult and juvenile Pacific Lamprey, and (10) Snake River Basin Pacific Lamprey is at high risk of extirpation. Breaching the four lower Snake River Basin dams is an action likely to prevent extirpation and extinction of these fishes. Lessons from the Columbia River System can inform conservation in other impounded rivers.