Elevating Awareness of Native Salmon Culture and Policy

In the 1960s and 1970s, the construction of the Four Lower Snake River Dams in Eastern Washington marked a significant chapter in the region's history. Presented as symbols of progress and prosperity, these dams were intended to facilitate navigation, harness hydroelectric power, and provide irrigation for agricultural expansion. However, this progress came at a steep cost.

The creation of the dams necessitated the flooding of vast areas of traditional Indigenous lands, including ancestral fishing grounds crucial to the survival and cultural identity of the Nez Perce, Yakama, Umatilla, and Warm Springs tribes.

The dams fundamentally altered the ecosystem of the Snake River basin, and created consequences for its inhabitants. Among the most devastating impacts was the disruption of the natural migration patterns of wild salmon. The Snake was once teeming with salmon, supporting not only the Indigenous peoples but also the web of life in the region. However, the construction of the dams disrupted the natural migration patterns. Today, several species of salmon, specifically Steelhead, face the threat of extinction due in large part to the barriers imposed by the dams. 

The ecological consequences of the dams extend far beyond the salmon themselves, encompassing entire ecosystems that have been irreversibly altered. The dams have disrupted sediment transport, altered water temperatures, and degraded water quality, leading to the loss of habitat for countless species of plants and animals. Additionally, the stagnant reservoirs created by the dams have become breeding grounds for toxic algae blooms, further imperiling the health of the ecosystem and the communities that depend on it. 

Fragiacomo, Jazzmin. “Why Give a Dam about the Snake River.” School of Marine and Environmental Affairs, n.d. https://smea.uw.edu/currents/why-give-a-dam-about-the-snake-river/. 

“Youth Salmon Protectors.” Youth Salmon Protectors – Idaho Conservation League, n.d. https://www.idahoconservation.org/youth-salmon-protectors/.