Green Peter Reservoir in Oregon, once a haven for anglers seeking the thrill of kokanee fishing, has experienced a dramatic shift. Known for its abundant kokanee salmon, a landlocked sockeye variety prized by fishermen, the reservoir northeast of Sweet Home has seen its vibrant fishing scene dwindle, possibly to a standstill. This drastic change is the unintended consequence of a controversial reservoir drawdown, an operation aimed at bolstering the population of endangered spring Chinook salmon. For the community of Sweet Home and avid anglers, this shift represents a significant loss, impacting both local tourism and a beloved pastime.
The Unfolding Drawdown and its Impact on Kokanee
The story of Green Peter Reservoir’s kokanee decline is intertwined with the urgent need to protect Upper Willamette spring Chinook salmon, a native species teetering on the brink of extinction. Kokanee, while popular among anglers, are not native to Oregon and are stocked for recreational fishing. In contrast, spring Chinook are a vital part of the Pacific Northwest ecosystem and are protected under the Endangered Species Act.
To aid the struggling Chinook population, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, responsible for managing Green Peter Reservoir, initiated a reservoir drawdown. This process essentially empties the reservoir, transforming it back into a riverine environment. The goal is to facilitate the downstream migration of juvenile Chinook salmon (smolts) and grant them access to the ocean, a crucial step in their life cycle. Willamette Valley dams, including the one at Green Peter, are too tall for traditional fish ladders, necessitating alternative methods like trucking adult salmon upstream to spawn. However, the young salmon often become trapped in the reservoir during their journey downstream.
In 2021, a lawsuit from environmental groups led to a court order mandating drawdowns at Green Peter and Lookout Point Reservoirs. While the intention was noble – to save native Chinook – the unforeseen casualty was the kokanee population. Millions of kokanee were flushed out of Green Peter Reservoir during the drawdown, and unfortunately, most are believed to have perished.
The Kokanee Fishery: A Casualty of Conservation
For decades, Green Peter Reservoir was a premier kokanee fishing destination in Western Oregon, second only to Detroit Lake. Anglers like Brad Halleck, a board member of Kokanee Power of Oregon, recall the reservoir teeming with fishing enthusiasts. “If you didn’t get there by 7 a.m., the parking lots were full,” he remembers, emphasizing the popularity of kokanee fishing at Green Peter.
However, recent visits to the reservoir paint a starkly different picture. Anglers are now struggling to catch even a single kokanee. The drawdown, while intended to aid Chinook salmon, has effectively decimated the kokanee fishery at Green Peter. Fish biologists at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers confirm the grim outlook, stating that kokanee fishing is likely “dead at Green Peter in the foreseeable future.”
This loss is a significant blow to anglers and the local economy of Sweet Home. Mayor Susan Coleman highlights the dual impact: “Kokanee fishing was a favorite pastime of both locals and tourists. Many in our area used kokanee as a food source… So when all the kokanee died last October, it was a real hit to our community members and the tourism that helps our community thrive.”
Joseph Moritz, president of Kokanee Power of Oregon, echoes the sentiment, acknowledging the widespread disappointment. “A lot of people are upset,” he states, underscoring the emotional and economic repercussions of losing this popular fishery.
The Science Behind the Setback: Why Kokanee Couldn’t Survive
The reason for the kokanee die-off is rooted in their salmonid nature. As migratory fish, kokanee instinctively follow currents, leading them directly towards and through the dam during a drawdown. Greg Taylor, lead fish biologist for the Corps, explains, “I just don’t see a scenario for it working,” regarding maintaining a kokanee population with ongoing drawdowns.
Compounding the issue, the rapid change in water pressure during the drawdown caused “barotrauma and gas bubbles” in the kokanee, leading to immediate deaths for tens of thousands. While many initially survived the flush into Foster Reservoir and the South Santiam River, the downstream conditions are likely unsuitable for their long-term survival. Foster Lake, being smaller, is also not considered a viable alternative for kokanee fishing.
Hope for the Future? Rainbow Trout and the Possibility of Kokanee Restocking
Despite the kokanee setback, fishing at Green Peter Reservoir isn’t entirely over. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) has confirmed that rainbow trout stocking will continue. Rainbow trout offer a different fishing experience, but they provide an alternative for anglers who frequented Green Peter.
ODFW is also considering the possibility of restocking kokanee in the future. However, Beth Quillian, an ODFW spokeswoman, cautions that “evaluation of the drawdown impacts and rebuilding the fishery will take time.” The future of kokanee at Green Peter remains uncertain, dependent on the long-term drawdown strategy and its effects on the reservoir’s ecosystem.
Chinook Salmon Recovery: Early Results and Long-Term Prospects
The central justification for the Green Peter Reservoir drawdown is the recovery of endangered spring Chinook salmon. However, initial results have been less encouraging than hoped. Greg Taylor noted that the number of wild spring Chinook smolts migrating downstream in the first year of the drawdown was “very small.”
Using “screw traps” to monitor fish migration below the dams, the Corps captured fewer Chinook than anticipated – in the thousands, rather than the tens of thousands they were aiming for. Taylor emphasizes that it is still early days: “We should emphasize that this was the first year, and you really need to do this for multiple years before any conclusions can be reached about how well it’s working.”
Adjustments are being made to the drawdown process, such as releasing cooler water temperatures, to improve conditions for migrating Chinook. Positive signs include “test fish” successfully navigating through the dams and evidence of successful Chinook spawning in Quartzville Creek, a tributary above Green Peter.
Environmental groups like the Native Fish Society remain optimistic about the long-term benefits for Chinook. Jennifer Fairbrother of the Native Fish Society believes that the current research methods might not fully capture the positive impact and advocates for improved data collection. Mark Sherwood, executive director, emphasizes the critical need to prioritize native, imperiled species like Chinook, even if it means sacrificing non-native fisheries.
Tribal nations also strongly support the drawdowns. Kathleen George, a tribal councilwoman for the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, underscores the cultural significance of salmon: “Native salmon — icons of the Pacific Northwest — are a part of our identity, culture and heritage… Time is running out, and reservoir drawdowns are an important tool.”
The Cost of Conservation: Economic and Social Trade-offs
While the ecological goals of the drawdown are clear, the economic and social costs are undeniable. The demise of kokanee fishing at Green Peter has negatively impacted tourism in Sweet Home and surrounding areas. Local businesses that relied on angler traffic are feeling the pinch. Moreover, the loss of a readily accessible and popular fishing spot affects community recreation and traditions, including children’s fishing derbies that were once a staple at Green Peter.
Concerns extend beyond kokanee. The drawdown has also affected Sweet Home’s drinking water supply, highlighting the complex web of consequences associated with such large-scale environmental interventions. Joseph Moritz of Kokanee Power of Oregon raises a crucial question: “At what cost?” He points to the millions spent, the kokanee fishery destroyed, and the downstream impacts, urging a comprehensive assessment of the trade-offs.
The loss of Green Peter as a kokanee hotspot is also creating pressure on other regional fisheries, particularly Detroit Lake. As displaced anglers seek alternative locations, Detroit Lake is experiencing increased fishing pressure, potentially straining its own ecosystem and infrastructure.
The situation at Green Peter Reservoir exemplifies the difficult choices often involved in conservation efforts. Saving endangered species can come at a cost, sometimes impacting other valued species and human communities. The future of Green Peter remains uncertain, a landscape reshaped by the urgent need to protect native salmon, leaving anglers and the community of Sweet Home to adapt to a new reality.
