PORTLAND, Ore. – Pacific lamprey, an ancient, eel-like fish species, are seeing returns 170 percent higher than the 10-year average (2013-2022) at Bonneville Lock and Dam this year. Lamprey numbers are also 252 percent higher than the four-year average, according to biologists responsible for reporting the number of fish counted as they migrate upstream past mainstem Columbia and Snake River dams.
So far, fish counters have tallied 63,863 lampreys moving through the fish ladders during the daytime at Bonneville as of September 18. The 10-year average daytime fish ladder count total is 41,414, if one counts this year's run. If one uses the final numbers from the 2022 Annual Fish Passage Report, which references completed counts over...
09.25.2023 | PORTLAND, OR, US |
Story by Tom Conning
Pacific lampreys pass through Bonneville Lock & Dam using fish ladders and special ramp-like lamprey passage structures and seen here through viewing windows at the Bradford Island Visitor’s Center, July 6, 2023.
Pacific lamprey, an ancient, eel-like fish species, are seeing returns 170 percent higher than the 10-year average (2013-2022) at Bonneville Lock and Dam this year. Lamprey numbers are also 252 percent higher than the four-year average, according to biologists responsible for reporting the number of fish counted as they migrate upstream past mainstem Columbia and Snake River dams.
Pacific lampreys belong to a primitive group of fishes that are eel-like in form but lack the jaws and paired fins of true fishes. Pacific lampreys have a round sucker-like mouth, no scales and gill openings. Identification of lampreys depends largely on the number, structure and position of teeth found in adult lamprey.
(USACE photo by Kerry Solan)
Kye Carpenter, Natural Resource Specialist for the Walla Walla District, worked with Cascade Natural Gas to make the sign a positive addition for park visitors as well as the Corps. His idea was to use the back of the sign as a water safety sign with a life jacket loaner board station. He provided the artwork and hooks along the bottom to hold life jackets. Cascade liked the idea and paid for the sign and installation of a railing with nine hooks. Now the Cascade Natural Gas sign will have a positive use for park visitors and the Corps, spreading the all-important message of water safety.
