PUD working to allow fish to pass Wanapum
The backside of the Wanapum Dam as seen Sunday, where a large crack caused Grant PUD to drawdown the reservoir to relieve pressure on the dam.
BEVERLY - Grant PUD is working with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to figure out how to allow salmon and steelhead to pass the damaged Wanapum Dam.
Fish passage could be impacted if water levels stay at its current levels, Priest Rapids Complex Manager Mike Lewis said.
He said the fish ladder that salmon would use to get past the dam on their way upstream is currently out of the water, meaning fish could not use it.
Steelhead fish are currently swimming below the dam and will want to pass upstream in April, he said.
PUD spokesman Tom Stredwick said that if water levels stay low, they have two options: alter the fish ladder to allow fish to use it, or catch fish and haul them in a truck around the reservoir.
Lewis said the Department of Fish and Wildlife has trucks and drivers who could haul the fish, but they are already contracted to do other work this spring and may not have enough employees to fulfill the need, if asked.
He said it is very important that fish be able to travel upstream in spring, summer and fall. He added the Endangered Species Act mandates it.
Recreational fishing in that area of the Columbia could also be seriously impacted, he said. The Wanapum Reservoir boat launch and shoreline are closed to the public.
Grant PUD cancelled the unveiling of the Priest Rapids Fish Bypass, which was scheduled for April 23.
The PUD recently opened the Priest Rapids Recreation Area at Desert Aire and the Buckshot Recreation and Wildlife Area.
Stredwick said the PUD is still looking into what caused the crack, but does not have any answers.
He said the PUD is working with the 10 irrigators with land-use authorizations for surface-water withdrawals from the Wanapum Reservoir to mitigate the impacts to their water supply.