Columbia River

This week's tour focused on the dams, and the important role they play not only in the Inland Northwest, but all the way to where the Columbia meets the Pacific.

The Washington State Department of Agriculture is preparing for another year of trying to eradicate an aggressive invasive cordgrass weed.  Starting June 1st, WSDA-led survey and eradication efforts for Spartina will occur in several areas around Grays Harbor, Hood Canal, Willapa Bay, the Puget Sound, the north and west sides of the Olympic Peninsula, the San Juan Islands and near the mouth of the

The water outlook for the Columbia Basin isn’t looking great, but things could change.  Larry Mattson, Director at the Office of the Columbia River, said a drier-than-normal winter seems to have left the Northwest with water supplies lower than normal.  But he acknow...

Once again, efforts are underway to remove the Snake River dams.  Officials in the state of Washington as well as the Federal level say the dams must be removed to help salmon migration numbers as well as the overall environment.  Central Washington’s Dan Newhouse said over the past four years of the Biden Administration, the dams have been in the crosshairs, despite the many benefits they bring t

Washington Department of Ecology Director Laura Watson has named Larry Mattson as director of the agency’s Office of Columbia River.  Mattson currently oversees renewable energy grants at the Washington State Department of Commerce.  He has also worked...

A reminder to everyone visiting the Columbia River: stay safe and avoid the water when toxic algae bloom is present.

The program is simple. During certain months of the year you can make big bucks fishing on the Columbia River. And, save salmon at the same time.

Temperatures will be much higher than normal, which will contribute to a quicker pace of snowmelt into waterways

According to the Washington state Department of Fish and Wildlife, fishery managers have developed options for the state’s ocean salmon fisheries that reflect improved forecasts for some key Columbia River Chinook stocks.  This also marks the 2nd consecutive year of large forecasts for hatchery coho returning to the Columbia River.  The Pacific F...

Last month, the EPA ordered the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to stop oil and other toxic chemical discharges into the Columbia River.  The announcement put the issue of river spills back to the front burner.  The group Columbia Riverkeeper sued the Corps last year, and says these pollutants harm fish and other wildlife in the Columbia and Snake Rivers.  Miles Johnson, Co...