Winter Steelhead Migration, by Erika Lang

If you live along the South Santiam River and its main tributaries, a winter steelhead fish may catch your eye as it journeys up river to its spawning grounds. The historical distribution of this anadromous fish extends south along the Pacific coast of North America to northern Baja California. Steelhead are commonly described as either summer-run (summer steelhead) or winter-run (winter steelhead), based on time and duration of spawning migration and state of sexual maturity at the time of river entry. Winter steelhead follow a similar life cycle as salmon; they are born and reared in freshwater and then migrate to the ocean. After spending one to four years in the ocean, they return to their natal streams between December and May to spawn.

Steelhead may spawn more than once, as they do not always die after spawning. Steelhead spawn in clear, cool, well-oxygenated streams with suitable gravel and water velocities.

Approximately 70 to 80 percent of fish that navigate Willamette Falls are destined for the Santiam River system. In the past ten years, winter steelhead counts at Foster Dam have ranged from under 400 returning adults to just over 1,000. Winter steelhead are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.

Here's what you can do to protect them:

€ Use Catch and Release practices when you fish: Although summer-run hatchery fish may be kept (these will have a clipped dorsal fin), wild steelhead must be released.

€ Plant native plants along the stream to improve water quality. Riparian plants provide shade which can help lower water temperature and improve fish habitat. Downed wood in the stream provides resting pools for fish as they journey upstream. Plants help stabilize stream banks and reduce erosion; this results in less river sedimentation.

€ Dispose of household chemicals and livestock/pet waste properly. Look around your property for chemicals that could be washed into the river system during rain events.

€ Report poachers!

Upcoming event

The "Living on the Land Workshop for Small Acreage Landowners" workshop series is specifically designed for the small acreage landowner, and is being organized by the Council, OSU Extension, and Linn SWCD. The workshop runs from 6 to 9 p.m. on five Wednesday evenings starting April 23 and concluding May 21.

A "Farm Tour" day is scheduled for May 10.

Workshop topics include pasture and mud management; soil, erosion, and riparian restoration; noxious weed management; water quality and wellwater/septic system maintenance; and writing a plan for your land.

The workshop will be held at the Lebanon Senior Center. Registration is $20/person or $30/couple. For more information, call OSU Extension at 541-766-3556.

Don't forget to join us at our next council meeting at 6 p.m. on March 19 at the Lebanon Senior Center. For more information, contact us at 541-367-5564 or sswc@centurytel.net.

Lang is Outreach Coordinator for the Calapooia, North and South Santiam Watershed Councils. She may be reached at 541-758-9262. Websites for the watershed councils are www.calapooia.org, http://www.open.org/nsantiam/, and www.sswc.org.