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Fish Misinformation by Fred Mensik Lewiston Tribune, February 9, 2025

Misinformation filled the Jan. 12 Turnabout by Richard Scully and Rick Williams.

Between 1975 and 1995, the average yearly number of adults returning to Lower Granite Dam was 97,881. Barging provided an average yearly adult return of 368,168 between 2001 and 2011 to Lower Granite, a 376% increase over prior years. This number peaked at 567,000 in 2009. Fortunately, fish numbers speak for themselves.

On June 20, 2005, after barging 12,032,623 smolts from Lower Granite, the court-ordered spill started for fish passage. Spill has increased through the years, reducing the number of fish barged. The yearly average number of returning adults (2015 and 2024) fell to 197,170, a decrease of 186% because of increased spill. With only 489,010 smolts barged in 2021, the 2025 adult return will be abysmal, potentially under 50,000 fish. In 2024, the Corps of Engineers barged half as many, with only 271,814 smolts. Therefore, the 2028 returns will be almost nonexistent. The spill experiment has failed.

Do sportsmen want an average of 368,168 to 567,000 adults (successful barging returns), or do they applaud the mismanagement plan of under 200,000 fish caused by spill?