Fish and Wildlife

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The Columbia River Basin Fish and Wildlife Program represents a 40+ year effort to protect and mitigate for the impacts of the hydropower system on salmon and other fish and wildlife. The Council amends the Fish and Wildlife Program every five years based on recommendations from the region’s tribes, federal and state fish and wildlife agencies, local governments, nonprofits, energy customers, regional utilities, the public, and more.

The Council received recommendations through May 19, and comments on those recommendations through July 3. See the amendments page for more details.

2014/2020 Program

See the Council’s current Fish and Wildlife Program, open for recommendations starting January 17, 2025.

Program Tracker

Explore the Program Tracker for real-time data, infographics, maps and stories on hatcheries, fish screens, lands, and more.

Plus see categorical assessments on hydrosystem operations, artificial production, and habitat.

40+ Years of the Program

A lot has happened since 1980! See our full 40-Year Retrospective report, browse the 2-page overview, or see parts 1 and 2 of staff presentations.

Fish and Wildlife News

Aug 29, 2025

Annual update on avian predation in the basin highlights emerging challenges

Researchers present annual update on avian predation in the basin, highlight crashing tern populations, upriver nesting of cormorants, and increasing American white pelican foraging as emerging issues.

Jul 24, 2025

Independent science panel: Habitat projects show benefits to Columbia Basin fish & wildlife, while lengthy time periods needed

At July’s Council meeting in Portland, members of the Independent Science Review Panel discussed results and key findings from the Habitat Retrospective Report that the ISRP published in July. This report reviewed the Fish and Wildlife Program’s habitat restoration work in the Columbia River Basin over the past several decades.

May 30, 2025

Spring snowpack was near normal in parts of the Columbia River Basin, but melted quickly

At May’s Council meeting in Pasco, Wash., the Council listened to a briefing by Amy Burke, Senior Hydrologist for the Northwest River Forecast Center, on the snowpack that built up in the Columbia River Basin this past winter and how it would affect the water supply for the upcoming seasons.

May 30, 2025

Overview of cold water refugia efforts in mainstem Columbia

Actions to improve cold water refugia continue in multiple tributaries, including on the Wind, White Salmon, Klickitat, Umatilla, and Walla Walla.

Integrating energy and the environment in the Columbia River Basin

See what the Council is up to.

Explore News By Topic

The Council works to protect and enhance fish and wildlife in the Columbia River Basin. Its Fish & Wildlife Program guides project funding by the Bonneville Power Administration.

The Fish and Wildlife Program

Independent Review Groups

Forums and Workgroups

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The Council develops a plan, updated every five years, to assure the Pacific Northwest of an adequate, efficient, economical, and reliable power supply.

The Northwest Power Plan

Technical tools and models

Advisory Committees

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ARCHIVES

Recent and Upcoming Meetings

Browse reports and documents relevant to the Council's work on fish and wildlife and energy planning, as well as administrative reports.

REPORTS BY TOPIC

COLUMBIA RIVER HISTORY PROJECT

Fish and Wildlife

2014/2020 Program

Program Tracker

40+ Years of the Program

Fish and Wildlife News

Annual update on avian predation in the basin highlights emerging challenges

Independent science panel: Habitat projects show benefits to Columbia Basin fish & wildlife, while lengthy time periods needed

Spring snowpack was near normal in parts of the Columbia River Basin, but melted quickly

Overview of cold water refugia efforts in mainstem Columbia

Program Resources

Program Implementation

Independent Review Groups

Forums and Workgroups

Other

Topics