Sockeye salmon are able to return to historicΒ spawning grounds in B.C.’s Okanagan regionΒ for the first time in over a century, thanks to a new fish passageway built by the SyilxΒ Nation in partnership with the City of Penticton, the province and Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO).
The OkanaganΒ Dam Fish Passage bypasses a dam in Okanagan Lake, and according to the Okanagan Nation Alliance (ONA), will allow steelhead,Β rainbow trout and sockeye, chinookΒ and kokaneeΒ salmon to migrate back into the lake and its tributaries through the Columbia River.
Funding for the project was provided under the Habitat Conservation Plan, part of aΒ broader strategy tied to the Priest Rapids hydroelectric project in Washington State thatΒ allocates funds for salmon and steelhead habitat restoration.
According to the Pacific Salmon Commission,Β sockeye salmon spawn from August to late October, andΒ Sylix members are expecting the first migration of salmon into the territoryΒ within weeks.
The salmon will migrate from the Pacific Ocean to Okanagan Lake throughΒ the Columbia River β the largest river in the Pacific Northwest βΒ which flowsΒ through B.C., Washington state and Oregon. The fish will passΒ through nine different hydroelectric dams on their way to Sylix territory.
ONA, a First Nations tribal council in B.C.Β made up of seven First NationsΒ whose territory spans from north of RevelstokeΒ into Washington state,Β was established in 1981 to restore Sylix traditions, culture and governance and says it has been leading fish restoration projects since its inception.
DuringΒ the opening ceremony forΒ the passageway on Aug. 18, Penticton Indian Band Chief Greg Gabriel told media that “our salmon came through from the states up to the north and for thousands of years we had fishing camps [across borders].”
“Today, we are going to open up this waterway to create a passage for our salmon to continue on with their journey as they did thousands of years ago.”Β
Zoe Eyjolfson, ONA salmon passage project lead, said at least threeΒ dams were builtΒ in theΒ Okanagan watershed starting in 1914,Β causing major habitat loss.
“Salmon were at the brink of extinction,” she said.Β
After nearly a century, sockeye salmon can again access a historical spawning habitat in B.C.βs Okanagan Lake. Itβs a welcome return for the Syilx Nation people, who spent 20 years rebuilding the spawning habitat to make it possible.
Eyjolfson says the cool Okanagan waters will provide a refugeΒ for salmon to start rebuilding their populations.
According to the ONA website, salmon βΒ or ntytyix βΒ are sacred to the Syilx people.
“They are considered relatives, not resources, and their return marks a powerful act of environmental and cultural healing.”
Leon Louis, an elder from Lower Similkameen Indian Band, said salmon that return to the Okanagan will “feed the people, all people, not just mine. That’s how important salmon is.”
Eyjolfson described seeing the passageway open as a rewarding andΒ proud moment.
“For myself, to know that my kids will see many future generations of salmon coming back to their historic waters, it’s a very special day.”.