Climate adaptation series: Freshet

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Pacific salmon are vital to our culture and environment in British Columbia. They are facing unprecedented challenges with increasing impacts from climate change, pathogens, development, and predation. At the Pacific Salmon Foundation, we are working to save and restore wild Pacific salmon.

Our Climate Adaptation series focuses on seasonal issues that salmon face, issues that become challenges during extreme climate events. These challenges often result in amplified stressors to Pacific salmon.

What exactly is freshet?

The first in our Climate Adaptation series, PSF VP Salmon Jason Hwang teaches us about freshet, the seasonal flood of a river from heavy rain or snowmelt.

Historically, during normal years, early run sockeye and Chinook salmon migrate easily through freshet to their natal spawning streams. However, many rivers have had higher-than-average flows for three of the past five years. And when rivers are higher than normal, migration can become nearly impossible due to extremely high and fast-flowing water.

It’s anticipated that more extreme high- and low- flow conditions will become the new norm as a result of climate change. This means the definition of “normal” may need to be reconsidered, and we must double down our efforts to save these salmon and provide them with a passageway that’s accessible in all conditions.

In the Heart of the Fraser River, relatively calm side channels allow for salmon to take refuge. Salmon also veer from the mighty Fraser for food. When islands and shorelines flood seasonally, terrestrial insects float, thus creating a buffet for salmon. However, due to increasing island and shoreline development and dikes, this valuable feeding ground is disappearing.

Pacific salmon need our help, and we must do everything we can to save them. At PSF, we’re salmon first, salmon always — and we don’t go it alone. Special thanks to our partners in this video — Mike Pearson, Ecologist, and Kelsey Ned Kwilosintan, Fisherman, Sumas First Nation — for sharing their knowledge with us.

 

 

Reconnecting salmon habitat damaged by B.C.’s atmospheric river

The Pacific Salmon Foundation (PSF) has approved $7,000 in funding from the Climate Emergency Fund to support time-sensitive efforts in Ucluelet and Squamish to prevent salmon strandings and mortalities in light of recent heavy rains. An…

River flows restored just in time for returning sockeye

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During the extreme flooding event in November 2021 that severely impacted the Fraser Valley, the right arm of Big Silver River was blocked by debris and disconnected from Harrison Lake when water levels dropped in the summer months.

Drought risk remains a pressing issue for salmon in B.C.

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Record-low snowpack, below-average freshet, and lingering drought conditions from 2023 set the stage for a challenging summer in salmon-bearing watersheds. Drought conditions in British Columbia stretching back to 2022 continue to put pressure…

New Wildfire Playbook promotes salmon recovery in post-blaze strategy

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PSF’s new Wildfire Playbook is a first to offer solutions to help salmon and their habitats recover after wildfires burn in salmon-bearing watersheds. June 25, 2024 Vancouver, B.C. – As wildfires in British Columbia grow larger and more…

The burning issue: wildfires and salmon

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The 2024 wildfire season has already begun in British Columbia. The fire and drought impacts this summer will depend on how much rain falls throughout June, yet experts have predicted a long and dry fire season ahead. Unfortunately, this…

A habitat lifeline for juvenile salmon in the Fraser River

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Sturgeon Bank — a stretch of the Fraser River delta located off the west coast of Richmond, British Columbia — has lost at least 160 hectares of tidal marsh habitat over the last three decades due to dredging, dikes, and other human interventions.

Saving Stranded Salmon

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Extreme climate events like drought and flood can wreak havoc on salmon migrations. PSF worked with partners across B.C. this summer and fall during an unprecedented, province-wide drought to improve fish passage in rivers like xʔəl̓ilwətaʔɬ where salmon were stranded.

Urgent action allows thousands of salmon to pass through Bridge Rapids

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A collaborative effort near Lillooet has given thousands of salmon the chance to migrate upstream to spawning grounds after being stuck at a drought-stricken rapids section.

Drought Strikes B.C. Again.

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As the province warns of “long-term, significant drought” this summer, impacts on salmon are imminent. While those exact impacts are to be determined, PSF and partners seek innovative, cost-effective solutions to help salmon adapt.