A record number of adult steelhead have returned to the Pelton Round Butte hydropower project on the Deschutes River during the 2024-2025 run, marking a significant milestone for fish reintroduction efforts. More than 950 steelhead were passed upstream of Round Butte Dam, the highest number since the 1960s. Scientists attribute the increase to improved ocean conditions and enhanced fish management practices.
The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs and Portland General Electric (PGE), co-owners of the three-dam Pelton Round Butte complex, began reintroducing ocean-going salmon and steelhead to the Deschutes River in 2010 after more than 50 years of restricted passage. Scientific modeling set an annual target of 955 returning adult steelhead based on available habitat.
“While the return of steelhead fish to the watershed marks a significant milestone, the journey toward full restoration continues,” said Austin Smith Jr., natural resources manager for the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. “The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs remain committed to ongoing conservation efforts, adaptive management, and education.”
Of the 950 adult steelhead passed upstream, 675 had travelled through Pelton Round Butte’s fish collection facility as juveniles. The facility at Lake Billy Chinook, known as the Selective Water Withdrawal (SWW), helps transport young fish around the three dams to the ocean and regulates water temperature downstream.
“We’re excited to welcome these steelhead back to the Upper Deschutes Basin. Their journey is remarkable,” said Megan Hill, senior environmental science manager at PGE. “Most of these fish passed through the SWW, traveled 100 miles down the Deschutes to the Columbia River, then migrated another 200 miles past Bonneville Dam to the ocean. After spending about two years at sea, they made the 300-mile journey back. This year’s run highlights the power of strong ocean conditions combined with our collaborative efforts to improve fish passage and reintroduction strategies.”
The 2024 return includes 275 hatchery-origin steelhead from the Deschutes River, released upstream as part of a strategy to supplement the wild population. These fish, known as excess broodstock, are monitored for disease and are genetically identical to their wild counterparts.
Conservation groups and agencies acknowledged the achievement.
“The DRC and its partners have been working over the last 15 years to restore streamflow and improve habitat in the Crooked River, Whychus Creek, and Metolius system to benefit these fish coming home,” said Kate Fitzpatrick, executive director of the Deschutes River Conservancy. “This marks the largest return since the efforts to reintroduce fish above the Pelton Round Butte Dam Complex began, and shows the promise of restoring anadromous runs back to their home waters in the upper basin.”
Terry Shrader, Pelton Round Butte mitigation coordinator for the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, noted the strong steelhead return and ongoing spawning activity. “The adaptive management changes we’ve made in the reintroduction program have undoubtedly contributed to this strong return,” he said. “Additional factors such as favorable ocean conditions and freshwater migration conditions also play a significant role.”
Scott Carlon, a fish biologist with NOAA Fisheries, credited the work of multiple organizations. “This year’s large return of adult steelhead from the reintroduction program has been exciting to see, and a tremendous amount of work has been expended to make this happen,” he said. “PGE and the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs have made improvements to their operations and collection facility, resulting in many more juvenile salmon and steelhead being passed downstream. We look forward to ongoing collaboration and more salmon and steelhead adults returning to the Deschutes River.”
Biologists will continue monitoring the steelhead using radio tracking technology to study movement and spawning activity. Some adults, known as kelts, will attempt a second ocean migration, while others will remain in the upper basin to spawn. Their offspring will eventually begin their own journey downstream, continuing the restoration cycle.
More information about the Deschutes fish reintroduction program can be found at portlandgeneral.com/healthydeschutes.
