Wynoochee River Project Fisheries Programs

In 1994, Tacoma Power added a hydroelectric power facilities to the existing Wynoochee Dam.To protect the fishery, Tacoma Power shuts down the power plant for 77 days each spring to allow salmon and steelhead smolts to pass safely downstream through outlets in the dam.

Tacoma Power also operates a fish collection facility two miles downstream from Wynoochee Dam. A low barrier dam and a series of pools divert returning adult fish to a large holding pool. Anadromous fish (such as salmon and steelhead) are separated from other species. Most of the anadromous fish are loaded into a tank truck and hauled five miles upstream, past Wynoochee Lake, where they are released into the river to spawn.

Some adult steelhead are transported to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife's Lake Aberdeen Hatchery for brood stock. The juveniles are returned to the Wynoochee River to enhance recreational fishing opportunities when those fish return as adults.

The entire process of collecting and transporting fish is accomplished using flowing water and mechanical devices, with almost no handling by people. Limiting the amount of handling reduces stress and adverse affects on the fish.

Wildlife Programs

Tacoma Power is funding a program to enhance elk habitat. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife uses Tacoma Power's funds to maintain elk forage areas on 1,000 acres of land south of the Wynoochee River Project.
 

[top of page]