June 2014 | Executive Summary S ▪ 1

Snake River Sockeye Salmon Recovery 

Plan Summary

Introduction

This recovery plan (Plan) serves as a blueprint for the protection and restoration of Snake River Sockeye 

Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka). Snake River Sockeye Salmon were listed as an endangered species 

under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in 1991. The listing was reaffirmed in 2005. The species 

remains at risk of extinction.

Today, the last remaining Snake River Sockeye Salmon spawn in Sawtooth Valley lakes, high in the 

Salmon River drainage of central Idaho in the Snake River basin. While very few Sockeye Salmon 

currently follow an anadromous life cycle, the small remnant run of the historical population migrates

900 miles downstream from the Sawtooth Valley through the Salmon, Snake and Columbia Rivers to the 

ocean (Figure ES-1). After one to three years in the ocean, they return to the Sawtooth Valley as adults, 

passing once again through these mainstem rivers and through eight major federal dams, four on the 

Columbia River and four on the lower Snake River. Anadromous Sockeye Salmon returning to Redfish 

Lake in Idaho’s Sawtooth Valley travel a greater distance from the sea (900 miles) to a higher elevation 

(6,500 feet) than any other Sockeye Salmon population. They are the southernmost population of 

Sockeye Salmon in the world.

Figure ES-1. Snake River Sockeye Salmon migration corridor from Columbia River estuary to Sawtooth Valley lakes.

Before the turn of the twentieth century, an estimated 150,000 Sockeye Salmon returned annually to the 

Snake River basin. Sockeye Salmon ascended the Snake River to the Wallowa River basin in 

northeastern Oregon and the Payette and Salmon River basins in Idaho to spawn in natural lakes. Within 

the Salmon River basin, Sockeye Salmon spawned in Warm Lake in the South Fork Salmon River basin, 

as well as in the Sawtooth Valley lakes: Stanley, Redfish, Yellowbelly, Pettit and Alturas Lakes. A 

smaller Sawtooth Valley lake, Hellroaring Lake, may have also supported some Sockeye Salmon

production. The historical relationships between the different fish populations are not known.
June 2014 | Executive Summary S ▪ 2

Figure ES-2. Map of the Sawtooth Valley, Idaho.

The Sockeye Salmon populations declined through the early- and mid-1900s, leading to the National 

Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) ESA-listing of the species in 1991. NMFS is a branch of the National 

Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and is sometimes referred to as NOAA Fisheries. As 

the federal agency charged with stewardship of the nation’s marine resources, NMFS has the 

responsibility for listing and delisting salmon and steelhead species under the ESA.

When Snake River Sockeye Salmon were ESA-listed as endangered in 1991, all of the Snake River 

Sockeye Salmon populations but one, the Redfish Lake population in the Sawtooth Valley, were gone, 

and that population had dwindled to fewer than 10 fish per year. In some years before 1998, no 

anadromous Sockeye Salmon returned to the Snake River basin. Many human activities contributed to 

the near extinction of Snake River Sockeye Salmon. The NMFS status review that led to the original 

listing decision attributed the decline to “overfishing, irrigation diversions, obstacles to migrating fish, 

and eradication through poisoning.” NMFS’ 1991 listing decision for Snake River Sockeye Salmon

noted that such factors as hydropower development, water withdrawal and irrigation diversions, water 

storage, commercial harvest, and inadequate regulatory mechanisms represented a continued threat to 

the species’ existence. 
June 2014 | Executive Summary S ▪ 3

In 1991, a partnership of state, tribal and federal fish 

managers initiated a captive broodstock hatchery program 

to save the Redfish Lake Sockeye Salmon population. 

Between 1991 and 1998, all 16 of the natural-origin adult 

Sockeye Salmon that returned to the weir at Redfish Lake 

were incorporated into the captive broodstock program, as 

well as out-migrating smolts captured between 1991 and 

1993, and residual Sockeye Salmon captured between 

1992 and 1995. The program has used multiple rearing 

sites to minimize chances of catastrophic loss of 

broodstock and has produced several million eggs and 

juveniles, as well as several thousand adults, for release 

into the wild. 

The Sawtooth Valley is seeing results from the captive 

broodstock program. Sockeye Salmon returns to the valley 

have increased, especially in recent years, to 650 in 2008

(including 142 natural-origin fish), 833 in 2009 (including 

85 natural-origin fish), 1,355 in 2010 (including 179 

natural-origin fish), 1,117 in 2011 (including 142 naturalorigin fish), 257 in 2012 (including 52 natural-origin fish), 

and 272 in 2013 (including 78 natural-origin fish).

However, while the program has successfully prevented 

extinction and preserved the genetic lineage of Redfish 

Lake Sockeye Salmon, the species remains at risk of 

extinction. Snake River Sockeye Salmon cannot be said to 

be recovered until it is made up of natural-origin fish 

spawning in the wild and surviving their two-way journey 

in far greater numbers. 

About This Recovery Plan

The ESA requires NMFS to develop recovery plans for 

species listed under the ESA. This Plan was developed to 

comply with the law. 

This Plan provides information required by NMFS to 

satisfy the requirements of section 4(f) of the ESA. It 

describes: 1) recovery goals and objective, measurable 

criteria which, when met, will result in a determination 

that the species be removed from the threatened and 

endangered species list; 2) site-specific management 

actions necessary to achieve the plan’s goals; and 3) 

estimates of the time required and cost to carry out the 

actions needed to achieve the plan’s goals. It also includes direction for monitoring and evaluation and 

adaptive management to fine-tune the course towards recovery when needed.

NMFS has directed preparation of this Plan. The Plan is the product of a collaborative process with 

contributions by a wide group of governments, sovereigns (tribes), and organizations with the potential 

Why restore Snake River Sockeye 

Salmon?

Snake River Sockeye Salmon are listed as 

endangered under the Endangered Species Act 

because they are in danger of becoming extinct.

Their numbers have dramatically declined from 

historical levels. In some years before 1998, no 

anadromous Sockeye Salmon returned to the 

Snake River basin. 

What is the captive broodstock 

program?

A captive broodstock program for Snake River 

Sockeye Salmon began in May 1991. The 

program has prevented extinction in the near 

term and preserved the genetic lineage of 

Redfish Lake Sockeye Salmon. The program 

was developed using captured adult Sockeye 

Salmon that returned to Redfish Lake (1991-

98), out-migrating smolts (1991-93), and 

residual adult Sockeye Salmon (1992-95). 

Reintroduction of captive broodstock progeny 

has followed a “spread-the-risk” philosophy, 

incorporating multiple release strategies into 

Redfish, Pettit, and Alturas Lakes. 

What does “recovery” mean?

Biological recovery for a salmon species means 

that it is naturally self-sustaining  enough 

fish spawn in the wild and return year after year 

so they are likely to persist in the long run, 

defined as the next 100 years. The species 

also has to be resilient enough to survive 

catastrophic changes in the environment, 

including natural events such as floods, storms, 

earthquakes, and decreases in ocean 

productivity.

What about other fish species in the 

lakes?

Other fish species will also benefit from habitat 

and passage improvements for Snake River 

Sockeye Salmon. 
June 2014 | Executive Summary S ▪ 4

to contribute to recovery. Participants included Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Shoshone-Bannock 

Tribes, NMFS’ Northwest Fisheries Science Center, members of NMFS’ Interior Columbia Technical 

Recovery Team, Bonneville Power Administration, Stanley Basin Sockeye Salmon Technical Oversight 

Committee, and the U. S. Forest Service. The goal is to produce a Plan that meets NMFS’ ESA 

requirements for recovery plans as well as State of Idaho’s needs. NMFS intends to use the Plan to 

organize and coordinate recovery of the species in partnership with state, tribal and federal resource 

managers.

The Plan builds upon ongoing Snake River Sockeye Salmon recovery and research efforts. It describes 

the limiting factors and threats that impact survival and recovery. It then identifies a set of strategies and 

actions to address the limiting factors and threats, and restore natural Sockeye Salmon populations in 

Sawtooth Valley lakes to levels that will achieve Snake River Sockeye Salmon recovery. It also 

describes a comprehensive research, monitoring and evaluation program so that species status is 

evaluated over time, and based on new information, recovery actions can be adjusted as part of an 

adaptive management strategy. The actions are voluntary and may be taken to restore the species to a 

healthy, naturally self-sustaining condition. 

Several modules developed by NMFS provide key support to the Plan. NMFS produced these modules, 

which address regional-scale issues affecting Snake River Sockeye Salmon, as well as other ESA-listed 

Columbia River salmon and steelhead species, to assist in recovery planning. These modules provide a 

consistent set of assumptions and recovery actions that recovery planners incorporated into speciesspecific recovery plans. The following modules are used in the Snake River Sockeye Recovery Plan: (1) 

Columbia River Estuary Module (Estuary Module), (2) Columbia River Hydro Module (Hydro Module), 

(3) Columbia River Harvest Module (Harvest Module), and (4) Module for the Ocean Environment 

(Ocean Module). The modules will be updated periodically to reflect new data. 

Contents of Recovery Plan

The document describes:

• Purpose and uses of the Plan, and context of Plan development (Section 1)

• Relationship of the Plan to other planning processes and other ESA mandates (Section 1)

• The geographic area that supports the historical population (Section 2)

• Characteristics that define the species, including critical habitat (Section 2)

• Salmonid biological structure used in recovery planning (Section 2)

• Recovery goals and ESA requirements for delisting (Section 3)

• Desired Status —biological and threats criteria for delisting; broad sense recovery goals (Section 3)

• Current status of Snake River Sockeye Salmon and populations (Section 4) 

• Limiting factors and threats (habitat, hydropower, hatcheries, fisheries, predation, competition, toxics, climate 

change) and critical uncertainties (Section 5)

• Recovery strategies for Snake River Sockeye Salmon (Section 6)

• Site-specific actions for recovery of Snake River Sockeye Salmon (Section 7) 

• Predicted effectiveness of proposed actions (Section 8)

• Time and Cost estimates for recovery (Section 9)

• Framework for implementation, defining progress, and status assessment (Section 10)

• Framework for research, monitoring and evaluation for adaptive management (Section 11) 
June 2014 | Executive Summary S ▪ 5

Scientific Foundation

NMFS’ belief that it is critically important to base 

recovery plans on a solid scientific foundation that 

sets the stage for developing recovery plans. NMFS 

appointed teams of scientists with geographic and 

species expertise to develop recovery plans for each 

ESA-listed species from a common scientific 

foundation. The team responsible for Snake River 

Sockeye Salmon, the Interior Columbia Technical 

Recovery Team (ICTRT), includes biologists from

NMFS and several states, tribal entities, and 

academic institutions.

This common approach recognizes that, historically, 

most salmon or steelhead species contained multiple 

populations connected by some small degree of 

genetic exchange with spawners straying in from 

other areas. Thus, the overall biological structure of a

species is hierarchical. The species is essentially a 

metapopulation defined by the common 

characteristics of populations within a geographic 

range. 

The ICTRT treats Sawtooth Valley Sockeye Salmon

as the single major population group (MPG) within 

the Snake River Sockeye Salmon evolutionarily 

significant unit (ESU). The MPG contains one extant 

population (Redfish Lake) and two (Alturas Lake and 

Pettit Lake) to four (Stanley and Yellowbelly Lakes) 

other historical populations. 

Adult Sockeye Salmon in Redfish Lake. Photo courtesy Mike Peterson, Idaho Fish & Game.

What is an evolutionarily significant unit (ESU)?

An ESU is a group of Pacific salmon that is (1) 

substantially reproductively isolated from other groups 

of the same species and (2) represents an important 

component of the evolutionary legacy of the species. 

ESUs are defined based on geographic range as well 

as genetic, behavioral and other traits. 

All Pacific salmon belong to the family Salmonidae and 

the genus Oncorhynchus. Sockeye Salmon belong to 

the species Oncorhynchus nerka. 

The Snake River Sockeye Salmon ESU

The Sawtooth Valley supports three forms of O. nerka. 

The Snake River Sockeye Salmon ESU includes two of 

the forms: anadromous and residual Sockeye Salmon. 

• Anadromous Sockeye Salmon usually spend 1 to 3

years in the nursery lakes before migrating to sea 

as smolts. They remain at sea for 1 to 3 years 

before returning to natal areas to spawn.

• Residual Sockeye Salmon are genetically aligned

with the anadromous form but have adopted a 

resident life history pattern, remaining in freshwater 

to mature and reproduce.

• Kokanee are a type of O.nerka that is genetically 

distinct from Sockeye Salmon and is not included in 

the Snake River ESA listing. Kokanee are a selfperpetuating, non-anadromous form of O.nerka

whose parents, for several generations, have spent 

their whole lives in freshwater. Kokanee are not the 

focus of this recovery plan 
June 2014 | Executive Summary S ▪ 6

Recovery Goals and Criteria

The Plan (Section 3) identifies the recovery goals and 

criteria that NMFS will use in future status reviews of the 

Snake River Sockeye Salmon ESU. The primary goal is to 

ensure that the species is viable and no longer needs ESA 

protection. Two types of criteria are used to describe 

viability and inform future ESA-delisting decisions: 

“Biological viability” criteria define population or 

demographic parameters. “Threats” criteria relate to the five 

listing factors detailed in the ESA. This Plan addresses these 

criteria for Snake River Sockeye Salmon populations. In 

addition, broad sense recovery goals identify a future 

species status beyond ESA delisting.

Biological Viability Criteria: The primary goal is for biological 

recovery to support removal of Snake River Sockeye 

Salmon from the threatened and endangered species list. 

The delisting decision must be based on the best available 

science. Biological recovery for a salmon species (the basis 

for delisting) means that it is naturally self-sustaining 

enough fish spawn in the wild and return year after year so 

they are likely to persist in the long run, defined as the next 

100 years. The species also has to be resilient enough to 

survive catastrophic changes in the environment, including 

natural events, such as floods and changes in ocean 

productivity. 

The ICTRT proposed biological criteria for the ESU that 

define a viable salmonid population. A viable salmonid 

population (VSP) is defined in terms of four parameters: 

abundance, population productivity or growth rate, 

population spatial structure, and diversity. A viable ESU is

naturally self-sustaining, with a high probability of persistence over a 100-year time period. Table ES-1

shows the ICTRT’s proposed biological viability criteria for Snake River Sockeye Salmon. The ICTRTrecommended quantitative criteria (including minimum abundance thresholds) reflect the best 

information currently available. Information gained from ongoing studies of production potential and 

exchange rates among the lakes as natural reintroduction efforts progress will be periodically reviewed 

to determine if the basic assumptions behind the current quantitative criteria are valid, or if updates are 

warranted. 

What is the goal of this recovery plan?

The primary recovery goal for Snake River 

Sockeye Salmon is to ensure that the species is 

self-sustaining and no longer needs the 

protection of the ESA. The ESU-level objectives 

are the following:

• Population-level persistence in the face of 

year-to-year variations in environmental 

influences.

• Resilience to the potential impact of 

catastrophic events.

• Maintaining long-term evolutionary potential. 

Once the fish achieve recovery under the ESA, 

the recovery plan will help meet other “broad 

sense” goals that go beyond delisting and 

provide social, cultural or economic values.

What is delisting? 

Who makes the decision?

Under the ESA, listing and delisting of marine 

species, including salmon, are the responsibility 

of NMFS. If a fish or other species is listed as 

threatened or endangered, legal requirements 

to protect it come into play. When NMFS 

decides through scientific review that the 

species is doing well enough to survive without 

ESA protection, NMFS will “delist” it. The 

decision must reflect the best available science 

concerning the current status of the species and 

its prospects for long-term survival. 
June 2014 | Executive Summary S ▪ 7

Table ES-1. Viable salmonid population (VSP) parameters and proposed biological viability criteria for Snake River 

Sockeye Salmon.

VSP Parameter Proposed Biological Viability Criteria

Abundance

• Minimum spawning abundance threshold measured as a ten-year 

geometric mean of estimated natural-origin spawners: 1,000 for 

Redfish Lake and Alturas Lake populations (intermediate size 

category);

• Minimum spawning abundance threshold measured as a ten-year 

geometric mean of estimated natural-origin spawners: 500 for 

populations in the smaller historical size category (Pettit, Stanley, or 

Yellowbelly Lakes)

Productivity • Population growth rate is stable or increasing

Spatial Structure and Diversity • Very low to low risk rating for a highly viable population; and 

• Moderate risk rating for a viable population

Threats Criteria: At the time of a delisting decision for Snake River Sockeye Salmon, NMFS will examine 

whether five listing factors (or threats) detailed in section 4(a)(1) of the ESA have been addressed:

A. Present or threatened destruction, modification, or curtailment of [the species’] habitat or range; 

B. Over-utilization for commercial, recreational, scientific, or educational purposes; 

C. Disease or predation; 

D. Inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms; or 

E. Other natural or human-made factors affecting [the species’] continued existence.

The listing factors, or threats, need to have been addressed to the point that delisting is not likely to 

result in their re-emergence. NMFS also expects that the relative priority of threats will change over 

time and that new threats may emerge. NMFS will examine whether the listing factors have been 

addressed during its five-year reviews.

The Plan identifies threats criteria for each of the relevant listing/delisting factors. Addressing these 

criteria will help to ensure that underlying causes of decline have been addressed and mitigated before a 

species is considered for delisting. NMFS expects that if the proposed actions described in the Plan are 

implemented, they will make substantial progress toward meeting the threats criteria.

Broad Sense Recovery: The immediate goal of this Plan is ESA delisting. Once the fish achieve recovery 

under the ESA, the recovery plan will help meet broader goals. These “broad sense” goals may go 

beyond the requirements for delisting to acknowledge social, cultural or economic values regarding the 

listed species.
June 2014 | Executive Summary S ▪ 8

Current Status of the ESU

The endangered Snake River Sockeye Salmon ESU has a long way to go before it will meet the 

biological viability criteria that signal it is self-sustaining and naturally producing at targeted levels.

Still, annual returns of Snake River Sockeye Salmon through 2013 show that more fish are returning 

than before initiation of the captive broodstock program (Table ES-2). Between 1999 and 2007, more 

than 355 adults returned from the ocean from captive brood releases  almost 20 times the number of 

wild fish that returned in the 1990s. However, this total is primarily due to large returns in the year 2000. 

Returns dropped from 2003 through 2007, but began building in 2008. Adult returns the last six years 

have ranged from a high of 1,355 fish in 2010 (including 179 natural-origin fish) to a low of 257 adults 

in 2012 (including 52 natural-origin fish). Two-thirds of the fish were captured at the Redfish Lake 

Creek weir and the remaining fish were captured at the Sawtooth Hatchery weir on the mainstem 

Salmon River upstream of the Redfish Lake Creek confluence. Sockeye Salmon returns to Alturas Lake 

ranged from one fish in 2002 to 14 fish in 2010. No fish returned to Alturas Lake in 2012 or 2013. 

Table ES-2. Hatchery and natural-origin Sockeye Salmon returns to Sawtooth Valley, 1999 - 2013.

Return Year Total Return Natural Return Hatchery Return Alturas Returns*

1999 7 0 7 0

2000 257 10 233 0

2001 26 4 19 0

2002 22 6 9 1

2003 3 0 2 0

2004 27 4 20 0

2005 6 2 4 0

2006 3 1 2 0

2007 4 3 1 0

2008 650 142 457 1

2009 833 85 732 1

2010 1,355 179 1,143 14

2011 1,117 142 957 2

2012 257 52 190 0

2013 272 78 192 0

*These fish were assigned as sockeye salmon returns to Alturas Lake and are included in the natural return numbers.

Survival by life stage

Building to target levels of adult hatchery returns and gaining knowledge of key survival rates are 

important steps towards successfully reestablishing natural production in the Sawtooth Valley. Recent

increased returns of anadromous Snake River Sockeye Salmon from captive brood releases have made it 

possible to compare survival/mortality during different life stages, and to determine key areas, concerns 

and strategies for recovery. Recent survival estimates during different life stages are summarized below.

• Spawner to smolt survival: Currently, the hatchery program controls productivity and survival 

for this life stage. An increase in parent spawning levels in the lakes will provide insights into 

juvenile production and survival levels in the lakes.

• Juvenile migrant survival  Sawtooth Valley to Lower Granite Dam: Juveniles migrate quickly 

through the Salmon River to Lower Granite Dam. Estimated survival of hatchery juveniles in the 

reach has been highly variable, ranging from 11.4% in 2000 to 77.6% in 2008. 
June 2014 | Executive Summary S ▪ 9

• Juvenile migrant survival  Lower Granite Dam to Bonneville Dam: Juvenile survival from 

Lower Granite to Bonneville Dam since 2008 has ranged from 40% to 57%. Within this reach, 

mean survival is estimated at 60% from Lower Granite to McNary Dam (1996-2010) and at 54% 

from McNary to Bonneville Dam (1998-2003, 2006-2010).

• Juvenile and adult migrant survival  Estuary, Plume and Ocean: Survival rates for Snake 

River Sockeye Salmon during this life stage remain unknown due to small numbers of migrants.

• Adult migrant survival  Bonneville Dam to Lower Granite Dam: Estimated survival rates for 

2010-2013 show that survival averaged 56% to 83% from Bonneville to McNary, 92% to 99% 

from McNary to Ice Harbor, and 71% to 97% from Ice Harbor to Lower Granite.

• Adult migrant survival  Lower Granite Dam to Sawtooth Valley: Estimated survival rates for 

PIT-tagged Sockeye Salmon show that 73% of the adults that passed Lower Granite Dam (2008-

2012) were recovered at Redfish Lake, the Sawtooth Hatchery weir or other locations.

Historical Snake River Sockeye Salmon Life Cycle

Figure ES-3. Historical Snake River Sockeye Salmon Life Cycle.
June 2014 | Executive Summary S ▪ 10

Limiting Factors and Threats Analysis

NMFS biological review teams have concluded that the 

decline of the Snake River Sockeye Salmon ESU is the result 

of widespread habitat degradation, impaired mainstem and 

tributary passage, historical commercial fisheries, chemical 

treatment of Sawtooth Valley lakes in the 1950s and 1960s, 

and poor ocean conditions. These combined factors reduced 

the number of Sockeye Salmon to the single digits. The 

decline in abundance itself has become a major limiting 

factor, making the remaining population vulnerable to 

catastrophic loss and posing significant risks to genetic 

diversity. 

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Shoshone-Bannock 

Tribes, NMFS, and many independent researchers have 

conducted decades of scientific research and analysis 

concerning Snake River Sockeye Salmon. Key findings are 

summarized below. Section 5 of the Plan provides a detailed 

discussion of these limiting factors and threats. 

Sawtooth Valley Lakes

Sockeye Salmon historically spawned and reared in five nursery lakes in the Sawtooth Valley: Redfish, 

Pettit, Alturas, Yellowbelly and Stanley Lakes. They usually spent one to three years in the nursery 

lakes before migrating to sea as smolts. Because of the captive broodstock program and reintroduction 

work, Sockeye Salmon currently spawn in Redfish, Alturas, and Pettit Lakes. The lakes lie within the 

Sawtooth National Recreation Area, managed by the U.S. Forest Service. The headwaters of each lake 

drain lands in the Sawtooth Wilderness Area. Overall, habitat conditions for Snake River Sockeye 

Salmon in these high mountain lakes remain in relatively pristine condition. The lakes are, and were 

historically, oligotrophiclacking in nutrients and with relatively low natural aquatic productivity 

compared to lower elevation lakes in other areas. In addition, zooplankton abundance and composition 

vary across the lakes, which may be an important factor in successfully reintroducing anadromous 

Sockeye Salmon production. Lake nutrient supplementation has been implemented in Redfish, Pettit and 

Alturas Lakes to increase Sockeye Salmon carrying capacity. Summer water temperatures in the lakes 

also temporarily spike to levels that make Sockeye Salmon more susceptible to disease and infection. 

Introduction and continued stocking of non-native fish species such as brook trout, lake trout and 

kokanee creates competition and predation risks. Potential interbreeding between hatchery-origin fish 

and natural-origin spawners could further reduce genetic diversity. Providing connectivity of migratory 

corridors and increasing spatial distribution is critical to successful Sockeye Salmon recovery. Passage is 

now available to Redfish Lake, but a weir at Sawtooth Hatchery blocks passage in the Salmon River to 

upstream lakes. Providing passage at the weir is critical to reestablishing production in Alturas and Pettit 

Lakes important early steps in the recovery strategy. A weir on Stanley Lake Creek also prevents 

access to Stanley Lake. Potential removal of this weir will receive further consideration.

Salmon River Mainstem

The Salmon River flows 410 miles through central Idaho to join the Snake River in lower Hells Canyon

and represents almost half the length of the Sockeye Salmon migration route. Juvenile Sockeye Salmon

leave the natal lakes in late spring and early summer, often arriving at Lower Granite Dam about seven 

What are limiting factors and 

threats? 

Limiting factors are the biological and 

physical conditions that limit a species’ 

viability (e.g. high water temperature).

Threats are the human activities or 

natural processes that cause the limiting 

factors. 

The term “threats” carries a negative 

connotation; however, they are often 

legitimate and necessary activities that 

at times may have unintended negative 

consequences on fish populations. 

These activities can be managed to 

minimize or eliminate the negative 

impacts.
June 2014 | Executive Summary S ▪ 11

days later. Juvenile Sockeye Salmon survival varies between years and reaches. Tracking studies 

indicate that a large portion of the loss of outmigrating juvenile hatchery Sockeye Salmon in the Salmon 

River occurs between release sites and the North Fork Salmon confluence, with higher losses occurring 

within Little Redfish Lake, in the reach just above Valley Creek near Stanley, between the Pahsimeroi 

and Lemhi Rivers, and in the slow-river reach at Deadwater Slough. Predation appears to cause much of 

the juvenile mortality in the upper Salmon River; however, loss of juvenile migrants may also reflect

competition with non-native species, environmental conditions, or rearing and release strategies. 

Adult Sockeye Salmon return to the Salmon River in late summer and travel approximately 30 days to 

reach the Sawtooth Valley. A number of adult migrants are lost in the Salmon River corridor. The 

factors responsible for the losses of adult Sockeye Salmon migrants are not fully established, but are 

believed to be strongly related to stream flow and temperature. Adult Sockeye Salmon return to the 

Salmon River in late summer, when flows often reach low levels and water temperatures peak. Research 

continues to identify how and where these conditions in the Snake and Salmon Rivers affect Sockeye 

Salmon migrants. A weir at Sawtooth Hatchery on the Salmon River restricts Sockeye Salmon passage 

to natal lakes.

Columbia and Snake River Mainstem

The Columbia and Snake River hydrosystem remains a threat to the viability of Snake River Sockeye 

Salmon. Four federal dams on the lower Snake River mainstem (Lower Granite, Little Goose, Lower 

Monumental and Ice Harbor) and four federal dams on the lower Columbia River mainstem (McNary, 

John Day, The Dalles and Bonneville) limit passage for juvenile Sockeye Salmon migrating to the 

ocean, and adult Sockeye Salmon returning to their natal lakes. All eight dams are part of the Federal 

Columbia River Power System (FCRPS). Specific limiting factors that impact viability include mortality 

and delayed upstream passage (adults), direct and indirect mortality on downstream migrants (juveniles), 

alteration of the hydrograph and riverine habitat, delayed migration and reduced survival due to high 

water temperatures, and predation by birds, pinnipeds, and non-native fish species. Some incidental take 

of Snake River Sockeye Salmon occurs in mainstem fisheries. The length and duration of the Snake 

River Sockeye Salmon migration (approximately 900 miles) also increases their risk of exposure to 

agricultural and industrial chemicals.

Columbia River Estuary, Plume and Ocean

The cumulative impacts of past and current land use (including dredging, filling, diking, and 

channelization) and alterations to the Columbia River flow regimes have reduced the quality and 

quantity of estuarine and plume habitat. Snake River Sockeye Salmon, like other stream-type salmonids, 

move relatively quickly through the estuary, probably passing through the area within two to three days. 

Juveniles Sockeye Salmon may use the low-salinity gradients of the plume to achieve growth and 

gradually acclimate to saltwater. They would be affected by changes in flow and sediment in these areas. 

They are also vulnerable to bird predation in the estuary, as well as to pinniped predation when they 

return to the estuary as adults. High concentrations of urban and industrial contaminants in some areas 

of the lower Columbia River and estuary may affect fish health and behavior.

Ocean conditions and food availability contribute to the health and survival of Sockeye Salmon 

returning to the Columbia Basin, and eventually the Sawtooth Valley. Early ocean life is a critical period 

for the fish. Most early marine mortality likely occurs during two critical periods: The first period is 

believed to be predation-based mortality that occurs during the first few weeks to months. The second 

period occurs during and following the first winter at sea and is believed to be driven by food 

availability/starvation. Poor ocean conditions in 1977 through the late 1990s contributed, together with 

other factors, to drive the stock to a very small remnant population.
June 2014 | Executive Summary S ▪ 12

Future Implications from Climate Change

Likely changes in temperature, precipitation, wind patterns, and sea-level height due to climate change 

have profound implications for survival of Snake River Sockeye Salmon populations in both freshwater 

and marine habitats. Stream flows and temperaturesthe environmental attributes that climate change 

will affectalready limit Sockeye Salmon productivity in areas of the Sawtooth Valley lakes, Salmon 

River, and mainstem Columbia and Snake Rivers. In the ocean, climate-related changes are expected to 

alter primary and secondary productivity, the structure of marine communities, and in turn, the growth, 

productivity, survival, and migrations of salmonids, although the degree of impact on listed salmonids is 

currently poorly understood. All other threats and conditions remaining equal, future deterioration of 

water quality, water quantity, and/or physical habitat due to climate change can be expected to reduce 

viability or survival of naturally produced adult Sockeye Salmon returning to the Sawtooth Valley lakes.

Recovery Strategies and Actions

Strategies and actions for the Snake River Sockeye Salmon

ESU aim to recover self-sustaining, naturally spawning 

populations that are likely to persist for at least 100 years.

Consistent with the long-term recovery scenario for Snake 

River Sockeye Salmon (discussed in Section 3), the strategies

(Section 6) and actions (Section 7) intend to restore at least 

two of the three historical lake populations in the ESU to 

highly viable status, and one to viable status. The recovery 

strategies focus on Redfish, Alturas, and Pettit Lakes. As 

recovery efforts progress over time, expansion of 

reintroductions into Stanley Lake and Yellowbelly Lake will 

be considered.

Overall Recovery Strategy

Overall, the strategy aims to reintroduce and support 

adaptation of naturally self-sustaining Sockeye Salmon

populations in the Sawtooth Valley lakes. An important first step toward that objective has been the 

successful establishment of anadromous returns from natural-origin Redfish Lake resident stock gained

through a captive broodstock program. That program is transitioning as higher levels of anadromous 

Sockeye Salmon return to spawn in Redfish Lake. The long-term strategy is for the naturally produced 

population to achieve escapement goals in a manner that is self-sustaining and without the reproductive 

contribution of hatchery spawners. 

Our recovery strategy recognizes that efforts to address habitat, fisheries, hatchery and hydrosystem

issues affecting Snake River Sockeye Salmon need to be planned and implemented with a clear 

understanding of ecological processes  both biological and habitat processes  and how past and 

current activities affect these processes. Since the ESU is at risk for extinction, the first phase in 

recovery, the captive broodstock program, helped maintain the population and prevent species 

extinction. The second phase, recolonization, which we are now entering, will incorporate more naturalorigin Sockeye Salmon returns in the hatchery-spawning program to maintain the genetic fitness of the 

natural population and to provide anadromous adults to recolonize available habitat in Redfish, Pettit 

and Alturas Lakes. Ultimately, the program will move to a third phase emphasizing natural adaptation

Principles for sound salmon 

recovery

• Assess, protect and maintain 

biological and habitat processes.

• Reconnect isolated habitat to 

increase spatial structure.

• Restore ecological processes.

• Restore degraded habitat.

• Conserve or restore evolutionary 

processes.

• Develop goals and objectives based 

on a deep understanding of 

ecological properties of the system.

• Manage actions to be adaptive and 

minimally intrusive.
June 2014 | Executive Summary S ▪ 13

and viability. At the same time, recovery efforts will address habitat, fisheries, and hydro-related issues 

affecting Snake River Sockeye Salmon. Together, these efforts aim to provide sufficient fish to restore 

populations adapted to the specific conditions of lakes in the Sawtooth Valley, while also protecting and 

improving habitat conditions, and addressing passage, competition and predation concerns, to support a 

self-sustaining population. 

The approach is adaptive in nature. The strategy for Redfish Lake is based on the working assumption 

that fostering relatively high numbers of returns from hatchery releases will lead to increasing numbers 

of naturally produced adult returns in the future, ultimately leading to natural production at selfsustaining levels. This strategy is based on a careful assessment of the best available scientific 

information and has associated monitoring and evaluation studies targeting key assumptions and 

uncertainties to support future adaptations to achieve the recovery objectives. In addition, the strategies 

for Pettit and Alturas Lakes are tailored to specific circumstances associated with each lake and are 

designed to evaluate variations on the basic restoration strategy. Taken as a whole, the information from 

each of the approaches in combination will guide future adaptation of the overall program to meet 

natural production recovery objectives. 

The proposed recovery strategy contains elements to address limiting factors and threats at the local 

level (Sawtooth Valley and upper Salmon River) and regional level (Salmon, Snake and Columbia 

Rivers, Columbia River estuary and plume, and ocean). The recovery strategy for Snake River Sockeye 

Salmon is summarized in the box: Recovery Strategy for Snake River Sockeye Salmon ESU. 

Site-Specific Actions

Section 7 of the Plan describes specific actions proposed under each of the local and regional recovery 

strategies discussed in Section 6 to address problems for Sockeye Salmon. The actions build on recovery 

actions that have been implemented over the last 20 years. Table 7-1 defines over 90 specific actions 

that correspond to the different local-level recovery strategies and address problems for Sockeye Salmon

in the natal lakes and upper Salmon River. The table identifies the actions as well as the sites, VSP 

parameters, limiting factors, and threats that each action targets. The table also provide estimated costs 

and potential implementing entities for each action, and priority for implementation. The Plan also 

identifies actions needed at the regional level (mainstem Salmon, Snake and Columbia Rivers and the 

estuary, plume and ocean) to support recovery of Snake River Sockeye Salmon. Many of these proposed 

actions are designed to be integrated with current, ongoing programs and regulations. 
June 2014 | Executive Summary S ▪ 14

RECOVERY STRATEGY FOR SNAKE RIVER SOCKEYE SALMON ESU

At the local level (Sawtooth Valley and upper Salmon River):

• Conserve population genetic and life history diversity, and spatial structure. 

• Increase naturally spawning Snake River Sockeye Salmon abundance. 

• Improve Sockeye Salmon passage to natal lakes. 

• Reestablish a self-sustaining anadromous Sockeye Salmon population in Redfish Lake.

• Investigate/develop strategies for future actions to support Sawtooth Valley Sockeye Salmon reintroduction and 

adaptation phases for Pettit Lake.

• Investigate and evaluate the potential for restoring natural production of anadromous Sockeye Salmon from 

returning residual outmigrants from Alturas Lake.

• As sufficient numbers of natural-origin adults return, develop an integrated approach to manage natural- and 

hatchery-origin adults in the hatchery program and in the wild.

• As sufficient numbers of hatchery-origin anadromous adults return to the basin, identify options for future 

harvest.

• Continue research and actions to reestablish natural populations in other natal lakes.

• Continue research on natal lakes’ carrying capacity, nutrients, and ecology.

• Protect and conserve natural ecological processes at the watershed scale that support population viability. 

• Protect, restore and manage spawning and rearing habitat.

• Maintain unimpaired water quality and improve water quality as needed.

• Investigate and improve conditions in Salmon River and tributaries to support increased survival of migrating 

Snake River Sockeye Salmon.

• Monitor for predation, disease, aquatic invasive species, and competition and develop actions as needed. 

• Create an adaptive management feedback loop to track progress toward recovery, monitor and evaluate key 

information needs, assess results, and refine strategies and actions accordingly.

At the regional level (mainstem Salmon, Snake and Columbia Rivers; estuary; plume; and ocean): 

• Implement 2008/2010 FCRPS BiOp’s reasonable and prudent alternative to reduce mortalities associated with 

migration through the mainstem Salmon, Snake and Columbia Rivers, estuary and plume.

• Continue research and monitoring on Snake River Sockeye Salmon survival/mortality in mainstem Salmon, 

Snake and Columbia River migration corridor; estuary; plume; and ocean.

• Update Snake River Sockeye Salmon life cycle models using latest information on survival through mainstem 

Salmon, Snake, and lower Columbia River migration corridor; estuary; and plume.

• Manage to maintain current low impact fisheries and reduce fishery impacts in those fisheries that affect Snake 

River Sockeye Salmon.

• Protect and conserve natural ecological processes that support population viability.

• Improve degraded water quality and maintain unimpaired water quality.

• Address ecosystem imbalances in predation, competition, and disease through the strategies and actions in this 

Plan, the Estuary Module and FCRPS BiOp.

• Respond to climate change threats by implementing research, monitoring and evaluation to track indicators 

related to climate change and by preserving biodiversity. 

• Implement this recovery plan through effective communication, coordination and governance.

• Continue research, monitoring and evaluation for adaptive management.

• Prioritize and address key information needs and create an adaptive management feedback loop to revise 

recovery actions as needed.
June 2014 | Executive Summary S ▪ 15

Considerations for Setting Priorities

Based on the current endangered status of the Snake River Sockeye Salmon ESU, our goal is to have 

viable independent populations in at least three or more natal lakes to expand spatial distribution and 

diversity, and protect the relatively healthy habitat conditions in the Sawtooth Valley. The following are 

recommendations for prioritizing the sequence of implementing recovery actions. These

recommendations reflect the principles for sound salmon recovery:

• Implement the current captive broodstock program. Actions support conservation of life histories 

and genetic attributes.

• Reestablish self-sustaining anadromous Sockeye Salmon populations in Redfish, Pettit and 

Alturas Lakes. Actions enhance viability and protection of multiple Sockeye Salmon populations 

through continued implementation of the Redfish Lake program, implementation of introduction 

strategies for Pettit and Alturas Lakes, and reconnection of isolated habitat to improve spatial 

structure and diversity.

• Protect and enhance existing habitat conditions and conserve natural ecological processes.

Actions support the viability of the populations and their primary life history strategies 

throughout their entire life cycle. Continued implementation of the Management Plan for the 

Sawtooth National Recreation Area, together with continued wilderness protections in the 

Sawtooth Valley will protect habitat processes for the natal lakes watersheds. Additional habitat 

protection and restoration actions for the migration corridor are identified in Sections 6 and 7.

• Improve survival for all life stages in the migration corridor. Strategies and actions to improve 

survival in the migration corridor are described in Section 6.3.2.

• Carry out research, monitoring and evaluation actions. Actions provide critical information 

needed to assess fish viability responses and making adaptive management decisions as needed 

based on this information. Section 11 identifies the adaptive management approach, together 

with research, monitoring and evaluation actions to continually adapt recovery actions over time. 

 

We believe the recovery strategies and management actions identified in the Plan will be effective in 

improving survival of Snake River Sockeye Salmon; however, we have uncertainties about whether they 

will be sufficient to achieve viability. Thus, the Plan depends on an adaptive management framework 

that implements the actions based on best available science, monitors to improve the science, and 

updates actions based on new knowledge. 

Summaries describing strategies and actions for Sockeye Salmon recovery in Redfish Lake, Pettit Lake 

and Alturas Lake, and potentially in Stanley and Yellowbelly Lakes, follow.
June 2014 | Executive Summary S ▪ 16

Redfish Lake Sockeye Salmon Population_______________________________

Redfish Lake. Photo courtesy the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes.

Recovery Strategy

As the only extant population of Snake River Sockeye Salmon, the Redfish Lake population plays a key role in ESU recovery. 

A captive broodstock program has successfully prevented the population’s extinction in the near term and preserved its 

genetic lineage. That program will now transition to increase hatchery releases to support sufficient natural-origin anadromous 

Sockeye Salmon returns. Next, it will shore up adaptation to reestablish a natural self-sustaining anadromous Sockeye 

Salmon population. 

Key Strategies and Actions ▪ Conserve population genetics and life history diversity by establishing a composite hatchery and natural Sockeye Salmon

population in Redfish Lake.

▪ As natural-origin adult returns increase, reestablish a self-sustaining anadromous Sockeye Salmon population in the lake.

Redfish Lake Sockeye Salmon Population

Current Status

▪ Extant population; at high risk of extinction in its current state. 

Proposed Recovery Scenario

▪ Achieve highly viable (<1% extinction risk) or viable (<5% extinction risk) status for population. 

▪ Achieve a minimum spawning abundance threshold measured as a ten-year geometric mean of 1,000 

natural-origin spawners, with a stable or increasing population growth rate. 

▪ Achieve a spatial structure/diversity rating of low risk for highly viable status or maintained for viable status. 
June 2014 | Executive Summary S ▪ 17

▪ Maintain current wilderness protection and protect pristine habitat and natural ecological processes. 

▪ Continue research on lake carrying capacity, nutrients and ecology. 

▪ Investigate whether water quality, including temperatures, affects Sockeye Salmon carrying capacity in the lake and 

improve water quality as needed.

▪ Protect and enhance spawning and rearing habitat in Redfish Lake and Fishhook Creek. 

▪ Investigate and improve conditions in Salmon River and tributaries to support increased survival of migrating juvenile and 

adult Sockeye Salmon. 

▪ Implement FCRPS BiOp actions to reduce mortalities associated with passage through the mainstem Columbia and 

Snake River hydroelectric projects. 

▪ Continue research on Sockeye Salmon survival/mortality in Snake and Columbia Rivers, estuary, plume and ocean. 

▪ Manage risks from mainstem Columbia River and lower Snake River fisheries through U.S. v. Oregon. 

▪ Identify options for future fisheries as sufficient numbers of hatchery-origin Sockeye Salmon adults return to basin.

▪ Monitor and control predation, disease, aquatic invasive species and competition.

▪ Respond to climate change threats by implementing research, monitoring and evaluation (RM&E) to track indicators and 

by preserving biodiversity.
June 2014 | Executive Summary S ▪ 18

Pettit Lake Sockeye Salmon Population__________________________________

Pettit Lake. Photo courtesy the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes.

Recovery Strategies

Reintroduction strategies for the extirpated Pettit Lake Sockeye Salmon population will be further developed and refined 

during implementation of the Redfish Lake strategy. An interim strategy may include initial reintroductions to Pettit Lake from 

volitional spawning of Pettit Lake-origin anadromous adults and release of captive broodstock. The reintroduction plan will be 

refined over time through an adaptive management process to achieve a naturally adapted anadromous population. 

Key Strategies and Actions ▪ Improve Sockeye Salmon passage at the Sawtooth Hatchery weir on the Salmon River.

▪ Improve/replace juvenile trapping structure on Pettit Lake Creek.

▪ Allow anadromous adult Sockeye Salmon to return to Pettit Lake for volitional spawning.

Pettit Lake Sockeye Salmon Population

Current Status

▪ Potential historical population; now functionally extirpated. 

Proposed Recovery Scenario

▪ Achieve highly viable (<1% extinction risk) or viable (<5% extinction risk) status for population. 

▪ Achieve a minimum spawning abundance threshold measured as a ten-year geometric mean of 500 

natural-origin spawners, with a stable or increasing population growth rate. 

▪ Achieve a spatial structure/diversity rating of low risk for highly viable status or maintained for viable 

status. 
June 2014 | Executive Summary S ▪ 19

▪ Release captive broodstock (or, if available, hatchery anadromous) adults into Pettit Lake representing the entire genetic 

diversity of the broodstock for several years.

▪ After several years of direct outplanting of adults sourced from the Redfish Lake population, stop stocking and evaluate

the natural production response; continue to allow anadromous Pettit Lake-origin adults to return for volitional spawning.

▪ Evaluate and refine the reintroduction program as needed to reestablish a locally adapted population in Pettit Lake. 

▪ Maintain current wilderness protection and protect pristine habitat and natural ecological processes. 

▪ Continue research on lake carrying capacity, nutrients and ecology. 

▪ Investigate whether water quality affects Sockeye Salmon carrying capacity in the lake and improve water quality as 

needed.

▪ Protect and enhance spawning and rearing habitat in Pettit Lake. 

▪ Investigate and improve conditions in Salmon River and tributaries to support increased survival of migrating Sockeye 

Salmon. 

▪ Implement FCRPS BiOp actions to reduce mortalities associated with passage through the mainstem Columbia and 

Snake River hydroelectric projects. 

▪ Continue research on Sockeye Salmon survival/mortality in Snake and Columbia Rivers, estuary, plume and ocean. 

▪ Manage risks from mainstem Columbia River and lower Snake River fisheries through U.S. v. Oregon. 

▪ Identify options for future fisheries as sufficient numbers of hatchery-origin Sockeye Salmon adults return to basin. 

▪ Monitor and control predation, disease, aquatic invasive species and competition.

▪ Respond to climate change threats by implementing RM&E to track indicators and by preserving biodiversity.
June 2014 | Executive Summary S ▪ 20

Alturas Lake Sockeye Salmon Population_________________________________

Alturas Lake. Photo courtesy the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes.

Recovery Strategies

The Alturas Lake population exhibits an earlier return time than the Redfish Lake population and maintaining this diversity is 

important. Reintroduction strategies for Alturas Lake will be developed based on investigations and evaluations regarding the 

potential to restore natural production of anadromous Sockeye Salmon from returning early-spawning residual outmigrants 

from the lake. Careful steps will be taken to maintain the population’s unique genetic diversity and spatial structure, and 

capture the benefits of local adaptation. Reintroduction options will be refined over time through adaptive management. 

Key Strategies and Actions

▪ Improve Sockeye Salmon passage at the Sawtooth Hatchery weir on the Salmon River.

▪ Trap and transport anadromous adults identified as Alturas Lake origin to Alturas Lake for volitional spawning. 

▪ Investigate spawning locations, spawn timing and other differences that may exist between remnant residual Sockeye 

Salmon and resident kokanee. Document spawning interactions. 

▪ Establish a new hatchery program for Alturas Lake anadromous Sockeye Salmon using returning anadromous Alturas 

Lake-origin adults.

▪ Identify appropriate donor stocks and investigate strategies to establish a new hatchery captive broodstock program for 

anadromous Alturas Lake Sockeye Salmon. Investigate alternative strategies for residual Alturas Lake population that will 

support and enhance anadromy. 

▪ Construct and operate trapping structure in Alturas Lake Creek.

Alturas Lake Sockeye Salmon Population

Current Status

▪ Historical population; now functionally extirpated. 

Proposed Recovery Scenario

▪ Achieve highly viable (<1% extinction risk) or viable (<5% extinction risk) status for population. 

▪ Achieve a minimum spawning abundance threshold measured as a ten-year geometric mean of 1,000

natural-origin spawners, with a stable or increasing population growth rate. 

▪ Achieve a spatial structure/diversity rating of low risk for highly viable status or maintained for viable 

status. 
June 2014 | Executive Summary S ▪ 21

▪ Maintain current wilderness protection and protect pristine habitat and natural ecological processes. 

▪ Continue research on lake carrying capacity, nutrients and ecology. 

▪ Investigate whether water quality affects Sockeye Salmon carrying capacity in the lake and improve quality as needed.

▪ Protect and enhance spawning and rearing habitat in Alturas Lake. 

▪ Investigate and improve conditions in Salmon River and tributaries to increase survival of migrating Sockeye Salmon. 

▪ Implement FCRPS BiOp actions to reduce mortalities associated with passage through the mainstem Columbia and 

Snake River hydroelectric projects. 

▪ Continue research on Sockeye Salmon survival/mortality in Snake and Columbia Rivers, estuary, plume and ocean. 

▪ Manage risks from mainstem Columbia River and lower Snake River fisheries through U.S. v. Oregon. 

▪ Identify options for future fisheries as sufficient numbers of hatchery-origin Sockeye Salmon adults return to basin. 

▪ Monitor and control predation, disease, aquatic invasive species and competition.

▪ Respond to climate change threats by implementing RM&E to track indicators and by preserving biodiversity.
June 2014 | Executive Summary S ▪ 22

Stanley Lake and Yellowbelly Lake Sockeye Salmon Populations_______________________

Recovery Strategies

The long-term recovery scenario for the Snake River Sockeye Salmon ESU focuses initial efforts on restoring self-sustaining, 

naturally producing populations in Redfish, Pettit and Alturas Lakes. Currently, stocking Sockeye Salmon in Stanley and 

Yellowbelly Lakes is not a priority. This may change as adult returns increase and passage to the upper basin is restored. It is 

likely that Sockeye Salmon may return to Yellowbelly Lake through straying and natural recolonization. Reintroduction efforts 

for Stanley Lake would include developing a lake trout management strategy and re-establishing adult passage at the outlet of 

Stanley Lake that currently prevents adult Sockeye Salmon immigration.

Key Potential Strategies and Actions

▪ Continue research on lake carrying capacity, nutrients and ecology. 

▪ Investigate whether water quality affects Sockeye Salmon carrying capacity in the lakes and improve water quality as 

needed.

▪ Reconcile lake trout management in Stanley Lake vs. removing the barrier to volitional adult Sockeye Salmon passage 

into the lake. Based on resolution of lake trout management, develop a program to support Sockeye Salmon recovery. 

▪ Investigate and manage risks to native kokanee in Stanley Lake. 

▪ Develop and implement a study in Yellowbelly Lake to evaluate lake-carrying capacity of Sockeye Salmon in the absence 

of resident kokanee.

▪ Determine whether a rockfall at the outlet of Yellowbelly Lake is a passage barrier to returning adult Sockeye Salmon.

▪ Investigate how varying flow regimes might affect Sockeye Salmon migration and passage below and above Yellowbelly 

Lake. 

▪ Evaluate potential predation and competition issues with non-native trout and kokanee in Yellowbelly Lake.

▪ Evaluate the potential effects of cutthroat trout on Sockeye Salmon in Yellowbelly Lake.

▪ Maintain current wilderness protection and protect pristine habitat and natural ecological processes. 

▪ Protect and enhance spawning and rearing habitat in Stanley and Yellowbelly Lakes. 

▪ Investigate and improve conditions in Salmon River and tributaries to support increased survival of migrating Sockeye 

Salmon. 

▪ Implement FCRPS BiOp actions to reduce mortalities associated with passage through the mainstem Columbia and 

Snake River hydroelectric projects. 

▪ Continue research on Sockeye Salmon survival/mortality in Snake and Columbia Rivers, estuary, plume and ocean. 

▪ Manage risks from mainstem Columbia River and lower Snake River fisheries through U.S. v. Oregon. 

▪ Identify options for future fisheries as sufficient numbers of hatchery-origin Sockeye Salmon adults return to basin. 

▪ Monitor and control predation, disease, aquatic invasive species and competition.

▪ Respond to climate change threats by implementing RM&E to track indicators and by preserving biodiversity.

Stanley Lake and Yellowbelly Lake Sockeye Salmon Populations

Current Status

▪ Historical populations; now functionally extirpated. 

Proposed Recovery Scenario

▪ As recovery efforts progress over time, expansion of Snake River Sockeye Salmon reintroductions into 

Stanley Lake and Yellowbelly Lake will be considered. 
June 2014 | Executive Summary S ▪ 23

Adaptive Management, Research, Monitoring and Evaluation

Adaptive management plays a critical role in recovery planning. The long-term success of recovery 

efforts will depend on the effectiveness of incremental steps taken to move the one remaining extant 

Snake River Sockeye Salmon population from its current status to a viable level, and to restore naturally

self-sustaining Sockeye Salmon populations in other Sawtooth Valley lakes. Adjustments will be needed

if actions do not achieve desired goals, and to take advantage of new information and changing 

opportunities. Adaptive management provides the mechanism to facilitate these adjustments. 

Adaptive management works by binding decision making with data collection and evaluation. Most 

importantly, it offers an explicit process through which alternative approaches and actions can be 

proposed, prioritized, implemented, and evaluated. Successful adaptive management requires that 

monitoring and evaluation plans be incorporated into overall implementation plans for recovery actions. 

These plans should link monitoring and evaluation results explicitly to feedback on the design and 

implementation of actions.

Figure ES-4. The adaptive management process.

The research, monitoring, and evaluation plan described in Section 11 identifies the level of monitoring 

and evaluation needed to determine the effectiveness of recommended actions, and whether they are 

leading to improvements in population viability. The RM&E plan also identifies critical data gaps in 

species and habitat knowledge. The data obtained through RM&E plan implementation will be used to 

assess and, if necessary, correct current restoration strategies. The Snake River Recovery 

Implementation and Science Team will oversee implementation of the adaptive management process in 

coordination with participating agencies, tribes, and entities (Section 10). 

A major challenge facing the development and implementation of an effective adaptive management 

strategy for Snake River Sockeye Salmon is the large number of organizations that implement 

management actions, as well as the complexity in jurisdictional and management decision authority. 

These organizations include, but are not limited to: Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Idaho 

Governor’s Office of Species Conservation, Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, state agencies, counties, 

irrigation districts, agriculture and private forest land managers, NMFS, U.S. Forest Service, BLM, other 

federal agencies, utilities, citizen groups, and others. The intent of the adaptive management plan is to 

develop a collaboration and coordination process that uses the current implementation structures and 

allows for sharing of information and decisions that influence recovery of Snake River Sockeye Salmon.
June 2014 | Executive Summary S ▪ 24

Implementation

Implementation of recovery actions has been occurring for all threats since ESA listing in 1991.

Successful implementation of recovery actions, research and monitoring projects will build upon the 

over 20 years of leadership and Sockeye Salmon recovery work carried out by the Stanley Basin 

Sockeye Salmon Technical Oversight Committee, with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, 

Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, U.S. Forest Service, NMFS and other partners to prevent ESU extinction.

Plan implementation will also involve counties, other state and federal agencies, private landowners and 

individuals. 

Section 10 proposes an overall framework for coordinated implementation of this Plan. The proposed 

implementation framework includes several integrated components with different responsibilities, 

including the Snake River Sockeye Salmon Implementation and Science Team, Stanley Basin Sockeye 

Salmon Technical Oversight Committee, and the NMFS’ Snake River Coordination Group. The figure 

below illustrates how these different groups will work together. The proposed framework will be revised 

based on input and review during the public comment period. The different groups will work closely

with existing groups and seek collaborative initiatives to recover Snake River Sockeye Salmon

populations. 

Figure ES-5. Proposed Snake River Sockeye Salmon Recovery Plan implementation framework.

NMFS’s Snake River 

Coordination Group 

(Covers all Snake River ESAlisted species interdependencies 

and communication)

Stanley Basin Sockeye Salmon 

Technical Oversight Committee

Snake River Sockeye Salmon 

Implementation and Science Team

Proposed Snake River Sockeye Salmon Recovery Plan 

Implementation Framework 
June 2014 | Executive Summary S ▪ 25

Time and Cost Estimates

It is important to consider the unique challenges of estimating time and cost for salmon and steelhead 

recovery, given the complex relationship of these fish to the environment and to human activities on 

land and water. NMFS estimates that recovery of Snake River Sockeye Salmon could take 50 to 100 

years. The recovery plan (Section 7) contains an extensive list of actions to recover the populations; 

however, it recognizes that there are many uncertainties involved in predicting the course of recovery 

and in estimating total costs over such a long recovery period. Such uncertainties include biological and 

ecosystem responses to recovery actions, as well as long-term and future funding. 

NMFS believes it is most appropriate to focus on the first five years of implementation and in five-year 

intervals thereafter, with the understanding that before the end of each five-year implementation period, 

specific actions and costs will be estimated for subsequent years. The Plan (Section 9) discusses cost

estimates for all projects judged to be feasible and projected to occur over the initial five-year period of 

Plan implementation, fiscal years (FY) 2014 through 2018. It also estimates the total cost of recovery

over the next 25 years. The estimated total cost for implementation of all actions during the initial fiveyear period, FY 2014 to FY 2018, where costs are available, is approximately $20,293,955. The total 

estimated cost of recovery actions for the ESA-listed Snake River Sockeye Salmon ESU over the next 

25 years is projected to be about $101,469,775. The Recovery Cost Summary Table in Appendix A 

provides the estimated costs for specific recovery actions identified in the Plan for the first five-year 

period.

There are several cautions that must be highlighted regarding these costs. Many of these costs may be 

incomplete in scope, scale or magnitude until actions are better defined. Specifically, costs for 

potentially expensive projects such as land and water acquisition, water leasing, and research, 

monitoring and evaluation have not yet been estimated for this ESU. Costs estimates may be adjusted up 

or down, as unit cost estimates, scale of projects, total number of actions, and currently unforeseen costs 

for actions are determined.