The Bureau is looking at its effect on fish populations in the Sandy Basin. Neither dam has fish ladders. Historic habitat is flooded. Salmon and trout generally favor habitat in wide, flat river valleys. Two reservoirs now flood much of the historic habitat.
Water is warmer.
As the water slows and pools up behind the dams, it absorbs heat from the sun. Salmon and trout prefer cool water. Evaluating these issues and how the Bureau s in-town operations affect fish habitat will be critical work in coming years. Removing the dams will restore flow and or access to 22 miles of salmon and trout habitat. Also in May the City signed the Sandy River Basin Agreement with regional and federal stakeholders to work together to recover protected fish populations in the Sandy Basin.