Renovating Fish Sanctuaries Along New York's Salmon River for Thriving Great Lakes Aquatic Life

Restoration Efforts Underway to Revive Atlantic Salmon Populations in Salmon River

The Salmon River in Oswego County, New York, is set to undergo significant restoration work, thanks to a collaborative effort by several organizations. The project aims to improve the habitat for native Great Lakes fish, particularly Atlantic salmon, and enhance recreational fishing opportunities.

The organizations involved in the restoration include NOAA Fisheries, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians, the U.S. Forest Service, the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service New York Field Office, Finger Lakes Lake Ontario Watershed Protection Alliance, and the Lake Ontario Committee.

In 2023, NOAA provided nearly $390,000 in funding from the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative to remove the central pier and south abutment structures of a trestle bridge in the Salmon River. This work is expected to restore the river to more natural conditions, improve habitat used by native Great Lakes fish, and eliminate a hazard that was impacting navigation on the river.

Additional work at the trestle pool project site, including replanting areas disturbed by construction and installing 600 feet of large wood structures called "toe-wood" along the base of the stream bank, is expected to be completed in 2025. Toe-wood helps stabilize stream banks while also providing shade and habitat for aquatic species, including important rearing habitat for juvenile Atlantic salmon.

Fishery managers are also focusing on stocking and habitat restoration, particularly in key locations like the Salmon River, to restore Atlantic salmon populations in Lake Ontario. The Salmon River is the location of a state-operated fish hatchery that supplies fish for more than 100 public waterways, including Lake Ontario.

Construction for the next phase of the project, which includes installing in-stream structures, is expected to begin in 2025. These new structures will help improve rearing and spawning habitat for Atlantic salmon, reduce erosion, and help restore natural habitat and flow to the river.

The projects are expected to benefit not only Atlantic salmon but also other fish species such as Pacific salmon, steelhead rainbow trout, and trout that support important fisheries. Nearly 350,000 people fish New York's Great Lakes and their tributaries each year, totaling 7,800 fishing days.

Marc Gaden, Executive Secretary of the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, emphasizes the importance of restoring and protecting habitat to support the thriving fishery in the area and the significant step forward the work in the Salmon River represents in the effort to restore Atlantic salmon in Lake Ontario.

The projects will complement several other restoration projects already completed by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Erosion, sedimentation, and changes in water flow have degraded the habitat in the Salmon River, threatening the health of fish that live, grow, and reproduce there.

Removal of the center pier also eliminated a hazard that was impacting navigation on the river, including drift boats often used by the sport fishing community. Each project will include monitoring to ensure the project is functioning as designed, specifically for the Trestle Pool project and Phase 3 project.

The Lake Ontario Committee represents fishery management agencies of Lake Ontario and has identified restoration projects on the Salmon River as a priority for Atlantic salmon and rainbow trout. These restoration efforts are funded through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and NOAA's partnership with the Great Lakes Fishery Commission.

With the removal of the south abutment, water from the river can now flow into the floodplain during high water events, reducing the risk of downstream erosion. The projects are expected to be a significant boost for the recreational fishing community in the Salmon River, a popular location for fishing and home to significant numbers of trout and salmon.

Renovating Fish Sanctuaries Along New York's Salmon River for Thriving Great Lakes Aquatic Life