

The Snake River Basin steelhead is a threatened species. NOAA Fisheries’ West Coast Region, along with the Science Centers, work to protect and conserve this species under the Endangered Species Act.
ESA Listing Status: Threatened on August 18, 1997 (62 FR 43937) and January 5, 2006 (71 FR 833); updated April 14, 2014 (79 FR 20802)
DPS Description: This distinct population segment, or DPS, includes all naturally spawned anadromous O. mykiss (steelhead) originating below natural and manmade impassable barriers from the Snake River basin. The DPS also includes steelhead from the following artificial propagation programs:
Current Population Trends: Snake River Steelhead Status Reviews and Five-Year Updates
Critical Habitat: Designated September 2, 2005
Protective Regulations: Issued June 28, 2005 (70 FR 37159)
Recovery Plan: Snake River Spring/Summer Chinook Salmon and Snake River Basin Steelhead Recovery Plan (2017)
NOAA Fisheries delineated eight recovery domains, or geographic recovery planning areas, for the ESA-listed salmon and steelhead populations on the West Coast. The Snake River Recovery Sub-domain is one of three sub-domains comprising the Interior Columbia River Recovery Domain (see map of recovery domains). This sub-domain is home to four ESA-listed salmon and steelhead species:
NOAA Fisheries West Coast Region manages recovery planning and implementation for this sub-domain through its Interior Columbia Basin Area Office.
The Snake River Spring/Summer Chinook Salmon and Snake River Basin Steelhead Recovery Plan was adopted in November 2017.
Salmon and steelhead recovery requires action at all levels of government and by all stakeholders to be effective. Partnerships among federal, state, local, and tribal entities, together with non-governmental and private organizations, are key to restoring healthy salmon and steelhead runs and ensuring the cultural, economic, and environmental benefits they provide. Implementing recovery actions is especially critical at the local level. NOAA Fisheries supports this by providing scientific and policy support, providing funding as available, and working with our partners to improve regulatory mechanisms for salmon and steelhead recovery.
Key partners working to restore Snake River sockeye salmon, Snake River spring/summer Chinook salmon, Snake River fall Chinook salmon, and Snake River steelhead are identified below.
If you have questions, would like to learn more about recovery efforts in your watershed, or would like to get involved directly, please contact:
West Coast Region - Interior Columbia Basin Area Office
Bob Ries, Snake River Basin Steelhead Recovery POC
Email: Bob.Ries@noaa.gov
Phone: 208.882.6148