The Snake River fall-run Chinook salmon is a threatened species. NOAA Fisheries’ West Coast Region, along with the West Coast Science Centers, work to protect and conserve this species under the Endangered Species Act.
ESA Listing Status: Threatened on April 22, 1992 (57 FR 14653) and June 28, 2005 (70 FR 37159); updated April 14, 2014 (79 FR 20802)
ESU Description: This evolutionarily significant unit, or ESU, includes all naturally spawned fall-run Chinook salmon origi-nating from the mainstem Snake River below Hells Canyon Dam and from the Tucannon River, Grande Ronde River, Imnaha River, Salmon River, and Clearwater River subbasins. It also includes fall-run Chinook salmon from the following artificial propagation programs:
Current Population Trends: ESA Status Reviews and Five-Year Updates for Snake River Fall-Run Chinook Salmon
Critical Habitat: Designated December 28,1993 (58 FR 68543)
Protective Regulations: Issued June 28, 2005 (70 FR 37159)
Recovery Plan: Recovery Plan for Snake River Fall-run Chinook Salmon (2017)
Petition to Delist:
On January 16, 2015, NOAA Fisheries received a petition to delist Snake River fall-run Chinook salmon. On April 22, 2015, we released a 90-day finding indicating that further review was warranted. On May 26, 2016, we released our determination that though the status of Snake River fall-run Chinook salmon had improved considerably since its listing under the ESA in 1992, delisting the ESU was not warranted at this time.
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 Recovery Plan for Snake River Fall-run Chinook Salmon was adopted in November 2017. Because of the complexity of the salmonid life cycle, some regional issues that affect ESA-listed Columbia River Basin salmon and steelhead are beyond the scope of any one management plan. NOAA Fisheries developed several modules to address these regional issues and assist in recovery planning.
Salmon 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 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 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
Patty Dornbusch
Email: Patty.Dornbusch@noaa.gov
Phone: 503-230-5430
An oceanic whitetip shark swims near the surface of the water. Photo courtesy of John Carlson.
A U.S. Fish and Wildlife employee reintroduces salmon into a Central Valley river.
Aerial view of restored floodplain habitat and agricultural property near Sacramento, California.
