Historic Fish Distribution Study

Project Summary

The City of Salem, Marion County, and the Mid-Willamette Valley Council of Governments, have completed an assessment of Historic Salmon Distribution in Marion County, Oregon. Using GIS coverages from multiple sources, this project combined barrier data (e.g., culverts, dams, waterfalls), hydrography (stream network), and fish-use data from Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife to assess both current and historic use of area streams by three species of salmonids: spring chinook salmon, winter steelhead, and cutthroat trout. The project was funded by a Regional Investment Grant from the Mid-Willamette Valley Community Development Partnership, and supports planning and program objectives related to the listing of winter steelhead and spring chinook salmon under the Endangered Species Act and Statewide Goal 5. The primary objectives of this project were to:

• Collect and integrate GIS data layers on hydrography, fish use, and barriers;
• Document historic distribution of listed fish in Salem and Marion County;
• Assess current distribution using barrier and fish survey data;
• Describe data gaps in existing information, recommend strategies to obtain additional information to determine current distribution and monitor changes over time; and
• Help prioritize basins for enhancement and restoration projects.

The GIS database developed for this project will support a wide range of planning activities that require understanding of listed fish and their habitat. The Historic Salmon Distribution Study report is available by clicking on the icon on the upper right-hand corner.

Click on the title below to read the report.

Historic Fish Report

Maps

Salem/Keizer Area Watersheds:

Spring Chinook current distribution

Winter steelhead current distribution

Cutthroat trout current & historic distribution

Historic spring Chinook & winter steelhead distribution

Mill Creek Watershed:

Spring Chinook current distribution

Winter steelhead current distribution

Historic spring Chinook & winter steelhead distribution

East Marion County Watersheds:

Spring Chinook current distribution

Winter steelhead current distribution

West Marion County Watersheds:

Spring Chinook current distribution

Winter steelhead current distribution

Project-wide:

Cutthroat trout current & historic distribution

Historic spring Chinook & winter steelhead distribution