Salmon and Hydropower Can and Do Co-Exist

Posted: December 12, 2024

Northwest Hydropower Delivers Triple Win: Clean Energy, Reliability, and Higher Fish Returns

AFTON, WY – Lower Valley Energy highlights the crucial role of hydroelectric dams in providing affordable, reliable, and carbon-free power while supporting thriving salmon populations in the Columbia & Snake River Basins. Data shows encouraging trends in salmon and steelhead returns, with several runs exceeding pre-dam historical averages. This success demonstrates the effectiveness of extensive fish passage improvements, habitat restoration efforts, and innovative technologies implemented at our hydroelectric facilities.

“Our hydropower infrastructure serves as the backbone of the region’s clean energy future,” said Jim Webb, President/CEO of Lower Valley Energy. “The dual achievement of providing carbon-free electricity while supporting fish populations proves that we can maintain both environmental stewardship and energy reliability.”

Key Benefits of Regional Hydropower:

– Provides 80% of the region’s renewable, carbon-free electricity serving millions of Northwest homes and businesses

– Offers the lowest-cost renewable energy source in our generation portfolio

– Ensures grid reliability through instantly available, flexible generation

– Supports integration of wind and solar power through rapid response capabilities

– Helps maintain affordable electricity rates for families and businesses

 

Fish Recovery Success:

The Columbia and Snake River Basins have witnessed remarkable improvements in fish passage and survival rates. Through collaborative efforts with tribal nations, state and federal agencies, and environmental partners, our dams now achieve juvenile fish passage survival rates consistently above 93-96% performance standards.

More than 1.7 million adult salmon and steelhead have returned past Bonneville Dam, the first federal dam on the Columbia River, in 2024. This year’s salmon and steelhead returns are more than triple what was counted during the first year of Bonneville Dam’s operations in 1938.

“The increasing returns we’re seeing validate decades of customer investments in fish passage technologies and habitat restoration,” said Webb. “These results show that hydropower and healthy fish populations can coexist when we apply science-based solutions and maintain strong partnerships.”

As the region faces increasing challenges from climate change and growing electricity demand, hydropower’s role becomes even more critical. Lower Valley Energy remains committed to:

– Continuing investment in fish passage improvements and habitat restoration

– Maintaining affordable, reliable electricity for our customers

– Supporting regional decarbonization goals

– Preserving the multiple benefits our dams provide, including flood control, navigation, and irrigation