Tucannon River to Receive Salmon Carcasses

DAYTON - More than 700 adult salmon carcasses from hatcher spawning will be deposited in the Tucannon River on Jan. 27 to enhance nutrients for fish.

Many of the carcasses from the Lyons Ferry Fish Hatchery range from 20-30 pounds. They will be distributed by volunteers from the Tri-State Steelheaders and Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife staff.

WDFW fish biologist Michael Gallinat of Dayton explained that, in recent years, too few salmon and steelhead have returned to the Tucannon River to provide the necessary nutrients to maintain a productive food web.

“It’s the way that wild fish recycle naturally,” Gallinat said in a WDFW press release. He said hatchery carcass distribution has been used to enhance nutrients in waters throughout the state for at least a couple of decades.

Several research studies have shown that distributing the salmon carcasses helps streams rebound to healthy salmon habitat. Otters, mink and other wildlife also consume the salmon.