Healthy aquatic ecosystems provide fish habitat, irrigation water, and clean drinking water, as well as supporting recreation and other industries. Because native fish populations are central to the structure and function of aquatic ecosystems, they serve as ideal indicators of the overall health of aquatic habitat.

Efforts to restore aquatic habitat and recover the watershed’s threatened fish species are the foundation of WATERSHED 2040, the Hood River Basin Partnership’s Strategic Action Plan, which encompasses an ambitious scope of work for restoring fish habitat, streamflow, and water quality over the next 20 years. Much of this work will also strengthen the resiliency of our community and economy, as climate change continues to impact streamflow, water temperature, and aquatic and terrestrial habitats.

Watershed Group Coordinator Cindy Thieman presents a summary of the plan, including goals and objectives, recent studies that have informed our understanding of the watershed’s limiting factors to salmon and steelhead, and restoration opportunities and actions.

Watch the recording here.