CX-018297: Steelhead Kelt Reconditioning Project

The Yakama Nation, with funding from Bonneville Power Administration, proposes to continue implementing a steelhead kelt reconditioning program in the Methow River basin in Okanogan County, Washington. The goal of the project is to test whether the abundance of naturally-produced Upper Columbia River steelhead can be increased on spawning grounds in various tributaries of the Methow River through long-term kelt reconditioning methods. Project objectives include: (1) reconditioning steelhead kelts using long-term methods at existing hatchery facilities, (2) evaluating kelt survival and program effectiveness, and (3) contributing to ongoing monitoring and evaluation studies to document the reproductive success of reconditioned kelts after release.