Columbia River

Visitors flock to celebrate birthday of the elderly Herman the Sturgeon

Joni Auden Land

A crowd of onlookers — some wearing party hats — stood in front of a gigantic tank to sing “Happy Birthday” to Herman, a 500-pound sturgeon housed at Bonneville Fish Hatchery and one of Oregon’s largest tourist attractions.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife sampled for mussels and other invasive species on the Columbia River in 2022. No invasive quagga or zebra mussels have been found in Washington or Oregon waters. But Idaho did find quagga larvae in September 2023 in the Snake River near Twin Falls.

Environment

Oregon Fish & Wildlife expert says quagga mussels will be catastrophic for fish and water systems

Allison Frost

The effects of the invasive quagga mussel, which only grows to the size of a thumbnail, extend beyond the natural ecology and into the built environment. Removing and keeping clusters of the mussels out of pipes could cost the state billions.

A sign reads "Warning, Toxic Algae Present" and lists additional details in small print. Behind the sign is a river.

Environment

Toxic algae found in Columbia River for third week, EPA scientists on the way and new OSU study 'sniffs' for toxins

Anna King

Toxic algae has been found in the Columbia River for the third week in a row in the Tri-Cities, Washington. Algae can be harmful to people swimming, ingesting or coming in contact with the water, as well as animals.

Casie Davidson, a scientist at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, points out how basalt rocks are layered on top of each other. The rocks formed millions of years ago after volcanic eruptions and could now help store carbon dioxide.

Environment

Could the Northwest’s basalt rocks help slow climate change?

Courtney Flatt

Northwest scientists say the region’s unique geology could help the planet. To keep heat-trapping gasses out of the atmosphere, researchers want to pump CO2 deep underground.

Shane Patterson of the Yakama Nation, right, uses a dip net to fish for salmon on the Klickitat River. He said a lot of people rely on fishing for income and to feed their families. “And it just ain’t like it used to be,” he said.

Environment

After report on toxic salmon in Columbia River, Northwest lawmakers call for action

Maya Miller, Tony Schick

Citing a ProPublica and Oregon Public Broadcasting investigation into toxic contamination in salmon, the Oregon senator and others across the Pacific Northwest are calling for policy changes and more funding but are lacking details on next steps.

Lottie Sam, front right, and other women prepare salmon in Toppenish, Wash.,, before a ceremony held by the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation.

Environment

Unchecked pollution is contaminating the salmon that Pacific Northwest tribes eat

Tony Schick, Maya Miller

Native tribes in the Columbia River Basin face a disproportionate risk of toxic exposure through their most important food. While tribes have pushed the government to pay closer attention to dangerous chemicals and metals in fish, that hasn’t happened. So, we did our own testing. What we found was alarming for tribes.

Arts & Culture

Digital Library On Indigenous Culture And History Launches

Brian Bull

Greater access to indigenous culture has been made available to educators and students across the Pacific Northwest. KLCC’s Brian Bull reports on the…

Environment

Die-off Sparks Questions On Sturgeon Survival In Changing Climate

Rowan Moore Gerety

Salmon are a touchstone in the Northwest...in food, in nature, and now, in the damage wrought by the ongoing drought: less than half of returning Sockeye…

Environment

Bacterial Infection Causing Salmon To Die

Several dying and dead salmon were found in the Deschutes and Columbia rivers. The Oregon department of Fish and Wildlife says a bacterial infection is…

Environment

Love 'em or Hate 'em, Sea Lions Raise Big Issues On The Columbia

Cassandra Profita

A record number of sea lions have been feeding in the Columbia River this spring. A lack of food in the ocean and a big run of smelt drew them in. And now…

Arts & Culture

Artist Maya Lin To Visit The University of Oregon

Artist and architect Maya Lin will give a free lecture at the University of Oregon on Thursday, Nov. 20. Lin will discuss her two newest projects in the…

Environment

Endangered Chinook Migrate Via Trucks Around Cracked Dam

The Columbia River will remain drawn down at least until June because of the cracked Wanapum Dam in southeast Washington. That means fish can’t reach…