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High Flows and Fish Migration

It rained!! In 24 hours yesterday, the river flow (discharge measured at Winchester) increased from 6,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) to 25,000 cfs. The long-term (79 years) median flow is 3600 cfs for late December and the mean flow is 6,600 cfs. The highest flow recorded for today was 37,200 cfs in 1999. The lowest flow was 1040 cfs in 1977. The warmer temperatures during this rain event peaked just below 48 degrees, well above the 38 degrees observed a week ago. Winter steelhead (and a few largescale suckers) were migrating in good numbers the past few days. The fish are currently holding near the river edges or moving slowly in the lower velocity areas to conserve energy at times like this. It is normal winter steelhead behavior to start their long migration again as the higher flows start to decrease in between rainstorms.

Historic Low Water Levels on the North Umpqua River Continue

Historic Low Water Levels on the North Umpqua River Continue

Yes, the current North Umpqua River flow is at a historic lowest level. No significant rainfall is predicted for the next several days.

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Umpqua Fish

Powerhouse Electric Joins Hatchery Rebuild Project

Powerhouse Electric Joins Hatchery Rebuild Project

Umpqua Fishery Enhancement Derby teams up with Powerhouse Electric to help the North Umpqua River Spring Chinook program at Rock Creek Hatchery as part of the rebuild hatchery project.

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Umpqua Fish

First Spring Chinook Appears on March 24th

First Spring Chinook Appears on March 24th

March was another great month for fish returning to the North Umpqua River. Not only did 4,000 winter steelhead pass upstream to add to the current total count of over 10,000, a few early spring chinook migrated through the fish ladder. The first one was a beautiful large fish and arrived on March 24th. This springer will find a quiet, deep pool in the river to hold during its no-food diet until September when it will spawn in a nearby gravel riffle.

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Umpqua Fish

8,000th Winter Steelhead Counted in North Umpqua

8,000th Winter Steelhead Counted in North Umpqua

What's so special about this winter steelhead counted on March 10th at 8:05 PM by our project? It is the 8,000th fish for the 2025-26 North Umpqua River return and reported just a day after it occurred. There will be several more steelhead migrating upstream to spawn over the next several weeks to count and update for everyone. The total count could reach 10,000 by the end of April and be one of the highest number for this population in recent years. Thank you for watching our LiveCam Video.

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Umpqua Fish

Watch for Spring Chinook at Winchester Dam

Watch for Spring Chinook at Winchester Dam

Spring weather is here and that means Spring Chinook will arrive in the next few days. The water temperature just hit 50 degrees for the first time in 2026, which is a great predictor for the arrival of the first springer in the North Umpqua River.

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Umpqua Fish

Watch Steelhead Easily Traverse the Fish Ladder

Watch Steelhead Easily Traverse the Fish Ladder

Are you watching... 12 steelhead passing through the fish ladder in just 15 minutes. This year’s returns continue to be very high numbers and it is still 60 days away from the end of the migration period. A great start to the month of March.

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Umpqua Fish