Sockeye return to Columbia in record numbers

By Associated Press

Summary

Nearly 215,000 sockeye were counted at Bonneville dam through Tuesday, the biggest number of adults returning from the ocean since 1955.

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Story Published: Jul 24, 2008 at 8:04 AM PST

Story Updated: Nov 20, 2008 at 10:38 PM PST

Sockeye return to Columbia in record numbers

File photo.

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Sockeye salmon are returning to the Columbia River this summer in record numbers.

Nearly 215,000 sockeye were counted at Bonneville dam through Tuesday, the biggest number of adults returning from the ocean since 1955.

The reasons are unclear but the numbers have surprised fishery managers and scientists.

Some say it's because federal courts ordered the release of extra water over dams in 2006 and 2007 to improve juvenile fish passage to the sea.

Others cite improved ocean conditions for the best sockeye return in half a century.