Sockeye return to Columbia in record numbers

Sockeye return to Columbia in record numbers

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Story Published: Jul 24, 2008 at 9:04 AM PDT

Story Updated: Nov 20, 2008 at 11:38 PM PDT

By Associated Press

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.

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