Salmon River Source to Sea

From the end of April to mid-July of 2022, a team of women skied and paddled over 1000 miles from the source of the Salmon River to the sea as a conservation campaign promoting the removal of the four Lower Snake River dams and putting a moratorium on the Stibnite Gold Project, in order to save Idaho’s rapidly dwindling salmon populations from extinction.

They campaign inspired (and continues to inspire!) river communities, recreationists, and athletes to get educated, take action, and advocate for the protection of wild salmon and steelhead and the removal of the four dams on the lower Snake River.

The women followed the natural migration path of anadromous fish from the rivers of central Idaho to the Pacific Ocean. The team made a film about their journey, the salmon populations, the communities most impacted by the declining salmon populations, and the necessity to breach the dams for salmon recovery.

The project included grassroots action along the 1000 mile journey including holding over 17 community events such as group paddling days, tribal visits, river clean ups, citizen science, presentations, and more. Additionally several educational events with school groups, events with local non-profit organizations, and expert speaker visits took place.

Rivers for Change was there from the beginning, helping to coordinate, manage, and develop this epic Source to Sea campaign.

From assisting with the coordination of 17 events, collaborating with 16 different non-profits, 34 brands, and managing the team, shuttles, logistics, and gear along the way, it was quite the undertaking! We won’t tell you how many tabs our Master Spreadsheet held ;)

Timeline 2022:

End of April: began skiing to the headwaters of the Middle Fork Salmon.

Early May: paddled from the source of the Middle Fork to Corn Creek,  get shuttled to the headwaters of the Main Salmon near Stanley, ID to start skiing and paddling.

May 19th: reach the put-in for the permitted section of the Main Salmon.

End of May through mid-June: paddle the Lower Salmon through the Snake, switch to sea kayaks, portage the 4 Lower Snake River Dams.

Mid-June: continued in sea kayaks and the slog of flat water with headwinds and 4 more dam portages down the Columbia.

Mid July: reach the Pacific Ocean!

Events Included: (and would not have been possible with incredible volunteers and partners)

Missoula Event:

4/22/22: Team send off event in Missoula, MO and silent auction at Love Boat

Salmon Events:

5/13/22:  Sweetwater/Bluegrass Event-art event, drinks and music. Team presentation.

5/14/22: 8-10am: Morning Coffee @Sweetwater and letter writing/postcards

5/14/22: 10am-1pm: Community Paddle with Idaho Adventures (Shoot Bridge to Town) meet at IA. Catered lunch and fly fishing clinic.

McCall Events:

5/25/22: 11am-11:45am high school only library presentation and Q&A

5/25/22: 3:30-5pm McCall Public Library-Presentation, Community Engagement, Art, and Advocacy with Save the South Fork.

Riggins Events:

6/3-6/4/22: Big Water Blowout: Riggins River Festival meet the guides, presentation, tabling, and post-card writing.

Lewiston Event:

6/11/22: Community Paddle and Celebration. Asotin Boat Ramp to Hell’s Gate State Park-with Tribal canoes and public paddle and a potluck at Hell’s Gate with Nimiipuu Protecting the Environment, Save our Wild Salmon, and Idaho Rivers United.

North Fork Events:

6/16-6/18/22: North Fork Championships presentation

Tri-Cities Events:

6/22/22:  9:30am-12pm river cleanup Bateman Island, Richland with Great Old Broads for Wilderness

6/22/22: 5-7pm evening celebration and presentations hosted by Great Old Broads for Wilderness

Hood River Events:

7/3/22: 8am-12 pm Swap meet tabling and post card writing

7/3/22: 2-4pm presentation and postcard writing at Immersion Research

Portland Events:

7/9/22: 6-9 pm: evening event/presentation/panel at Patagonia Portland with Nimiipuu Protecting the Environment

7/10/22: 12-3pm Kelley Point Park picnic and presentation hosted by Great Old Broads for Wilderness

Astoria Event:

7/16/22: 5-8 pm Fort George, Astoria. Festivities, trip wrap up, and presentation