Steelhead Numbers Mirror 10-Year Average

Early steelhead counts at Lower Granite Dam indicate the 2004 run is on par with the 10- year average. But the numbers are down from the two previous years, which were considered exceptional. The run counts started on June 1 and are as follows:

á1994-2003 average through August 1     2,948

á2004 through August 1                  2,975

á2003 through August 1                  3,672

á2002 through August 1                  5,561

It is too early to tell whether this will translate into fewer fish compared to the last two years. Fish and Game anadromous fish manager Sharon Kiefer says it could be a matter of timing, but she expects to have a better idea about the size of the run by the end of the month. Current numbers are well within the normal range.