Big Creek Population

Big Creek

Big Creek flows north into Knappa Slough and the Columbia River (Figure 1). It is the largest creek in the Big Creek population, with approximately 14.9 km of low gradient habitat (Bischoff et al. 2000b}. Historically, Big Creek may have supported significant Chum Salmon spawning; estimates exceed 5,000 adults based on collection of> 6.3 million eggs at the hatchery in 1942 (Wallis 1963), but returns are presently much lower and more variable. Big Creek Hatchery currently releases hatchery Coho Salmon, fall Chinook Salmon, and Steelhead for commercial and recreational fisheries. The hatchery also produces Chum Salmon, as wild and hatchery Chum Salmon captured at the hatchery are currently spawned for recovery efforts. Wild Coho Salmon, Steel head, and Coastal Cutthroat Trout also occur in the basin and are passed upstream to spawn naturally when encountered in the hatchery trap. The Big Creek watershed upstream of the hatchery (Figure 2) was monitored for juvenile Chum Salmon in 2013 and 2015 from midFebruary through mid - June.