When Lake Roosevelt was created in 1942, the environmental character and ecosystems of the Upper Columbia River changed accordingly.
Learn about today’s fisheries, salmon reintroduction efforts, investigations into legacy metals and other contaminants, aquatic invasive species management, a modernized Columbia River Treaty, and other factors are determining the environmental future and human enjoyment of Lake Roosevelt.
Lake Roosevelt Fisheries
Each year, anglers spend thousands of hours of time catching over 150,000 fish. Rainbow trout, white sturgeon, walleye, kokanee, and smallmouth bass are the most targeted species.
Salmon Reintroduction
Salmon were fully blocked from the Upper Columbia in 1942. The Upper Columbia United Tribes, or UCUTs, are leading the effort to reintroduce non-ESA listed salmon to the Upper Columbia.
Upper Columbia Remedial Investigation & Feasibility Study
The purpose of the UCR Lake Roosevelt RI/FS is to establish the nature, extent and possible human health and ecological risks of metals and other contaminants found in the Upper Columbia River.
Aquatic Invasive Species
Zebra and quagga mussels damage dams, irrigation pumps, boats, other infrastructure, and the general environment. Monitoring and management efforts are essential to lake management.
Columbia River Treaty
The United States and Canada are working to modernize the Columbia River Treaty to support a new generation of flood risk management, power generation and ecosystem function needs.
