Wildlife

Salmon Smolt Migration Welfare

Young salmon migrating to sea face dams warm water and predators causing welfare harm.

Key Facts

Salmon smolts face barotrauma when passing through dam turbines or spillways
Warm water temperatures impair physiology and increase disease susceptibility
Predators concentrate below dams where disoriented smolts are vulnerable
Dam removal produces dramatic improvements in smolt survival and welfare

Welfare Considerations

Salmon smolts migrating downstream to the ocean face cumulative stressors that cause high mortality and welfare harm. Dams force smolts through turbines or over spillways causing barotrauma and disorientation. Warm water temperatures impair physiology. Predators concentrate below dams where disoriented smolts are vulnerable. Dam removal is the most effective smolt welfare intervention and is occurring in several river systems with dramatic results.

What You Can Do

Support dam removal on salmon-bearing rivers
Advocate for turbine design improvements that reduce smolt mortality
Support water temperature management programs that protect smolt migration
Choose wild salmon from rivers without major smolt migration barriers