Magic Valley farmer, cattle raiser and pork raiser Dave Roper tells us about a citizens group, Citizens for Preservation of Fish and Dams, that is delving into the proposed dam-breaching issues beyond ag transportation disruption, fish survivability and power generation – what are the unintended consequences (good and bad) of dams and reservoirs? Where can you find collected data to pursue more about the topic and the science beyond differing arguments? That’s what the group hopes to be able to provide – information for those searching for answers.

One thing I learned from this episode: At one point in their lives (typically in springtime) fish (salmon and steelhead) physically develop something not unlike a float tube. So as much as a fish might want to swim to the bottom, it can’t and can go no deeper than about 1 foot in the water – being vulnerable to prey. And many are flushed out of the rivers too fast at this stage into the ocean, without the time to adapt from fresh water to saltwater conditions. Without adaptation, they die.

Have a question for our guest? Contact citizensforfishdam@gmail.com