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Upper Columbia River Group
Spokane River Project

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- Leave no Trace

Redband Trout - in trouble.

The Spokane River’s wild redband trout are indicators of ecosystem health and important to our river. Trout numbers are plummeting. These fish deserve our attention and protection. Locating the Whitewater Park in important spawning and rearing habitat further jeopardizes these fish. photo by Jeff Holmes

Redband Trout, Spokane River near the West Link Bridge, near the site of the proposed Whitewater Park.

Below -

Fish spawning areas of the Spokane River and the proposed Whitewater Park. (source: Avista. Lower Spokane River Redband Trout Spawning Habitat: Monroe Street Dam to Nine Mile Dam Pool. Feb. 2011.

Spokane River

&

the proposed Whitewater Park

Overview

Wild fish populations of the Spokane River are in trouble from existing dams and loss of habitat to pollution.

Locating the proposed Whitewater Park in important spawning and rearing habitat has long raised concerns.

To create the park’s standing wave will require building yet another dam, this one an underwater dam. The result will be more harm inflicted by the City of Spokane on the Spokane River.

Avista Corporation did a recent study on fisheries habitat and found healthy spawning and rearing habitat where the proposed Whitewater Park would be located.

Wildlife also are at risk. The Spokane River Gorge, the proposed location for the Whitewater Park, is also an important wildlife corridor.

And finally, economics are a concern. Noting that boating deaths have already occurred in the area proposed for the Whitewater Park, what will be the costs to city taxpayers for liability insurance? Who will pay for maintenance?

These and other concerns have been raised – and have yet to be adequately addressed. (angler photos courtesy of Jerry White Jr)