Thousands of 'threatened' Chinook salmon killed in transit to Inmaha River

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Thousands of young salmon are dead after a fish tanker truck mistakenly took a sharp corner and crashed, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife announced Tuesday.

The truck had been transporting roughly 102,000 spring Chinook smolts -- or offspring -- that were ready to be released to the Imnaha River on Friday, March 29.

While driving along Lookingglass Creek, the 53-foot truck turned and skidded onto its passenger side before going over a rocky embankment and flipping onto its roof. The driver survived with minor injuries.

According to ODFW, about 77,000 of the salmon made it into the creek during the crash, but 25,529 died.

Lookingglass Hatchery raises the salmon to supplement the Imnaha River's "threatened" Chinook population as the fish continue to be harvested for sport and tribal use.

The young salmon that were lost make up around 20% of the total that will be released into the river in 2024. Fishery managers said the loss could result in the return of roughly 500-900 fewer adult fish in 2026 and 2027.

"We are thankful the ODFW employee driving the truck was not seriously injured,” ODFW hatchery coordinator Andrew Gibbs said. "This should not impact our ability to collect future brood stock or maintain full production goals in the future."