bioRxiv · 10.64898/2026.09.25.754467
Temperature and flow impacts on spawner-to-fry production in Okanagan sockeye salmon
Abstract
Okanagan sockeye salmon have shown a strong recovery over the past three decades, but the contribution of environmental conditions and management actions to this recovery has not been determined. We developed a hierarchical Bayesian model linking spawner abundances to fry emergence observations to evaluate how flow and water temperature during adult upstream migration and incubation periods influence spawner-to-fry production. Production declined by 62% in years with earlier onset and longer duration of periods when warm river temperatures created barriers to adult migration, indicating that migration conditions can have carry-over effects on reproductive success even when spawners successfully reach the spawning grounds. Additionally, production was 46% lower when flows fell above or below the management target range designed to minimize scour and desiccation during egg incubation. In contrast, we found little support for effects of pre-spawning flows or incubation temperature on production. These findings provide quantitative evidence that current flow management is increasing freshwater spawner-to-fry production and has likely contributed to the Okanagan sockeye recovery. Effective flow management may therefore help offset climate-driven impacts that increasingly threaten this population.
Explore related subjects
Keep this discovery
Explore connections, maps & timelines
Thompson, P. L., Alex, K., Stiff, H. W., Ogden, A. D.. 2026-09-28. Temperature and flow impacts on spawner-to-fry production in Okanagan sockeye salmon. https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.09.25.754467
Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.