Every fish counted by hand.
We track salmon and steelhead migration at Winchester Dam on the North Umpqua River, one fish at a time.
How We Count
Using custom-built fish counting software, our volunteers review underwater footage from Winchester Dam and count every single fish that passes through. There are no estimates here, each Chinook, Coho, and Steelhead is individually identified and recorded.
This hands-on approach gives us the most accurate picture of fish migration on the North Umpqua River. The data you see on this dashboard represents countless hours of careful observation by dedicated community members who care deeply about our local fisheries.
The Location
Winchester Dam sits on the North Umpqua River near Roseburg, Oregon, in the heart of the Umpqua Valley. This historic dam features a fish ladder where salmon and steelhead navigate upstream during their annual spawning migration.
The North Umpqua is renowned for its wild summer steelhead and native salmon populations. The river flows through some of Oregon's most beautiful forests before joining the South Umpqua near Roseburg to form the main Umpqua River.
About UFED
The Umpqua Fishery Enhancement Derby (UFED) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing and protecting the fisheries of the Umpqua River watershed. Through community engagement, education, and hands-on conservation projects, UFED works to ensure healthy fish populations for future generations.
This fish counting project is just one of many initiatives UFED supports. The data collected here helps researchers, wildlife managers, and the community understand fish migration patterns and the overall health of our local fisheries.
