Hi, my name is Beezer and I am a first time caller on this thread, cluck cluck.

Just kidding, great topic, and discussion; both threads.

Quick question about carrying capacity for Smalma. Correct me if I am wrong, but I am assuming that carrying capacity is the maximum amount of juveniles, parr/smolt, that a system is capable of producing. You have said that you believe that the reason for the current decline in returns of Snohomish system winter run steelhead adults (and I have no reason to disagree with you) is occurring after the smolt leave the fresh water habitat. Why do you then say that the carrying capacity for the Snohomish system is lower? Assuming no drastic change in habitat isn't the carrying capacity still the same? The system should still be able to produce the same amount of juveniles however there just are not enough adults returning to "seed" the system. The way I see it, the escapement goals that were supposed to provide protection for severe negative environmental conditions have failed.