Curt

I somewhat misspoke about the flows. In looking at Cedar/Nisqually/other regulated rivers it looks like when a minimum flow was established (and WDFW could not tell me when it happened) there was a change in the relationship between reservoir inflow and release. Essentially, the minimum flow resulted in "more" water being released (looking at the fall salmon spawning flows) since inflow in summer/fall is declining. Releases are cooler water, so looking at the temps would be helpful, too. And, spawning salmon numbers in the Cedar have crashed.

I realize, too, that based on our experiences we see the problems associated with steelhead differently. I see that the freshwater environment exerts a huge control while your experience points to marine problems.

The truth probably lies in the middle, with both exerting a huge influence.