The early hatchery winter run stock of Chambers Creek origin fish was discontinued at the Cowlitz for the same reason it was discontinued or reduced at many hatcheries. The reason was to reduce genetic introgression between hatchery and wild steelhead. However a good case can and has been made that the Cowlitz was the least apt place for this action. The barrier dam at the Cowlitz salmon hatchery is an absolute physical barrier that prevents any unwanted hatchery salmon or steelhead from reaching the upper watershed and possibly spawning with wild fish. And as for the lower Cowlitz tributaries, even after stocking some of them with hatchery fry or smolts for decades, the Cowlitz steelhead genetic study (2010) indicated an exceedingly low level of hatchery:wild genetic introgression. That is why I said that of all western WA rivers, the Cowlitz had the least of steelhead genetic worries from its early winter hatchery stock program.

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