The Cowlitz is nearly perfect as fish accounting systems go. Natural smolts from the upper basin are counted at Cowlitz Falls and Mayfield. Hatchery salmon smolts are counted out of the raceways. Steelhead and cutthroat smolts are counted out of the earthen rearing ponds - unless they aren't. Not being able to account for an 80% loss prior to actual release is phenomenal.

Upstream adults are counted at barrier dam and Blue Creek. Even the lower basin creeks have weirs now where upstream adults can be counted and sorted. It's a nearly perfect fish laboratory setup.