Swimmers Start 970-Mile Trip To Ocean

Four swimmers have started what they plan as a 970-mile swim to the Pacific Ocean, drawing attention to the problems faced when endangered sockeye salmon try to migrate from central Idaho spawning areas.

Jamie James, Gail Ater, Roy Akins and Paul Lundgren jumped into Redfish Lake Saturday and will swim in relays down the Salmon River. They said in a news release they could be accompanied by perhaps the last sockeye salmon to migrate from the lake to the ocean.

“We’re going to swim 450 miles of whitewater rapids with the sockeye,” said expedition leader James. “That will be difficult and dangerous for us, but it will be the easiest part for the salmon. Most of the salmon will die trying to pass the eight federal dams that block the last part of the migration.”

Despite listing for protection under the Endangered Species Act nearly four years ago, salmon returns to Idaho have continued to decline. The 1995 return is the lowest in history. The sockeye return to Redfish Lake since 1991 has totaled 13.

The swimmers said they hoped their trek would call national attention to the fact federal power dams on the Snake-Columbia river system kill most of fish before they reach the ocean.

The swimmers will be accompanied by a support raft that will carry extra provisions and equipment for the estimated 30-day swim.

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