77,000 Chinook Salmon Accidentally Released into Wrong Creek in Oregon

A tanker truck mishap led to the unintended release of thousands of salmon, with efforts underway to assess the impact on local ecosystems.

A tanker truck carrying 102,000 Chinook salmon smolts overturned in Oregon, accidentally releasing about 77,000 into Lookingglass Creek instead of their intended destination, the Imnaha River.
The accident occurred on March 29, when the driver lost control of the vehicle on a sharp turn, leading to minor injuries for the driver but no serious harm.
Approximately 25,000 salmon smolts did not survive the crash, representing about 20% of the total planned for release into the Imnaha River this year.
The surviving salmon are expected to migrate to the Pacific Ocean and could return to Lookingglass Creek to spawn, potentially adding 350-700 adult salmon to the population.
The incident highlights the challenges of transporting endangered species and the impact of human infrastructure on wildlife populations.