To implement the development and re-establishment of sockeye in the Deschutes Basin.  The project would develop natural and harvest mortality factors, providing information to the Columbia genetic library for Oncorhyncus nerka.  

Oregon historically had two sockeye runs; the Wallowa Lake and the Deschutes/Suttle Lake Run.  The Deschutes population became extirpated in the 1960’s with the finished construction of the Roundbutte Dam.  This project in coordination with the Portland General Electric and Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon Pelton–Roundbutte FERC license begins the redevelopment of the Deschutes sockeye population.  To re-establish a sockeye run in the Deschutes Basin critical population information is necessary.  This project in partnership with Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, and Portland General Electric will develop a cost effective and reliable method of sampling reservoir age class population data for predicting the age 1+ population available for outmigration and source for kokanee harvest.  Genetic information for the sockeye library will be collected and tracked through the Columbia Basin.  The study will also link the use of Suttle Lake production with Lake Billy Chinook and assess if separation is applicable.  Spawning escapement estimates will also be refined.  As a result of the information collected the basin managers can make informed decisions on managing and balancing the re-establishment of sockeye in the Deschutes Basin with a harvestable kokanee population in Lake Billy Chinook.