By Tove Tupper
 
November 9, 2009
 
NEAR TRAIL, Ore. - Spring Chinook salmon are making their way up the Rogue River to spawn before they die in the river bed.
 
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife count the fish carcasses annually. This year, ODFW has so far counted 2,000 carcasses, which is significantly higher compared to the last two years. In each of 2007 and 2008 they only counted 850. ODFW credits the ocean conditions for bringing more fish back to the Rogue River.
 
"In those low run years there were probably some El Ninos or just poor conditions. There wasn't the upwelling in the ocean, and so the fish weren't able to get enough food," ODFW Assistant Dist. Fish Biologist Brent Crowe said.
 
This year, ODFW started counting carcasses in mid-September. However, it says it expects to be done by the end of this week.