The smallest observed coho salmon run ever on the Puyallup watershed was counted in 2010, according to the Puyallup Tribe of Indians’s recently released annual salmon report. Only 720 adult coho were seen by spawning surveyors during the 2010 season, which is the lowest recorded run in almost 20 years. The next lowest run was 976 coho in 2003.
The more than 200 page report is available here (pdf link, 51 MB). It is the most comprehensive monitoring and evaluation report available on the status, trends, responses and use by various life history stages of ESA listed Spring/Fall Chinook and winter steelhead; as well as non-listed coho, pink, chum, sockeye, and bull trout within the Puyallup/White River Watershed (Puget Sound ESU).
Monitoring and evaluation efforts include extensive spawning ground escapement surveys for Chinook, coho, pink, chum and steelhead. The tribe collects the population data during its survey season, which begins in mid-August, continues through the winter, and ends in mid-June. Additional elements include sampling adult anadromous salmonid returns at the USACE fish trap on the White River; adult and juvenile salmonid migration and mortality monitoring at the Electron Forebay fish collection facility (Puget Sound Energy) and operation of the juvenile rotary screw trap on the Puyallup River (Puyallup Tribe).