WDFW will use drone to collect data at Elochoman River Hatchery

Scientists with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) will fly a drone over a section of the Elochoman River in Wahkiakum County during the week of Sept. 24 to collect information to support river restoration work.

WDFW scientist Jane Atha said a drone would collect imagery at the Elochoman River hatchery, where the agency recently removed the lower weir and fishway from the river.

The agency will also collect imagery of a portion of the river along and upstream from the hatchery property to assess restoration opportunities.

Atha said the drone will be flown between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. for approximately 30 to 60 minute periods within a four day window over approximately 1 1/2 miles of the Elochoman River between mileposts 8 and 11 of Elochoman Valley Road.

WDFW scientists regularly collect imagery of river restoration projects to support design and document their progress. Drones provide an opportunity to conduct river restoration monitoring safely, while also efficiently providing a view of rivers that would generally not be possible otherwise.