Researchers Using Drones to Track Salmon on Wenatchee River

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and Washington State University are launching a fall project to use drones for salmon activity tracking in the Upper Wenatchee River. Researchers will use a drone to count salmon redds, which are nests in spawning areas, from September through November.

"It allows us to cover a lot more area a lot faster," said Staci Lehman, public affairs officer. "This is much more resource friendly and can use a lot less people."

The drone has the ability to capture high resolution photos and videos which provides researchers the ability to zoom in and count the Redds.

Areas include near Tumwater Campground, Blackbird Island, and a lower Wenatchee site near Dryden.