While there are no early documented sturgeon catches in the upper Columbia River, they were undoubtedly present. Still it wasn't until the building of the first area dams in the 1920's when many large Columbia white sturgeon were observed and photographed for the first time. Several sturgeon were killed along the Kootenay River when blasting was used to divert water during construction. As dams became operational, other sturgeon succumbed when initially trying to pass through the gates.
(Photo courtesy Revelstoke Museum and Archives)
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