How did salmon support permanent Plateau villages?

Salmon were essential to the development of permanent villages among Plateau Indian groups because they provided a reliable and abundant food source that could support relatively dense populations.1

To sustain these communities, fishing was the most important subsistence activity, utilizing tools such as nets, traps, and one- or three-pronged spears. Communities also constructed and collectively maintained large fish weirs—stone or wooden enclosures designed to corral the catch.2

Because salmon were available in such high quantities, Plateau peoples were able to preserve the fish for long-term use. They dried substantial amounts of their catch on elevated wooden racks, ensuring a stable food supply for winter consumption. This ability to harvest and store large quantities of fish allowed many groups to reside in permanent riverside villages, from which they would embark on seasonal foraging excursions to upland areas.21