Early in January, Pend Oreille PUD completed its annual winter survey of Bald Eagles on the Box Canyon Reservoir, in accordance with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission license requirements. At daylight, on a day free of snow and fog and with excellent visibility and mild temperatures, a crew from the PUD’s natural resources department departed from Albeni Dam and headed downstream toward Box Canyon Dam for an 8-hour survey. 
An all-time high of 70 Bald Eagles and 1 Golden Eagle were documented. Of the 70 birds counted, 54 were mature. These numbers coincide with the results of latest helicopter survey the PUD performs each spring. During the last year’s helicopter flight, 25 active nests were observed in the same area as this recent boat survey. In addition to the eagles, the survey team saw thousands of ducks (most of which were Goldeneye), as well as thousands of Canada Geese.
“Since the majority of eagles along the Pend Oreille are year-round residents and can usually be found in close proximity to their respective nests, the increase in numbers is great to see”, said Tommy Petrie, Jr, PUD Field Staff. “With no big winter runs of fish in our area, we do not attract many migrant eagles like what happens on Lake Couer d’Alene or Lake Pend Oreille”, he added.
PUD survey crews have documented the rising population of Bald Eagles along the Box Canyon reservoir from 45 in 2009, 62 in 2011, to the current population of 70. This increase coincides with the number of Bald Eagles in the United States, which has been on a steady rise for many years due to better laws and practices with pesticides, which weaken the eagle egg shells, and a ban on lead shot for water fowling that would infect the eagles with lead poisoning if they ate a bird that had been wounded. It is estimated there are 9789 breeding pairs today. Bald Eagles mate for life if possible, but if something happens to one of the pair, the survivor will not refuse to take a another mate. Their average life span is 15 to 20 years.
