As of this week, just over 200 sockeye and only 26 chinook have been spotted near the spawning ground along the Chilko River, said Randy Billyboy, fisheries manager for the Tsilhqot'in National Government.

Normally, they would see more than 500,000, he said.

"It is shocking. [There's] not really much we can do," said Billyboy. "It's not really anybody's fault. So it just happened and the fish can't get through."

The federal and provincial governments and local First Nations have been working together since June to try to help salmon reach their spawning grounds.

On Tuesday, the province said salmon stuck at the obstruction point can now be transported upstream by truck after crews completed a successful test run over the weekend.