Threatened Coho Salmon Return to Upper Klamath River Basin for First Time in More Than 60 Years

Fri, 22 Nov 2024 12:45:15 GMT

CDFW releases 270,000 fall-run Chinook salmon into Fall Creek, the first yearling hatchery salmon release following historic dam removal

Media Note: Download photos, video and interviews involving CDFW’s salmon work in the Klamath Basin.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has seen the first returns of threatened coho salmon to the upper Klamath River Basin in more than 60 years following historic dam removal completed last month. Not since the construction of the former Iron Gate Dam in the early 1960s has CDFW documented coho salmon occupying their historic habitat in the upper watershed.

On November 13, seven coho salmon entered CDFW’s new Fall Creek Fish Hatchery in Siskiyou County, which is located on Fall Creek, a formerly inaccessible Klamath River tributary about 7.5 miles upstream of the former Iron Gate Dam location.

“To see coho successfully returning this quickly to this new habitat post-dam removal is exciting,” said Eric Jones, a Senior Environmental Scientist who oversees CDFW’s north state hatchery operations. “We’ve already seen the Chinook make it back and now we’re seeing the coho make it back.”

Of the seven coho salmon that entered the Fall Creek Fish Hatchery last week, four were male and three were female. Two had missing adipose fins, identifying them as being of hatchery origin. The other five were natural origin fish as all hatchery raised coho salmon in the Klamath Basin have their adipose fins removed for identification prior to release.

The returning coho are being kept at the Fall Creek Hatchery pending genetic testing at the NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science Center laboratory in Santa Cruz. Geneticists will determine which of the seven coho are the least related genetically and direct the spawning of those pairs to maximize genetic diversity.

Coho salmon in the Klamath Basin are listed as a threatened species under both state and federal endangered species acts. Coho salmon typically return to freshwater to spawn in the late fall and winter, later than the more numerous fall-run Chinook salmon.

CDFW’s Fall Creek Fish Hatchery has an annual production goal of raising 75,000 coho salmon to help restore populations in the upper Klamath River Basin post-dam removal.

Also pertaining to CDFW’s salmon work in the Klamath Basin:

** CDFW last week released approximately 270,000 yearling, fall-run Chinook salmon into Fall Creek, the last Klamath Basin hatchery release of the year and the first release following dam removal. The year-old juvenile salmon, approximately 4 to 6 inches in length, were released over four days, mostly at dusk to improve survival, and allowed to swim freely out of the hatchery into Fall Creek without handling.

“We’re releasing various life histories so that gives the fish a chance to out-migrate at different times of the year mimicking what we would see in the river naturally,” said Crystal Robinson, Senior Environmental Scientist and CDFW’s Klamath Watershed Program Supervisor.

Hatchery salmon released as yearlings in the fall show some of the highest rates of return as adults, which is attributed to their larger size at release and optimal fall river conditions with cool temperatures and strong flows.

** CDFW’s Fall Creek Fish Hatchery, a $35 million, state-of-the-art facility in its first year of operation, began spawning returning fall-run Chinook salmon in late October. To date, the hatchery has spawned 100 fish and collected 277,393 eggs. The hatchery has an ambitious annual production goal of 3.25 million fall-run Chinook salmon.

** Multiple state and federal agencies, Tribes and non-governmental organizations are monitoring salmon throughout the Klamath Basin, including the 420 miles of newly accessible habitat following dam removal. CDFW is particularly focused on newly accessible tributaries within the former reservoir footprints, including Jenny and Shovel creeks. To date, a video fish counting weir installed on Jenny Creek has recorded 310 adult Chinook salmon and one Pacific lamprey entering the tributary from the Klamath River. CDFW field crews are surveying regularly for salmon nests, or redds, and post-spawned adults.

The salmon work taking place in the Klamath Basin reflects all six priorities of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s California Salmon Strategy for a Hotter, Drier Future released in January 2024. Those priorities are removing barriers and modernizing infrastructure for salmon migration; restoring and expanding habitat for spawning and rearing; protecting water flows and water quality at the right times to benefit salmon; modernizing salmon hatcheries; transforming technology and management systems for climate adaptability; and strengthening partnerships.

CDFW’s post-dam removal management strategy, as detailed in the recently released Klamath River Anadromous Fishery Reintroduction and Monitoring Plan, is to mostly allow these ocean-going fish species to naturally repopulate the 420 miles of newly accessible habitat as they are now doing.

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Media Contacts: 
Morgan Knechtle, CDFW Northern Region, (530) 598-1743
Peter Tira, CDFW Communications, (916) 215-3858

Klamath River Fishery Plan Calls for Wild, Self-Sustaining Salmon, Steelhead Populations in Newly Undammed River

Thu, 29 Aug 2024 11:55:45 GMT

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has released the “Klamath River Anadromous Fishery Reintroduction and Restoration Monitoring Plan (PDF),” a 60-page blueprint to guide the reintroduction and monitoring of Chinook salmon, coho salmon, steelhead and Pacific lamprey in a newly undammed Klamath River.

The plan’s principal goal is to reestablish viable, wild, self-sustaining populations for species conservation, ecological benefits and to enhance Tribal, commercial and recreational fisheries.

The primary strategy is to allow these ocean-going fish species to naturally recolonize some 420 miles of newly accessible spawning and rearing habitat. The last two remaining barriers – cofferdams at the former Iron Gate and Copco No. 1 dam footprints – were breached this week, returning the Klamath River to a free-flowing state in California for the first time in a century.

“The largest dam removal project in American history is part of something even bigger as we work with countless partners to achieve the largest river restoration project in American history, which is a super exciting space to be in,” said CDFW Director Charlton H. Bonham. “Nature teaches us time and time again just how resilient she is. If we can mostly stay out of the way, these fish populations will heal themselves, sustain themselves and help heal and sustain the communities that cherish them. There is no bigger game-changer underway for Pacific salmon in the West than this effort.”

The Klamath River anadromous fishery plan was prepared in collaboration with Native American Tribes, the State of Oregon and federal partners, including NOAA Fisheries and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Beyond the newly available habitat within the main stem of the Klamath River, anadromous fish species also have access to several important tributaries upstream of the Iron Gate Dam footprint that historically supported these fish through several critical life stages and will provide reliable sources of cool water in warmer months and in warming climate conditions. These tributaries include Scotch, Camp, Jenny, Shovel and Fall creeks.

Fall Creek will play a significant role in the restoration of the Klamath River. The creek is home to the newly constructed, $35 million Fall Creek Fish Hatchery intended to jump-start salmon populations in the upper basin.

The Fall Creek Fish Hatchery replaces CDFW’s Iron Gate Fish Hatchery. It was built by PacifiCorp, the former owner and operator of the hydroelectric facilities on the Klamath River. PacifiCorp is slated to fund hatchery operations for the next eight years. Annual production goals consist of 3.25 million fall-run Chinook salmon and 75,000 coho salmon.

The Klamath River Anadromous Fishery Reintroduction and Restoration Monitoring Plan calls for an “adaptive management approach,” which means future management decisions and strategies can change based on extensive monitoring detailed in the plan and coordination with Klamath Basin fisheries partners.

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Media Contacts:
Michael Harris, CDFW Northern Region, (530) 410-5334
Peter Tira, CDFW Communications, (916) 215-3858

CDFW News

Threatened Coho Salmon Return to Upper Klamath River Basin for First Time in More Than 60 Years

Klamath River Fishery Plan Calls for Wild, Self-Sustaining Salmon, Steelhead Populations in Newly Undammed River