Category Archives: Fish

Fish, Salmon, Wildlife

3 million hatchery salmon released into American River in Sacramento

State Department of Fish and Wildlife officials on Monday and Tuesday released 3 million juvenile salmon at the mouth of the American River in Sacramento.

The fall-run chinook salmon, produced at the Nimbus Hatchery, have historically been transported in trucks to San Francisco Bay to help the fish avoid predators. But research showed few found their way back to the river.

So in 2010, hatchery officials began releasing a major share of each year’s production into the river, 25 percent of them marked with a coded-wire tag.

The results have been encouraging. “It appears from the last couple years we’ve done it that the return to the river has increased, and we’re getting less straying from other hatcheries,” said Gary Novak, a manager at the hatchery.

More at SacBee.com >>>

 

Fish, Salmon, Wildlife

Millions of Salmon Released into American River

About 3 million young Chinook Salmon were spawned and then released into the wild Monday.

Raised at the Nimbus Hatchery for 6 months these fish will swim 100 miles or so all the way to the San Francisco Bay. They will live for two or three years out in the ocean, and hopefully make their way right back to the Nimbus Hatchery.

Out of all the fish released today, it’s estimated that only 2% will make it back to spawn.

From Fox40.com >>>

Events, Fish, Rafting, safety, Water, Wildlife

50 Years of the Middle Fork American River Project

A half century ago Placer County Water Agency leaders finalized documents that led to construction of the Middle Fork American River Hydroelectric Project. Their foresight ensured development of a new water supply for Placer County. The construction was funded through a revenue bond with debt service, operations and maintenance costs funded by the sale of electricity generated by the Project.

The public is invited to attend on Thursday (May 2) at 4 p.m., a special PCWA Board meeting to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the construction of the Agency’s Project.

More at RocklinToday.com >>>

Bike Trail, Fish, Rafting, safety, Water, Wildlife

City Survey Shows Support for New American River Bridge

A City of Sacramento public opinion survey about possible bridge construction has been completed. The Department of Transportation says more than three-quarters of respondents ranked a new crossing over the American River between Interstate 5 and State Route 160 as important or very important. Six out of ten people agreed a bridge should have vehicle, public transit, bicycle and pedestrian access.

“Unscientific” survey shows 78% think a new bridge connecting Sacramento with Natomas is a good idea.

Six percent said nothing new was needed.

More at CapRadio.org >>>

Bike Trail, Fish, Rafting, safety, Water, Wildlife

American River flows increasing to boost Folsom Lake flood-control capacity

Flows on the American River through Sacramento will increase by 50 percent tonight to ensure enough flood-control capacity in Folsom Lake.

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, which operates Folsom and Nimbus dams, will boost flows from 4,000 cubic feet per second to 6,000 cfs between 6 and 8 p.m.

The increase is enough to fill an Olympic-size swimming pool every 45 seconds and is expected to raise water levels in the American River by one foot. This is not enough to cause flooding problems. But people traveling or recreating along the river are advised to use caution near the water and watch for rising water levels and faster flows.

Read more at SacBee.com >>>

 

Fish, Salmon, Water, Wildlife

Fishermen Frustrated As Sea Lions Steal Fish At Discovery Park

There’s a problem lurking right where the American and Sacramento rivers meet, a problem the fishermen would like to hook.

Something is lurking in the waters near Discovery Park.

“They look like they’re hungry,” said Daniel Cabera.

You may notice a ripple, an awkward change of current in an otherwise still spot.

So what has one woman so scared?

“I’m not going in that water ever again, they’re gonna eat me,” said Daniela Blackwell.

It’s highly unlikely they want Blackwell for a snack. It’s the slippery swimmers splashing under the water that sea lions are after.

“They snag up our lines, steal our fish, and get caught in cross currents,” said Blackwell.

That is where the problem lies.

Fishermen are casting line after line, sweating in the sun, teased by tugs, hoping for that prized pull, only to have a sea lion swoop right in and snag their salmon.

More at CBSLocal.com >>>

Bike Trail, Fish, Rafting, Salmon, Water, Wildlife

More gravel to be dumped into American River

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation plans to dump approximately 14,000 tons of gravel into the lower American River to help improve spawning grounds for steelhead trout and Chinook salmon.

To be targeted are existing spawning habitat that consists of large rocks and fine sediment that reduces the ability for fish to construct nests and may reduce the number of eggs surviving and emerging as juvenile fish.

The first load of gravel is scheduled to be deposited in the lower American River on Monday, Sept. 10. All work is expected to be completed by Friday, Sept. 30. All work will be within the confines of the Sailor Bar Recreation Area, near Hazel Avenue and Winding Way in Fair Oaks.

More at CentralValleyBusinessTimes.com >>>

Bike Trail, Fish, safety, Salmon, Water, Wildlife

Sacramento levees’ failure of federal standards declared

Levees protecting most of the city of Sacramento and 15 other areas of the Central Valley were declared today to have failed federal maintenance criteria. As a result, they are no longer eligible for federal rebuilding funds in the event of a levee breach.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers made the declaration today. It did so after concluding that a new state plan to improve Central Valley levees does not provide enough detail to ensure maintenance problems — such as erosion and intrusion by structures — will be fixed.

The affected levee systems include 40 miles of levees wrapping most of the city of Sacramento on the American and Sacramento rivers. This system of levees, known on flood-control maps as “Maintenance Area 9,” includes the south bank of the American River from about Bradshaw Road downstream to the confluence with the Sacramento River, then downstream from there nearly to Courtland.

More at ModestoBee.com >>>

Fish, Salmon, Wildlife

Fish and Game staff will prowl rivers checking salmon

There was all but a total collapse of salmon numbers a mere five years ago. Fishing for salmon in the ocean and river systems was closed.

Salmon numbers have rebounded since then. Some of the best salmon fishing in many years is being seen in the ocean. Their favored grub — krill and anchovy — are in the water. Chinook are gorging themselves and getting fat and big.

Not every salmon off the coast of California will be coming up the river systems this year. They return up the rivers to spawn and die when they’re 4 or 5 years of age.

Ocean salmon range from those released from hatcheries mere weeks ago to lunkers that have been reaching their maximum size before they make the run up the rivers.

Limits have been the rule with the ocean fishery. Fat and sassy with a lot of feed, they fight with ferocity.

Because of the tremendous offshore fishery, the main run in the fall is expected to be phenomenal as well in the Mokelumne, San Joaquin, Sacramento, American and Feather rivers.

Because they’re eating so well, there should be numerous record-size fish, too.

More at PlacerHerald.com >>>