A program to improve fish habitat in the American River has proved to be so successful that officials now urge people to avoid the area to protect freshly spawned salmon eggs.
The project by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and Sacramento Water Forum involves adding thousands of tons of fine gravel to the riverbed at key locations to create spawning habitat. Natural movement of these gravels was cut off by upstream dams.
The first phase was finished in October near the Nimbus Hatchery, and more than 30 chinook salmon have already fertilized eggs in gravel nests, or "redds," at the site. The area spans the width of the river downstream for about 800 feet from the hatchery's riverside viewing platform.
People could unwittingly kill millions of future salmon by walking in the riverbed, said Joe Merz, a Water Forum consultant. Information signs are planned, but Merz urged anglers, in particular, to use care in this area as foot traffic is likely to increase with the start of steelhead season.
"It has turned out to be a really successful project," Merz said. "There's still fish spawning on it as we speak."
Gravel will be added to other sites the next few years as the project continues.
– Matt Weiser
http://www.sacbee.com/fishing_hunting/stor...Fishing/Hunting
The project by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and Sacramento Water Forum involves adding thousands of tons of fine gravel to the riverbed at key locations to create spawning habitat. Natural movement of these gravels was cut off by upstream dams.
The first phase was finished in October near the Nimbus Hatchery, and more than 30 chinook salmon have already fertilized eggs in gravel nests, or "redds," at the site. The area spans the width of the river downstream for about 800 feet from the hatchery's riverside viewing platform.
People could unwittingly kill millions of future salmon by walking in the riverbed, said Joe Merz, a Water Forum consultant. Information signs are planned, but Merz urged anglers, in particular, to use care in this area as foot traffic is likely to increase with the start of steelhead season.
"It has turned out to be a really successful project," Merz said. "There's still fish spawning on it as we speak."
Gravel will be added to other sites the next few years as the project continues.
– Matt Weiser
http://www.sacbee.com/fishing_hunting/stor...Fishing/Hunting
