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Salmonid Populations of the Upper Sacramento River Basin In 2022 |
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Population sizes were estimated for Chinook Salmon and steelhead (where possible) passing upstream of Princeton, CA in the upper Sacramento River basin (USRB), (Figure 1). Annual population estimates for the USRB were determined through several methodologies including carcass surveys, hatchery counts, aerial and in-stream redd surveys, snorkel counts, angler interviews, video stations, DIDSON (acoustic sonar) or Vaki Riverwatcher counts in streams and in fish ladders. This report does not include salmonid information from tributaries that enter into the Sacramento River downstream of the town of Princeton (Butte Creek, Feather and American River). These and other lower Central Valley waterways are detailed in reports from other projects. A summary of the entire California Central Valley Chinook Salmon stocks is available annually in the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) reports titled “Annual Report: Chinook Salmon Spawning Stocks in California’s Central Valley” (CDFW Annual Reports).
In 2022, there were an estimated 35,945 mature Chinook Salmon returning to the USRB that passed upstream of Princeton Ferry (includes angler catch). This includes an estimate of 7,773 late-fall-run, 6,036 winter-run, 1,697 spring-run, and 20,439 fall-run Chinook Salmon (Table 1). The majority (96%) of these salmon migrated above the Red Bluff Diversion Dam (RBDD) to spawn (or angler harvested) in the tributaries or in the Sacramento River upstream of Red Bluff. Additionally, 723 steelhead (Rainbow Trout greater than 16 inches long) were counted during monitoring operations for the 2021-2022 steelhead reporting year. revised 2-22-24
The numbers of spawning Chinook Salmon in the USRB were well below average in 2022. Since the year 2000, spawner counts have averaged 138,828. The 2022 spawner count of 33,836 was higher than 2017’s record low of 18,195 but was still only 24% of the past 23 year’s average value, (Appendix Table A7). The winter of 2021-2022 was very dry and the USRB continued to experience critically dry, drought conditions for a third straight year. The resulting lack of snowpack and generally low flows caused water levels in Lake Shasta to shrink and lack of water availability in 2022 was again a cause for much concern in the Sacramento River and throughout California.
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All Items File size 825 K DOWNLOAD
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Salmonid Populations of the Upper Sacramento River Basin In 2021 Data Supplement |
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This file contains data spreadsheets to be used as supplements for interested readers to the accompanying 2021 Annual pdf text report. Population sizes were estimated for Chinook Salmon and steelhead (where possible) passing upstream of Princeton, CA in the upper Sacramento River basin (USRB). Annual population estimates for the USRB were determined through several methodologies including carcass surveys, hatchery counts, aerial and in-stream redd surveys, snorkel counts, angler interviews, video stations, DIDSON (acoustic sonar) or Vaki Riverwatcher counts in streams and in fish ladders. The data in this file can change at any time based on updates or new information.-revised 1-16-24
“Disclaimer: The State makes no claims, promises, or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, reliability, or adequacy of these data and expressly disclaims liability for errors and omissions in these data. No warranty of any kind, implied, expressed, or statutory, including but not limited to the warranties of non-infringement of third party rights, title, merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and freedom from computer virus, is given with respect to these data.”
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All Items File size 645 K DOWNLOAD
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