Related Content
Library Documents
- A Conceptual Framework for Conservation Hatchery Strategies for Pacific Sal
- A History of the Salmonid Decline in the Russian River
- Anadromous salmonid resources of Mendocino county coastal and inland rivers
- Aug 14, 1975 - BLM McDowell Creek Stream Survey
- CDFG - Aug 11, 1970 - Black Rock Creek (East Austin Creek trib) Stream Surv
- CDFG - Maacama Creek (Russian River tributary) field notes from 1953 and 19
- CDFG 1939 Cold Creek (East branch of Russian River tributary) Fish Stocking
- CDFG 1948 Big Sulphur Creek Steelhead (downstream migrant) Trap Results
- CDFG 1952 - A Partial Chemical Treatment of Sulfur Creek, Sonoma County
- CDFG 1953 - Field Correspondence Regarding Mark West Creek, to Inland Fishe
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State of Fisheries
The Russian River is home to three species of salmonids: coho salmon, chinook salmon and steelhead trout. All three species have experienced serious population declines and are listed as threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act in 2004. Additionally, coho are listed as endangered under the California Endangered Species Act. Although their life cycles are similar, they are not identical with respect to timing and physiological tolerance; therefore, each species requires special consideration when managing the resources of the Russian River watershed.
In addition to the wild populations of salmonids, there are two hatcheries on the Russian River that produce coho and steelhead to supplement wild populations impacted by loss of habitat due to dam construction. The Don Clausen Fish Hatchery is located on Dry Creek at the base of Warm Springs Dam and the Coyote Valley Fish Facility is located on the East Fork of the Russian River at the base of the Coyote Valley Dam. Although hatchery fish were not formerly included in determining species’ status under the Endangered Species Act, in May 2004, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced that it would include hatchery fish closely related to wild salmon in all of the ESUs that are currently listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
female chinook
male chinook
adult male coho
breeding male coho
steelhead trout
Images courtesy of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
