Skip to content
CapRadio

CapRadio

listen live donate
listen live donate
listen live
donate
  • News
    • News

    • State Government
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • Race and Equity
    • Business
    • Arts and Lifestyle
    • Food and Sustainability
    • PolitiFact California
    News
    • News

    • State Government
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • Race and Equity
    • Business
    • Arts and Lifestyle
    • Food and Sustainability
    • PolitiFact California
  • Music
    • Music

    • Classical
    • Jazz
    • Eclectic

    • Daily Playlist
    Music
    • Music

    • Classical
    • Jazz
    • Eclectic

    • Daily Playlist
  • Podcasts & Shows
  • Schedules
  • Events
  • Support
    • Support
    • Ways to support
    • Evergreen Donation
    • One-Time Donation
    • Corporate Sponsorship
    • Vehicle Donation
    • Stock Giving
    • Legacy Giving
    • Endowment Support
    • Members
    • Member Benefits
    • Member FAQ
    • Member Newsletter

    • Fund drives
    • Drawing Winners
    • Thank You Gifts
    Support
    • Support
    • Ways to support
    • Evergreen Donation
    • One-Time Donation
    • Corporate Sponsorship
    • Vehicle Donation
    • Stock Giving
    • Legacy Giving
    • Endowment Support
    • Members
    • Member Benefits
    • Member FAQ
    • Member Newsletter

    • Fund drives
    • Drawing Winners
    • Thank You Gifts
  • About
  • Close Menu
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
  • Environment
  •  

Officials: Reduced Salmon Spawn On Yuba River Not A Concern

  •  Bob Moffitt 
Monday, August 10, 2015 | Sacramento, CA
Listen
/
Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
Photo courtesy Yuba County Water Agency

The north fish ladder on the Daguerre Point Dam on the Yuba River.

Photo courtesy Yuba County Water Agency

One of the agencies that monitor the Yuba River says the number of spring-run Chinook salmon moving upstream to spawn this year is less than a tenth of last year's total. But the Yuba County Water Agency says it isn't concerned with the decrease.

Through the end of July, the agency says just 42 salmon had gone up the fish ladders at the Daguerre Point Dam on the Yuba River. Last year, 612 salmon had gone through in the same period.

But, the agency also says that may not be cause for alarm.

It appears the fish are not particularly loyal to either the Yuba River or the Feather River when they arrive at the confluence. Yuba County Water Agency Projects Manager Geoff Rabone says the fish pick the river that's colder.

Rabone says water from Lake Oroville that feeds the Feather River this year is in the 50 to 60-degree range, which is optimal for salmon spawning.

Salmon counts on the Feather River have also been lower, but not nearly as low as the Yuba. The count last year was 7,000 while only 5,000 Chinook had gone upstream in the Feather to spawn by the end of July.

0810-yuba-river-watershed-mapThe Yuba River Watershed

"We're finding out that depending on what the relative conditions are at the confluence between the Feather River and the Yuba River, it can make a big difference on how many fish go up either river in any particular year," Rabone says.

0810-yuba-river-pThe Yuba River. Bob Moffitt / Capital Public Radio

"We're really finding out that the population of the Feather and the Yuba is one big population. It's not a separate population in the Yuba River and a separate population in the Feather River."


Follow us for more stories like this

CapRadio provides a trusted source of news because of you.  As a nonprofit organization, donations from people like you sustain the journalism that allows us to discover stories that are important to our audience. If you believe in what we do and support our mission, please donate today.

Donate Today  

    Related Stories

  • California Drought: Warm Water, Limited Supply For Salmon Run

    Monday, June 1, 2015
    A California state agency Tuesday is expected to consider ways to help migrating salmon reach the ocean.
  • Amy Quinton / Capital Public Radio

    Project Would Bring Salmon Back To North Yuba River

    Thursday, May 7, 2015
    Spring-run Chinook salmon could return to historic Sierra Nevada spawning habitat on North Yuba River under initiative.
  • Carson Jeffres / UC Davis

    Salmon Survival In California's Drought

    Tuesday, January 20, 2015
    Salmon rely on cool water temperatures and aquatic plants to survive. So California’s drought has hit them particularly hard. But UC Davis researchers have found one area where the fish are flourishing.
  • Amy Quinton / Capital Public Radio

    California Fish and Wildlife Rescue Salmon In Yolo Bypass

    Wednesday, December 3, 2014
    Scientists with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife spent Wednesday in the rain rescuing salmon. Hundreds of salmon get caught in dead end canals in the Yolo Bypass just west of Sacramento.

 salmonChinookYuba River

Bob Moffitt

Former Sacramento Region Reporter

Bob reported on all things northern California and Nevada. His coverage of police technology, local athletes, and the environment has won a regional Associated Press and several Edward R. Murrow awards.  Read Full Bio 

Sign up for ReCap and never miss the top stories

Delivered to your inbox every Friday.

 

Check out a sample ReCap newsletter.

Thanks for subscribing!

Thank you for signing up for the ReCap newsletter! We'll send you an email each Friday with the top stories from CapRadio.

Browse all newsletters

More Environment Stories

AP Photo/Ethan Swope, File

California announces a rollback of some state drought restrictions

March 24, 2023

Most Viewed

Sacramento plans to debut hundreds of tiny homes. Will they help people move off the streets?

State may scale down its new home loan program designed to assist first-time homebuyers

The Sacramento Kings could clinch a spot in the playoffs Monday night. Here’s how.

10 new California laws that go into effect in 2023

California coronavirus updates: Looking to travel as some countries ease pandemic restrictions? Order your passports soon.

We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter

Most Viewed

Sacramento plans to debut hundreds of tiny homes. Will they help people move off the streets?

State may scale down its new home loan program designed to assist first-time homebuyers

The Sacramento Kings could clinch a spot in the playoffs Monday night. Here’s how.

10 new California laws that go into effect in 2023

California coronavirus updates: Looking to travel as some countries ease pandemic restrictions? Order your passports soon.

Back to Top

  • CapRadio

    7055 Folsom Boulevard
    Sacramento, CA 95826-2625

    •  
      (916) 278-8900
    •  
      (877) 480-5900
    •  Contact / Feedback
    •  Submit a Tip / Story Idea
  • About

    • Mission / Vision / Core Values
    • Stations & Coverage Map
    • Careers & Internships
    • Staff Directory
    • Board of Directors
    • Press
  • Listening Options

    • Mobile Apps
    • Smart Speakers
    • Podcasts & Shows
    • On-Air Schedules
    • Daily Playlist
    • Signal Status
  • Connect

    •  Facebook
    •  Twitter
    •  Instagram
    •  YouTube
  • Donate

  • Listen Live

  • Newsletters

CapRadio stations are licensed to California State University, Sacramento. © 2023, Capital Public Radio. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Website Feedback FCC Public Files: KXJZ KKTO KUOP KQNC KXPR KXSR KXJS. For assistance accessing our public files, please call 916-278-8900 or email us.