The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released more than 6.2 million fall-run Chinook salmon from the Coleman National Fish Hatchery into Battle Creek on March 25 as part of a federal effort to support the salmon population. But the salmon were set loose into what conservationists described as \u201cdeadly\u201d low-flow conditions in the Sacramento River.<\/p>\n
Conservationists called on the Bureau of Reclamation to release more water into the river. On Tuesday, the bureau announced a plan to release more water from Keswick Dam into the Sacramento River.<\/p>\n
Here are key points to know:<\/p>\n
READ THE FULL STORY: Millions of hatchery salmon face \u2018deadly\u2019 low water flows in warm Sacramento River<\/a><\/p>\n Fish were released into low water flows: As the hot, dry period continued in March, the statewide snowpack struggled and the Sacramento River saw low-flow conditions. At Wilkins Slough, the flow was 7,780 cubic feet per second by the afternoon of March 25, which is about 38% lower than 10,700 cubic feet per second \u2014 a threshold at which young salmon were found to survive much better.<\/p>\n Releasing salmon is a conservation effort: California is struggling to recover its salmon population. Although there have been some encouraging reports, like Coho salmon returning to the Russian River\u2019s upper basin<\/a> for the first time in more than 30 years, the state has kept its commercial salmon fishing season closed since 2023. Releasing hatchery-reared fish into rivers is a mitigation strategy used by both state and federal governments to support fish populations.<\/p>\n Water managers are saving up water: Though Shasta Lake\u2019s water storage level stood well above average at 115% as of March 24, the devastating snowpack conditions led water managers to hold on to their water for the dry season ahead.<\/p>\n Hatchery has limits on holding fish: A former supervisor at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said the hatchery sometimes has no choice but to release fish into poor river conditions because it cannot safely hold them for long without increasing the risk of disease.<\/p>\n System being managed \u201cby hope:\u201d On March 25, a UC Davis researcher said cooler, wetter weather that was in the forecast could benefit fish in the system if it materializes. But, the researcher added, \u201cYou hate to manage by hope.\u201d<\/p>\n