Record Chinook Salmon Spawn Thanks to EBMUD
Derek Suring | Published on 12/1/2023
California's severe drought had a disastrous effect on many parts of the environment but nowhere more serious than on the native Chinook salmon population.
The iconic fish now faces the threat of extinction. But in one small river in the Central Valley, the salmon are spawning in record numbers thanks to the efforts of an East Bay water company.
Most have never heard of the Mokelumne River in San Joaquin County — I's not very big. But for Chinook salmon, the place is very important. As EBMUD's Fisheries and Wildlife Manager, Michelle Workman is accustomed to being out on the Mokelumne. But what she's seeing these days is even hard for her to believe.
"This isn't normal," she said, looking down at the roiling water. "Our long-term average from 1940 to present is about 5,000 fish. We have over 24,000 fish in the river now."
Read more at CBS News.