California Water News Daily Your Source For Water News in California
Chinook salmon, steelhead and rainbow trout in the Stanislaus River will have a better time spawning thanks to the Bureau of Reclamation’s Goodwin Canyon Salmonid Spawning Gravel Placement Project.
In 2020, Reclamation added spawning gravel to the restoration site at river mile 58, about 30 miles northeast of Modesto. New gravel was added this year to replenish the spawning gravel that naturally washes downstream.
“Reclamation is pleased to announce this habitat improvement project’s addition of 7,200 tons of gravel in the Stanislaus River,” said Bay-Delta Office Manager David Mooney. “This important work of restoring riverine habitats compliments New Melones Dam operation for supporting Central Valley Project species. We look forward to continuing gravel placement in the coming years.”
Naturally-spawned salmonid stocks have declined due in part to spawning and rearing habitat loss through reduced gravel recruitment. This reduction is caused by river-channel blockage by New Melones Dam and downstream-flow pattern alterations for flood control and water supply. A total of $500,856 in water-and-related resources funds ensured implementation for 2021.
