The 2023-24 fall run of Chinook salmon on the Mokelumne River is now the most successful return in more than 80 years. EBMUD invited FlowWest employees for a tour of the Mokelumne River hatchery and the adjacent Mokelumne River spawning and rearing habitat, led by Fisheries and Wildlife Manager Michelle Workman. FlowWest Co-Founders Paul Frank, Anthony Falzone and Mark Tompkins joined Environmental Planner Skyler Lewis to see both Chinook salmon and steelhead in the fish ladder and holding areas getting ready to enter the hatchery, and walked out on the bridge over to see the fish spawning in the river.
EBMUD operates the Mokelumne River Hatchery jointly with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and provides drinking water from the Mokelumne River to the East Bay. The hatchery, located just downstream of EBMUD's Camanche Reservoir, raises Chinook salmon and steelhead for release to the Mokelumne River to offset loss of upstream spawning habitat now blocked by the dam. EBMUD has also been restoring the spawning habitat in the Mokelumne River adjacent to the hatchery with widened floodplain areas and supplementary placement of spawning gravel.
EBMUD’s habitat restoration and salmon monitoring are of great interest to us here at FlowWest. We’re always eager to see and learn from projects that have led to increases in salmon populations to inform our own restoration designs. And we know that monitoring salmon runs in California is more than a scientific endeavor; it is essential in understanding, preserving, and managing the delicate balance of these vital ecosystems. Learning about EBMUD’s monitoring work and seeing it in person will help us continue to improve the data management and software tools we develop for our clients working to restore salmon.
Salmon play a pivotal role in maintaining the health of California's rivers and forests. As they migrate upstream, they transport essential nutrients from the ocean to inland habitats, fertilizing the surrounding ecosystem. Their carcasses, rich in nutrients, serve as a natural fertilizer that supports the growth of vegetation and sustains a diverse array of wildlife. They are also magnificent and inspiring to see on their epic spawning run into the Central Valley. We feel incredibly fortunate to work with so many of the dedicated people protecting and restoring California’s salmon. Thank you for the exciting visit, EBMUD & CDFW!
