Shasta-Trinity National Forest issues closure to protect endangered Chinook Salmon

REDDING Calif., (Aug. 15, 2024) — The Shasta-Trinity National Forest has issued a closure of the gravel beach adjacent to Ah-Di-Na campground to protect the endangered Sacramento River winter-run Chinook salmon eggs and fry during a research and recovery project on the McCloud River. 

The McCloud River Pilot Project will be conducted by the Winnemem Wintu Tribe, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the National Marine Fisheries Service, in cooperation with the Forest Service.

This closure is necessary to protect the growing winter-run Chinook salmon who are housed within the research area.

The project is an initial short-term step for the reintroduction of anadromous salmonids in the tribal cultural landscape of the Winnemem Wintu Tribe along the McCloud River Watershed. This pilot project is a test to determine feasibility of returning salmon to historic spawning grounds in the McCloud River using assisted migration practices.

Fertilized winter-run Chinook Salmon eggs sourced from the Livingston Stone National Fish Hatchery will be stored in remote site incubators on the banks of the McCloud River adjacent to the Ah-Di-Na Campground.

The water inside the incubators is directly sourced from the McCloud River through pipes which will replicate historic spawning habitat. When the fry hatch, they will either be released into the McCloud River or allowed to voluntarily enter the McCloud River.

After entry into the McCloud River, the fish will be collected in rotary screw traps, fyke traps, or other juvenile collectors downstream before they enter Shasta Lake.

They will then be moved into the Sacramento River below Keswick Dam so they can migrate to the Pacific Ocean.

Read the full forest order at Shasta-Trinity National Forest – Alerts & Closures (usda.gov)