salmon run going strong on shasta river 110514

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Fish die-off averted; salmon run going strong. About 2,300 chinook have entered the Trinity River Hatchery

by LACEY JARRELL, Herald and News 11/5/14

The Shasta River chinook salmon run is already the second largest since 2001.

As of Oct. 13, about 13,000 chinook salmon had entered the Shasta River, according to Morgan Knechtle, an environmental scientist for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. He said biologists are still counting fish, but the current estimate for the entire run exceeds all but three years since 1978.

The average is about 6,000 fish, he said.

CDFW scientist Sarah Borok told the Herald and News in an earlier interview the lower Klamath Basin chinook run was forecast to be about 93,000 fish. Scientists now estimate it could be as large as 120,000.

An average run of Klamath River chinook salmon is 127,000.

Bogus Creek and Scott River also are experiencing an abundance of fish.

“Both those rivers are going to be well above average as well,” Knechtle said.

According to Borok, about 2,300 chinook have entered the Trinity River Hatchery.

Biologists began surveying chinook spawning grounds for fish on Oct. 10.

“We’re not seeing any incidents of pre-spawn mortality. Those that made it are doing OK,” Borok said.

Knechtle said water conditions for salmon are “wonderful.” He noted that flows and temperatures are well within range for this time of year, and the fish have access to normal spawning areas.

“I would say the risk of a fish die-off is over for adult chinook salmon,” Knechtle said.

ljarrell@heraldandnews.com ; @LMJatHandN

H&N file photo

Salmon gather at the Iron Gate Dam. Scientists now estimate this year’s chinook run could be as large as 120,000. Biologists began surveying chinook spawning grounds for fish on Oct. 10.

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