Our beloved Yuba River once supported massive runs of Chinook salmon and steelhead that served as a keystone species that supported ecosystems from the Sierra to the sea. Legend says that the fish runs were so dense in the Yuba River that one could run across the water on the backs of salmon! Details
SYRCL and Friends of the River recently sent a letter to the National Marine Fisheries Service to compel the agency to craft a watershed-wide solution to save the threatened species native to the Yuba Watershed, including Spring-run Chinook salmon, steelhead trout, and green sturgeon. The letter demands a new biological opinion, presenting compelling evidence that harm caused by the Corps’ dams, compounded by increased harm from climate change, is responsible for the dramatic decrease in Yuba River fish populations. Details
Yuba Field Guide A look at our watershed’s sensitive and invasive animal species Chinook salmon Lifespan: 1 to 6 (more commonly 2 to 4) years in salt water; 3 to 24 months in fresh water Temperature Tolerance: Preferred: 5-13oC (41-55oF) Maximum: 24oC (75oF) General Adult Size: 30 to 50 lbs. – some can be over read more >>
Steelhead are a close cousin of salmon and share many of the same magnificent qualities which are so important to our watersheds. Most importantly, they are anadromous, meaning that their growth occurs primarily in the ocean. The habitat that they require of rivers is also similar to that of salmon. When we work to restore read more >>
