2019 Juvenile Salmonid Outmigration Monitoring along the Middle Klamath River and Lower Salmon River

The Tribe worked in cooperation with the US Fish and Wildlife Service at two trapping sites located in the upper Klamath River. The primary site was located at Kinsman Creek located a few miles upstream of the confluence with the Scott River. The other site was located where the Klamath River crosses under Interstate Hwy 5 approximately 10 miles downstream of Iron Gate Dam. This upper river reach is the primary rearing reach for juvenile Chinook salmon and ESA listed Coho. A large amount of spawning occurs below Iron Gate Dam with another large population of juvenile fish emigrating from the Shasta River make the upper Klamath River a key monitoring location. ESA listed Coho spawn in many of the tributaries entering the Klamath River and out migrate during fall and spring months. Two other trapping sites were located in the Klamath River near Big Bar (approximately 15 mile down river of the confluence with the Salmon River) and the other trapping site was located in the lower Salmon River about 1 mile up stream from the confluence with the mainstem Klamath River. All trapping sites were operated 5 days per week and checked once per day.

The project benefits ongoing salmon management in the Klamath Basin. The two out migrant juvenile salmon trapping site are part of a network of monitoring sites that collect data on annual salmon out migration. The data collected includes biometric information including; fish species, relative abundances, condition, size, migration timing and hatchery origin. This project is a significant benefit habitat restoration monitoring and research where it provides opportunities better understand wild salmon populations where minimal hatchery influence exists. The Tribe will manage and share data collected among its partners that include the Salmon River Restoration Council (SRRC) and the US Fish and Wildlife Service.