NEWS WORTH NOTING: Butte Creek salmon recovery efforts celebrated: Weekly Water and Climate Update: Snowpack persists in the mountains of the West.
Butte Creek Salmon Recovery Efforts Celebrated 20th Anniversary of Restoration Efforts that Have Led to Significant Salmon Recovery DURHAM – Partners from state and federal agencies, conservation organizations, water districts, and farmers today commemorated the 20th anniversary of restoration efforts on Butte Creek that have led to a significant recovery of spring-run Chinook salmon.
The Butte Creek Fish Passage Improvement projects are located along 90 miles of the middle reach of Butte Creek, comprising one of the nation’s most significant fisheries restoration efforts.
Today, as a result of the Butte Creek Fish Passage Improvement projects, in tandem with a valuable food supply and safe rearing habitat in the Sutter Bypass wetlands, more than 10,000 spring-run salmon return on average to Butte Creek.
“The Butte Creek effort is a leading example of how regional leaders are working to re-establish the natural connection between water and the landscape, providing functional and targeted flows that are directly tailored to benefit salmon and other species,” said Ted Trimble, General Manager, Western Canal Water District.
“And the results of these efforts are real, they are making a difference.” There are many reasons for this success including water management in the upper reach of Butte Creek that provides well-timed functional flows for spawning and holding habitat; the Butte Creek fish passage improvement projects along the middle reach of the creek, including the Gorrill Ranch diversion and the Western Canal Gary Brown siphon; and fish food production and safe rearing habitat for juvenile fish in the lower reach of the creek flowing through the wetlands created by the Sutter Bypass.
“The Butte Creek restoration projects happened because of the cooperation between the different communities involved.
The report focuses on seasonal snowpack, precipitation, temperature, and drought conditions in the U.S. A combination of widespread June snowstorms and cool temperatures has slowed snowmelt at high-elevation Snow Telemetry (SNOTEL) sites in June.
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