SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The Bureau of Reclamation has completed a spawning gravel placement project at Stanislaus River mile 58, about 30 miles northeast of Modesto in Tuolumne County. This project’s purpose is to improve Chinook salmon, steelhead, and rainbow trout spawning and rearing habitat below Goodwin Dam.
“Reclamation is pleased to announce this habitat improvement project’s addition of 7,200 tons of gravel in the Stanislaus River," said Bay-Delta Office Manager David Mooney. “This important work of restoring riverine habitats compliments New Melones Dam operation for supporting Central Valley Project species. We look forward to continuing gravel placement in the coming years."
Naturally-spawned salmonid stocks have declined due in part to spawning and rearing habitat loss through reduced gravel recruitment. This reduction is caused by river-channel blockage by New Melones Dam and downstream-flow pattern alterations for flood control and water supply. A total of $500,856 in water-and-related resources funds ensured implementation for 2021.
Learn more about this project by contacting Reclamation Fish Biologist Elissa Buttermore at 916-201-3009 or ebuttermore@usbr.gov; fact sheet available here: https://www.usbr.gov/mp/mpr-news/factsheets.html
Source: Bureau of Reclamation
