Work to improve Chinook salmon and steelhead trout habitat within Clear Creek below WhiskeytownDam is beginning at Whiskeytown National Recreation Area. Gravel suitable for spawning fish is being placed in or along Clear Creek at several locations between Whiskeytown Dam and NEED Camp. This gravel replaces the natural source that was blocked by Whiskeytown Dam upon its completion in 1963.
Salmon returned to Whiskeytown after the removal of McCormick-Saeltzer Dam downstream of the park in 2000 and have benefited from similar projects along Clear Creek, both within and downstream of the park. These fish migrate from the Pacific Ocean up the Sacramento River and into Clear Creek to spawn.
Peltier Valley Road between Paige Bar Rd. and Peltier Bridge will be closed at times to enable gravel trucks and construction equipment to use this area. Peltier Bridge Campground will also be temporarily closed on weekdays. The temporary road closure will occur Mon. through Fri. during normal business hours beginning on Monday, May 4. The road will be open to visitors on the weekends. The NPS anticipates the work in the Peltier Valley Road area will be completed by May 15.
If you have questions regarding this project, please contact Russ Weatherbee at (530) 242-3442. For more information about Whiskeytown National Recreation Area go to: www.nps.gov/whis.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
