The Current Magazine Summer 2017 | Page 31

Recent returns of Upper Klamath-Trinity rivers (UKTR) spring-run Chinook salmon to the South Fork Trinity and Salmon rivers represent a small fraction (< 3%) of historical numbers. Drought from 2012-2016 significantly reduced cold water during critical over-summering periods for spring-run Chinook, contributing to their decline. Removal of the four Klamath dams will give UKTR Spring-run Chinook access to critical spawning and rearing habitat.

Upper Klamath-Trinity Rivers

Spring-Run Chinook Salmon

Oncorhynchus tshawytscha

LEVEL OF CONCERN: CRITICAL

Southern Oregon/Northern California

Coast Coho Salmon

Oncorhynchus kisutch

LEVEL OF CONCERN: CRITICAL

Southern Oregon/Northern California Coast Coho are critically vulnerable to extinction as wild fish within the next 50-100 years. There has likely been 95% or more decline in numbers since the 1960s in California due to dam construction and habitat degradation from various land use practices.

Which fish species benefit?