American River Is Beginning Of Salmon Journey
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — Millions of Chinook salmon were released into the American River, representing a critical part of the state's economy.
Three million baby salmon, harvested at the Nimbus Fish Hatchery and corralled by the farmers who raised them began a life-changing voyage to the Pacific Ocean on Tuesday.
These 4-inch fish will make their way 100 miles downstream, spend three years in the ocean, and travel back to the hatchery in November of 2016.
Natural selection takes over as 1.5 million smolt are dumped into the American River in 60 seconds. Some don't survive for that long. Then as they navigate the open waters, predators such as the striped bass, sea lions, and even some humans will be in the way.
But wildlife experts say it's critical we maintain the species, because although operation costs total about $1.5 million annually, they see a 300 percent return to state businesses annually.
Of the 3 million fish released, only 2 percent come back to where they spawned, which is actually the same percentage that would happen regularly.
