This year's spring rains helped sustain river flows and prolonged the duration of the open Matole river mouth. In the past, river mouth closure has led to the unambiguous demise of juvenile chinook salmon trapped in the lagoon. The combination of mild temperatures and high flows will secure another successful year for the Mattole salmon, allowing the fish to stay in fresh water longer and grow larger before entering the ocean.
Sean James, Mattole Salmon Group's (MSG) Down Stream Migrant Trapping project coordinator, has had an exciting season, to say the least. Late rains and high flows combined to make this year's trapping more difficult, but very rewarding. Near-record flows in May threatened to wash the trap away, but now provisional data provide evidence that young-of-the-year coho salmon are utilizing the lower three miles of the river due to these mild conditions. In most other years, low flows and high water temperatures would have made this impossible.
In early July, MSG began building large wood structures for fish habitat enhancement upriver near Whitethorn. Campbell Thompson, MSG Fisheries Biologist and Large Woody Debris project coordinator, is in full swing with more than twenty restoration sites to complete this season. These large wood components play an integral role in healing the Mattole watershed.
For the past ten years, the MSG has conducted extensive research with regard to temperature. This season, the program will be coordinated by Amy Baier, MSG's Americorps intern, and Jody Pennycook, biological science technician. Temperatures will be monitored throughout the river, pinpointing cool pools that can sustain the populations of over-summering salmonids. This information will be used in the prioritization of future restoration sites. Snorkel surveys will be performed in conjunction with the temperature program to assess fish populations in the Mattole River during summer months.
The combination of mild temperatures and high flows may be Mother Nature's contribution for a successful salmon year. It also takes contributions from the Mattole community...that's you! Mattole Salmon Group invites you all to stop by our office in Petrolia to see how you can get your hand into the Mattole waters. We hope to see you soon!
For more information: 707/629-3433
www.mattolesalmon.org
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TOC for Forest & River News, Summer 2005