Silent Streams: The Decline of California's Iconic Winter-Run Salmon

The Winter-Run Chinook Salmon, a keystone species and icon of California's historic ecosystem, has declined rapidly since the 1940s. The species is now endangered and on the brink of total extinction. I spoke with Tracy Grimes, a senior environmental scientist with California's Fish and Wildlife Department, to help better understand the decline, why it's happening, and what is being done to prevent it.

She attributes the decline in these populations to the upriver damming of the Sacramento River and a history of mismanagement when it comes to water usage in Central California's massive agriculture industry.

The CDFW has undergone multiple projects to rebuild the population, building infrastructure to help the salmon navigate the dams and thrive despite their passage to their spawning grounds being blocked.

With the overarching issue of climate change compounding the issues with an already fragile population, awareness, education, and reform will be key to the salmon's survival, in addition to the diligent work of the CDFW.