Mokelumme river fish hatchery

The Mokelumne River Fish Hatchery, located at the base of Camanche Dam was constructed by the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBUMD) in 1963 to offset the loss of fish spawning habitat when Camanche Dam was constructed. The Fish hatchery is open every day (including holidays) from 7:00am–3:30pm, in San Joaquin County, California, U.S..

Introduction

The 'Mokelumne River Fish Hatchery was remodelled and completed in July 2002, and now has more rearing space to promote fish health and fish survival rates, while also making hatchery operations more efficient.

The hatchery is located in northeast San Joaquin County at the base of the Camanche Dam on McIntire Road just of highway 12 in California.

The hatchery is owned by EBUMD and operated by the California Department of Fish and Game.

Reasoning for the Fish Hatchery

In 1987 through 1992, there was a drought which was accompanied by a horrendous decline in the number of salmon returning to the Mokelumme River.

Low flows and a series of fish kills decimated the Mokelumme steelhead run in the 1980’s, but a combination of fish hatchery improvements, water flow increases and other measures have resulted in increasingly large steelhead returns in the past several years.

In response to that, EBMUD implemented several programs that have improved water quality, flow regimes, and physical habitat in the lower Mokelumme River for the benefit of the river’s resident fish population.

The status of the Lower Mokelumme River Fishery Resource is doing well, as evidence by the fall-run Chinook salmon escapement or returning salmon.

The difference of returning salmon from 1998 up to 2003 is 3,028 and the total returned salmon from 1998 to 2003 is 49,078 which is a great number and is continually increasing throughout the years.

So as the information shows you can see that the numbers of returning salmon have dramatically increased which can show great use of the hatchery it’s self.

It is also one of the most notorious places in that area for, family fishing, wildlife watching, and hiking.

The Hatchery provides group tours for schools, clubs, scouts, and any other organized group that is looking for an educational experience. The topics covered on a tour are: the biology of chinook salmon and steelhead trout, the purpose and operations of the Hatchery, and the importance of preserving river watersheds. The Hatchery provides a limited amount of tours due to low numbers of staff. Public tours are not provided, but visitors are welcome to take a self-guided tour of the Hatchery during open hours.The trails at the Hatchery are all paved and wheelchair accessible.

Resources

Dan Bacher

California Department of Fish and Game.

The Lodi News Sentinel

External links

• EBMUD
• The Fish Sniffer Online
• www.lodinews.com