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Sacramento's Other Kings by Bill Templin Dry Creek and its tributaries are noteworthy for having the only documented salmon run of any of the area's creeks. These runs occurred both before and after construction of the Natomas East Main Drain (now called "Steelhead Creek") and levee which were constructed around 1914-15. Read our Historical Overview of Sacramento's Creeks. Have you taken the time to experience the excitement of this event? If not, please do, it continues to amaze and surprise many of our neighbors, as well as continuing to excite those of us who have seen it before. It is as close as Interstate 80 and Eureka Road! How many more of our area's creeks (Arcade, Bannon, Burns, Chicken & Strong Ranch Sloughs, Magpie, Morrison and Sutter) are hosting "Kings (Chinook Salmon)" or have the potential to do so with a little help from their friends? Do you know why you don't see salmon in your local creek? Is it because you aren't looking for them, or because there are obstacles downstream? In the early 1900s, salmon came to spawn in Arcade Creek. Historically, Arcade Creek flowed through a large wetland and then to Bush Lake. Since then it has been cut off by the Natomas East Main Drainage Canal (a.k.a. NEMDC, and now Steelhead Creek) and has been channelized through the North Sacramento area (http://www.sacto-ucc.org/ucc-arcade-hist.htm ). Isn't that similar to Dry Creek? If so, what is different in the Arcade Creek watershed? What would it take to restore our local Sacramento area creeks to their former roles in the production of salmon? We have the successful restoration of Dry Creek as an example to follow. Could there be more creek restorations in our future? Maybe so, but first we have to document which streams are still hosting salmon and where there are none, then discover what is lacking. Then we can develop a proposal and look for funding and volunteers to help get it done. If you have answers to these questions or would like to help restore salmon to our creeks, please contact Bill Templin (wtemplin@surewest.net ) and let's get started!
Sacramento Urban Creeks Council |
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by Bill Templin