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!
This article originally appeared in our Fall 2006 Newsletter