A new project to enhance crucial habitat for native fall-run Chinook salmon and steelhead trout in the Lower American River is scheduled to begin August 14 at Upper River Bend at Ancil Hoffman Park. The Ancil Hoffman area of the river is important to the survival of salmon and steelhead. A 2021 habitat enhancement near the Effie Yeaw Nature Center produced a noticeable surge in redds—underwater depressions or “nests” created by female salmonids to lay their eggs. The 2023 project will provide:
- Nearly 5 acres of spawning habitat for adult salmon and steelhead to create redds, constructed by placing 30,000 cubic yards of clean gravel into the flowing river.
- Nearly 6 acres of rearing habitat for young fish to hide from predators, find food and grow, created by carving a 2,000-foot side channel into the existing gravel bar and shaping 3.7 acres of seasonal floodplain.
- Hiding and resting places for young fish by placing about 60 large woody tree structures into the side channel.
- Over 3 acres of enhanced riparian landscape by planting or seeding the project area with willows or native flowers and grasses after construction.
Project Details
- The 2023 project area is the Lower American River at Upper River Bend (Ancil Hoffman Park across from the golf course driving range).
- The project is scheduled to take place from August 14 to October 31, 2023.
- Crews may be on site Monday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. (noise starting at 7 a.m.) with in-river work occurring only on weekdays (and not on Labor Day).
- The 2023 Habitat Project is made possible by grant funding from the California Natural Resources Agency (Proposition 68) and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (Central Valley Project Improvement Act) and contributions from regional water purveyors, including the City and County of Sacramento.
Project details, including a recording of a Virtual Information Session, are available at waterforum.org/habitat2023.