SACRAMENT0—The public is invited to learn about a new project designed to restore crucial habitat for native salmon and steelhead trout in the river at Ancil Hoffman, near Effie Yeaw Nature Center, in Carmichael.
Fall-run Chinook salmon migrate to the Lower American River as adults to spawn from October through December. In the egg-laying process, females create a “nest” (called a redd) in loose gravel in flowing water, depositing their eggs and then covering them up with more gravel. Once hatched, young salmon move to the river’s shallow, slower moving side channels to find protection from predators and grow before swimming back out to the Pacific Ocean.
The Ancil Hoffman Habitat Restoration Project will recreate spawning and rearing areas by laying approximately 15,800 cubic yards of clean gravel into the flowing river and carving a new alcove in the existing gravel bar, parallel to the river.
The project is expected to begin in late-August and finish by late-October, before anadromous Chinook salmon return in high numbers from the Pacific Ocean to the Lower American River. 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).
Three open houses are scheduled for July to share information about the project:
- VIRTUAL OPEN HOUSE: Thursday, July 15, 2021, 6-7 p.m. (Please register here or via waterforum.org/AH)
- HOSTED BY THE EFFIE YEAW NATURE CENTER: Tuesday, July 20, 2021, 6-8 p.m. (2850 San Lorenzo Way, Carmichael, CA 95608)
- HOSTED BY ANCIL HOFFMAN GOLF COURSE: Monday, July 26, 2021, 6-8 p.m. (6700 Tarshes Drive, Carmichael, CA 95608)
More information, including a project Fact Sheet with Map and list of Frequently Asked Questions, is available at waterforum.org/AH.
The Sacramento Water Forum is a diverse group of business and agricultural leaders, citizen groups, environmentalists, water managers and local governments working together to balance two co-equal objectives: to provide a reliable and safe water supply for the Sacramento region’s long-term growth and economic health; and to preserve the fishery, wildlife, recreational, and aesthetic values of the lower American River. Learn more at waterforum.org.