Reintroduction of Chinook Salmon into the San Joaquin River: Spring Run Source Populations and Reintroduction Methods

One of the goals of the San Joaquin River Restoration Program (SJRRP) is to restore and maintain fish populations in “good condition” in the mainstem San Joaquin River below Friant Dam to the confluence with the Merced River, including naturally reproducing and self-sustaining populations of salmon and other fish. One objective in achieving this goal is the successful reintroduction of anadromous salmonids to the Restoration Area, with a primary emphasis on Spring-run Chinook salmon, the historically dominant race present in the San Joaquin system, and a secondary emphasis on fall-run Chinook salmon. A strategy to determine appropriate donor stock(s), reintroduction methods, and monitoring plan have been developed by an interagency team within the San Joaquin River Restoration Program (SJRRP). This presentation describes both the process for developing the strategy, and the specific elements of the strategy.