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November marks the start of the annual return of fall-run Chinook salmon in Lower Putah Creek and the public gathered in Rotary Park on November 4 for the 2nd annual Salmon Festival. Last year, more than 1,600 salmon migrated to Putah Creek to spawn.
Winters Salmon Festival
November
is an exciting time for those who keep an eye on Putah Creek as it signals the
return of the Chinook salmon migration.
The
salmon, in case you haven’t witnessed it for yourself, have taken on celebrity
status in and around Winters, so much so that for a second year the town has
hosted a festival in their honor. This year’s event featured live music, great
food and plenty of educational opportunities for children and adults courtesy
of agencies such as Putah Creek Council and staff from the Department of Fish
and Wildlife and Solano County Parks.
However,
if you missed the festival, there is still time to see the salmon. For the next
several weeks or so you can take a walk down to the creek or gaze down upon it
from one of the belvedere’s on Winters Bridge and have an excellent opportunity
to catch a glimpse of salmon swimming upstream in search of their spawning
ground.
Interest
in the salmon’s migration from salt water to the fresh water flow of Putah
Creek is only increasing, just as the number of salmon returning each year
does. In 2013, only eight salmon were recorded in the creek. Since 2000, a
tremendous amount of enhancement has taken place and salmon numbers have risen
exponentially each year, with last year’s tally at more than 1,600.
Attraction
flows into the Yolo Bypass began November 1 when the boards on the Los Rios
Check Dam were removed. By Saturday’s festival, it was reported that the salmon
had already migrated into Putah Creek and up to the area of Winters Bridge. In
fact, Streamkeeper Rich Marovich described it best when he said, “as the festival was ending and the
parade was heading onto the pedestrian bridge, led by a band playing a samba beat,
followed by two dancers in salmon costumes and the rest of the revelers: the
first three salmon of the season passed under the Winters Car Bridge. We were
on the edge of the creek most of the day and so it is likely that we saw the
first fish to arrive. It was magic - it was the power of human intention. We
collectively willed it to be so.”
If you go, please view the salmon responsibly.
For some great information on how and where to view the salmon migration,
please read this article from the Putah Creek Council: https://www.putahcreekcouncil.org/its-time-welcome-salmon-back-putah-creek.
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Since 2003, Supervisor John M. Vasquez has had the privilege to represent the 4th Supervisorial District covering Northern Solano County. The district includes portions of Vacaville and Dixon. |
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