North Pacific right whale. Credit: Brenda K. Rone
Sacramento River Winter-run Chinook Salmon
The Sacramento River winter-run Chinook salmon is an endangered species. NOAA Fisheries selected it as a Species in the Spotlight because it is one of just nine species considered to be most at risk of extinction in the near-term and in need of urgent protection. NOAA Fisheries’ West Coast Region, along with the West Coast Science Centers, and the Restoration Center, work to conserve this species under the Endangered Species Act.
Species Status
ESA Listing Status:
- Threatened on August 4, 1989 (54 FR 32085; emergency interim rule) and on November 5, 1990 (55 FR 46515; Final Rule).
- Reclassified as Endangered on January 4, 1994 (59 FR 440)
ESU Description: This evolutionarily significant unit, or ESU, includes all spawned winter-run Chinook salmon originating from the Sacramento River and its tributaries. It also includes winter-run Chinook salmon from the following artificial propagation programs: The Livingston Stone National Fish Hatchery (Supplementation and Captive Broodstock).
Current Population Trends:
- Viability Assessment for Pacific Salmon and Steelhead Listed under the Endangered Species Act: Southwest (July 2016)
- ESA 5-Year Status Review for Sacramento River Winter-run Chinook Salmon
Critical Habitat: Designated June 16, 1993 (58 FR 33212)
Protective Regulations: Issued November 5, 1990 (55 FR 46515). The 1990 protective regulations were later superseded by the reclassification of this ESU as Endangered on January 4, 1994 (59 FR 440).
Recovery Plan: Recovery Plan for Sacramento River Winter-run Chinook Salmon, Central Valley Spring-run Chinook Salmon, and Central Valley Steelhead (2014)
Species Recovery
NOAA Fisheries delineated eight recovery domains, or geographic recovery planning areas, for the ESA-listed salmon and steelhead populations on the West Coast. The California Central Valley Recovery Domain extends from the upper Sacramento River Valley to the northern portion of the San Joaquin River Valley (see map of recovery domains). There are three ESA-listed salmon and steelhead species in this domain:
- Central Valley spring-run Chinook salmon
- Sacramento River winter-run Chinook salmon
- California Central Valley steelhead
NOAA Fisheries West Coast Region manages recovery planning and implementation for this domain through its California Central Valley Area Office.
Recovery Plan
In July 2014, NOAA Fisheries released a Recovery Plan for Sacramento River winter-run Chinook salmon, Central Valley spring-run Chinook salmon, and Central Valley steelhead. The recovery plan draws on the expertise of the Central Valley Technical Recovery Team, agency co-managers, and many public entities and individuals dedicated to recovering these fish. It is based on a sound scientific foundation and is a key decision-making resource for improving and sustaining the health of California's natural environment.
Recovery Strategies and Priority Actions for Key Regions
- Basalt & Porous Lava
- Mainstem Sacramento River
- Northern Sierra
- Northwestern California
- Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta
- Southern Sierra & Mainstem San Joaquin River
Species in the Spotlight
NOAA Fisheries selected Sacramento River winter-run Chinook salmon as a Species in the Spotlight because it is one of just nine species considered to be most at risk of extinction in the near-term and in need of urgent protection. We have created a special action plan targeting efforts vital for stabilizing the population to prevent its extinction. The plan is based on information and strategies in the recovery plan.
- Priority Actions (2021-2025)
- Five-Year Action Plan (2016-2020)
- Partners Return Endangered Winter-Run Chinook Eggs to Their Original Habitat in Response to Drought (PDF, 2 pages)
Partnerships for Recovery
Salmon recovery requires action at all levels of government and by all stakeholders to be effective. Partnerships among federal, state, local, and tribal entities, together with non-governmental and private organizations, are key to restoring healthy salmon runs and ensuring the cultural, economic, and environmental benefits they provide. Implementing recovery actions is especially critical at the local level. NOAA Fisheries supports this by providing scientific and policy support, providing funding as available, and working with our partners to improve regulatory mechanisms for salmon recovery.
Key partners working to restore Sacramento River winter-run Chinook salmon, California Central Valley spring-run Chinook salmon, and California Central Valley steelhead are identified below.
Partners A-F
- Allied Fishing Group
- American Rivers
- American Whitewater
- AquAlliance
- Battle Creek Conservancy
- California Department of Fish & Wildlife
- California Department of Water Resources
- California Environmental Protection Agency
- California Hydropower Reform Coalition
- California Sportfishing Protection Alliance
- CalTrout
- Coalition for a Sustainable Delta
- Deer Creek Conservancy
- Delta Conservancy
- Delta Stewardship Council
- Foothills Water Network
- Friends of Butte Creek
- Friends of the River
- Eastbay Municipal Utility District
- El Dorado Irrigation District
- El Dorado Water & Power Authority
Partners G-R
- Glenn Colusa Irrigation District
- McCloud Coordinated Resource Management Plan Group
- Merced Irrigation District
- Merced River Conservation Committee
- Mill Creek Conservancy
- National Fish & Wildlife Foundation
- Natural Resources Defense Council
- Nevada Irrigation District
- Northern California Council of the Federation of Fly Fishers, Inc.
- Northern California Water Association
- Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen's Associations
- Pacific Gas & Electric
- Placer County Water Agency
- Putah Creek Trout
- Reclamation District 108
Partners S-Z
- Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency
- San Joaquin River Group
- Save Auburn Ravine Salmon & Steelhead
- Sierra Pacific Industries
- South Yuba River Citizens League
- State Water Contractors
- State Water Resources Control Board
- Striped Bass Association
- The Bay Institute
- The Nature Conservancy
- The Water Forum
- Trout Unlimited
- Turlock Irrigation District
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Sacramento District
- U.S. Bureau of Reclamation
- U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Pacific Southwest Region
- U.S. Forest Service
- Water For Fish
- Westlands Water District
- Winnemem Wintu Tribe
- Yuba County Water Agency
More Information
- Chinook Salmon Federal Register Notices
- Salmon and Steelhead Federal Register Rules and Notices prior to August 2019
- Chinook Salmon Maps & GIS Data
- Chinook Salmon Publications
- Salmon and Steelhead Hatcheries on the West Coast
- Learn about what you can do to help endangered and threatened salmon recover
- Related Stories
- Survival of Endangered California Winter-Run Chinook Salmon in 2022
Contact
If you have questions, would like to learn more about recovery efforts in your watershed, or would like to get involved directly, please contact:
West Coast Region - California Central Valley Office
Brian Ellrott
Email: Brian.Ellrott@noaa.gov
Phone: 916.930.3600
North Pacific right whale. Credit: Brenda K. Rone
