This project is providing important information about the wild production of Chinook salmon in the Salmon River.

Other projects conducted around the Basin by agencies, universites and other partners are documenting wild reproduction of salmon and trout, and providing managers with other scientific knowledge needed to effectively manage this highly-valued diverse fishery.

Natural Reproduction of Chinook Salmon in the Salmon River, NY

Research Activities and Results of 2004
To determine the distribution of spawning sites along the Salmon River, we located sites by walking the entire river. During peak Chinook spawning, salmon redds (spawning nests) were counted and recorded at each of the established carcass sampling sites (Table 3).
Once redds were identified, their geographic coordinates were recorded using a GPS unit. In addition to redd counting at the established study sites, an overall redd estimate was accomplished by walking the length of the entire river, from the lower dam to the mouth. Each redd encountered was counted and recorded with a GPS unit to create digital maps with ArcGIS software (Figure 14). Sea Grant Scholar Dustin Everitt on the River mapping redds with a GPS unit Preliminary results
A total of 333 redds were found at the nine established sites. Along the length of the entire river, 1,945 redds were located and mapped.	Table 3. Chinook salmon redds at nine established sites. Location Total Redds Meadow Hole 20 DSR 0 Staircase 0 Paper Hole 3 Glass Hole 0 Salmon Wilderness 84 Refridgerator Hole 14 Ellis Cove 48 Hatchery 166
Figure 14. Map of a redd “hot spot” behind the NYSDEC Salmon River Hatchery. Each square represents an individual redd.
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Project Cooperators

New York
Department of Environmental Conservation