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Gualala River Hatchery Enhancement 

KRIS Web Background Pages: Hatcheries

While there has never been an established California Department of Fish and Game hatchery on the Gualala River, there is a long history of transplanting stocks from other basins. The Gualala River Steelhead Project (GRSP), a locally based non-profit group actually set up a small scale hatch box program for steelhead for some years, under the direction of  CDFG. For discussion of regional hatchery supplementation on a stream by stream basis, including the Gualala, see CRWQCB (2001). Stock transfers can actually reduce local stock fitness (see Hatchery background page) and the introduction of Mad River steelhead stocks was found to have changed life history patterns of steelhead in the Gualala (Higgins et al., 1992). For a look at complete planting history back to 1969, see chart.

The number of juvenile coho salmon and steelhead trout planted in the Gualala River between 1969 and 1997 is displayed at left. The California Department of Fish and Game is responsible for all coho plants but many of the steelhead plants in recent years were by the Gualala River Steelhead Project. Coho planted in 1988 and 1995 through 1997 were in the Little North Fork Gualala River. Data taken from Table 7.9 CRWQCB (2001).

Higgins (1997) described the history of hatchery operation in the basin in the Gualala River Watershed Literature Search and Assimilation. The following are excerpts from that document:

Hatchery Contributions to the Gualala: CDFG planted steelhead juveniles from the Mad River Hatchery in the Gualala River from 1972 to 1975. Introduction of non-native brood stock can lead to decreased fitness in the native salmon or steelhead population (Riesenbechler and McIntyre, 1977; Chilcote et al., 1982; Ryman and Utter, 1987). A hatchery was operated by the Gualala Steelhead Project in the late 1980’s using native Gualala River brood fish that were caught by anglers with hook and line. Some community members still had reservations regarding the hatchery because of the potential for a long term change brought about by unintended selection related to hatchery operation (Joseph, 1990). In the early 1990’s, the Gualala Steelhead Project changed the emphasis of their hatchery program to rescue rearing. Because the hatchery does not select fish for breeding, there is less potential for changes in genetic diversity.

CDFG planted coho salmon in the Little North Fork Gualala River and its tributaries in 1988 and from 1995-1997. Barracco et al. (1977) note that CDFG had been planting coho in the Gualala River since 1969 but no direct planting records or related memos were found during the course of this study. Coho salmon juveniles were planted in the North Fork because water temperatures were cool and fish samples showed that the species was no longer present (Jones, 1989). Poor survival of coho planted in the late 1980’s was ascribed to drought conditions but the possibility of bacterial kidney disease or BKD was also raised (CDF, 1994). This disease is caused by the bacteria Renibacterium salmonarium that can be transmitted to other salmonids in the wild.

Juvenile coho were found during 1997 surveys of Doty Creek and the Little North Fork Gualala River (Dennis Halligan, personal communication) and could be the result in part of CDFG plants in 1995. Although temperatures are cool enough for coho salmon introduction, spawning gravel stability and pool volume may not be optimal for coho (see Monitoring). Riesenbichler (1988) found that the success of transplanted hatchery coho was inversely proportional to the distance from the stream of origin. Aaesen (1995) pointed out that the donor stock, Noyo River Hatchery coho salmon, had genetic markers specific to Mendocino coastal stocks and were, therefore, appropriate for the Gualala River. He also noted that problems with BKD had been reduced. 

References

California Regional Water Quality Control Board (CRWQCB). 2001. Assessment of aquatic conditions in the Mendocino coast hydrologic unit. North Coast Region, CRWQCB. Santa Rosa, CA. 284 pp. 

Higgins, P.T., S. Dobush, and D. Fuller. 1992. Factors in Northern California Threatening Stocks with Extinction. Humboldt Chapter of American Fisheries Society. Arcata, CA. 25pp.

Higgins, P.T. 1997. Gualala River Watershed Literature Search and Assimilation. Funded by the Coastal Conservancy under contract to Redwood Coast Land Conservancy. Gualala, CA. 59 pp.

Joseph, H.L. 1990. Letter to Arch Richardson regarding Gualala River hatchery operation. 2 p.