Level of Concern:

Critical

Oncorhynchus kisutch

Most or all Central California Coast Coho salmon populations in small coastal streams will become extinct in the next 50 years without significantly increased intervention and protection of watersheds.


How we're working to save them:

  • Protect source waters in remaining CCC Coho salmon watersheds including the Garcia, Noyo, and Gualala rivers and Lagunitas, Scott, and Waddell creeks.
  • Develop and maintain restoration hatcheries to be used in conjunction with habitat improvement and evaluation measures to boost populations and increase the genetic diversity of CCC Coho.
  • Increase inter-agency cooperation, private landowner partnerships, mobilization of public opinion, and development of an extensive monitoring program to maintain CCC Coho salmon.
Click here to learn about CalTrout’s overall “Return to Resilience” plan to save California’s salmonids from extinction.

Where to find Central California Coast Coho Salmon:

Central California Coast Coho Salmon Distribution

How they Central California Coast Coho Salmon Scored:

From CalTrout's SOS II Report

Characteristics


CCC Coho salmon are identical in appearance and habits to Southern Oregon Northern California Coast (SONCC) Coho to the north. They can only be distinguished by differences in geographic range and genetics.

Abundance


Almost all of the remaining streams containing CCC Coho salmon have populations less than 100 spawning adults per year, unless enhanced through hatcheries. Most CCC Coho populations are threatened with extinction in the near future, with the exception of populations in Lagunitas Creek (Marin County), the Russian River (Sonoma County), and Santa Cruz County watersheds due largely to the heroic efforts of managers, concerned citizens, and conservation hatcheries.

Habitat & Behavior


Habitat requirements of CCC Coho salmon are similar to SONCC Coho salmon. Timing of streamflows is critically important to CCC Coho salmon, which need cold water at specific times to support successful spawning and juvenile survival. Severe high flow events that occur early in winter (December, January) can scour holding pools, move large wood cover, open lagoon mouths for migration, and generally improve Coho habitat, while similar flood events later in the season (February, March) can wash away redds and eggs or flush juvenile CCC Coho out of over-wintering habitat such as pools, side channels, or estuaries.

Genetics


CCC Coho salmon are most similar to Coho in neighboring watersheds than they are to Coho in Northern California or Southern Oregon.

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