Tuesday March 5, 2024
Sacramento Bee —
Hundreds of thousands of newly hatched salmon released into the Klamath River died passing through a dam due to be demolished, California wildlife officials reported.
The 830,000 fish likely perished from “gas bubble disease,” caused by severe changes in water pressure, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife said in a March 2 news release.
The salmon died while passing through a tunnel associated with the Iron Gate Dam, officials said. The dam and tunnel are scheduled to be removed later this year.
The fish were part of a Feb. 26 release of Chinook salmon fry into Fall Creek, which flows into the Klamath River, from a new $35 million fish hatchery, officials said.