The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced actions underway to mitigate impacts of low water flows along the Salmon River during the upcoming salmon run. These include modification of water releases and delayed opening of the river’s lower fly fishing section ahead of the annual run that attracts thousands of anglers every year. The lower fly fishing section runs upstream of the Route 52 bridge in Altmar up to the property boundary of the Salmon River Fish Hatchery.
The 16 miles of river downstream of the Route 52 bridge in Altmar and the upper fly fishing area upstream of the Salmon River Fish Hatchery will both remain open to anglers during this period.
“Anglers may reel in Salmon River catches in all areas besides a limited quarter-mile segment whose opening is delayed due to low water levels and flows,” said DEC Region 7 Director Dereth Glance. “Delaying opening season until water levels are adequate for this stretch protects future world-class salmon and trout runs by ensuring successful egg collection at DEC’s Salmon River Fish Hatchery to sustain New York State’s thriving Lake Ontario salmonid fishery.”
This summer, below-average rainfall led to low and declining water levels in the Salmon River Reservoir. The Executive Committee of the Salmon River Flow Management Team, comprised of natural resource agencies and Brookfield Renewable hydroelectric facility that regulates reservoir water levels, canceled scheduled whitewater releases and delayed the annual increase in baseflow to conserve reservoir water and maintain suitable flows throughout the salmon spawning run.
Under a federal license, Salmon River seasonal baseflows are normally increased from 185 cubic feet/second (cfs) to 335 cfs on September 1, as long as water levels in the Salmon River Reservoir are above a critical threshold. Levels are currently below that threshold. Additionally, significant precipitation is not forecasted for the near term, prompting DEC to recommend a delay in the scheduled baseflow increase.
DEC’s recommendation is based on abnormally high water temperatures coupled with low water flows in Salmon River tributaries, including Beaverdam Brook where migrating Chinook salmon access DEC’s Salmon River Fish Hatchery for egg collection supporting the State’s successful stocking program. Increasing baseflows prematurely would likely cause Chinook salmon, currently “staging” in Lake Ontario, to begin their spawning migration into the Salmon River. Fish could be stranded or killed if water temperatures remain high.
To increase the probability that sufficient numbers of salmon reach DEC’s hatchery to sustain the salmon stocking program, the popular lower fly fishing section, located just below the hatchery and typically where large numbers of salmon and anglers congregate, will not open on September 15. This section of the river (PDF) will remain closed until DEC collects sufficient numbers of salmon eggs at the hatchery.
Anglers and all fishing enthusiasts are encouraged to experience New York’s other exceptional Great Lakes tributary angling opportunities. Visit DEC's 'Tackle Box' feature in the HuntFishNY App for waterbody-specific information on fishing regulations, stocking, and fishing/boating access sites. Additional information, including the I FISHNY Great Lakes Fishing Brochure, is available at DEC’s website.
