The sighting could be a sign of improved ecosystem health
Long before Oakland’s establishment, salmon were spawning here. Their journey from freshwater creeks to the Pacific Ocean and back was a struggle through a wide channel into a large saltwater lagoon. However, over a century ago, development blocked access to these creeks, narrowing the lagoon entrance and converting it into Lake Merritt, halting the salmon’s return.
James Robinson, executive director of the nonprofit Lake Merritt Institute, had seen a salmon in the lake only once in his 10-year tenure. When reports of a Chinook sighting emerged in November, he was initially skeptical. “Often, people mistake other fish for salmon,” he noted. Yet, the next day, several Chinook salmon were found washed ashore.
The discovery was bittersweet for Robinson. The salmon’s death in the brackish lake indicated they failed to spawn, as only those reaching freshwater can reproduce. Nevertheless, death is part of the Chinook salmon’s lifecycle. To Robinson, their presence signaled a potential future for the lake.
Lake Merritt, while iconic, is not typically seen as a wildlife haven. Robinson recalls his mother referring to it as a landfill. However, it is the first protected wildlife refuge in the U.S., hosting dozens of migratory bird species and various aquatic organisms, including nudibranchs, river otters, and leopard sharks.
Salmon, however, have been absent. Darren Howe from the National Marine Fisheries Service suggests the salmon found in Lake Merritt were strays, accidentally arriving due to high salmon return rates. After a November rainstorm, Chinook were spotted in record numbers across the Bay Area, exciting residents witnessing them for the first time. Restoration efforts in Bay Area watersheds, like trash removal and water flow redirection, have also contributed to these high numbers.
Chinook numbers have been supported by Central Valley hatcheries and conservation measures such as closing commercial fisheries, says Sean Cochran from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. These efforts aim to restore salmon populations to former levels.
Lake Merritt has also benefited from improvements. The City of Oakland removed pipes in the channel between Lake Merritt and the Oakland estuary, allowing salmon to swim up the channel. Additionally, keeping tide gates open more frequently has increased oxygen levels in the lake. The Lake Merritt Institute’s initiatives, like trash cleanups and installing oxygen fans, have further enhanced the lake’s water quality.
Despite these efforts, successful salmon spawning has not been observed since 2001. Underground storm drains, remnants of former creeks, pose challenges for salmon reaching spawning areas. Robinson envisions modifying these drains and restoring creeks to support young salmon. “We hope one day Chinook salmon will spawn here annually,” he says.
Recently, two live Chinook salmon were spotted in Lake Merritt, raising hopes they might reach Glen Echo Creek’s open area for the first time in over two decades. Howe encourages those inspired by the sightings to engage with local watershed organizations to support urban ecosystems. He remains optimistic about the potential for salmon to return, stating, “With continued efforts, anything’s possible.”
Original Story at www.sierraclub.org