ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science

Home → Environment → Animals

Biologists fear salmon kill in Klamath river

It's a tough year for salmon all around the world - now, a new health advisory issued by the U.S. Geological Survey, Bureau of Reclamation and PacifiCorp raises concerns about the future of salmon in the Klamath river in Oregon and California.

Mihai AndreibyMihai Andrei
August 7, 2015
in Animals, News
A A
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterSubmit to Reddit

RelatedPosts

Isotopes inside salmon ear tell a fishy story
The US just started selling lab-grown salmon
Four decades of canned fish are helping researchers write salmon history
Salmon farming is costing billions in social and environmental damage

It’s a tough year for salmon all around the world – now, a new health advisory issued by the U.S. Geological Survey, Bureau of Reclamation and PacifiCorp raises concerns about the future of salmon in the Klamath river in Oregon and California.

The Klamath is the second largest river in California, draining  an extensive watershed of almost 16,000 square miles (41,000 km2). The river used to contain vast freshwater marshes and a stunning biodiversity, but in recent years, it is largely agricultural. Birds and fish have been especially threatened, but until recently, salmon have adapted surprisingly well to rising temperatures and high acidity levels.

However, there’s only so much they can adapt – and the presence of blue-green algae toxins in the water bodies might be the final straw. Poor water quality has already been reported in several areas by federal, state and tribal officials monitoring fish runs in the Klamath River. Low flows and higher water temperatures have brought on an early onset of the lethal parasite Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, known as Ich (pronounced “ick”).

“The risk factors this year are piling up,” Mike Belchick, biologist for the Yurok Tribe, said Wednesday. The tribe depends on Klamath River salmon for food and ceremonies.

Yurok Senior Fisheries Biologist Michael Belchik explained that not much is known about ick.

“There was none detected for 11 years and then in 2014, it just shows back up,” he said. “It’s alarming — [the spread of the disease] goes from zero to 100 so fast, and that’s what’s causing us to worry right now.” Aquariums and hatcheries encounter ich regularly, as fish within those confines are often in warmer water and denser conditions, and treat it most commonly with salt or formaldehyde, neither of which are viable for river treatment. The only immediate, albeit temporary, solution is to increase flow, Belchik said. Without the release of cooler water allowing the fish to spread out, he continued, the situation “could get really bad … Some possibilities are catastrophic.”

The underlying problem still remains the lack of water – agriculture simply requires too much water. Water has always equaled riches in one form or another in the Golden State and the diversion of water from Klamath indicates a larger problem: the over-usage of natural resources for human purposes. The salmon, like many other animals, will likely pay the price.

Tags: california droughtklamathsalmon

ShareTweetShare
Mihai Andrei

Mihai Andrei

Dr. Andrei Mihai is a geophysicist and founder of ZME Science. He has a Ph.D. in geophysics and archaeology and has completed courses from prestigious universities (with programs ranging from climate and astronomy to chemistry and geology). He is passionate about making research more accessible to everyone and communicating news and features to a broad audience.

Related Posts

Future

The US just started selling lab-grown salmon

byTudor Tarita
2 weeks ago
Animals

After 40 Years Orcas Make Salmon Hats Trendy Again

byTibi Puiu
7 months ago
Biology

Ancient, giant salmon had bizarre teeth that pointed sideways

byMihai Andrei
1 year ago
News

Four decades of canned fish are helping researchers write salmon history

byMihai Andrei
1 year ago

Recent news

The Brain May Make New Neurons in Adulthood and Even Old Age

July 4, 2025

Your gut has a secret weapon against ‘forever chemicals’: microbes

July 3, 2025

High IQ People Are Strikingly Better at Forecasting the Future

July 3, 2025
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Editorial Policy
  • Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
  • How we review products
  • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Science News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Space
  • Future
  • Features
    • Natural Sciences
    • Physics
      • Matter and Energy
      • Quantum Mechanics
      • Thermodynamics
    • Chemistry
      • Periodic Table
      • Applied Chemistry
      • Materials
      • Physical Chemistry
    • Biology
      • Anatomy
      • Biochemistry
      • Ecology
      • Genetics
      • Microbiology
      • Plants and Fungi
    • Geology and Paleontology
      • Planet Earth
      • Earth Dynamics
      • Rocks and Minerals
      • Volcanoes
      • Dinosaurs
      • Fossils
    • Animals
      • Mammals
      • Birds
      • Fish
      • Amphibians
      • Reptiles
      • Invertebrates
      • Pets
      • Conservation
      • Animal facts
    • Climate and Weather
      • Climate change
      • Weather and atmosphere
    • Health
      • Drugs
      • Diseases and Conditions
      • Human Body
      • Mind and Brain
      • Food and Nutrition
      • Wellness
    • History and Humanities
      • Anthropology
      • Archaeology
      • History
      • Economics
      • People
      • Sociology
    • Space & Astronomy
      • The Solar System
      • Sun
      • The Moon
      • Planets
      • Asteroids, meteors & comets
      • Astronomy
      • Astrophysics
      • Cosmology
      • Exoplanets & Alien Life
      • Spaceflight and Exploration
    • Technology
      • Computer Science & IT
      • Engineering
      • Inventions
      • Sustainability
      • Renewable Energy
      • Green Living
    • Culture
    • Resources
  • Videos
  • Reviews
  • About Us
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Editorial policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.