The Nature Conservancy in California - Shasta Big Springs Ranch Protected

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Salmon Country

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“If there exists ‘a silver bullet’ for restoring the lower Klamath’s endangered coho population, this could be it.”

— Henry Little, project director for The Nature Conservancy in California

Go Deeper

Making Headlines
The Conservancy's acquisition of Shasta Big Springs Ranch made the front page of the San Francisco Chronicle.
Read the full story.

Small Fry, Big Hopes
Conservancy ecologist Jennifer Carah spotted juvenile coho salmon in the Pardaloe Creek of the Garcia River watershed.
Read about the significance of this sighting.

At the start of 2009, experts counted little more than 30 juvenile coho salmon in the Shasta River. Grim news indeed, since the Shasta once spawned half of the salmon in the entire Klamath basin. But there is hope.

The Nature Conservancy has protected the 4,543-acre Shasta Big Springs Ranch in Siskiyou County, California. As one of the last strongholds for endangered coho in California, restoration of the property will have a resounding impact on salmon, steelhead and other species throughout the entire Klamath basin.

A Linchpin Property

As climate change progresses, the area could also become one of the best chances to restore coho and other salmon species in California.

“If there exists ‘a silver bullet’ for restoring the lower Klamath’s endangered coho population, this could be it,” said Henry Little, project director for The Nature Conservancy in California. “Whereas most other rivers in the state are warming and becoming less suitable for salmon, the Shasta River likely will remain cold and thus provides a unique opportunity for us to bring this species back from the brink.”

The Shasta Big Springs Ranch contains 3 miles of the upper Shasta River, as well as 2.2 miles of Big Springs Creek. Both waterways are important Klamath River tributaries and originate from Mt. Shasta’s glaciers. As a result, their waters remain a cool 52° – 54° F all year and provide salmon and steelhead with ideal conditions for spawning and rearing in both winter and summer.

Beyond the Lower Klamath

Protecting places like Shasta Big Springs Ranch could have impacts beyond the lower Klamath basin.

“This is a prime example of how conservation supports a healthy and prosperous California,” continued Little. “Protecting key places like Shasta Big Springs Ranch will help restore fish runs and ultimately could help revive California’s salmon fishery as an important source of wild, locally caught salmon.”

In addition, a number of public and private parties are negotiating to remove four of the six major dams on the Klamath River. If they are successful, the Shasta Big Springs Ranch could also serve as a natural nursery for re-establishing populations of coho and other salmon species in the upper Klamath.

Protecting Shasta Big Springs Ranch will also benefit other struggling species, including the Chinook salmon, steelhead trout, Pacific and Klamath River lamprey, Western pond turtles, greater sandhill cranes, bank swallows, neo-tropical migratory birds and bald eagles.

Nature picture credits (top to bottom, left to right): Photo © Bridget Besaw (UC Davis scientist conducting research at Shasta Big Springs Ranch); Photo © Bridget Besaw (salmon); Photo © Bridget Besaw (Shasta Big Springs Ranch).