Trout From American River Hatcheries Evacuated Due To Drought
SACRAMENTO (AP) — Rainbow trout and steelhead are being evacuated from two hatcheries on the American River amid concern the state's drought will cause the water to become warm enough to kill the fish.
The Sacramento Bee reported that the state Department of Fish and Wildlife will use tanker trucks on Tuesday to remove about a million trout from the American River Hatchery. The fish will be planted in lakes throughout the state as usual, but at a much younger age and smaller size.
The department will also release 430,000 Central Valley steelhead from the Nimbus Hatchery into the American River about six months earlier than usual.
Officials say water temperatures in the American River may reach 78 degrees— considered to be lethal for fish because there's so little mountain runoff.
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