Considerations for the Development of a Juvenile Production Estimate for Central Valley Spring-Run Chinook Salmon

Effective species management depends on accurate estimates of population size. There are, however, no annual juvenile production for Central Valley spring-run Chinook Salmon (“spring run”), a highly imperiled in California, making it difficult to evaluate status and effectively manage key issues such as entrainment this at water diversions. In recognition critical information gap, we initiated an effort develop estimate (JPE) spring run, defined here forecast the number that enter Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta (“Delta”) from Sacramento Valley. This metric would allow more robust scientific assessment population, which is needed reduce effects condition state permit requirements. To help guide effort, organized workshop stake-holders, managers, scientists review some aspects biology, examine conservation importance JPE, identify knowledge gaps, introduce new tools, discuss alternative approaches forecasting run emigrating River drainage into Delta. paper summarizes monitoring, emergent methods considered workshop, well guiding concepts identified by participants necessary JPE Salmon.