During fall, the river bottom is transformed into a safe haven for millions of eggs as they incubate in their rocky nests for several months. Yes, we are talking about salmon eggs! Chinook salmon spawn in the fall, building their redds and laying the eggs of future Trinity River salmon runs. A redd is a nest of rocks built by spawning salmon to protect their eggs. As you recreate on the river, it is vital to know what to look for and how to avoid disturbing the delicate redds that are keeping our future salmon safe.
Chinook salmon guard their redds for the last weeks or days of their lives. If you see salmon on or near redds, please do not disturb the area.
One step on a redd can kill thousands of salmon eggs. If you notice redds in the river, please do not walk on or around them. Even walking too close to a redd can kick up fine sediments which can clog pore spaces in the rocks and suffocate salmon eggs. When salmon already face so many dangers in the river and ocean, you can help keep them safe by avoiding these sensitive areas!
A redd is generally constructed out of gravel-sized rocks, about the size of your fist or smaller, though different fish will construct redds out of varying sized rocks. Salmon use their tail to kick up rocks, creating a pit in the streambed and allowing the current to deposit the displaced rock in a pile just downstream. The eggs are hidden in this pile, protected by the gravel.
Redds are usually 1-2 meters in diameter and roughly rounded. As the salmon build their redds, they inadvertently clean the algae off of the rocks. Look for lighter-colored, algae-free gravel surrounded by darker gravels.