North Fork Mokelumne River
Directions
From Jackson From the town of Jackson on Hwy 49, take Hwy 88 east past the small town of Pioneer. After Pioneer, look for Ellis Road (warning: there is only one sign before turn off). Turn right on Ellis Road, and take this winding but paved road to the National Forest campgrounds below Salts Springs dam along the North Fork of the Mokelumne River.
The North Fork of the Mokelumne River
From its sources in the Sierra's Mokelumne and Carson-Iceberg Wilderness areas, the North Fork Mokelumne flows into Salt Springs reservoir. Below Salt Springs dam, the North Fork flows past scenic Calaveras Dome and several popular campgrounds. Here, the river canyon is studded with impressive granite rock formations and building-size boulders. This mid-elevation river segment is a popular destination for campers, swimmers, rock climbers, and anglers.
Beyond its confluence with the Bear River, the North Fork enters a truly wild canyon dominated by the brooding prominence of Devils Nose Peak. This virtually trackless river canyon is noted for its old growth forests, mid-elevation oak and riparian woodland, great natural bio-diversity, and wild trout fishery.
The entire North Fork canyon is also unique for its extensive high-quality archaeological values, which trace the history of the area's indigenous people back at least 2,500 years. More than 110 prehistoric and historic sites have been inventoried in the area, representing a full range of past human activities. The Forest Service established the Mokelumne Archaeological Special Interest Area in 1988 in recognition of the canyon's rich cultural value.
Trout Fishery Falls Short of Real Potential
My observation of this tailwater is the fishery takes a back-seat to the production of hydro-power at Salt Springs Dam. Watching the flows dramatically drop into the low 40's cfs range by late June, I wonder how aquatic eco-systems such as trout and insects deal with this unnatural reversal. It may explain the low numbers of stoneflies which "should" have been more evident, and both the small size and low numbers of trout which depend on this mid-season bounty.
It's also not a stretch to imagine these low flows (with July flows in the low 20 cfs range), put stress on the fishery through the hot summer months. The North Fork of the Mokelumne shows potential to be a much healthier fishery. P.G.& E.and FERC have a responsibility to make this system reach it's true potential.
How Did We Get Here?
When P.G.&E. renewed it's license back in 1975, the California Department of Fish and Game recommended the following minimum instream flows below Salt Springs dam: In years of normal runoff, 40 cfs from May 1 to October 31 and 20 cfs from November 1 to April 30. In years of subnormal runoff, 20 cfs from May 1 to April 30 of the following year.
