Adult Chinook Salmon Spotted in Alameda Creek After 70 Years!

UPDATE: For the first time in 70 years, adult Chinook salmon have been spotted successfully returning to Alameda Creek in Sunol Valley, marking a significant milestone in environmental restoration efforts. Volunteers from the Alameda Creek Alliance confirmed these sightings, indicating a potential resurgence of wildlife in the region.

This unprecedented event comes just weeks after PG&E and CalTrout completed a $15 million project to remove a gas pipeline that acted as the last barrier to fish migration upstream. Since the beginning of November 2025, nearly a dozen Chinook salmon have been recorded making the challenging ascent of 86 vertical feet in lower Niles Canyon.

Environmentalists are celebrating this development as a beacon of hope for the ecosystem, as Chinook salmon and the endangered steelhead trout serve as critical indicators of environmental health. The return of these fish could signal the resurgence of other species, including otters, eagles, and beavers, enhancing the biodiversity of the region’s food web.

Claire Buchanan, Bay Area regional director of CalTrout, expressed excitement about the potential for further salmon sightings this migration season, stating, “It’s just the beginning of this whole migration season, so I can’t wait to see what else comes up through our project site.”

Historically, the Chinook salmon population in Alameda Creek has been severely impacted by dam construction, which began with the Calaveras Reservoir in 1925. This led to a dramatic decline in salmon runs, with no sightings recorded since the 1950s. Jeff Miller, executive director of the Alameda Creek Alliance, highlighted the significance of the recent sightings, stating, “Salmon are the soul of our rivers. Urban streams kind of lost their soul after so many human impacts.”

The return of Chinook salmon is not just a victory for conservationists but also a critical step towards restoring the ecological balance of the region. As salmon spawn and die, their decaying bodies contribute vital nutrients to the ecosystem, benefiting a multitude of species. Already, endangered species such as steelhead trout and California tiger salamanders have been observed returning to the area, showcasing the positive ripple effects of this restoration effort.

Miller further noted that the presence of salmon could lead to the return of black bears and bald eagles, transforming the ecological landscape of the Bay Area. “We’re due to get black bears back in the Bay,” he said. “Our resident bald eagle pair nesting down in lower Alameda Creek came up to the fish ladder, and we’ve seen them take both dead carcasses of Chinook and live ones.”

The reintroduction of Chinook salmon to Alameda Creek is a testament to over two decades of dedicated advocacy and activism by various environmental groups. As Miller reflected on the long journey, he remarked, “Our losses are permanent, and our wins are usually temporary,” emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts in achieving substantial ecological victories.

As this historic salmon run unfolds, the excitement among local residents and conservationists is palpable. “This run of salmon is just exhilarating,” Miller added. “People get really excited when they see these fish. It connects them to the creek and helps them get the bigger picture of the ecology of the stream—how everything is connected.”

The return of Chinook salmon to Alameda Creek is a critical development in the ongoing fight for environmental renewal, and it underscores the potential for positive change in our ecosystems. Environmentalists urge the community to stay engaged and support ongoing efforts to restore the natural habitats that sustain these vital species.

As we move deeper into the wet season, all eyes will be on Alameda Creek, where the echoes of nature’s resilience are beginning to resound once more.