What is a “run” and what Chinook salmon runs are in the Central Valley?
There are four races, or runs, of Chinook salmon in the Central Valley: fall, late-fall, winter, and spring. The name of each run indicates the time the salmon return to the river. The life history patterns, including how much time the fish spend in the ocean and in frestwater, varies greatly for each distinct run. Fall Chinook are the most abundant in the Central Valley today, while the winter- and spring-runs have been placed on the Endangered Species List.
