In an exciting development for local conservation, biologists have confirmed the presence of endangered Central Coast Coho Salmon fry in the South Fork of Usal Creek for the first time in over a decade. Earlier this April, 2025, surveyors spotted several juvenile Coho (young-of-year) in the creek – a watershed managed by the Redwood Forest Foundation, Inc. (RFFI). The discovery was made by a team California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) biologists Miranda and Meghan reviewed by CDFW’s senior environmentalist Sarah Gallagher. This marks the first confirmed Coho salmon presence observed in Usal Creek since 2013, when the species essentially vanished from the watershed . Coho salmon in this region have been listed as endangered under federal law since 2005 , so the return of even a handful of fry is being celebrated as a major ecological milestone – and a hopeful sign that years of restoration work and favorable conditions are paying off.
Coho salmon were once native to the streams of the Usal Redwood Forest, but none had been observed there for roughly ten years . By 2014, biologists could no longer find any sign of Coho in the Usal Creek watershed, raising concerns that the local population had been extirpated (wiped out) from these streams. The Coho’s disappearance was alarming but not entirely surprising – the species has struggled throughout its range due to habitat loss, past overharvest, and drought. In fact, the Central California Coast Coho have teetered on the brink of extinction, leading to their federal Endangered listing in 2005 . Since then, RFFI and partners have been working diligently to improve conditions in the Usal watershed to give salmon and steelhead a fighting chance. Still, from 2014 onward, surveys turned up no Coho in Usal Creek, making this spring’s find especially remarkable. The presence of live Coho fry means that at least one adult spawning pair found its way into Usal Creek last winter and successfully reproduced – an event that hasn’t been documented here in years. RFFI staff and CDFW scientists identified multiple Coho fry (distinguished by their small size and vertical parr marks) in the calm side-pools of South Fork Usal Creek. Their reappearance after such a long absence is being hailed as a victory for collaborative conservation efforts and nature’s resilience.
RFFI attributes this Coho comeback to a combination of long-term habitat restoration and recent favorable rainfall patterns. Since 2014, RFFI has led an array of watershed restoration projects in the Usal Redwood Forest, supported by state and federal salmonid recovery funding. These efforts have focused on improving stream habitat complexity, water quality, and fish passage – all critical for Coho recovery. For example, in 2014 RFFI partnered with Trout Unlimited to install around 90 large woody debris structures along 1.9 miles of South Fork Usal Creek, creating deeper pools, sheltered alcoves, and riffles ideal for Coho rearing . RFFI also decommissioned old logging roads, stabilized eroding stream banks, and re-planted riparian areas with native vegetation to reduce sediment runoff. Such measures align with recommendations from fisheries experts that adding large wood, boulders, and other complex structures is crucial to prevent Coho extinction by improving pool depth and shelter . These proactive projects, funded in part by California’s salmon restoration grants, have gradually been healing the Usal watershed.
Equally important, nature lent a helping hand this past season. After several drought years, the past few winters, including of 20242-20253 brought abundant rains to Northern California during Coho migration, leading to strong river flows that enabled Coho salmon to reach historic spawning grounds. In fact, Mendocino Coast rivers saw a surge of returning adult Coho during the 20242/253 winter – the highest numbers on record since monitoring began . South Fork Usal Creek likely benefited from those exceptional rainstorms: higher flows would have reconnected the creek to the ocean and nearby streams, allowing stray adult Coho to swim upstream into restored habitat that had been made more accessible by RFFI’s projects. The combination of improved habitat and improved streamflow conditions created by heavy rainfall set the stage for Coho to recolonize. RFFI’s President praised the “perfect convergence of our hard work with Mother Nature’s generosity.” The presence of fry confirms that at least one female Coho built a redd (nest) in Usal Creek over the winter and successfully spawned. Several fry were observed darting in the pools beneath log structures that RFFI had installed – a heartening sign that the fish are indeed using the enhanced habitat as intended.
The Redwood Forest Foundation is treating this discovery as validation of its long-term strategy to restore and steward the Usal Creek watershed. “This is a milestone for RFFI and our partners,” said an RFFI spokesperson, noting that it underscores the importance of persistent restoration efforts. RFFI has been committed to the Usal Forest since acquiring it in 2007, with intensive salmon habitat restoration ramping up since 2014. The organization worked closely with agencies like CDFW and conservation groups to implement the Coho Recovery Plan for this area, and that groundwork is now yielding tangible results. RFFI also acknowledged the invaluable role of collaboration – crediting CDFW biologist Sarah Gallagher for leading the fisheries survey team and thanking the broader community of supporters who made the work possible (including funders of restoration grants and local stakeholders). The two CDFWRFFI field biologists, Miranda and Meghan, who observedhelped confirm the Coho fry, will continue monitoring the young salmon’s growth and survival in the coming months.
This encouraging update will be featured in RFFI’s annual reporting, as the foundation tracks progress toward its conservation goals. The findings will also be shared with regional wildlife authorities and conservation partners. Moving forward, RFFI plans to expand monitoring to see if more Coho spawn in Usal Creek next winter, and to identify any remaining barriers to their full return. The hope is that this small fry sighting is just the beginning of a larger comeback. By maintaining the improved habitat and possibly pursuing additional enhancements (such as adding more woody debris or ensuring adequate summer flows), RFFI aims to support these endangered salmon at each life stage.
In a broader context, the rediscovery of Coho Salmon in Usal Creek offers a beacon of hope. It shows that given the chance – through habitat restoration and favorable environmental conditions – endangered species can return to areas where they had disappeared. RFFI’s leadership in restoring the Usal Redwood Forest has been instrumental in creating that chance. With continued community support and inter-agency cooperation, the foundation is optimistic that the iconic silver salmon of California’s North Coast will once again become a regular part of Usal Creek’s ecosystem. For now, the sight of tiny Coho fry in those waters is a cause for celebration – a sign of ecological resilience worth cheering for.
Sources: The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) – [Coho Salmon Species Profile】 ; RFFI Usal Forest Fisheries Monitoring Report 2022/23 ; California Fisheries Restoration Grants Program project records ; NOAA Fisheries – Central California Coast Coho updates . (RFFI will include a detailed account of this finding in its 2025 Annual Report.)
