A record 2,150 king salmon (or Chinook salmon) returned to spawn in Putah Creek this fall. Timely water releases, habitat creation and regional collaboration among various public and private organizations are being credited with the successful run. Putah Creek, which runs along the border of Yolo and Solano Counties near Sacramento has historically supported a small, but vital salmon population. Estimates in 2016 put the salmon return at 1,700, but this year’s record-breaking number is the result of a precise, individual count conducted by biologists with UC Davis at the department of wildlife, fish and conservation biology.

Other salmon news:

• Daily Republic (Fairfield, Calif.): Early fall return estimate climbs to over 2,100 fish in Putah Creek