Latest Kitwanga Update to Sept.04

Here is the latest from the Kitwanga River Salmon Enumeration Facility to Sept.04
Information courtesy of Gitanyow Fisheries Authority


The Kitwanga River Salmon Enumeration Facility has been in operation since July 11, 2008 under slightly higher than normal water conditions, and total salmon counts to the night of September 4, 2008 are as follows:
Sockeye = 245
Chinook = 1,437
Pink = 2,119
Chum = 16
Coho = 27
A total of 245 Sockeye have moved through the fence to date. Based on average run timings seen previously, approximately 73% (max. = 89% / min. = 31%) of the run has usually moves through the KSEF by September 4 in any given year. If this years run timing holds true to average run timings observed previously, we predict that the sockeye escapement to the Kitwanga for 2008 will be < 350 fish.
Chinook escapement through the KSEF is almost complete. To date the escapement is the the lowest ever recorded since accurate enumeration started in 2003. The average escapement from 2003-2007 equalled approximately 2,400 adults, therefore the 2008 is significantly lower than the norm.
Pink salmon returns are the lowest on record since accurate enumeration commenced in 2003.
Very few chum / coho salmon have been counted to date.