Nevada City, CA — The South Yuba River Citizens League (SYRCL) is pleased to announce its 2026 Public Salmon Expeditions, led by our Education Department in partnership with H2O Adventures. Designed for the whole family, these expeditions offer a unique blend of recreation, education, and connection to the river’s salmon migration and watershed health. They are an opportunity for families to experience the river together, learn about salmon life cycles, and better understand how human activity has shaped the watershed.
On October 25th and November 7th, from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM, SYRCL staff and experienced raft guides will lead raft trips on the lower Yuba River so participants ages 4 and up can witness Chinook salmon spawning and explore river ecology in a hands-on way. These family-friendly trips mirror the structure of SYRCL’s school field expeditions and include learning stops, interpretive commentary, and exploration of SYRCL’s active restoration sites along the river.
SYRCL’s school Salmon Expeditions are central to its Education Program, offering experiential science learning beyond the classroom. This year, those school expeditions faced an unexpected challenge. In February, the Yuba Water Agency’s Colgate Powerhouse suffered a catastrophic penstock pipe failure, sending hundreds of thousands of gallons of water and a mudslide down the mountain. With 80 percent of the agency’s revenue coming from the now-damaged Colgate Powerhouse, Yuba Water Agency has been forced to focus resources on critical repairs, putting community grant programs on hold, including the funding that sends Yuba County fourth graders on their annual Salmon Expedition each fall. Thankfully, SYRCL and the Yuba County Educational Foundation were able to raise $150,000 to keep the school program on the water this season. SYRCL’s Public Salmon Expeditions support that broader mission.
“Our goal is to help people of all ages see themselves as part of the watershed ecosystem,” says Monique Streit, SYRCL’s Education Director. “When folks come together, observe salmon, and see restoration in action, that connection deepens. That is where real stewardship begins.”
Public Salmon Expedition Registration & Logistics:
- All are welcome, but spaces are limited; registration is required
- Schedule and registration details are available at yubariver.org
- Participants should bring water, lunch, sun protection, and clothing suitable for river conditions
- Safety instruction, a PFD, and paddles are provided by professional rafting teams
Chinook salmon populations throughout California are in steep decline due to habitat loss, warming water temperatures, and barriers to migration caused by dams and diversions. The Yuba River remains one of the last strongholds for these keystone species, making education and conservation efforts like SYRCL’s Salmon Expeditions more important than ever.
On October 25th or November 7th, SYRCL invites all community members to come out, get wet, and build a connection to the Yuba River and the salmon that call it home. Experience the wonder of salmon migration, the science beneath the surface, and the urgency of protecting one of California’s most treasured species.
For more information and to register, visit yubariver.org