Just a few decades ago, the Russian River hosted rich salmon runs. Tens of thousands of returning fish put the area on the map as a world class fishing spot. Now, county, state and federal agencies are working desperately to conserve the few remaining fish. In this first of a two-part series, KRCB reporter Danielle Venton examines the state of the river, asking what progress has been made recently, and what work there is still left to do.

By 2020 the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Sonoma County Water Agency plan to create 6 miles of enhanced habitat along Dry Creek, beneath Warm Springs Dam. Image courtesy of SCWA.