74 EEPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



definite or satisfactoiy, as the eggs proved to be better thaii those at 

 Baird Station and not as good as those at the Mill Creek Station. 



On November 28 a very heavy rainstorm occurred and b}^ night the 

 creek was raised over 7 feet. A large amount of drift came down- 

 stream and lodged against the racks and the entire force were engaged 

 in removing it in order to save the racks. This work proved unavail- 

 ing, and just as the men were ordered to desist C H. Storrs, a tempo- 

 rary laborer, was caught b}' a log and killed. The coroner's jury 

 returned a verdict of accidental death and exonerated the Commission 

 from all blame. The work of clearing the racks in times of freshet is 

 hazardous, but this is the first fatal accident that has occurred at any 

 of the California stations, although there have been several narrow 

 escapes. 



Toward the (;lose of the year racks were put across the mouth of 

 the creek to turn the salmon into the river and force them up the 

 McCloud, where they can be retained until ripe. The results of this 

 experiment can not be foretold at the close of the year. 



Mill Creek Substation, California (Operated from Baird Station). 



This is a new station situated on Mill Creek, a stream which has its 

 source in the foothills of the Sierra Mountains in the northeastern part 

 of Tehama County, and emptying into the Sacramento River from the 

 east about a mile above the town of Tehama. 



Investigations made toward the close of the previous year demon- 

 strated that there was a large run of salmon in this creek, and in order 

 to take and eye the eggs a hatching-shed 80 feet long by 40 feet wide, 

 with 10-foot studding and open on all four sides, was erected. A 

 water suppl}^ of 1,000 gallons per minute was obtained by tapping a 

 mill-race and thence conducting the water to a settling tank in the 

 hatchery through 78 rods of ditch and 57 rods of flume. The water 

 thus used is returned to the mill-race, and is furnished free of charge. 

 In the hatching-shed 80 troughs, 15^ feet long, 11|^ inches wdde inside 

 measure, and Gf inches deep, were erected. When fully equipped the 

 hatchery will have a capacity of 10,000,000 eggs. A small tool-house 

 and storehouse were also constructed. 



The site having been selected before the close of the last j^ear, the 

 racks were all in place at the beginning of the year. The upper rack, 



75 feet long, is composed of three stone-ballasted piers, upon which 

 rest three double stringers. The racks are 14 in number, made in 

 sections 5i feet wide and 9 feet deep, with a space of 2i inches between 

 the slats. These racks rest upon stringers at the top and on the mud 

 sill, which is placed across the stream at the bottom. The lower rack 

 is constructed in the same way except that it is 85 feet long and has 

 three V-shaped openings or traps, the angle of the V being upstream. 



The salmon of the summer run which were intercepted by the racks 

 all died before becomint; ripe enough to spawn, death being due to the 



