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Credit 1 Pam Starr
2 Alyn Robert Brereton
3 Julie MacKinnon
4 Linda Pittman
5 Parham Pourahmad
6 Larry Whiting
7 Randall Finley
Visitation: 500,000
Area: 20 Acres
Lat: 38.634015
Lon: 121.225441
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Top Banner Photo Credits
Pam Starr
Alyn Robert Brereton
Julie MacKinnon
Linda Pittman
Parham Pourahmad
Larry Whiting
Randall Finley
Nimbus Hatchery - Site # 150
Located on the banks of the American River, Nibmus Hatchery raises 4 million King Salmon and 430,000 Steelhead Trout every year. Explore the visitor center, watch fish climb the fish ladder November through February, play on the super salmon, stroll the River Discovery Trail and feed young fish in the raceways (5 cents/ handful of food). Visitor Center open 10-3 PM, outdoor grounds open 7:30 - 3 PM daily.

Birdwatching is at its best in during fall and winter salmon season attracting many species of gulls.
SeasonalSeasonal - these sites have high wildlife values during certain seasons, though they may have recreational value year-round.

Background: Chinook salmon and steelhead migrating upriver cannot bypass Nimbus or Folsom dams to reach 120 miles of upstream spawning gravels. Some spawn on the 7-mile stretch between Watt Avenue and the dams, most use the fish ladder below Lake Natoma and spawn at Nimbus Hatchery, which raises four milion salmon and 430,000 steelhead each year. Adjacent American River Hatchery raises several strains of rainbow trout.

The Habitat: Riparian

Wildlife and Where to Find It: Walk on asphalt or level gravel to hatchery facilities (ponds and Visitor Center). The ADA accessible trail is about 1/4 mile roundtrip and surfaced with decomposed granite.

Viewing Tips: See salmon spawning and rearing in fall and early winter, steelhead in winter. Rainbow trout rearing can be seen year-round. Self guiding tour. On American River Parkway. Universally accessible viewing.

Site Notes: Nimbus Hatchery benefits from programs established by the Bureau of Reclamation's Central Valley Project Conservation Program (CVPCP) and the Central Valley Project Improvement Act (CVPIA) Habitat Restoration Program. For more information, visit website and for information on endangered species click here

Nearby Viewing Sites: State Parks at Folsom Lake and Lake Natoma, American River Parkway with the Effie Yeaw Nature Center, Mather Field (vernal pools), Phoenix Field (vernal pools) and Maidu Regional Park

Visitor Information: Visit Rancho Cordova - (916) 290-5166 - https://www.visitranchocordova.com
Viewing Site Hours of Operation are:
Staff On-site: Yes
Open: Everday
Hours: River access - sunup to sundown, hatchery ponds -
Year Round: Yes

Road Information:   Paved. 
 Roads available year-round.
Road Hazards: Watch for bicycles crossing entrance to parking lot
 Number of Parking Spaces: 175
Parking Fee: No
Proximity to viewing area:<1/4 mile
 Pull-Through Parking: 
Parking Notes: Finding parking spaces can be challenging during November

How to Get There: From Sacramento, take Highway 50 to Hazel Avenue (Exit 21). Turn left onto Hazel, cross over freeway, and turn left to Gold Country Boulevard (second light). Immediately, turn right and go down to the hatchery parking lot.
 

Contact Information
Managing Agency: California Department of Fish & Wildlife
Agency Site URL: www.dfg.ca.gov/fish/Hatcheries/Nimbus/index.asp
Physical Address:2001 Nimbus Road
Rancho Cordova, CA 95670
Agency 2:1701 Nimbus Road
Rancho Cordova, CA 95670
Manager Phone:
Site Phone:(916) 358-2884
County: Sacramento
Addition Website: