Water Depth and Velocity Preferences of Spawning Atlantic Salmon in Maine Rivers

Water velocity and depth preferences of spawning Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) in four rivers in Maine were measured during October in 1975-1977. Female Atlantic salmon constructed redds in water with a mean depth of 38 ± 0.8 cm. Mean water velocity measured 12 cm above the substrate was 53 ± 1.3 cm/sec. Management implications of water depth and velocity requirements of spawning salmonids are discussed.