Restoration pulse flows from a California dam temporarily increase drifting invertebrate biomass concentration

The decline of Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.) populations over the last few decades has stimulated major restoration efforts across the Pacific Northwest to improve the status of these iconic fishes. The leading factors contributing to the decline of Pacific salmon include watershed degradation and water diversions, which result in part from widespread dam construction across … Continue reading “Restoration pulse flows from a California dam temporarily increase drifting invertebrate biomass concentration”

Why the St. Francis Dam Collapsed

St. Francis dam was constructed on the San Francisquito fault, a geological feature known for a number of years and made the subject of publication illustrated by maps, chief among these being that published several years ago by the Seismological Society of America, which shows the major faults of  California. This statement, made March 22nd by Harry R. Johnson, consulting geologist of Los Angeles, speaking … Continue reading “Why the St. Francis Dam Collapsed”

Beaches

Beaches are natural playgrounds partly under the sun and partly under the sea where people can swim and surfboard, sun themselves and study other people. This human activity tends to obscure the fact that the beach itself is constantly in motion, quietly changing its configuration and restlessly shifting its position, grain by grain, until huge masses of sand have been moved. On a small scale … Continue reading “Beaches”

Central Valley Flood Protection Plan Appendix K. Synthesis of Fish Migration Improvement Opportunities in the Central Valley Flood System

Many instream structures in the Central Valley adversely affect native anadromous fish migration. These structures, often referred to as fish passage barriers, reduce or eliminate longitudinal habitat connectivity; prevent or limit access to critical spawning, rearing, and refuge habitat; create migration delays; and create lethal or sublethal conditions for native anadromous species (California Department of … Continue reading “Central Valley Flood Protection Plan Appendix K. Synthesis of Fish Migration Improvement Opportunities in the Central Valley Flood System”

Effective Implementation of the Public Trust Doctrine in California Water Resources Decision-Making: A View From the Bench

Forty years ago, in his seminal law review article on the public trust doctrine, Professor Joseph L. Sax suggested that “citizens seeking to develop a comprehensive legal approach to resource management problems” could use the public trust doctrine to obtain “effective judicial intervention” where “legislative response and administrative action” had been inconsistent. Of course, water … Continue reading “Effective Implementation of the Public Trust Doctrine in California Water Resources Decision-Making: A View From the Bench”

Sacramento Valley Salmon Resiliency Strategy June 2017

The Sacramento Valley Salmon Resiliency Strategy (Strategy) is a science-based document that has been prepared by the State of California (State) to address specific near- and long-term needs of Sacramento River winter-run Chinook salmon (winter-run), Central Valley spring-run Chinook salmon (spring-run), and California Central Valley steelhead (steelhead). The Strategy mirrors the approach taken with the … Continue reading “Sacramento Valley Salmon Resiliency Strategy June 2017”