San Joaquin River Restoration Program

San Joaquin River Restoration Program | December 13th, 2007

San Luis Obispo Coastkeeper v. Santa Maria Valley Water Conservation District

United States District Court, Central District of California | September 23rd, 2022

Sediment Mobility and River Corridor Assessment for a 140-Kilometer Segment of the Main-Stem Klamath River Below Iron Gate Dam, California

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) | January 26th, 2021

This river corridor assessment documents sediment mobility and river response to flood disturbance along a 140-kilometer segment of the main-stem Klamath River below Iron

This river corridor assessment documents sediment mobility and river response to flood disturbance along a 140-kilometer segment of the main-stem Klamath River below Iron Gate Dam, California. Field and remote sensing methods were used to assess fundamental indicators of active sediment transport and river response to a combination of natural runoff events and reservoir releases during the study period from 2005 to 2019. Discharge measurements at two gaged sites and bed-material samples at two ungaged sites provided direct and indirect evidence of mobile bed conditions, scour and fill, and surface flushing of fine sediment. Available remote-sensing datasets collected in 2005, 2009, 2010, and 2016 were used to determine sediment storage, flood inundation boundaries, and provide indirect evidence of flood-induced scour. These datasets validate channel-maintenance flows defined by Shea and others (2016). During the study period, flows greater than or equal to 6,030 cubic feet per second mobilized the substrate, caused localized scour, and flushed fine sediment from bar surfaces. Flows greater than or equal to 10,400 cubic feet per second stripped vegetation from bars and floodplains and produced deeper scour. Flood disturbance within the study reach is produced by the combined effect of natural flows and reservoir releases, which resulted in mobile bed conditions during the study period. Periodic scour and substrate disturbance are considered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to be integral for managing disease-induced mortality of juvenile and adult salmonids. Substrate conditions conducive to parasites that host infectious diseases, particularly Ceratonova shasta, occur periodically. Additional studies are required to determine whether disease prevalence can be mitigated by well-timed reservoir releases. Study results are useful for interpreting linkages among physical and biological processes and for evaluating the effectiveness of flow management targeted to improve river bed conditions for endangered salmonid populations.

Shasta Dam Fish Passage Evaluation – Pilot Implementation Plan – U.S. Bureau of Reclamation

U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) | September 1st, 2015

State of the Salmonids: Status of California’s Emblematic Fishes 2017

University of California, Davis (UC Davis) | August 1st, 2017

California has, or had, 32 distinct kinds of salmonid fishes. They are either endemic to California or at the southern end of their ranges. Most are in serious decline:

California has, or had, 32 distinct kinds of salmonid fishes. They are either endemic to California or at the southern end of their ranges. Most are in serious decline: 45% and 74% of all salmonids will likely become extirpated from California in the next 50 and 100 years, respectively, if present trends continue. Our results suggest that California will lose more than half (52%) of its native anadromous salmonids and nearly a third (30%) of its inland taxa in just 50 years under current conditions. Climate change is a major overarching threat driving population declines throughout California and strongly affects the status of 84% of all salmonids reviewed. In addition, dams, agricultural operations, estuary alteration, non-native species, production hatcheries, and myriad other human-induced threats have contributed to declines. 81% of salmonids in California are now worse off than they were in 2007, when the previous version of this report was prepared. The changes in species status are the result of the 2012-2016 historic drought, improved data collection and review, and an improved understanding of climate change impacts. Returning these iconic species to sustainable levels requires access to productive and diverse habitats which promote the full range of life history diversity necessary to weather change. We recommend (i) protecting and investing in fully functioning watersheds such as the Smith River and Blue Creek, (ii) protecting and restoring source waters such as Sierra meadow systems, groundwater, and springs so that the impacts of climate change are reduced, (iii) restoring function and access to once productive and diverse habitats such as Central Valley floodplains, coastal lagoons, and estuaries, (iv) adopting reconciliation ecology as a basis for management in human dominated landscapes, (v) improving habitat connectivity and passage to historical spawning and rearing habitat, and (vi) improving salmonid genetic management throughout California.

Status Review of California coho salmon north of San Francisco

California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) | May 9th, 2002

On July 28, 2000, the Fish and Game Commission (Commission) received a petition to list coho salmon north of San Francisco as an endangered species under provisions of th

On July 28, 2000, the Fish and Game Commission (Commission) received a petition to list coho salmon north of San Francisco as an endangered species under provisions of the California Endangered Species Act (CESA). The Commission referred the petition to the Department of Fish and Game (Department) on August 7, 2000, for evaluation. The Department found that the information in the petition was sufficient to indicate the action may be warranted and recommended the Commission accept the petition. The petition was accepted by the Commission on April 5, 2001. On April 27, 2001 the Commission published a Notice of Findings in the California Regulatory Notice Register declaring coho salmon a candidate species, thereby starting the candidacy period. The Department solicited information and undertook a status review of the species using the best scientific information available. This report contains the results of the Department’s status review and recommendations to the Commission. The Department evaluated the status separately for the two coho salmon Evolutionarily Significant Units (ESU) that occur in California: Southern Oregon/Northern California Coast Coho ESU (SONCC Coho ESU - those populations from Punta Gorda north to the Oregon border) and the Central California Coast Coho ESU (CCC Coho ESU - those populations from San Francisco Bay north to Punta Gorda). This approach is consistent with previous listings, the federal approach to species’ evaluation, and the generally accepted biological criterion that a species is “a group of interbreeding organisms that is reproductively isolated from other such groups.”

Steelhead Restoration and Management Plan for California

California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) | February 1st, 1996

This document will serve as the blueprint for the Department's efforts to restore this prized, and oftentimes overlooked, resource. Restoration of California's anadrom

This document will serve as the blueprint for the Department's efforts to restore this prized, and oftentimes overlooked, resource. Restoration of California's anadromous fish populations is mandated by The Salmon, Steelhead Trout, and Anadromous Fisheries Program Act of 1988 (SB 2261) which states that it is a policy of the State to significantly increase the natural production of salmon and steelhead by the end of the century. SB 2261 directs the Department to develop a program that strives to double naturally spawning anadromous fish populations by the year 2000. Steelhead management is often included in, and sometimes lost within, management of the more economically important Pacific salmon. Recognizing this, several legislators along with prominent angling organizations urged the Department to incorporate a Statewide Steelhead Restoration Plan into the initial elements of the SB 2261 program. Thus, the development of the Steelhead Restoration and Management Plan for California (Steelhead Plan) has been an important feature of the SB 2261 program since its inception in 1988. Various organizations, principally California Trout, Inc. and Trout Unlimited, remain committed to assisting the Department in its efforts to recover steelhead populations and eagerly await the publication of the Steelhead Plan so that implementation of the identified restoration measures can begin.  Many other angling and conservation organizations are committed to the Steelhead Plan and have corresponded with the Department during its development. Governor Pete Wilson pointed out in his Water Policy Statement of April, 1992, the urgent need for a long-term, comprehensive water policy that includes safe, reliable water supplies for cities and farms and sufficient water to restore fish and wildlife resources. The goals and recommendations set forth in the Steelhead Plan are consistent with this latter aspect of the Governor's Water Policy. Because steelhead are present within the range of all other anadromous salmonid species in California, and because they use a greater portion of a particular river system than do other anadromous fish, restoration of steelhead habitat will have a salutary effect on many other anadromous fish species as well. The Steelhead Plan is one in a series of documents developed by the Department to address the mandated doubling policy stated above. Restoring Central Valley Streams, A Plan for Action was published in 1993 and presents a multi-species approach to restoration of anadromous fish populations in the Central Valley. The Steelhead Plan dovetails with, and is an integral component of, this Action Plan. The Steelhead Plan identifies the life history requirements and needs of an important element of Central Valley anadromous fish ecosystems.

Strontium isotopes reveal ephemeral streams used for spawning and rearing by an imperiled potamodromous cyprinid Clear Lake hitch Lavinia exilicauda chi

Marine and Freshwater Research (CSIRO Publishing) | April 18th, 2019

Identification of habitats responsible for the successful production and recruitment of rare migratory species is a challenge in conservation biology. Here, a tool was d

Identification of habitats responsible for the successful production and recruitment of rare migratory species is a challenge in conservation biology. Here, a tool was developed to assess life stage linkages for the threatened potamodromous cyprinid Clear Lake hitch Lavinia exilicauda chi. Clear Lake hitch undertake migrations from Clear Lake (Lake County, CA, USA) into ephemeral tributary streams for spawning. An aqueous isoscape of strontium isotopic ratios (87Sr/86Sr) was constructed for Clear Lake and its watershed to trace natal origins and migration histories of adult recruits. Aqueous 87Sr/86Sr differentiated Clear Lake from 8 of 10 key tributaries and clustered into 5 strontium isotope groups (SIGs) with 100% classification success. Otolith 87Sr/86Sr showed all five groups contributed variably to the population. The age at which juveniles migrated from natal streams to Clear Lake ranged from 11 to 152 days (means.d.,4334 days) and was positively associated with the permanency of natal habitat. This information can be used by resource managers to develop conservation actions for Clear Lake hitch. This study demonstrates the utility of strontium isotopes in otoliths as a tool to identify important freshwater habitats occupied over the lifespan of an individual that would otherwise be challenging or impossible to trace with other methods.

Summary & Evaluation of California Coastal Chinook Salmon and Northern California Steelhead 2016

National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) | April 11th, 2016

Many West Coast salmon and steelhead (Oncorhynchus sp.) stocks have declined substantially from their historic numbers and now are at a fraction of their historical abund

Many West Coast salmon and steelhead (Oncorhynchus sp.) stocks have declined substantially from their historic numbers and now are at a fraction of their historical abundance. There are several factors that contribute to these declines, including: overfishing, loss of freshwater and estuarine habitat, hydropower development, poor ocean conditions, and hatchery practices.  These factors, among others, led to the National Marine Fisheries Service‘s (NMFS) listing of 28 salmon and steelhead stocks in California, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington under the Federal Endangered Species Act (ESA). The ESA, under section 4(c)(2), directs the Secretary of Commerce to review the listing classification of threatened and endangered species at least once every five years. After completing this review, the Secretary must determine if any species should be: (1) removed from the list; (2) have its status changed from threatened to endangered; or (3) have its status changed from endangered to threatened. NMFS completed a 5-year status review in 2011 and concluded the status for threatened California Coastal (CC) Chinook salmon and Northern California (NC) steelhead should remain as threatened (NMFS 2011a, NMFS 2011b). This document summarizes NMFS’s current 5-year review for the threatened CC Chinook salmon and NC steelhead.

Summary & Evaluation of Central California Coast Coho Salmon 2016

National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) | April 14th, 2016

Many West Coast salmon and steelhead (Oncorhynchus sp.) stocks have declined substantially from their historic numbers and now are at a fraction of their historical abund

Many West Coast salmon and steelhead (Oncorhynchus sp.) stocks have declined substantially from their historic numbers and now are at a fraction of their historical abundance. There are several factors that contribute to these declines, including: overfishing, loss of freshwater and estuarine habitat, hydropower development, poor ocean conditions, and hatchery practices.  These factors collectively led to the National Marine Fisheries Service‘s (NMFS) listing of 28 salmon and steelhead stocks in California, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington under the Federal Endangered Species Act (ESA). The ESA, under section 4(c)(2), directs the Secretary of Commerce to review the listing classification of threatened and endangered species at least once every five years. After completing this review, the Secretary must determine if any species should be: (1) removed from the list; (2) have its status changed from threatened to endangered; or (3) have its status changed from endangered to threatened. The most recent listing determinations for most salmon and steelhead occurred in 2011. NMFS completed a 5-year status review in 2011 and concluded the status for endangered Central California Coast (CCC) coho salmon should remain the same. This document summarizes NMFS’s current 5-year review for the endangered CCC coho salmon.