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New flow standards key to recovering Central Valley salmon and steelhead
Central Valley salmon and steelhead runs, such as those in California's Merced River (above), have been in decline for decades due primarily to lack of water at critical times. Phase I of the Bay-Delta Plan, in which the State Water Board is considering new flow standards for environmental water needs, is our best chance to…
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Drought rider to water bill bad for fish and anglers
It's no secret that the American legislative process has some disagreeable aspects. Some pieces of law get passed not because they pass the smell test but because they get packaged with other stuff that has to be enacted. This week the House of Representatives passed such a bill--a measure that could do great harm to…
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Road to redemption for the Klamath
Today, the Klamath River Renewal Corporation (KRRC) filed two applications with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), which together mark a major milestone in the process of removing four hydropower dams through the Klamath Hydroelectric Settlement Agreement (KHSA). The objective of the KHSA is to decommission four old hydropower dams along the Oregon-California border, which…
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“You better take care of it”
The Burns' father-daughter team, Bianchi Flowers Farm, Pescadero Creek By Sam Davidson It's common knowledge that most of Earth's surface is covered with water. 71 percent of it, to be precise. In fact, all that water is what makes our planet the exceedingly rare biological gem that it is in the vast vault of our…
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NFF grant empowers TU to restore Truckee River tributary
Overview of the Squaw Creek meadow area Few water bodies in America - heck, anywhere in the world - are more renowned than Lake Tahoe. This gorgeous lake is the centerpiece of a region in California's Sierra Nevada range that offers an embarrassment of riches for outdoor enthusiasts. Amazing scenery-check. Diverse outdoor recreational opportunities-check. Setting…
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Dozers for Coho
An ambitious project on Mill Creek, a key tributary to the Russian River, aims to re-open access to 11 miles of prime habitat for Coho salmon and steelhead. It seems counterintuitive to welcome the sight of large bulldozers hard at work in a salmon stream. But on occasion the presence of 'dozers in a stream…
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A better way
Tim Frahm, Central Coast Steelhead Coordinator for Trout Unlimited, admires the newly restored Carmel River above the site of the old San Clemente Dam at the celebration event on June 6. There have no doubt been many parties on the Carmel River, one of the best steelhead streams on California's south-central coast, over the years.…
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