RETURN TO RESILIENCE
Rivers play a major role in shaping California’s landscape and how people use that land. Over the past century, more than a thousand dams have blocked, slowed, or redirected California’s rivers.
The SOS II report finds that major dams are a top threat to our anadromous, or migratory, species with 13 of 21 having dams as a critical or high threat. Our scientific understanding of river ecosystems has advanced tremendously since most of those dams were built, and it’s now clear that dams have had tremendous adverse impacts on fish species communities and river ecosystems. While some dams continue to work effectively, others have outlived their usefulness. In reality, many dams warrant either a major overhaul or outright removal.
California Trout is dedicated to supporting healthy river ecosystems in the interest of promoting resilient wild fish populations while also meeting the needs of people. One of the best opportunities for influencing the management of rivers is the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) relicensing process. Every hydroelectric dam must apply for a new FERC license to continue operations every 30 to 50 years. CalTrout is currently engaged in that process for several major dams.
CalTrout applies the best available science to help evaluate the current costs and benefits of dams that are up for relicensing, and offer suggestions for opportunities to improve fisheries and water management. Addressing shortcomings in existing dams usually means improving fish passage and adjusting the management of flows. When appropriate, CalTrout advocates for dam removal.
Improve Connectivity and Fish Passage
Removing dams and fish passage barriers or providing volitional passage to historically important spawning and rearing habitats is key for persistence of many anadromous salmonids. Access to lost habitats will help boost population abundance, improve life history diversity, and population resilience to environmental changes. For populations downstream of dams, there is a need to institute scientifically based environmental streamflow regimes throughout California that favor native species.
PROJECTS: Klamath, Potter Valley, Matilija Dams, Trabuco Fish Passage
REGIONS: MT. SHASTA/KLAMATH, NORTH COAST, AND SOUTHERN California