Session Coordinator: Michael Rogner, Director of Science, River Partners

 

The industrialization of the Central Valley has resulted in the loss of over 90% of floodplain rearing habitat. The recovery of native fish populations in this region is complicated by the operation of State and Federal water projects and the infrastructure for these which includes 20 major dams, over 1,600 miles of levees, and hundreds of miles of bank revetment. These Projects, while essential for public safety and water reliability, place constraints not only on habitat for these fishes but also on floodplain restoration work within its boundaries, greatly increasing project timelines and costs. The state of anadromous fish in the Central Valley is an escalating, large-scale problem that requires large-scale solutions to be implemented in a shorter timeframe. This session will include examples of floodplain reconnection projects completed or in process on mainstem rivers in the Central Valley. The session will not only discuss different types of projects, but also the successes and setbacks experienced in reducing barriers to implementation.