Field Tour Coordinator and Leaders:  Tim Robinson and Scott Volan, Cachuma Operation and Maintenance Board, Fisheries Division; and Mike Garello and Anna Mallonee, HDR Fisheries and Water Resources Engineers
 

Cachuma Operation and Maintenance Board (COMB) has been conducting fish passage and habitat enhancement projects within the Lower Santa Ynez River basin downstream of Bradbury Dam since 2003 where well over 20 successful fish passage and habitat enhancement projects have been completed. An overview of this important Core 1 watershed for Southern California steelhead recovery will be given followed by specific site visits to five different projects within the Hilton Creek, Quiota Creek, Salsipuedes Creek, and El Jaro Creek watersheds. Participants will see project examples of water and gravel augmentation, bridge installations, fish ladders, rock weir step pools to back water a low flow crossing, and bank stabilization. The presence and co-habitation of beavers with O. mykiss will be discussed as well as the reappearance of Pacific lamprey. We will return by way of the Gaviota Coast with a short stop at the Arroyo Hondo Creek overlook to discuss this important South Coast fishery.