Homelessness encampments affect fish populations in three primary ways: Trash from an encampment off Hamilton Avenue in San Jose. Credit: South Bay Clean Creeks Coalition For pollution, actions of concern include: For physical modification, actions of concern include: A barrier made of shopping carts and other materials off Cherry Avenue in San Jose. Credit: South…
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Potential solutions to reduce damage to fish habitats
1. Prevent and reduce homelessness and housing insecurity: Before and After photos of a clean-up of an encampment near Calabazas Creek in Santa Clara County. Credit: Valley Water 2. Actions that reduce the severity and frequency of harm posed by encampments: Housed volunteers living near encampments are good candidates to assist with clean-up efforts because…
How people in homeless encampments affect fish populations
Across California, encampments of people who experience homelessness negatively affect fish populations in multiple ways. The long list of concerns includes poaching fish, cutting down trees above rivers, and polluting waterways. The best way to help fish is to assist unhoused populations get housing and remain housed. Communities also need to address the economic and…
Progress on Battle Creek is officially underway
In May 2025, the final iteration of the Battle Creek Salmon and Steelhead Restoration Project launched. The launch follows years of delay and changing priorities in the wake of Pacific Gas & Electric Company’s (PG&E) 2018 decision not to seek a new license to operate the Battle Creek Hydroelectric Project. In a parallel process, May…
Chinook Salmon in the Lower Mokelumne River
During the 2024-2025 fall run, 35,450 adult Chinook salmon returned to the Lower Mokelumne River to spawn. This broke the previous 2023-24 season’s record of 28,698. The combination of successful and innovative hatchery operations, habitat enhancement, and the management of cold-water flows from Camanche and Pardee reservoirs account for the consecutive record-breaking returns. East Bay…
Time to hear from the protestants: Delta Conveyance Project update for July 2025
Delta smelt survey boat in the Sacramento Delta in 2010, when survey boats were still capturing Delta smelt. Credit: Peter Johnsen, USFWS Last month, the California Department of Water Rights (DWR) concluded the presentation of its case-in-chief for the hearing on the water rights petition for the Delta Conveyance Project (DCP). The next portion of the…
Understanding evidentiary hearings in water rights cases
Understanding evidentiary hearings in water rights cases The term “evidentiary hearing” means different things in different legal venues. An evidentiary hearing in a criminal court is not the same as an evidentiary water rights hearing before the quasi-judicial body of the State Water Resources Control Board (the Board). An evidentiary hearing in a water rights…
Central California Coast Coho Salmon Recovery in the Lower Russian River Watershed
The 2024/25 winter spawning run of Central California Coast coho salmon (CCC) in the lower Russian River watershed brought fruition to ongoing local salmon recovery efforts. The data collected this last winter reveals an impressive return of adult coho salmon in the lower Russian River watershed and reinforces the importance of the Russian River Coho…
Salmonid Restoration Federation Conference 2025
by Angelina Cook The 42nd annual Salmonid Restoration Conference took place May 1 and 2 at the Boardwalk in Santa Cruz, CA. The conference featured a wealth of information and broad diversity of perspectives. CSPA’s Angelina Cook co-presented with CalTrout’s Emily Maloney on developments at Battle Creek during the “dams-out” session. Angelina also joined CSPA’s…
How Artificial Intelligence will help count fish
In fall 2025, the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) will launch a new Artificial Intelligence (AI) program to collect data on the number and condition of fish in the Lower Mokelumne River. It is developing the program in partnership with Cramer Fish Sciences (CFS), a Portland, Oregon-based company. Video footage of salmon mapped in…
Removing Barriers to Fish Recovery – A Cooperative Approach to Reconnect Salmonids with Historical Habitat in Battle Creek
Battle Creek – A restoration opportunity – Youtube
Newsom Administration Proposes Permanent Weaker Rules for State Water Project
Bill if Passed Would Fast-Track Delta Tunnel and Eliminate Deadlines to Use Water On May 14, 2025, the Newsom Administration proposed two “trailer bills” in the State Legislature that would create special rules for the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) and its State Water Project (SWP), eliminating requirements that all other water right holders…
Types of water rights hearings and steps before them
CSPA is a party in numerous water rights hearings in California. Much of your donation to CSPA goes to staff time before and during hearings. It also pays legal fees for attorneys who appear in these hearings. CSPA staff work with the attorneys to develop arguments. CSPA staff also testify as witnesses in water rights…
PG&E proposes “rapid removal” plan for Cape Horn and Scott dams on the Eel River
On January 31, PG&E released its draft license surrender application and decommissioning plan for the Potter Valley Hydroelectric Project in Mendocino and Lake counties. In the draft plan, PG&E proposes to remove Cape Horn Dam and the Scott Dam in Lake and Mendocino counties. Both dams are located on the Eel River. The dams block…
State Water Board Takes Action to Protect Klamath River Salmon and Steelhead
By Cindy Charles & Chris Shutes On February 4, 2025, the California State Water Board issued Water Rights Order WR 2025-0002 settling longstanding disputes regarding the diversion of water from Stanshaw Creek, a tributary of the Klamath River in Siskiyou County. The Order found waste of water, unreasonable use of water, and unreasonable method of…