Eel River Salmonid Resources Project

The objective of the Eel River Salmonid Resources Project is to compile, digitally archive, and analyze available data on anadromous fishes and their habitat in the Eel River watershed, and to use this information to evaluate the relative importance of watersheds for salmonid recovery. This project is being supported by grants from the California State Coastal Conservancy, and is patterned after similar archiving and assessment projects conducted by CEMAR in the San Francisco Bay Area and the central/southern California coast.

The project has been implemented in two phases: (1) compilation of a digital archive of key information sources (with archiving activities focused upon historical Department of Fish and Game materials), (2) documentation of the historical distribution and current status of salmonid populations. CEMAR is collaborating on this work with Dr. Peter Moyle and Dr. Ron Yoshiyama of UC Davis.

Phase 1 of the program will compile and make readily accessible for public review stream surveys, habitat typing reports, biological investigations, barrier inventories, and other information that should be maintained in perpetuity but was at risk of being lost. A key source of these materials is historical documents stored in various DFG offices. As of May, 2008, CEMAR had reviewed 77 boxes of materials and digitized almost 2,000 documents. These materials will be placed on DVDs, along with software that allows the contents of the DVD to be easily searched.

Under Phase 2 of the program, compiled public data and information will analyzed by fisheries scientists to produce an assessment of current status and historical distribution of salmonids in each watershed. The product of Phase 2 will bea reviewed scientific report that can be used immediately to inform decision-making by natural resource agencies in the region.