Publications

CEMAR produces periodic newsletters on our activities. An archive of the newsletters can be found here.

Report on the Hydrologic Characteristics of Mark West Creek

This report describes the hydrologic characteristics and factors that influence the water balance of the upper Mark West Creek watershed. The study, funded by the National Marine Fisheries Service, found that there is enough water on an annual scale to meet all existing human water needs, but diverting water from aquifers, springs, and streams has likely contributed to less water in upper portions of Mark West Creek than would be present naturally. Agricultural needs and residential needs are similar in magnitude, and if water is stored in winter to meet these needs rather than obtained during the dry season, streamflow in Mark West Creek could more than double.

Napa River Flow Enhancement Plan

This report summarizes the potential for flow enhancement projects on selected portions of the Napa River watershed. The study, funded by the Dean Witter Foundation, found that water storage projects could be developed in important Napa River tributaries and portions of the mainstem river that have the potential to improve and expand steelhead habitat.

Grape Creek Streamflow Improvement Plan

This report, a collaborative effort between CEMAR and Trout Unlimited, describes the hydrology and fishery of the Grape Creek watershed, Sonoma County, CA; and changes in water management that could be implemented to restore streamflow to Grape Creek. This was produced as part of the Coastal Streamflow Stewardship Project, funded by the State Coastal Conservancy.

The Climate Change Hoax

This opinion piece, authored by CEMAR's Executive Director Andrew Gunther and James McCarthy from Harvard University, appeared in the Sacramento Bee on March 21, 2012, and in several other newspapers around the country.

Steelhead/Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) Resources South of the Golden Gate, California

This report is a compilation and analysis of available data on the historical and current distributions of anadromous fishes from San Mateo County to the Mexican Border, and an evaluation identifying promising locations for steelhead restoration in watersheds in the study area.

San Francisco Estuary Watersheds Evaluation: Identifying Promising Locations for Steelhead Restoration in Tributary Streams of the San Francisco Estuary.

This report assembles for the first time all readily available information regarding steelhead habitat in tributaries of the San Francisco Estuary. Watersheds are screened for "anchor watershed" status, indicating their relative importance in restoring the regional steelhead population.

Historical Distribution and Current Status of Steelhead/Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in Streams of the San Francisco Estuary, California

Prepared from almost 1,000 references, including historical records and original field work, this is the most authoritative account ever prepared of steelhead/rainbow trout distributions in watersheds tributary to the Bay.

Leidy, R.A., G. Becker, and B.N. Harvey. 2005. Historical Status of Coho Salmon in Streams if the Urbanized San Francisco Estuary, California. California Fish and Game 9(14): 1-36.

This paper analyzes the historical status of coho salmon in the streams of the San Francisco Estuary and was used by the California Department of Fish and Game in preparing the Endangered Species Act listing petition for coho salmon in California. The paper also documents likely causes of the species' extirpation from the Bay Area, serving both as a cautionary note and guidance for those interested in maintaining habitat for steelhead in the region.

Historical Distribution and Current Status of Steelhead/Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in Streams of the Eel River, California

Prepared from over 2,000 references this is the most authoritative account ever prepared of steelhead/rainbow trout distributions in streams of the Eel River Watershed.

Evaluating the Ecological Condition of the South Bay: A Potential Assessment Approach   (Full report [only 120 k]; Executive Summary)

CEMAR used goals and objectives of public laws and plans and our scientific understanding of the San Francisco Estuary to derive a method for assessing the condition of the Estuary. This method was applied to develop a draft set of biological, chemical, and physical indicators that could be used to answer the basic question "How healthy is the Bay?"

Conceptual Design and Feasibility of a Natural Fishway at the Fremont BART Weir, Alameda Creek, California. Prepared by CEMAR, FarWest Restoration Engineering, and WRECO, Inc., for the California State Coastal Conservancy. September, 2005. (Download a summary, or contact CEMAR to receive a CD with the report [37 MB PDF]).

CEMAR and two engineering subcontractors prepared this analysis of an alternative to a traditional fish ladder at one of the major passage barriers for steelhead migration on Alameda Creek, the largest tributary to San Francisco Bay.

The Endangered Species Act is Good Economics.

This opinion piece, authored by CEMAR's Executive Director Andrew Gunther, appeared in the San Francisco Chronicle on September 28, 2005.

Leaders Addicted to Oil.

This opinion piece, authored by CEMAR's Executive Director Andrew Gunther, appeared in the Spokane Spokesman-Review on September 15, 2007, and in several other newspapers around the country.

Climate Science Passes Test of Time.

This opinion piece, authored by CEMAR's Executive Director Andrew Gunther, appeared in the Bakersfield Californian on February 13, 2010, and the Kansas City Star on February 18, 2010. A shorter version appeared in AM New York on April 22, 2010.