Lake Tahoe Asian Clam Invasion

Lake Tahoe has been invaded by a freshwater Asian clam (Corbicula fluminea), as reported by The Ventura County Star. This invasive species entered the Columbia River Basin and is has rapidly spread throughout North America. It is considered one of three worst aquatic invaders in the US along with zebra and quagga mussels. The clams are aggressive competitors that have significant environmental impacts on aquatic systems. 1) They excrete elevated levels of nitrogen and phosphorus. 2) Filter high volumes of water. 3) Are strongly correlated with algal growth. 4) Are an actively reproducing community in Lake Tahoe.
In 2008 algal blooms in the southeastern area of the lake correlated to Asian clam presence have impacted water clarity, beach aesthetics and swimming areas. Ecosystem impacts are likely if current populations expand their range to become the dominant near-shore species. At present, there is no method of control for these invasives. Studies are ongoing.
The future of Lake Tahoe’s crystal clear water and ecosystem is clearly at risk.
This also serves to reinforce the need for diligent monitoring and protection of Lake Casitas and our local reservoirs.

Ventura River Debris Dumping Case Proceeds

As reported by the Ventura Star, a landowner just upstream of the confluence of San Antonio Creek and the Ventura River is the subject of a probe into illegal dumping into the river steambed. This area has perennial springs and is a cool water source for year-round water flow into the lower reaches of the Ventura River. Steelhead young and smolts are often found in the confluence pool. As such, preservation of the natural riparian zone is critical to the survival of the endangered southern steelhead.
Hopefully appropriate agency action will serve to protect the river.

Santa Clara Steelhead Suit Settlement!

By Lloyd Wiens
Great news from CalTrout.  A settlement has been reached in the effort to restore steelhead migration routes and remove barriers to their movement in the Santa Clara River.  That river was the original source for steelhead and coastal rainbow trout passage and migration into Piru and Lockwood Creeks and numerous other tributaries in the Lockwood Valley area.  We can only hope passage into those streams will also be restored in the future and that the few number of those fish currently in them will be awarded the protection they deserve under federal law.  CalTrout's Press Release:

The Road to Recovery Starts Here

Beleaguered Southern California Steelhead may not know it, but their future just brightened - considerably. California Trout and the United Water Conservation District have reached an historic agreement that will protect the endangered salmonid by providing vital fish passage so that steelhead can access crucial spawning waters in the Santa Clara watersheds. CalTrout governors and staff are hopeful that this agreement will lead to Southern California Steelhead recovery throughout its historic range.

The agreement resolves a suit filed by CalTrout in January over the Vern Freeman Diversion Dam, an obstacle to fish passage on the Santa Clara River.  The agreement requires a panel of experts to work closely with United and the National Marine Fisheries Service to determine the best options to ensure necessary fish passage for Southern California Steelhead at the Freeman Diversion. The report from the panel will be issued no later than August 1, 2010, at which time United will begin to implement the recommendations to improve passage and establish a reasonable timeline for completing the project.

"The settlement allows maximum flexibility for the use of the best possible solutions for the fish while meeting United's needs. By agreeing and adhering to focused timelines that achieve quick and meaningful protections for steelhead, CalTrout and United have an opportunity to work together productively to recover an iconic representative of our state's natural heritage," says Nica Knite, Southern California Regional Manager for CalTrout.

The Southern California Steelhead has been federally listed as endangered since 1997. Dams and other barriers can interfere with the steelhead's migration from freshwater mountain streams to the ocean and back unless appropriate fish passage is provided. These impediments to steelhead migration present one of the greatest threats to their continuing survival. The panel of experts will perform multiple studies and tests to determine the effectiveness of the current fish ladder at the Freeman Diversion and necessary modifications to provide passage for successful steelhead migration.

The decision to move forward with this case was a "very big deal" for CalTrout. While this tactic can be effective - as it was in CalTrout's successful effort to re-water Mono Lake - it can also be costly. We thank our members and others who stood beside us to make this happen. Thousands of dollars were raised in response to a TroutClout sent last week to direct friends of the fish to a blog with more information and options to help support this effort and spread the word.

The road ahead for the Southern California Steelhead is still rocky.  But with this settlement, CalTrout has cleared a critical hurdle.  We are hopeful that this sets a precedent that we can use again to unlock the entire region for fish passage and the return of steelhead to their historic numbers.*  These are the first steps in a process that will unfold over the next two to three years.

To achieve this, we'll need your help.  Visit our Southern California Steelhead blog, freeourrivers.com , our facebook page or twitter page to stay abreast of the news and don't forget to give .