Abstract
Using Spatial Analysis to Enhance Fish Passage, Quiota Creek Watershed
Track: Forestry, Wildlife, and Fisheries Management
Author(s): Mike Garello
Southern California steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) were federally listed as endangered species in 1997, hence requiring careful analyses of any riparian corridor projects within designated critical habitat. As part of the ongoing fisheries enhancement and passage projects initiated by the Cachuma Water Agencies, spatial analysis techniques were used in conjunction with agency guidelines and stakeholder values to prioritize nine passage projects along South Refugio Road near Santa Ynez, California. The objective of each project was to iteratively restore passage to pockets of viable habitat remaining in the Santa Ynez Watershed currently blocked by partial and total passage barriers. The project prioritization process used a multi-criterion decision matrix coupled with spatial data to quantitatively evaluate each project alternative while using a consensus-based approach incorporating agency and local stakeholder objectives. All nine fish passage enhancement projects will directly benefit the National Marine Fishery Service’s southern steelhead recovery planning effort.
Mike Garello
HDR FishPro
4717 97th Street NW
Gig Harbor , Washington 98332
United States
Phone: 253-858-5635
E-mail: Mike.Garello@hdrinc.com