Fisheries Resources of the Auburn Ravine

Fisheries Resources of the Auburn Ravine

Protection and restoration of aquatic habitat for anadromous species is one of the primary

goals of the Auburn Ravine/Coon Creek ERP. Six objectives have been identified in

support of this goal (Table 5). Auburn Ravine, Coon Creek, and Doty Ravine provide

habitat of varying quality for Steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and chinook salmon

(Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), which are both special status species. The Draft ERP

identified a number of potential opportunities to enhance the aquatic habitat for these

species. However, additional information about how the species are currently using the

existing habitat, such as extent of migration and the location of active spawning and

rearing areas, is needed to focus habitat enhancement efforts.

This focus is desirable for several reasons. Restoration funds are limited and it is

important that projects undertaken provide a meaningful benefit to the species.

Implementing spawning area enhancements when adults cannot bypass the barriers to

reach spawning areas is probably not the most productive use of resources. In addition,

the complexities of private property ownership and the use of the channels for

conveyance and flood control must also be considered. Private property owners, the

water purveyors, and the local jurisdictions responsible for flood management have

expressed their willingness to participate in aquatic habitat enhancement efforts provided

the proposed projects are executed in a manner that reasonably reflects an understanding

of the actual uses and needs of the species in the local watersheds. For example, prior to

considering redesign of a diversion structure to provide passage, the operator would want

to know that there was a reasonable potential for the adults to even reach the structure.

Therefore, development of this comprehensive strategy has been identified as a first-tier

priority (FR6).

Another first-priority objective to enhance fisheries resources is to better manage the

import and transport of sediment in the creek corridor (FR7). This is considered a first

tier-priority because excess sediment is known to compromise aquatic habitat for many

species, and because some of the mechanisms of sedimentation, such as erosion,

backwatering, and flooding are creating significant other problems in the watersheds.

Four additional objectives have been defined for fisheries resources. These address

removal of barriers to adult migration (FR3), juvenile emigration (FR4) and enhancement

of spawning and rearing habitat (FR1 and FR5). Each of these objectives is important,

and is to some degree dependent on the comprehensive strategy described above for

focus. In reaches where salmonid presence and meaningful habitat restoration

Auburn Ravine/Coon Creek ERP Projects 13 Foothill Associates © 2004

opportunities are already known to exist, such as Coon Creek, the assessment and

removal of adult migration barriers should proceed concurrently with development of the

comprehensive strategy. This objective is thus assigned a first-tier priority. The

remaining three objectives are assigned to the second tier since efforts aimed at the

improvement of spawning and rearing habitat and juvenile emigration are most

meaningful only if barriers to adult migration are addressed.

Table 5 - Fisheries Resources Objectives

ID Objective Priority

FR6 Develop a comprehensive strategy to guide implementation of measures

to enhance salmonid habitat in the watersheds that identifies current and

historical migration timing and extent, determines locations of existing

and potential spawning and rearing habitat, and establishes habitat

restoration/enhancement priorities. Incorporate information developed

for the PCCP in this process.

1

FR7 Implement measures throughout watersheds to reduce excess sediment

and sediment imports. Coordinate with assessment, remediation, and

restoration activities under Water Quality and Plant Community tasks.

1

FR3 Based on the priorities established in the salmonid habitat enhancement

strategy, identify barriers for adult chinook salmon and steelhead trout

migration to spawning areas, such as diversion structures or gauging

stations, in all watersheds excluding Markham Ravine. This assessment

of barriers is already underway on Coon Creek. Develop a

comprehensive strategy for improving passage that considers priority,

flow, infrastructure needs, alternative structures, and ownership by 2009.

1

FR4 Based on the priorities established in the salmonid habitat enhancement

strategy, identify barriers for juvenile chinook salmon and steelhead trout

to the Sacramento River during emigration in all watersheds excluding

Markham Ravine, and develop a comprehensive strategy for improving

passage that considers priority, flow, infrastructure needs, alternative

structures, and ownership by 2009.

2

FR1 Based on the priorities identified in the salmonid habitat enhancement

strategy, select areas in the upper watersheds (excluding Markham

Ravine) that are determined to have good potential for spawning habitat

but where stream channel sediment concentration is excessive. Reduce to

target condition (particles < 6.35 mm in diameter to less than 20% of the

gravel/cobble substrate composition, and particles <0 .833="" in="" mm="" p="">

diameter to less than 10% of the gravel/cobble substrate).

2

FR5 Optimize juvenile salmonid rearing habitat in the upper watersheds where

the potential for fish presence is high as determined by the salmonid

habitat enhancement strategy. Optimal habitat should have approximately

60 percent pool habitat and 40 percent riffle habitat.

2

Auburn Ravine/Coon Creek ERP Projects 14 Foothill Associates © 2004

4.0 TASKS

For each objective, a set of tasks has been identified to support implementation of the

objective. The suggested sequencing for the individual tasks reflects the order in which

the interdependent activities should be implemented. Tasks that are not interdependent

are may be implemented concurrently. Not all objectives and tasks are relevant to each

of the four watersheds considered by the Draft ERP (Auburn Ravine, Coon Creek, Doty

Ravine and Markham Ravine). The AR/CC ERP database identifies which tasks pertain

to which watersheds.

4.1 Public Outreach

PO1