Title | Flow and Water Temperature Simulation for Habitat Restoration in the Shasta River, California |
Publication Type | Report |
Year of Publication | 2009 |
Authors | Null, S. E., Deas M., & Lund J. R. |
Date Published | 07/09 |
Institution | Wiley InterScience |
Abstract | Low instream flows and high water temperatures are two factors limiting survival of native salmon in California’s Shasta River.
This study examines the potential to improve fish habitat conditions by better managing water quantity and quality using flow
and water temperature simulation to evaluate potential restoration alternatives. This analysis provides a reasonable estimate of
current and potential flows and temperatures for a representative dry year (2001) in the Shasta River, California. Results suggest
restoring and protecting cool spring-fed sources provides the most benefit for native salmon species from a broad range of
restoration alternatives. Implementing a combination of restoration alternatives further improves instream habitat. Results also
indicate that substituting higher quality water can sometimes benefit native species without increasing environmental water
allocations. This study shows the importance of focusing on the limitations of specific river systems, rather than systematically
increasing instream flow as a one size fits all restoration approach |
URL | http://watershed.ucdavis.edu/pdf/Null_Deas_Lund_final%282010%29.pdf |