Southern California Steelhead DPS

[2] Declared federally endangered in 1997,[3] the geographic range of the DPS when first listed extended from the Santa Maria River south to Malibu Creek.

With this discovery the range of the DPS was extended to include Los Angeles, Orange, and San Diego counties.

[6] Natural flows flush fine sediment and silt and provide for better spawning surfaces for the Southern California Steelhead.

[7] Higher flows also bring water to riparian areas, which rejuvenate vegetation that provides shade and habitat for spawning fish.

Discharges can also cause thermal stress on the fish, or can increase favorable habitat for non-native exotic species, such as Largemouth bass, carp and catfish, all of which will prey on juvenile Steelhead and eggs.

[13] Man-made barriers such as dams remove water from lower sections of streams and rivers as well as restrict migration upstream.

Development should be regulated near streams with plans in place for recharge of groundwater to ensure enough water to enhance survival of Steelhead during dry summer months and periods of prolonged drought.

Working with local agencies and organizations such as Trout Unlimited has proved beneficial to bringing awareness to Steelhead and their preservation.

Further research is needed to fully understand this species due to small but important variations in their life histories.

[18] These populations will be the focus of recovery efforts, and by directing resources to these Steelhead, the entire Southern California DPS will better preserved as a whole.

[23] Educating public landowners about best practices and methods to minimize their adverse effects on streams and rivers also will be important.

Reservoirs and water pumping from groundwater and lakes can reduce the necessary stream flow required for all stages of the Steelheads life.

One method would be timing the drawdown or recharge of groundwater during spawning season, which can allow a higher base flow for passage of adults and juveniles.

Most streams and rivers are heavily impaired by development and are located in densely populated areas but still hold habitat that has high potential to sustain the species.

Sediment pollution inputs degrade stream bed quality by filling aggregate that Southern California Steelhead need for spawning.

[31] Hatcheries can also repopulate restored streams faster than natural recruitment as well as supplement populations during years of low productivity.