Fish Health and Diversity: Justifying Flows for a California Stream

Moyle, Peter B.; Marchetti, Michael P.; Baldrige, J. E.; Taylor, Thomas L.

doi:10.1577/1548-8446(1998)023<0006:fhadjf>2.0.co;2

Cited by 28 publications

(36 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…An early observational study revealed a gradient from upstream (dominated by native fishes) to downstream (dominated by non-native fishes), and considerable inter-annual variation in the fish assemblage, with a shift towards a native dominated assemblage following wetter winters [54]. These results were subsequently used to guide environmental flow releases from the Monticello dam that were mandated as part of a legal decision [95]. Following implementation of the new flow regime, including changes to the release schedule designed to benefit native species, the community shifted to one dominated by native fishes across~20 km of lower Putah Creek-with more stability in the community from year to year, despite considerable inter-annual variation in precipitation patterns [94].…”

Section: Fish Communitiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Before implementation, the fish community was dominated by non-native species downstream across~30 km of lower Putah Creek. However, the community shifted to one dominated by native fishes across 20 km of lower Putah Creek after environmental flow releases from the upstream dam included prescribed flow releases in spring as a cue for native fishes to breed and minimum flow releases in summer to maintain surface flow in downstream reaches even during extreme drought [95].…”

Section: Conservation Management In Mediterranean Regionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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High Variability Is a Defining Component of Mediterranean-Climate Rivers and Their Biota

Cid

Bonada

Carlson

et al. 2017

Water

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Abstract:Variability in flow as a result of seasonal precipitation patterns is a defining element of streams and rivers in Mediterranean-climate regions of the world and strongly influences the biota of these unique systems. Mediterranean-climate areas include the Mediterranean Basin and parts of Australia, California, Chile, and South Africa. Mediterranean streams and rivers can experience wet winters and consequent floods to severe droughts, when intermittency in otherwise perennial systems can occur. Inter-annual variation in precipitation can include multi-year droughts or consecutive wet years. Spatial variation in patterns of precipitation (rain vs. snow) combined with topographic variability lead to spatial variability in hydrologic patterns that influence populations and communities. Mediterranean streams and rivers are global biodiversity hotspots and are particularly vulnerable to human impacts. Biomonitoring, conservation efforts, and management responses to climate change require approaches that account for spatial and temporal variability (including both intra-and inter-annual). The importance of long-term data sets for understanding and managing these systems highlights the need for sustained and coordinated research efforts in Mediterranean-climate streams and rivers.

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Section: Fish Communitiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Conservation Management In Mediterranean Regionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

High Variability Is a Defining Component of Mediterranean-Climate Rivers and Their Biota

Cid

Bonada

Carlson

et al. 2017

Water

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“…Low flow periods occur on a regular basis in July through October but are exacerbated by prolonged periods of drought and reduction in releases from Putah Diversion Dam (Moyle et al 1998). Exceptions occur during winters of high rainfall when Berryessa Reservoir fills up and spills, recreating natural high flow events (Ն393 m 3 /sec was recorded in January 1997).…”

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This has led to the development of various modeling tools to aid fisheries managers in developing flow regimes to favor economically important species, such as the instream flow incremental methodology and its associated physical habitat simulation model (Mathur et al 1985). Two related responses to these criticisms are to recommend flow regimes in regulated streams that favor native fish assemblages (Moyle et al 1998) or to recommend ''natural'' flow regimes (Power et al 1996, Poff et al 1997. Two related responses to these criticisms are to recommend flow regimes in regulated streams that favor native fish assemblages (Moyle et al 1998) or to recommend ''natural'' flow regimes (Power et al 1996, Poff et al 1997.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Flow Regime on Fish Assemblages in a Regulated California Stream

Marchetti

Moyle

2001

Ecological Applications

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The fishes in Lower Putah Creek, a regulated stream in the Central Valley of California, were sampled over a 5-yr period, 1994-1998. Distinct fish assemblages were observed in the lower 37 km of stream using two-way indicator species analysis (TWIN-SPAN) and canonical correspondence analysis (CCA). The assemblages segregated in an upstream-to-downstream manner. Distinct differences were found between assemblages of native and nonnative fishes and their association with environmental variables and habitat use. Native fishes tended to cluster in areas with colder temperatures, lower conductivity, less pool habitat, faster streamflow, and more shaded stream surface. Numbers of nonnative fish were negatively correlated with increased streamflow, and numbers of native fish were positively correlated with increased flow. Hydrologic variability between years and seasons indicated that flow regime had a large effect on the fish assemblages. This study provides a clear demonstration of how native fishes in streams of the western United States exhibit different habitat requirements and respond to temporal variation in flow in a different manner than nonnative fishes. It supports the concept that restoration of natural flow regimes, in company with other restoration measures, is necessary if the continued downward decline of native fish populations in the western United States is to be reversed.

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“…Historically, native fish in Central Valley streams were distributed in a series of assemblages according to elevation (Moyle et al 1998). Cold-water fish such as rainbow trout, riffle sculpin (Cottus gulosus) and speckled dace (Rhinichthys osculus) were found at mountain elevations (above approximately 1,800 feet) (Moyle 2002), and down into the upper foothills (approximately 1,200 feet).…”

Section: Stream Biodiversity and Exoticsmentioning

confidence: 99%