Last week marked a historic milestone in the ongoing restoration of Hat Creek. After years of planning by CalTrout’s Andrew Braugh and many others, the bridge was finally placed to span carbon flat. The new bridge sits almost exactly where the historic bridge was and will allow easy access to both sides of the river and a new network of established trails that will be completed by 2017.
Soon the parking area will also be moved up the hill giving this stretch of river a more park like feeling for anglers, wildlife viewers and outdoor enthusiasts. We would like to thank the contractors for their delicate work to ensure the least amount of damage to the flora and fauna; the tribe for helping identify and protect sensitive cultural resources; Clearwater Lodge for their great support of this project and helping to keep everyone fed and hydrated on the long hot days; and the many donors who made the restoration of this special place possible.
For more about the Hat Creek Restoration Project, click here.
Video: Darren Campbell. Still images provided by Val Atkinson.
Photos above: M.Wier
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Peter Moyle is the Distinguished Professor Emeritus in the Department of Wildlife, Fish and Conservation Biology and Associate Director of the Center for Watershed Sciences, at UC Davis. He is author or co-author of more than 240 publications, including the definitive Inland Fishes of California (2002). He is co-author of the 2017 book, Floodplains: Processes and Management for Ecosystem Services. His research interests include conservation of aquatic species, habitats, and ecosystems, including salmon; ecology of fishes of the San Francisco Estuary; ecology of California stream fishes; impact of introduced aquatic organisms; and use of floodplains by fish.
Robert Lusardi is the California Trout/UC Davis Wild and Coldwater Fish Researcher focused on establishing the basis for long-term science specific to California Trout’s wild and coldwater fish initiatives. His work bridges the widening gap between academic science and applied conservation policy, ensuring that rapidly developing science informs conservation projects throughout California. Dr. Lusardi resides at the UC Davis Center for Watershed Sciences and works closely with Dr. Peter Moyle on numerous projects to help inform California Trout conservation policy. His recent research interests include Coho salmon on the Shasta River, the ecology of volcanic spring-fed rivers, inland trout conservation and management, and policy implications of trap and haul programs for anadromous fishes in California.
Patrick Samuel is the Conservation Program Coordinator for California Trout, a position he has held for almost two years, where he coordinates special research projects for California Trout, including the State of the Salmonids report. Prior to joining CalTrout, he worked with the Fisheries Leadership & Sustainability Forum, a non-profit that supports the eight federal regional fishery management councils around the country. Patrick got his start in fisheries as an undergraduate intern with NOAA Fisheries Protected Resources Division in Sacramento, and in his first field job as a crew member of the California Department of Fish & Wildlife’s Wild and Heritage Trout Program.