The iconic spring-fed trout waters of Mt. Shasta and High Sierra meadows are the key to California’s water future. They are a major SOURCE of the state’s water supply, vital to its economy, its people and its fish.
Yet, despite its significance, many Californians are unaware of where their water comes from and the need to protect and restore these important sources.
For decades, CalTrout has worked to do just that.
We’ve been working on the ground, in the lab, and in the halls of the State Capitol to better know, protect and restore our source water areas.
They face a myriad of threats. From water bottling plants to hydroelectric and geothermal energy facilities in the springs to degraded meadows in the Sierra. And now – climate change.
Learn more about these vital SOURCE waters below and, with your help, we’ll ensure they are productive and healthy, for people and fish, for generations to come.
California’s SOURCE waters are vital to the state. Vital to its fish, agriculture, economy, and people. Vital to you. Do your part to ensure California’s water security by taking these actions today: Stay informed – sign up to receive CalTrout’s e-newsletter and other important emails about California’s SOURCE water areas. Support CalTrout – your support directly enables us to increase our efforts to protect and restore California’s SOURCE waters. Donate today. Speak up – Thanks to your voices, the CalTrout championed bill, AB 2528, has passed the House and Senate and is awaiting the Governor’s signature. Be social – follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn and share our SOURCE video with all your friends that need water to survive!
Take ActionPeter 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.