Remove the defunct Rindge Dam location in Malibu Creek canyon.
Malibu Creek watershed is a high priority Southern steelhead recovery river with federally designated critical habitat. The impoundment behind Rindge Dam is full of sediment with no water storage capacity and poses a recreational hazard to the public. The Malibu Creek Restoration Project will completely remove Rindge Dam and remediate 8 upstream passage barriers. This will reconnect almost 18 miles of aquatic habitat in Malibu Creek and restore critical landscape scale ecosystem processes central the long term function and integrity of the entire system.
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USACE Integrated Feasibility Study
Planning, Engineering, Design
Implementation
Completion
Since the construction of the 100-ft Rindge Dam 90 years ago, Southern California steelhead have been blocked from reaching high quality spawning grounds in upper Malibu Creek. In addition to totally blocking aquatic species movement, Rindge Dam has degraded downstream habitat conditions by disrupting the natural flow of sediment and water. These impacts extend all the way from the foot of the dam into the Malibu Lagoon, Santa Monica Bay, and local beaches. The project will restore approximately 525 acres of habitat in the Malibu Creek ecosystem and 18 miles of aquatic habitat. This project will re-establish connectivity from the Pacific Ocean to the interior of the Malibu Creek watershed.
The process to remove Rindge Dam was formalized when the U.S. House of Representatives commissioned the “Malibu Creek Ecosystem Restoration Feasibility Study” in 1992. They requested a solution that improved the Malibu Creek watershed and the Malibu shoreline. The Army Corps of Engineers led this study to investigate ecosystem restoration opportunities within the Malibu Creek watershed. They studied options to improve aquatic and riparian ecosystem habitat connectivity and restore more natural sediment transport to the coast.
This Corps-led Feasibility Study was completed in 2017 and officially signed in December 2020 by the Chief of Engineers at the Army Corps. Their final project recommendation includes removing the Rindge Dam concrete arch and spillway; excavating approximately 780,000 cubic yards of sediment accumulated behind the dam; transporting roughly 276,000 cubic yards of sand-rich material to a near-shore site east of Malibu Pier for temporary nearby coast and shoreline beach nourishment. The remaining sediment will be transported to the Calabasas Landfill.
Removal of Rindge Dam offers a tractable and significant solution to reconnecting habitat for multiple native species in this watershed — a watershed that is internationally recognized as an exceptional natural resource. Removing Rindge Dam and remediating eight additional upstream barriers will provide fish passage for the dual listed Southern California steelhead. This project will be landscape scale watershed restoration and restore access to 18 miles of historical spawning, rearing, and forging habitat.
Learn more about CalTrout's efforts to restore Malibu Creek and remove Rindge dam at http://www.restoremalibucreek.org/
California State Parks
Army Corps Engineers
National Marine Fisheries Service
Resource Legacy Fund
Surfrider
CalTrout
South Coast
The Coalition’s goal is to increase the pace, scale, and scope of watershed restoration projects leading to resilient Southern steelhead populations in
Mt. Shasta-Klamath
Monitor fish migration following dam removal and assess the efficacy of this monumental restoration effort to build our understanding of
Mt. Shasta-Klamath
Provide a scientifically based toolset to better understand, manage, and advance the protection of the cold, clean spring waters in the Upper Sacramento Basin.
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Recover Lahontan cutthroat trout populations in their native range.
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Provide a stabilized channel access point for anglers, boaters, and other recreational users, reduce sediment delivery to the Truckee River, and restore native riparian vegetation. A defined access...
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Restore consistent access for salmonids to upper Alameda Creek and open more than 20 miles of stream to Chinook salmon, steelhead, and other native fishes such as lamprey.
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Realize the restoration potential of the Sierra Nevada using a holistic rubric and inclusive process.
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Reestablish hydraulic, sediment transport, and floodplain processes necessary to restore and sustain ecological function in lower Redwood Creek. Recover threatened salmonid species including Southern...
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Work with partners to inspire the next generation of environmental stewards through stream study focused on watershed health and endangered coho salmon recovery at Walker Creek Ranch in Marin County.
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Reconnect historic floodplains and enhance aquatic habitat on 6.7 miles of the East Fork Scott River and its tributaries; Restore fish passage to 1.4 miles of cold-water tributary Big Mill Creek;...
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Improve forest ecosystem health and minimize the impacts of future wildfires.
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Restore and protect important riparian, instream, floodplain and side-channel habitat in Bull Creek, which supports four anadromous fish species, Coho and Chinook Salmon, Steelhead, and Pacific...
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Restore Evan's Spring flow to the Little Shasta River and improve summer conditions for juvenile rearing among native fish. Ultimately, reconnect the Little Shasta River to the Shasta River at...
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Enhance flows and improve critical instream habitat for coho and Chinook salmon throughout the watershed.
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Efficiently restore native anadromous fish populations and ecological processes across the Eel River watershed.
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Assess streamflows, water temperatures, habitat usage, and migration of adult and juvenile tagged coho salmon in Walker Creek to identify factors potentially limiting their recovery. We will use this...
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Work with partners to fill key data gaps in monitoring Alameda Creek tributaries to inform future management and restoration to assist recovery of steelhead and Chinook salmon in the watershed.
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As part of an expansion to research on Pescadero Creek, a PIT antenna on Butano Creek will track steelhead and coho salmon on their annual spawning runs and will provide us with important information...
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Restore the 950-acre tidal marsh estuary surrounding Cannibal Island, adjacent to the mouth of Eel River.
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Remove a high priority fish passage barrier, improve trail user experience and safety, protect the public from flood impacts, and increase the quality of riparian and river habitat for multiple...
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To prepare a list of ground-truthed refugia habitat locations for trout relocated after wildfire and during large So Cal fish passage projects.
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Reconnect fish with the food and provide them a safe haven.
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To restore the prime nursery habitat for juvenile salmon on the South Fork Scott River.
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Allow fish passage into Cochran Creek to help sustain populations of coho, steelhead, and coastal cutthroat trout, while enhancing and expanding productive tidal, brackish, freshwater, and riparian...
Learn MoreParticipate in the Scott Valley SGMA process and advocate for a Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) that protects interconnected surface waters for the benefit of fish and wildlife
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Enhance flows and restore critical spawning and rearing habitat for salmon and steelhead throughout the watershed.
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Achieve consensus among a coalition of agency, tribal, and conservation partners regarding priority recovery actions and policy reform needed to recover salmonid populations in the Eel River basin,...
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Through science-based objectives and prioritized actions to implement them, the Salmon Partnership will advance recovery and maintenance of viable, self-sustaining spring-run and winter-run Chinook...
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This project addresses Watershed Restoration Grant Program Funding Priority 3: Protect and Restore Anadromous Fish Habitat. Specifically, the project will result in 1) the removal of a human‐caused...
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Obtain baseline data on steelhead entering the South Fork Eel River to spawn in order to inform the angling public on steelhead abundance. Determine if sonar assessment of adult salmonids is an...
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South Coast
Bay Area
The Aquatic Species Assessment Tool (ASAT) will provide an integrated quantitative framework for assessing the impact of management actions on salmonids and other sensitive listed fish species that...
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Remove the only total fish passage barrier between a robust rainbow trout population in Pauma Creek and the Pacific ocean.
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Restore passive fish passage at this location and stabilize sediment transport through this reach.
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Restoration of floodplain processes by focusing on the removal of non-native, invasive plants and revegetation with native species to reestablish critical habitat for sensitive species and riparian...
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Enable steelhead passage through this total barrier at the Interstate 5 bridge array on Trabuco Creek and provide access to 15 miles of upstream high quality spawning and rearing habitat. Trabuco...
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Remove the defunct Rindge Dam location in Malibu Creek canyon. ...
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Support the Matilija Coalition, Ventura County Watershed Protection District and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in securing funding to finalize a dam removal design and associated re-evaluation of...
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CalTrout leads two Southern California steelhead coalitions with the goal to increase the pace, scale, and scope of watershed restoration projects leading to resilient Southern steelhead populations...
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This project will improve steelhead habitat in the Santa Margarita River through non-native aquatic species removal, invasive vegetation removal and sediment reduction.
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The management of non-native aquatic species addressees a major threat to the survival of native trout. Management is arduous and expensive, but worth the long-term investment to clear prime habitat...
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The goal of this project is to protect one of the last and most southern native rainbow trout populations of steelhead lineage in Pacific coast of United States.
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The goal of this project is to remove non-native species that are detrimental to native trout survival in San Mateo Creek, in federally designated critical habitat for endangered Southern California...
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To develop an alternative analysis for the restoration of Southern California steelhead in the Rose Valley Lakes System and Sespe Creek Watershed.
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Develop and implement the first Sierra Meadows Wetland and Riparian Area Monitoring Plan (SM-WRAMP). The SM-WRAMP will provide an authoritative and collaborative approach to monitoring meadow...
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Apply the Sierra Meadow Strategy approach to establish a prioritized inventory of meadow restoration activities providing maximum habitat benefit for listed Kern River rainbow trout, amphibian, and...
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Create greater ecological resilience of Osa Meadow to combat climate change and other stressors and promote recovery of Kern River rainbow trout populations. Study the cause-and-effect of meadow...
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Restore 30,000 meadow acres in the Sierra Nevada by 2030.
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Protect the water resources that sustain wild trout and provide drinking water by removing dying trees across 518 acres of National Forest System lands. Remove excessive dead wood, implement...
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Seeking full implementation of the water agreement settlement terms: a) the Fisheries Enhancement Fund is active and functioning, (b) instream flow requirements are met, and (c) fully appropriated...
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Restore the long-term ecological health of the Mono Basin tributaries and Mono Lake.
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Recover Klamath River salmonid populations by removing 4 dams on the Klamath River (Iron Gate, Copco 1, Copco 2, and JC Boyle) and opening up fish passage to over 400 miles of potential spawning and...
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Improve irrigation infrastructure on the 4,500-acre Hart Ranch and enable this key landowner to dedicate meaningful water savings back into the Little Shasta River for the benefit of salmon and other...
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Restore access for threatened coho salmon, steelhead, and other aquatic species to approximately three miles of year-round, cold water spawning and rearing habitat on Scott-Bar Mill Creek in the...
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Recover salmonid populations in the Shasta River, a key mid-Klamath River tributary and nursery, by restoring spawning and rearing habitat, in-stream flows, water quality, and other ecological...
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Protect CA’s largest spring-fed river, over 30 miles of wild and native trout habitat, and one million acre-feet per year of cold, clean volcanic source water that provides habitat for native fish...
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Protect three miles of pristine salmon habitat on the Upper Sacramento and McCloud rivers (blue ribbon wild trout fisheries) from inundation.
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Use large woody debris to restore 1.5 miles of instream habitat for the benefit of wild trout while helping protect cultural resources on over 5,000 acres of ancestral lands of the Illmawi Band of the...
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Restore key salmonid off-channel rearing habitat and provide public access enhancements. ...
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Restore migratory access to approximately 9 miles of salmon and steelhead habitat. Protect important cold water refugia in the South Fork Eel River.
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Remove the Northwestern Pacific Railroad barrier at the mouth of Woodman Creek and restore the historic channel-mouth configuration to allow unimpeded coho, Chinook, and steelhead access to 10-14...
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Improve streamflows and reconnect Eel River salmon and steelhead with 288 miles of spawning habitat in the upper mainstem Eel River. Work with Regional Coalition partners (Sonoma Water, Mendocino...
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Recover the Elk River from current severe water quality and sediment impairment, nuisance flooding conditions, habitat degradation, salmonid population reduction and community strife that resulted...
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Raise awareness of the current threats to the pristine North Fork of the Smith River from international mining corporations.
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Restore floodplain habitat and create public access. ...
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Gain a stronger technical understanding of salmon and steelhead recovery efforts through establishing a research and monitoring program in the South Fork Eel River.
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Develop on-farm water management practices that benefit native fish species and the aquatic ecosystems on which they depend for use in agriculture conservation incentive programs.
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Retrofit flood infrastructure in the Tisdale and Sutter bypasses to enhance fish passage; improve water use efficiency; create floodplain rearing habitat for endangered salmonids; and increase...
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Scientifically demonstrate that productivity created by shallow inundation of floodplains is foundational to supporting self-sustaining populations of fish and wildlife in the Central Valley.
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Ensure long-term passage for juvenile and adult steelhead in San Francisquito Creek beyond Searsville Dam on San Francisquito Creek by working with Stanford University, resource agency, non-profit,...
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Bring together farmers, conservationists, universities, and state and federal agencies to demonstrate innovative solutions for reintegrating fish food created in floodplain wetlands back to the river...
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Ensure adequate streamflows are returned to key South Bay streams and necessary habitat improvements are completed as expeditiously as possible through a long-standing settlement agreement and...
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Increase outreach overall to youth, members, fly clubs, and others about our efforts in the Bay Area and statewide.
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Improperly managed livestock grazing can damage streambanks, limit riparian vegetation and increase sedimentation. This can result in a loss of habitat complexity, increased stream temperatures, and decreased spawning habitat conditions. Severe grazing in meadow streams can cause down cutting resulting in meadows drying out and reductions in streamflow.
Human use of streams, lakes, and surrounding watersheds for recreation has greatly increased with population expansion. Boating, swimming, angling, off-road vehicles, ski resorts, golf courses and other activities or land uses can negatively impact salmonid populations and their habitats. The impacts are generally minor; however, concentration of multiple activities in one region or time of year may have cumulative impacts.
Development of towns and cities often negatively affects nearby streams through alteration for flood prevention, channelization, and water diversion, and increased pollution. The timing and magnitude of flows are altered by the increase in impervious surfaces such as pavement. Pollution from surface runoff, sewage discharges, and storm drains can degrade water quality and aquatic habitats.
Widespread and often severe instream mining impacts occurred mid-19th to early 20th century due largely to hydraulic mining. Many rivers were excavated, dredged, and hydraulically mined for gold, causing dramatic stream degradation. Instream gravel mining also removed riparian vegetation and spawning gravels and degraded riparian habitats. Such mining is now largely banned, but lasting impacts remain in many areas.
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Dams block access to historical spawning and rearing habitats. Downstream, dams alter the timing, frequency, duration, magnitude, and rate of change of flows decreasing habitat quality and survival.
This factor refers to hard rock mining, from which contaminated tailings, mine effluents, and toxic pollutants may have been dumped or leached into streams, mostly from abandoned mines. Mercury mining, used for processing gold in placer and dredge mining, left a lasting negative impact on wildlife.
Hatcheries and releases of hatchery reared salmonids into the wild can negatively impact wild populations through competition, predation, disease, and loss of fitness and genetic diversity. Hatchery influences are especially apparent to for anadromous species where dams blocked access to spawning habitat and hatcheries were established as mitigation. Inland trout can also be impacted with stocking of hatchery fish for recreation.
All anadromous salmonids depend on estuaries for rearing during a portion of their lives. Most estuaries in the state are highly altered from human activities, especially diking, draining, and sandbar removal between the estuary and ocean. Land-uses surrounding estuaries often involve extensive wetland reclamation, greatly reducing ecological function and habitat complexity.
Harvest relates to legally regulated commercial, tribal, and recreational fisheries, as well as illegal harvest (poaching). Over-harvest can have substantial impacts on fish populations, particularly for those with already limited abundance or distributions, those which are isolated or reside in discrete habitats making them easy to catch (e.g. summer steelhead), or those that attain large adult size (e.g., Chinook salmon).
Transportation corridors such as highways confine stream channels and increase sedimentation, pollution, and habitat degradation from storm runoff and altered streamflows. Culverts and other passage or drainage modifications associated with roads often block migration and restrict fish movements, which can fragment populations.
Many heavily logged watersheds once supported the highest species diversity and abundance of fishes, including anadromous salmon and steelhead. Improperly managed logging increases sediment in streams, increases solar input which increases stream temperatures, and degrades riparian cover. Stream habitat is also degraded by the extensive network of unpaved roads that supports timber extraction.
Non-native species (including fishes and other aquatic organisms) are ubiquitous across many of California’s watersheds; their impacts on native species through hybridization, predation, competition, increased disease transmission, and habitat alteration can be severe.
Wildfires are a natural component of California’s landscape. However, fire suppression, coupled with climate change, has made modern fires more frequent, severe and catastrophic. The transition from relatively frequent understory fires to less frequent, but catastrophic, crown fires can have a severe impact on fish habitat and wipe out populations with narrow habitat ranges.
Impacts from agriculture include streams polluted by agricultural return water or farm effluent; reduced flow due to diversions which can affect migratory patterns; and increased silt and pesticides in streams. Marijuana grow operations, legal and illegal, were considered in this metric.
As California’s population grows, rural development increasingly encroaches along or near streams. Resulting impacts include water diversions, groundwater pumping, streambed alteration (to protect houses from flooding, construct road crossings, etc.), and pollution (especially from septic tanks and illegal waste dumping).
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.