Steelhead in California's Central Valley were once among the most prolific on the West Coast and are now recovering thanks to a number of restoration efforts on tributaries throughout the watershed. (Michael Wier photo)
Central Valley steelhead were at one time among the most prolific runs of salmonids on planet Earth. These fish had greater variance in life history strategies than just about any other fish. Historically, they had the widest diversity of habitats where rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss ) live, and numerous options in how they express their life strategy throughout these varied habitat types.
Today, Central Valley steelhead are classified as threatened under the Endangered Species Act due to low numbers compared to historical abundance.
In the past 170 years we have thrown just about every obstacle imaginable at these fish. This includes the loss of more than 95 percent of their historically accessible habitat due to dams, levies, other barriers, and highly altered hydrographs in just about every Central Valley river.
Humans have radically changed the stream temperature profiles in these streams, compared to what these fish are genetically adapted to. We have introduced invasive species capable of competing for resources and/or preying on them.
Despite these challenges, the steelhead endure. It would be an understatement to say these fish are resilient. They have persevered, and efforts are now underway to reverse these harmful trends.
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