Species Status:

The CCC steelhead DPS includes all naturally spawned populations of steelhead in coastal streams from the Russian River to Aptos Creek, and the drainages of San Francisco, San Pablo, and Suisun Bays eastward to Chipps Island at the confluence of the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers; and tributary streams to Suisun Marsh including Suisun Creek, Green Valley Creek, and an unnamed tributary to Cordelia Slough (commonly referred to as Red Top Creek), exclusive of the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Basin of the California Central Valley. Two artificial propagation programs are considered part of the DPS: the Don Clausen Fish Hatchery, and Kingfisher Flat Hatchery/Scott Creek (Monterey Bay Salmon and Trout Project).

Information on abundance and productivity trends for the naturally spawning component of the CCC steelhead DPS is extremely limited. There are no time series of population abundance for the naturally spawned adult component of the DPS; however, estimates of steelhead statewide show a reduction in numbers from 603,000 in the early 1960s to 240-275,000 in the 1980s (McEwan & Jackson 1996), indicating a potential decline of at least 54%. Within the CCC steelhead DPS, estimates of run sizes in the largest river system, the Russian River, have gone from 65,000 in the 1960s to 1,750-7,000 in the 1990s (Busby et al. 1996; Good et al. 2005), indicating a potential decline of at least 89%. Abundance in smaller streams within the DPS was assessed as stable but at low levels (Busby et al. 1996).

Short time series of juvenile abundance exist for a number of sites within the CCC steelhead DPS. An analysis of these data indicated a downward trend in fish populations at five locations where adequate information was available: the San Lorenzo River, Scott Creek, Waddell Creek, Gazos Creek, and Redwood Creek in Marin County (Good et al. 2005). Although an overall reduction in juvenile abundance is implied by this analysis, it is unclear how such a reduction ultimately affects numbers of returning adults.

In lieu of abundance data, information on available habitat can provide insight about population status. Small populations of steelhead occur in watersheds throughout the DPS, however, impassible dams have cut off substantial portions of habitat in some basins, generating concern about the spatial structure of the naturally spawning component of the DPS. In the San Francisco Estuary, for example, approximately 58% of historically occupied streams no longer support anadromy (Leidy et al. 2005). For the DPS as a whole, 22% of historical habitat is estimated to be behind recent (usually man-made) barriers (Good et al. 2005).

The two artificial propagation programs that are part of the CCC steelhead DPS are thought to decrease risk of extinction to some degree by contributing to increased abundance. Additionally, changes to regulations concerning sport fishing likely reduce the extinction risk for the DPS. Ultimately, however, the most recent status review concluded that steelhead in the CCC DPS remain likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future (Good et al. 2005).

Recovery Plan Status:

No recovery plan has been completed for this DPS.  The Recovery Outline will be completed by December 2006.  Current progress includes development of a recovery plan template, recovery plan chapters and an assessment of threats applying The Nature Conservancy protocols.  A draft recovery plan is expected in June 2007 with a final plan to be completed in December 2007. 

 Literature Cited

55 FR 24296. 1990. Endangered and threatened species; listing and recovery priority guidelines. Federal Register, 55: 24296-24298.

62 FR 43937. 1997. Endangered and threatened species: listing of several evolutionarily significant units (ESUs) of west coast steelhead. Federal Register, 62: 43937-43954.

71 FR 834. 2006. Endangered and threatened species: final listing determinations for 10 distinct population segments of West coast steelhead. Federal Register, 71: 834-862.

Busby, P. J., T. C. Wainwright & G. J. Bryant. 1996. Status Review of West Coast Steelhead from Washington, Idaho, Oregon, and California. U.S. Department of Commerce, NOAA Technical Memorandum, NMFS-NWFSC-27. 261 pp.

Good, T. P., R. S. Waples & P. B. Adams. 2005. Updated status of federally listed ESUs of West Coast salmon and steelhead. U.S. Department of Commerce, NOAA Technical Memorandum, NMFS-NWFSC-66. 598 pp.

Leidy, R. A., G. S. Becker & B. N. Harvey. 2005. Historical distribution and current status of steelhead/rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in streams of the San Francisco Estuary, California. Center for Ecosystem Management and Restoration, Oakland, CA, Oakland, CA. 275 pp.

McEwan, D. & T. A. Jackson. 1996. Steelhead restoration and management plan for California. California Department of Fish and Game, Sacramento. 234 pp.

Threats and Impacts:

• Agricultural operations

• Artificial barriers:

  Canal and pipeline crossings

  Conditions severing surface/subsurface hydrologic connection of stream channel and wetlands

  Dams

  Erosion-control structures

  Flood-control structures

  Pits from gravel mining

  Road crossings (e.g., bridges, culverts, and low-water fords)

• Forestry operations

• Gravel extraction

• Illegal harvest

• Streambed alteration

• Substandard fish screens on diversions

• Suction dredging

• Unscreened water diversions

• Urbanization

• Water demand exceeding availability

• Water pollution

Additional and highlighted threats include the following: 

• Potential genetic modification in hatchery stocks resulting from domestication selection

• Incidental mortality from catch-and-release hooking

• Climatic variation leading to drought, flooding, and variable ocean conditions

• Predation

The following limiting factors, and their level of threat to this DPS, were identified in the 2006 Pacific Coastal Salmonid Restoration Fund Report to Congress:

• Degraded Habitat:

  Estuarine and Near-shore Marine:  High Threat

  Floodplain Connectivity and Function:  Moderate to High Threat

  Channel Structure and Complexity:  Moderate Threat

  Riparian Areas and LWD Recruitment:  Moderate Threat

  Stream Substrate:  Moderate to High Threat

  Stream Flow:  Moderate Threat

  Water Quality:  High Threat

  Fish Passage:  Moderate to High Threat

• Hatchery-related Adverse Effects:  Moderate Threat

• Harvest-related Adverse Effects:  High Threat

• Predation/Competition/ Disease:  High Threat

Recovery Priority Number:         3

A priority number of “3” was assigned to the CCC steelhead DPS in accordance with the Recovery Priority Guidelines (55 FR 24296, Section B) and indicates the priority of the species for recovery plan development and implementation. Ranking for CCC steelhead is based on a high degree of threat, a low-moderate recovery potential, and anticipated conflict with development projects or other economic activity.

A majority of the Biological Review Team which conducted the most recent status review of steelhead populations in Washington, Oregon and California concluded that natural populations of CCC steelhead are likely to become endangered (Good et al. 2005). This determination was made based on the following factors: 1) the largest run for the DPS (the Russian River) has been reduced in size and this decline continues (Good et al. 2005); 2) populations in the southern part of the range have declined substantially (Good et al. 2005); and 3) habitats are degraded (Good et al. 2005; Leidy et al. 2005).

A low-moderate potential for recovery exists for CCC steelhead due to the large amount of urbanization within the range. Imminent land use changes and encroaching urbanization into rural areas are anticipated to conflict with the conservation needs of CCC steelhead.

Priority Recovery Actions Needed:

Several priority recovery actions are needed for the Central California Coast steelhead DPS, including the following:

• Research and monitor distribution, status, and trends of steelhead.

• Promote operations of current recovery hatcheries and develop Hatchery and Genetics Management Plan (HGMPs) to minimize negative influences of hatcheries.

• Improve freshwater habitat quantity and quality.

• Protect and restore habitat complexity and connectivity from the upper watershed to the ocean.

• Conduct focused freshwater habitat restoration in anadromous salmonid streams (e.g., erosion control, bank stabilization, riparian protection and restoration, and reintroduction of large woody debris).

• Balance water supply and allocation with fisheries needs through a water rights program, designate fully appropriated watersheds, develop passive diversion devices or offstream storage, eliminate illegal water diversions, and improve criteria for water drafting and dam operations.

• Improve agricultural and forestry practices, in particular, riparian protections, road construction, and road maintenance.

• Improve county/city planning, regulations (e.g., riparian and grading ordinances) and county road maintenance programs.

• Remove/upgrade high-priority man-made fish passage barriers (e.g., watercourse crossings and non-hydropower dams). 

• Screen all water diversion structures.

• Replace existing outdated septic systems and improve wastewater management.

• Identify and treat point and non-point source pollution of streams from wastewater, agricultural practices, and urban environments.

• Modify channel and flood control maintenance and eliminate artificial breeching of sandbars for improvements in channel and estuarine habitats.

Conservation Actions:

02/20/08