The river has had a long history of anthropogenic impacts including mining, urbanization of historic floodplains, flow management and water development.  With 43 fish species, including many invasive species and endangered steelhead trout and struggling Chinook salmon, the river also provides important habitat for the anadromous fisheries of the Sacramento River Basin. It is also home to a rich diversity of wildlife and waterfowl.  These natural attributes have made the lower American River the only urban waterway to be designated a “Wild and Scenic River” by state and federal governments.

Today, stakeholders, including the US Bureau of Reclamation, US Fish and Wildlife Service, California Fish and Wildlife and the Sacramento Water Forum have been working together to rehabilitate the Lower American River focusing on spawning, incubation and rearing habitat of Chinook salmon and steelhead.  The field trip will visit recently restored sites.  Historical impacts, and project design, implementation and monitoring will be discussed.