Rapid Assessment techniques can be a useful tool in assessing aquatic connectivity of a watershed before practitioners invest in full hydrologic modeling. The California Fish Passage Forum in partnership with Ross Taylor and Associates offers this hands-on workshop to train interested individuals in rapid barrier assessment techniques used to assess natural features or manmade structures for their ability to provide fish passage for anadromous fishes. The workshop will showcase assessment protocols outlined in Part 9 of the California Salmonid Stream Habitat Restoration Manual: Fish Passage Evaluation at Stream Crossings. 

 

The morning portion will cover the general limitations of native California anadromous fishes including salmon, steelhead, lamprey, and other aquatic species to common barrier types, explore the use of standard techniques for barrier assessment, and consider how passage assessment efforts inform both local and statewide restoration priorities. Participants will also learn how to utilize or contribute to records of passage barriers across their working watersheds through the Passage Assessment Database. 

 

In the afternoon, participants will travel by van to a few barriers surrounding Santa Cruz, where workshop coordinators will demonstrate and train the use of the techniques introduced in the classroom portion to assess example barriers for passability. Participants should bring their own sanitized field gear, including waders or hip boots, PFD, sunscreen, and rain gear. 

 

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