Using Rapid Assessment Protocols to Gauge the Passability of Barriers to Anadromous Fish Passage, Including Hands-On Experience at Barriers Around Santa Cruz
Workshop and Field Tour Coordinators: Holly Steindorf, CA Fish Passage Forum; and Ross Taylor, Ross Taylor and Associates
Participant Cap: 30 participants
This workshop aims to increase participants’ familiarity with 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 provide an overview of field assessment protocols outlined in Part 9 of the California Salmonid Stream Habitat Restoration Manual, and focus specifically on rapid assessment protocols, such as FirstPass, to enable restoration practitioners and resource managers to professionally judge barriers for passage in their working watersheds.
Classroom
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Explore the use of standard techniques for barrier assessment and consider how passage assessment efforts inform both local restoration priorities and the wider body of knowledge on the state of aquatic connectivity across California.
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Learn about how to utilize or contribute to records of passage barriers utilizing the Passage Assessment Database.
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Learn about general limitations of native California anadromous fishes, including salmon, steelhead, lamprey, and other aquatic species to common barrier types.
Field
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Travel by van to a few barriers surrounding Santa Cruz, where participants will use 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.
Key Objectives:
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Familiarize participants with benefits and limitations of field assessment techniques.
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Practice assessing barriers via hand-on demonstration.
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Connect participants to existing and emerging data on in their working watersheds.