Stanislaus River’s Restored Salmon Habitat

Restored salmon habitat on the Stanislaus River

Entitled “Replenishing a River: Stanislaus River Honolulu Bar Restoration,” this 11-minute video uses underwater photography, still images and narration to illustrate an important project for restored salmon habitat that was completed in 2012. The Oakdale Irrigation District and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service split the cost of the $1.1 million project. The work was done over two years by the biologists, engineers and technicians at FISHBIO.

Addressing the steep decline in salmon and steelhead trout populations in Central Valley waterways has been a shared priority of government officials, environmentalists and local water agencies for decades. Fall run Chinook salmon are listed as species of concern by California Department of Fish and Wildlife and steelhead are listed as a threatened species under the federal Endangered Species Act.

Diminished habitat key factor in population decline

Historically, tens of thousands of salmon returned to the Stanislaus River to spawn each year. In contrast, only about 6,000 returned this year. Diminished habitat in the river is a key factor in the decline.

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Salmon spawn in restoration project area

The Honolulu Bar project focused on a 2½-acre site that was part of a larger gravel dredge bar in the river about halfway between Oakdale and Knights Ferry in northeastern Stanislaus County. The intent was to restore and, in some cases, create vital habitat for adults to spawn and juvenile fish to thrive until they begin their journey downstream through the Delta and San Francisco Bay to the Pacific Ocean.

Balanced approach protects farms and the environment

“I think we have to recognize that all these things – water, the resources they provide, the fish, the farming – we all have to live together in a healthy manner. You cannot use river assets and then not work to protect those river assets,” said Steve Knell, general manager of the OID.

California Drought – Food Supply

California is the 4th largest supplier of food to the world and the #1 largest supplier of food to the entire United States.

During the 2014 California Drought farmers don’t always have the water they need to grow the food we buy at the grocery store, but there are proposed solutions on the November ballot.

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California Drought – Invest

People everywhere need water. Farmers use water to grow the food we buy at the grocery store. But we need to invest in our water supply system to make sure we have enough water today and in the future – for drinking, for cooking and cleaning, and for growing healthy and delicious food.

How Farmers Conserve Water

Learn how California farmers use advanced technology, irrigation scheduling and soil moisture monitoring to conserve water while producing a variety of fresh food products we all find at the grocery store.

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Farm Water and the Business Crisis

Steve Malanca “The issues have been difficult to explain to those who aren’t familiar with agriculture.” This video explains the connection between farms and the businesses that depend on them.

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Farm Water & Earth Day

No one knows more about Earth Day than the farmers who use water to produce food from the land. Believe it or not, many people think their food comes from the grocery store but it actually comes from productive farms, many of which are in California

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Farm Water and the Big Fix

California’s water supply is broken. Find out who needs to fix it and what needs to be done to provide water supplies for California’s farms, homes and businesses.

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A River for All

A River for All

San Joaquin River restoration projects have been the focus of controversy since the early days of California. This video explores the history of water development in California and how decisions made in the 19th Century and beyond played a role in the water system we have today.

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Technology on the Farm

Technology on the Farm

How does space-age technology improve crop production and water use efficiency? See how farmers in the 21st Century use satellites and computers to grow cotton for your clothes and food for your table.

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