Return of the Steelhead Trout
The following article and accompanying photographs appeared in Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area's "Building Relations, Building Values: 2006 Year in Review." The Santa Monica Mountain Fund is proud to have made publication of that report possible through its financial support. Go to the "Donations" page, if you want to support the restoration work described in the article; the scientists doing the work could sorely use your financial help.
Good news! Over the last few years, the endangered Southern California population of steelhead trout has been spawning in Santa Monica Mountain streams. The National Park Service is excited about this because existing land uses such as flood control channels, culverts, and dams have prevented trout from migrating into many of our streams. In addition, urban development and agriculture alter streams and increase run-off as well as facilitate the introduction of aggressive competitors and predators.
The southern populations of steelhead trout are unique from their northern neighbors. Conditions in Southern California are drier and rain is intermittent. Therefore, streams are seasonal and are also cut off from the ocean during a significant portion of the year. For example, Malibu Lagoon is only open during rain events when storm water breaches the sand berm to Surf Rider Beach. In fact, all of the lagoon systems in the Santa Monica Mountains work in this way. Although Solstice Creek has relatively little water and is only 1.8 miles long, it plays a unique role in the reproduction and survival of steelhead. Small streams become bigger streams during a storm, and these very temporary flows are what adult steelhead trout need to access our local streams.
The steelhead trout wait for a very limited window of opportunity following major rain events. This opportunity might not occur for several years, and therefore the steelhead have adapted by finding new adjacent streams in which to spawn and reproduce. Once spawning occurs many of the adults will return to the ocean. In order for the steelhead eggs to develop, grow, and eventually make their way to the ocean, it is most important that Santa Monica Mountain streams like Solstice Creek have enough food, cover, and water the rest of the year when it is hot and dry.
Planning to restore Solstice Creek and re-establish steelhead runs began in 1999 with a habitat assessment from NOAA Fisheries. For the next seven years, NPS staff coordinated efforts with several state, local, and federal agencies to bring together fisheries experts and engineers to plan, design, and implement a restoration of the creek.
Wo Working with many partners, the NPS has refurbished and built bridges, removed old dams and stream crossings, and weeded and replanted native vegetation. We also expanded the parking lot and built an education amphitheater to provide a venue for visitors to learn more about the park and these significant resources. Although work at Solstice Creek is complete, restoration efforts continue. The NPS is working closely with the City of Malibu and Caltrans to remove or retrofit two other fish barriers downstream in the near future. Once complete, nearly 2 miles of habitat will be accessible to southern steelhead trout. This is among the first of many restoration efforts to facilitate the return of the steelhead trout to the Santa Monica Mountains. – Gary Busteed, NPS Biologist
