California’s historically bountiful anadromous fishery depends on the ecological integrity of dozens of streams and rivers that flow into the Pacific Ocean along the state’s 1,100-mile coastline. These streams provide the habitat that salmonids and other anadromous fish require during the spawning and juvenile phases of their life.

During the 19^th and 20^th centuries, as roads, bridges, and dams were built on public and private lands along waterways, and as water was diverted by various means, thousands of barriers were erected, blocking the passage of anadromous fish. These barriers impact both adult and juvenile fish by preventing full use of available habitat or altering habitat and hydraulic conditions. Consequently, many salmon, steelhead, trout, lamprey, and sturgeon populations have experienced significant declines, and the sport and commercial fisheries that depended on some of these populations have, in many cases, vanished.

Man-made barriers to fish passage include road/stream intersections, pipeline or other infrastructure crossings, erosion control/flood control structures (rip-rap, concrete channels, e.g.), and dams that block or delay migration. In some cases, previously installed fish passage structures, such as fish ladders, act as barriers because of poor design or construction as well as lack of maintenance.

Addressing connectivity has been consistently identified as a high priority, cost-effective approach to protecting and restoring anadromous fish populations. State and federal action plans and recovery plans identify fish passage and connectivity as major limiting factors for listed salmonids in California.

California Fish Passage Forum members work collaboratively to understand the state of fish passage improvement projects and programs, direct investments into restoration, research, assessment and monitoring, and develop data products, trainings, and media materials to communicate the continued need for restoration. The Forum is one of 20 Fish Habitat Partnerships across the nation supported by the National Fish Habitat Partnership (NFHP).

Get Involved!

Learn about restoration funding and connect with fish passage experts at a California Fish Passage Forum Committee meeting.

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In the Spotlight

Restoration Across California StoryMap

This interactive StoryMap tells the story of two community focused restoration projects, one in urban East San Francisco Bay and another on the rural Salmon river. View the StoryMap here.