Thursday August 1, 2024
Los Angeles Times —
Removing man-made barriers in a major tributary of the Los Angeles River could provide a lifeline for native trout — most, if not all, of which were rescued from a destructive 2020 fire — according to a new report.
A presentation of the findings last week by environmental consultant Stillwater Sciences called for taking out three impediments in a stretch of the Arroyo Seco that restrict the movement of the trout, potentially cutting them off from spawning areas or refuge from drought.
The nonprofit Arroyo Seco Foundation commissioned the research as part of a multiyear project to improve the flow of the winding creek and benefit an endangered species of trout.
“We want to maintain biodiversity and try to use nature-based solutions where we can,” said Robert Kurkjian, president of the Arroyo Seco Foundation. “So the idea is to remove some of these barriers so the fish can move up and down the stream as necessary to survive.”
Climate change has added urgency. Hemmed in, the fish could face a dire situation if a wildfire dumped ash into the water or a prolonged drought evaporated their home.