Monday April 28, 2025
The Cool Down —
It’s rare to see a project with multiple projected benefits achieve success in every way. The Lower Elkhorn Basin Levee Setback Project is a fantastic example.
This project has been in the works for decades as an effort to increase flood control management, ecosystem restoration, and regional planning.
California is no stranger to flooding, with all 58 counties enduring floods at least once in the last quarter century. It’s hard to imagine, given the more recent news that has been extensively focused on wildfires in the Golden State.
In addition to flooding and wildfires, the state is experiencing a significant drop in the salmon population because of human-driven environmental factors.
The latter is a direct result of the former, and both the environment and California residents are reaping the rewards. LEBLS resulted in a floodplain habitat loaded with zooplankton, a key food source for young salmon.
While the improved biodiversity is a huge boon, people also benefit from the food security and economic benefits that a booming salmon population provides. Salmon are a critical resource for commercial and recreational fishing, ultimately contributing to a stable food supply.