Wednesday July 12, 2023
Santa Cruz Sentinel —
Fish migrating along a creek in the San Lorenzo Valley can look forward to improved swimming conditions as an infrastructure project from the local water district flows ahead.
The San Lorenzo Valley Water District announced that it is rebuilding a fish ladder at Fall Creek – the primary source of drinking water for Felton residents – to improve fish passage and overall operational conditions in the area.
The ladder, which was constructed about 30 years ago and has been owned by the district since 2008, was designed with jump heights that have been deemed too tall for easy salmonid passage, according to a release from the district, and previous efforts to improve the structure through smaller modifications have proven unsuccessful.
“Aligning the fish ladder design with current standards will improve fish passage and have a profound positive impact on the Fall Creek watershed,” said District Environmental Programs Manager Carly Blanchard in the release. “It will not only benefit the salmonid species, but also contribute to the overall health and vitality of our aquatic habitats. As stewards of our local watershed, we are proud to be leading this initiative and look forward to witnessing the long-term benefits it will bring to our community and the environment.”