Tuesday April 28, 2026
Environmental Monitor —
In Northern California’s coastal forests, massive redwoods tower over their surroundings. Crossing between these behemoths are countless streams that snake through the forest, emptying into larger rivers and eventually the Pacific Ocean. These waterways are crucial for salmon, which traverse upstream to their historic spawning grounds.
However, human pressures have long hindered these upstream migrations. Large dams on major rivers are usually the culprit and receive significant attention when they’re removed, celebrated for releasing sediment buildup and providing upstream access.
But sometimes salmon must travel far into the watershed, reaching smaller streams in the heart of forests. Such is the case of Cooper Mill Creek in California, a small but important salmon spawning creek that was impeded by human infrastructure for decades.
However, a recent fish passage and habitat improvement project has changed Cooper Mill. These projects aren’t guaranteed success, so after the project is finished, scientists are monitoring the stream to ensure it will remain suitable for these keystone species.