California Waters - Winter 2024 - Vol. IV | Issue I
Streamgages Play Critical Role During Atmospheric Rivers
An atmospheric river is a long narrow corridor of concentrated water vapor. Streamgages play a crucial role in an atmospheric river event by providing data used in monitoring and managing water resources, particularly in the context of flooding waterways. These devices offer real-time information on water levels in rivers and streams, enabling authorities to closely track changes in flow dynamics.
Research Chemist Leads Nationwide Study Showcased by USGS
On January 26, the USGS put out a nationwide news release showcasing a new nationwide study by scientists, which provides additional scientific evidence that pesticides are likely negatively impacting aquatic invertebrate community health, and therefore the health of our stream and river ecosystems.
Culturally Prescribed Fire
Culturally prescribed burning has been long practiced by the Yurok Tribe for a variety of reasons. This study explores using culturally prescribed fire as a land management tool for increasing the resiliency of streams and watersheds.
Physics to Fish
Understanding the Factors that Create and Sustain Native Fish Habitat in the San Francisco Estuary
USGS Supports Effort to Understand Impacts on Water Quality Caused by 2018 Camp Fire in Paradise, California
During November 2018, the Camp Fire burned more than 150,000 acres in Butte County, California, including the Town of Paradise. The fire was the deadliest and most destructive in California history, causing at least 85 fatalities and destroying more than 18,000 structures.
Community Update on Clear Lake Hitch
Biologist Fred Feyrer, PhD made an in-person presentation to the Lakeport community on Friday, January 19, 2024. He spoke about the Clear Lake Hitch ecology, population status, and USGS research and monitoring activities. He was invited to make the presentation and engage in a discussion with the community by the Lake County Farm Bureau.
A simple approach to modeling light attenuation in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta using commonly available data
The diffuse attenuation coefficient of photosynthetically active radiation (KdPAR) is commonly used to predict light attenuation in aquatic productivity models, but obtaining measurements of PAR to compute KdPAR is difficult. In situ calculations of KdPAR require multiple measurements of PAR through the water column, and these measurements are infeasible for real-time recording. Instead, predictiv
Determinants of spring migration departure dates in a New World sparrow: Weather variables reign supreme
Numerous factors influence the timing of spring migration in birds, yet the relative importance of intrinsic and extrinsic variables on migration initiation remains unclear. To test for interactions among weather, migration distance, parasitism, and physiology in determining spring departure date, we used the Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis) as a model migratory species known to harbor diverse and
California Water Science Center Returns to ACWA
From November 28th to 30th, the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) held its fall conference in Indian Wells, California. ACWA conferences are where water industry professionals learn, connect, and pursue networking opportunities. This fall’s conference drew over 1,500 attendees and exhibitors from throughout the state, many from municipal and agricultural water districts.
Groundwater-quality data in the Gilroy Hollister basin and surrounding areas Domestic-Supply Aquifer Study Unit, 2022: Results from the California GAMA Priority Basin Project
The U.S. Geological Survey collected groundwater samples from 33 wells used for domestic and small system drinking water supplies in Santa Clara and San Benito Counties, California in 2022. The wells were sampled for the Gilroy Hollister basin and surrounding areas Domestic-Supply Aquifer Study Unit of the State Water Resources Control Board Groundwater Ambient Monitoring and Assessment (GAMA) Pro
Santa Ana River Native Fish Study
Native Fish Population and Habitat Study, Santa Ana River, California
The Santa Ana River, the largest river in southern California, flows through diverse landscapes, from the high desert to urban and suburban areas in Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties, stretching approximately 96 miles (154 kilometers) from its headwaters in the San Bernardino Mountains to its mouth at the Pacific Ocean near Huntington Beach. The river is home to the Santa Ana Sucker (Pantosteus santaanae), a species endemic to the basin, and the Arroyo Chub (Gila orcuttii), a native freshwater fish in southern California. To protect these species and other sensitive habitats, the region has implemented Habitat Conservation Plans (HCPs), which are long-term management and conservation strategies for specific areas of land with endangered or threatened species. Native fish, also known as indigenous fish, are species that naturally occur in a specific region or ecosystem and have adapted to the local environmental conditions over time.
Evaluating the reliability of environmental concentration data to characterize exposure in environmental risk assessments
Environmental risk assessments often rely on measured concentrations in environmental matrices to characterize exposure of the population of interest—typically, humans, aquatic biota, or other wildlife. Yet, there is limited guidance available on how to report and evaluate exposure datasets for reliability and relevance, despite their importance to regulatory decision-making. This paper is the sec
Bay-Delta Catchability Study
Addressing Catchability Bias in Fish Surveys
San Francisco Bay and the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta collectively make up the "Bay-Delta." In the scientific study of fish, "catchability" refers to the probability that a fish will be captured by a particular fishing gear or method. Catchability is a measure of how effectively a fishing gear or method can capture fish. "Catch data" refer to information about the quantity and species composition of fish. Catch data are used by scientists to study the biology, ecology, and behavior of fish populations. Catchability bias is a term used to describe a situation where the catch rate of a fishery is not directly proportional to the abundance of fish in the water. In other words, the catchability of fish is not constant and can be influenced by a variety of factors. Catchability can lead to inaccurate assessments of fish populations and the effectiveness of management measures. Therefore, catchability bias can have important implications for fisheries management. To account for catchability bias, scientists and managers may use statistical models or other methods to adjust catch data and estimate the true abundance of fish in the water.