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Watersheds and Aquatic Biodiversity: Sierra Nevada Ecosystem Project
From the report:
"California’s economy derives enormous benefits from water diverted from the streams, rivers, and lakes of the Sierra Nevada.
A major cost associated with these benefits has been deterioration of the biotic integrity and sustainability of the aquatic systems, as reflected in declines in the distribution and abundance of native aquatic and riparian organisms. Water determines the distribution and abundance of many plants and animals throughout the Sierra Nevada by shaping and providing habitat. Lakes and streams support rich communities of native organisms both in the water and in adjoining
riparian areas. These water bodies also support cities, farms, and industries within and distant from the mountains.
Water was critical for development of the mining economy that dominated California for years after the gold rush. The
Sierra Nevada has provided high-quality water for natural communities for millennia and for modern society for more
than half a century. But in less than twenty years the risk of Giardia has spread to such an extent that virtually everywhere in the mountains one can no longer casually drink from a stream or lake, and concern for other microorganisms, such
as Microsporidium, in water supplies is growing. Development of streams and other resources of the Sierra Nevada over the
past 150 years has met the downstream demands of society throughout California but has impaired the quality and availability
of water for both ecological and social needs in many parts of the mountain range."
aquatic habitats, stream flow, riparian status, sediment, water quality, introduced aquatics, amphibian status, anadromous fish, aquatic invertebrates, map of historic chinook salmon distribution, map of yellow-legged frog distribution, aquatic habitats, watersheds-recovery and restoration, aquatic mercury contamination, watershed improvment, aquatic biodiversity, flow pattern-restoration, aquatic management
caddisflies, stoneflies, Chinook salmon, trout, yellow-legged frog, Breckenridge, Mountain Slender salamander, anadromous fish,
June 01, 1996 12:00 AM
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Kings Canyon National Park, Yosemite National Park, Lassen National Forest, El Dorado National Forest, Tahoe National Forest
Sacramento River, Deer Creek, Mill Creek, American River, Sagehen Creek, Clavery River, Kern River, King’s River, San Joaquin river