8 



DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME 



and provides for the State's ultimate consumptive 

 water needs, but it also forecasts a large share of its 

 future in outdoor recreation. 



By direction of the Legislature, recreational uses of 

 water had to be considered during the fomiulation of 

 the California Water Plan. The Department of Water 

 Resources went a step further than this when it an- 

 nounced, in early 1956, it would urge the Legislature 

 to consider recreation as a "beneficial use" in the fol- 

 lowing recommendation: 



"Additional legislation that will be necessary 

 for full implementation of the California Water 

 Plan should be enacted as required. This includes 

 provisions authorizing the planned operation of 

 ground water basins as reservoirs, when neces- 

 sary in the public interest. It also includes provi- 

 sions authorizing the maintenance of live stream 

 flow in the interest of fish, wildlife and recrea- 

 tion as a beneficial use of water." 



The first preliminary investigations into the effects 

 of the California Water Plan on the State's wildlife 

 were undertaken during the biennium by competent 

 fisheries biologists working side by side with the engi- 

 neers of the Department of Water Resources. Their 

 report will form Appendix "E" of the plan, soon to be 

 published, but it is by no means the final, definitive 

 study of the subject. At best it can be considered only 

 a quick look at the steps necessary to enhance recrea- 

 tional opportunities under the plan. Aluch more study 

 is needed. Each phase of the plan must be thoroughl\' 

 studied in detail as it develops from the drawing board 

 to the construction stage, and recommendations for 

 wildlife and recreation must be made integral parts 

 of the project. 



OROVILLE DAM 



Oroville Dam, which will harness a large portion 

 of the Feather River, will be the first unit to be con- 

 structed under the California Water Plan. Conse- 

 quently, the dejjartment has given a high priority to 



Biologist Edward Dwyer, left, and V/ater Resources Engineer William L. 

 Horn confer on wildlife protection phases of f/ie California Water Plan. 



(Fish and Game Photo) 



development of plans for fishing, hunting and recrea- 

 tion in the upper Feather River area. The department 

 had recommended five reservoirs whose primary use 

 would be for recreational purposes. The 1956 Legisla- 

 ture voted a total of $658,000 for preliminary planning 

 of and site acquisition for the dams and the engineering 

 investigation phase of preliminary planning was under 

 way at the close of the biennium. The next step will 

 be final plans and construction. 



Studies of flow releases from Oroville Reservoir, nec- 

 essary to maintain salmon spawning runs in the Feather 

 River, have been made, as well as a preliminary survey 

 of the wildlife and recreational needs of the Oroville 

 Reservoir area. Preliminary investigations on the need 

 for a salmon hatchery downstream from Oroville Dam 

 were under way at the close of the biennium. Fish and 

 Game biologists, working with engineers of the De- 

 partment of Water Resources, were also investigating 

 the need for fish ladders and other structures where 

 feasible. 



On advice of the Department of Fish and Game, the 

 California Water Plan includes provisions for dams on 

 some north coastal streams which will be designed pri- 

 marily for fish life and recreation purposes. The De- 

 partment of Water Resources hopes that these streams, 

 with adequate flows, can replace some spawning areas 

 inundated by bigger dams. 



Most of these streams have high recreational use, 

 but only for limited periods of each year. Sand bars, 

 resulting from low flows in late summer and fall, now 

 block the mouths of these streams and cut off access 

 to salmon and steelhead trout. Spawning runs are thus 

 delayed and consequentl>- the fishing period is limited. 

 Small fish on their dow nstream runs are often trapped 

 and die when low flows occur again the following 

 summer. 



By controlling releases from dams on the upper 

 reaches of these streams, summer flow and the fish 

 producing capacity can be greatly increased. Control 

 of releases will also mean an improvement in fishing, 

 camping and picnicking opportunities. 



MIGRATORY FISH LOSS 



The State stands to lose a substantial segment of 

 its migratory fish life when the plan is carried to its 

 ultimate development. Hatcheries, ladders, diversion 

 screens and other devices will help to restore partially 

 some of these fisheries, and assurance of constant flows 

 below dams will improve some trout streams. The loss 

 will be further offset by creation of many warmwater 

 fishing lakes, some in areas that do not now have any 

 semblance of water recreation. 



Constant vigilance by the department and others 

 interested in outdoor recreation is necessary as each 

 phase of water plans develop. Provision for wildlife 

 and recreation must be included in construction plans 

 of projects if California is to be assured a substantial 



