Austin Creek: The Austin Creek watershed, covering 44,761 acres (approximately 70 square miles), is a major tributary to the lower Russian River in Sonoma County, and was once known for its prolific coho and steelhead populations. Modern land uses have significantly impacted these fisheries and led to a serious decline in fish populations. Lower Austin Creek is highly aggraded (filled with sediment) and stream temperatures are warm. Spawning habitat is present but rearing habitat is in short supply and unsuitable. We are working with our partners in a cooperative effort to reverse this trend.

In 2003, the NCCP expanded into this watershed when TU partnered with a private landowner and government agencies to implement the Lower Austin Creek Migration Improvement Project (LACMIP). Our partners include Bohan and Canelis, a family-owned gravel mining company that has been working in the watershed for over three decades, the California Department of Fish and Game, NOAA Fisheries, the Sonoma County Water Agency and the California Conservation Corps.

The reach from the mouth of Austin Creek to the upper end of the LACMIP is characterized by long riffle/flatwater units with intermittent flow and few pools, except for a few bedrock or boulder outcroppings and little shelter, except where terrestrial vegetation exists. In general, lower Austin Creek is inadequate for salmonid rearing habitat but serves as a migration corridor. However, relatively few pools of adequate depth exist for salmonid resting habitat and there is a lack of large woody debris, for shelter during the adult migration period. The aggraded, undefined channel and low stream depth may also be impacting out migration of juveniles.

The LACMIP was designed and implemented within about 6 months to improve 4,000 feet of juvenile and adult steelhead trout and coho salmon habitat in lower Austin Creek. In fall, 2003, complex structure (root wads and boulders) was added to excavated pools to maintain scour and add resting cover for adult and juvenile salmonids.


Coho salmon smolt, juvenile brook lamprey (ammocoete) and sculpin at the Lower Austin Creek Migration Improvement Project. An important tributary of the lower Russian River in Sonoma County, Austin Creek is located about 4 miles from the ocean. MORE...