Ann Hayden is a Senior Water Resource Analyst at EDF.

On the Water Front took a short hiatus recently so that our EDF California water team could convene with others in our Center for Rivers and Deltas  for a retreat in Montana. We spent a few days up at the University of Montana’s Biological Station (FLBS)  on the shores of beautiful Flathead Lake, just outside of Glacier National Park.

In addition to an exciting float trip down the middle-fork of the Flathead River, one of the big highlights of the retreat was hearing from Dr. Jack Stanford, the Director at FLBS, on the important river restoration work he’s involved in. In particular, he has found innovative ways to use 3-D and remote sensing tools to better understand how riverine habitats move and interact over time and how that affects the quality and quantity of habitat (see an article authored by Dr. Stanford here (pdf).

Ultimately, this research can be used to help identify and prioritize those rivers with the greatest potential for high quality habitat and therefore the greatest potential to benefit species such as salmon.

His work resonated greatly with those of us keenly interested in restoring the health of California rivers and salmon populations. We can use all the help we can get to restore our imperiled salmon runs to their once abundant levels.

A big thanks to Professor Stanford and the folks at the Biological Station for their hospitality!

Laura Harnish is the California Regional Director.

It goes without saying that the San Francisco Bay Delta watershed is facing potential disaster akin to those we are seeing this week in the Midwest.

Take a look at this article from Mary Kelly the Vice President of EDF's Center for Rivers and Deltas.

Spreck Rosekrans is an Economic Analyst at EDF.

The Pacific Fishery Management Council will decide Friday whether to close the salmon fishery this year. As the San Francisco Chronicle reported today, "it would mark the first time that the federal agency, created 22 years ago to manage the Pacific Coast fishery, will have banned salmon fishing."

But why now? Read more »

Laura Harnish is the California Regional Director.

Wow. Last night was spectacular. I don’t have to tell anyone in the water world that however, because it truly seemed that everyone was there. The tribute to Tom Graff [PDF] was our own wonky version of the Oscars (though I have to say the water buffalo award is now more coveted than an Oscar …). The event was so well attended that I dare say that every drop of water in California was represented.

And although there were all manner of luminaries present, from far and near, there was no question that Tom Graff was “the man". He claimed this title handily not just as tribute after tribute recalled his numerous successes and fabulously Graffish characteristics, but, when he finally took the podium and delivered the most hilarious joke of the night with complete dead pan and impeccable timing, the crowd went wild.

Read more »