Ironically, the Kelsey Creek Fish Passage Structure acts as a barrier to native fish, including the Clear Lake Hitch. The Clear Lake hitch, or Chi, as named by the Xa-Ben-Na-Po Band of Pomo Indians and other local indigenous tribes, are a culturally and biologically important species found only in Clear Lake and its tributaries. In addition to the physical barrier, the water velocity in Kelsey Creek is unnaturally high due historic gravel mining and the channelization of the creek. Barriers to spawning habitat contribute to the perilous conditions for the Chi, who are at the brink of extinction.
Recent Projects
FlowWest is working to build a data management system where data is compiled, transformed, and stored in a standardized format for monitoring spring-run Chinook salmon juvenile production estimates (SR JPE).
News, Careers
FlowWest is pleased to announce the addition of Dr. Michael MacWilliams PhD, PE to our team as a partner and Principal Engineer. Dr. MacWilliams expands FlowWest’s capabilities into new areas including three-dimensional hydrodynamic and sediment transport modeling, sea level rise planning, and coastal and marsh restoration. He will extend FlowWest’s reach in San Francisco Bay and the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta with new capabilities and clients.
