DWR’s Ecological Studies Branch is responsible for developing scientific data and solutions to specific ecological problems related to operation of the State Water Project. Branch staff provides support to implement the CALFED Record of Decision and are assisting the California Bay Delta Authority to design and implement elements of the CALFED Ecosystem Restoration Program Plan and designing fish facilities related to potential water conveyance options in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta estuary to protect fish species and improve water quality.

Branch staff also provides support to DWR’s major relicensing effort for the Oroville Project through the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s Alternative Licensing Process.

The following two sections comprise the Ecological Studies Branch:

The Aquatic Restoration Planning and Implementation Section was established to support the CALFED Ecosystem Restoration Program by developing habitat enhancement and fish passage improvement in the Yolo Bypass. More...

The Feather River Program was established to conduct Feather River fishery studies. The initial emphasis was to estimate adult abundance for both spring-run and fall-run Chinook salmon, and to conduct tagging studies using young fish from Feather River Hatchery. The Program has expanded More...