The Big Sur River is a stronghold for one of the most important wild steelhead trout populations on California's Central Coast. However, in recent decades the Big Sur River steelhead trout population has declined from historical levels. To assess instream habitat conditions and subsequent steelhead trout population conditions, several technical instream flow studies were conducted. The Big Sur River studies focused on quantifying south-central steelhead trout habitat as a function of flow with the aim of identifying what flow regimes would protect habitat conditions for various life-stages of the fish. Stream flow, habitat, topographical, and fish observation data were collected and multiple modeling tools were utilized to assess flow and habitat relationships. Data analysis for the Big Sur River study is complete, and technical reports, final flow regime recommendations, and supporting materials are available below. Resources Final Instream Flow Regime Recommendations, Big Sur River, Monterey County (PDF)(opens in new tab) Response to Comments on the Draft Instream Flow Regime Recommendations for the Big Sur River, Monterey County (PDF)(opens in new tab) Appendix A: CDFW Consideration of Landowner and Stakeholder Input on the Draft Big Sur River Flow Regime Recommendations Report (PDF)(opens in new tab) Evaluation of Steelhead Passage Flows Using Hydraulic Modeling on an Unregulated Coastal California River (PDF)(opens in new tab) Seasonal Microhabitat Selectivity by Juvenile Steelhead in a Central California Coastal River (PDF)(opens in new tab) Habitat Suitability Criteria: Juvenile Steelhead, Big Sur River, Monterey County (PDF)(opens in new tab) Instream Flow Evaluation: Steelhead Passage and Connectivity of Riverine and Lagoon Habitats, Big Sur River, Monterey County (PDF)(opens in new tab) Instream Flow Evaluation: Steelhead Spawning and Rearing, Big Sur River, Monterey County (PDF)(opens in new tab) Big Sur River Study Plan (PDF)(opens in new tab) Click map to enlarge.
Instream Flow Program Instream Flow Studies Big Sur River Butte Creek Clear Lake Watershed Deer Creek Mark West Creek Mill Creek Scott River and Shasta River South Fork Eel River Ventura River California Water Action Plan Watershed-Wide Instream Flow Criteria Instream Flow Criteria Map Instream Flow Program Documents Instream Flow Quality Assurance Program Instream Flow Program Presentations External Instream Flow Resources Juvenile steelhead, Big Sur River Snorkel survey in steelhead habitat on the Big Sur River