Funding for planning, design, and/or construction is needed to support upcoming projects that will help achieve the mission of the Kings River Fisheries Management Program. The Program’s mission is to improve and enhance the Kings River watershed and fishery habitat while maintaining its beneficial uses, recognizing that a healthy river is essential to the region’s well-being and future quality of life. Click HERE for Fisheries Projects backgrounder.
Fisheries Project
PROJECT #1: GRAVEL AUGMENTATION OR INJECTION BELOW US ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS BRIDGE
PROJECT FUNDING NEED: $500,000-$800,000 to complete design and construct the project, then $60,000 – $120,000 annually to maintain the project.*
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: This project will entail the injection/placement of 5,300 cubic yards of gravel to enhance streambed habitat in the reach of the Kings River just below Pine Flat Dam.
KEY BENEFITS:
- Create approximately 2.5 acres of suitable spawning habitat that could potentially support up to 2,200 rainbow trout redds (nests).
- Expand spawning opportunities for native fish and provide colonization areas for benthic macroinvertebrates, a fish food source.
PROJECT STATUS: Project design is 30% complete.
LOCATION: (36.829542, -119.339641)
*Disclaimer: Project is scalable and may not require gravel injection every year.
PROJECT #2: THORBURN PRESERVE CHANNEL ENHANCEMENTS
PROJECT FUNDING NEED: $623,000 – $825,000 one-time
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: This project will involve enhancing the 2,200-foot Thorburn Channel to improve habitat quality and ecosystem function for rearing fish and other aquatic species by considering alterations to the flow intake structure, grading within the side channel, and removing k-rail near the mouth of the channel.
KEY BENEFITS:
- Create rearing habitat for rainbow trout and other fish species
- Climate change response to intense flood release events; widening channels will prevent sediment and gravel from pushing through quickly, slowing flows during flood releases. This protects the fishery, downstream agriculture, and communities
PROJECT STATUS: Project design is 30% complete. Work is underway to secure a California Department of Fish and Wildlife Lake and Streambed Alteration Permit. Baseline monitoring efforts began in 2023 to document water flow and fish assemblage in the Thorburn Channel.