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: $60,000 – $120,000 annually*
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: This project will entail the injection/placement of gravel for Rainbow Trout below Pine Flat Bridge and will help replenish the coarse sediment supply immediately below Pine Flat Dam.
KEY BENEFIT: Create spawning habitat for trout and other species
PROJECT STATUS: Project study underway to develop 30% project designs and supporting materials including identifying sediment (gravel) sources available, sediment augmentation volume, potential constraints, and the feasibility of construction methods.
*Disclaimer: Project is scalable and may not require gravel injection every year.
PROJECT #2: THORBURN PRESERVE CHANNEL ENHANCEMENTS
PROJECT FUNDING NEED: $115,000 – $470,000 one-time
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: This project will involve enhancing the Thorburn Channel for juvenile trout rearing habitat by considering alterations to the flow intake structure and grading within the side channel.
KEY BENEFITS:
- Create spawning habitat for trout and other 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 study underway to develop 30% designs and supporting materials to understand the effect of the Thorburn Channel headworks structure to physical habitat and water temperature.