Jul 10, 2014

A comprehensive study of the transformation of the Alameda Creek watershed, the largest tributary draining directly to San Francisco Bay, shows the remarkable native habitats that were found in today’s cities of Fremont, Newark, Pleasanton, and Livermore. The study shows how the watershed functioned to support a diverse array of native species and suggests how many of these functions may yet be recovered within the contemporary landscape.

A special section developed in collaboration with EPA scientist Robert Leidy details how the watershed supported 41 native fish species, including steelhead.  While these habitats have been largely lost, many agencies in the watershed are working together to reestablish healthy steelhead runs in the watershed. Long-standing barriers such as the BART weir are expected to be removed in the near future, making it possible to envision healthy steelhead runs.

“As the final major physical barriers to upstream migration are removed, and instream flows begin to improve, this study helps us prepare for one of the critical next challenges – providing habitat in the upper watershed for adult and juvenile steelhead,” says Tim Ramirez, director of the Natural Resources Division of the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission. “This study provides us insightful biological context, and helps us see what elements are now missing compared with the historic landscape, and how we might restore some of the functions that support important habitats for steelhead and other native species.”

To develop the richly-illustrated report, the San Francisco Estuary Institute synthesized hundreds of rarely-seen historical maps, photographs, and textual documents with contemporary science. The study reveals dramatic transformation but also the impressive persistence of landscape patterns, processes, and native species.

“The historical ecology report is an incredibly valuable historical perspective and tool we can use as we try to restore Alameda Creek and some of its native fish runs,” said Jeff Miller, director of the Alameda Creek Alliance. “We now better understand what the creek, riparian areas, wetlands and other habitats once looked like, how steelhead and salmon may have used these habitats, how they have changed over time, and what natural areas we have lost. Most importantly, it helps us identify opportunities to restore or recreate some of these habitats essential to cold water fish.”

The Alameda Creek Historical Ecology Study was funded by the Alameda County Flood Control and Water Conservation District and the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission. Additional funding was provided by the Alameda County Water District and Zone Seven Water Agency. The project was produced in partnership with the Alameda County Resource Conservation District.

For copies and more information, please visit:

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Resilient Landscapes Program