The Extraordinary Lagunitas Creek – So Many Salmon for This Far South
In recent years, biologists with the Marin Municipal Water District (MMWD) have observed five species of salmonids in Lagunitas Creek and documented record numbers of both Chinook Salmon and Coho Salmon. How does Lagunitas Creek support this diversity and abundance of salmon? How do MMWD biologists monitor salmonid populations and what are they learning? What is MMWD doing to improve salmon habitat? Finally, will salmon persist here, at the southern edge of their global distributions, in the face of climate change?
Bio:
Eric Ettlinger is the Aquatic Ecologist for the Marin Municipal Water District (MMWD). Eric has a Master’s Degree in Wildland Resource Science from UC Berkeley and has worked as a Geographic Information Systems Analyst, Wildlife Biologist, and Fisheries Biologist. Since 1999 his major responsibilities at MMWD have included monitoring populations of coho salmon, steelhead trout, and other aquatic species, and enhancing aquatic habitats, particularly through the installation of large woody debris. Before he retires, he hopes to pass along his wood installation responsibilities to more talented, harder working, and less expensive beavers.