Beneath the rippled surface of Pinole Creek in Contra Costa County, threatened steelhead and rainbow trout can now reach upstream habitat that’s been virtually inaccessible for decades.
Last fall, alongside a rural stretch of Alhambra Valley Road where a farm stand once stood, EBMUD removed the last barrier to upstream fish migration. In place of a dilapidated culvert, we restored a boulder-lined stream bed that allows the creek to flow naturally.
The Tomato Stand Fish Passage marks the final step in a long-term effort to restore Pinole Creek’s connection to the Pacific Ocean. This vital corridor now provides nearly seven miles of freshwater habitat between San Pablo Bay and EBMUD’s Pinole Valley Watershed near Briones Reservoir.
This project is especially important because Pinole Creek supports the county’s only documented, self-sustaining steelhead population. Thanks to the restoration, local steelhead that migrate out to sea can access the creek’s full length when they return to spawn.
EBMUD built the fish passage and a creek-spanning bridge with the support of a California Wildlife Conservation Board grant, and the effort is already producing results. During the first spawning season since construction, EBMUD biologists observed more steelhead egg nests, called redds, upstream of the channel than ever before.
Protecting the environment is a core part of EBMUD’s mission. Healthy watersheds provide clean water, support local ecosystems and benefit the entire community. That’s why we’re proud to support habitat restoration projects that help fish and wildlife thrive.
H2Flow en Español, EBMUD’s Spanish-language anthem celebrating the value of clean water, has tallied more than 3 million views! Search “H2Flow en Español” on YouTube to watch our music video produced in collaboration with the Oakland-based Alphabet Rockers.