Michelle, Supervising Fisheries and Wildlife Biologist :: East Bay Municipal Utility District

Friend of fishes.

Michelle monitors salmon populations and ensures the health of the Mokelumne River.

Michelle grew up along the Mokelumne River, which supplies EBMUD’s main drinking water reservoir in the Sierra foothills. “I backpacked with my dad with just a sleeping bag under the stars and kayaked on the lower river every summer. During the late summer I picked blackberries along the river until my fingers were purple.”

After 15 years of service with EBMUD as a Fisheries/Wildlife Technician, Biologist I and then Biologist II, she took a promotion with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, working to help sustain the fisheries environment of three other rivers. She then returned to EBMUD, where she and her staff ensure the health of the Mokelumne River. They monitor fish populations, add gravel below Camanche Dam to improve natural spawning, and transport salmon from the foothills to the San Francisco Bay to improve their survival.

“Over my career I’ve worked to build a culture of trust and communication with resource agencies we partner with. I strive to make choices and implement practices that support this valuable resource.” Michelle’s team constantly balances the success of wild stock and hatchery fish. The statistics show great results, in spite of the recent drought years which were tough on salmon. In 2016, 8,891 adult fish come back to the Mokelumne River, well over the long-term average of 4,981.

This job requires balancing a diverse workload – from being outdoors on the river, identifying fish, developing positive relationships with river neighbors and leading tours, to office tasks like compiling statistics, writing reports, and presenting data.

And yes, she fishes. “There is nothing better than fresh ocean salmon!”