Luyml Natoma · Lower American River

Natoma

Lake Natoma freshwater mussel (Anodonta californiensis) and riparian avian habitat bio-restoration protocol.

Lower American River watershed study

  1. 1

    5-Year Nimbus (NBF) Thermal Baseline

    Analyzed 38,162 hourly CDEC water-temperature measurements at Nimbus Fish Hatchery (NBF, 2021-2026): summer mean 15.2°C (59.4°F), 5-year hourly maximum 20.2°C (68.3°F). Lake Natoma remains 7°C to 10°C below the 25°C to 29°C upper thermal tolerance limit of Western Pearlshell (Margaritifera falcata) and California Floater (Anodonta californiensis).

  2. 2

    Host-Fish Presence & Substrate Audit

    Verified continuous presence of obligate native glochidia host fishes in Lake Natoma and the Lower American River across USFWS CVPIA and Reclamation surveys: Rainbow Trout / Steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss), Sacramento Pikeminnow (Ptychocheilus grandis), Sacramento Sucker (Catostomus occidentalis), and Prickly Sculpin (Cottus asper). Identified willow-lined Fine-Sediment Backwaters (Willow Creek confluence and Negro Bar) vs. armoured cobblestone dredge tailings.

  3. 3

    Non-Invasive eDNA & Permit Coordination

    All field work is coordinated with California Department of Fish and Wildlife Region 2 and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation using non-invasive 1-liter surface water eDNA assays before any physical substrate survey.