The restoration project will restore Chinook salmon and steelhead habitat along 48 miles of Battle Creek and its tributaries while maintaining continued production of hydroelectric power. Habitat restoration and enhancement will enable safe passage, growth and recovery of Central Valley spring-run Chinook salmon, Sacramento River winter-run Chinook salmon, and Central Valley steelhead. All of the fish are listed as threatened or endangered. Construction is expected to begin in September.
“We look forward to the implementation of this phase of the major restoration effort,” said US Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar
announcing the contract award. “The project demonstrates that through cooperation, federal and state agencies, private industry and nonprofit organizations can restore fish species, while allowing continued production of renewable energy.”
The Battle Creek Restoration Project is a cooperative effort among the US Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation, US Fish and Wildlife Service, National Marine Fisheries Service, California Department of Fish and Game, Pacific Gas and Electric Company, The Nature Conservancy, Battle Creek Watershed Conservancy, and other agencies.
