Impacts of Building a Dam
Threatened Species - Fish/Wildlife/Habitat Impact
 "Dead Female Steelhead at Carmel River Mouth" © 1999 Jim Lambert This 17 lb. Female Steelhead expired on the beach at the Carmel River Mouth in Feb 1999, unable to find a way into the River.
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| "Many of the beneficial impacts are inflated and the
less-than-significant impacts untested. While other adverse impacts are missing, not
analyzed, or dubiously presented. . . significant digits are used
improperly in a way that is misleading. The ability of steelhead to access networks of smaller tributaries at higher elevations is far more important than having a steady flow in a single, low-elevation, mainstream channel. . . " Almost 60% of the Carmel Basin late-rearing juvenilke habitats are above the proposed CRDRP [dam]. |
| - Written Comments to the Environmental Impact Report for the Carmel River Dam and Reservoir Project, Jan. 15, 1999 United States Department of Commerce, National Marine Fisheries Service |
A new dam will significantly affect the migration of steelhead salmon
(listed as a "Threatened" fish by California State Fish and Game.) The fish
would be trapped and trucked around the dam. Experts say this is not likely to work well.
The natural spawning beds of the fish would be destroyed and genetic diversity weakened.
Steelhead are sometimes called "Rainbow Trout" when they are in the streams or rivers and "Steelhead Salmon" when they are at sea. At sea, Steelheads have bluish backs and silvery bellies, with small black spots on their backs and on dorsal and caudal fins. Spawning males have a small or pink stripe along their side.
 "Steelhead Female" © 1999 Jim Lambert This Steelhead female caught by Dr. Roy Thomas was released to spawn upstream. |
Steelhead as large as 45 inches, and over 40 pounds, have been caught, some live to nine years. Young ones usually remain in fresh water from 1 to 3 years. If they leave fresh water in less than 1 year they are less likely to survive and return to spawn. They migrate to sea usually in the spring, at 6 to 10 inches, but throughout their range there are steelhead entering the ocean during every month
Fish that are stressed will often mutate. Scientists are concerned about the stress of fish being trapped and confined in a densely populated truck, and then transported around the new dam, a costly procedure planned for the new dam.
Threatened Species - Animals Habitat
With blasting, burning, and destruction of 130 acres of habitat,
the animals, deer, mountain lion, bobcat, fox, hawks, etc., will be affected negatively.
It is safe to say that this will result in some deaths as they are forced to move from
their homes. Since 90,000 trees and scrubs will be destroyed, we looked up just one kind
of tree to see the "value or role" of the American sycamore to wildlife.
There are many trees 200 to 300 years old in the dam impact region.
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"The sycamore is a complex form, dominating in an extremely
rich habitat, that of the low river plain.
The picture before us is one of habitat utilization by a myriad of animals. The sycamore,
known for its huge crown spread and massive limbs, is also known for its many form
cavities. Cavities in any habitat are very important for many animals....ranging from
birds to mammals. These includes bats, Red-Headed, Pileated, Red-bellied Woodpecker,
Common Flickers, Wood Ducks, Hooded Merganser, Raccoons, bears. It is favored by species
who need a view whether for hunting or security/nesting activities like Yellow-billed
Magpies and Purple Finches Along the river bed, turtles, snakes and fish hunt, nest
and roost."
| - We have summarized these observations from naturalists and wildlife biologists John Foster,(Mass) Julie Bell (PA), Jim Greavs (CA), Joe Jordan (IL), Kimberly G. Smith (AK), and Troy Gordon (MO). |
