About the UCD Center for Watershed Sciences

The Center for Watershed Sciences, a unit of the John Muir Institute of the Environment, is dedicated to the interdisciplinary study of critical issues in watershed science — with a focus on the sustainable and cost-effective restoration and management of stream, lake and estuarine ecosystems.

New Knowledge for a New Era

The next great advances in water resource management will occur at the intersection between disciplines. Single-species or single-issue approaches have failed to resolve water resource challenges, particularly within California and the western United States. The center was created to address the demand for more creative, integrated, and multi-objective approaches to watershed science and policy. Along with developing novel monitoring and research programs, the center is training a new generation of scientists, engineers and managers who can work across multiple disciplines.

Watershed Science Center Approach

• The Center for Watershed Sciences conducts problem-solving research in restoration and water resource management, principally within the Central Valley, Sierra Nevada, Coast Range and San Francisco Estuary of California.
• The center seeks to evaluate and address critical uncertainties in watershed, riverine, riparian, floodplain and tidal marsh restoration and conservation efforts.
• Center projects typically involve teams of researchers drawn from both the physical and biological sciences that work in partnership with public and private agencies.
• The center seeks to produce notable peer-reviewed contributions to the literature in the environmental sciences and apply this knowledge to solving practical problems related to watershed management.

According to CEO Perk Perkins, “Fly fishing is the core of the Orvis Company.”  In 2010, Orivs is backing up their words with a significant contribution to the Fall River Conservancy for protection and restoration of native trout and wildlife habitat.

The donation will focus on restoring stream banks and aquatic habitat  by managing the spread of invasive species such as Eurasion milfoil and the rapid spread of a non-native muskrat population.

The Fall River is California’s largest cold-water spring system.  Consistent temperatures, nutrient-rich water, and unique habitat support an abundance of large wild trout and  migrating waterfowl.  The river also supports highly productive agricultural and hydropower operations.

Orvis and the Fall River Conservancy plan to work with the local community to carry out a conservation program that protects both the cultural heritage of the valley and the natural resources that drive the local economy.  As Perkins reminds us, “If we are to benefit from the use of our natural resources then we must be willing to act to preserve them.”

Ignore the sounds of pounding hammers and saws cutting through virtual pine.

We’re simply building the FRC’s new Web site, which – when finished – will offer up a sizable helping of good information.

We’re dedicated to the restoration and preservation of California’s Fall River Valley, and pledge to keep our stakeholders, friends and fly fishermen updated on our progress.

That means you can soon register to receive our quarterly enewsletter, subscribe to this news blog’s RSS feed, or even follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Come back in just a week or so, and we should be sweeping up the sawdust and getting ready to open.

We’re working hard to preserve California’s stunning Fall River – and the lifestyle it helps support.

Here you’ll find news items and updates about our efforts – and what you can expect when you visit the Fall River to fly fish, look, or even live.