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The river is the center of the land, the place where the waters, and much more, come together. Here is the home of wildlife, the route of explorers, and recreation paradise...Only fragments of our inheritance remain unexploited, but these streams are more valuable than ever.
--Tim Palmer
Rivers in the Eastside/Great Basin region originate in the eastern Sierra Nevada and drain into terminal lakes and desert sinks in California and Nevada. Compared to the west side of the Sierra, the eastside receives little precipitation; consequently, the rivers in this region are much smaller than their mighty Central Valley counterparts. This is a remote and sparsely populated region of California, composed largely of high-desert vegetation. Even historically, the rivers in this region supported very little riparian vegetation, which is now limited to narrow corridors along the rivers (1)*.
Many of the fish species dependent on the Eastside rivers are endemic and at risk of extinction, including the Lahontan cutthroat trout (a federally listed threatened species), the Owens tui chub (a federally and state-listed endangered species), and the cui-ui (federally listed endangered species) (2).
Although the Eastside rivers are small, they have generated more than their share of fame and controversy. The battle over the virtual dewatering of the Owens River by the city of Los Angeles is well known. The Walker, Truckee, and Carson Rivers have also spawned lengthy battles over water rights. In some cases, these legal battles have recently giver way to restoration efforts. The lower Owens River is being rewatered and its adjacent wetlands restored, and the Truckee River operations are being modified so as to increase flows to sustain the cui-ui and Lahontan cutthroat trout in the river's lower reaches (3). Great challenges remain throughout the region, with the survival of endemic fish like the Lahontan cutthroat and cui-ui hanging in the balance.
Dams and agricultural diversions have been the principle source of degradation of Eastside rivers and streams. While the Owens River is the most extreme example, each of the rivers in this region has been dammed, and ecosystems have suffered as a result. While fish are the msot obvious victims of habitat degradation associated with these dams and diversions, other species, such as the mountain yellow-legged frog, have declined as well (4). Furthermore, the introduction of predatory, non-native fish species has harmed endemics such as the Lahontan cutthroat trout, once so abundant that it sustained commercial fishery (5).
A couple of Eastside river basins have seen increasing urbanization in recent years, particularly in Nevada's Cason Valley (near the city of Reno) and near Walker Lake. For the most part, however, Eastside rivers have been relatively free from the threat of development. Water quality problems tend to stem from grazing, mining, and agriculture. None of the rivers on the Eastside have received wild and scenic designation, although portions of most them are eligible for this status.
TPL River Milestones
Carson River in Hope Valley
TPL's 25,000-acre Hope Valley Preservation Program has preserved key riparian lands along the forks of the Carson River and its tributaries. Since 1982, TPL has acquired more than 50 properties in the watershed and conveyed them to USFS, DFG, Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR), Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB), BLM, and Alpine County. A generous loan from the David and Lucile Packard Foundation helped finance TPL's acquisitions. This massive effort led to the protection of vast wilderness lands, broad alpine meadows, wild and scenic river corridors, critical wildlife habitat, and prime recreation areas for Californians and Nevadans.
If TPL had not stepped in to provide interim protection for these former ranchlands, subdivision and homesite development would have ensued due to the area's proximity to bustling South Lake Tahoe. Since the acquisition, TPL's agency partners have changed grazing practices on the high mountain meadows to restore the forks of the Carson River and its tributaries. This change in management, coupled with permanent preservation of these properties, should bring about a renaissance for the river's fishery and boost Alpine County's tourist-dependent economy.
East Walker River
In 1994, TPL succeeded in acquiring 1,376 acres—nearly 7.5 miles of riparian land—along the East Walker. This premier trout fishery is located directly below Bridgeport Reservoir. Since the 1800s, the Dressler family had used the property for summer grazing. In 1987-88 the river became the center of controversy and litigation when the Walker River Irrigation District drained the reservoir and silted the river below the dam, resulting in a substantial fish kill. The local economy was hit hard by the loss of this popular fishing destination, and the irrigation district restored the river after being sued by CalTrout and DFG. Because of TPL's efforts, this popular stretch of river is now under DFG's stewardship; public access and riparian restoration will be assured.
Of the eight types of fish native to the Sierra, seven reside in the East Walker, including the Lahonton cutthroat trout, mountain whitefish, tui chub, speckled dace, Lahontan redside, mountain sucker, and Tahoe sucker. This scenic riparian corridor is a prime recreation site not only for anglers pursuing trophy-sized trout, but also for hikers, who from the valley floor can view the bald and golden eagles that live in the dramatic cliffs beside the river.
West Walker River
In 1989 TPL acquired Pickel Meadow, consisting of 1,103 acres of primarily lush, wet meadow along the West Walker River off Highway 108. The West Walker is designated a wild and scenic river by the state, and is one of only two free-flowing rivers on the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada. Lying in a transition zone from alpine vegetation to high desert, the meadow offers outstanding wildflower displays, fishing, and whitewater kayaking. DFG now manages the property to enhance the riparian zone, and special regulations limit fishing.
Soon thereafter, TPL acquired an additional 1,110 acres downstream of Pickel Meadow along Highway 395. TPL conveyed this property to USFS to ensure preservation of the resource and continued public access.
*See pdf entitled "Footnotes" for those on this page and throughout the pdfs for this chapter.
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