Los Angeles
Department of Water and Power

Crowley Lake
Tributary Stream
Enhancement Program

Historical Overview

   Throughout the west, livestock grazing and other historic land uses that began more than a century ago, along with increasing use of streams for fishing, hunting and other forms of public recreation, have impacted vegetation along streams, resulting in declining fishery and wildlife habitat and water quality. In recent years public interest in the protection and enhancement of these important resources has grown.

Project Development

   Recognizing the need to improve stream conditions, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power biologists, ranch lessees, and consultants with riparian habitat enhancement expertise in 1990 completed environmental studies of tributaries to Crowley Lake in California's Eastern High Sierra Mountains. The studies showed the need for additional pasture fencing which would allow both recreational and livestock use of the areas, while promoting natural improvement in streamside habitat.

   In 1991 DWP staff, lessees and consultants began developing plans to modify fencing and grazing practices in the Crowley Lake tributary area. They had two goals: to provide ranchers with the tools to effectively control, based upon scientific criteria, livestock timing and distribution in pastures and along the creeks; and to provide the public with convenient parking locations and creek access points that reduce human impacts to streams and adjacent wet meadows.

   Implementation of the plans began in 1992 with the installation of the first fencing along Convict Creek. Since then the DWP has spent more than a half million dollars on the project.

Los Angeles
Department of Water and Power