LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The State Water Resources Control Board staff will hold two public listening sessions in January and February to discuss the emergency situation impacting the Clear Lake hitch and potential near and long-term solutions.
The listening sessions will include presentations from State Water Board staff and opportunities for public input and discussion.
The remote sessions will take place as follows:
Thursday, Jan. 19, 1 to 3 p.m.
Join Zoom Meeting: https://bit.ly/CLH_Jan19
Meeting ID: 913 5194 9078
Passcode: 046844
Phone: 669-444-9171
Wednesday, Feb. 1, 6 to 8 p.m.
Join Zoom Meeting: https://bit.ly/CLH_Feb1
Meeting ID: 926 4553 6143
Passcode: 103695
Phone: 669-900-9128
The Clear Lake hitch is a large minnow found only in Clear Lake and its tributaries. Historically, the hitch likely numbered in the millions, but recent surveys indicate a significant decline, and in 2014, California designated the hitch as a threatened species.
The hitch has strong cultural significance for several indigenous Pomo tribes of the Clear Lake region that rely on the hitch, or “chi,” for spiritual purposes and traditions and as a primary food source.
The hitch is also of great importance to the lake’s ecosystem, a significant source of food for other fish, birds and wildlife.
Adult hitch migrate upstream in tributaries of Clear Lake each spring to spawn before returning to the lake. Juvenile hitch hatch in the tributaries and move to the lake as well.
While the hitch’s decline can be linked to a variety of factors including habitat loss, passage barriers, poor water quality, and invasive species, the most immediate threat to their survival is little to no water flowing in Kelsey, Adobe, Manning, Cole and Middle creeks during the upcoming spawning and rearing season, which takes place from February through May.
The State Water Board is looking for ways to protect the Clear Lake hitch now and in the long term, including local voluntary actions to keep water in the creeks this year, obtaining data to better understand the problem and potential solutions, collaboration to fund effective solutions and spread important messages, enforcement to ensure all diversions in the area are legal, and regulations if voluntary actions aren’t successful.
For additional information and updates, visit the State Water Board’s Hitch webpage for continued updates on potential board actions. This website will be updated with related documents and information as available.
If you would like to receive email updates about this issue, please sign up for the Board’s “Clear Lake Hitch” email list at the bottom of the Clear Lake Hitch webpage.
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State to hold public listening sessions on the Clear Lake hitch
- State Water Resources Control Board
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