Data was gathered for 164 subbasins and then aggregated. The result was groupings of watersheds with similar distributions of fish species. Species richness and number of exotics versus native species was also examined. More detailed information was gathered for key salmonids and their habitat that was then used to extrapolate to get fish status on the entire area. Some species are faring better than others, but the general picture is of fragmentation and isolation of species because of agricultural development, dams, water diversions, roads, stream channelization, and disruptive land use practices.
Exotic species are also a major concern.
Even without further habitat loss or degradation, we may well see a continued decline in fish populations. Forest resource concerns were combined with aquatic habitat status and some similarities were found. Areas that are high quality for both aquatic and forest ecosystems are candidates for conservation. All other areas in between show promise for recovery. They suggest concentrating restoration work both in space and time to allow for longer periods of recovery without entry.