The Ponds Project in coastal San Mateo and Northern Santa Cruz counties demonstrates how collaborative water conservation strategies can help farmers secure reliable irrigation supplies while protecting critical fish habitat for coho salmon and steelhead populations.
The primary goal of the project was to encourage the voluntary restoration of summer streamflows by helping farmers develop off-stream water storage ponds. These ponds are filled during the wet winter season when streamflows are naturally higher and water is more abundant. The stored water can then be used later during the dry summer months for irrigation, reducing the need to divert water directly from streams during critical low-flow periods.
Healthy fisheries and resilient farms can work together when thoughtful water management strategies are put into place.