Editing Steelhead (section)

== Conservation status ==
There have been several conservation programs created since the near extinction of the steelhead in the 1940s. The reduction in population is mainly due to manmade obstructions within river systems. This is usually caused by dams blocking access, or humans changing the river landscape for recreation and access to water. It is estimated that only 500 steelhead trout return to the Southern California watersheds. However, in other areas of the United States, steelhead can be seen as pests because they are an [[invasive species]] to the environment.<ref name="recovery" />

=== Southern California ===
While numbers are improving in areas of the Pacific Northwest where Steelhead Trout have typically thrived, the California Steelhead Trout is considered a threatened species, and according to Mark Capelli of the National Marine Fisheries Service, the Southern California steelhead are the most endangered of them all (California Trout). According to California Trout, Steelhead Trout populations began to decline in the "late-1940s due mainly to man-made landscape modifications" (California Trout). As a result of damming for flood control, steelhead migration routes from the coast to upstream spawning grounds were increasingly blocked over time (California Trout). Furthermore, largely a result of continued urbanization and to satisfy the needs of human populations in the area, river flows became modified for recreational purposes and a substantial diversion of water occurred over time (California Trout). As a result of widespread habitat loss and fragmentation, Southern California Steelhead populations were officially labeled as an endangered species in 1997 (California Trout). In some areas, a recent sighting of the Steelhead Trout has not occurred in years, and biologists fear the worst. In 2002, the endangered species label was extended from the Malibu Creek down to the border of San Diego and Mexico (California Trout).

=== Northern California ===
[[File:Nc steelhead.pdf|thumb]]
A threatened species since 2000, the Northern California steelhead represents a beacon of hope for continued rehabilitation initiatives and growing population numbers in the area. As of 2016, 48,892 Steelhead Trout were reportedly caught (NOAA). Such a population count suggests that this fascinating fish species continue to persevere in Northern California waters. However, to ensure the continued rehabilitation of steelhead populations in Northern California, a positive, directive plan of action for steelhead conservation must occur. According to NOAA, The State of California Fisheries Restoration Grant Program (FRGP) "invested over 250 million dollars and supported approximately 3,500 salmonid restoration projects" (NOAA). Investments in projects improving "fish passage, water quality, instream habitat restoration, watershed monitoring, and education and organizational support" all occupy conservation efforts to improve Northern California steelhead populations (NOAA). According to NOAA, "the percentage of floodplain and in-channel habitat that would need to be restored to detect a 25% increase in salmon and steelhead production was 20%" (NOAA). As it stands, "more than 20% of floodplain and in-channel habitat has been restored due to FRGP" (NOAA). Though these initiatives spell hope for the prospects of Steelhead Trout population rehabilitation, habitat degradation continues to occur at an alarming rate.

=== Oregon ===
[[File:Management Units and Population Segments for the MCR Steelhead.png|thumb|Management Units and Population Segments for the MCR Steelhead.]]
Within the state of Oregon there are four different distinct steelhead population segments: Lower Columbia River steelhead, Middle Columbia River steelhead, Oregon Coast steelhead, and Upper Willamette River Steelhead<ref>{{Cite web |last=NOAA Fisheries |date=September 2, 2023 |title=Steelhead |url=https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/steelhead-trout/overview |website=National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration}}</ref> (NOAA). Of these four segments, three are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The Middle Columbia River (MCR) segment has remained the focus of recent recovery efforts. The MCR segment covers approximately 3,500 square miles of the Columbia Plateau in eastern Oregon and Washington.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=National Ocean and Atmospheric Association |date=January 15, 2013 |title=Endangered and Threatened Species: Designation of a Nonessential Experimental Population for Middle Columbia River Steelhead above the Pelton Round Butte Hydroelectric Project in the Deschutes River Basin, OR. |url=https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2013/01/15/2013-00700/endangered-and-threatened-species-designation-of-a-nonessential-experimental-population-for-middle |website=National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration}}</ref> Within eastern Oregon, recovery efforts focus on the two main tributaries to the Columbia River: The Deschutes River and the John Day River, although the Umatilla and Walla Walla are also included in recovery plans.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife |date=September 2019 |title=Conservation and Recovery Plan for Oregon Steelhead Populations in the Middle Columbia River Steelhead Distinct Population Segment: 2010 – 2016 Implementation Progress Report. |url=https://www.dfw.state.or.us/fish/CRP/mid_columbia_river_plan.asp}}</ref> Primary threats to MCR steelhead populations include hydrosystem operations, habitat alteration, and effects of stray naturally spawning hatchery fish.<ref name=":0" /> MCR steelhead were first listed as threatened on March 25, 1999, following the construction of Round Butte Dam at the confluence of the Deschutes and Metolius rivers.<ref name=":0" /> The construction of the dam created reverse currents (currents flowing upstream) in the Metolius Arm of Lake Billy Chinook (a reservoir created by the formation of the dam) confusing anadromous smolts and preventing them from navigating seaward. The construction of Round Butte Dam impeded steelhead access to the Upper Deschutes, Crooked, and Metolius rivers, three major tributaries to the Deschutes within the MCR watershed.<ref name=":0" /> In addition to Round Butte, several other dams restrict fish from their native spawning grounds within the Deschutes watershed including Pelton Dam, Bowman Dam, and Ochoco Dam. The first MCR Distinct Population Segment ESA Recovery Plan was released on November 30, 1999. Between 2010 and 2016 1,715 different entities have implemented 1,559 tributary restoration projects primarily focused on habitat restoration and fish passage improvement.<ref name=":0" /> In a 2016 an action plan implementation progress report stated the population  is "maintained" showing no significant upward or downward trend in the yearly number of returning adults in an experimental small tributary to the Deschutes River.<ref name=":1" /> However, fish counts at Boneville Dam, on the Columbia River below the Deschutes confluence have shown a 10 year (2013–2022) average of 162,988 returning adults, and a four year (2019–2022) average of 97,352, suggesting a recent decline in rates of returning adults.<ref>{{Cite web |last=University of Washington School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences |date=2020 |title=DART Bonneville "Quick Look" Adult Steelhead Passage with River Environment and Historical Run Timing. |url=https://www.cbr.washington.edu/dart/quick_look/adult_bon_stlhd |website=DART Boneville}}</ref>