Informal Fish Survey
in Lower Arana Creek

Conducted: Friday, May 21, 1999, 9:30 am - 3:30 pm

By: Jack Harrell, Monterey Bay Salmon & Trout Project Fish Trapping & Research Division and L.B., a Paul Sweet Road resident .

Survey began at culverts north of Santa Cruz Harbor continuing approximately 2 miles upstream to Paul Sweet Road (L.B.'s property). Jack wore wet suit, scuba gear, and used an underwater camera. L.B. wore chest high waders and used a machete to traverse the thick vegetation.

Wildlife counted:

Type of Wildlife	# Counted	Approx. Size (inches)	Location
Birds:
Great Blue Heron	1		Above culverts at Harbor
Egret	1		Above culverts at Harbor
Mallard	1		Above culverts at Harbor
Fish:
3-Spine Stickleback	3, 1	2", 1 3/4 "	Capitola Rd Extension, below cemetary
Crawfish	1	4"	Capitola Rd. Extension
unknown	1	2"	Capitola Rd. Extension
Stream Skulpin	1	2 1/2 "
Rainbow Trout	1	8"	Behind Jeffery's Restaurant
Crayfish	2	8"	Above fish ladder at Harbor High School
Crayfish	1	5"	Lance's property
Salmonid Fry (steelhead or trout fry)	71	3/4"-1"	Water too milky to distinguish their markings
Mammals:
Deer	2		In stream on Harbor High School property
Racoon (prints)			Along edge of creek in several places.
Trash: Tires ~ 40 Cans / Batteries Socks and Grocery Carts Water Attributes: Pools, riffles, and graves in a number of locations 5' hidden water fall is a barrier to fish migration, however fry found above the falls (may be released fish). Blue hazy color of water making for a cloudy turbidity. Yellowish brown water flowing from tributary at the Oakwood cemetary Conclusions: Site of Homeless camp upstream from Brookwood Road crossing Since no adult fish were seen, the chance of predation is great. Likely they have been eaten by racoon or by humans fishing or trapping them. Arana is a viable habitat for salmonid. Concentrate habitat enhancement in pools and gravel areas where fry were counted. Next year do an April survey to find adults. Historically this was probably home to 20 adult steelhead and trout. Consider installing swinging bar covers over the four culverts at harbor to prevent seal predation. Plan a stream cleanup. Summary submitted by Bobbie Haver, AGWA Coordinator from field notes and interviews 5/26/99

Arana Gulch Watershed Alliance
345-D LakeAve., Santa Cruz, CA. 95060
Phone: 831-475-2379 E-mail: rjhaver@pacbell.net

Informal Fish Survey in Lower Arana Creek

Wildlife counted:

Type of Wildlife

# Counted

Approx. Size

Location

Trash:

Water Attributes:

Conclusions:

Informal Fish Survey
in Lower Arana Creek