About the National Fish Habitat Partnership Waters to Watch Campaign

This annual list represents a collection of strategic conservation efforts implemented on rivers, streams, estuaries, and lakes to protect, restore, or enhance their current condition. These voluntary, locally-driven projects represent some of the top conservation activities in progress implemented by 20 regional Fish Habitat Partnerships throughout the country. 

Having featured over 110 partnership projects since 2007, these “Waters to Watch” aim to show that science-based, on-the-ground conservation efforts can make a difference in improving fish habitat across the United States.

The 2019 “Waters to Watch” list and associated Fish Habitat Partnerships

1.    Alexander Creek, AK – Mat-Su Basin Salmon Habitat Partnership

2.    Amargo Creek, NM – Desert Fish Habitat Partnership

3.    Coal Creek, WY – Western Native Trout Initiative

4.    Crews Creek, GA – Southeast Aquatic Resources Partnership

5.    Elephant Butte Reservoir, NM – Reservoir Fish Habitat Partnership

6.    Megler Creek, WA – Pacific Marine and Estuarine Partnership

7.    Spasski River and Hoonah Native Forest Partnership, AK – SE Alaska Fish Habitat Partnership

8.    Sullivan Gulch, OR – Pacific Marine and Estuarine Partnership

9.    Tainter Creek, WI – Fishers and Farmers Partnership/Driftless Area Restoration Effort

10.  Upper Green Valley Creek, CA – California Fish Passage Forum

For more information on project maps and descriptions of the “Waters to Watch” list for 2019, Visit:    http://bit.ly/2LodYvT.

DFHP's Amargo Creek Connectivity and Habitat Enhancement Project, NM

Purpose of the project: The Jicarilla Apache Nation (JAN) has enhanced six miles of the Navajo River and now is focusing on its tributaries to further native fish conservation. This project will restore connectivity to the middle reach of Amargo Creek with the main stem of the Navajo River, providing habitat for Roundtail Chub, Flannelmouth Sucker, and Bluehead Sucker species spawning, rearing, and foraging activities, as well as, promoting the establishment of healthy populations of Speckled Dace and Mottled Sculpin.

Upon completion of the project biologists, tribal members, and partnering organizations are expecting to see a reverse in the declining quality and quantity of aquatic habitat, leading to the improvement of the overall health of numerous fish species and other aquatic organisms, as well as an increase in the quality and quantity of fish habitats. These benefits will not only be felt by the native fish occupying the creek but will also benefit the Nations local wildlife, waterfowl populations, and fisheries.

Partners: This project was funded and supported by the following partners; Jicarilla Apache Nation, Desert Fish Habitat Partnership, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs Jicarilla Agency, Southern Ute Indian Tribe

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