Water Resources Collections and Archives

Steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) historically inhabited Alameda Creek and its tributaries, including Sinbad Creek. Currently the Alameda Creek Fisheries Restoration Working Group is working to restore steelhead habitat throughout the watershed by removing barriers to fish migration on the main stem of Alameda Creek. Once steelhead are able to migrate upstream past barriers on Alameda Creek, Sinbad Creek may provide habitat for spawning and rearing. This study assesses the suitability of Sinbad Creek for steelhead based on three parameters: gravel, flow, and migration barriers. Representative stream reaches had gravel suitable for steelhead spawning, but Sinbad Creek’s flow regime is likely to only intermittently support steelhead migration during the November to April in-migration period. Low flows during dry seasons cause sections of the creek to dry up, potentially limiting Sinbad Creek’s suitability as year-round habitat for juveniles. Further, there are 12 potential steelhead migration barriers along the lower 3.5 miles of Sinbad Creek, including five concrete box culverts and six low check dams. Additional flow studies and more detailed analyses of each potential barrier would help planners decide whether or not to prioritize restoring Sinbad Creek for steelhead habitat, or instead to direct resources towards other parts of the Alameda Creek Watershed.