(Information about Chorro Creek provided by: Ken Jarrett, Fisheries Biologist at Stillwater Sciences in Morro Bay, California)
Chorro Creek is home to two federally listed aquatic species including steelhead (anadromous Onchorhynchus mykiss) and California red-legged frog (CRLF) (Rana draytonii).
Unfortunately, Chorro Creek also supports a self-sustaining population of non-native Sacramento pikeminnow (Ptychocheilus grandis), which are known to eat juvenile steelhead and frogs.
Great habitat conditions for steelhead are found in the Chorro Creek watershed. Choro Creek flows through the mainstem at a rate that allows fish to swim to a productive estuary (Morro Bay), dense vegetation that provides shade and nutrients for the stream, and a relatively small urban footprint.
Although these habitat conditions are good for steelhead, the presence of pikeminnow in the Chorro Creek watershed is limiting the steelhead populations through direct predation and competition with juvenile steelhead for food and habitat.
At one time, there were tons of steelhead fish and various other wildlife, but because of the pikeminnow and releases of effluent from water treatment plants upstream, the fish in Chorro Creek have become very rare.
The residents and members of the general public who used and enjoyed the walk-bridge, are seeing signs of the resurgence of life in Chorro Creek. But now the walk-bridge that allowed everyone a better view of that wildlife is scheduled for destruction.
Again, if you support efforts to prevent the destruction of this wonderful old walk-bridge, please go to our contact page and let us know.