When Small Creatures Stopped Major Developments in Their Tracks

The unarmored threespine stickleback is a small freshwater fish whose habitat overlaps with streams and waterways used for Southern California’s water infrastructure. After gaining federal protection in 1970, the species became an important consideration in pipeline construction, water transfers, and channel modification projects. Planners have had to adjust routes to avoid breeding areas and introduce safeguards to maintain water quality and natural stream flow.
Even temporary construction can increase sediment, alter temperatures, or interrupt movement through habitats the fish needs to survive.