Norden Gulch is a tributary to the South Fork of the Albion River. The South Fork has long been known to provide habitat for coho salmon and steelhead trout. Norden Gulch, however, has had a culvert for at least the last forty years which has resulted in a substantial drop from the outlet to the South Fork. This drop has prevented fish from accessing this tributary. Working with California Department of Forestry and California Department of Fish and Game, we assessed the habitat quality for fish in Norden Gulch in 1999. It was determined that if fish could access Norden Gulch, there would be approximately 1200 feet of low gradient, forest canopied, moderately LWD loaded, pool-riffle habitat opened up for fish. Barring a bedrock obstruction at the mouth, it was likely that the culvert and fill could be removed and a more accessible, natural stream bottom could be established with a bridge placement. The work was completed in the summer of 1999. The result was a double bridge placement and a stream grade that gently sloped into the confluence with South Fork Albion. The Mendocino Redwood Company's forest science group surveyed later that summer and no fish were found present in Norden Gulch. However, during fisheries surveys conducted in the summer of 2000 and 2001, a juvenile steelhead trout was detected utilizing a pool in lower Norden Gulch. Mendocino Redwood Company will continue to monitor Norden Gulch in anticipation of adult steelhead entering in the near future.
See: Norden Gulch Bridge photo
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