Utility leases land for hatcheries
The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power owns approximately 315,000 acres in Inyo and Mono counties, and keeps nearly 75 percent of that private land open for public recreational uses.
This open space not only benefits the community by contributing to the beauty of the environment, but it also bolsters the local economy. Fishing, for example, is one of the Owens Valley’s greatest tourist attractions and LADWP plays a vital role in ensuring fishing activity remains a healthy component of the local economy. In partnership with the California Department of
Fish and Wildlife LADWP works to enhance the local economy by promoting healthy fisheries within the waterways of Inyo and Mono counties. Fish and Wildlife is in charge of stocking the fish, while LADWP maintains the stream flows when water is available to keep the fish in good condition in all streams on LADWP property.
Because of LADWP’s extensive landownership and ownership of water rights, the department’s ongoing operations activities in area waterways ensure that local fish habitat is in good condition. LADWP promotes the health and vitality of Owens Valley waterways through conducting flow management and land management practices. These efforts include controlling livestock grazing patterns and timing water diversions and flows according to fish lifecycles, where possible.
In addition to watershed protection efforts, LADWP has restored approximately 10 streams to healthy fisheries in Inyo and Mono counties. The department also leases land to Fish and Wildlife for three local hatcheries – Hot Creek, Black Rock and Fish Springs hatcheries – and supports hatchery operations by providing water to the facilities.
LADWP spends millions dollars each year to of ensure the protection of the local watershed, which in turn keeps the local fishing economy afloat. While maintaining local fishing is not LADWP’s primary driver, it is a good side effect of promoting healthy watershed and one the department takes seriously.