How Healthy Streamside Forests Support Cold-Water Fish

July 1, 2001

Cool water is vital for salmon and trout, especially during the dry season when flows are low. Overhanging vegetation along streambanks gives fish a place to hide from predators. Many of the insects fish eat thrive on the tender leaves of streamside plants. Vegetation along streams helps lessen the velocity of flood flows, decreasing their erosive power and filtering sediments, which ultimately nourish the streamside forest.