A

• Anadromous Fish – Fish that live in the ocean but swim upstream into rivers to lay their eggs (spawn) Example: Steelhead trout
  • Learn More: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) - Anadromous Fish
• Anchored Boulders – Large rocks placed in rivers or streams and secured in place to create slow water zones where fish can rest
• Aquatic Habitat – The natural home or environment where water animals and plants live

B

• Biodiversity – The variety of all living things—plants, animals, insects, and microorganisms—in one area. More biodiversity means a healthier environment
  • Explore: National Geographic - What Is Biodiversity?

C

• CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act) – A law that helps make sure the environment is protected when big projects, like building roads or restoring rivers, are planned
• Concrete Channel – A man-made riverbed made of concrete to control water flow, often used in cities to prevent flooding
• Conservation – The act of protecting nature, wildlife, and natural resources like rivers, forests, and animals
  • Explore: WWF Kids - What Is Conservation?

E

• Ecosystem Restoration – Helping nature heal itself by fixing damaged environments so plants and animals can thrive again
• Endangered Species – Animals or plants that are at risk of disappearing forever
  • Learn More: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service - Endangered Species

F

• Fish Passage – Special pathways built in rivers to help fish swim upstream past obstacles like dams or concrete channels to reach spawning grounds
• Flood Control Channel – A man-made path built to safely move rainwater through cities to prevent floods

H

• Habitat – The natural home or environment of an animal, plant, or other organism
• Hydrology – The study of how water moves through rivers, lakes, and the land

I

• Inset Channel – A smaller, deeper channel built inside a larger riverbed to create slow-moving water, making it easier for fish to swim
• Invasive Species – Plants or animals that aren’t native to an area and can harm the environment or outcompete local wildlife

L

• Low-Flow Channel – The part of a river that carries water during dry seasons when there’s little rainfall

M

• Migration Corridor – A safe path that animals (like fish) use to travel to places where they eat, breed, or lay eggs

N

• Native Species – Plants and animals that naturally belong in a particular area and have been part of the local ecosystem for a long time
• NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) – A U.S. government agency that studies oceans, weather, and the environment

R

• Resting Pockets – Calm, shallow spots in a river where fish can take breaks while swimming upstream
• Riparian Habitat – The area along the edge of a river or stream, where plants and animals depend on water from the river

S

• Scour Pool – A deeper spot in a riverbed where water slows down and fish can rest or hide from predators
• Southern California Steelhead – A type of rainbow trout that migrates from the ocean to rivers to lay eggs. It’s an endangered species that this project aims to help
• Spawning Grounds – The place where fish lay their eggs

V

• Vegetated Planter Boxes – Special containers placed in the riverbed to grow plants. These plants give shade and provide hiding spots for fish
• Vector Control – Strategies used to reduce or eliminate animals like mosquitoes that can spread diseases. In habitat restoration, this includes preventing stagnant water where these insects can breed.

W

• Watershed – An area of land where all the water (rain, rivers, creeks) drains into the same larger body of water, like a river or the ocean
• Weepholes – Small holes in concrete that allow water to pass through. In this project, they’re also used to let plants grow inside the concrete-lined river

 

Additional Educational Resources for Teachers & Students

• California Water Science Center – Watersheds and Rivers: USGS Water Science for Schools
• Fish Migration Game for Kids: NOAA’s Estuary Education Program
• Habitat Restoration Activities: Project Learning Tree – Environmental Education

This glossary is designed to help students and educators better understand the Los Angeles River Fish Passage Project and prepare for field trips, museum tours, or classroom discussions about environmental restoration.