The goal of the River Science Program is to provide scientific information where it is most vitally needed to support the protection and restoration of the Yuba River watershed. The program involves monitoring, research, data analysis, watershed assessment, watershed coordination, education and collaboration.

River Science at SYRCL consists of four program areas:

River Monitoring
Citizen-based projects, including monthly water quality testing, to monitor the health of the Yuba River and tributaries.

Watershed Assessment
Addressing critical questions about the condition and management of the Yuba River watershed and sub-watersheds for the purpose of identifying protection and restoration priorities.

Restoration
Developing and implementing scientifically supported projects which protect biodiversity and restore watershed health.

Cooperative Watershed Management
Engaging resource management entities for the protection and restoration of the Yuba River watershed.

SYRCLs’ staff scientist is trained in hydrology, fisheries, stream ecology and watershed management.  The River Science Program also draws on  a network of associates including personnel from resource agencies, research scientists from universities, and consulting professionals who often donate their time to SYRCL. While the pursuit of science is necessarily objective, many scientists are passionately interested in the Yuba River, and nine of them serve on SYRCLs’ Science Committee which meets every two months.