The Nigiri Project: Ending California’s Water Wars

Model and Strategy

Nigiri sushi is a slice of fish atop a compact wedge of rice. “Nigiri Project” is a collaborative effort between farmers, environmentalists and government agencies to rebuild salmon populations by introducing young salmon onto winter-flooded rice fields that remain in summer production. These fertile lucrative farmlands will never again be pristine wetlands. By mimicking natural flood patterns during winter—when crops aren’t grown—the fields become “surrogate wetlands” where salmon and other aquatic organisms thrive on abundant food resources. The concept—Reconciliation Ecology—that human landscapes can be managed to benefit wild species—animates the Nigiri Project, inciting a revolution in water management. Through ecological science and innovative use of water technology the project reintegrates natural productivity back into the river ecosystem, demonstrating that agriculture, urban water supply, and recovery of endangered species are compatible efforts even during severe drought.

Impact

Farmers, water suppliers, environmentalists, and residents of floodprotected communities can collaborate to ensure greater water security for all

Tens of millions of naturally produced fish will gain access to managed agricultural floodplains along the Sacramento River and in Yolo and Sutter bypasses—recovering selfsustaining populations of listed species

A multibenefit revenue model that quantifies and monetizes fish habitat will help sustain agriculture in the Central Valley

Water infrastructure is updated to increase ecological benefits, flood safety and water security

California Trout