The West Fork of the Carson River starts as a small mountain stream flowing out of the Lost Lakes along the Sierra crest near Carson Pass, and meanders down the eastern slope of the Sierra into Hope Valley Meadow. Within the Hope Valley reach, the river has been joined by several smaller tributary streams, and can provide flows able to support the well-known trout fishery in Hope Valley. However, the river in this reach is not currently functioning at its full potential to support self-sustaining wild fish populations and adequate riparian habitat for wildlife. The upper West Fork Carson River …