The first two presentations covered the anticipated water year type
for 2010, with both the Shasta and Scott rivers expected to be
categorized as “dry” or “critically dry” this year based on
precipitation data.
Next up was Morgan Knechtle, fisheries biologist with the California
Department of Fish and Game (DFG), who described a number of trends
in coho and chinook salmon returns on both rivers.
Knechtle presented graphs detailing the various return times for
adult salmon in the Shasta and Scott, all of which appeared to show
a correlation between increased flows in the river and increases in
salmon numbers. He also had a number of graphs showing a correlation
between low water flows and higher average temperatures.
Citing what he believes are potential ways to improve salmon access
to the Shasta and Scott and their tributaries, Knechtle listed
numerous possible actions, including restoration of surface water
flows “as early as possible” in the fall season, which may come in
conflict with irrigation needs.
Another possible solution, Knechtle said, is a better understanding
of how groundwater plays a role in determining the amount of water
in each river.
Also presented at the meeting was a look at the “critical reaches,
flows and timing to focus increased flow efforts” in both the Shasta
and Scott watersheds.
The presentations, given by Danielle Yokel of the Siskiyou Resource
Conservation District and Bill Chesney of the DFG, covered the Scott
and Shasta watersheds, respectively.
Yokel identified a number of smaller tributaries that she said are
high quality salmon spawning and rearing grounds, including
Shackelford Creek and French Creek, access to which she said could
help improve salmon numbers.
While the timing of the salmon run has often been in concurrence
with a late-season rain event, Yokel said, she identified a number
of data gaps relating to the surface water issue.
Along with the continued development of a Scott River groundwater
study, she stated that she believes a feasibility study of making
crop changes in order to decrease late-season diversions may also
give insight into how access for fish can be increased.
Yokel also added that she feels that more stringent oversight by
local watermasters may also avert low flow conditions that may block
fish passage. SSRT member Jim Patterson stated that stricter water
controls may not be a factor in some dry years where land owners’
diversions are also dry and the water is not available for
irrigation or for fish.
Chesney also identified a number of fish-producing stretches in the
Shasta River, including the Shasta River canyon, in which 80 percent
of salmon production takes place.
Issues include the stranding of large numbers of fish in pools with
high temperatures, which can increase disease incidence and
exposure; the compounded obstruction of man-made and beaver dams in
close proximity; and low flows during the salmon runs, according to
Chesney.
Final coverage of the SSRT meeting will appear in Wednesday’s
Siskiyou Daily News and will include a look at how water trusts are
being used to increase flows in the rivers and what the SSRT is
planning to do to move forward with salmon recovery efforts.
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