The California State Water Resources Control Board has approved an emergency regulation to establish minimum flow requirements for the Scott and Shasta Rivers in order to protect threatened fish species and ensure water supplies for human needs. This is the third year in a row such emergency regulations have been adopted due to ongoing drought conditions.
The Scott and Shasta Rivers are important tributaries of the Klamath River in Northern California. They provide crucial water sources for communities in Siskiyou County and habitat for endangered coho salmon as well as culturally and commercially significant Chinook salmon and steelhead trout.
While precipitation last year was above average, it was not enough to alleviate the impacts of recent unprecedented droughts. Flows in both rivers dropped below protective levels set by previous emergency regulations. As a result, fisheries and watershed ecosystems continue to be negatively affected.
