Shasta River: Flows Approaching Minimum Flow Requirement

To: Shasta River Watershed Water Users, 

The State Water Resource Control Board’s Emergency Regulation provides authority to curtail water rights to meet minimum instream flow requirements. In the Shasta River watershed, the minimum flow requirement is 50 cubic feet per second (cfs) at the Yreka United States Geological Survey (USGS) gage (Yreka USGS gage) from May 1-September 15. As of today, May 31, 2024, at 9:45 am, the flow at the Yreka USGS gage is 76.1 cfs, with an overall declining trend since May 5, 2024. With no forecasted precipitation in the Shasta River watershed and forecasted temperature increases, flows are expected to continue an overall decreasing trend and are anticipated to approach or fall below the minimum flow requirement absent curtailment or significant coordination.  

All diverters are encouraged to coordinate diversions with the Scott Valley and Shasta Valley Watermaster District and reduce or cease diversions now and in coming days as the flows decrease. Such concerted efforts may allow flows to remain above the minimum flow requirement without imminent curtailment by the State Water Board or may limit the depth or duration of curtailment.  

The State Water Board is monitoring the hydrology in Shasta River watershed and hopeful that concerted local coordination in the watershed to address water demands and meet the flow requirement can delay or avoid the need for curtailment. You can track the current flow at the Yreka USGS gage by visiting the Yreka USGS gage’s webpage here (note you’ll want to click the “Discharge, cubic feet per second” option under the “Select data to graph” section near the bottom of the page to see the flow in cfs).   

If flows are anticipated to drop below the 50 cfs at the Yreka USGS gage between May 1 – September 15, the State Water Board will need to issue a Curtailment Order for the Shasta River watershed requiring the curtailment of junior water rights, to meet and maintain the minimum flow requirement. A Curtailment Order may be issued to ensure that flows do not fall below the minimum flow requirement, and if the declining trend is anticipated to continue, curtailment will likely issue before reaching 50 cfs.  

HOW TO RECEIVE UPDATES  

If you would like to receive email updates about the emergency regulation for the Scott River and Shasta River watersheds, please sign up for the State Water Board’s “Scott-Shasta Drought” email subscription list under “Water Rights” at: California Water Boards (govdelivery.com).  

QUESTIONS  

If you have any questions regarding this notice, please email:  [email protected] or leave a message at our dedicated emergency regulation phone line at: (916) 327-3113.