The board is actively seeking public input on scientific and economic information until April 25, 2025, to ensure diverse perspectives are considered. This process aims to move beyond annual emergency regulations toward a balanced, long-term management strategy.
Yreka, CA – March 13, 2025 – The California State Water Resources Control Board is calling on Siskiyou County residents to help shape the future of water management for the Scott and Shasta Rivers. The board has launched a new initiative to establish long-term minimum river flows, moving away from temporary emergency rules toward a sustainable plan that balances the needs of local agriculture, threatened salmon species, and the broader community. With a public input deadline of April 25, 2025, now is the time for locals to make their voices heard.
This effort follows the adoption of Resolution No. 2024-0036 in October 2024, which directed Water Board staff to develop peer-reviewed scientific reports and economic analyses for these vital Klamath River tributaries. The Scott and Shasta Rivers are lifelines for Siskiyou County’s 43,500 residents, supporting everything from irrigation for farms to habitat for endangered coho and Chinook salmon—species critical to Tribal Nations and the fishing industry.
What’s Happening Now?
The current emergency regulations, renewed in January 2025, will expire on January 27, 2026, unless extended. For now, they require minimum flows like 50 cubic feet per second (cfs) on the Scott River in July (dropping to 30 cfs in August) and 50 cfs on the Shasta River from May to September. These rules have helped protect salmon and encouraged voluntary water cuts—30% on the Scott and 15% on the Shasta during irrigation season—but they’ve also sparked debate among farmers worried about water access.
The new initiative aims to replace these stopgap measures with a permanent plan by November 2025. Staff are analyzing how minimum flows affect both agriculture, a cornerstone of the local economy, and fishing, a cultural and commercial lifeline. They’re also studying the rivers’ health, building on research like the Foglia (2013) and Aylward (2016) studies, to set flows that can sustain salmon while keeping water flowing to fields and homes.
How Can Residents Get Involved
The Water Board wants your input—whether it’s scientific data, economic concerns, or personal experiences—by April 25, 2025. You can email [email protected] or mail comments to the State Water Resources Control Board in Sacramento. A public meeting on the draft scientific report will be announced later, and residents can stay updated by subscribing to email alerts or calling the Scott and Shasta Rivers phone line at (916) 327-3113.
Why It Matters
Siskiyou County depends on these rivers. Agriculture drives jobs and food production, while salmon tie into Tribal heritage and fishing livelihoods, with emergency rules sometimes leading to water curtailments when flows drop too low. The board hopes this process will find a middle ground, using local cooperation to avoid harsh cuts. Past efforts have shown promise—voluntary reductions have eased some pressure—but a lasting fix is overdue.
What’s Next
By November 2025, the Water Board expects to release a report with proposed minimum flows, shaped by public feedback and hard data. Until then, the current emergency rules hold, and residents are encouraged to report water waste at SaveWater.ca.gov or unauthorized diversions via the CalEPA Complaint System.
For more details, visit the Water Board’s Scott and Shasta Rivers page online. This is your county, your water—don’t miss your shot to help decide its future.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: (916) 327-3113
- Website: waterboards.ca.gov/drought/scott_shasta_rivers/
