Scott River Flows Plummet, Curtailments Loom Without Rain

The Scott River flows plummet toward critical levels. The USGS Fort Jones gauge (USGS 11519500) recorded a provisional 64.0 cfs on July 18, 2025, at 9:30 AM PDT, down from 136 cfs on July 7—a staggering drop of 72 cfs in 11 days, averaging 6.5 cfs per day. This leaves the river just 14 cfs above the State Water Resources Control Board’s (SWRCB) mandatory minimum of 50 cfs for July. Without rain and with warm weather increasing irrigation demands, flows could breach this threshold within days, triggering curtailments that would halt water diversions, starting with junior rights holders.

Historically, July flows at Fort Jones have varied widely, with median flows around 85 cfs based on long-term USGS data. The current 64.0 cfs is roughly 75% of this historic median, signaling a severe departure from typical conditions and reflecting broader drought patterns in the region. In past dry years, such as 2014 and 2021, flows dipped below 50 cfs, prompting strict curtailments that disrupted farming operations. The current trajectory mirrors those critical periods, raising alarm for farmers and environmentalists alike.

The Fort Jones gauge’s upstream location, above cold water tributaries like Kelsey, Canyon, Tompkins, and Mill Creeks, amplifies concerns. These streams, bolstered by springs and conservation efforts like Mill Creek’s recent culvert reconstruction, provide cool refuges for salmon amid lethal Klamath River temperatures in the low 80s. Yet the gauge’s placement may underestimate downstream flows, potentially leading to premature curtailments in comments made to me from local water user. Water users are urged to cut diversions, adopt efficient irrigation, and coordinate locally to stretch supplies. Track flows at the USGS NWIS page. Without rain, the Scott River’s future hangs in balance.