Scott River Flow Surges Tenfold Amid Storm System – sufficient for coho and Chinook

FORT JONES, CA (November 22, 2024) – The Scott River has experienced a dramatic increase in water flow over the past 24 hours, with United States Geological Survey (USGS) gauge readings showing a surge from 218 cubic feet per second (cfs) yesterday to over 2,200 cfs today.

The significant increase coincides with a State Water Resources Control Board bulletin issued today at 4:27 PM PST, which announced that flow conditions sufficient for coho and Chinook salmon migration have been met in both the Scott and Shasta River watersheds.

According to USGS gauge 11519500, located downstream of Fort Jones, the flow progression occurred in stages:

• Yesterday: 218 cfs
• Early morning: Over 800 cfs
• Current reading: Exceeding 2,200 cfs

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) provided determination of Chinook salmon migration for the Scott River on November 22, 2024, along with confirmation of coho salmon migration on the same date.

The State Water Board’s bulletin indicates that both watersheds “have and will continue to receive significant precipitation in the coming week.” This follows the recent lifting of water curtailments in the Scott River watershed on November 13, 2024.

Under current regulations, the November threshold for Scott River water diversions is set at 266 cfs, as measured at the Fort Jones gauge station.

For more information about water rights and diversion regulations, water users can contact the State Water Board at [email protected].

California Water Board bulletin