Coho count jumps in Scott River
Trust pays water rights holders to leave water for fish
Tim Hearden
Capital Press
12/29/2011
A state survey has shown imperiled coho salmon populations in the Scott River in far Northern California may be making a comeback.
At least 340 adult coho were documented as of Dec. 8 at a state Department of Fish and Game-operated video weir -- a significant increase from the 62 fish counted when this brood year last returned three years ago, noted the Scott River Water Trust.
The numbers indicate "an increase in adult coho abundance," Yreka, Calif.-based DFG fisheries biologist Morgan Knechtle said in a statement. He could not be reached last week for comment.
"There's been over a 20-year effort here to deal with the entire Scott River subbasin ... and we're hoping this is a representation of the combined efforts of everybody," said Sari Sommarstrom, the Scott River Water Trust's executive director.
The trust pays water rights holders to leave some of their water in-stream to improve flows for salmon and steelhead.
The fish count is an encouraging development amid high-pitched conflicts over the health of the Scott and Shasta rivers in Siskiyou County. Landowners have been at odds with the DFG over permits required for water diversions from the two rivers, which are key tributaries of the Klamath River.
Separately, the Environmental Law Foundation and other groups are suing the State Water Resources Control Board and Siskiyou County over well irrigation they say is depleting water for salmon in the Scott.
Scott Valley landowners have been taking numerous water-saving measures, such as replacing old wells with new ones in more strategic places and installing wheel and pivot irrigation devices. The efforts appear to be paying off, Sommarstrom said.
"I do feel that the numbers are showing that ... the Scott River is one of the best coho streams left in California," she said.
