State Water Board hears Shasta and Scott River hydrologic update; curtailments reviewed after Fort Jones gauge adjustments

Division of Water Rights staff told the board Aug. 5 that flows in the Shasta and Scott rivers have generally remained above the emergency minimums but that staff has used conditional curtailments and close measurement coordination to protect flows. Erin Regazzi briefed the board on a Shasta Canyon flow study by Applied River Sciences (May–Oct) that will examine rearing habitat, pool stratification and thermal refugia; she said a temporary alternative flow range (40–60 cubic feet per second) could be proposed by California Department of Fish and Wildlife under the emergency regulation provisions.

Regazzi reviewed the July sequence in the Scott River watershed: staff issued curtailments when flow readings at the Fort Jones gauge fell below the minimum; local users and the watermaster reported higher flows, a watermaster measurement prompted a USGS rating‑curve update and the board suspended curtailments the next morning. Staff concluded the Fort Jones gauge readings had been affected by channel morphology and mobilized gravels; the board will require additional flow checks when readings are within 10 cfs of the minimum to avoid repeat errors.

Regazzi said staff will return to the board with a long‑term plan under resolution 24‑00036, targeted for Nov. 4, covering the scientific basis report, economic analysis and modeling needed for baseline minimum flows. Board members asked staff to improve plain‑language messaging about curtailment triggers and to continue coordination with watermasters, USGS and local stakeholders.