Informational hearings start in Healdsburg next week to talk
about the potential effect of lower flows in the Russian River this
summer.
A state urgency order signed this week allows the Sonoma County
Water Agency to reduce river summer flows to a “dry year” level,
but owing to this year’s ample rainfall, full reservoirs and late
spring rains “We really don’t anticipate getting down to the
minimum flows,” said Water Agency spokesperson Ann DuBay.
Minimum flows as low as 70 cubic feet per second (cfs) in the
lower River between Healdsburg and the Pacific ocean are allowed
under the order. Normally the minimum summer flow below Healdsburg
is 125 cfs.
The permitted dry year minimum flow level may not be necessary
until late July or August, said DuBay.
The “temporary urgency change petition” is part of the Water
Agency’s effort to comply with a federal environmental mandate to
improve Russian River habitat for native salmon and steelhead trout
that have been listed as threatened or endangered with
extinction.
A National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Biological Opinion
issued two years ago said lower summer flows are needed in Dry
Creek and the Russian River to aid in saving the fishery. The
River’s native coho and chinook salmon and steelhead trout are all
listed under the federal Endangered Species Act as species whose
populations are dwindling fast in the river watershed.
But critics say low flow has downsides that make the river
inhospitable to swimmers, boaters and fish.
A low-flow order during last year’s drought conditions saw the
River below Healdsburg flowing below 70 cfs in midsummer with
possible related effects including elevated bacteria counts, algae
blooms and shallow water that grounded boaters.
“There was so much less water in the River last year,” said
DuBay. “This year looks a little different. We really don’t
anticipate getting much below 85 cfs.”
The requirement calls for a 70 cfs summer flow to help maintain
a freshwater estuary at the River’s mouth, but the Biological
Opinion (B.O.) allows a 15 cfs buffer zone, which should keep flows
at 85 cfs, said DuBay.
In Dry Creek the long-term flow level may be cut to 40 cfs under
the B.O., a 50 percent reduction between May and October. This
summer’s temporary order keeps Dry Creek’s minimum summer level at
80 cfs.
Next week’s meetings are recommended for anyone who depends on
the River for recreational, agricultural and domestic water
use.
“We have meetings next week in Healdsburg and Ukiah to talk
about reductions in flow to the upper river,” which is supplied by
water released from Lake Mendocino, said DuBay.
The Healdsburg meeting is on Wednesday, June 2 from 6:30 to 8
p.m. in the Healdsburg Community Center (formerly Foss Creek
School).
A hearing in Ukiah is scheduled on June 3, from 6:30 – 8 p.m. in
Ukiah City Hall, 300 Seminary Avenue.
A third hearing for lower River low-flow issues is scheduled for
June 9, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at 16219 First St.
For more information contact Ann DuBay: 524-8378.