PROJECTS & MORE

The Water Trust has identified priority streams and reaches where efforts are to be focused, based on fish and habitat surveys performed by biologists with the Siskiyou Resource Conservation District and the California Dept. of Fish and Game. These areas have good quality habitat, such as streamside (riparian) vegetation, cool water, and clean gravels and pools.

 

Our present priority streams for summer rearing habitat of juvenile salmon and steelhead in the Scott Valley are:

• Shackleford Creek and its Mill Creek tributary

• French Creek and its Miner’s Creek tributary

• Patterson Creek (west) - upper

• South Fork Scott River

• East Fork Scott River

• Sugar Creek

• Mainstem Scott River

 

In the fall months, our focus is on the mainstem Scott River to improve upstream flow access for spawning fall Chinook salmon, coho salmon, and steelhead trout. Stockwater is the primary water use after irrigation season. Leasing policies establish how the Water Trust will proceed with each transaction, which is accomplished through a forbearance agreement signed by both parties. See location maps for each year’s leases.

​

Water rights have been clearly identified in the Scott Valley's three adjudications. We work closely with the Watermaster for measuring potential and existing water leases on French and Shackleford Creeks. Monitoring is performed to evaluate physical and biological changes resulting from the water leases, with annual reports summarizing the results.

​

​