Good News for the Eel river

[Al Baltz]

Here is a link to a SF Chronicle article by Kurtis Alexander regarding a positive step for the removal of two dams on the Eel. It appears that some water will still be diverted to the Russian river, but an easier fish migration path is being considered. Here is a short quote.

"The Eel-Russian Project Authority, formed by the recipients of Eel River water, has been working on a way to continue flows between the basins. The new authority’s hope is to build a fish-friendly diversion facility on the Eel to ensure water deliveries after the dams come down."


https://www.sfchronicle.com/climate/article/two-dams-northern-california-razed-pg-e-plan-20786824.php

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Someday, the Eel River and the Klamath River could both be world-famous fisheries, again.

Those here who are under 60 could experience these fisheries.

[yubaman]

There is a LOT of interesting discourse on this from water users in Sonoma, Lake and Marin counties. Jared Huffman, the Congressman who represents this district, and a serious fly fisherman, is not in favor of this project as it is proposed. The main issue being water distribution as proposed. It will be interesting to see how this all gets ironed out, as PG & E will be out of this project no matter what. They have already submitted deregulation paperwork.

Stay tuned.


Bob

[John H]

The whole idea of a diversion from the Eel to the Russian seems wrong. They did diversions like that in the past and got away with it but a new project that perpetuates the diversion seems wrong especially with how Eel River fish have struggled, how great the Eel was in the past and the potential for how great the Eel could be in the future. There is no fish friendly diversion. Wrecking the Russian was bad enough and it is probably not salvageable. The grape growers and the other users on the Russian need to leave all the water in the Eel. Or at least I think so.

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

There are lots of underground diversions in Nor Cal.

Some on the Pitt River.

One from the Trinity drainage, over to Whiskey Town Reservoir, and then down the Sacramento drainage.



Nor Cal needs "minimum pool levels" on its reservoirs to keep its rivers cool in the fall.