Scott River and Shasta River Watersheds Drought Response
CURTAILMENT STATUS
The Emergency Drought Regulation in the Scott and Shasta watersheds expired August 1, 2023. All curtailments related to the regulation are no longer in effect.
Frequently visit this webpage and subscribe to our "Scott-Shasta Drought" email list to stay informed of updates to curtailments.
On May 10, 2021, Governor Newsom declared a drought emergency for 41 counties, including Siskiyou County, where accelerated action is needed to protect public health, safety, as well as the environment. During winter 2023, California received above-average precipitation across many parts of the state and on March 24, 2023, Governor Newsom signed an executive order rolling back emergency drought provisions in select watersheds. The Klamath River watershed was not included in this order and is still subject to the drought proclamation and emergency drought provisions. The Scott River (Scott) and Shasta River (Shasta) are important tributaries to the Klamath River, the second largest river in California. The Scott and Shasta watersheds did not receive the same precipitation events as other parts of the state and are still experiencing drought related impacts. These rivers are crucial sources of water for Siskiyou County and have immense economic, ecological, and cultural importance. Siskiyou County is home to 43,500 people. The Scott and Shasta watersheds provide water for agriculture, domestic users, the environment, fire protection, municipalities, Tribal Nations, and recreation.
As the region’s drought situation worsens, local and state governments and community members are collaborating to address water shortages. Below are links to information regarding drought activities in the Scott and Shasta watersheds. This website will be updated with applicable information regarding drought conditions, public meetings, and actions. Please check back frequently as the drought response is a rapidly developing situation.
Scott River Canyon
Announcements
- Recording of Virtual Webinars on Water Rights and Fisheries in Scott River and Shasta River Watersheds
- New! Riverbend Sciences (2023) – Evaluating the hydrologic effects of the 2021-2022 Scott and Shasta irrigation curtailments using remote sensing and streamflow gages
- New! North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board (2023) - Analysis of Mike Podlech’s Memo dated June 13, 2023, Regarding CDFW Instream Flow Recommendations for the 2022 Readoption of Drought Emergency Recommendations
- October 6, 2023 - Notice of Public Workshop Regarding Emergency Regulation Efforts in the Scott River and Shasta River Watersheds
- August 3, 2023 – Notice of Virtual Webinars on Water Rights and Fisheries in Scott River and Shasta River Watersheds
- Notice of August 3rd ‘Water Rights 101’ and September 14th ‘Fisheries 101’ Webinars
- The Karuk Tribe of California, Environmental Law Foundation, Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations, and Institute for Fisheries Resources submitted a petition for rulemaking to the State Water Resources Control Board seeking a permeant regulation establishing minimum flows in the Scott River.
- April 26, 2023 – In-Person Technical Assistance Meetings and Presentations for 2023 LCSs
- Fall 2022 – Funding Opportunities for Farmers and Ranchers in Scott and Shasta River Watersheds
- November 15, 2022 – Information Order for Scott River Watershed (Order WR 2022-0163 DWR)
- August 24, 2022 – State Water Board takes enforcement actions against Shasta River Water Association for illegal diversions
- August 19, 2022 – Shasta River Water Association Draft Cease and Desist Order August 19, 2022
- August 18, 2022 – Shasta River Water Association Notice of Violation August 18, 2022
- This is not a complete list of NOVs issued regarding the Scott and Shasta regulations. This NOV was posted to inform the public of the cause of the sharp drop in flow in the Shasta River and the State Water Board's response.
- July 29, 2022 - Emergency Regulation as Approved by Office of Administrative Law [ searchable version]
- April 20, 2022 - CDFW letter to the State Water Resources Control Board
- January 13, 2022 - Guidance on Groundwater Reduction Local Cooperative Solution for the Scott River Watershed
Drought Response Topics
Curtailment Orders, Addendums, and Reminders
- Information Order for Scott River Watershed (Order WR 2022-0163 DWR)
- Information Order for Livestock Diversions in the Scott and Shasta River Watersheds (Order WR 2022-0052-DWR)
- Information Order and Reporting Requirements On Willow, Julian, And Yreka Creeks, Tributaries In The Shasta River Watershed (Order WR 2021-0091-DWR)
- List of Adjudicated Water Rights in Willow, Julian, and Yreka Creeks (Sorted by Priority Date)
- List of Parties Associated with Information Order and Reporting Requirements on Willow, Julian, and Yreka Creeks, Tributaries in the Shasta River Watershed (Order WR 2021-0091-DWR) issued on October 15, 2021
- November 24, 2021 – Order Dismissing Montague Water Conservation District Petition for Reconsideration (Order WR 2021-0098-EXEC)
- April 8, 2022 – Order Denying Stephen D. Griset; George S. Griset; George S. Griset Revocable Trust; and Griset Farms Inc. Petition for Reconsideration
- March 16, 2023 – Order Denying Big Springs Irrigation District Petition for Reconsideration (Order WR 2023-0012-EXEC)
Video Tutorials
- Scott Parcel Curtailment Certification and Diversion Information Form
- Scott Shasta Curtailment Certification Form
- Scott Shasta Health and Safety Needs Certification Form
- Scott Shasta Minimum Livestock Diversion Certification Form
- Scott Shasta Non Consumptive Use Certification Form
Resources
- September 23, 2021 - Public Meeting: Scott River and Shasta River Curtailment Response Assistance Webinar
- Notice of Limitations on Surface Water Diversion for Livestock Watering (September 1, 2021)
- FAQs on the Scott and Shasta Rivers (August 18, 2021)
- If you have questions related to the Scott and Shasta River Drought Response, you can reach State Water Resource Control Board staff by:
- Email: ScottShastaDrought@waterboards.ca.gov
- Leave a phone message at: (916) 327-3113
- July 29, 2022 – Emergency Regulation as Approved by Office of Administrative Law [ searchable version]
- June 21, 2022 - Board Meeting to Consider Readoption of Drought Emergency Regulation
- Agenda
- Agenda Item
- Resolution (Draft | Adopted)
- Proposed Regulation
- Change Sheet #1
- PowerPoint Presentation slides | notes
- June 20, 2022 – Rulemaking Package Released
- June 10, 2022 – Proposed Drought Emergency Regulation for June 21 Board Meeting
- May 26, 2022 – Comment Period Extension for Preliminary Changes to Drought Emergency Regulation
- May 18, 2022 – Notice of Public Meeting and Comment Period Regarding Draft Changes to the Emergency Regulation
- May 17, 2022 - Draft Changes to Drought Emergency Regulation for Scott and Shasta River Watersheds
- May 4, 2022 - Public Meeting to Inform Re-Adoption of Drought Emergency Regulations for Scott River and Shasta River Watersheds
- Notice of May 4th Public Meeting
- Public Meeting Recording (YouTube) | Public Meeting Slides
- April 20, 2022 - CDFW letter to the State Water Resources Control Board
- August 30, 2021 – Emergency Regulation as Approved by Office of Administrative Law [ searchable version]
- August 17, 2021 - State Water Resources August 17 Meeting Agenda
- August 17, 2021 - Proposed Emergency Regulation for Drought Minimum Flows in Scott and Shasta Watersheds
- August 17, 2021 - State Water Board approves emergency curtailment regulation for Scott and Shasta Rivers
Measures would maintain minimum flows to protect fish - August 12, 2021 - Proposed Emergency Regulation, Finding of Emergency, and Informative Digest – Scott and Shasta River Watersheds
- July 16, 2021 - Draft Drought Emergency Regulation for Scott River and Shasta River Watersheds
- June 15, 2021 - CDFW letter to the State Water Resources Control Board
- June 1, 2021 - 2021 Scott River Notices of Water Unavailability
2023 Outreach
- April 26, 2023 - In-Person Technical Assistance Meetings and Presentations for 2023 LCSs
- Rescheduled - March 30, 2023 – In-Person Technical Assistance Meetings and Presentations for 2023 LCSs
2022 Outreach
- Funding Opportunities for Farmers and Ranchers in Scott and Shasta River Watersheds
- December 8, 2022 - Notice of December 8th Presentation
- November 15, 2022 - Notice of November 15th Webinar
- May 25, 2022 - Public Meeting on Preliminary Draft Updated Drought Emergency Regulation for Scott and Shasta River Watersheds
- Revised Notice of May 25 Public Meeting and Extended Comment Period
- Public Meeting Recording (YouTube) | Public Meeting Slides
- May 4, 2022 - Public Meeting to Inform Re-Adoption of Drought Emergency Regulations for Scott River and Shasta River Watersheds
2021 Outreach
- December 10, 2021 - In Person Compliance Assistance Day in Yreka 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- October 21, 2021 - Information Regarding Drought Regulation for Stockwater Diversions in Scott River and Shasta River Watersheds
- July 20, 2021 - Public Meeting: Draft Drought Emergency Regulations for Scott River and Shasta River Watersheds
- July 1, 2021 - Public Meeting: Potential for Drought Actions for Scott River and Shasta River Watersheds
- June 1, 2021 - Press Release: Drought prompts restrictions for water right holders on the Scott River
The following funding opportunities provide funding for habitat restoration, water efficiency, instream flow dedications, fish passage, and other project types.
- ELAP – Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program
- Example Project Types:
- Costs of transporting water to livestock due to drought
- Honeybee feed and hive losses
- Can cover eligible costs associated with wildfire and other weather events
- Visit: fsa.usda.gov/ELAP
- Example Project Types:
- 2022 Drought Funding Presentation by California Department of Fish and Wildlife: 3.18.2022
- CDFW Proposition 68 Grant Program
- Example Project Types:
- Habitat enhancement or restoration
- Water conservation, temporary water transfers, water acquisition
- Rotational fallowing, ditch lining, etc.
- Contact: CDFW Watershed Restoration Grants Branch via email at: WatershedGrants@wildlife.ca.gov
- Example Project Types:
- CDFW Fisheries Restoration Grant Program (FRGP)
- Example Project Types: fish passage, instream habitat or upslope watershed restoration, bank stabilization, fish screens for diversions, water conservation measures, flow monitoring, water diversion measuring devices, project design, etc.
- Contact: Trevor Tollefson by email at: Trevor.Tollefson@wildlife.ca.gov or by phone at: (707) 834-0626
- Wildlife Conservation Board Proposition 1 Funding
- Example Project Types:
- Water Transactions: instream flow dedications, forbearance agreements, conservation easements, purchase or long-term transfer of water
- Water Conservation Projects: off-channel water storage, changes in timing or rate of diversion, stock-water systems, agricultural tailwater management systems
- Other Project Types: changing points of diversion, groundwater storage and conjunctive use, habitat restoration to enhance stream flow, streamflow gaging, scientific studies, etc.
- Contacts:
- Adam Ballard via email at: wcbstreamflow@wildlife.ca.gov or by phone at: (916) 247-8557
- If there is a water right component to the proposal, please consult with Rae Vander Werf via email at: Rae.VanderWerf@waterboards.ca.gov
- Example Project Types:
- CDFW Proposition 1 Restoration Grant Program
- Example Project Types:
- Modernizing stream crossings, culverts, and bridges
- Installing or improving fish screens
- Fish passage improvement
- Acquisitions from willing sellers
- Contact: Philip Cramer via email at: Philip.Cramer@Wildlife.ca.gov
- Example Project Types:
- January 12, 2023 – Order Temporarily Suspending Prohibition on Inefficient Livestock Watering in Shasta River watershed (Order WR 2023-0005-DWR)
- January 9, 2023 – Order Temporarily Suspending Prohibition on Inefficient Livestock Watering in Scott River watershed (Order WR 2023-0003-DWR)
- September 1, 2022 – Information Regarding Drought Regulation for Livestock Diversions in Scott River and Shasta River Watersheds
- January 21, 2022 - Order Temporarily Suspending Prohibition on Inefficient Livestock Watering in Shasta River watershed ( Order WR 2022-0088-DWR)
- January 20, 2022 - CDFW memorandum to the State Water Resources Control Board
- January 7, 2022 - Information Order for Livestock Diversions in the Scott and Shasta River Watersheds (Order WR 2022-0052-DWR)
- October 21, 2021 - Information Regarding Drought Regulation for Stockwater Diversions in Scott River and Shasta River Watersheds
How to Conserve
Klamath River watershed residents can help! Surface and groundwater users can help lessen drought impacts, and even small efforts can result in huge benefits for flows and fish.
Here are just a few ways to help:
- Reduce diversions from surface and groundwater sources
- Conserve water, limit non-food irrigation, and reuse graywater (i.e., water from sinks, showers, baths, washing machines, or dishwashers)
- Coordinate diversion timing with neighbors to reduce cumulative effects
- Prepare for ongoing drought by exploring water storage options (e.g., rain collection, roofwater harvesting, or tank storage)
How to Report an Unauthorized Diversion or Water Waste
Visit the CalEPA Complaint System to report unauthorized diversions, such as violations of water right permits or diversions impacting fisheries.
Visit savewater.ca.gov to report water waste, such as leaks and overwatering, to your local water agency.
Regional Resources
Stay informed
Email Subscription Topic
Subscribe to the Scott Shasta Drought email topic to receive notifications and the latest updates.
Contact Us
- Phone: 916-327-3113
- Email: ScottShastaDrought@waterboards.ca.gov
