Our photo project had begun and will continue weekly through the first weekend in October. We are committed to photographing Hacienda, Guerneville (Johnson’s and Dubrava beaches), and Monte Rio beaches every weekend, when recreation use is high. Several people have volunteered to photograph other popular beaches, and we will report their results in August.

Flows can get much lower...

As you recall, the State Water Board granted the Sonoma County Water Agency the authority to lower flows down to 35 cubic feet per second (cfs) measured at the Hacienda Bridge. The goal was to save water in Lake Mendocino for the fall Chinook migration. Because we have had a relatively cool summer so far, they have not needed to do that and flows have stayed between 125 cfs and 175 cfs for the last month. 125 cfs is the minimum for a normal year, but we expect flows to go quite a bit lower when the weather heats up. We want to have a photo record over the entire summer so we can document the effects. (This is being written on July 10th.)

Update on Russian River Flows & Photo Project »

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced that the Gold Ridge Resource Conservation District (RCD) has been awarded $1.54 Million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) for the Save our Salmon (SOS) Salmon Creek Habitat Rehabilitation Project. The SOS project is a collaborative vision of the RCD and Prunuske Chatham, Inc to improve instream habitat, create local jobs, and support water supply sustainability for the town of Bodega. The fact that coho salmon have been spotted in Salmon Creek for the first time since the early 90’s (photo on page 10 taken June 30, 2009 by Joe Pecharich, NOAA Fisheries) - has made this particular week the highlight of my career - and I say that with all sincerity. I really have a sense of optimism that I have kind of lost over the years working in salmon restoration.

Funding for Fish »