Dry Creek project tries to save fish, provide water
Reconfiguring stream for coho, steelhead may head off need for pipeline
Richard Rued supports the idea of changing Dry Creek to restore coho and steelhead runs. However, he does not want a pipeline running through his vineyard property or impacts on the water supply.
CHRISTOPHER CHUNG/ PDPublished: Monday, April 27, 2009 at 4:02 a.m.
Last Modified: Monday, April 27, 2009 at 4:02 a.m.
A far-reaching federal order is meant to enhance Dry Creek for coho salmon and steelhead by restricting flows and restoring the stream, but it also has residents worried about a spillover of unintended impacts.
There is no quarrel with the need to improve Dry Creek by adding rocks and logs to create eddies and backwater pools for fish to hide out of the main flow.
The major concern is where the Sonoma County Water Agency would build a pipeline to supplement the capacity of Dry Creek to supply water for 600,000 Sonoma and Marin County residents.
"I think the pipeline is inevitable," said Judith Olney of the Dry Creek Valley Association. "Coupling these two projects together was a bad decision . . . It has clouded what could be a positive thing for the valley. A pipeline through your property brings up a whole set of issues."
The Water Agency is asking landowners to allow it to look at pipeline paths as well as conduct fish studies. However, the agency says that if the instream work is done right, flows will be high enough to avoid the need for a pipeline.
"I would really like to see the enhancement work do what it is intended to do, use Dry Creek in the manner we use it today," said Pam Jeane, the agency's chief deputy of operations. "A pipeline is not a silver bullet, we still have to manage Dry Creek. Building a pipeline does not solve the fish problems."
The National Marine Fisheries last October issued a biological opinion under the Endangered Species Act that mandates changes to benefit coho, listed as endangered, and chinook and steelhead, listed as threatened.
It orders a reduction of the summertime flows in Dry Creek and the upper Russian River, alterations in Dry Creek to create fish habitat and changes in how the Water Agency breaches a Jenner sandbar that creates a fresh-water lagoon.
At the same time, it requires undertaking more studies of the fisheries and a study of where to run the pipeline from Lake Sonoma to the Russian River.
To meet the order, the Water Agency expects to spend $100 million in ratepayer and federal money over 15 years.
"Coho salmon are in a dire predicament," said David Manning, a Water Agency principal environmental specialist. "Dry Creek is the center for the coho, absolutely. Without it, I don't give the coho much hope."
The federal order restricts releases into Dry Creek from Lake Sonoma from June through October by about a third of what they have been.
Along with what is normally available from Lake Mendocino, it would be adequate to meet demands for the Water Agency's customers. But the regulated flows are not enough this year, when Lake Mendocino is critically low.
The Water Agency has hired Inter-Fluve of Portland, Ore., to study ways to add boulders and logs along six miles of the 14-mile Dry Creek to create habitat for the coho and steelhead.
At the same time, it would allow the Water Agency to increase releases into Dry Creek greater than the flow the federal order sets as optimal for fish habitat during the summer months.
The rock and log structures have to be strong enough to withstand flood-like winter flows that can come from Lake Sonoma's flood pool.
The Water Agency said a pipeline would only be considered in 2018 if the Dry Creek work isn't successful. The possible routes are alongside Dry Creek, on Dry Creek or West Dry Creek Roads or over Canyon Road to Asti.
Dry Creek and its aquifer are also the source of water for irrigation, frost protection and domestic use in the valley.
Richard Rued of Rued Winery, whose family has farmed the Dry Creek area for five decades, said there is enough water even in drought years for the 4,000 acres of grapes.
"Vines are pretty thrifty with water and we try to not overwater," Rued said. "There is plenty of water, we just have to manage it so it doesn't hurt the fish to get it to people."
He added the ongoing water regulations have been difficult for the grapegrowers who rely on the Russian River.
"Right now, good or bad or otherwise, there is not a lot of trust in government," Rued said. "The Water Agency is working hard, spending a lot of time and money, but they are being pulled in many ways."
You can reach Staff Writer Bob Norberg at 521-5206 or bob.norberg@pressdemocrat.com
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