Pot plants found growing in bed of Russian River in Mendocino County

Mendocino County Sheriff’s officials on Wednesday located 254 marijuana plants growing in the bed of the Russian River in Redwood Valley.

The plants appeared to have been irrigated by illegally diverting water from the already parched river, sheriff’s officials said.

No suspects were apprehended, officials said.

The garden was reported last week to the Sheriff’s Office as a possible illegal marijuana operation. The riverbed is public land, part of the state right of way, officials noted.

Investigators urged anyone with information about the operation to contact the Sheriff’s Office.

Marijuana plants have become a serious drain on limited water resources, according to state officials. The plants require large amounts of water and have nearly sucked dry some watersheds in Humboldt and Mendocino counties, according to the state.