PD Editorial: Russian River plan balances needs for people and fish

When the state Legislature created the Sonoma County Water Agency 67 years ago, the intent was to have a special district that would provide quality water supplies and flood protection for North Coast communities. Somewhere along the way, it become evident that the agency needed to take care of its fish as well. It’s been a struggle.

Although fish populations were once robust on the Russian River, coho salmon are now listed as endangered under the state and federal Endangered Species Act and both Chinook salmon and steelhead are listed as threatened in the Russian River watershed.

Federal authorities found that fish populations would have been hurt even more if something dramatic wasn’t done to manage water better including reducing flows in areas such as Dry Creek, which channels water from Lake Sonoma to the Russian River.

The result was a biological opinion released by the federal National Marine Fisheries Service in 2008 that directed the Water Agency to come up with a plan to reduce river flows and lower minimum levels as a way to help fish populations. The result is a project that the Water Agency will be taking before the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday for a public hearing.

Although debate remains whether the reduction in flows proposed by this project - and already put into effect - could cause more problems than it solves, the project deserves the community’s support. It strikes a sensible balance between meeting the water needs of both fish and people, brings the Water Agency in compliance with federal law and, hopefully, puts an end to decades-long battles over how much water can be taken from local reservoirs without putting fish at greater risk. But it also comes with no guarantees, especially concerning the future of endangered fish, which often are vulnerable to changing conditions in the ocean as well.

The fish flow project calls for a steep reduction in instream flows in the Russian River and Dry Creek between May and October, reductions that would remain in effect even during years of high rainfall totals. Biologists believe that the low-velocity conditions will help young coho salmon and steelhead trout as they feed and grow in fresh water while making their way to the ocean. The project also calls for a drop in summer releases at Lake Mendocino’s Coyote Dam near Ukiah, a move that would help preserve the deep, cold water that can then be released in the fall. This, too, is expected to aid the spawning run of adult Chinook salmon. The project also ensures instream flows will be based on hydrolic conditions within the Russian River Watershed itself rather than on conditions in far-away Lake Pillsbury as has been the case before now. It’s a sensible shift.

But concerns remain about the impacts of low flows on recreation, fish habitat and water quality. Water Agency officials say there is no clear link between low flows and the appearance of problems such as toxic algae, but more research is needed. As we’ve said before, the success of this project will depend on good science and good water management. Going forward, there will be a part for all of us to play.