Good news for Scott Valley: “leaky” ditches OK for now
Today, the Water Board temporarily lifted a ban on “leaky” ditches in Scott Valley—good news for ranchers who need a steady water supply for their livestock, and good news for the health of our aquifer. For two full weeks, flows in the Scott River have exceeded the “minimum” flow (200 cfs) required in the Emergency Drought Regulation imposed by the State Water Resources Control Board.
Since December 27, 2022, flows have not dropped below 500 cfs, and have averaged closer to 1,500 cfs. Until now, the Emergency Drought Regulation has forbidden “inefficient livestock watering” through “leaky” ditches in Scott and Shasta valleys. These are the only two valleys where such a limitation has been placed. As of today, though, water can flow into ditches (not to exceed their adjudicated amount)—as long as certain stipulations are met:
Diverters must email ScottShastaDrought@waterboards.ca.gov, in advance of diverting, with the following info:
The diverter’s name and contact information;
Point of diversion and water right under which the diversion will occur; and
Anticipated diversion rate.
Other conditions apply:
At least 500 cubic feet per second (cfs) is being met at the Fort Jones United States Geological Survey gage;
No redd (spawning bed) dewatering;
Access to State Water Board and California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) staff to inspect the diversion and surrounding area;
Limit diversions to no more than 20 percent of the instream flow, as measured or estimated;
Your tributary stays connected (unless you are on the mainstem or your tributary is not connected right now); and
You keep records of your diversions and provide them to the State Water Board and CDFW upon request.
Now is the time to fill the sponge—and now we can do it without fear of fines. Let’s turn on our ditches, replenish our aquifer, and hold on to some of this water—for the benefit of livestock, groundwater recharge, and late-season flows. Water for everyone!
