California’s State Water Resources Control Board has adopted yet another “emergency drought” regulation that will cut Scott Valley farmers’ and ranchers’ irrigation water by 30% in 2025. This, despite the fact that the Scott hasn’t experienced drought since April of 2023, and we have had three wet winters in a row (snowpack for April 2025 was 130% of average!)
Our aquifer is not over-drafted, and our coho salmon counts have been increasing for the past 20 years—leading us to question what this is all really about.
Meanwhile, the Water Board is considering a permanent flow regulation for the Scott that could limit irrigation even more. Water Board staff will present their recommendations in November of 2025.
Who we are
We are farmers, ranchers and concerned residents of Scott Valley, a small mountain valley in Siskiyou County, far-northern California. Our multi-generational farms and ranches are the fabric of our small, vibrant community of roughly 7,000 people.
The Scott River, which runs the length of our valley, is a major tributary to the Klamath River, and is the largest contributor of coho salmon to the Klamath. Agriculture and fish habitat thrive side by side in beautiful Scott Valley.
We want to sustain this stewardship, our community and our heritage.
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Theodora Johnson
6th Generation Scott Valley Cattle Rancher
“Scott Valley is a beautiful place, and our roots are deep here. My family will never find a better place to call home. We formed this Alliance so our home won’t be replaced by a subdivision.”
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Lauren Sweezey
Scott Valley Hay Farmer
“The facts are in our favor. We just need to get them in front of the right people. Since 1969, our ranch has been run and owned by my family, I want the future to continue that way.”
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Sari Sommarstorm
Retired Watershed Consultant and Scott Valley tree nursery owner
“Not enough credit is given to Scott Valley’s farmers and ranchers for their conservation efforts. Our alliance champions our unsung success at increasing our coho population numbers.”