Water shortages hit North Coast farms
By Christine Souza
Cut off from district water this year, Mendocino County farmer Peter Johnson says he has developed a diverse supply of water, including “purple pipe” recycled water from the city of Ukiah to irrigate Bartlett pears.
Photos/Christine Souza
Peter Johnson says he has developed a diverse supply of water, including “purple pipe” recycled water from the city of Ukiah to irrigate Bartlett pears.
Photos/Christine Souza
The upper Russian River is a source of water for Mendocino and Sonoma counties. Post-1914 water right holders expect to receive notices of water unavailability this week.
Cape Horn Dam at Van Arsdale Reservoir. Photo: PG&E.
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There’s
a proposal to remove the fish-blocking Scott Dam on the Eel River but
looming problems still remain. Cape Horn Dam, just downstream of
Scott Dam,
technically allows for fish passage through its
fish ladder but that’s only when the ladder is properly
functioning and the trouble is that fish often can’t use the ladder
because it gets so choked with rocks and debris. So what good is the
removal of Scott Dam if salmon still struggle to get past Cape Horn
Dam?
Friends
of the Eel River is pressing the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission