MENDOCINO COUNTY, Calif. – At the request of and in coordination with National Marine Fisheries Service and California Department of Fish and Game, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) will increase water flows into the upper Eel River to aid the downstream migration of juvenile salmon and steelhead to the ocean.

During periods of increased river flows, those recreating in or near the water should take precautions.

This water release, also known as a block water release, totals 2,500 acre-feet of water and is intended to mimic a spring rainfall event and encourage the ocean-bound juvenile fish to migrate downstream.

The block water release began Friday, May 18, and will last through Thursday, May 24. This coincides with the new moon of May 20, whose dark phase contributes to the downstream migration of these juvenile fish.

Water releases from Scott Dam at Lake Pillsbury will be gradually increased from the current level of approximately 300 cubic feet per second (cfs) to a peak of about 900 cfs on May 19, and then gradually decreased through May 24 back to normal seasonal flows.

Water levels vary greatly along the stream depending upon the width and configuration of the channel. However, the overall rise in the water level will be within the range expected during natural spring rain events and is anticipated to increase by approximately 1.5 feet immediately downstream of Scott Dam and no more than a few inches at Scotia in Humboldt County.  

The block water release will target salmon and steelhead in the 12-mile reach of the Eel River between Scott Dam and Cape Horn Dam north of Potter Valley. The release may also benefit fish that are entering the Eel River from tributaries downstream of Cape Horn Dam.

Prior to, during and after the water release, the California Department of Fish and Game will conduct downstream migrant trapping within the fish ladder at Cape Horn Dam to gather data on fish responses.

Residents and recreationists are encouraged to use extra caution if near or entering the river during the period of increased flows.

The following water safety tips are provided PG&E and the California Department of Boating and Waterways.
 
Know the water

• Sudden immersion in cold water can stimulate the “gasp reflex” causing an involuntary inhalation of air or water. It can even trigger cardiac arrest, temporary paralysis, hypothermia and drowning. When faced with swift water, even the strongest swimmers may be easily overwhelmed.
• Cold water entering the ear canal can cause vertigo and disorientation. This may confuse swimmers, causing them to venture deeper into the water.

Know your limits

• Swimming in open water is more difficult than in a swimming pool. This increased difficulty results in exhaustion which can potentially lead to drowning. When faced with swift water, even the strongest swimmers may be easily overwhelmed
• Cold water causes impairment to the body’s ability to retain heat. This can potentially lead to fatalities as it reduces body heat 25-30 times faster than air does at the same temperature.
• Many unseen obstacles can be lurking below the water’s surface. Swift water can make these obstacles even more treacherous.

Wear a life jacket

• Conditions change quickly in open water and even the best swimmers can misjudge the water and their skills when boating or swimming. Wearing a life jacket can increase survival time.
• A life jacket can provide some thermal protection against the onset of hypothermia and keep you afloat until someone else can rescue you.