PROGRAMS

Our Agronomy Program focuses on implementing sustainable agricultural practices and promoting soil health to enhance productivity and environmental stewardship. Through our projects, such as fish screen installation and maintenance, alternative livestock watering, cover cropping, nutrient management, and precision agriculture techniques, we provide farmers with the tools and knowledge to optimize crop yields while minimizing environmental impacts. By integrating cutting-edge research and tailored technical assistance, we aim to support a thriving agricultural sector that prioritizes soil conservation, water efficiency, and long-term sustainability.

The Scott River watershed has a collective population of about 8,000 people and encompasses five main towns (Scott Bar, Fort Jones, Greenview, Etna and Callahan). About half the area of the watershed is in private ownership, with the other half belonging to the federal government (U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service wilderness and other land use allocations). The primary use of private land is agricultural in nature, including timber harvest, livestock grazing, and large-scale crop production. Alfalfa, grain, and pasture forage are the most common crop produced in the watershed. Currently, approximately 30,000 acres of land in the Scott River watershed are irrigated (about 6% of the watershed) utilizing surface and groundwater sources.

Our Hydrology Program delves into the intricate pathways of water, unraveling its journey through watersheds, rivers, and aquifers. Through advanced research and data analysis, we strive to understand the complex dynamics of water systems and their vital role in sustaining ecosystems and human communities. Join us as we explore innovative strategies for water management, conservation, and protection, working towards a more resilient and sustainable future for our watersheds.

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Projects under our Hydrology Program include water flow and groundwater monitoring to assess stream health and inform management decisions, riparian fencing initiatives to protect sensitive habitats, and riparian revegetation efforts to enhance biodiversity and stabilize stream-banks. Through these projects, we are actively engaged in on-the-ground solutions that promote the health of our watersheds and the well-being of our communities.

Our Limnology Program focuses on the study and conservation of freshwater ecosystems, specifically rivers and streams. Through a range of projects, we conduct comprehensive habitat typing surveys to assess the ecological characteristics and biodiversity of these aquatic environments. Additionally, we implement innovative initiatives such as large-woody complexity installation, boulder weir installation, and off-channel pond creation to enhance habitat diversity and provide refuge for aquatic species. By combining scientific research, data analysis, and collaborative efforts with local stakeholders, our program strives to protect and restore the health of freshwater ecosystems, ensuring the long-term sustainability of these vital natural resources.

In order to preserve and improve local biodiversity the Siskiyou RCD's Botany Program is directed at designing and implementing projects that educate landowners and users as well as contain, reduce and eradicate high-priority invasive plant populations within the District.

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- Siskiyou RCD works with partners through the KARISM (Klamath Alliance for Regional Invasive Species Management). The Klamath Region of California warrants its own invasive species management area due to considerations unique to the Klamath Mountains such as remote location, ecological diversity, rugged terrain, and tribal sovereignty. This group promotes a non-chemical approach to invasive species management in respect to Tribal ordinances against herbicide use.
- Siskiyou RCD partners with the Siskiyou County Agriculture Department in developing and implementing projects that control, reduce and eradicate invasive or noxious plant species within the District.
- Siskiyou RCD is a partnering organization of the Siskiyou County Weed Management Area.

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Our Ichthyology Program's directive is to monitor salmonids utilizing direct field observation and state of the art video recording equipment. Through rigorous monitoring, we gather critical data to inform conservation strategies that support healthy salmonid populations and balanced water allocation in our region.



The Scott River watershed supports anadromous fish runs for three salmonid (Oncorhynchus) species: Chinook salmon (O. tshawytscha), Coho salmon (O. kisutch) and steelhead trout (O. mykiss). Scott River coho salmon are part of the Southern Oregon Northern California Coast (SONCC) Coho Evolutionarily Significant Unit, which was listed as threatened under the Federal Endangered Species Act in 1997, and again under the California Endangered Species Act in 2004.