Lower Scott River Side-Channel Connectivity and Habitat Enhancement Project Phase II

The Scott River is located in the Klamath Mountains of Siskiyou County in northern California and is a major tributary to the Klamath River. The Scott River watershed supports anadromous fish runs of coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch), Chinook salmon (O. tshawytscha), and steelhead trout (O. mykiss). However, sections of the lower Scott River, including the project reach, are characterized by simplified channels that are limited in spawning gravels, pool frequency, and off-channel habitats. The project reach is also hindered by seasonal low flow conditions that impact fish passage and is often the first section of the Scott River to become disconnected in the summer and the last to reconnect in the fall/winter. National Marine Fisheries Service 2014 Southern Oregon and Northern California Coho Recovery Plan identified constructing/restoring off-channel habitats and increasing instream flows as two of the highest priority recovery actions in the Scott Valley. The goal of this project is to increase salmonid carrying capacity in the Scott River. Project objectives include restoring and/or enhancing off-channel rearing habitat, spawning habitat, and passage for migratory salmonids.