Flow

ROD flows continue to be released from Lewiston Dam and will slowly decline daily at about 50 cubic feet per second through the remainder of June.

Current river flow gauges can be found on our homepage, click here and scroll to the middle of the page.

Temperature

Upper and lower river temperatures have continued to trend lower than 2023. In the mid to lower river temperatures remain “optimal” (50F-65F) for adult spring salmonids holding in the river.

Keep tabs on Trinity River temperatures by following the links below.

• Trinity R a Lewiston CA – USGS Water Data for the Nation
• Trinity R a Douglas City CA – USGS Water Data for the Nation
• Trinity R AB NF Trinity R NR Helena CA – USGS Water Data for the Nation
• Trinity R a Hoopa CA – USGS Water Data for the Nation

Fish Health

Members of the Klamath Fish Health Assessment Team (KFHAT) have been holding bi-weekly meetings and making determinations about Klamath Basin Fish Health. The KFHAT is a technical workgroup that formed in 2003 with the purpose of providing early warning and a coordinated response effort to avoid, or at least address, a non-hazardous materials related fish kill event in the anadromous portion of the Klamath River basin.

Determinations thus far for the Trinity River Basin remain “green”. The lower Klamath has been determined as “yellow” due to concerns for debris and sediment.

Photo: The KFHAT map presents the readiness level for the Klamath Basin below Iron Gate Dam in a visual format. Click here to read the bi-weekly report.

Monitoring

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife plan to install the Junction City Weir in early July. In addition to regular monitoring and due to last year’s sediment plumes from the North Fork Trinity River fire scar, CDFW has planned to implement scheduled visits for Fish Health Laboratory staff to monitor fish for any gill related issues during the summer season.

The June Quarterly meeting of the Trinity Management Council was held in Weitchpec, Ca. located near the confluence of the Trinity River and the Klamath River. The meeting was hosted by the Yurok Tribe and took place Wednesday, June 5 and Thursday, June 6. During the first day members received presentations from the acting Trinity River Restoration Program Executive Director, James Lee regarding program updates. Topics in the Executive Directors Report covered major activities since the March TMC meeting as well as organizational updates, budget updates, Implementation Branch updates, Public Outreach updates and Science Branch updates. The ED Report can be downloaded by clicking here.

Additionally, the council received updates from various membership staff ….

Common Woolly Sunflower

Eriophyllum lanatum var. grandiflorum

The Woolly Sunflower is a common attraction along the Trinity River corridor and watershed. In our area, viewers can see it in a few different varieties split between high and low country. The low country version is found in large colonies exposed to dry and hot conditions. Viewers commonly see it along roadsides defying logic by clinging to rocky cliffs showing off their sweet yellow pedals and silvery leaves and stems.

Eriophyllum lanatum is a perennial herb native to western North America. It has long, thin stems with small pinnately lobed, green leaves and small, yellow flowers. When you get up close and personal you notice a few unique characteristics. Prior to the bloom, the tips of the flower buds turn a sweet reddish purple and the silvery color of the stem and underside of the leaves is actually a layer of tiny hairs. These hairs serve a specific purpose for the plant and act to conserve water by reflecting heat and reducing air movement across the leaves surface [1].

Photo of a patch of Common Woolly Sunflower taken near Burnt Ranch, generously provided by Veronica Yates.

Open House Art – Vote for the best Chinook Salmon!

Submit your vote by July 1, 2024

Back in February at our Open House, we were gifted all of the Fish of the Trinity River art created by Junction City Elementary Students.

Together with the Trinity County RCD, we’ve decided to turn these mini-masterpieces into swag to give away at events – but we need your help to choose the best Chinook salmon submission. Place your vote by following the link to our Facebook page and “like” or comment with your vote on 1 of the 8 Chinook salmon photos in the post. Please vote by July 1, 2024. Happy choosing and thank you!