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Checking in on the Smith River
The Smith River, whose mainstem and three forks flow a total of approximately 124 miles, flows from the Klamath Mountains to the Pacific Ocean in Del Norte County, California. This waterway is arguably the most beautiful stream in California. For my money, it’s one of the most beautiful on Earth. The Smith River is a…
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Notes from the field: Silver Fork American River—Part 2
Last month, I was back in the Silver Fork American River watershed, roughly 6 miles east of reaches covered in my previous article. The outing inspired me to write a sequel. But before I give you the skinny on the trip’s fly-fishing adventures, there is a bit of business to discuss. The Silver Fork American…
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Notes from the Field: Silver Fork American River
Summertime allows me to venture into the high country of the Sierra Nevada mountain range and assess river and stream conditions for CSPA. Last week, I made my way up to the Silver Fork American River. The El Dorado Hydroelectric Project (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project no. 184) controls summer flows in the Silver Fork.…
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Notes from the Field: North Fork Stanislaus River and Highland Creek
One of the hats I wear at CSPA involves using the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) relicensing of hydroelectric projects to improve conditions for some of California’s most cherished rivers and streams. I recently took on the North Fork Stanislaus Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project no. 2409. Last week, I decided to head back into the…
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Marin Water’s Atmospheric River Capture (ARC) Project Unlikely to Live up to its Name
The Marin Municipal Water District (Marin Water) is a public utility that provides water to 190,000 residents in central and south Marin County. Marin Water is proposing what it terms an “Atmospheric River Capture (ARC) Project” to divert rainwater from atmospheric river events (rainstorms) during the North Bay’s rainy season. The publicity for the Project…
