![\"Figure](\"http:\/\/calsport.org\/fisheriesblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Sacramento-River-Water-Temp-May-2016-Graph.png\")
<\/a>Figure 1. Water temperature in the upper Sacramento River below Shasta Reservoir in early May 2016. In contrast, water temperatures at these locations during early May 2010 were 56\u00b0F or lower.<\/p><\/div>\n
Reclamation\u2019s CVP operations should strive to maintain the 56\u00b0F standard through the spring and summer, as prescribed in the Basin Plan and in the NMFS biological opinion for Shasta operations. This temperature can be achieved by increasing Shasta releases or by lowering the water temperature of releases using the temperature control tower\/device (TCD) at the dam, or by a combination of these elements. In the last few days, Reclamation has increased releases and has added colder water, resulting in slightly colder Keswick releases (Figure 1). Reclamation has decreased the temperature of releases by opening one the six middle outlets of the Shasta Temperature Control Device (Figure 2). However, downstream temperatures remain high, because air temperatures and water diversions downstream are also increasing.<\/p>\n
While there is some logic behind Reclamation\u2019s decision to minimize reservoir releases to save Shasta storage, it is inappropriate to jeopardize endangered fish in the upper Sacramento River with excessively warm water this year, given the abundance of cold water in the reservoir. 1<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n With Shasta releases expected to increase soon to meet increasing irrigation demands, it will be imperative that water temperatures upstream of Red Bluff remain below 56\u00b0F to protect spawning salmon and sturgeon and their young into and through the summer.<\/p>\n The \u201cofficial\u201d temperature target and control point since April 15, 2016 have been 58\u00b0F at Redding (station CCR). In 2010, the target temperature was 56\u00b0F, and the control point was at Jellys Ferry (RM 267), 20 miles downstream of Redding. The State Board and NMFS should immediately change the target temperature to 56\u00b0F, and move the control point at least downstream to Jellys Ferry. Preferably, the compliance point should be further downstream at Red Bluff, to be in compliance with the NMFS biological opinion (56\u00b0F at Red Bluff \u2013 RM 243). The Basin Plan puts the compliance point further downstream still, (56\u00b0F at Hamilton City \u2013 RM 200). 2<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n Following catastrophic losses of winter-run in the Sacramento below Shasta during the past two years, it is imperative to meet the summer water temperature goals as prescribed in the NMFS biological opinion. The Shasta cold-water pool and storage available are more than adequate to meet these objectives.<\/p>\n Figure 2. Shasta Dam\u2019s temperature control tower\/device or TCD has multiple options for releasing water from the reservoir. One middle outlet was recently opened to reduce the temperature of the water released to the Sacramento River. (Source: USBR MidPacific Division)<\/p><\/div>\n Water Year 2016 on the Sacramento River has been designated a \u201cBelow Normal\u201d year.\u00a0 Water Year 2010 was also a Below Normal year.\u00a0 Both years followed multiyear droughts.\u00a0 In both years, Shasta Reservoir was nearly full at the end of … Continue reading <\/a>\n