Memorial Day Weekend has passed and the Trinity River flows are dropping. It is always sad to hear that the river has claimed another life but that is the dangers of the river at this time of year and not matter how we try to let the public know about these dangers someone misses the message. Please know that the river is cold and flowing swifter than it looks and THAT is the danger.

Again I have to bring forward the problems of the Trinity River Restoration. First, I am grateful for the article in the Trinity Journal, May 29,2024. It brings forward a point that has been discussed many times. “The public has NO input for the Trinity River Restoration!” Restoration has been going on for over 20 years with millions of dollars being spent with no increase in Salmon returns. We the public who use the river for many recreational purposes are not getting our dollars’ worth, The Salmon and endangered species are NOT returning to the river no matter what the science says or the work that is being done for restoration of the river. The Trinity River “Record of Decision” (ROD Hoopa, January 2,000, Secretary of Interior) states that river restoration (in part) is needed to restore fish returns to that of the returns before the Dam was installed. (1963). We are now into the second year of such low fish returns to the river that the PFMC and CDFW has recommended that fishing for Salmon not be allowed, not just on the Trinity River but many of the northern California rivers. This is going to injure the economy for years to come. Because of this the public (not just Government agencies) should be able to provide some kind of input as to what is happening to our rivers. We are the ones who spend our hard-earned dollars for recreation on and in the rivers. Fish returns have been decimated to the point that many species have been listed on the “Endangered Species List” and with some being to the point of extension. I wish more of the public would write into their papers and congressmen to get the message out, we need to be heard and listened to!  

I am happy to see and hear that more events are trying to come back to the Trintiy. We need that! Recreation is one of the things that help the economy and improve business along and on the rivers of Northern California. If anyone knows of an upcoming event, please let your local news know about it. I know we are becoming more dependent upon the internet for information but the public still needs to hear about things happening by other means as everyone does not just use modern technology.     

Fishing: Fishing on the Lower Trinity is slow this time of year but should start to pick up in the near future. For now, it is Rafting, Kayaking, tubing and sunbathing/swimming. (please be sure to use the sunscreen)

The upper river, Lewiston Lake and Trinity Lake are providing some fishing for Kokanee salmon. I have also heard that there is some good bass and kokanee fishing over on Whiskeytown Reservoir. For information you can call, Indian Creek Lodge, Cory, (530)623-6294 or Junction City Store, Butch, (530)623-2803, for Lewiston Lake call Pine Cove Marina, Matt or Louise (530)778-3878.

Mid-Klamath to Happy Camp: The Klamath River at Weitchpec is flowing 11,642cfs. This is a decrease of 1,845cfs.  Iron Gate Dam is releasing 1,059cfs a decrease of 125cfs from last time. The Upper Klamath has been flowing fairly clean for this time of year, let’s hope it stays that way. I don’t have much more fishing info for that area right no. Sorry. From what I was able to find out the Happy Camp area was flowing a little high but you might call the Marble Mountain Guest Ranch (800) 522-6284, or Scott Caldwell, SC Guide Service (530)905-0758 

Lake Conditions: Whiskeytown is 100% of capacity (an increase of 1%) with inflows of 1,197cfs with releases of 1,177cfs into Spring Creek. Shasta Lake is 94% of capacity (a decrease of 1% minus 2ft) with inflows of 4,941cfs and releasing 8,441cfs into Keswick. Keswick is 92% of capacity (an increase of 1%) with inflows of 9,483cfs and releases of 8,729cfs into the Sacramento River. Oroville Lake is 100% of capacity (an increase of 1% plus 1ft) with inflows of 5,909cfs with releases of 5,496cfs into the Feather River. Folsom Lake is 96% of capacity (an increase of 1% plus 1ft) with inflows of 3,602cfs with releases of 2,756cfs into the American river. Trinity Lake storage is 2,118,132AF a decrease of 1,168AF of storage.

Trinity Lake: The lake is 21ft below the overflow (a decrease of 0ft) and 87% of capacity (an increase of 0%) with inflows of 3,111cfs and releasing 3,454cfs into Lewiston Lake with 75cfs being diverted to Whiskeytown and on to the Keswick Power Plant while releasing 8,729cfs into the Sacramento River.

Trinity River flows and conditions: Trinity Lake is 87% of capacity (an increase of 0%) and 21ft below the overflow a decrease of 0ft. Lewiston Dam is 94% of capacity (an increase of 0%) and water releases of 2,531cfs into the Trinity River, with water temperatures of 48.7 degrees, as of 11:30am today Sunday June 2, 2024. Limekiln Gulch is 7.02ft at 3,154cfs. Douglas City is 9.03ft with flows of 2,615cfs with water temperatures of 50.3 degrees. Junction City is 4.80ft at 2,710cfs. Helena is 12.71ft at 2,822cfs with water temps of 51.7 degrees. Cedar Flat (Burnt Ranch) is N/Aft at 0.00cfs (Gauge is out of order). South Fork of the Trinity near Hyampom is 3.92 at 526cfs. Willow Creek is estimated at 3,348 and air is 80 degrees and water at 55 degrees, Hoopa is 15.70ft at 5,338cfs with water at 58 degrees. Water flows at the mouth of the Trinity River at the Klamath in Weitchpec are estimated to be 11,642cfs a decrease of 1,845cfs.

Klamath River flows and conditions: Iron Gate is releasing 1,059cfs, a decrease of 125cfs. Seiad Valley is 3.79ft at 2,610cfs. Indian Creek is 4.52ft at 273cfs. Happy Camp is estimated at 2,887cfs, Somes Bar is estimated to be 4,085cfs, and the Salmon River is 4.13ft at 2,219cfs. Orleans is 5.80ft at 6,304cfs, the Klamath River at Terwer Creek is 11.80ft at 13,223cfs and water temps are 61.2 degrees. Flows for the Smith River at Jediah Smith are 6.00ft with flows of 1,033cfs. and flows at Dr. Fine Bridge are 12.55ft at N/A. 
    

Temperatures for the Valley last week had a high of 96 and a low of 43 degrees. Rain for the week was 0.00in with a water year total to date of 52.31 inches and 0.40in of snow in Willow Creek. The predicted temperatures for next week are for high of 97 and a low of 53. The weather predicted for next week is supposed to cool down mode some with some scattered showers at the first of the week.