Regulations in the Scott River and Shasta River Watersheds put limits on when and how large diversions for livestock watering can be made from September 1 – March 31.  (Cal. Code Regs, tit. 23, sec. 875.7.)  

This e-mail is to (1) provide information related to livestock diversions in each watershed, and (2) remind water users about related requirements. 

Updates on Watershed Conditions: 

• There are no active curtailments in the Shasta River or in the Scott River watersheds. 

• The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has determined that flows have been sufficient to stimulate the Chinook salmon migration in both watersheds.  

This means that large livestock diversions may be possible in the Scott River and Shasta River watersheds until October 31, 2025, so long as other conditions (summarized below) are met, including connectivity, bypass, and notification conditions.  After November 1, no diversions for inefficient livestock watering are allowed until CDFW finds that sufficient flows to stimulate coho have occurred. 

Overview of Inefficient Livestock Diversion Requirements: 

The emergency regulation limits diversions for livestock that are more than ten (10) times the amounts listed in California Code of Regulation, section 697 (i.e., more than 15 gallons per day for range cows and horses, 2.5 gallons per day per goat or hog, 30 gallons per day per milch cow and 1.5 gallons per day per sheep).   

Parties in the Scott River and Shasta River watersheds, that want to divert more than these amounts for livestock need to confirm the following criteria outlined in the Emergency Regulation are met before diverting surface water for livestock:   

• Diverter shall notify the State Water Board by email to: ScottShastaFlows@waterboards.ca.gov with their: Name, Water Right Number and point of diversion, anticipated diversion amount, plans to track compliance, and maintain records. 
• There are no active curtailments in the respective watershed. (As noted above there are currently no active curtailments in the Scott River or Shasta River watersheds.)
• CDFW has made determination that flows have been sufficient to stimulate salmon migration into the respective watersheds.   
  • After September 1st for fall-run Chinook salmon (CDFW provided a determination of Chinook migration for the Shasta River on October 9, 2025, and a determination of Chinook migration for the Scott River on October 14, 2025.)
  • After November 1st coho salmon migration.
• If applicable, the relevant tributary is and remains connected to the mainstem (except Moffett Creek in the Scott River watershed). 
• The diversions are operated to bypass 90 percent of flow at the point of diversion except that when flows exceed those listed below in the relevant watershed, the diversions may operate to bypass 80 percent of flow at the point of diversion: 
  • a. Scott River watershed when flows at the United States Geological Survey (USGS) gage 11519500 located downstream of the city of Fort Jones at the northern end of Scott Valley (Scott River Mile 21), are greater than 62 cubic feet per second (cfs) in September; 134 cfs from October 1-15; 139 cfs from October 16-31; 266 cfs in November; 337 cfs in December; 362 cfs in January and February; and 354 cfs in March.
  • Shasta River watershed when flows are greater than 220 cfs at the USGS gage 11517500 located near Yreka.   
• The diversions are operated to avoid disturbing redds. 

Please note any requirements related to diversions for livestock use that exist outside of the emergency regulation (like water rights terms and lake and streambed alteration agreements) still apply. 

If you have questions regarding this email, please contact staff by email to: ScottShastaFlows@waterboards.ca.gov or leave a message at our dedicated Scott River and Shasta River Flow Efforts phone line at: (916) 327-3113. 

If you received this notice in a forwarded message and would like to receive future emails related to this and similar efforts, please sign up for the State Water Board’s “Scott-Shasta Drought & Flow Efforts” email subscription list (https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/resources/email_subscriptions/)  under “State Water Resources Control Board”, then “Water Rights”.  

Thank you, 

Scott River and Shasta River Watersheds Flows Team