The Scott and Shasta Rivers are critical salmon watersheds, including habitat for threatened coho salmon. But both rivers have suffered from serious water-quality problems for decades. The Scott River is listed as impaired by excessive temperatures, sediment, and biostimulatory conditions, while the Shasta River is impaired by excessive temperatures and low dissolved oxygen. Hot water, sediment, and low oxygen can make it difficult for salmon to survive, particularly during t

The Scott and Shasta Rivers are two of the Klamath Basin's most important salmon strongholds. As flows trickle below minimum standards in the Scott and salmon populations decline below depensation thresholds in the Shasta, the North Coast Water Board is considering another five-year extension of a temporary water-quality program.

The Scott and Shasta Rivers remain at the center of some of California’s most important salmon recovery and water management decisions. As the first full summer following the Klamath dam removal, 2026 is providing both encouraging signs and significant challenges.