Flood-control releases into the Russian River are violating the Endangered Species Act. That’s what a federal judge ruled on Monday, saying the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has disturbed salmon populations by releasing water from Coyote Valley Dam into the Russian River. The releases happen during rainy months, to relieve water pressure upstream from the dam. But, the water kicks up sediment from the bottom of Lake Mendocino. That increases turbidity, which harms coho and chinook salmon and steelhead trout. Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley says that goes against the mandates of the Endangered Species Act.
Judge Finds Flood Water Releases into Russian River are Harming Salmon Population
