KRIS Shasta River Tour

General Introduction

KRIS Shasta River Tour

Restoration Introduction

Studies by the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board and other agencies have found that the water temperatures in the Shasta River are too high and dissolved oxygen levels too low for salmon and steelhead. Stream side trees have been lost as a result of a century or more of grazing. The attendant loss of shade adds to water temperature problems. Projects designed to increase shade, decrease nutrient loading, slow the return of warm agricultural run-off water and increase efficiency of water use will all help solve water quality problems.

As old stream side trees die out, grazing in the riparian zone may inhibit young trees from replacing them.

A one year rest from grazing allows willows to sprout over six feet tall in the Shasta River riparian zone.

Farmers and ranchers in the Shasta River basin are voluntarily cooperating to help restore the river's health through the local Resource Conservation District (RCD) and the Coordinated Resources Management and Planning (CRMP) group. Both the RCD and the CRMP have received funds from a number of sources to help private land owners to build stream side fences, plant trees, stabilize banks and establish specific stock water access points. Funding agencies include the California Department of Fish and Game, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the California State Resources Control Board.

Farmers and ranchers often help to restore the river as part of cost-share programs. The California Conservation Corps has provided labor on a number of fencing and planting projects. Local community volunteers and high school students have volunteered many hours growing and planting trees. Agency personnel and volunteers join forces to plant riparian trees after the rancher put up a fence to reduce grazing in the riparian zone.

From the KRIS Bibliography

For more information about fish habitat restoration in the Klamath River Basin:

Chapter 3: Habitat Restoration from the Long Range Plan for the Klamath River Fisheries Restoration Program

Shasta River Guided Tour Contents
Restoration Topics: Introduction Fencing Riparian Areas Replanting Trees in the Riparian Zone Water Use	Other Topics: Guided Tour Introduction Water Quality Geology Hydrology Economy Fisheries

KRIS Klamath Resource Information System