Salmon over Slalom: Dam Removal Threatens Local Economy

RED BLUFF, California – Stakeholders in dam profits watch with anxiety as an environmental lawsuit that would remove the Red Bluff diversion dam nears conclusion. The Red Bluff diversion dam provides water during the summer to boaters and farmers, but interrupts the steadily declining salmon run.

“Obviously the writing is on the wall that operation of the diversion dam will not remain long into the future,” Jeff Sutton, the Tehama-Colusa Canal Authority’s general manager, told Redding. “If we don’t look forward to solutions, we’ll both be sitting on the side of the river watching the water go downstream.” The area currently makes $4 million annually from dam-related economic activities.

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Source: Redding