Current Issues

Save the Date: Eel River Dams Out in 2028!

We’re encouraged by the progress we are making toward Eel River dam removal. PG&E seems eager to rid themselves of this liability-ridden project. It’s our job to make sure dam...
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Submit Comments on PG&E’s Initial Draft Decommissioning Plan

PG&E has released their initial draft decommissioning plan for the Potter Valley Project. The plan calls for removal of both Scott and Cape Horn Dams, and provides a few options...
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PG&E’s Initial Draft Surrender and Decommissioning Plan Released

PG&E PLANS TO REMOVE EEL RIVER DAMS IN 2028 Draft Surrender and Decommissioning Plan Offers Two Paths to Freeing the Eel - Soon to be California’s Longest Free-Flowing River Eureka,...
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Rep. Huffman Talks Legislative Priorities

Congressman Jared Huffman joins the show to discuss the current happenings in Washington D.C. — Who the heck is Speaker Mike Johnson? Will we pass a continuing budget resolution? Why...
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Dangerous Dams in Our Backyard

On this week's episode of the EcoNews Report we reflect on the tragic dam failure in Libya last month and discuss why Scott Dam on the Eel River poses similar...
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Bigger Storms, Poor Oversight Put Dams at Risk

​On Sept. 12, storm Daniel overwhelmed two neglected dams in Libya. The flood washed away entire neighborhoods in the coastal city of Derna, killing thousands. Experts warned just last year...
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PG&E Tells FERC “Seismic Risk of Eel River Dams Greater Than Previously Understood”

 PG&E TELLS FERC “SEISMIC RISK OF EEL RIVER DAMS GREATER THAN PREVIOUSLY UNDERSTOOD” -FERC Approves Changes to Dam Operations to Mitigate Earthquake Risks -Four Months After Request, Approval Comes Too...
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PG&E Should Stay the Course on Eel River Dam Removal

For over 120 years, Russian River water users have enjoyed a boost to their water supplies at the expense of the Eel River. PG&E’s Potter Valley Project uses two dams...
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Core Programs

One of Friends of the Eel River’s long-term goals, decommissioning and removal of the Eel River dams, may soon become a reality.

Click here to learn more about the two Eel River dams and what we are doing to get them removed.

Friends of the Eel River’s 2017 win at the California Supreme Court helped pave the way for a new future along the old Northwestern Pacific Rail line. Thanks to Senator Mike McGuire and many others, the right of way is transitioning into a rail-to-trail project known as the Great Redwood Trail.

Click here to learn about the transition and the vision for the Great Redwood Trail.

Friends of the Eel River advocates for beneficial land-use policies and effective regulations at the county-level and encourages land owners to practices watershed stewardship.

Click here to access landowner resources and learn about our advocacy.


Eel River Fish Count Station at Van Arsdale Reservoir

 

Cape Horn dam impounds the river to form Van Arsdale Reservoir. It is located downstream from Scott dam, is the smaller of the two dams, and has a fish ladder.

2023-2024 Adult Migration Season: November 13 – 19, 2023

November 19, 2023

Over the past week, 95 Chinook were observed moving upstream through the fishway.  The season total for Chinook stands at 111 (29 Female, 23 Male, 9 Unknown, and 50 Jack). 

The first Chinook salmon of the season was observed migrating upstream at the Van Arsdale Fish Station on October 24, 2023.

Andrew Anderson

PG&E | Aquatic Biologist

 

Learn more about fish counts on the Eel River here.