Trinity River Restoration Program // River Riffle Newsletter - June Edition
Abel, Jennifer (Kiana)
-
Current Conditions: Stay up to date on summer conditions in the basin.
- Program Updates: Summer Art Contest!
- Trinity River Watershed Animal Spotlight: Foothill Yellow-Legged Frog (Rana boylii)
- Upcoming Meetings and Events: TMC will meet June 17 & 18, Sawmill rehabilitation breaks ground on June 22, last week of the UC Berkeley Trinity River Survey.
- Reading, Listening & Watching
Current Conditions
Fish Health
The Klamath Fish Health Assessment Team (KFHAT) hold regular meetings throughout the summer months to assess Klamath Basin Fish Health.
Determinations are currently favorable for most of the Klamath and Trinity basin. However, the Upper Mid Klamath is experiencing high percentages of juvenile fish mortality (likely related to C. shasta and other pathogens) - FWS C. shasta Update Report (June 1).
Fish in the lower Klamath and Trinity River are healthy with some juvenile catch showing signs of copepods in the Lower Trinity.
__________
Flow
The last scheduled pulse for Water Year 2026 (peak 1400 cfs) began Saturday, June 13 and held through Monday June 15. After, June 15, an incremental decrease until baseflow of 450 cfs, which will be reached on Friday, July 3.
Trinity Reservoir Conditions
Trinity Reservoir is at 85% capacity. Snowpack for the 2026 water year was below average and reports indicate that the Central Valley Project will rely more heavily on stored water through the spring and summer, including from Trinity Reservoir.
Temperature
Keep tabs on Trinity River temperatures by bookmarking the USGS gauge links below.
- Trinity River gauge at Lewiston CA – USGS
- Trinity River gauge at Douglas City, CA – USGS
- Trinity River gauge at NF Trinity R NR Helena CA – USGS
- Trinity River gauge at Hoopa CA – USGS
Monitoring
The Junction City Weir, located just upriver of the Evan's Bar boat launch was installed on June 1, and began monitoring for adult salmonids beginning June 2. The purpose of the weir is to provide run-size estimates for adult salmonids and to monitor fish health by trapping, counting and performing fish health assessments.
River recreationists be aware that the boat gate is closed from dusk until dawn Monday through Friday and open on the weekends.
The weir is run collaboratively by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Hoopa Valley and Yurok Tribes with funding from the Bureau of Reclamation. The installation of the weir and day to day operations are collaboratively handled by CDFW & Hoopa Valley Tribal Fisheries. The Yurok Tribal Fisheries Department collaboratively operates the the Coho natural origin brood stock collection, which begins in October.
Program Update
Summer Art Contest
We've created "how to paint a salmon" templates for kids and adults for your summer break. Download the coho, Chinook salmon, steelhead and/or sturgeon instructions below. Once complete submit a photo of your artwork to in...@trrp.net. Entries may be turned into a sticker or magnet!
Trinity River Watershed
Foothill Yellow-Legged Frog (Rana boylii)
The foothill yellow-legged frog is a native amphibian who inhabits the fast‑moving, snowmelt‑fed rivers of the Trinity Watershed. With their rock‑mimicking camouflage, underwater vocalizations, and remarkable ability to anchor themselves beneath rushing currents, these “river specialists” showcase evolutionary traits found in no other North American frog.
Upcoming Meetings and Events
For a full list of events, click to view the TRRP Calendar.
June 17 & 18 | All Day Quarterly TMC Meeting (Meeting Details)
In Person: Eureka, Ca.
Meeting ID: 277 024 568 305 01
Passcode: BR7yK7Lj
Download Teams | Find a local number
June 22 - Fall 2026 | Sawmill Gravel Processing Site Channel Rehabilitation Project
Lewiston, Ca. - Rehabilitation to improve rearing habitat for young salmon and steelhead will begin June 22. Mobilization of equipment and staging will happen prior to this date so that crews can be ready to start work. Work includes reshaping floodplain surfaces, addressing the long-term processing area and, staging material for future restoration efforts. Neighbors may notice temporary truck traffic and construction noise during work hours. Disturbances will be limited to active construction periods, Mon.– Fri., 7a.m. to 7p.m. Dates: June through mid-October. Please contact us with any questions: (530) 623-1800
Trinity River Community Survey
UC Berkeley School of Environmental Science, Policy and Management
The Trinity River Community Survey will close in about a week! The survey is a watershed-wide study exploring local perspectives on the Trinity River. The survey aims to understand what Trinity County residents and visitors value about the river, how river restoration interacts with local communities, and what people hope for the future of the Trinity River and its water.
Reading, Listening, Watching
On Oregon’s McKenzie River, an unprecedented approach to restoration takes shape
High Country News | By Jaclyn Moyer | Jun. 8, 2026
A bold process aims to repair the damaged watershed. Continue Reading...
Rising odds of a strong-to-historic El Niño event in 2026, with growing likelihood of significant regional-to-global scale impacts
Weather West | By Daniel Swain | Jun. 11, 2026
What is El Niño and how can it affect global weather patterns? Continue Reading...
Klamath River Recovery Is Underway, But the River Still Needs Time, Water, and Healing
Karuk Tribe | Press Release | Jun. 16, 2026
Juvenile Salmon Disease Problem Highlights that Recovery Will Take Time. Continue Reading...
