UKIAH, Calif. – In coordination with National Marine Fisheries Service and California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Pacific Gas and Electric Company will increase water flows into the upper Eel River to aid the downstream migration of juvenile salmon and steelhead to the ocean.

The water release will take place during the weeks of April 20, May 4 and May 18.

With limited precipitation expected throughout the month of May, a block water release will mimic spring rainfall by increasing water flows and likely encourage fish to migrate downstream.

The block water release will target salmon and steelhead in the Eel River between Scott Dam at Lake Pillsbury in Lake County and Cape Horn Dam north of Potter Valley.

The release may also benefit fish in the Eel River downstream of Cape Horn Dam.

At the same time, PG&E strongly supports the governor’s statewide declaration of a drought emergency.

PG&E is working hard to steward water resources in a responsible manner. The utility is conserving water in its reservoirs so hydropower will still be available during peak demand periods of summer, and as much water as possible will be available to support environmental considerations, as well as agriculture and drinking water.

In order to ensure these needs are met later in the year, PG&E is strategically generating less hydropower now in order to generate power when it is needed most.

While the release of water into the Eel River has environmental benefits, it will also cause increased water levels and currents.

The total block water release of approximately 1,500 acre feet of water from Scott Dam is in addition to the existing streamflows in the upper Eel River.

Three pulse releases will be made, each lasting about 40 hours. The current 200 cubic feet per second flows, or cfs, at Scott Dam will increase to peaks ranging from 300 to 400 cfs over the release period.

Safety is PG&E’s top priority, and residents and recreationists are encouraged to use extra caution if near or entering the waterway during the increased flows. Below are additional water safety tips.

Know the water

· Sudden immersion in cold water can stimulate the “gasp reflex” causing an involuntary inhalation of air or water. It can even trigger cardiac arrest, temporary paralysis, hypothermia and drowning. When faced with swift water, even the strongest swimmers may be easily overwhelmed.

· Cold water entering the ear canal can cause vertigo and disorientation. This may confuse swimmers, causing them to venture deeper into the water.

Know your limits

· Swimming in open water is more difficult than in a swimming pool – people tire more quickly and can get into trouble.

· Cold water causes impairment leading to fatalities. It reduces body heat 25 to 30 times faster than air does at the same temperature.

· Many unseen obstacles can be lurking below the water’s surface. Swift water can make these obstacles even more treacherous.

Wear a life jacket

· Conditions change quickly in open water and even the best swimmers can misjudge the water and their skills when boating or swimming. Wearing a life jacket can increase survival time.

· A life jacket can provide some thermal protection against the onset of hypothermia and keep you afloat until someone else can rescue you.

Parental supervision

· Actively supervise children in and around open bodies of water, giving them your undivided attention. Appoint a designated “water watcher,” taking turns with other adults.

· Teach children that swimming in open water is not the same as swimming in a pool: they need to be aware of uneven surfaces, river currents, ocean undertow and changing weather.