It's the result of a three-year collaboration. Settlement talks on the federal lawsuit continue. Upstream, for the first time in 30 to 60 years, some power plants face relicensing by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Recreational users want consistent water levels, saying water projects have at times diminished flow near Big Creek at Horseshoe Bend. Utilities have been operating unhindered for 50 to 100 years.
Biologists say dams prevent scouring of the river channel.
More water releases would clear sediments out of prime spawning grounds for fish, says biologist U.S. Forest Service biologist Loren Everest. License renewals average 16 years, and take place with virtually no deadlines. It's a quantity and quality issue. In search of a verdict. Rescuing our river.