At the time this newsletter went to print, the preliminary water forecast provided by the California Department of Water Resources would indicate a “wet” water year for the Trinity River basin. To the Trinity River Restoration Program (TRRP) this means the potential for releases from Lewiston Dam of up to 8,500 cubic feet per second (cfs) this May. This would be the highest release from Lewiston Dam for fish restoration purposes, and the third highest release since Lewiston Dam was built. To prepare for these flows, the TRRP has been inventorying private structures in the floodplain and working with landowners to assess any potential impacts. If it is determined that existing structures are likely to be damaged as a direct result of the fishery flows, funds are being made available directly to landowners to allow necessary work to be performed prior to release of the flows. These activities have thus far been limited to structures (homes, pump houses, driveways, etc.) that will have some degree of inundation from the 8,500 cfs dam releases. A separate grant program is being developed, to be administered by Trinity County, to address potential water and septic system impacts from the fishery flows. More information about program benefits and eligibility requirements will be available in the near future. If you live along the river and believe you have a structure that will be adversely affected by the 8,500 cfs release, and have not been contacted by TRRP staff, please call Denise Wiltse, TRRP, at 623-1803.