Shasta Lake water release plan draws mixed reviews

Mixed reviews are in for a plan to release water from Shasta Lake that does not involve any cutbacks to farm water deliveries.

Last week’s proposal from federal officials was hailed as a victory for Central Valley growers, but local organizations said the plan has brought about some concerns and that release levels were not high enough.

The plan also included a stipulation to manage the water release in an effort to protect winter-run Chinook salmon by monitoring water temperatures. Young salmon start to die when water temperatures exceed about 56 degrees.