CFM,

I hadn't heard that, but can't say that I'm surprised. Cowlitz Falls was emptied back in September for maintenance work, and they may have sluiced previously settled glacial silt into Riffe. However, Riffe is normally where upper Cowlitz silt has ended up for 40 years, so that isn't new. The recent flood must have stirred it up - glacial silt goes into suspension easily and then stays for a long time, so that's what Mossyrock must be discharging, and then Mayfield.

Since glacial silt is naturally occurring, and the arsenic is naturally occurring, DOE could ony require the utilities to control the release if it was somehow controllable. DOE and utilities in general in the midst of a spitting contest over what and when water quality is under utility control and when it isn't. Consequently, I wouldn't expect any agency action to be forthcoming. You know how hard it is to get action when there is a bonafide violation. If the violation is questionable, then enforcement action is extremely remote.

If Riffe is full of this material, then the Cowlitz could stay colored up for 1 1/2 months to 2 months based on what happened two years ago, I think. If so, I'll be fishing elsewhere for more than one reason.

Sincerely,

Salmo g.