Our Reports
Reports posted will include research reports from our monitored studies, data gathered from local, state and federal agencies as well as reports from various FOSL team members and friends.
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This report provides overhead visuals showing the changes in Rush Creek and the Silver Lake Delta from the 1940s through our present day.
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Enlargement of Sediment area at Rush Creek entrance to Silver Lake (advance of the Delta) from 1963-1994, shown schematically shown schematically from Storage Capacity, Detention Time, And Selected Sediment Deposition Characteristics For Gull and Silver Lakes, Mono County, California, U.S. Geological survey Open-File Report 95-702 Prepared in cooperation with the Mono County Energy Management Department, Sacramento, CA 1996.
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In SCE’s Technical Study Report: AQ5- Geomorphology, SCE Consultant’s note that “Spawning gravel habitat was limited in high gradient sections of the river (Rush Creek).” Further, the SCE Consultant’s states: “Rush Creek Above Silver Lake (Downstream of Reversed Creek Confluence) was not sampled because suitable spawning gravel sizes were not available. This is a low gradient reach where the channel is dominated by sand sized particles.” See SCETechnical Study Report: AQ5- Geomorphology Rush Creek Project (FERC Project No. 1389) page 16.
To counter SCE’s claim that the Rush Creek reach between the SCE powerhouse and the Silver Lake inlet lacks suitable spawning habitat, numerous fingerling salmonids were observed at several cabin dock locations within the Rush Creek channel near the Silver Lake inlet. Furthermore, fingerlings were observed within the adjacent Carex spp. marsh that serves as a critical foraging and nursery area in their post-spawn life cycle.
Environmental & Scientific
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FOSL reports will be posted as they become available.
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FOSL reports will be posted as they become available.
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FOSL reports will be posted as they become available.
Financial
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On January 10, 2025, FOSL posted a FERC formal comment letter. This comment was in response to SCE’s Consultant’s request for “Sedimentation in Silver Lake Delta Analysis and Remediation” August 19, 1997 study prepared by David P. Groeneveld, Ph.D. And Julia J. Thompson, PhD.
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In a December 2, 2024 filing to FERC, Friends of Silver Lake Comments on Draft License Application for the Rush Creek Hydroelectric FERC Project No. 1389.
FOSL is concerned that the Southern California Edison’s (SCE) Rush’s past, current and proposed operation of the Project, system management and proposed infrastructure changes set forth in the Draft License Application under FERC review (Modified Project), have and will negatively impact water quality and will directly accelerate accretion below the power plant at the Rush Creek and Silver Lake delta. FOSL believes the Modified Project will detrimentally affect the unique salmonid spawning areas, fishing, tourism, recreational usage and Silver Lake water quality.
Regulatory
Our Friends’ Reports
The following includes research materials from third-party organizations who are doing good work in our mutual mission to preserve and protect Silver Lake and its surrounding environs.
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The following 1997 report is the only known recent scientific historical sedimentation collection, data analysis and remediation document for Rush Creek and Silver Lake. During the February 13, 2024 Rush Creek Relicensing Community Meeting hosted by SCE, SCE officials stated the Groeneveld study was being reviewed and considered. FOSL has not seen any evidence that SCE is considering replicating the results of this scientific sediment analysis.
The ESSLIA FERC Submissions set forth areas of common concern FOSL has regarding the SCE Rush Creek Hydroelectric Project as well as possible ways to address future accelerate sedimentation build up due to local hydroelectric activities.
Photo Credit: Casey Horner