Streamkeeper's Log Summer 2014

Summer 2014 Entry 136
CalTrout’s mission is
to protect and restore wild trout, steelhead, salmon and their waters throughout California.
Inside
Drought Legislation, Fish & Fishing
Current Bill Overview Impacts On Fish
CalTrout’s Growing Commitment to the North Coast Region
Spotlight on a few recent key efforts/events:
Hat Creek Update Casting Call 2014
California Water Foundation Recognized
Staff & Board
Visit our website for news, updates & gear:
caltrout.org
Drought – where we’re at, what we can expect
As California enters its third year of drought, the full brunt of broken water policy comes to bear on our rivers and fish and people. Town wells are going dry, streams are becoming dewatered and fish kills and rescue programs are commonplace. And it’s not likely to get better soon.
We can hope for an El Nino year to bail us out – it’s certainly possible, but our colleagues at UC Davis say don’t count on it. According to their analysis, there is a 71 percent chance next year will be a below normal – or drier – water year and only a 29 percent chance of an above normal or wet year. Not great odds that our drought will come to a rain-drenching conclusion soon. Given this outlook, we should have all the incentive we need to improve our broken water system.
Drought provides an opportunity to establish long-term solutions by incorporating recent innovation and technology.
Every year we use 6 million acre feet of water more than our rivers and aquifers can sustainably provide. Yet recent estimates suggest we could save up to 14 million acre feet through agricultural water use efficiency, storm water recapture, urban water use efficiency, and improved groundwater management.
And indeed, we are seeing these ideas for better management of our water translate into legislative action in Sacramento. As expected, the drought has water interest groups scurrying about the Capitol. CalTrout is there promoting bills and shaping legislation.
In this Streamkeeper’s Log, we summarize some of the issues and legislation we are actively involved with in Sacramento.
We’ll keep working on solutions... for fish and for people.
Jeff Thompson
Executive Director, CalTrout
Drought Monitor Map from the National Drought Mitigation Center
The CalTrout team