It’s good weather news for California’s native trout, steelhead and salmon; record March snowfalls have left the state with a snowpack at 165% of normal.
The extra snowpack can mean extra flows for fish (drought conditions can be hard on native coldwater species — especially those in already degraded habitat or suffering from excessive water diversions).
Still, California’s record March precipitation does not mean the fight to protect water supplies for fish is over, as noted by the Governor’s website:
“While this season’s storms have lifted us out of the drought, it’s critical that Californians continue to watch their water use,” Brown said. “Drought or no drought, demand for water in California always outstrips supply. Continued conservation is key.”
“While this season’s storms have lifted us out of the drought, it’s critical that Californians continue to watch their water use,” Brown said. “Drought or no drought, demand for water in California always outstrips supply. Continued conservation is key.”
With the water flowing into the California Delta overcommitted many times over (even in the wettest years), even record snowpack won’t alleviate the pressure on California’s native trout, steelhead and salmon.
