A rare, wild green sturgeon was found on the San Joaquin River upriver from the confluence of the Merced last weekend by U.S. Bureau of Reclamation crews checking salmon traps at Hills Ferry. The discovery caused some excitement as this endangered fish had not been seen that far up the...
Feds Cut Water to Exchange Contractors, Wildlife Refuges
The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation announced a water allocation update Monday and it had disappointing news for some San Joaquin Valley farmers, as well as wildlife refuges. The San Joaquin River Exchange Contractors saw their allocation cut from February's announced 100% to 75%, which is their contract minimum. Wildlife refuges...
San Joaquin River's Genetic Imposters Made Salmon History
An unexpected number of chinook salmon swam up the San Joaquin River last spring, prompting surprise and giddy pronouncements that the river’s long-dead spring-run population had been resurrected. The 500 or so fish were living proof that the 11-year-long river restoration program was a success. A “smashing” success, some advocates...
Walters: Westlands Contract Shakes the Waterscape
California’s perpetual, uber-complex conflict over water progresses much like the tectonic plates that grind against one another beneath its surface. Periodically, as subterranean friction increases, there’s a sudden movement that we call an earthquake — sometimes imperceptibly small, but occasionally large enough to disrupt and endanger life at the surface....
Did Reclamation Do Right by Westlands With 55% Allocation?
There is good news from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation for Westlands Water District growers. The Bureau has increased this year's water allocation to district farmers from the 35% announced last month to 55%. But, according to the district, the news should have been better considering California's snowpack and rainfall...