Fishermen in California worried for jobs

JerryLove · 09-30-2009, 05:10 PM

Back in 1939, the US government setup a resuvour system in California as part of a stimulus to boost the local economy. Recent droughts have brought that resivour to historic lows, threatening infiltration of seawater. If this happens, it threatens the livlihood of salmon fishers just trying to earn a living.

The salmon fishers are threatened by the government pumping water out of these resivours. They managed to get a court to stop the pumping, protecting their livelyhood; but now the government is being pressed to resum draining tehse resivours dry.

What do you think? Is it right for the government to pump water away from a natural river to the point of costing these fishermen their jobs?

**thesteve** · 09-30-2009, 05:13 PM

If this is related to the farmers in the Central Valley needing the water for farmland it seems like it's a lose-lose situation. Keep the water flowing and the salmon fisherman can't fish. Keep the water off and the farmers can't farm.

JerryLove · 09-30-2009, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thesteve

If this is related to the farmers in the Central Valley needing the water for farmland it seems like it's a lose-lose situation. Keep the water flowing and the salmon fisherman can't fish. Keep the water off and the farmers can't farm.

Actually, if draining the water has caused the levels to lower, then continuing to drain will cause salt water to backfill making the source useless.

IOW. Draining for water will not only kill the salmon industry, but also will only supply water for a short time.

**thesteve** · 09-30-2009, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JerryLove

Actually, if draining the water has caused the levels to lower, then continuing to drain will cause salt water to backfill making the source useless.

IOW. Draining for water will not only kill the salmon industry, but also will only supply water for a short time.

does that make it lose-lose-lose?

I'm guessing this is also the same water that is being pumped into the cities of Southern California. I know in San Diego we have taken water reductions very seriously. I wonder if other cities on SoCal have done the same.