With respect to our ongoing efforts to help recover salmon in the Sacramento Valley, there is a lot to learn from the work over the past several decades to improve bird habitat and food sources along the Pacific Flyway. The major breakthrough on the Pacific Flyway came when farmers, hunters and naturalists all started asking the same question: why were all the birds congregating on the rice fields rather than the purely managed wetlands next door?

  The snowpack in Northern California this year was good. This, coupled with rain at lower elevations, led to Northern California reservoirs filling this year for the first time in five years and water spilling from certain reservoirs. As a result, Lake Shasta is now at 107% of historical average, Lake Oroville is 112% and … Continue reading “Let the Water Spread Throughout the Central Valley”

This Saturday, May 21st is World Fish Migration Day for 2016. On this day, over 1,000 organizations located throughout the world host local events “to create awareness on the importance of open rivers and migratory fish.” This day provides a great opportunity for us to reflect on the important role migratory corridors, for fish as well as birds, play in the culture of the Sacramento Valley.

A recent blog by Jay Lund from UC Davis explores the “Inevitable Changes to Water in California.” Mr. Lund’s observations are thoughtful and from our perspective, he has presented one of the most honest and practical perspectives on how many of the water challenges facing California will emerge over the next several decades.