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Releases from Folsom dam spawn fish concerns

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on July 29, 2007 at 10:20 am

The Bureau of Reclamation has been releasing water at a faster rate from Folsom Dam this summer, sending the water downstream to refill the San Luis Reservoir, which was severely drawn down during the pump shutdown earlier this summer, as well as make up for the shortfall of water deliveries to agricultural users. However, some are concerned that releases of water will deplete the cold water needed for the salmon and steelhead fish in the fall, resulting in a large fish kill of these endangered species.

From the Sacramento Bee:

Tim Horner, a geology professor at California State University, Sacramento, who studies the river, said the conflict highlights a perennial struggle for water between the environment and thirsty farms and cities — one that worsens in dry years. “I can almost guarantee we will have a large fish kill this fall,” he said. “We’re going to kill a bunch of fish before they spawn, and maybe we’ll finally realize we’ve got to do things differently. We can’t deliver all the (water) contracts and still have enough water for fish.”

The Bureau of Reclamation plans to cut releases from the dam to 2,500 cfs in mid-August. This strategy will leave enough cold water in the lake for fall releases, when the fish need it, McCracken said. “We’re going to ensure we meet all of our requirements in the American River for all our fishery needs,” he said. “That’s part of our operation just as it is to deliver water to the people who pay for it.”

To read the full text of this story from the Sacramento Bee, click here.

July 29, 2007 · Filed Under Water & Wildlife

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