Born and raised in California. I moved away at age 27. We had droughts. We had deluge. When there was drought, we conserved, but always had water in the reservoirs. We never heard of the Delta Smelt, the Three specked marsh frog. Whatever else. I moved out the year some farmer had his entire operation shut down because of some kangaroo rat was found nesting on his field. That’s when I am really thankful I moved. I miss the geography but the place is a dysfunctional mess.
That Delta Smelt is not even indigenous to California, correct? It’s basically an invasive species.
I heard that, in the recent past, enough fresh water to supply the needs of four million California homes were flushed into the California Delta region on behalf of this non-native smelt. Ugh.