Fish die as Folsom's flow is cut

Sacramento Bee ^ | March 5, 2003 | Stuart Leavenworth

[farmfriend]

Federal water managers killed thousands of baby salmon last week when they cut back flows into the American River below Folsom Dam.

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation had ramped up releases into the river to maintain water quality far downstream in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.

[farmfriend]

I will cross index this with a follow-up story.

[farmfriend]

ping

[Hugin]

I just moved to Folsom from San Jose. Shame about the salmon, but people need water too.

[Blood of Tyrants]

The truth is that the enviro wackos don't want to save any animal or plant because to successfully restore a population ton safe breeding levels means that they lose power. They would kill thousands of fish to keep them endangered and retain control over the area.

[farmfriend]

Delta habitat protections revisited

[E.G.C.]

BTTT!!!!!!

[farmfriend]

Welcom to the area. Expect freepmail.

[Grampa Dave]

(link to 30 day history of flows from the American River)

The reason these fish were killed, if they were killed, is due to the overly high flows before they cut the flows.

Those high flows drive the baby salmon up against the edges of the river as they can't handle those heavy flos/releases.

When the water levels rapidly drop about 1,800 fps in a day or so, the small fish will get trapped if they don't get out fast enough.

[farmfriend]

They should build the Auburn dam. Then they wouldn't have to release out of Folsom for flood control. I wonder how their plan to raise the dam will effect all this.

[Grampa Dave]

I just read the Bee Article re the fish kill, and they agree with my reply here: (Link to Bee Report on fish kill in American River)

The deaths of thousands of young fish in the American River are prompting some environmentalists and federal officials to rethink water allocations that favor habitat in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta over tributaries upstream.

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation last month upped water flows from Folsom Dam to meet water-quality standards to protect fish in the Delta. In so doing, it flooded gravel bars along the American River that became habitat for spawning steelhead trout, an endangered species. The fish laid their eggs in the gravel, only to have the river recede a few weeks later. Thousands of newborn salmon were also left stranded in tiny pools last week, many eaten by gulls.

State and federal biologists are still studying how many fish died. All agree, however that well-intentioned regulations to protect the Delta are complicating efforts to make the American River more friendly to fish.

"There's no question there needs to be a new look at the (Delta) standard," said Felix Smith, a retired federal biologist and leader of Save the American River. ===========================================================

So when will President Reagan, President George Bush and President GW be blamed for the fish kill?

[Carry_Okie]

But when they reduced flows last week to save water for later, they inadvertently stranded -- left high and dry -- thousands of fall-run Chinook salmon and an undetermined number of steelhead trout, an endangered species.

Inadvertantly? With all the focus on the effects of dams on salmonids, I doubt it.

Will there be a hue and cry from the environmental movemint over this one similar to what we saw in the Klamath? My guess is that it depends upon whom the intended victims are.

[wbill]

"Thousands of fish die tragically"

Thousands of fish were tragically killed as a result of President Bush's misguided environmental policies. 'They're tampering with our water supplies', stated a spokesfish, 'Thousands of small fry will be killed as a result. We expect the poor and homeless to be hit the hardest.'

The spokesfish had no comment when asked exactly what constituted a 'homeless fish', as fish in the wild are, by definition, homeless.

A local fisherman, when asked for comment, said "I am fully supportive and in favor of the salmon. Particularly when served with lemon butter."

ok ok ok /sarcasm off.

[farmfriend]

Sarcasm is always welcome and expected on threads I post.

[trebb]

Save the baby salmon, save the baby salmon.....

[wbill]

You don't think that the 'spokesfish' was a little over the top?

[TexasCajun]

...this is California right?

Fish ARE more important than humans!!

I think all federal aid should be cut off until all California fish are no longer discriminated against!

[Mister Baredog]

Federal officials acknowledged that thousands of fish may have died but note than in any given year millions of salmon are born in the upper American River

The little ones are pretty good fried, and dipped in tarter sauce

[farmfriend]

You don't think that the 'spokesfish' was a little over the top?

Hey, if they can ascribe human emotions to them, we can give them spokes fish.

[Amerigomag]

Seldom does anyone compare the habitat in the American River prior to the construction of Folsom Dam. Pre dam flows fluctuated widely and provided an even less predictable habitat than the cultured river.

Memories are short and usually positive. The good old salmon runs weren't always good but rather marked by years of poor production at the whim of the el nino cycle.

As human habitation upstream, above the dam mushrooms these swings in flows are going to become more dramatic.

[farmfriend]

Trivia fact: Folsom dam was intended to be a low dam like Consumnes. The Grange pushed for a full size dam. We also push through Shasta Dam which was designed by a Grange member.