California Delta - Ecosystem Degradation - Is this documentary accurate? I am a San Diego County resident, relocating from the Northeast a couple decades ago, never traveling to...

sawheeler52 Loc: Escondido, CA

I am a San Diego County resident, relocating from the Northeast a couple decades ago, never traveling to Northern California.
It is through this fishing forum that I became aware of the magnitude of the Delta fishery.
Last night, I had a chance to watch this 2021 documentary of CA water regulations and the impact of river diversions.
It was disheartening for me to watch, focusing a lot on the negative ecosystem impact on the Delta.
So a few questions:
1. Does this documentary portray accurately? I'm guessing yes.
2. Have you experienced any of the described impacts?
3. Is it better now than in 2021?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=falDH2fSETA&t=1919s
Stephen

Gordon Loc: Charleston South Carolina

sawheeler52 wrote:

I am a San Diego County resident, relocating from ... (show quote)

Won't let me watch it without loading an appt 😩

sawheeler52 Loc: Escondido, CA

Gordon,
Sorry 'bout that.
My bad.
I didn't notice the "youtube.tv" part in the link as we subscribe to this service for our internet access.
I think this one will work.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhsQTkf-1BY

sawheeler52 Loc: Escondido, CA

Gordon wrote:

Won't let me watch it without loading an appt 😩

Gordon,
I think I just gave you the link to a 2-minute clip instead of the full documentary.
This is the one that should give you access.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=falDH2fSETA

Gordon Loc: Charleston South Carolina

sawheeler52 wrote:

Gordon,
Sorry 'bout that.
My bad.
I didn't notice the "youtube.tv" part in the link as we subscribe to this service for our internet access.
I think this one will work.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhsQTkf-1BY

This one works.

Gordon Loc: Charleston South Carolina

sawheeler52 wrote:

Gordon,
I think I just gave you the link to a 2-minute clip instead of the full documentary.
This is the one that should give you access.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=falDH2fSETA

This one dont.

Gordon Loc: Charleston South Carolina

sawheeler52 wrote:

Gordon,
Sorry 'bout that.
My bad.
I didn't notice the "youtube.tv" part in the link as we subscribe to this service for our internet access.
I think this one will work.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhsQTkf-1BY

That's scary. One of the things we take for granted. You just don't thing about running out of water.

sawheeler52 Loc: Escondido, CA

Gordon wrote:

That's scary. One of the things we take for granted. You just don't thing about running out of water.

Scariest part to me was the apparent negative impact on the whole Delta ecosystem, not just the fish.
Waiting for someone from the area to comment.
Stephen

Gordon Loc: Charleston South Carolina

sawheeler52 wrote:

Scariest part to me was the apparent negative impact on the whole Delta ecosystem, not just the fish.
Waiting for someone from the area to comment.
Stephen

Very good post Stephen. Someone should be along soon I hope. Thanks for the post.

40GRIT Loc: San Ramon, CA

sawheeler52 wrote:

I am a San Diego County resident, relocating from ... (show quote)

Sawheeler, thanks for bringing this documentary to the Stage. I just finished watching it and it was very informative and disheartening……In response to your questions I would unfortunately say Yes, Yes and Yes. This year they shut down the salmon fishing completely here, due to lack of spawning salmon. When I first moved to California in 1997 (although not an active fisherman at that point) the salmon runs were very common and observable throughout this area, now they are not, not in any real numbers. In the documentary, very near the end, one of the experts stated that we (California) have the resources for a solution to the water needs and named a number of ways but then went on to say that isn’t the hurdle, it’s finding a solution to change the politics of the problem is the biggest hurdle. As I said, disheartening……….

I’d be interested in PapaD’s and Saw1’s views, I know PapaD (Doug) lives near and has fished the Delta for years and Saw1 (Steve) is also an long time area fisherman.

sawheeler52 Loc: Escondido, CA

40GRIT wrote:

Sawheeler, thanks for bringing this documentary to... (show quote)

40GRIT,
I also hope other area locals can educate me further.
Watching the documentary led me to watch the movie "China Town" with Jack Nicholson.
A well written movie which demonstrates some of the early activities re: CA water ruling .
Stephen

NoCal Steve Loc: Dunnigan, CA

If it says there are negative consequences from the "water rape" SoCal does to NorCal then it is 100% accurate.

Placerville Loc: Northern California

sawheeler52 wrote:

Scariest part to me was the apparent negative impact on the whole Delta ecosystem, not just the fish.
Waiting for someone from the area to comment.
Stephen

I have not lived in Northern California for very long but I listen to Bob Sims outdoor life program on Saturday mornings and he talks about all the water that comes down the Sacramento River that is diverted and goes south. He says the delta does not get cleaned out because much of the water that is diverted. That is why most of the fishing associations are against the tunnel idea. It will yet divert more of the water south.

sawheeler52 Loc: Escondido, CA

NoCal Steve wrote:

If it says there are negative consequences from the "water rape" SoCal does to NorCal then it is 100% accurate.

Yes, that is the focal point, showing the dirty history of water barons secretly acquiring land & profiting from water sales to SoCal cities, the displacement of local populations, the dramatic impact to the entire Delta ecosystem due to the multiple river diversion projects upstream of the Delta, the over-pumping of aquifer water and most sadly the F'd Up political systems which ensure the water goes to the money.
One note, if I remember it right, the cities indeed consume about 20% of the system water while 80% goes to Central Valley conglomerate agriculture (notably almonds).
One question.
The documentary stated that what I believe they called the Delta Smelt was seriously endangered (this in 2021). Still got any?
Stephen

Placerville Loc: Northern California

sawheeler52 wrote:

Yes, that is the focal point, showing the dirty hi... (show quote)

You are exactly right. There are farms in the valley ( mostly almonds ) that only exist because of delta water. Near Madera there are farms that are drawing water from 400+ feet down. The cost is very expensive so they rather buy delta water and they pay a steep price. The governor and state agencies want to go ahead with the tunnel
( used to be tunnels ) but because of the backlash they lessened it to one tunnel. Still there are many associations against it so at this time it is tied up in the courts. There have been no Delta Smelt found in I believe 2 years.