Lower Tuolumne Devastation
(The Repercussions of California's Water and
Power Problems)
After the relicensing of New Don Pedro
Dam in 1994, we truly felt that the water release problems on
the Lower Tuoulmne River, were in a temporarily "patched"
condition. It turned out to be very temporary.
The years following the signing of
this agreement, were some of the biggest water years this state
has ever had. With the 95 and 97 floods, our salmon and steelhead
fisheries had been reborn. Studies during the drought showed a
dismal 25 fall run salmon, returning to the river in 92. Last
year, that number improved to near 20,000 fall run kings. The
rivers steelhead populations, have also grown at a very comparable
pace as well. There has been hardly any studies done on steelhead
during that time, because the Local, State, and Federal agencies,
have only recently admitted to their existence. Turlock and Modesto
Irrigation Districts (TID/MID) continues to deny the fact that
steelhead a present in this river to this day and their action
prove it.
In June of 2001, the flows were brought
up in all of the San Joaquine tributary rivers, to aide the out
migration of fall run Chinook smolt. This raise in water also
brings the last of the spring run steelhead and salmon, from the
salt and into our rivers. The flows were released for about two
weeks, and were then dropped in one 24 hour period to 92 cfs.
This drop, (which is the minimum required flow as written in the
Don Perdo agreement of 94) created lethal river conditions for
the steelhead and salmon that migrated up to spawn. During all
of this, this area of California was hit with a nasty heat snap,
which bought the temperatures up in excess of 100 degrees. This,
combined with the low flows brought the river temperature up to
as much as 80 degrees, in riffles that are normally no warmer
than 60 degrees.
The decreased flows and dimal river
conditions, made it nearly impossible for any salmonid species
to survive. The steelhead and salmon that we have fought so hard
for, began to float to the surface of the water. I actually witnessed
this when I encountered around 10 dead fish, on the banks of the
river, in La-Grange. I saw this, only after hearing many reports
of dead fish in the few hours prior to my first visit. I reported
this to the CDFG field office in la-grange and was surprised to
find they had not seen the same thing. In fact, DFG seemed to
take an almost defensive position on the matter saying that "the
reports that we have had cannot be substantiated" and that
they would discourage people like myself from "crying wolf"
on this issue. It was clear that for some reason CDFG could not
find proof of dead fish in the river.
The National Marine Fisheries Service
(NMPHS) issued CRRF Members, a collection permit to take any
dead salmon or steelhaed we could find. It didn't take us long.
The next day, we found a 18 1/2 pound, Endangered, Spring Run
Chinook Salmon in the river, below Waterford. This fish had only
been dead for a matter of hours. Its eye's were not clouded and
rigermourtist had not yet set in. The water temperature was 76-77
degrees and was stagnant , where we found this fish. The banks
were covered with thousands of dead clams, which were uncovered
by the drop in flow and left "high and dry". I can
tell you that the smell alone could have killed the fish. We dove
in, got the fish and collected it for NMPHS, all while the video
camera was rolling.
Over the next few weeks we filmed
and photographed dead salmon, steelhead, shad, pikeminnow, small
bass, Sacramento suckers, and tens of thousands of clams. The
majority of these deaths were due to the low stagnant flow of
the river. When we reported that we had photo proof of this, The
agencies amazingly found a "Few dead fish" of their
own. After that point, they began to change their attitude on
this matter.
Our clients and fellow fisherman have
fished this river and enjoyed the wonderful fishing it has provided
over the years. From steelhead and salmon, to stripers and smallouth
bass, I'm sure you all have stories to share. You have seen first
hand, how this river has come back from nothing, to a really special
fishery. Many of you have also witnessed the repercussions of
sudden the drop on the river as well. We ask you to email us any
experiences you have had since 95 in the river, so we can gather
the information and the support we need to fight this worthy battle.
We need to assure that this river keeps climbing up the hill and
never gets pushed down with an "avalanche" like this
again.
We all need water.... Farmers, power
companies, and cities for drinking. Their are also some people
and companies which profit enormously from that water. The least
concern to most of these people, are the native fish that suffer
the consequences of success. We are the only voice for the inhabitants
of our rivers. Without us fighting for them, they will not survive.
Let us make a stand now, to make sure our grandchildren can enjoy
what we have in the future. We owe it to ourselves and the fish.
Currently The California
Rivers Restoration Fund is working with the TID/MID and all state
and federal agencies to assure that htis never happens in the
Lower Tuolumne again. We have been at the center of recomending
a flow improvement schedual that will prtect stelhead in the river.
We have given the Irrgation districs our demanded flow schedual
and we are watiing for their response.
There will be more information to come....
Steve B. Walser (Executive Director)
California Rivers Restoration Fund
(209) 539-7146