Sunday, June 03, 2007
Give Smelt a Chance
Some of the giant pumps taking water out of the Delta have shut down north of Tracy, at least for a small time.
The pumps have shut down to attempt to bring back the Delta Smelt, a small fish that is decreasing in population yearly. Scientists have determined the pumps are killing large numbers of the smelt, who are not mature enough to pull away from the intake of the pumps this early in their developmental cycle.
Scientists hope that shutting down two of the major pumps and lessening the pull on others will help the smelt as they begin to move further downstream.
The pumps are to remain inoperative for at least 10 days, but may go longer, depending if the smelt have moved on. Tracy and nearby areas are considering water rationing, in this, a dry year already. Agriculture is already taking measures to deal with the new H2O reality. Cotton fields, a high water use but low profit crop, have been plowed under. Farmers are concentrating on keeping long-term orchards alive and producing. Rising water prices will most like result in a rise of prices for consumers.
Some wonder why we are going to such great lengths to save a Delta fish that isn't really useable by humans and provides no interest to anglers. Others wonder why we haven't done something sooner for the smelt, a native species, while going crazy trying to help "two stupid whales" lost recently in the Delta. Of course, we know smelt are part of a food chain, and when they disappear, more species will likely be affected.
The Delta is a heavily used water system, supplying water to people throughout the state. Aquaducts lead south to the Los Angeles basin and west to the Bay Area. Cutting water supplies for the sake of smelt will be politically difficult, if not impossible. However, the species is in decline due to the interference by humans in their home. Why should we care? The Delta is changing. A waterway as important to all residents of the state must be protected. The smelt are a sign of the health of the Delta. Right now, that health is in question.
The pumps have shut down to attempt to bring back the Delta Smelt, a small fish that is decreasing in population yearly. Scientists have determined the pumps are killing large numbers of the smelt, who are not mature enough to pull away from the intake of the pumps this early in their developmental cycle.
Scientists hope that shutting down two of the major pumps and lessening the pull on others will help the smelt as they begin to move further downstream.
The pumps are to remain inoperative for at least 10 days, but may go longer, depending if the smelt have moved on. Tracy and nearby areas are considering water rationing, in this, a dry year already. Agriculture is already taking measures to deal with the new H2O reality. Cotton fields, a high water use but low profit crop, have been plowed under. Farmers are concentrating on keeping long-term orchards alive and producing. Rising water prices will most like result in a rise of prices for consumers.
Some wonder why we are going to such great lengths to save a Delta fish that isn't really useable by humans and provides no interest to anglers. Others wonder why we haven't done something sooner for the smelt, a native species, while going crazy trying to help "two stupid whales" lost recently in the Delta. Of course, we know smelt are part of a food chain, and when they disappear, more species will likely be affected.
The Delta is a heavily used water system, supplying water to people throughout the state. Aquaducts lead south to the Los Angeles basin and west to the Bay Area. Cutting water supplies for the sake of smelt will be politically difficult, if not impossible. However, the species is in decline due to the interference by humans in their home. Why should we care? The Delta is changing. A waterway as important to all residents of the state must be protected. The smelt are a sign of the health of the Delta. Right now, that health is in question.
