drought

The Water is Flowing and Salmon are Spawning

We hope that you have already heard the good news that salmon are spawning throughout West Marin! Maybe you have even been out to see the salmon spawning in a nearby creek or taken a creek walk tour with our friends at SPAWN?

In the midst of our continuing drought, we are relieved that we got enough rain to allow our beloved and threatened salmon to migrate up our creeks this winter. In fact, they have been seen in new tributaries, with above-average redd (coho egg nest) counts, and with some larger fish than normal! Marin County has the largest population of Central Coast endangered coho salmon from Monterey Bay to the Sonoma-Mendocino county line. While the news is very encouraging, the numbers are still below the federal species recovery target.

Drought: Balancing Human & Wildlife Needs

Droughts don’t only impact humans, they have profound negative impacts on the natural environment. Looking at our dry creeks and stressed trees is a glimpse of the struggles to come. Finding a pathway to ensure the health and well-being of our entire ecosystem begs the question – are we individually and collectively doing enough to plan and conserve water?

Drought and Decisions to Remove Water from the Environment

We are in a historic drought and getting a preview of what a future with limited water may look like. Our water infrastructure is stressed, communities are on the verge of rationing water, and the need to find new sources of water are being explored through discussions and actions related to desalination, building water pipelines, and the implementation of new well drilling.

Often, the focus of the drought is framed on the negative impacts to people, which leaves out the impacts on our natural environment. The drought is not only impacting the human environment, it is having profound negative impacts on the natural environment and species. One only has to take a look at our watershed with dry creeks and stressed trees and vegetation to begin to get a glimpse of the implications. The natural environment needs water not only to support habitat and species, but also to recharge our community water sources.

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