Drought Effect on the Native fish populations

[1mocast]

http://www.latimes.com/local/california ... story.html

[Wildman]

Thanks for sharing....I saw the results first hand on the Smith River while we were on fires near Crescent City. I worry for our locals.

[BrownBear]

Sounds crazy, but we have a "drought" under way here. But the complexion is really different than the drought down there. We've only had half an inch of rain in August, down from a normal of 3-4". But the timing couldn't be worse.

It comes just as millions of pink salmon (literally) are entering low rivers, so many that they deplete the oxygen as they die off after spawning or simply breathe in their black masses. Meanwhile reds of newly deposited eggs are exposed as stream channels narrow. It's pretty startling to be out on a hot sunny day and see thousands of salmon turn over and die in a few minutes time..... Lots more are following in their wake and will take care of the propagation business once the rains return. Meanwhile each tide brings in another big batch of fish, and you get to watch it happen all over again.

I only bring it up because it's a graphic example of what you're likely seeing down there on a smaller scale. Food for thought, and fertilizer for the stream bed.