This entry may be considered one of my rantings. It is about the water situation in California's central valley and particularly about the city of Sacramento. However, it is relative to every one's interest in how the media and/or local politicians twist the facts to suit their own interests in power control and money.The morning news has two items that are pertinent to my comments. One states that it appears there will be an El Ninã effect on our winter's weather. This effect brings cooler water to the North Pacific ocean which can change the jet streams that cross the U.S. The article further states that this means we can expect a drought. Less snow in our mountains; less water available. Now, without going into the shaky record of our local weatherman predictions, let me point out that even if there is an El Ninã effect, in the past this has also produced the greatest floods in our history. So, what have we here? A toss-up? But let's get to my belief that the media either has a stake in these dire predictions, loves to publish "fear" stories or is influenced by their contacts with the politicians and power grabbers who are interested in the money involved. Water is 'money' in California. Vast sums are spent to acquire or control it. Its price is affected by its projected availability. Less water - - more money. A forecasted drought will boost the price dramatically. And the local media has always favored the stories about drought.
A second story in this morning's paper stated that leaders in our community are pushing forward on a plan to build a canal that will divert Sacramento River water away from its delta, the area where the river meets the sea. They state we must protect our water from the invasion of sea water from floods, storms or other natural disasters that may taint our drinking supply. The cost of the canal to the citizens? 15 billion dollars.
I was born about 15 miles outside of Sacramento so many years ago that I am a little older than its dirt. I have lived here almost all of that time. Our city is divided by two rivers, the American River and the Sacramento river. I have never seen these rivers stop flowing. I grew up swimming in both. I have never tasted salt water while doing so. Both harbor fresh water fish and always have. The American River supplied drinking water to North Sacramento along with 5 wells nourished by its adjacent presence. A political push many years ago forced two ballot measures to make our village a part of Sacramento city. The first effort failed so they tried again and succeeded. Sacramento wanted our water. They promised to keep us water-meter free. In other words: we will take your water and then let you waste it as you choose. Clever, and it worked. Incidentally, the city government recently pushed to install meters throughout the city. So much for promises. The discovery that they could not account for the disappearance of hundreds of stored meters has dampened the fervor somewhat. The Sacramento River is the focus in recent efforts to build new or repair old levees to keep us safe from the threat of river flooding. The powers that be want us protected from that infamous 100 yr. massive flood. One can see the controversy here. Abundant water is a threat, it can be wasted, it needs control - - - and yet every year we are told that it is scarce, there will be a drought, the Sierra snow pack will be limited.
Here is what I know will be said. When snowfall is light in the winter the media is delighted to propose water rationing. One year they managed to get local laws passed that let you water your lawn only on alternate days. Water police would patrol the neighborhoods to pass out tickets to offenders. When snowfall is heavy and the mountains are burdened with its weight the media dutifully report that "samples taken show that there is less water content in the snow." How convenient. One year there was a drive urging people to conserve by using 'grey' water such as dish water to water their plants. While walking through the plush Land Park area I spotted a woman doing just that. I asked what was going on and she stated she was doing her part to conserve water. I had to point out that I had just passed through the city's large William Land Park and the water sprinklers were going full blast and had been on since early morn, flooding the area so that any potential visitors could not reach the picnic tables without wading boots. The point of all this is that our rivers are still flowing and that for many years we have the added Folsom Lake, created by a dam on the American River. Media usually points out in dryer years that the water level is low and boaters can't launch their craft. Water will be in short supply. Well, when I was young I used to walk across that area past the houses that are now buried under the water. The rivers weren't any higher or lower than they are now. Of course there are more people, the community has grown hugely and the resultant demand for water is increased. But, people, the rivers are still running high, the possibility of floods are even real and the city is still flooding Land Park. Aren't the filtration plants functioning? There is no water shortage.
Just sayin'
