Eventful day yesterday. Got to meet a river celebrity, Doug Killam of monster Salmon fame. In 2008 Doug, from CA Fish and Game was called to look at an 'above average' salmon carcass found up Battle Creek, got his picture taken and experienced a his moment of fame. Doug joined us for a thoughtful discussion on the present and future of Salmon in the river. So many issues with habitat, water quality and fair allocation of resources. 

This area is one of immense interest from a historical and natural history standpoint. In 2008, our interview guest today, Doug Killam, was one of a team to find this monster Salmon, perhaps a last vestige, a reminder of what 'once' was normal. Battle Creek was one of the most prolific spawning grounds for the prolific Winter Run, it is also the place where people like Doug struggle to keep this endangered species going.

The Sacramento looks so good up here, it is hard to grasp the problems. Today's sightings included beaver, otter, osprey, two flavors of heron and of course Bank Swallows. 
​

River a clear emerald. Fast and beautiful. We are on 10,400 cfs and booking, at least 4mph. Best qoute of the day was from our shuttle driver who said “wait a second... how far?” He has never been to Sherman Island before but is anxious to see it.

So here's the plan. Tom Bartels, good friend, videographer and all-around outdoorsman and myself are going to climb into my dory and float/row 300 miles of flat river. Like most river people, we developed our love for moving water facing down our fears running big rapids in a remote wilderness setting. This is not that kind of trip. The Sacramento is pretty much dead flat, a stone's throw from pavement (or a Burger King) for nearly it's entire length. The Sacramento supplies drinking water for half of California's citizen's and most of our agriculture. It is basically a plumbing system, levee'd and channelized to squeeze out every last drop.
And yet, there are pockets of wilderness and beauty as you float through a patch-work of farm and orchard. We think there is a story here. This place is a symbol of what is coming as urbanization and growth intersect with the realities of climate change. 

Along the way we have invited folks to join us from all areas of expertise: environmental restoration, fisheries habitat, agriculture, and (maybe) even politicians. People who have a strong tie with this valley, and in many cases have dedicated their lives to making things better. 
Should be fun, hop on the boat with us! Tom and Mitch

Almonds are this year's Hummer's. The "Devil's Nut." The poster child for environmental irresponsibility.
​And yet, we all know the dangers of picking out one group, and blaming them for all of our societal woes. Farmers is a business.

The worst foods?
Close to a tie between chocolate and beef. Cattle require hay and alfalfa, which are water suckers.
We use 1 trillion gallons per year to grow alfalfa in the desert. So anecdotally, eating a burger is worse than showering for 6 months.
California’s 2017 almond acreage is estimated at 1,330,000 acres, up 7 percent from the 2016 acreage of 1,240,000.

The key is choice. We are the one's who need to decide. Would we rather have pistachio's or more cold water for salmon habitat?
http://www.slate.com/articles/business/moneybox/2015/04/almonds_in_california_they_use_up_a_lot_of_water_but_they_deserve_a_place.html