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Thread: Algae Bloom, Dead Fish, and Bio-runoff

  1. #1
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    Jan 2005
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    Yuba City, Ca.
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    2,229

    Angry Algae Bloom, Dead Fish, and Bio-runoff

    Not sure if this is the best place to put this topic but here it goes.

    Bill recently posted several things about problems that Florida is having concerning run-off that is killing sea-grass and also creating algae blooms. Fertilizer run-off is having major affect on the Everglades and surrounding areas.

    This is almost identical to our problem here with the delta. Now we've brought in the subject of "Homeless Camps" and bio-waste.

    All good stuff to talk about, and it's happening everywhere.

    And it all stems from lack of WATER, and too many people using what little there is.

    Now lets bring in MISMANAGEMENT and POLITICS and following the MONEY-TRAIL.

    Want to bring in some more things to talk about related to this? How about GLOBAL WARMING?

    This can go on and on, but we're here in Northern California so maybe we should limit our input to things we're immediately familiar with?
    Tony
    TONY BUZOLICH
    Feather River Fly
    Yuba City, CA.
    (530) 790-7180

  2. #2
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    Mar 2005
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    Tejas !!
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    792

    Default

    Tony, I think you pretty much nailed it here.

  3. #3
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    Default Available Water....

    It seems to me that the lack of availability of water (diversion/storage/use) for use by agriculture, local governments and water districts is at least one major part of our problems. The availability of water depends, to great extent on an outdated diversion legal principle, "First in time, first in right." This principle was one of the first adopted when CA became state (eighteen hundreds). Ranking it up there with some of the oldest state statutes and this right is passed on by inheritance. The result is that the uses of water rights has become very complex and we haven't even begun to discuss infrastructure. Sales of water rights have become common place (to the enrichment of many sellers). The end uses by agriculture, speculators, developers, industry and local governments frequently result in polluted water, in the form of either run-off or untreated outfalls being returned to our rivers/streams. It should be obvious by now that the, "First in time, first in right" principle be reviewed for update.
    "America is a country which produces citizens who will cross the ocean to fight for democracy but won't cross the street to vote."

    Author unknown

  4. #4
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    Sep 2011
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    Byron Bay,Australia
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    Default

    This very subject is addressed in Monte Burkes great book "Lords of the Fly" where the author talks about water abuse in Florida fifty years ago and the repercussive effects on the Tarpon fishery there.Anyone want to talk about Golf courses?

  5. #5
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    Default

    Boy, that's a good one Dynaflow. Ya, Golf Courses in the desert like Las Vegas, Palm Springs,,,everywhere!

    Take a look at a few Youtubes showing Lake Mead or the Colorado River.

    Here's a new one, Why aren't there more Desalinization Plants being built? If the oceans are rising we ought to be able to desalt that water and use it for inland purposes.
    TONY BUZOLICH
    Feather River Fly
    Yuba City, CA.
    (530) 790-7180

  6. #6
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    May 2020
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    Santa Rosa
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    Easy answers are difficult to find. Desalination plants consume an enormous amount of energy. The one in Carlsbad cut its output 20% this week because the CA power grid couldn't handle the load. Environmental protection laws also limit the high-salinity effluent released into the ocean. The fundamental problem is too many people, making all of us part of the problem

  7. #7
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    Default

    I agree with that last statement 100%. But here we are allowing migrants by the thousands to move into our country and add to the problem. With limited resources dwindling we keep taping into an over burdened supply that can't sustain itself forever.

    There used to be an old saying about putting too many rats in a box together before they'd start eating each other. Are we approaching that point? Countries with populations squeezed shoulder to shoulder don't prosper and grow without a lot of folks becoming homeless like we're seeing now.

    All of this just keeps adding to the demise of our natural resources. Stricter honest management by those in charge has got to happen before it's beyond help.
    TONY BUZOLICH
    Feather River Fly
    Yuba City, CA.
    (530) 790-7180

  8. #8
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    Oct 2008
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    Fremont when not out there
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    https://www.water-technology.net/pro...ddesalination/

    10 years from proposal to construction, not to mention financing. This solution was close to a billion dollars at the time, yet provided only 10% of the water needs to San Diego or 300,000 residents. You do the math.

  9. #9
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    Default DeSal....

    Certainly cost of construction/operation is a major consideration but consider that most existing water delivery systems are installed with the intention of being gravity fed (downhill distribution). So, in addition to the costs mentioned earlier, one or more pumping stations may be required or the DeSal plant would have to be installed on higher ground.

    Of course, the condition of the current power grid is a problem and will continue to be as long as "falling water" (as in subsidized hydro-electric) is the cheapest, trusted method of generation of same.
    "America is a country which produces citizens who will cross the ocean to fight for democracy but won't cross the street to vote."

    Author unknown

  10. #10
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    Default Speaking of Money....??

    I recently received an e-mail containing an announcement of the EIR for the Delta Conveyance Project (the tunnel) and related documents produced by CA DWR. This e-mail was sent out by an entity named AG Innovations. AG Innovations is a 501(C3), non-profit organization that advocates for innovations in producing AG crops, etc. In order to avoid the appearance of influencing the outcome of the upcoming evaluation/comment on the EIR, they have stated the AG Innovations has no position on the EIR. However, if you dig a bit deeper there's a reference to another entity: Mass Challenge.

    The info contained on Mass Challenge website reflects some interesting comments. Such as, a projection that precision farming market (which they sell) will hit $16.35 Billion by 2028. Also, they advocate "increasing government support." Who will be subsidizing providing the increased subsidies if their ideas are implemented???

    In spite of the no position statement by AG Innovations, I could draw the conclusion that there's a connection of interests between CA DWR and big AG.
    Last edited by Darian; 09-09-2022 at 11:38 AM.
    "America is a country which produces citizens who will cross the ocean to fight for democracy but won't cross the street to vote."

    Author unknown

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