With recent rains to the wine country in northern California, the wine industry had begun to feel some sense of relief from its concerns over drought and the ramifications which could come as a result of not having the water supplies that they required for frost protection. But just as the industry had begun to think it might be possible to breathe a sigh of relief having made gains on its water levels lately, news has come that may prevent vineyard owners from employing their usual weapon toward fighting frost.
The Russian River is the main water source that flows through the wine country and cuts through Muir Woods on its way to the Pacific Ocean. While that water supplies many vineyards along its route, that water source also provides a life source for the area’s salmon and trout population which resides in the tributaries along its course. A frost could prompt vineyard owners to pump out significant amounts of water to fight against frost and the sudden drawdown in the river’s level could endanger the struggling fish populations.
There has been great concern over the trout and salmon populations’ dwindling numbers in the area’s inland waters that lead to the Pacific. Prior to the recent rains the low level rivers and streams had not allowed the trout and salmon to come in from the ocean to spawn. The fish numbers had fallen off so dramatically in the last two years that the change was obvious not only to the researchers studying such things, but also to the many visitors taking Muir Woods tours with the hope of watching the fish in the shallow streams of the national park – a highlight of any visit along with the giant sequoia redwood trees.
The concern is that if the river levels are reduced rapidly, the Steelhead, Chinook, and Coho which are protected by the Endangered Species Act, could become stranded in place and die, further reducing their numbers. Accordingly, vineyard owners have been put on notice that water usage restrictions are being instituted and prosecution for offenses will be imposed on offenders.
