The above photo is of the smelt…a tiny fish that is making massive waves in california. Scientists have seen a sharp decline in the delta smelt population over the last five years. Many biologists are concerned the species could go extinct in its native environment, the San Joaquin Delta – happens to serve as a major water throughway for the state.

The pumps at the delta tend to chew up the little smelt contributing to the decline in population. In June, state officials ordered the pumps at the San Joaquin Delta to shut down for 10 days. This shutdown affected 25 million water users, including hundreds of thousands in the East and South Bay.

While backups were utilized to supply the 25 million, powerful groups have been lobbying for change. This is a drought year, another few years of drought would consume backup supplies. In that case, a pump shutdown could turn into a crisis. Much of the water pumped is used for agricultural purposes, contributing to the economic urgency around the issue.

So we are faced with a question…extinction of a species or maintaining the current supply. No easy answers. Look for this issue to continue to be battled in the courts. And we haven’t begun talking about the fragile levee system….more to come about that.

Chronicle article about the smelt.

Science podcast about the fragile California water system.

Takeaway The intense political pressure around a little fish illustrates the huge stakes. Frankly, i’m underwhelmed with the backup water supply situations for millions. What about an earthquake? prolonged drought? What’s the state’s long term water supply strategy? — More questions are raised than answers for sure.