sac. valley duck clubs no water delivery after 10/30/2007

[Clif]

I have recently learned that the federal gov't has enacted an emergency water act (title i'm not exactly sure of) that states that there will be no water diversions off of the sac. river after 10/30/2007.There are 5 water districts in the sac. valley that I know of which directly or indirectly receive water from the sac. river.The water that is delivered to my duck clubs is supplied by the Glenn/Colusa irrigation dist. . I've contacted the irrigation dist. and they confirmed what I have heard . The only water that will be delivered will be before 10/30/07 unless you are part of a reclamation dist or have the ability to pump from a well. I have tried to contact cwa but they have not responded.From talking to the different water dist. I've been told that this is the first time in history the gov't has enacated the emergency water act.

[The Lone Angler]

Does that mean that Colusa, Delevan, and Sacramento refuges won't get water after that date also?--Maybe they pump some well water if they have the pumps.

[Clif]

No, the federal refuges are exempt. They will get water. Also, from what I have heard if there is a significant amout of early rain the fed. gov't can lift the ban on diversions. The refuges do not use wells for flooding they are gravity fed.

[The Lone Angler]

So, how are the rice farmers supposed to get rid of the straw?

First, the dogooders say don't burn the rice stubble. Farmers reflood in the fall after harvesting, discing stubble into dirt(at a considerable expense I might add).

Now, no burning, no water. What is a guy to do?

[Clif]

As time passes things become a little clearer.The word is the only area affected by the water "crunch" was the Glenn/Colusa water dist. where 2 of my clubs are located and as of 10/5/07 the water is said to be available through 12/1/07 if we receive enough rain it will run through the end of the season.By that time the entire valley will probably be flooded.The good news is we receive water the bad news is it will cost twice as much as usual.